Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1893 — FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS. [ARTICLE]

FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS.

THE PBWEE. The pewee belongs to the fly-catchers, and is the earliest of those birds to arrive north in spring. The different species of this family have the characteristic of perching on a prominent point of a bush or tree, uud suddenly darting forth and snapping up an insect on the wing, when they return to their post of observation to await for the next morsel that comes in sight. They are very dexterous in the pursuit and capture. The flycatchers can hardly be called singers, but they have n variety of single notes more or less musical.—[Detroit Free Press. AN INTERESTING FAMILY. It seemed to be a ball of closely packed wool or brown hair, about an inch in diameter, moving steadily along on the path. As there was no wind and no upparcut explanation of the movement of this mysterious body, I approached nearer, upon which it ceased moving, and was to all appearanoe just what it had at first seemed to be. Knowing that there must be life in or about it somewhere, I proceeded to poke it with my umbrella Just as the tip of the staff was about to touch it the objoct instantly spread out several inches in all directions, the whole mass again becoming motionless. In the centre of the figure thus formed was revealed a large spider ready to do battle for its young, the surrounding patch of brown matter which had radiated from it being composed of myriads of little spiders, each so small that a single ono alone would scarcely have been discernible to the eye.— [Harper’s Young People.

A QUEER LITTLE QUAKER CUSTOM. Near the city of Philadelphia there are a few quaint old villages where Quakers and Quaker customs uro to be found just as they wore in the days of good old William Penn. You have no Idea how odd some of those customs are. A few days ngo, a New York lady was traveling through one of these little villages, and, being tired, she stopped at an old brick farm-house to rest. Immediately there came out a little girl, dressed all in C, who invited her to come in the e and have a cup of tea and some cakes. When the Indy had partaken of her refreshment and turned to go, she offered the old-fashioned maid in gray some candy out of a sweet meat box which she carriod at her belt. “No, I thank thee,” said the little one bashfully. “I thank thoe—but no.” “Please take the candy,” urged the lady. "I want to give it to you because you have been so kind to me." For a minute the little one hesitated. She put out her hand, as if yielding to temptation, and then drew it bock resolutely, os she said: “I thank thee, no. I may not take the candy now, because when thee asked me first, if I would have some, I told thee no, and now I may not take any until thee comes somoother day.”—[New York Ledger. CYNTHIA. She was Little Boy Blue’s choicest treasure. He loved her better than anyone except pupa and mamma. Cynthia was the dearest armful of rag dolly that ever comfoited a little boy at bedtime. She was so much dearer than a doll with a head of china or wax, that would break all to pieces if you wanted to use her for a drum-stick on the stove or happened to drop her out of the window. Sometimes, after they had gone to bed, Cynthia seemed restless, and then Little Boy Blue would oaty: “Cynfy wants a drink, mamma.” So’ mamipa would bring a little water in a> mug, and after he had given Cynthia all she wanted Little Boy Blue would drink the rest himself. Sometimes in the dark hours of the night a little voice would ory: “Mammal Mamma! Please wake up quick! I lost Cynfy!” and poor sleepy mamma would creep out of bed and fumble about under the crib until she could recover the lost child. Then Little Boy Blue would soothe Cynthia until she dropped off to sleep again. When Unole John came hone from college he was so kind that Little Boy Blue felt he must be generous, too, so ho said: “You want Cynfy sleep with you?” Then everyone laughed, and Uncle John said: “I’m afraid I might snore and wake her up.” Little Boy Blue looked so grieved, Uncle John hastened to add: “But if you could spare her” “Yes, indeed 1” cried the little boy. When bedtime came Little Boy Blue looked so sober, Uncle John said: “Now I’m not going to bed for some time; wouldn’t you like to take Cynthia till I come up?” And the smiles dimpled all over the face of Little Boy Blue os he answered: “S’poie I mightl” So Cynthia had two bed fellows that night.—[Our Little Ones.

QUARRELSOME BIRDS. "Mamma !’’ called little Edith Bowen, one day iu May, "come here quick !” “What is the matter, dear ?” asked mamma. “Why-ee, mamma, I do believe the birds are quarrelling. I thought ‘Birds in their little nests agree.’” "So they do; but you see these birds are not in their little nest. That is what is the matter. Two birds want the same nest or place to build one; and neither will give up to the other.” “Well, I didn't know before that birds were like folks. Just see how they peck each other; and they scream and talk back ! Mamma, they ought to be put in some corner until they say they will be good. What arc all those other birds doing, mamma ? They look like a crowd of boys around two boys that are fighting, telling first one and then another to ‘hit him again.’” “That is just what they are doing.” "Mamma, don’t they know that is wrong? They are just like bad children.” “No, they don’t know it is wrong to be selfish and to quarrel; but you do, and yet ” “Mamma, I’m sorry I wouldn’t let Ned have‘Mother Goose.’ He may have it now. I’m glad I know what is right and what is wrong. Which bird will give up first, mamma ?” “The weaker one; but it is the other way with little girls and boys. It is the strong one that gives up first. I mean ‘strong to do right!’ {Our Little Ones.