The Nursery, No. 106, October, 1875. Vol. XVIII. | Page 7

woodman's axe
lies free, and the reaper's task is done."
It was a very pretty sight, on a summer evening, when the bright clouds
over the setting sun threw their tints on the water, to see the ducks
swimming by the side of the little boat which contained Elsie and the
rest of the family. It was so pretty a sight, that a good artist made a
picture of the scene. We give you a copy of it here.
IDA FAY.
[Illustration]

FISHING FOR TROUT.
The trout belongs to the salmon family. Its flesh is generally of a pale
pink or yellow color. It is one of the handsomest fish to be found in our
waters. The variations of its tints are very beautiful; and the red spots
on its skin distinguish it from common fish.
I never had much luck in catching trout. One summer I went from the
city to try the trout-streams in Northern New York. I had a handsome
rod, and a line nicely baited with an artificial fly; but, though I was
very persevering, my success was small.
I remember sitting for hours on the slender bridge just below the Upper
Cascades of Buttermilk Fall, represented in the picture; but my patience
was not rewarded by the capture of a single trout. I was sorry for this;
for I had depended on getting one for my dinner.
As I was about retiring, a little barefoot fellow, about twelve years old,
came along with a common fishing-pole, and hook baited with a worm,
and said, "Mister, I'll catch a trout for you."--"Do it, then," said I.
He threw his line over a smooth spot in the pool below; and, before he
had been at it five minutes, he pulled up a noble trout, large enough for
a good dinner. Another and another were pulled up in quick succession.
I did not know what to make of it; for I thought I had fished in a very
scientific way.
"Teach me the knack," said I. "Oh, it can't be taught," replied the boy.
"Well, here is a dime for your trouble," said I, putting the fish into my
pail. "Do you suppose I take pay for what I do for sport, mister?" said
little barefoot, waving back my hand with the air of a prince.
After that we became good friends, and met often at the bridge; but I
never could learn his knack of catching trout.
ALFRED SELWYN.
[Illustration]

[Illustration]
WE THREE.
What fine times we have together!--Carlo, John, and Bella; by which
last I mean myself. Carlo has the advantage of the other two of us
sometimes; for he has four legs, and can run faster than either John or I.
But then we can do a great many things that Carlo cannot do.
For example, John and I sometimes take our books, and sit down on the
rocks in the wood, under the thick trees, and read stories. And then
Carlo will lie down at our feet, and go to sleep; for he cannot
understand the nice stories which the other two friends enjoy so much.
But wait till we go into the swamps after berries, or into the
wood-borders after hazel-nuts. Then Carlo is wide awake, you may be
sure. If he sees a snake, what a noise he makes! We can always tell by
the tone of his bark when he has found a snake.
And, when John climbs a tree after nuts, how anxiously Carlo will
stand underneath and watch him, so afraid is he that the little boy will
get a fall! And how the good dog will jump and show his pleasure
when he sees John once more safe on the firm ground!
Oh! we have fine times together, we three, both in summer and winter;
for Carlo likes to see us skate on ice, and is fond of a snowballing frolic.
In all our sleigh-rides he goes with us, and takes great care of us. We
are dear friends, we three, and I should no more think of striking Carlo
than of striking John.
BELLA.
PET, THE CANARY.
A little girl by the name of Agnes, who lives in Maine, and who much
enjoys "The Nursery," has a beautiful, bright canary, which her papa
brought her one day in a paper-box. Agnes named him Pet.

The little fellow has become so tame, that he is allowed to stay out of
his cage as long as he wishes, always going to it of his own accord
when bedtime comes. One day I found no pins on my pin-cushion; and,
seeing them scattered around on the bureau, I wondered who could
have done the mischief. I soon found, by watching, that it was Pet's
work.
Every day he took his stand on the