Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Grandmother's Letter.

IT is rather an effort for grandmother to write a letter, for her eyesight is not what it was ; but she must answer the letter which little Maud sent her this morning. So, putting on her spectacles, she sits down to her desk to tell her dear little grandchild how pelase she is to have the first letter Maud has ever written ; and she says that when the summer comes Maud is to come by and stay with her, and make hay in the meadow, which grandmother knows is a great pleasure to little folks.  Then knowing Maud's fondness for animals there follows a list of the cats and dogs, rabbits and cows, all mentioned by name; and the letter finishes with grandmother's fond love and kisses to her little pet. Maud is very kind to animals.  She is a member of the "Band of Mercy," for teaching children to be kind to animals.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Poor Pussy.

"POOR pussy," said little Harry, running after the cat, who, roused from sleeping by the fireside, would not come to his call.  " I wish pussy would not run away, aunt," said his little sister Joan ; " we would love her so ; we would not hurt her the least bit."  But pussy thought that, however kind this little girl and boy were to her, she might get so hugged and squeezed, all for love, that she had better run away and hide, which she did.  Always be gentle with pussy, and don't pull her fur or her whiskers, for it hurts her as much as pulling your hair hurts you; and when you are holding pussy, and loving her as little Harry and Joan wanted to do, remember that hugging her tightly is very uncomfortable, and that if she does then give a scratch with her claw, it is because she wants to get away.