Both boys’ eyes were “as big as saucers.”

“Did papa do that, really?” asked Willie.

“Yes, he did, for this is a true story.”

“He didn’t know any better, he was so little,” said Arthur.  “I wouldn’t want to try it.”

“I think,” laughed grandpa, “that even your papa wouldn’t want to try it now, old as he is!”

MAISIE PLAYS THE GOOD FAIRY.

By Coe Hayne.

Often did Maisie play the good fairy when out in fields.  When she saw a lamb caught in the fence, she freed it; when a little bird fell from its nest she replaced it; when a wee chick lost its mother, she helped it out of its misery.  So did she try each day to make the world happier.

One day as she was roaming about, she saw something dark in the grass.  She stooped and picked up a pocketbook.  Her eyes opened wide with excitement when she found inside of the pocketbook several five-dollar bills and some silver.

[Illustration:  Maisie finds a pocketbook.]

“Who could have lost it?” she asked herself.

Maisie was going to run to the house to show her mother what she had found when she caught sight of a boy lying face downward upon the ground beside the road.

[Illustration:  Maisie caught sight of a boy lying face downward upon the ground.]

She ran to the boy and knelt beside him.  Touching him lightly upon the cheek with a wisp of grass, she said: 

“Look up, boy.  What is the matter?”

“I’ve lost my father’s pocketbook,” sobbed the boy.  “I drove ten sheep to market and the man paid me for them.  But I dare not go home because I’ve lost the money.”

“Do you believe in fairies?” asked Maisie.

“What good are fairies?” replied the boy.

“Maybe they would bring you good luck,” said Maisie.

“I don’t believe it,” said the boy.

“Suppose you try them.  Close your eyes.”

The boy closed his eyes.

“Now repeat after me: 

     “Bright eyes, light eyes!  Fairies of the dell,
     Come and listen while my woes I tell.”

The boy did as he was told.

“Now open your eyes,” ordered Maisie.

The boy opened his eyes and within six inches of his hand lay the pocketbook.  Eagerly he took it and opened it.

“Is the money all there?” asked Maisie.

“Every cent!” cried the boy with joy.

“You had better believe in good fairies,” said Maisie, as she ran away laughing.

“Ah, you are the good fairy!” called the boy after her.  “Many, many thanks for your kindness.”

THE LITTLE PIONEER’S RIDE.

By Anna E. Treat.

“Whoa, Buck!  Whoa, Bright!” called out Stephen Harris, pioneer, and the glossy red oxen halted in the forest opening.  “This shall be our dinner camp to-day, boys,” said he.  “See what a fine spot.”