Imatges de pàgina
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We had met the previous evening, we had quarrelled, we had parted;
She had called me proud, exacting, I had called her stony-hearted;
What it was that led my footsteps the next morning to the pond
Is a mystery I can't fathom, explanation far beyond.

But whate'er it was that prompted the desire I felt to skate,
So it was, and off I started, pondering on love and fate.
Heedless quite of my surroundings, feeling sure no one was near,
I put on my skates for gliding o'er the ice so bright and clear.

But behold! I scarce had skated half across the shining pond,
When I saw a scarlet pennon floating gayly just beyond;

Nor was this the only object that appeared to greet my eyes-
Well I knew that graceful figure, though the sight provoked surprise.

Calling loudly, I rushed onward, with a fearful anxious thrill,
But the willful little creature only skated faster still.

On she flew to certain danger, and it might be even death:-
At the thought I sped like lightning, while I fiercely caught my breath.
As I reached her side she gave me such a look of cold disdain
That I boiled with sudden anger, saying, "Pardon me, Miss Vane,
Doubtless 'tis quite rude to tell you, but the ice is broken through
Just beyond, and if you notice, it cracks somewhat under you."
Then a sudden sense of peril drove the color from her cheek
As she saw the ragged fissure, as she heard the thin ice creak;
Quick repentance changed her coldness into warmth and gratitude
As remorsefully she faltered, "Do forgive me; I'll be good."
Could I do less than forgive her, while I plead for pardon, too,
Owning I was half the sinner e'er to doubt that she was true?
Then we turned and skated homeward with one thankful backward glance
At the fearful yawning fissure that forbade all safe advance.

MINNIE AND HER DOG.

Minnie Carlton lived in a large pleasant country town, in a large pleasant country house painted white, with green blinds, and having a piazza running along one side of it. In front of the house was a large Rower garden, and behind it a long stretch of green dotted with fruit trees, while at one side lay a spacious and beautifully smooth croquet-ground. The only child of kind and indulgent parents who were far from poor, one might reasonably suppose that a happier little girl than Minnie could not easily be found; and, generally speaking, this was true. But sometimes the happiest and most favored children have wishes that are not gratified, and Minnie had one favorite hobby which she persisted in riding whenever she felt the least out of sorts. She had a perfect passion for pets of all kinds, and if she could have had her own way, she would have become the owner of kittens, dogs, birds, white mice, and, in short, every pretty or cunning little creature that happened to interest her for the moment; and she thought it very hardhearted of her father and mother to refuse

permission for her to do so. But she wept and teased in vain, for in this respect her parents were firm, and would not allow her to go beyond a canary and a parrot.

Poll was one of the handsomest of her tribe, all scarlet, and green, and gold, and blue; Tip, the canary, was all that a canary could be, and Minnie took great delight in his sweet songs and pretty ways. Polly bid fair to become gifted in conversation to an extraordinary degree, and would sit on the piano while her little mistress played some simple air and laugh uproariously, which was probably her way of applauding the performance.

But with all these graces in her pets, Minnie's heart was still unsatisfied; her sky was dark, and her soul was sad, for the want of a dog-a real, live, playful dog, that would love her and let her hold him in her lap, or frolic with her on the lawn. Her friend Alice Stanley had a silky little spaniel with great clear eyes and long glossy ears, and O, how Minnie longed for such a pet when Alice detailed all his good qualities to her! She had begun to

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