



Produced by Emmy, Juliet Sutherland and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. Music
by Linda Cantoni.









THE

NURSERY


_A Monthly Magazine_

FOR YOUNGEST READERS.

VOLUME XXI.--No. 2.

          BOSTON:
          JOHN L. SHOREY, No. 36 BROMFIELD STREET,
          1877.



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by

JOHN L. SHOREY,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY, 117 FRANKLIN STREET, BOSTON.



[Illustration: Contents]


IN PROSE.
                                          PAGE
  "Christmas Presents made here"           33
  My Dog Jack                              37
  Bertie's Steamer                         40
  A Story about Squirrels                  41
  What a Little Boy in England says        42
  First Lesson in Astronomy                46
  Papa's Birthday Present                  47
  Drawing-Lesson                           49
  The Rescue                               50
  The Young Sheep-Owner                    52
  Emma's Choice                            55
  Help one another                         57
  Billy and the Pig                        61
  Jocko, the Raven                         62


IN VERSE.

  The Petition of the Sparrows             35
  Ensign Johnny                            39
  The Froggies' Party                      45
  The Faithless Friend                     59
  Chipperee Chip (_with music_)            64




[Illustration: "CHRISTMAS PRESENTS MADE HERE."

VOL. XXI.--NO. 2.]




"CHRISTMAS PRESENTS MADE HERE."


[Illustration: A]BOUT a year ago, Edwin had a Christmas present of a
jig-saw. If Santa Claus brought it, then Santa Claus did a good thing
for himself; for last Christmas his pack was loaded down with presents
of Edwin's manufacture.

Nice little brackets to set up against the wall, nice little bedsteads,
book-shelves, toy-houses, frames for pictures, card-baskets,--these are
but a few of the great variety of things that Edwin makes with his
jig-saw.

Many little articles he gives away, for he is a generous boy: but he
wants books, and his mother cannot always afford to buy him the books he
wants; for she has two children, besides himself, to provide for.

So one day when Mr. Topliff, who keeps a great toy-shop, said to Edwin,
"I'll pay you well for as many of these toy-houses as you can make,"
Edwin replied, "I'll go to work just as soon as I have finished this
bracket; for a little money is just what I want."

Edwin had by practice learned to use his saw with great skill, and he
took pains always to do his work well. Gradually he learned to do the
finer sort of cabinet-work; and then he puzzled his wits to invent new
varieties of toys, and other things often sought for as Christmas
presents.

Mr. Topliff said, "You can earn a living by this kind of work, if you
choose, Edwin." But no! Edwin had made up his mind to go to college; and
so he replied, "If I can pay my college expenses by working at odd
hours, Mr. Topliff, I mean to do it--and I think I can."

"So do I," said Mr. Topliff. "You've got the knack. Well, my lad, don't
forget the firm of Topliff & Co. Bring us all your pretty things."

                                                UNCLE CHARLES.

[Illustration]




THE PETITION OF THE SPARROWS.


          NOW girls and boys of Chester Square,
          Pray give us of your meals a share.
          Just have the kindness to remember
          That this is chilly, bleak December;
          That snow has covered long the ground
          Till really nothing's to be found:
          So throw us out a crumb or two,
          And, as you would be done by, do.

          In those snug little cottages
          That you have placed among the trees,
          We all were hatched, and so, you see,
          Are members of the family.
          Hunger and frost are hard to bear:
          So, girls and boys of Chester Square,
          Just throw us out a crumb or two,
          And, as you would be done by, do.

          We know bad things of us are told:
          They call us English upstarts bold;
          Say we drive off the snow-birds dear,
          And fight the Yankee sparrows here;
          That we make havoc in the spring
          With all the sweet-pea's blossoming:
          Still throw us out a crumb or two,
          And, as you would be done by, do.

          We're not as bad as they declare,
          O girls and boys of Chester Square!
          Be sure some little good we do,
          Even though we pilfer buds a few.
          Don't grudge them, since your trees we clear
          Of vermin that would cost you dear:
          So throw us out a crumb or two,
          And, as you would be done by, do.

          Dear girls and boys of Chester Square,
          We, too, partake the Father's care;
          And to your kindly hearts he sends
          The impulse that our race befriends:
          We know that you, while Winter reigns,
          For our relief will take some pains;
          Will throw us out a crumb or two,
          And, as you would be done by, do.

                                                 EMILY CARTER.

[Illustration]




MY DOG JACK.


I WANT to tell the readers of "The Nursery" about my dog. My mamma
bought him for me when he was very young. He is a Newfoundland dog, and
is very large. He is black, with a white face and neck. His name is
Jack.

Jack is very useful in keeping tramps out of our orchard, and is also
very kind and playful. I do not like to play with him; for he is so
rough, that he sometimes tumbles me over, and hurts me: but I have a
good time with him in other ways.

He draws me about in a little cart into which I harness him. He minds a
pull on the reins, and will go just as I wish him to. But he will insist
on chasing pigs whenever he sees them. He does not like pigs.

One day, when I was harnessing him, he spied a pig, and away he ran
after it--cart and all. He broke one wheel of the cart, and came back
panting and wagging his tail, as if he had done something good; but I
scolded him well.

Jack will sit on his hind-legs, and catch bits of bread or cake in his
mouth when I throw them to him. One summer, we went to the seashore, and
took him with us. He is a splendid swimmer; and when we took a stick,
and threw it into the water, he would plunge through the waves, and
bring it back in his mouth.

Sometimes an old fisherman took me out sailing, and as there was not
room in the boat for Jack, the good old dog would lie on the wharf and
wait patiently till I came back. When he saw the boat coming in, he
would jump up and bark in great delight; and one day he leaped into the
water, and swam out to meet us.

Once my cousin and I were sitting in a cleft in the rocks, gathering
shells and pebbles, when a great black creature jumped right over our
heads. We were much frightened, but soon found that it was only our good
friend Jack. He had seen us from the top of the rock, and had jumped
down full fifteen feet to get to us.

                                                   PAUL EATON.

[Illustration]




ENSIGN JOHNNY.


          THIS is Ensign Johnny:
            See him armed for fight!
          Mice are in the garret;
            Forth he goes to smite.
          Ready for the battle,
            He is not afraid;
          For the cat, as captain,
            Will be by to aid.

          Now, good-by, my Johnny!
            Soldiers must be brave:
          While puss does the fighting,
            You the flag can wave.
          Do not, like a coward,
            From the field retreat:
          Forward, Ensign Johnny,
            And the mice defeat!

                                                      IDA FAY.




BERTIE'S STEAMER.

BERTIE has taken much pleasure in hearing me read about the different
ways in which the little "Nursery" people amuse themselves. He is very
anxious that they should, in return, know about the steamboat which his
uncle brought him from the Centennial,--a _real_ little steamboat.

It is nearly a foot long, made of brass, with a "truly" boiler, as
Bertie says, and a little alcohol lamp to convert the water in the
boiler into steam.

The older folks were as much interested in its trial trip as Bertie. The
biggest tub was brought up, and half filled with water. The little
boiler was also filled, and the lamp lighted; and we all waited
patiently for the steam to start the little wheel. A stick was put
across the tub, and a string fastened from its centre to the end of the
steamer, to keep it from running against the side of the tub. The rudder
was turned to guide the boat in a circle, and soon the steamer started.

But it did not run easily. Could it be that it would prove a failure?
Bertie's face began to put on a disappointed look.

"Can't Uncle Nelson fix it?" said he. "Uncle Nelson can do most any
thing."

So Uncle Nelson took the delicate machinery apart, and found some
particles of dirt, which prevented the piston from working smoothly.
Then he cleaned and oiled it, put it together again, and once more it
started. This time it was a complete success. How Bertie clapped his
hands, as the steam hissed, and the boat went round and round, as if it
were alive!

It was half an hour before the water in the little boiler gave out.

                                               BERTIE'S MAMMA.




A STORY ABOUT SQUIRRELS.


[Illustration]

FREDDIE is a bright little boy six years old. He goes with his papa and
mamma every summer to