The sea-bass, black-bass, pike and dace
    Went dashing on like mad;
  The sheep’s-head, with his lamb-like face,
    Swam by the graceful shad.

  The pickerel leaped and danced along;
    The frog-fish puffed and blew;
  The herring in a countless throng
    Swam by, a merry crew.

  The turtles sailed a Dutch-built fleet,
    On port and starboard tack,
  While through their ranks, with caution meet,
    Darted the stickleback.

  The shrimp and lobster clawed along
    With others of their kin,
  And in their company a throng
    Of lively terrapin.

  The bull-pouts, dressed in black and drab,
    With horns and visage grim,
  Preceded the meandering crab;
    The mackerel followed him.

  Sea-spiders, in their coats of mail;
    Shiners, with silver vest;
  White-fish and weak-fish at their tail,
    Swam on with all the rest.

  The royal turbot, true and tried,
    Subject of England’s queen,
  Sailed on in regal pump and pride,
    With whitebait and sardine.

  The knightly salmon, king of fish,
    Without reproach or fear,
  The noblest fish a man could wish,
    Came bringing up the rear.

  And thus they reached the mermaid’s cave. 
    Who, with a heart-felt joy,
  To her bright home beneath the wave,
    Welcomed the little boy!

* * * * *

Here is a letter which we print just as it was written by the little one who sent it to us: 

    DEAR ST. NICHOLAS I send you a little story to put in the letter
    Box.

Once there was a little Boy His Name was Harry He lived with His Mother in a humble little Cottage) His Mothers Name was Mrs Jones she was a Widow) she and Harry lived all alone) one day Harry came Home from school and faced the Doctor at the Door young man said the Dr to the Boy your Mother is very sick) she was doing what you ought to of done for her) what is that sir said Harry choping Wood Bringing in Coal and all such work as that) she straned her self and is very ill) poor Harry hung down His head for His Mother had asked Him to chop the wood this Morning when He was mending his Ball) He said I will be there in a moment Mother) and like all Boy He forgot) oh how poor Harry felt When He thought of this) but Harry took good care of His Mother ever after) a Friend of Harries got Him a good Situation and Made a man of Him and He allways did what His Mother asked Him) ever after Harry said to the Dr one day) Dr I can take care of Mother now and I allways will

    So we hope Harry will take care of His Widow Mother, all the) rest
    of His days)

    M.J.W.

* * * * *

Here is a nice letter that a little girl wrote to her mother nearly thirty-three years ago.  The little girl was away from her town home on a visit to the country for the sake of her health; and all that she wrote in the letter was true.