He would hop and strut around in such a funny, pompous way, that one could not help laughing.  He would take food from any one’s hand, but would not let any one touch him, except Mr. Hart, the children’s father.

To Mr. Hart he seemed to take a great liking.  He would hop on to his hand or shoulder:  he would follow him all over the place.  As soon as Mr. Hart came into the house, Jack would stand outside the door, and scream to him to come out.  Indeed, Jack was almost too fond of him.

One day when Mr. Hart was chopping wood, Jack kept laying his bill within two or three inches of the place where the axe fell.  It seemed just as if he wanted his bill chopped off.

Jack could talk a little.  He could say “pretty,” “what,” and “yes, sir.”  When hungry, he would come round to the kitchen-door.  There he would keep up a loud chattering, till food was given him to eat.

Jack was shy of Marcus, the dog.  But, while Marcus was eating his dinner, Jack would steal up, and seize a bone from the plate.  Then he would run off and hide it.

I believe that all magpies are thieves.  I know that Jack was a sad thief.  He would carry off almost any thing he saw lying about.  One day he was caught in the act of carrying off the gardener’s pipe.

It was fun for Ernest and Edith to watch him at his mischief.  All summer they made much of him.  Now, in October, though the trees are still green and the wild flowers are not gone, we have had in our Colorado home a taste of winter.

[Illustration:  Jack the magpie and the dog.]

The ground has been white with snow.  Jack is still with us, and seems quite happy.  Edith and Ernest may stay here all winter.  Perhaps I may tell you something of their winter sports.  Would you like to hear it?

AUNT SADIE.

PORTRAITS FOR LITTLE FOLKS.

[Illustration:  Master Baby]

    This is Master Baby,
      Paying a morning call,
    Sitting so good upon his chair,
      But speaking not at all. 
    Listening to every word,
      The funny little man! 
    Wondering at the news he hears,
      Thinking all he can.

[Illustration:  Miss Mary Vernon]

    This little lady,
      I’d have you know,
    Is Miss Mary Vernon,
      With cheeks in a glow. 
    She has a doll Bella,
      Quite dear to her heart,
    And takes her to ride
      In a nice little cart.

[Illustration:  Tommy Trip]

    This is Tommy Trip: 
      Bubbles he can blow;
    When a bubble breaks too soon,
      Tommy cries, “Don’t go!”
    Older folks I know,
      Who their fine schemes make,
    And, when any fine scheme fails,
      Cry, “Oh, do not break!”

[Illustration:  Susan]

    ’Tis the winter cold,
      All the ponds are ice;
    Susan loves the winter cold,
      Calls the weather nice. 
    Warm with muff and coat,
      She can go and skate;
    She can glide along the ice
      At a merry rate.