Pleasing Pictures and Stories - On the Ice.

IT was a very hard frost, the coldest weather known for years people said, and the old folks were glad to remain by the fire; but all the young people were so rejoiced at the sliding and skating that they spent all day on the ice, only coming in for a hurried lunch and going out again till dark.  One afternoon the sun shone so brightly that positively grandmamma and Aunt Fanny were induced to come and see the skaters, and Aunt Fanny was pushed over the pond by her nephews, who had got ready a chair with rollers on it, on purpose to give the ladies a ride; grandmamma would not venture in the chair, although assured it was very delightful to go smoothly and quickly from one end of the pond to the other, and that there was no danger of falling through the thick ice.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Tom's First Situation.

TOM was ten years old when he went to his first place at Mr. Cope's, the grocer, and though small of his age, he did better than the bigger boy who had preceded him in the situation, and gave satisfaction to his master.  The rector of the parish, who knew Tom's family, and took an interest in them all, called to inquire after Tom, when he had been six weeks at the grocer's, and Mr. Cope spoke so well of him, that the rector was pleased to hear it, and told Tom that if he went on as he had begun, he would one day be proprietor of a shop himself; and he bade him remember all his parents had taught him, say his prayers night and morning, be steady and honest, always do his duty to his employer, and make good use of all his spare moments.   I think he will follow this advice.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - "What Shall I Be?"

MRS. ETSER, the housekeeper, in whose room Master Claude is sitting, is rather startled by the abrupt question, "What shall I be when I grow up?"  She suggests that there is plenty of time to consider that, as he is now only seven years old; but he is bent on pursuing the subject.  Shall he be a soldier, or a sailor, or a doctor? No ;  he does not think he would like to be either.  Well, a clergyman? Yes; perhaps that might do, but he is not sure.  An artist then? Ah! that might do better, for he is so fond of picture, he is quite sure he could paint. What does Mrs. Etser say to it all? Why, she advises him to attend to his lessons and be a good boy, and do all he is told, and leave off thinking too much of what he will do when grown up, or it will make him idle now.