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dying to vindicate the honor of the loveliest of ladies, and as his antagonist now stood in the place of the one who had given the offence, he wished him in the presence of the assembly to retract what had been said, "Certainly," exclaimed the General, "it is with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction I here declare that Miss Katy, when she said she did,' spoke simply and only the truth." Upon this Colonel Bumble Bee, turned upon one side, and closing his eyes, exclaimed "I die content," immediately expired.

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The assembly then retired, overwhelmed with grief and admiration at this interesting scene. The next day, at the general Congress of Bugs, it was unanimously voted to attend Colonel Bumble Bee's funeral, and in testimony of their high respect for his memory, that each member should wear a black string on the left leg for thirty days.

For myself, I have ever since felt very melancholy, and to while away my leisure hours I have employed myself in preparing this history of my misfortunes. Let me then conclude, by intreating

all my young friends to shun the fault, that they may escape the misfortunes of their sorrowful friend Katy Did.

MISS CATHERINE E. BEECHER,

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

WHO showed the little ant the way
Her narrow hole to bore,

And spend the pleasant summer day
In laying up her store?

The sparrow builds her clever nest
Of wool, and hay, and moss;
Who told her how to build it best,
And lay the twigs across?

Who taught the busy bee to fly
Among the sweetest flowers,
And lay its store of honey by,
To eat in winter hours?

'Twas God who showed them all the way, And gave their little skill, And teaches children, if they pray,

To do His holy will.

THREE LITTLE EGGS.

HERE's a nest in the hedge row,

Half hid by the leaves,

And the sprays, white with blossom,

Bend o'er it like eaves.

Look in very softly

Between the green boughs, While the mother is absent, God watches the house.

Straw walls, and a lining
Of mosses and wool,

Well wrought the small mason,
His bill all his tool.

Three eggs, blue and speckled,
Are all it will hold,

But more dear to the mother
Than diamonds and gold.

She is happy and thankful
The whole summer long,
With her mate perching near her
And warbling his song.

God gave them their lodging,
He gives them their food,
And they trust he will give them
Whatever is good.

Ah, when your rich blessings,

My child, you forget, When for some little trouble

You murmur and fret,

Hear the sweet voices singing

In hedges and trees, Will you be less thankful,

Less trustful than these?

THE CAPTIVE BLUEBIRD.

"SWEET little mistress, let me go,
And I'll smooth the feathers on my brow,
And sing you a song so sweet and clear,
That you will be glad to stop and hear.

do;

Indeed, you know not what you I'll tell you all, and tell you true : I've left some young ones on the tree, In a soft nest; there are one, two, three.

""Tis two hours now since Billy was fed,
And little Dick he hangs his head,
Sweet Katy wonders where I'm gone,
And the poor things are all alone.

66 'Perhaps some cat, in prowling round, Will see and seize them at a bound; The cruel pussy I might scare

With my

shrill note, if I were there.

"Ah me! no more at early morn

Shall I rest my foot on the stooping thorn,
And pour the song from my soft breast,
While my dear young ones are at rest.

"No more shall I, with eager bill,
Snatch up the worm from off the hill,
And no more hear the trembling cry
That welcomes me when I draw nigh.

"But my sad notes have touched your heart,
Your open hand bids me depart;
Blessings on thee, my mistress dear,
My darlings have no more to fear."

EVENING.

THE day is past, the sun is set,

And the white stars are in the sky; While the long grass with dew is wet, And through the air the bats now fly.

The lambs have now lain down to sleep,
The birds have long since sought their nests;
The air is still; and dark, and deep

On the hill side the old wood rests.

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