The Nursery, No. 169, January, 1881, Vol. XXIX | Page 4

had put the question, once
exchanged dresses with a shepherd, and went amongst the sheep.
The traveller in the shepherd's dress called the sheep, and tried to lead
them; but "they knew not his voice," and did not move. But when the
shepherd called them, though he was in the traveller's dress, they ran at
once to him, thus proving that it was the voice that led them.
I have a dog that will sometimes bark at me when I put on an overcoat
which he has not seen me wear before. But, the moment he hears my
voice, he seems ashamed of not having known me, and will whine, as if
he would say, "Pardon me, good master. It was very stupid in me not to

know you. It was your coat I did not know. I will try to be wiser the
next time."
DORA BURNSIDE
* * * * *

"A FRIEND IN NEED."
Henry lived in the great city of London. He was known as "the boy at
the crossing." He used to sweep one of the crossings in Oxford Street.
In wet weather these crossings are very muddy. Now and then some
one would give him a penny for his work. He did not make much in a
day; but what he got was a great help to his mother. That thought kept
him daily at his work. One day he saw a little girl trying to lead her
little brother across the street. The carts and the horses made her afraid,
and she ran back timidly.
"What's the matter, little girl?" asked Henry.
"I am afraid we shall be run over," said the girl.
"I'll help you across," said Henry. Then, lifting the little boy in his arms,
he took the girl by the hand, and led her safely to the other side of the
street.
[Illustration: A friend in need.]
"Thank you!" said the little girl; and "Thank you!" said her little brother,
as plainly as he could speak it.
I went up and asked the boy with the broom if he knew the children. "I
never saw them before in my life," said he; "but such little ones can't
get across without help."
"You are a good boy," said I. "I think you must have a good father."

"I had one once," said he; "but now I have only a good mother."
"Well, Henry," said I, "give her this shilling, and tell her I send it to her
for teaching her boy to do good when he can get a chance."
Tears came to the boy's eyes. A shilling seemed a good deal of money
to him, and it pleased him all the more because it was given him for his
mother.
"Thank you, sir; thank you!" said he, and he ran back to his work one
of the happiest boys in London, I think, at that moment.
JANE OLIVER.
* * * * *

"IN A MINUTE."
If you asked Dora to do any thing, she would reply, "In a minute." It
was a bad habit she had. "Dora, please bring me a drink of water."--"In
a minute."--"Dora, go up stairs, and bring me down my comb."--"Yes,
mother, in a minute."--"Dora, come to your dinner."--"In a minute."
One day the bird was hopping about on the floor. Somebody went out,
leaving the door open, just as "somebody" is always doing. Dora's
mother said, "Dora, shut the door, or the cat will be after your bird."
"Yes, mother, in a minute," said Dora. "I just want to finish this line in
my drawing." But the cat did not wait till this was done. In he popped,
and with one dart he had the bird in his mouth.
Down went the slate on the floor, and away went cat, bird, and Dora.
There was a wild chase on the lawn. "In a minute" Dora came back
weeping, with the poor bird in her hand, but, oh! the life had all been
shaken out of him.
[Illustration: Dora and the bird.]

How Dora cried! Mamma was sorry for her, but said, "A great many
things may happen 'in a minute,' Dora. I hope the next time you are told
to do a thing, you will do it at once."
MARY ADDISON.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE
[Illustration: THE CHRISTMAS TREE]
Spring and Summer and russet Fall Come and go with a varied cheer;
Each has something, and none has all, Of the good things of the year.
Winter laughs, though the trees are bare, With a kindly laugh that is
good to see; For of all the forest is none so rare As his merry
Christmas-tree.
It blooms with many a taper's flame; And hidden under the leaves of
green Are fruits of every shape and