WINTER RECREATION'S. 305

school-room, or at home, we like to see could write better if he left his window
the young engaged in this health-giving open to hear them.
exercise. And the construction of snow- The great excitement seemed to be
houses, fortifications, and various figures, about a snow elephant, which the boys
not only affords a pleasant amusement, had an ambitious plan to build.
but also exercises the ingenuity. We 'Yes, and I'll help'! cried Bertie ea-
like to see boys, and girls, too, in their gerly.
plays, showing a mechanical genius. If "'And me!' chirped the little old wo-
a boy whittles, let him always whittle his man merrily.
stick into the shape of a knife, or spoon, "' Oh, yes!' cried bluff Dick derisively,
or spile, or something by which he can 'help! I guess so! You children just
cultivate a mechanical taste. This will keep out of the way; that's all. Come
always be found useful in after life. on, boys!'
Many a small bill has thus been saved, "'Ho, Dick, that's no way to make it!'
in fixing a button on a door, driving shouted Charley.
a nail, or fastening the leather on a "'Humph! I guess I know as much
pump-box, or mending or constructing about it as you do. It's as good a way
some little article in use in the house, as any.'
or upon the farm, or in the store or shop. No, it isn't, either, you goose can't
 A correspondent furnishes the follow- you see any thing? Bert, do get out of
ing spritely account of a company of the way Old woman, go away we can't
children engaged in building a snow el- have you round. Don't be a plague!'
ephant. It has such a good lesson for "The child trotted out from under foot
all children in their sports, that we copy with a grieved face; but just then a perk
it for their instruction, little chick-a-dee-dee fluttered down to
 Somewhere in the time of snows, the rose-bush in the corner of the yard,
there came a bright, mild day; and a and attracted her attention. He did his
half dozen children were having a merry errand to the rose-bush, whatever it was,
time of it together. There were Char- with an air of brisk importance, (you never
ley and Dick and Roger and Hal, and see a snow-bird look listless and aimless,)
Bertie, a size smaller; and there, too, cocked his head knowingly on one side,
was the little old woman,' well wrapped and was off with a side glance out of his
up by her careful mother; for why wasn't bead-like eye at 'little old woman.'
the snow just as much for her as for the "' I'11 make a chick-dee,' said the child
boys ? to herself, all for my own ;' and she set
 "The air was full of snow-birds and her blue mittens busily at work in the
sunshine and sleigh-bells, and sweeter snow by the rose-bush.
bells of happy childish talk and laughter; "'But, oh, dear !' she sighed after a
and Cousin Will, up stairs, thought he while. 'Bertie, his head won't stay on.'
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