312 
TILE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET 
delicate as the vessel that holds them, otherwise they 
look out of place. You do not put a cart horse in a park 
phaeton, or a thoroughbred in a hay cart; thus place 
your exotic blooms in your royal-blue vases, and the 
wild flowers that abound in the hedgerows at present in 
an old Worcester milk-bowl, such as we often see on 
cottage dressers, and in both cases you will show good 
taste.—J. D. L., in London Queen. 
LITTLE BELL. 
Piped the blackbird on the beechwood spray : 
Pretty maid, slow wandering this way. 
What's your name ?” quoth he; 
•• What's your name ? O stop and straight unfold, 
Pretty maid, with showery curls of gold.” 
“ Little Bell," said she. 
little Bell sat down beneath the rocks. 
Tossed aside her gleaming golden locks; 
“ Bonny bird." quoth she. 
“ Sing me your best song before I go." 
•• Here's the very finest song I know. 
Little Bell,” said he. 
And the blackbird piped, you never heard 
Half so gay a song from any bird 
Full of quips and wiles : 
Now so round and rich, now soft and slow ; 
All for love of that sweet face below. 
Dimpled o'er with smiles. 
And the while the bonny bird did pour 
His full heart out freely, o'er and o'er. 
’Neath the morning skies, 
In the little childish heart below. 
All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow, 
And shine forth in happy overflow 
From her bright blue eyes ; 
Down the dell she tripped; and through the glade 
Peeped the squirrel from the hazel shade, 
And from out the tree 
Swtmg and leaped and frolicked, void of fear: 
While bold blackbird piped that all might hear, 
“Little Bell,” piped he. 
Little Bell sat down amid the fern; 
“ Squirrel, squirrel, to your task return ; 
Bring me nuts !” quoth she. 
Up, away, the frisky squirrel hies. 
Golden wood-lights glancing in his eyes, 
And adown the tree 
Great ripe nuts, kissed brown by July sun, 
In the little lap dropped oue by one ; 
Hark ! how the blackbird pipes to sec the fun, 
"Happy Bell.” pipes he. 
Little Bell looked up and down Uie glade ; 
“ Squirrel, squirrel, if you’re not afraid, 
Come and share with me!” 
Down came squirrel, eager for his fare, 
Dowu came bonny blackbird, I declare, 
Little Bell gave each his honest share ; 
Ah. the merry three ! 
And the while these frolic playmates twain, 
Piped, and frisked from bough to bough again 
’Neath the morning skies, 
In the little childish heart below, 
All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow, 
And shine out in happy overflow 
From her bright blue eyes. 
By her snow-white cot at close of day, 
Knelt sweet Bell with folded palms to pray; 
Very calm and clear 
Rose the praying voice to where, unseen, 
In blue heaven, an angel shape serene, 
Paused awhile to hear. 
“ What good child is this,” the angel said, 
“ That with happy heart beside her bed 
Prays so lovingly ?” 
Low and soft, oh ! very low and soft! 
Crooned the blackbird in the orchard croft: 
“ Bell, dear Bell,” crooned he. 
“ Whom God’s creatures love,” the angel fair 
Murmured, “ God doth bless with angel’s care ; 
Child, thy bed shall be 
Folded safe from harm. Love deep and kind 
Shall watch around, and leave good gifts behind, 
Little Bell, for thee.” 
—Thomas WesUcood. 
ROGER AT UNCLE NED’S. 
Well, I did go to Uncle Ned’s, but I was most afraid 
Papa wouldn’t let me go, after I was so naughty. I 
rode up here with Mr. Brown’s man—he goes to he 
city with butter and eggs to sell, and when he went 
back he stopped and took me and my valise; for Mamma 
said I might stay two or three weeks if Aunt Susan 
wanted, me to, and if they didn’t have any company 
staying there, and if I was a good boy, and, oh, dear, 
there was a lot more, but I don’t remember it all. And 
she said I must be “veryparticular" to wash my face 
