So she stepped up beside Willie, snatched the doughnut out of his hand, and ran away with it as fast as she could.  Her chickens ran after her, screaming for the fine feast which their mother had stolen for them.

And there sat Willie on the doorstep, his eyes bigger and bluer than ever, amazed to find himself robbed in this way by a respectable looking old hen.  He did not know what to do, and was half inclined to cry.

But, when little children are in trouble, there is always one thing they can do:  they can go to their mamma, and ask her help.  Willie thought of this, and trotted off with a very sober face to tell his mamma this wonderful story of the hen who helped herself.

L.R.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

THE GREAT JOURNEY.

“Come, my baby, all alone!”
Was so long a baby-journey ever known? 
All the way, so wide and bare,
From the table to the chair;
’Tis no wonder he should linger,
Holding on to papa’s finger,
Though his mother beckons there
From her throne,
With, “Come, baby, all alone!”

“Come, my baby, all alone!”
Were such mingled doubt and daring ever shown? 
Now he drops his hold, and then
Closer clings to it again;
Now he steps out with a shiver,
As one tries a rapid river,
And shrinks back, and wonders when,
Taller grown,
Baby shall go all alone.

“Here comes baby, all alone!”
Was a more victorious bravery ever known? 
Right across the trackless space
The small feet have won their race;
And he tosses back thereafter
Such a peal of ringing laughter! 
It laughs out from every face,
Proud to own
“Baby has gone all alone!’

Back goes baby all alone. 
Oh what inches, all at once, has baby grown! 
Back and forth, with merry cries,
Like a little bird he flies;
First to father, then to mother,
Then to sister, then to brother,
Greeting each with laughing eyes. 
Bravely done! 
Shout for baby, every one!

GEORGE S. BURLEIGH.

A WOFUL TALE.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER I.

MAKING FRIENDS.

Jane has on a clean apron.  In her hand she has a piece of cake.  She has just taken one bite when she meets a dog.

“Good dog,” says Jane, “come let me pat you.”  He looks up, and whines, as much as to say, “I am glad to see you, Jane.”

CHAPTER II.

RATHER TOO INTIMATE.

[Illustration]

“You like me, don’t you?” says Jane.  “You are a sweet little pet.  I wonder what your name is.  I shall name you Skip.  Come up here, Skip, and let me smooth your silken hair.”

So Skip springs up, and puts both of his front paws on little Jane’s clean apron.  Jane is startled.  Does he want to kiss her, or does he want the cake?  Ah, it is the cake that the sly rogue wants!