The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30

commanded me 10 do.-even as you also
will do your duty. which Is TO make INC
earth bright and gay, and MANKIND nap
py: wherever you are, there VIII l also
be-"
Now spring passed through all the iana'
and called the birds back from their WIN
ter homes: they came. built nests. lad
lovely little eggs. and all the wnlle sang
the merriest little songs Then she awak-
ened the trees and shrubs from their long
winter sleep: soon leaflets and buds be-
gan 10 appear, and they grew larger and
larger. the more the warm sun shonc
down upon them.
you little slcepy-heads. you flowers, II
Is time 10 awake and come forth 20 glad
den the GARTH she called.
we are so afraid the winter will touch
us with his cold hand. Last night he pass
ed through the garden with his FROST.
answer the fowerets IN muiiled tones.
Come. dear little snOw-bcll and ring In
the spring" she urged. Then she shone
warmer and warmer upon the SPOT whore
snow-bell lay with her sisters Obedent-
Is Il stretched forth It's leaves furthor'
and further. 10 was well the dear God
had made them 50 thick for they would
not perish. even II winter did lay his
cold hand upon them. 4 few days later
the crocus. yiolcts. and ionQuils came
out and opened their leaves IN the bright
sunshine. which kissed them all so ten
Derby.
Il wonder where In the world all the
people are keeping themselves" said the
spring fretfully. Everything in field and
forest Is beautiful and ready FOR them
and st.ll they sit bumped up Ia the house.
instead OF wandering abroad. n only l
had some one who could tell them'
Just then she saw q little brown rab-
bit. which, nesting in the grass near
by. had heard all she said. come mere
little Bunny. you have quick legs. Run I'm
all the dwellings, and call the people"
Bunny dropped It's ears and answered
sadly. Don't you know dear spring. the
hunter and the hounds live no those biz
houses. and wherever they see me they
are after me. trying 10 shoot me or bite
me 10 death, and then I would be taken
home. skinned, broiled. and eaten up.
Ughr
"Oh. NONSENSE rather would they well
come YOU as a harblnger OF Easter DO
you not understand that God has put II
I'm mans heart not 10 shoot you In the
springtime when you have 10 provide for
your little ones2 They. too. nurse their
little children. and love them very dear
Is. ! Will give you a basket full Of eggs
bring them TO the children. and they
will be only TOO glad 10 see you
Really, l DO not dare 10 risk myself
ia their homes" sighed the little brown
thing could l just bring them In the
gardens. where the children have their
nower-beds, and make pretty nests and
lay the eggs I'm them?"
Certainly. do that. my dear little mes
senger However. that the children may
see the eggs from afar. we viii color
them, one red as the rose. one as blue
as the violet. one as yellow as the butt
tercup. The best and most obedient
children shall have the most eggs"
Early on Easter morning. while the
children were still sound asleep IN their
beds. the little rabbit brought the eggs
I'm the gardens and pat them In the nests
it had so deftly made
The Easter rabbit: the Easter rabbit,
on. a quick LITTLE fellow is be-.
Hidden ~ the garden, in the grass,
Is his nest. as snug as can be-.
There many colored eggs he lays
In his beautiful nest so green.
That the Easter feast Of an the days.
May be the merriest e'er seen.
Then off be goes for well he knows.
That our big dog viii rum him down.
Now, children. look in each grassy nook
Till his pretty nest you have found.
MADAME NJ. JEFF. TETSLbn.
s------
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