Volume 19 — THE PROPER TIME.

"Will you play with me? Will you play with me?" A little girl said to the birds on a tree. "Oh, we have our nests to build," said they: "There's a time for work, and a time for play." Then, meeting a dog, she cried, "Halloo! Come play with me, Jip, and do as I do." Said he, "I must watch the orchard to-day: There's a time for work, and a time for play." A boy she saw; and to him she cried, "Come, play with me, John, by the greenwood side." "Oh, no!" said John, "I've my lesson to say: There's a time for work, and a time for play." Then thoughtful a while stood the little miss, And said, "It is hard, on a day like this, To go to work; but, from what they all say, 'Tis a time for work, and not for play." So homeward she went, and took her book, And first at the pictures began to look; Then said, "I think I will study to-day: There's a time for work, and a time for play." Emily Carter.