The Nursery, December 1877, Vol. XXII. No. 6 A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by JOHN L. SHOREY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY, 117 FRANKLIN STREET, BOSTON.

IN PROSE.

PAGE The Starlings and the Sparrows 164 Katie and Waif 166 Amy and Robert in China 169 About two old Horses 171 Baby's Exploit 173 Drawing-Lesson 177 Birdie's Pig Story 180 Our Friend the Robin 181 Frank's high Horse 183 Sagacity of a Horse 185 Phantom 186

IN VERSE.

PAGE Steering for Home 129 Three naughty Pigs 133 The Butterfly and the Grasshopper 139 Little Mosquito 150 A naughty Baby 154 The Apple Tree (with music) 160 The last Guest 161 For Ethel 172 The Fox and the Crow 176 The Swallows and the Robins 178 Christmas (with music) 188

THE LAST GUEST.

THE MORNING AFTER THE PARTY.

MARY (angrily).

TOM (calmly).

Miss Mary, I assure you You're entirely mistaken: I was finishing my supper-- Don't call me thief or brute, But please be so obliging As to broil a slice of bacon As my reward for self-control: I haven't touched the fruit.

MARY (sneeringly).

For that there is good reason, You thing of craft and treason; You did not touch the grapes, because The grapes you do not like. You get no slice of bacon From me, since you have taken The bird I'd set my heart upon. Away, or I will strike!

TOM (derisively).

Be patient, Mistress Mary, Of broomsticks I am wary: The door is open, and I see What you would now be at.

MARY (angrily).

Away! obey my order, You sneaking, base marauder! I'll teach you to steal birds again! Be off! Take that, and--Scat!

[_Exit Tommy at double-quick time, followed by Mary, who strikes with the broom, but does not hit._]

ALFRED SELWYN.

THE STARLINGS AND THE SPARROWS.

"LOOK here, my dear," said a starling to her mate: "in our pretty summer-villa a pair of saucy sparrows have taken up their abode. What shall we do?"

"What shall we do?" cried Mr. Starling, who was calmly standing on a fence; "why, rout them out, of course; give them notice to quit."

"That we will do," replied Mrs. Starling. "Here, you beggars, you: out of that house! You've no business there. Be off!"

"What's all that?" piped Mrs. Sparrow, looking out of her little round doorway. "Go away, you impudent tramp! Don't come near our house."

"It is not your house!" said Mr. Starling, springing nimbly to a bough, and confronting Mrs. Sparrow.

"It is ours!" cried Mr. Sparrow, looking down from the roof of the house. "I have the title-deeds. Stand up for your rights, my love!"

"Yes, stand up for your rights. I'll back you," said Mrs. Sparrow's brother-in-law, taking position on a branch just at the foot of the house.

"We'll see about that, you thieves!" cried Mrs. Starling, in a rage, making a dash at Mrs. Sparrow's brother-in-law.

But two of Mrs. Sparrow's cousins came to the rescue just then, and attacked Mrs. Starling in the rear.

Thereupon Mr. Starling flew at Mrs. Sparrow. Mr. Sparrow, without more delay, went at Mr. Starling. Mrs. Sparrow's brother-in-law paid his respects to Mrs. Starling. There was a lively fight.

It ended in the defeat of the sparrows. The starlings were too big for them. The sparrows retreated in good order, and left the starlings to enjoy their triumph.

"Now, my dear," said Mr. Starling, "go in, and put the house in order. I'll warrant those vulgar sparrows have made a nice mess in there. Sweep the floors, dust the furniture, and get the beds made. I'll stay here in the garden, and rest myself."

"Just like that husband of mine!" muttered Mrs. Starling: "I must do all the work, while he has all the fun. But I suppose there's no help for it."

So she flew up to the door of the house; but, to her surprise, she could not get through it: the opening was not large enough.

"Well, Mr. Starling," said she, "I do believe we have made a mistake. This is not our house, after all."

"Why did you say it was, then?" said Mr. Starling, in a huff. "Here I have got a black eye, and a lame claw, and a sprained wing, and have lost two feathers out of my tail, all through your blunder. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Mrs. Starling!"

"I own that I was hasty," said poor Mrs. Starling; "but I meant well."

"Yes, you thought the sparrows were thieves, and so did I. But it turns out, that we are no better than burglars ourselves; and, what's more, we shall have a whole army of sparrows back upon us before long. We had better take ourselves off." And off they flew.

DORA BURNSIDE.

KATIE AND WAIF.