FOR CHILDREN. 75

THE MILKMAID.

A MILEMAID, who poised a full pail on her head,

Thus mused on her prospects in life, it is said :

“ Let me see—I should think that this milk will
procure

One hundred good eggs, or fourscore, to be sure.

_ * Well then—stop-a-bit—it must not be forgotten,

Some of these may be broken, and some may be
rotten ;

But if twenty for accident should be detached,

It will leave me just sixty suund eggs to be
hatched.

“ Well, sixty sound eggs—no, sound chickens, I
mean :

Of these some may die—we'll suppose seventeen,

Seventeen ! not so many—say ten at the most,

Which will leave fifty chickens to boil or to roast.

“But then, there's their barley, how much will
they need ?

Why they take but one grain at. a time when they
feed— a

So that’s a mere trifle; now then, let us see,

At a fair market price how much money there'll
be.

“Six shillings a pair—five—four—three-and-six,
To prevent all mistakes, that low price I will fix: