The Nursery, No. 107, November, 1875, Vol. XVIII. | Page 6

So pray now be
contented, And do the best you can. To parents, friends, and teachers,
Be docile, true, and fond, And you will work more wonders Than with
a fairy's wand."
GEO. BENNETT.
[Illustration: Outline Drawing by MR. HARRISON WEIR, as a
drawing lesson.]

[Illustration]
GRANDPA'S PIGS.

Mamma says that I am only a little boy; but I think I am quite big. I
shall be six years old next May.
Last summer, mamma took me to grandpa's, to stay a few weeks. When
we got to the house, I asked grandpa if I might go with him every day
to feed the pigs. He said, "Yes."
So the next morning I went. There were four large pigs, and six little
ones; and, when the food was put into the trough, they were all so eager
to get it, that they kept tumbling over one another.
One morning, there was not a pig in the pen. We hunted everywhere,
but could not find them. At last, grandpa said, "They must be in the
turnip- garden." Sure enough, there they were.
The moment they saw us, they scampered; but, after a while, we got
them all back in the pen. Then grandpa said he wanted to know how
they got out: so we hid in the barn.
By and by, an old pig peeped around, to see if anybody was watching.
As he saw no one, he grunted, as much as to say, "All right," and
started for a large hole beneath the fence. But, before he could get out,
grandpa nailed a plank over the hole.
I wanted a pig to take home with me; but grandpa said it would not live
in the city.
HOMER.
[Illustration]

[Illustration]
CAPTAIN BOB.
At the hotel near the seaside, where I staid last summer, there was a
little fellow who was known to the guests as Captain Bob. He was from

the West, where he had never seen a large sheet of water. But, at his
first sight of old Ocean, he gave him his heart.
Old Ocean seemed to return the tender liking; for he was very kind to
Captain Bob, who was nearly all day at the seaside, running some sort
of risk. There was nobody to prevent his going in to swim as often as
he chose.
Nobody had taught Captain Bob to swim. How he learned he could not
explain. He was always ready to venture into a boat. He took to
sculling and rowing quite as naturally as a duck takes to swimming.
One morning, we were all made sad by the report that Captain Bob was
missing. He had not been seen since noon the previous day.
Messengers were sent in every direction to make inquiries after the
captain. Several persons said, that, the last they had seen of him, he was
standing by the big post on the wharf, with a little boat in his hand that
an old sailor had made for him.
Two days were at an end, and still there was no news of Captain Bob.
His parents and friends were greatly distressed. But, on the morning of
the third day, there was a shout from some of the gentlemen on the
piazza; and, on hastening to find out what was the matter, whom should
I see but Captain Bob, borne on the shoulders of two young men, and
waving his cap over his head.
Bob's story was this: A mackerel-schooner was anchored off shore; and
Bob had persuaded the sailor, who had given him the toy-boat, to take
him on board. The sailor had done this, not suspecting what was to
happen. A school of mackerel had been seen; and, as the breeze was
fair, the skipper spread all sail, and was soon five miles off shore.
The mackerel were so plenty that the fishermen made the most of their
luck, and did not return to the shore near the hotel till the third day.
"Did you have a good time, captain?" I asked.
"A good time!" exclaimed Captain Bob. "It was the jolliest time I ever

had. You should have seen me pull in the fish."
After this adventure, Captain Bob was more of a hero than ever among
the people of the hotel.
EMILY CARTER.

[Illustration]
"PAPA CAN'T FIND ME."
No little steps do I hear in the hall; Only a sweet silver laugh, that is all.
No dimpled arms round my neck hold me tight; I've but a glimpse of
two eyes very bright. Two little hands a wee face try to screen: Baby is
hiding, that's plain to be seen. "Where is my precious I've missed so all
day?" "Papa can't find me!" the pretty lips say.
"Dear me! I wonder where baby can be!" Then I