﻿128 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



All nature is busy the mowers at dawn 

 Are swinging their scythes on the flowering lawn, 

 While the damsels so blithe in the fields all the day 

 With songs lighten labor while making the hay. 



There the infants are mimicking labor, you see, 

 As they sport on the grass in their innocent glee ; 

 Their light hearts as yet know no sorrow nor care, 

 But are cheerful and buoyant, and free as the air. 



blest rural scenes, in the country, away 

 From the city's wild din, both by night and by day ; 

 There the hot cheek is fanned by the balmy fresh breeze, 

 And labor finds rest beneath blossoming trees ! 



The hum of the insects, the warbling of birds, 

 The song of the milk-maid, the lowing of herds, 

 Drive sorrow away from the grief-smitten heart, 

 And the gladness of youth to the aged impart. 



Wishes. 



" How I wish I had a rocking-horse," said Harry Curtis, as he 

 threw down a broom-stick he had been riding; " what nice sport I 

 would have this vacation ! " 



" And I wish I had a wax doll," said his sister Mary Ana, " all 

 dressed like Emma's." 



" 0," said cousin Emma, " if some good fairy, such as I have 

 read of, would rise up and grant us our wishes " 



" How many fine toys I would have," cried Harry. " What 

 would you wish for Emma ? ' : 



" Money enough to buy whatever I might want," answered hiib 

 cousin. 



Just then Mr. Curtis, who had seemed busily reading a paper in 

 the further part of the room, rose and came towards the children. 

 " Tell us a story, papa," cried Harry, "tell us a pretty story." " Do, 

 papa" and " Do, good uncle," joined the little girls. 



" Well, my children, your conversation just now reminded me of 

 a fable I have heard. I will tell it to you, and talk with you a little 



