For the Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2151, 28 March 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

For the Children.

LITTLE CAT’S VALENTINE. Great Old Dbg was la'kiug a nap before the parlor tire, lie lay - i retched out on a white bearskin, and reached almost from end to cud, for. he was a very old dog indeed. By and Ido, he woke up and saw Lille -Dog sitting in front of him looking very melancholy. “What's the matter, hitlo -one?” asked the Great Old Dug. “Where’s Little Cat?” “I don’t 'know,” said. I lie Little Dog dolefully.” “Wo don’t speak to each other any more.” “WuIVI” said the Great Old Dog. “Why?” “She war; horrid to me,” raid the Little dog, “about a none ; and-—and then I was horrid to hnv’ “Ami you think two wrongs .make a right?” said Great Old Dog. “They don’t. That is monkey arithmetic,, not lit- for respectable dogs and cals. My advice to you is to make it up as soon as you can.” “But she rays she’ll never speak to me again,” said Littlo Dog piteously. Great Old Dog yawned co wide that Little Dog could have got inside Ins mouth and turned round. “She will!” he said. ■ “How do you know, Great Old Dog?” “Wulf, I know cats.” “I think she has gone out to see Old Cat in the barn,”. Little Dog continued. “Perhaps 'he may live out there and never come back.” “She’ll come hack," said Croat Old .Dog. “She will miss you just as much as you miss her. Make it up, I tell you! Quarrelling is the silliest thing there is,” and be went to sleep again. “Oh, dear!” said Little Dog. “I do miss Little Cat- dreadfully, and the door is shut. Oh, oh, dear!”

Little Girl was sitting at the desk, doing things with gold ami silver paper. .Little Dog went up to liar and asked very prettily to ho letout; but Little Girl was not vx> clever as usual.

“What’s the matter, Little Dog?” site asked. “Do you want a valentine?” “Please lot mo out!” said Little Dog; but she thought he said “Yap.”

“Listen, Little Dogi” she -said. “Will this do?” She took up a frilled sheet with gold hearts on it and read: “If your heart is true as mine, Como and be luv valentine.’

“Please let me out!” said Little dog; but she. thought he said “Yap!”

“This is Yaleutiiie’s Day, Little Dog,” Little Girl went on. “You ought to send a valentine to-Little Cat.- “ ‘lf your heart be true nr. mine,

Come-and be my valentine.’ Why Little Dog, you shall lie her valentine. (Anne ligre, sir!”

Little Girl took a sheet of lace paper, crumpled it into a frill, and tucked it into Little Dog’:; collar. It tickled him woefully, hut he raid not a word, for he loved Little Girl almost next to Little Cat.

“You are lovely, Lit-110 Deg!” said Little Girl. “You are the best valentine I have made- vet. Wait now!” She made a big star of gold paper and pinned it to his collar; then she made two little star.; and pasted them on the tips of his ears! “You are a lovely valentine!” she cried, clapping her hands. “And there is Little Cat mowing to be let in this minute. Now when I open the door, Littlo Dog, go straight up to her ami say: “ ‘lf your heart is true as mine, Let me'he your valentine!’

She opened the door, ami .Little Cat started to come in, but when she saw Little Dog she stopped and looked shy.

Little Dog went up to her and said: “If your heart- be true r.:> mine, Little Cat, I am -sorry I was horrid about that bone; lot me hey.'our valentine, and I want to make if up.” “Oh, Little Dog,” said Little Cat, “I was horrid first, and i v/as just coining to say I was sorry. Let’s never quarrel again, Little Dog; it is so lonely!” “Dear little thing-;!” caul Little Girl. “Their rubbing noses and tel-

ling each oilier something. Oh, dear! and 1 was cross to brother this morning. I’m going to find him this minute and say i am sorry and ask him to bo my valentine.” THE LAND-OF STORY-BOOKS. At evening when the lump is lit, Around tho lire.my parents sit; They sit at home" mid talk and sing, And do not,play at anything. Now, with my little gun 1 -crawl All- .in tho dark along the avail, And follow round the forest track' Away behind tho sofa hack. There, in the night, where none can spy. All in my hunter’s comp 1 he, And play at books-.that i.have read Till it is time to go to bed. These are the hills, these are the woods; These are my starry solitudes; And there the river, by whose brink The roaring lions come to drink. I see the others far a wav As if in firelight cam]) they Jay, And I, like to an Indian scout, Around their party prowl about. So, when my nurse comes in for mo, Home I return across tho sea. And go to bed with backward looks At my dear, land of story-books. Robert Louis Stevenson . A BOY’S SONGn \ Whore, the pools, are bright and deep, Where the grey trout lies asleep, Up the river and o're the lea, That’s the way for Diily and me. Where the blackbird c'ngs I lid latest, "Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest, "Whore- the nestlings chirp and flee, That’s the way for Billy and me. Where the mowers mow the cleanest, Where the hay lies thick am! greenest. There to trace the homeward hoc, That’s tho way for Billy and me. j ! "Where the hazel bank h steepest, Whore the dm daw s (fall the do-apest, Where the clustering nuts full free, That’s the way for Billy and me. • Why the hoys should drive away Little saveet maidens from their play, Or love to banter and fight so avail, That’s the tiling I never could toll. But this I know: I love to play, Through the meadow, among the liny. Up the water and o’er tho ien, Tli-at’s the way for Billy and me. James Hogg (The EUriek Shepherd) ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL. All tilings' bright and beautiful. All creature.; great -and small, All things wise- and wonderful. The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that' sings,. He made their glowing, colours, ,He made their tiny wings. The rich man in his castle, The poor man at ids gale. God made flion high or lowly. And ordered their estate. The purph -lo aded mountain, Tho river running by. The sunset and the morning. That brightens up the skv : The cold winds in tho winter, The pleasant .summer sun. The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. The tail trees .in the greenwood, The meadows avhexe we play, The rushes by the water We gather every day. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that aye might toll How great is God Almighty. "Who has made all thing avail. Cecil Frances Alexander.