Look! look! look!

The woods are all afire!

See! see! see!

Aflame are bush and brier!

The trees are all unhurt, I know-- Oak, maple, elm and all-- But, oh, they all seem burning up In red fires of the fall!

WHISTLING IN THE RAIN

Whistle, whistle, up the road, And whistle, whistle down the lane!

That's the laddie takes my heart, A-whistling in the rain.

Winter wind may whistle too-- That's a comrade gay!

Naught that any wind can do Drives his cheer away.

Whistle, whistle, sun or storm; And whistle, whistle, warm or cold!

Underneath his ragged coat There beats a heart of gold.

He will keep a courage high, Bear the battle's brunt; Let the coward whine and cry!-- His the soldier's front.

Shoes, I know, are out at toe, And rags and patches at the knee; He whistles still his merry tune, For not a fig cares he.

Whistle, whistle, up the road, Whistle, whistle, down the lane!

That's the laddie for my love, Whistling in the rain.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Whistling in the rain]

THE WOODEN HORSE

I'm just a wooden horsy, and I work hard all the day At hauling blocks and dollies in my little painted dray.

Sometimes they feed me make-believe, sometimes nothing at all, And sometimes I'm left standing on my head out in the hall.

I try to be most patient, but 'twas just the other day I got provoked with Teddy Bear and almost ran away.

REBECCA DEMING MOORE.

AFTER SCHOOL

I've come to you again, my dear. There's no more school today.

Let's cuddle down a little while before we go to play, And you shall tell me what you've done, and whether you've felt sad.

I always hurry home because I know you'll be so glad.

I had a thought in school today--I quite forgot my book-- I seemed to see you waiting, and how lonely you must look, And all the other children's dolls, ten thousand, I suppose, All sitting up so patiently, and turning out their toes.

And then when I was called upon to answer "four times four,"

I failed, and teacher told me that I ought to study more.

She asked if I had done my best. I had to answer, "No'm."

I don't believe she leaves a little lonely doll at home!

HANNAH G. FERNALD.

A SLEEPY-HEAD TOP

My top is just the very best, But, my! it is the laziest.

It sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps all day, And doesn't want to come and play.

Then, when it spins, it sleeps the more.

It stands up straight, but it will snore, Until it is so sound asleep It tumbles over in a heap.

SINCLAIR LEWIS.

A CHRISTMAS "TELEPHONE"

"Ullo, Mr. Santa! Ullo! Ullo! Ullo!

If must be 'most to Christmas, and I think you ought to know About the things we're needing most--of course I'd like a doll, And Jimmy wants a rocking-horse, and Charlie wants a ball.

"And all of us would like a lot of striped candy sticks (There's just six boys and girls of us--be sure to make it six), And gum-drops; and oh, if you could, some red-and-white gibraltars!

I had some once, and half was mine, and half of them was Walter's.

"But, dear old Santa, don't forget, whatever you leave out, To put in some surprises that we never thought about; For in the whole long stocking, clear down into the toe, The presents that are nicest are the ones you didn't know."

A LOST BABY

Baby's hidden all away!

n.o.body can find her!

Where's the baby, mamma? Say, Let's go look behind her!

Baby? No, she isn't there-- Have we lost our baby?

Let's go hunting down the stair, There we'll find her, maybe.

Papa's lost his little girl!

What will he do for kisses?

What is this? A yellow curl?

And please to say what this is