Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Getting into Bad Company.

DICK, wandering among the tents at the fair, met several of his schoolfellows, and was persuaded to go with them inside the largest tent.  He went, but had no idea what was going on, until he saw that it was full of men, drinking and smoking ; then he remembered how his mother had cautioned him not to get into bad company, and he would have gone back at once, had not Lawrence caught him by the arm and told him to come on.  Poor Dick is in an uncomfortable position ; he wants to do what is right, and walk out of the tent, but at the same time he sees Tom laughing at his indecision, and he does not like the idea of being made fun of.  Ah, Dick ! be warned in time.  Never mind the laughter, it does you no harm ; but show how wise you are by not getting into bad company.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Ben and the Squire.

BEN had long wished he could enter the Squire's service, but did not know how to do so, as he was with Farmer Chapman, and could not leave him till his time was up.  But one day he saw the Squire comeing, and holding the gate open for him, he looked so anxious to speak to him that the Squire stopped and questioned Ben, and liking his looks and manner, he promised to remember his wish to take service at the Hall, and wrote down Ben's name and address, telling him that when he had left the farm he could come and see if any place was then vacant, either in the stable or garden.  And Ben, delighted with this offer, made his best bow, and promised to do as the Squire said, and went back to his work happily.  Politeness always helps a boy on in life.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - The Mother's Comforters.

THESE three are alone in the world now; the father who had supported them is dead, and they must soon be leaving their old home.  But the boys had talked it over, and resolved to do what they could to support their mother ; so when she sat by the fire after tea, filled with melancholy thoughts, the lads, coming close to her, did their best to comfort her in her trouble, and telling her their plans, made her for awhile forget her grief.  She was touched with their care for her, and called them her comforters ; and the boys, who dearly loved their mother, were glad to be a comfort, and hid their own sorrow for the father just gone from them, that they might the more look after the parent who was left to their charge, and be a comfort to her in her declining years.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - The Old Potato Man.

MATTHEW ASHBY was to be seen early and late,all through the autumn and winter days, with his can of hot potatoes for sale, and had grown old in his trade.  He was civil and sober, and had his regular customers, chiefly among the boys, who are always to be found near the great railway stations.  But old Matthew had overtaxed his strength, when one cold morning he set out, feeling weak, for his accustomed place.  When he got there he could only sit down on a chair, too feeble to stand. Soon two kind-hearted boys came to see what was the matter; and they got him a cup of hot coffee, which did him a little good ; and then finding he lived not far off, they took him home and left him under the care of his daughter, who promised to send for a doctor if her father got no better.

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.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - "No; Go Away."

FRANK and Edward want Christina to come and play with them; but all the answer she makes is, "No; go away," while she turns from them into her corner, seemingly determined not to come out of it for them or anyone else.  Now Christina is a foolish little girl, for the two big boys would make capital playfellows, and she really would enjoy a game of play if she could only make up that small mind of hers and not be so shy and keep on saying in reply to all they urge, " No; go away."  And supposing they do go away, will Christina be satisfied?  No; I think if she sees them at play she will then be very sorry indeed that she did not let two such kind-looking lads persuade her out of her corner and her shyness into joining them in their pleasant play, whatever it is.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - At the Cottage Door.

SO merry are the little voices that mother comes to the cottage door to see what is going on, and there finds Annie seated on the doorstep with Robin and Claude, who, like the good brothers they are, have given up a game of cricket to amuse their little sister.  And the mother is glad to see it, for she has taught her boys to be considerate to others, and not to think of themselves; and so they are always ready in their unselfishness to look after Annie and keep the child happily amused. Thereby they help their good mother also, for at present Annie is much too young to be left quite alone ; but if her brothers are there to take care of the little girl, Mrs. Jobbins can get through her work a great deal quicker, because she is not called off every now and then to see what Annie is doing.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Stormy Weather.

HOW the waves dash up against the cliffs, beating them as if they longed to break away the rocky wall.  But God "hast set a  bound, that they may not pass over," and we need not fear, even when storms rage around us ; whether on land or sea, we are safe if we trust in God. When we lie awake at night listening to the howling wind, we should think of the sailors and the many travellers who are at that moment on the sea, and pray for their safe arrival at their journey's end. A sailor's life is often a hard one, and he suffers from cold and bad weather, besides many other things; but what should we do without his labours? for so many articles of food and clothing have to cross the seas.  Look over the things on the breakfast-table, and count up how many have been brought to our country by sailors.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - "Don't Go, John."

JOHN'S cousin, who is groom to the Squire, has come to see him, and is urging him to accompany him for an hour to the public-house on the Green. But his wife, who is afraid if her husband goes there he will stop too long and drink what is not good for him, is very anxious that he should stay with her, and she says earnestly, "Don't go, John."  He is very undecided what to do, but I hope it will end in his staying at home; and if Mrs. John can persuade the cousin to remain with them and take a cup of tea--and she intends trying to make him stay--it will be all the better for all three of them; and they can chat ever so much cosier in the chimney-corner than in the public-house. How many fine young men have been for ever ruined through the intoxicating cup ! Touch it not.

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.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - The Nosegay.

A NOSEGAY of sweet flowers from Anna's own little garden is a welcome gift to the cottage child, who has seen nothing so bright and gay in the strip of ground round her home, which, though called a garden, is not as well cared for as it might be.  Anna enjoys sharing her pleasures with others, and is happy when her flowers bring a smile to the pale cheek of some one who is ill, or when, as in this case, she can tell their names to an intelligent listener and show her how beautifully the leaves are tinted and shaped, and talk to her of the good God who made the flowers and cares for them and us.  The little girl will look at her flowers with greater pleasure than before, when she thinks of what Anna said as they sat together examining the nosegay.  Let us thank God for the beautiful flowers. 

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - The Boys' Class.

THERE were so many big rough boys in the class that no one would undertake it, and when Miss Andrews offered to try what could be done, the other teachers shook their heads and said it was useless. But Miss Andrews undauntedly took her place; and when the boys found she was not to be moved by laughter or remarks, but read steadily on, they grew quieter, until when she paused after reading the story of Joseph and his brethren, to ask the lads if they understood it, she found the two roughest boys sitting at her feet too absorbed to move. This was an encouragement, and when she promised to come again next Sunday, and the lads said, "Thank ye, ma'am, we'll come," she felt quite cheered up, and determined to do all in her power to interest and improve the boys of her class.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - The Donkey-Cart.

" WOULD I be you, to walk about all day long beside a stupid donkey?" said James Smith to Alfred Comber, who was leading his donkey up the road from the village. "Would I be you? Why, look at me ; I've all my time to myself to do what I like in, and needn't slave as you do."  " It's all very well to talk, James," replied Alfred ; "but my donkey is not stupid ; she knows me as well as possible and I'm quite fond of her ; and as to having time myself, why I'd rather not have it : I like work, and I'm glad to have plenty to do.  And it strikes me, James," he continued, "That if you had work you would be happier for it, and enjoy your leisure hours, as I do, all the more for being busy." James couldn't reply to this, so he said " good-bye," and left Alfred to go his way alone.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - "Can I Have A Ride ?"

" I HAVE seen it done, and I am sure if I could only once drop down comfortably on that creature's back I could stick on." These were the reflections of Pompey, the black monkey, who, having made good his escape from the house, had, after many adventures, found himself on a roof overlooking the pigstye, where Mrs. Pig and a thriving young family were enjoying existence.  "Shall I do it? a ride would be delightful; well, here goes; I'll take a leap--one, two--;" but he didn't say three, for happily Mrs. Pig, who was looking round as if disturbed by something, at this very moment, up came the man with the pigs' wash, and Pompey, fearing detection, fled up the roof and in at the stable window as if he had been shot, very well aware that he had no business to be where he was. 

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Quite Unconscious.

PUSSY, wrapt up in her little family, whom, of course, she thinks superior to all the other kittens in the world, is quite unconscious of the fact that Master Jacko, the monkey, is in the act of stretching out his long arm to touch one of her darlings.  Will not there be a fuss when she finds it out!  He will scream and then she will spit and huff at him, and the kittens will curl up together in a great fright;and there will be such a to-do that the Major will come out from his study all in a hurry, and Master Jacko having by this time climbed the banisters, will look on enjoying the great discomfiture of poor pussy, and the wonderment of his master, the Major, who finds no cause whatever for the strange disturbance,and the evident alarm of the cat and her three poor little babies. 

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - Jeanette's Tricks.

WHEN the captain came home from India he brought a pet monkey, who,  though very well-behaved  in general,  dearly loved tricks and pastimes.  She was on the look out one morning for something in the shape of amusement when Annie, the housemaid, came running out with a message.  " Now's my chance, " thought she, and off went in an instant the shawl from Annie's head.  " Here, Jeanette, give me that!" cried the captain; but Jeanette was up a tree, and knowing no one could reach her there, she sat chattering and looking so comical in the shawl which she put on, that even Annie, when her fright was over, could not help laughing ; and so for this time Miss Jeanette escaped the punishment which her master threatened her with as he shook his stick.

Pleasing Pictures and Stories - That Mischievous Monkey.

THE old general was sitting all alone on the deck, and from thinking of his home and the children he was going back to, he gradually got to dreaming of them, and although he never acknowledged to sleeping in the daytime, he really was now enjoying a comfortable nap.  The consequence was that he thus never saw peeping down from above an inquisitive face with a pair of black eyes, neither did he see a cautious descent of the rope, but he felt, and that so as to wake him with a start, a tug at his cap, which fell off, and with it came what he thought no one knew he wore, his wig.  He was lame with the gout, couldn't rise from his chair, and so he had to watch the monkey's gambols with his property, which was half destroyed before the laughing sailors could restore it to him.