initial commit of ebook 18058HEADmain

10 files changed, 24422 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/18058-8.txt b/18058-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ef2170
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8101 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie's Vacation and After Events, by Martha
+Finley
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Elsie's Vacation and After Events
+
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 27, 2006  [eBook #18058]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER
+EVENTS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes, Emmy, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/)
+
+
+
+ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER EVENTS
+
+by
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "Elsie at Home," etc.
+
+Special Authorized Edition
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+M. A. Donohue & Co.
+Chicago New York
+Copyright, 1891.
+By Dodd, Mead & Company.
+Made in U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE'S VACATION
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Captain Raymond went back to the hotel feeling somewhat lonely and
+heartsore over the parting from his eldest hope, but as he entered the
+private parlor where his young wife and most of the party were, his look
+and manner had all their accustomed cheeriness.
+
+He made a pleasant remark to Violet, fondled the little ones, and talked
+for a few minutes in his usual agreeable way with Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
+and the others; then glancing about the room, as if in search of someone
+or something, asked, "Where are Lulu and Gracie?"
+
+"Why, I thought they were here," Violet answered in some surprise,
+following the direction of his glance. "They seem to have slipped out of
+the room very quietly."
+
+"I must hunt them up, poor dears! for it is about time we were starting
+for the _Dolphin_," he said, hastily leaving the room. A low sobbing
+sound struck upon his ear as he softly opened the door of the room
+where his little girls had slept the previous night, and there they were
+down on the carpet near a window, Gracie's head in her sister's lap,
+Lulu softly stroking the golden curls and saying in tender tones,
+"Don't, Gracie dear; oh, don't! It can't be helped, you know; and we
+have our dear papa and Mamma Vi, and the little ones left. Besides,
+Maxie will come home again to visit us one of these days."
+
+"Oh, but he'll never live at home with us any more," sobbed Gracie; "at
+least I'm afraid he won't; and--and oh, I do love him so! and he's the
+only big brother we have."
+
+"But we have papa, dear, dear papa, who used to be obliged to go away
+and leave us; but we have him all the time now," Lulu replied half
+chokingly. "I wish we could have them both, but we can't, and we both do
+love papa the best after all."
+
+"And papa loves his two dear little girls more than tongue can tell,"
+the captain said in tenderest tones, drawing near, bending down to take
+both in his arms together, and kissing first one and then the other. "Be
+comforted, my darlings," he went on, holding them close to his heart;
+"we haven't lost our Maxie by any means; and though I left him feeling a
+trifle homesick and forlorn, he will get over that in a day or two I
+know, and greatly enjoy the business of preparing himself for the life
+work he has freely chosen."
+
+"But, oh, papa, how he will miss our lovely home, and you, and all of
+us!" sobbed Gracie, hiding her tear-stained face on her father's
+shoulder.
+
+"Not as you would, my darling," he replied, holding her close and
+caressing her with great tenderness. "Boys are different from girls, and
+I think our dear Maxie will soon feel very happy there among his mates,
+though he will, I am sure, never cease to love his father, sisters,
+Mamma Vi, baby brother, and his home with them all."
+
+"Papa, I'm thinking how he'll miss the pleasant evenings at home--the
+good talks with you," sobbed the little girl.
+
+"Yes, darling, but I will tell you what we will do to partly, at least,
+make up that loss to our dear boy."
+
+"What, papa?" she asked, lifting her head and looking up into his face,
+with her own brightening a little.
+
+"Suppose we each keep a journal or diary, telling everything that goes
+on each day at home, and now and then send them to Maxie; so that he
+will know all that we are doing?"
+
+"Oh, what a good thought, papa!" exclaimed Lulu, giving him a vigorous
+hug and kiss. "And Maxie will write us nice, interesting letters; and
+some day he'll come home for a visit and have ever so much to tell us."
+
+"Yes," her father said, "and I think we will have interesting letters
+from him in the meantime."
+
+"And perhaps I'll learn to like writing letters, when it's just to
+please Maxie and comfort him," said Grace, wiping away her tears and
+trying to smile.
+
+"I hope so, darling," her father replied, bestowing another kiss upon
+the sweet little tear-stained face. "But now, my dears," he added, "put
+on your hats; it is time to go back to the _Dolphin_."
+
+They hastened to obey, and he led them to the parlor, where they found
+the rest of the party ready to accompany them on board the yacht.
+
+The sun was setting as they reached the _Dolphin's_ deck and they found
+a luxurious repast ready for them to partake of by the time outdoor
+garments could be laid aside and wind-tossed hair restored to order.
+
+The captain missed the bright face of his first-born at the table, but,
+exerting himself for the entertainment of the others, seemed even more
+than usually cheery and genial, now and then indulging in some innocent
+jest that made his little girls laugh in spite of themselves, and at
+length almost forget, for the moment, their parting from Max, and their
+grief over the thought that he would no longer share their lessons or
+their sports, and would be at home only after what, in the prospect,
+seemed to them a long, long time; and then but for a little while.
+
+On leaving the table all gathered upon deck. There was no wind, but the
+yacht had a steam engine and used her sails only on occasions when they
+could be of service. Stars shone brightly in the sky overhead, but their
+light was not sufficient to give an extended view on land or water, and
+as all were weary with the excitement and sightseeing of the day, they
+retired early to their berths.
+
+Poor Grace, worn out with her unusual excitement, and especially the
+grief of the parting with Max, was asleep the instant her head touched
+the pillow. Not so with Lulu; her loneliness and depression banished
+sleep from her eyes for the time, and presently she slipped from her
+berth, threw on a warm dressing-gown, and thrust her feet into felt
+slippers. The next moment she stole noiselessly into the saloon where
+her father sat alone looking over an evening paper.
+
+He was not aware of her entrance till she stood close at his side, her
+hand on his shoulder, her eyes fixed, with a gaze of ardent affection,
+upon his face.
+
+"Dear child!" he said, looking up from his paper, and smiling
+affectionately upon her; then tossing the paper aside and putting an arm
+about her waist, he drew her to his knee and pressed fatherly kisses
+upon lip and cheek and brow, asking tenderly if anything was wrong with
+her that she had come in search of him when he supposed her to be
+already in bed and sound asleep.
+
+"I'm not sick, papa," she said in reply; "but oh, I miss Maxie so!" The
+words were almost a sob, and she clung about her father's neck, hiding
+her face on his shoulder.
+
+"I, too, miss my boy more than words can tell," he replied, stroking her
+hair with gently caressing touch, and she was sure his tones trembled a
+little with the pain of the thought of Max left alone among strangers;
+"but I thank God, our Heavenly Father, that I have by no means lost my
+eldest son, while I still have another one and three dear daughters to
+add to my happiness in our sweet home."
+
+"I do want to add to it, you dear, dear, good papa!" she said, hugging
+and kissing him over and over again. "Oh, I wish I was a better girl for
+your sake, so that my wrong-doing would never give you pain!"
+
+"I think--and am very happy in the thought--that you are improving," he
+said, repeating his caresses; "and it is a great comfort to me," he
+continued, "that my little girls need not be sent away from home and
+their father to be educated."
+
+"To me also, papa," she returned. "I am very thankful that I may live
+with my dear father always while we are spared to each other. I don't
+mean to ever go away from you, papa, but to stay with you always, to
+wait on you and do everything I can to be a great help, comfort, and
+blessing to you; even when I'm grown up to womanhood."
+
+"Ah!" he returned, again smoothing her hair caressingly and smiling down
+into her eyes; then holding her close, "I shall be very glad to keep you
+as long as you may prefer life with me, my own dear, dear child," he
+said in tender tones. "I look upon my dear eldest daughter as one of the
+great blessings my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me, and which I
+hope he may spare to me as long as I live."
+
+"Papa, I'm so, so glad you love me so dearly!" she exclaimed, lifting to
+his eyes full of love and joy; "and oh, I do love you so! I want to be a
+great blessing to you as long as we both live."
+
+"I don't doubt it, my darling," he replied. "I doubt neither your desire
+nor purpose to be such."
+
+"Yes, sir, I do really long to be the very greatest of comforts to you,
+and yet," she sighed, "I have such a bad temper you know, papa, I'm so
+wilful too, that--that I'm afraid--almost sure, indeed--I'll be naughty
+again one of these days and give you the pain of punishing me for it."
+
+"That would grieve me very much, but would not diminish my love for
+you," he said; "nor yours for me, I think."
+
+"No, indeed, papa!" she exclaimed, creeping closer into his embrace,
+"because I know that when you have to punish me in any way it makes you
+very, very sorry."
+
+"It does indeed!" he responded.
+
+"Papa," she sighed, "I'm always dreadfully sorry and ashamed after one
+of my times of being disobedient, wilful, and ill-tempered, and I am
+really thankful to you for taking so much pains and trouble to make a
+better girl of me."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter," he answered; "it is a long while now since
+I have had any occasion to punish you, and your conduct has rarely
+called for even so much as a reproof."
+
+She gave him a glad, grateful look, an embrace of ardent affection,
+then, laying her cheek to his, "You dear, dear papa, you have made me
+feel very happy," she said, "and I'm sure I am much happier than I
+should be if you had let me go on indulging my bad temper and
+wilfulness. Oh, it's so nice to be able to run to my dear father
+whenever I want to, and always to be so kindly received that I can't
+feel any doubt that he loves me dearly. Ah, how I pity poor Maxie that
+he can't see you for weeks or months!"
+
+"And don't you pity papa a little that he can't see Maxie?" he asked,
+with a smile and a sigh.
+
+"Oh, yes! yes indeed! I'm so sorry for you, papa, and I mean to do all I
+can to supply his place. What do you suppose Maxie is doing just now,
+papa?"
+
+"Doubtless he is in his room preparing his lessons for to-morrow. The
+bugle-call for evening study-hour sounds at half-past seven, and the
+lads must be busy with their books till half-after nine."
+
+He drew out his watch, and glancing at its face, "Ah, it is just nine
+o'clock," he said. "Kiss me good-night, daughter, and go back to your
+berth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Max was in his room at the Academy, busy with his tasks, trying
+determinately to forget homesickness by giving his whole mind to them,
+and succeeding fairly well. Very desirous, very determined was the lad
+to acquit himself to the very best of his ability that he might please
+and honor both his Heavenly Father and his earthly one.
+
+By the time the welcome sound of gun-fire and tattoo announced that the
+day's work was over he felt fully prepared for the morrow's recitations.
+But he was in no mood for play. The quiet that had reigned through the
+building for the last two hours was suddenly broken in upon by sounds of
+mirth and jollity--merry boyish voices talking, singing, some
+accompanying themselves with the twang of a banjo or the tinkle of a
+guitar; but Max, closing and putting his book aside, kept his seat, his
+elbow on the desk, his head on his hand, while with a far-away look in
+his dark eyes, he indulged in a waking dream.
+
+He seemed to see the _Dolphin_ steaming down the bay, his father,
+perhaps, sitting in the saloon with the other grown folks (the younger
+ones would be pretty sure to have retired to their state-rooms), and
+thinking and speaking of his absent son. Or, it might be, pacing the
+deck alone, his heart going up in prayer to God for his first-born--his
+"might and the beginning of his strength,"--that he might be kept from
+sin and every danger and evil and enabled to prove himself a brave, true
+follower of Christ, never ashamed or afraid to show his colors and let
+it be known to all with whom he had to do that he was a disciple, a
+servant of the dear Lord Jesus.
+
+"Lord, help me; help me to be brave and faithful and true," was the
+silent petition that went up from the boy's heart.
+
+"Homesick, bub?" asked a boyish voice, in mocking tones. "I believe most
+of the fellows are just at the first, but they get over it after a bit
+without much doctoring."
+
+"I'm inclined to think it is not a dangerous kind of ailment," returned
+Max, in a pleasant tone, lifting his head and turning toward his
+companion with a smile that seemed rather forced. "However, I was
+thinking not of home, exactly, but the homefolks who are just at present
+aboard my father's yacht and steaming down the bay."
+
+It was only by a great effort he repressed a sigh with the concluding
+words.
+
+"That's a handsome yacht and about the largest I ever saw," was the next
+remark of his room-mate, a lad--Benjamin Hunt by name--of about the same
+age as himself, not particularly handsome but with a good, honest face.
+
+"Yes, and a splendid sailor," returned Max, with enthusiasm. "Papa
+bought her this summer and we've had a jolly good time sailing or
+steaming (sometimes one and again the other, the _Dolphin_ has both
+sails and engines) along the coast and a short distance out to sea."
+
+"Had a good, safe captain?" Hunt asked, with a quizzical smile.
+
+"My father, a retired naval officer; there could be none better,"
+returned Max, straightening himself slightly, while the color deepened
+on his cheek.
+
+"Yes; I don't wonder you are proud of him," laughed Hunt. "I happened
+to see him when he brought you here, and I must say I thought he had a
+fine military bearing and was--well, I think I might say one of the
+handsomest men I ever saw."
+
+"Thank you," said Max heartily, glancing up at Hunt with a gratified
+smile. "I suppose being so fond of him I may not be a competent judge,
+but to me my father seems the best, the noblest, and the handsomest man
+that ever lived."
+
+"Didn't force you to come here against your will, eh?" queried Hunt
+jestingly.
+
+"No, indeed! he only let me come because I wanted to. I think he would
+have been glad if I had chosen the ministry, but you see I don't think I
+have any talent in that line, and I inherit a love for the sea, and papa
+says a man can do best in the profession or business that is most to his
+taste, so that perhaps I may be more useful as a naval officer than I
+could be in the ministry."
+
+"Especially in case of war, and if you turn out a good and capable
+commander," returned Hunt, tossing up a ball and catching it as it fell.
+"I sometimes think I'd like nothing better; a fellow would have a chance
+to distinguish himself, such as he could never hope for in time of
+peace."
+
+"Yes; and if such a thing should happen I hope it will be when I'm ready
+to take part in the defence of my country," said Max, his cheek flushing
+and his eyes kindling, "but war is an awful thing considering all the
+killing and maiming, to say nothing of the destruction of property; and
+I hope our country will never be engaged in another. But excuse me," he
+added, opening his Bible, "I see we have scarcely fifteen minutes now
+before taps will sound."
+
+At that Hunt moved away to his own side of the room, from whence he
+watched Max furtively, a mocking smile on his lips.
+
+Max was uncomfortably conscious of it, but tried to ignore it and give
+his thoughts to what he was reading. Presently, closing his book he
+knelt and silently offered up his evening prayer, asking forgiveness of
+all his sins, strength to resist temptation, and never be afraid or
+ashamed to own himself a follower of Jesus, his loving disciple, his
+servant, whose greatest desire was to know and do the Master's will; and
+very earnestly he prayed that no evil might befall his dearly loved and
+honored father, his sisters or brother, Mamma Vi, or any of those he
+loved; that they might be taken safely through all their journeying, and
+he permitted to see them all again when the right time should come; and
+having committed both them and himself to the watchful care of his
+Heavenly Father, he rose from his knees and began his preparations for
+bed.
+
+"Well, sonny, I hope you will sleep soundly and well after saying your
+prayers like the goodest of little boys," sneered Hunt.
+
+"I shall sleep none the worse," returned Max pleasantly.
+
+"I'll bet not a bit better than I shall without going through any such
+baby-like performance."
+
+"God is very good and often takes care of those who don't ask him to,"
+said Max; "but I don't think they have any right to expect it; also I am
+sure I should be shamefully ungrateful if I were to lie down for my
+night's rest without a word of thanks to him for his protecting care
+over me and mine through the day that is just past. As to its being a
+baby-like performance, it is one in which some of the greatest, as well
+as best men, have indulged. Washington was a man of prayer. So was
+General Daniel Morgan--that grand revolutionary officer who whipped
+Tarleton so completely at the battle of the Cowpens. There was
+Macdonough also, who gained that splendid victory over the British on
+Lake Champlain in the war of 1812-14. Have you forgotten that just
+before the fight began, after he had put springs on his cables, had the
+decks cleared, and everything was ready for action, with his officers
+and men around him, he knelt down near one of his heaviest guns and in a
+few words asked God to help him in the coming struggle? He might well do
+that, because, as you know of course, we were in the right, fighting
+against oppression and wrongs fit to rouse the indignation of the most
+patient and forbearing of mortals."
+
+"That's a fact!" interrupted Hunt. "Americans have always been
+forbearing at the start; but let them get once thoroughly roused and
+they make things hot enough for the aggressors."
+
+"So they do," said Max, "and so I think they always will; I hope so,
+anyhow; for I don't believe it's right for any nation to allow any of
+its people to be so dreadfully wronged and ill-treated as thousands of
+our poor sailors were, by the English, before the war of 1812 taught
+them better. I don't believe the mass of the English people approved,
+but they couldn't keep their aristocracy--who hated republicanism, and
+wanted always to continue superior in station and power to the mass of
+their countrymen and ours--from oppressing and abusing our poor sailors,
+impressing, flogging, and ill-treating them in various ways, and to such
+a degree that it makes one's blood boil in reading or thinking of it.
+And I think it's right enough for one to be angry and indignant at such
+wrongs to others."
+
+"Of course it is," said Hunt; "and Americans always will resist
+oppression--of themselves or their weaker brethren--and I glory in the
+fact. What a fight that was of Macdonough's! Do you remember the
+incident of the gamecock?"
+
+"No; what was it?"
+
+"It seems that one of the shots from the British vessel _Linnet_
+demolished a hencoop on the deck of the _Saratoga_, releasing this
+gamecock, and that he flew to a gun-slide, where he alighted, then
+clapped his wings and crowed lustily.
+
+"That delighted our sailors, who accepted the incident as an omen of the
+victory that crowned their arms before the fight was over. They cheered
+and felt their courage strengthened."
+
+"Good!" said Max, "that cock was at better business than the fighting he
+had doubtless been brought up to."
+
+"Yes; so say I:
+
+          "O Johnny Bull, my joe John,
+             Behold on Lake Champlain,
+           With more than equal force, John,
+             You tried your fist again;
+           But the cock saw how 'twas going.
+             And cried 'Cock-a-doodle-doo,'
+           And Macdonough was victorious,
+             Johnny Bull, my joe!"
+
+"Pretty good," laughed Max. "But there are the taps; so good-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Lulu woke early the next morning and was dressed and on deck before any
+other of the _Dolphin's_ passengers. Day had dawned and the eastern sky
+was bright with purple, orange, and gold, heralding the near approach of
+the sun which, just as she set her foot on the deck, suddenly showed his
+face above the restless waves, making a golden pathway across them.
+
+"Oh, how beautiful!" was her involuntary exclamation. Then catching
+sight of her father standing with his back toward her, and apparently
+absorbed in gazing upon the sunrise, she hastened to his side, caught
+his hand in hers, and carried it to her lips with a glad, "Good-morning,
+you dear papa."
+
+"Ah! good-morning, my darling," he returned, bending down to press a
+kiss on the bright, upturned face.
+
+"Such a lovely morning, papa, isn't it?" she said, standing with her
+hand fast clasped in his, but turning her eyes again upon sea and sky.
+"But where are we now? Almost at Fortress Monroe?"
+
+"Look and tell me what you see," was his smiling rejoinder, as, with a
+hand on each of her shoulders, he turned her about so that she caught
+the view from the other side of the vessel.
+
+"O papa, is that it?" she exclaimed. "Why, we're almost there, aren't
+we?"
+
+"Yes; we will reach our anchorage within a few minutes."
+
+"Oh, are we going to stop to see the old fort, papa?" she asked eagerly.
+
+"I think we are," was his smiling rejoinder. "But you don't expect to
+find in it a relic of the Revolution, do you?" he asked laughingly,
+pinching her cheek, then bending down to kiss again the rosy face
+upturned to his.
+
+"Why yes, papa; I have been thinking there must have been a fight there.
+Wasn't that the case?"
+
+"No, daughter; the fortress was not there at that time."
+
+"Was it in the war of 1812-14, then, papa?"
+
+"No," he returned, smiling down on her. "The building of Fortress Monroe
+was not begun until 1817. However, there was a small fort built on Point
+Comfort in 1630; also, shortly before the siege of Yorktown, Count De
+Grasse had some fortifications thrown up to protect his troops in
+landing to take part in that affair."
+
+But just then the talk was interrupted by the coming on deck of one
+after another of their party and the exchange of morning greetings;
+then followed the interest and excitement of the approach to the
+fortress and anchoring in its vicinity.
+
+Next came the call to breakfast. But naturally, and quite to Lulu's
+satisfaction, the talk at the table turned upon the building of the
+fort, its history and that of the adjacent country, particularly
+Hampton, two and a half miles distant.
+
+The captain pointed it out to them all as they stood upon the deck
+shortly afterward.
+
+"Which is Old Point Comfort, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"That sandy promontory on the extremity of which stands Fortress
+Monroe," he answered. "Yonder, on the opposite side, is Point
+Willoughhy, the two forming the mouth of the James River; and these are
+the Rip Raps between the two. You see that there the ocean tides and the
+currents of the river meet and cause a constant ripple. There is a
+narrow channel of deep water through the bar, but elsewhere between the
+capes it is shallow.
+
+"Beyond the Rip Raps we see the spacious harbor which is called Hampton
+Roads. It is so large that great navies might ride there together."
+
+"And I think some have ridden there in our wars with England?" remarked
+Rosie, half inquiringly.
+
+"You are quite right," replied the captain; "that happened in both the
+Revolution and the last war with England.
+
+"In October, 1775, Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia,--who
+had, however, abdicated some months earlier by fleeing on board a
+man-of-war, the _Fowey_,--driven by his fears, and his desire for
+revenge, to destroy the property of the patriots, sent Captain Squires,
+of the British navy, with six tenders, into Hampton Creek.
+
+"He reached there before the arrival of Colonel Woodford--who, with
+a hundred Culpepper men, had been sent to protect the people of
+Hampton--and sent armed men in boats to burn the town; protecting
+them by a furious cannonade from the guns of the tenders.
+
+"But they were baffled in the carrying out of their design; being driven
+off by Virginia riflemen, concealed in the houses. Excellent marksmen
+those Virginians were, and picked off so many of the advancing foe that
+they compelled them to take ignominious flight to their boats and return
+to the vessels, which then had to withdraw beyond the reach of the
+rifles to await reinforcements."
+
+"What is a tender, papa?" asked Grace, as her father paused in his
+narrative.
+
+"A small vessel that attends on a larger one to convey intelligence and
+supply stores," he replied; then went on with his account of Dunmore's
+repulse.
+
+"Woodford and his men reached Hampton about daybreak of the succeeding
+morning. At sunrise they saw the hostile fleet approaching; it came so
+near as to be within rifle shot, and Woodford bade his men fire with
+caution, taking sure aim. They obeyed and picked off so many from every
+part of the vessels that the seamen were soon seized with a great
+terror. The cannons were silenced,--the men who worked them being shot
+down,--and their commander presently ordered a retreat; but that was
+difficult to accomplish, for any one seen at the helm, or aloft,
+adjusting the sails, was sure to become a target for the sharpshooters;
+in consequence many of the sailors retreated to the holds of the
+vessels, and when their commander ordered them out on the dangerous
+duty, refused to obey.
+
+"The victory for the Americans was complete; before the fleet could
+escape, the Hampton people, with Woodford and his soldiers, had sunk
+five vessels."
+
+"And such a victory!" exclaimed Rosie, in an exultant tone.
+
+"Yes," the captain said, smiling at her enthusiasm.
+
+"Were the houses they fired on the very ones that are there now, papa?"
+asked Lulu.
+
+"Some few of them," he replied. "Nearly all were burned by Magruder in
+the Civil War; among them St. John's Episcopal Church, which was built
+probably about 1700. Before the Revolution it bore the royal arms carved
+upon its steeple; but soon after the Declaration of Independence--so it
+is said--that steeple was struck by lightning and those badges of
+royalty were hurled to the ground."
+
+"Just as the country was shaking off the yoke they represented," laughed
+Rosie. "A good omen, wasn't it, Brother Levis?"
+
+"So it would seem, viewed in the light of after events," he answered
+with a smile.
+
+"Papa, can't we visit Hampton?" asked Lulu eagerly.
+
+"Yes, if you would all like to do so," was the reply, in an indulgent
+tone and with an inquiring glance at the older members of the party.
+
+Everyone seemed to think it would be a pleasant little excursion,
+especially as the _Dolphin_ would carry them all the way to the town;
+but first they must visit the fortress. They did not, however, set out
+thither immediately, but remained on deck a little longer gazing about
+and questioning the captain in regard to the points of interest.
+
+"Papa," asked Grace, pointing in a southerly direction, "is that another
+fort yonder?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "that is Fort Wool. It is a mile distant, and with
+Fortress Monroe defends Hampton Roads, the Gosport navy yard, and
+Norfolk."
+
+"They both have soldiers in them?" she said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, daughter; both contain barracks for soldiers, and Fortress Monroe
+has also an arsenal, a United States school of artillery, chapel, and,
+besides the barracks for the soldiers, storehouses and other buildings,
+and covers eighty acres of ground."
+
+"And when was it finished, papa? How long did it take to build it?"
+
+"It is not finished yet," he answered, "and has already cost nearly
+three million dollars. It is an irregular hexagon--that is has six sides
+and six angles--surrounded by a tide-water ditch eight feet deep at high
+water."
+
+"I see trees and flower gardens, papa," she remarked.
+
+"Yes," he said, "there are a good many trees, standing singly and in
+groves. The flower gardens belong to the officers' quarters. Now, if you
+will make yourselves ready for the trip, ladies, Mr. Dinsmore, and any
+of you younger ones who care to go," he added, smoothing Grace's golden
+curls with caressing hand and smiling down into her face, "we will take
+a nearer view."
+
+No one felt disposed to decline the invitation and they were soon on
+their way to the fortress.
+
+It did not take very long to look at all they cared to see; then they
+returned to their vessel, weighed anchor, and passed through the narrow
+channel of the Rip Raps into the spacious harbor of Hampton Roads.
+
+It was a lovely day and all were on deck, enjoying the breeze and the
+prospect on both land and water.
+
+"Papa," said Lulu, "you haven't told us yet what happened here in the
+last war with England."
+
+"No," he said. "They attacked Hampton by both land and water, a force of
+two thousand five hundred men under General Beckwith landing at Old
+Point Comfort, and marching from there against the town, while at the
+same time Admiral Cockburn assailed it from the water.
+
+"The fortification at Hampton was but slight and guarded by only four
+hundred and fifty militiamen. Feeling themselves too weak to repel an
+attack by such overwhelming odds, they retired, and the town was given
+up to pillage."
+
+"Didn't they do any fighting at all, papa?" asked Lulu in a tone of
+regret and mortification. "I know Americans often did fight when their
+numbers were very much smaller than those of the enemy."
+
+"That is quite true," he said, with a gleam of patriotic pride in his
+eye, "and sometimes won the victory in spite of the odds against them.
+That thing had happened only a few days previously at Craney Island, and
+the British were doubtless smarting under a sense of humiliating defeat
+when they proceeded to the attack of Hampton."
+
+"How many of the British were there, Captain?" asked Evelyn Leland.
+"I have forgotten, though I know they far outnumbered the Americans."
+
+"Yes," he replied, "as I have said there were about four hundred and
+fifty of the Americans, while Beckwith had twenty-five hundred men and
+was assisted by the flotilla of Admiral Cockburn, consisting of armed
+boats and barges, which appeared suddenly off Blackbeard's Point at the
+mouth of Hampton Creek, at the same time that Beckwith's troops moved
+stealthily forward through the woods under cover of the _Mohawk's_ guns.
+
+"To draw the attention of the Americans from the land force coming
+against them was Cockburn's object, in which he was partly successful,
+his flotilla being seen first by the American patrols at Mill Creek.
+
+"They gave the alarm, arousing the camp, and a line of battle was
+formed. But just then some one came in haste to tell them of the large
+land force coming against the town from the rear, and presently in the
+woods and grain fields could be seen the scarlet uniforms of the British
+and the green ones of the French."
+
+"Oh, how frightened the people in the town must have been!" exclaimed
+Grace. "I should think they'd all have run away."
+
+"Most of them did," replied her father; "but some sick and feeble ones
+had to stay behind--others also in whose care they were--and trust to
+the supposed humanity of the British; a vain reliance it proved, at
+least so far as Admiral Cockburn was concerned. He gave up the town to
+pillage and rapine, allowing the doing of such deeds as have consigned
+his name to well-merited infamy.
+
+"But to return to my story: Major Crutchfield, the American commander,
+resolved that he and his four hundred and fifty men would do what they
+could to defend the town. They were encamped on an estate called 'Little
+England,' a short distance southwest of Hampton, and had a heavy battery
+of seven guns, the largest an eighteen-pounder cannon.
+
+"Major Crutchfield was convinced that the intention of the British was
+to make their principal attack in his rear, and that Cockburn's was only
+a feint to draw his attention from the other. So he sent Captain Servant
+out with his rifle company to ambush on the road by which Beckwith's
+troops were approaching, ordering him to attack and check the enemy.
+Then when Cockburn came round Blackbeard's Point and opened fire on the
+American camp he received so warm a welcome from Crutchfield's heavy
+battery that he was presently glad to escape for shelter behind the
+Point, and content himself with throwing an occasional shot or rocket
+into the American camp.
+
+"Beckwith's troops had reached rising ground and halted for breakfast
+before the Americans discovered them. When that happened Sergeant
+Parker, with a field-piece and a few picked men, went to the assistance
+of Captain Servant and his rifle company, already lying in ambush.
+
+"Parker had barely time to reach his position and plant his cannon when
+the British were seen rapidly advancing.
+
+"At the head of the west branch of Hampton Creek, at the Celey road,
+there was a large cedar tree behind which Servant's advanced
+corps--Lieutenant Hope and two other men--had stationed themselves, and
+just as the British crossed the creek--the French column in front, led
+by the British sergeant major--they opened a deadly fire upon them. A
+number were killed, among them the sergeant major--a large, powerful
+man.
+
+"This threw the British ranks into great confusion for the time, and
+the main body of our riflemen delivered their fire, killing the brave
+Lieutenant-Colonel Williams of the British army. But the others
+presently recovered from their panic and pushed forward, while our
+riflemen, being so few in number, were compelled to fall back.
+
+"But Crutchfield had heard the firing, and hastened forward with nearly
+all his force, leaving Pryor and his artillerymen behind to defend the
+Little England estate from the attack of the barges. But while he was
+moving on along the lane that led from the plantation toward Celey's
+road and the great highway, he was suddenly assailed by an enfilading
+fire from the left.
+
+"Instantly he ordered his men to wheel and charge upon the foe, who were
+now in the edge of the woods. His troops obeyed, behaving like veterans,
+and the enemy fell back; but presently rallied, and, showing themselves
+directly in front of the Americans, opened upon them in a storm of grape
+and canister from two six-pounders and some Congreve rockets.
+
+"The Americans stood the storm for a few minutes, then fell back, broke
+ranks, and some of them fled in confusion.
+
+"In the meantime Parker had been working his piece with good effect till
+his ammunition gave out. Lieutenant Jones, of the Hampton artillery,
+perceiving that to be the case, hurried to his assistance; but seeing an
+overwhelming force of the enemy approaching, they--Parker's men--fell
+back to the Yorktown Pike.
+
+"Jones, who had one cannon with him, found that his match had gone out,
+and rushing to a house near by he snatched a burning brand from the
+fire, hurried back, and hid himself in a hollow near a spring.
+
+"The British supposed they had captured all the cannon, or that if any
+were left they had been abandoned, and drawing near they presently
+filled the lane; then Jones rose and discharged his piece with terrible
+effect, many of the British were prostrated by the unexpected shot, and
+during the confusion that followed Jones made good his retreat,
+attaching a horse to his cannon, and bearing it off with him.
+
+"He hastened to the assistance of Pryor, but on drawing near his camp
+saw that it had fallen into the possession of the foe.
+
+"Pryor had retreated in safety, after spiking his guns. He and his
+command fought their way through the enemy's ranks with their guns, swam
+the west branch of Hampton Creek, and, making a circuit in the enemy's
+rear, fled without losing a man or a musket.
+
+"Jones had seen it all, and spiking his gun followed Pryor's men to the
+same place.
+
+"In the meantime Crutchfield had rallied his men, those who still
+remained with him, on the flank of Servant's riflemen, and was again
+fighting vigorously.
+
+"But presently a powerful flank movement of the foe showed him that he
+was in danger of being out off from his line of retreat. He then
+withdrew in good order and escaped, though pursued for two miles by the
+enemy.
+
+"That ended the battle, in which about thirty Americans and fifty of the
+British had fallen. Then presently followed the disgraceful scenes in
+Hampton of which I have already told you as having brought lasting
+infamy upon the name of Sir George Cockburn."
+
+"I think he was worse than a savage!" exclaimed Lulu hotly.
+
+"Certainly, far worse; and more brutal than some of the Indian
+chiefs--Brant, for instance," said Rosie, "or Tecumseh."
+
+"I cannot see in what respect he was any better than a pirate," added
+Evelyn, in a quiet tone.
+
+"Nor can I," said Captain Raymond; "so shameful were his atrocities that
+even the most violent of his British partisans were constrained to
+denounce them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+Before the sun had set the _Dolphin_ was again speeding over the water,
+but now on the ocean, and going northward, Philadelphia being their
+present destination. It had grown cloudy and by bedtime a steady rain
+was falling, but unaccompanied by much wind, so that no one felt any
+apprehension of shipwreck or other marine disaster, and all slept well.
+
+The next morning Lulu was, as usual, one of the first to leave her
+berth, and having made herself neat for the day she hurried upon deck.
+
+It had ceased raining and the clouds were breaking away.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, running to meet her father, who was
+coming toward her, holding out his hand with an affectionate smile, "so
+glad it is clearing off so beautifully; aren't you, papa?"
+
+"Yes; particularly for your sake, daughter," he replied, putting an arm
+about her and bending down to give her a good-morning kiss. "Did you
+sleep well?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa, thank you; but I woke early and got up because I
+wanted to come on deck and look about. Where are we now? I can see land
+on the western side."
+
+"Yes, that is a part of the Delaware coast," he answered. "We are
+nearing Cape Henlopen. By the way, do you remember what occurred near
+there, at the village of Lewis, in the war of 1812?"
+
+"No, sir," she said. "Won't you please tell me about it?"
+
+"I will; it is not a very long story. It was in March of the year 1813
+that the British, after destroying such small merchant craft as they
+could find in Chesapeake Bay, concluded to blockade Delaware bay and
+river and reduce to submission the Americans living along their shores.
+Commodore Beresford was accordingly sent on the expedition in command of
+the _Belvidera_, _Poictiers_, and several smaller vessels.
+
+"On the 16th of March he appeared before Lewis in his vessel, the
+_Poictiers_, and pointing her guns toward the town sent a note addressed
+to the first magistrate demanding twenty live bullocks and a
+proportionate quantity of hay and of vegetables for the use of his
+Britannic majesty's squadron. He offered to pay for them, but threatened
+in the event of refusal to destroy the town."
+
+"The insolent fellow!" cried Lulu. "I hope they didn't do it, papa?"
+
+"No; indeed, they flatly refused compliance and told him to do his
+worst. The people on both sides of the bay and river had heard of his
+approach and armed bodies of them were gathered at points where an
+attack might be expected. There were still among them some of the old
+soldiers of the revolution, and you may be sure they were ready to do
+their best to repel this second invasion by their old enemy. One of
+these was a bent old man of the name of Jonathan M'Nult. He lived in
+Dover, and when, on the Sabbath day, the drums beat to arms, he, along
+with men of every denomination to the number of nearly five hundred,
+quickly responded to the call, took part in the drill, and spent the
+whole afternoon in making ball-cartridges.
+
+"The people of all the towns of the vicinity showed the same spirit and
+turned out with spades and muskets, ready to take part in the throwing
+up of batteries and trenches, or to fight 'for their altars and their
+fires'--defending wives, children, and other helpless ones. At
+Wilmington they built a strong fort which they named Union.
+
+"This spirited behavior of the Americans surprised Beresford, and for
+three weeks he refrained from any attempt to carry out his threat.
+
+"During that time Governor Haslet came to Lewis and summoned the militia
+to its defence. On his arrival he reiterated the refusal to supply the
+British invaders with what had been demanded.
+
+"Beresford repeated his threats and at length, on the 6th of April, sent
+Captain Byron, with the _Belvidera_ and several smaller vessels, to
+attack the town.
+
+"He fired several heavy round shot into it, then sent a flag of truce,
+again demanding the supplies Beresford had called for.
+
+"Colonel Davis, the officer in command of the militia, repeated the
+refusal; then Byron sent word that he was sorry for the misery he should
+inflict on the women and children by a bombardment.
+
+"To that a verbal reply was sent: 'Colonel Davis is a gallant officer,
+and has taken care of the ladies.'
+
+"Then Byron presently began a cannonade and bombardment and kept it up
+for twenty-two hours.
+
+"The Americans replied in a very spirited manner from a battery on an
+eminence. Davis's militia worked it and succeeded in disabling the most
+dangerous of the enemy's gunboats and silencing its cannon.
+
+"The British failed in their effort to inflict great damage upon the
+town, although they hurled into it as many as eight hundred eighteen and
+thirty-two pound shot, besides many shells and Congreve rockets. The
+heavy round shot injured some of the houses but the shells did not reach
+the town and the rockets passed over it. No one was killed.
+
+"Plenty of powder was sent for the American guns from Dupont's at
+Wilmington, and they picked up and sent back the British balls, which
+they found just fitted their cannon."
+
+"How good that was," laughed Lulu. "It reminds me of the British at
+Boston asking the Americans to sell them their balls which they had
+picked up, and the Americans answering, 'Give us powder and we'll return
+your balls.' But is that all of your story, papa?"
+
+"Yes, all about the fight at Lewis, but in the afternoon of the next
+day the British tried to land to steal some of the live stock in the
+neighborhood; yet without success, as the American militia met them at
+the water's edge and drove them back to their ships.
+
+"About a month later the British squadron dropped down to Newbold's
+ponds, seven miles below Lewis, and boats filled with their armed men
+were sent on shore for water; but a few of Colonel Davis's men, under
+the command of Major George H. Hunter, met and drove them back to their
+ships. So, finding he could not obtain supplies on the Delaware shore,
+Beresford's little squadron sailed for Bermuda."
+
+"Good! Thank you for telling me about it, papa," said Lulu. "Are we
+going to stop at Lewis?"
+
+"No, but we will pass near enough to have a distant view of the town."
+
+"Oh, I want to see it!" she exclaimed; "and I'm sure the rest will when
+they hear what happened there."
+
+"Well, daughter, there will be nothing to hinder," the captain answered
+pleasantly.
+
+"How soon will we reach the point from which we can see it best, papa?"
+she asked.
+
+"I think about the time we leave the breakfast table," was his reply.
+
+"Papa, don't you miss Max?" was her next question.
+
+"Very much," he said. "Dear boy! he is doubtless feeling quite lonely
+and homesick this morning. However, he will soon get over that and enjoy
+his studies and his sports."
+
+"I think he'll do you credit, papa, and make us all proud of him," she
+said, slipping her hand into her father's and looking up lovingly into
+his face.
+
+"Yes," the captain said, pressing the little hand affectionately in his,
+"I have no doubt he will. I think, as I am sure his sister Lulu does,
+that Max is a boy any father and sister might be proud of."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa!" she responded. "I'm glad he is my brother, and I
+hope to live to see him an admiral; as I'm sure you would have been if
+you'd stayed in the navy and we'd had a war."
+
+"And my partial little daughter had the bestowal of such preferment and
+titles," he added laughingly.
+
+Just then Rosie and Evelyn joined them, followed almost immediately by
+Walter and Grace, when Lulu gave them in a few hasty sentences the
+information her father had given her in regard to the history of Lewis,
+and told of their near approach to it.
+
+Every one was interested and all hurried from the breakfast-table to the
+deck in time to catch a view of the place, though a rather distant one.
+
+When it had vanished from sight, Evelyn turned to Captain Raymond,
+exclaiming, "O sir, will you not point out Forts Mercer and Mifflin to
+us when we come in sight of them?"
+
+"With pleasure," he replied. "They are at Red Bank. Port Mercer on the
+New Jersey shore of the Delaware River, a few miles below Philadelphia,
+Fort Mifflin on the other side of the river on Great and Little Mud
+Islands. It was, in Revolutionary days, a strong redoubt with quite
+extensive outworks."
+
+"Did our men fight the British there in the Revolutionary war, papa?"
+asked Grace.
+
+"Yes; it was in the fall of 1777, soon after the battle of the
+Brandywine, in which, as you may remember, the Americans were defeated.
+They retreated to Chester that night, marched the next day toward
+Philadelphia, and encamped near Germantown. Howe followed and took
+possession of the city of Philadelphia.
+
+"The Americans, fearing such an event, had put obstructions in the
+Delaware River to prevent the British ships from ascending it, and also
+had built these two forts with which to protect the _chevaux de frise_.
+
+"The battle of the Brandywine, as you may remember, was fought on the
+11th of September, and, as I have said, the British pushed on to
+Philadelphia and entered it in triumph on the 26th."
+
+"Papa, what are _chevaux de frise_?" asked Grace.
+
+"They are ranges of strong frames with iron-pointed wooden spikes," he
+answered; then went on:
+
+"In addition to these, the Americans had erected batteries on the
+shores, among which was the strong redoubt called Fort Mercer, which,
+and also Port Mifflin on the Mud Islands, I have already mentioned.
+Besides all these, there were several floating batteries and armed
+galleys stationed in the river.
+
+"All this troubled the British general, because he foresaw that their
+presence there would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to keep
+his army supplied with provisions; also they would be in more danger
+from the American forces if unsupported by their fleet.
+
+"Earl Howe, as you will remember, was at this time in Chesapeake Bay
+with a number of British vessels of war. As we have just been doing, he
+sailed down the one bay and up into the other, but was prevented, by
+these fortifications of the Americans, from continuing on up the
+Delaware River to Philadelphia.
+
+"Among his vessels was one called the _Roebuck_, commanded by a Captain
+Hammond. That officer offered to take upon himself the task of opening a
+passage for their vessels through the _chevaux de frise_, if Howe would
+send a sufficient force to reduce the fortifications at Billingsport.
+
+"Howe was pleased with the proposition and two regiments of troops were
+sent from Chester to accomplish the work. They were successful, made a
+furious and unexpected assault upon the unfinished works, and the
+Americans spiked their cannon, set fire to the barracks, and fled; the
+English demolished the works on the river front, and Hammond, with some
+difficulty, made a passage way seven feet wide in the _chevaux de
+frise_, so that six of the British vessels passed through and anchored
+near Hog Island."
+
+"Did they immediately attack Forts Mifflin and Mercer, papa?" asked
+Lulu.
+
+"It took some little time to make the needed preparations," replied the
+captain. "It was on the 21st of October that Count Donop, with twelve
+hundred picked Hessians, crossed the Delaware at Cooper's Ferry, and
+marched to the attack of Fort Mercer. The Americans added eight miles to
+the extent of their march by taking up the bridge over a creek which
+they must cross, so compelling them to go four miles up the stream to
+find a ford.
+
+"It was on the morning of the 22d that they made their appearance, fully
+armed for battle, on the edge of a wood within cannon shot of Fort
+Mercer.
+
+"It was a great surprise to our men, for they had not heard of the
+approach of these troops. They were informed that there were twenty-five
+hundred of the Hessians, while of themselves there were but four hundred
+men in a feeble earth fort, with but fourteen pieces of cannon.
+
+"But the brave fellows had no idea of surrendering without a struggle.
+There were two Rhode Island regiments, commanded by Colonel Christopher
+Greene. They at once made preparations for defence, and while they were
+thus engaged a Hessian officer rode up to the fort with a flag and a
+drummer, and insolently proclaimed, 'The King of England orders his
+rebellious subjects to lay down their arms; and they are warned that if
+they stand the battle, no quarter whatever will be given.'
+
+"Colonel Greene answered him, 'We ask no quarter nor will we give any.'
+
+"The Hessian and his drummer then rode hastily back to his commander and
+the Hessians at once fell to work building a battery within half cannon
+shot of the fort.
+
+"At the same time the Americans continued their preparations for the
+coming conflict, making them with the greatest activity and eagerness,
+feeling that with them skill and bravery must now combat overwhelming
+numbers, fierceness, and discipline.
+
+"Their outworks were unfinished but they placed great reliance upon the
+redoubt.
+
+"At four o'clock in the afternoon the Hessians opened a brisk cannonade,
+and at a quarter before five a battalion advanced to the attack on the
+north side of the fort, near a morass which covered it.
+
+"They found the works there abandoned but not destroyed, and thought
+that they had frightened the Americans away. So with a shout of victory,
+and the drummer beating a lively march, they rushed to the redoubt,
+where not a man was to be seen.
+
+"But as they reached it, and were about to climb the ramparts to plant
+their flag there, a sudden and galling fire of musketry and grape-shot
+poured out upon them, from a half-masked battery on their left flank,
+formed by an angle of an old embankment.
+
+"It took terrible effect and drove them back to their old intrenchments.
+
+"At the same time another division, commanded by Dunot himself, attacked
+the fort on the south side, but they also were driven back, with great
+loss, by the continuous and heavy fire of the Americans.
+
+"The fight was a short one but very severe. Donop had fallen, mortally
+wounded, at the first fire. Mingerode, his second in command, was
+wounded also, and in all the enemy left behind, in the hasty retreat
+which followed, some four hundred in killed and wounded.
+
+"The American galleys and floating batteries in the river galled them
+considerably in their retreat.
+
+"After the fight was over Manduit, the French engineer who had directed
+the artillery fire of the fort, was out with a detachment examining and
+restoring the palisades, when he heard a voice coming from among the
+killed and wounded of the enemy, saying, 'Whoever you are, draw me
+hence.'
+
+"It was Count Donop, and Manduit had him carried first into the fort,
+afterward to a house close at hand, occupied by a family named Whitall,
+where he died three days afterward.
+
+"Donop was but thirty-seven. He said to Manduit, who attended him till
+he died, 'It is finishing a noble career early; but I die the victim of
+my ambition and the avarice of my sovereign.'"
+
+"His sovereign? That was George the Third, papa?" Grace said
+inquiringly.
+
+"No, Donop was a Hessian, hired out to the British king by his
+sovereign," replied her father.
+
+"And avarice means love of money?"
+
+"Yes, daughter; and it was avarice on the part of both sovereigns that
+led to the hiring of the Hessians; the war was waged by the king of
+England because the Americans refused to be taxed by him at his pleasure
+and without their consent. He wanted their money.
+
+"Whitall's house, a two-story brick, built in 1748, stood close by the
+river," continued the captain, "and I suppose is still there; it was, in
+1851, when Lossing visited the locality.
+
+"The Whitalls were Quakers and took no part in the war. When the fort
+was attacked Mrs. Whitall was urged to flee to some place of safety, but
+declined to do so, saying, 'God's arm is strong, and will protect me; I
+may do good by staying.'
+
+"She was left alone in the house, and, while the battle was raging, sat
+in a room in the second story busily at work at her spinning-wheel,
+while the shot came dashing like hail against the walls. At length one,
+a twelve-pound ball from a British vessel in the river, just grazed the
+walnut tree at the fort, which the Americans used as a flag-staff, and
+crashed into her house through the heavy brick wall on the north gable,
+then through a partition at the head of the stairs, crossed a recess,
+and lodged in another partition near where she was sitting.
+
+"At that she gathered up her work and went down to the cellar.
+
+"At the close of the battle the wounded and dying were brought into her
+house and she left her work to wait upon them and do all in her power to
+relieve their sufferings.
+
+"She attended to all, friend and foe, with equal kindness, but scolded
+the Hessians for coming to America to butcher the people."
+
+"I am sure she must have been a good woman," remarked Grace; "but, oh, I
+don't know how she could dare to stay in the house while those dreadful
+balls were flying about it."
+
+"No doubt she felt that she was in the way of her duty," replied the
+captain, "and the path of duty is the safe one. She seems to have been a
+good Christian woman."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" said Evelyn. "Captain, did not the British attack Fort
+Mifflin at the same time that the fight was in progress at Fort
+Mercer?"
+
+"Yes; the firing of the first gun from the Hessian battery was the
+signal for the British vessels in the river to begin the assault upon
+the other fort on its opposite side.
+
+"The _Augusta_ and several smaller vessels had made their way through
+the passage in the _chevaux de frise_ which Hammond had opened, and were
+now anchored above it, waiting for flood tide.
+
+"The _Augusta_ was a sixty-four gun ship; besides there were the
+_Merlin_, of eighteen guns; the _Roebuck_, of forty-four; two frigates,
+and a galley. All these came up with the purpose to attack the fort, but
+were kept at bay by the American galleys and floating batteries, which
+also did good service by flanking the enemy in their attack upon Fort
+Mercer.
+
+"The British deferred their attack upon Fort Mifflin until the next
+morning, when, the Hessians having been driven off from Fort Mercer, the
+American flotilla was able to turn its attention entirely upon the
+British fleet, which now opened a heavy cannonade upon Fort Mifflin,
+attempting also to get floating batteries into the channel back of the
+island.
+
+"But Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, a gallant officer in command of the fort,
+very vigilant and brave, thwarted all their efforts and greatly assisted
+the flotilla in repulsing them.
+
+"The fire of the Americans was so fierce and incessant that the British
+vessels presently tried to fall down the stream to get beyond its reach.
+But a hot shot struck the _Augusta_ and set her on fire. She also got
+aground on a mud bank near the Jersey shore and at noon blew up.
+
+"The fight between the other British and the American vessels went on
+until three o'clock in the afternoon, when the _Merlin_ took fire and
+blew up near the mouth of Mud Creek.
+
+"The _Roebuck_ then dropped down the river below the _chevaux de frise_,
+and for a short time the Americans were left in undisturbed possession
+of their forts.
+
+"Howe was, however, very anxious to dislodge them, because the river was
+the only avenue by which provisions could be brought to his army in
+Philadelphia.
+
+"On the 1st of November he took possession of Province Island, lying
+between Fort Mifflin and the mainland, and began throwing up works to
+strengthen himself and annoy the defenders of the fort.
+
+"But they showed themselves wonderfully brave and patient.
+Lieutenant-Colonel Smith was as fine an officer as one could desire to
+see.
+
+"The principal fortification of Fort Mifflin was in front, that being
+the side from which vessels coming up the river must be repelled; but on
+the side toward Province Island it was defended by only a wet ditch.
+There was a block house at each of its angles, but they were not strong,
+and when the Americans saw the British take possession of Province
+Island and begin building batteries there, they felt that unless
+assistance should be sent to dislodge the enemy, the fort would soon be
+demolished or fall into his possession."
+
+"But couldn't Washington help them, and didn't he try to?" asked Grace.
+
+"Washington was most desirous to do so and made every effort in his
+power," replied her father; "and if Gates had done his duty the fort
+might probably have been saved. Burgoyne's army had been defeated and
+captured some time before this, and there was then no other formidable
+enemy in that quarter; but Gates was jealous of Washington and, rather
+than have him successful, preferred to sacrifice the cause which he had
+engaged to defend.
+
+"He had ample stores and a formidable force, and had he come promptly to
+the rescue might have rendered such assistance as to enable Washington
+to drive the British from Philadelphia and save the forts upon the
+Delaware.
+
+"But, actuated by the meanest jealousy, he delayed, and would not even
+return Morgan's corps, which Washington had been but ill able to spare
+to him.
+
+"Hamilton, sent by Washington to hasten Gates's movements in the
+matter, grew very indignant at the slow and reluctant compliance of
+Gates, and by plainly expressing his opinion induced him to send a
+stronger reinforcement than he had intended.
+
+"Putnam also made trouble by detaining some of the troops forwarded by
+Gates to assist him in carrying out a plan of his own for attacking New
+York.
+
+"Governor Clinton then advised Hamilton to issue a peremptory order to
+Putnam to set those troops in motion for Whitemarsh where Washington was
+encamped. Hamilton did so, and the troops were sent."
+
+"Dear, dear!" sighed Lulu, "what a time poor Washington did have with
+Congress being so slow, and officers under him so perverse, wanting
+their own way instead of doing their best to help him to carry out his
+good and wise plans."
+
+"Yes," her father said, with a slight twinkle of fun in his eye, "but
+doesn't my eldest daughter feel something like sympathy with them in
+their wish to carry out their own plans without much regard for those of
+other people?"
+
+"I--I suppose perhaps I ought to, papa," she replied, blushing and
+hanging her head rather shamefacedly; "and yet," she added, lifting it
+again and smiling up into his eyes, "I do think if you had been the
+commander over me I'd have tried to follow your directions, believing
+you knew better than I."
+
+She moved nearer to his side and leaned up lovingly against him as she
+spoke.
+
+"Yes, dear child, I feel quite sure of it," he returned, laying his hand
+tenderly on her head, then smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke.
+
+"But you haven't finished about the second attack upon Fort Mifflin,
+have you, brother Levis?" queried Walter.
+
+"No, not quite," the captain answered; then went on with his narrative:
+
+"All through the war Washington showed himself wonderfully patient and
+hopeful, but it was with intense anxiety he now watched the progress of
+the enemy in his designs upon Fort Mifflin, unable as he himself was to
+succor its threatened garrison."
+
+"But why couldn't he go and help them with his soldiers, papa?" asked
+Grace.
+
+"Because, daughter, if he broke up his camp at Whitemarsh, and moved his
+army to the other side of the Schuylkill, he must leave stores and
+hospitals for the sick, within reach of the enemy; leave the British
+troops in possession of the fords of the river; make it difficult, if
+not impossible, for the troops he was expecting from the North to join
+him, and perhaps bring on a battle while he was too weak to hope for
+victory over such odds as Howe could bring against him.
+
+"So the poor fellows in the fort had to fight it out themselves with no
+assistance from outside."
+
+"Couldn't they have slipped out in the night and gone away quietly
+without fighting, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"Perhaps so," he said, with a slight smile; "but such doings as that
+would never have helped our country to free herself from the British
+yoke; and these men were too brave and patriotic to try it; they were
+freemen and never could be slaves; to them death was preferable to
+slavery. We may well be proud of the skill and courage with which
+Lieutenant-Colonel Smith defended his fort against the foe.
+
+"On the 10th of November the British opened their batteries on land and
+water. They had five on Province Island, within five hundred yards of
+the fort; a large floating battery with twenty-two twenty-four pounders,
+which they brought up within forty yards of an angle of the fort; also
+six ships, two of them with forty guns each, the others with sixty-four
+each, all within less than nine hundred yards of the fort."
+
+"More than three hundred guns all firing on that one little fort!"
+exclaimed Rosie. "It is really wonderful how our poor men could stand
+it."
+
+"Yes, for six consecutive days a perfect storm of bombs and round shot
+poured upon them," said the captain, "and it must have required no small
+amount of courage to stand such a tempest."
+
+"I hope they fired back and killed some of those wicked fellows!"
+exclaimed Walter, his eyes flashing.
+
+"You may be sure they did their best to defend themselves and their
+fort," replied the captain. "And the British loss was great, though the
+exact number has never been known.
+
+"Nearly two hundred and fifty of our men were killed or wounded.
+Lieutenant Treat, commanding the artillery, was killed on the first day
+by the bursting of a bomb. The next day quite a number of the garrison
+were killed or wounded, and Colonel Smith himself had a narrow escape.
+
+"A ball passed through a chimney in the barracks,--whither he had gone
+intending to write a letter,--scattered the bricks, and one of them
+striking him on the head knocked him senseless.
+
+"He was carried across the river to Red Bank, and Major Thayer of the
+Rhode Island line took command in his place.
+
+"The first day a battery of two guns was destroyed, a block house and
+the laboratory were blown up, and the garrison were compelled to keep
+within the fort. All that night the British threw shells and the scene
+was a terrible one indeed, especially for the poor fellows inside the
+fort.
+
+"The next morning, about sunrise, they saw thirty armed boats coming
+against them, and that night the heavy floating battery was brought to
+bear upon the fort. The next morning it opened with terrible effect, yet
+they endured it, and made the enemy suffer so much from their fire that
+they began to think seriously of giving up the contest, when one of the
+men in the fort deserted to them, and his tale of the weakness of the
+garrison inspiring the British with renewed hope of conquest they
+prepared for a more general and vigorous assault.
+
+"At daylight on the 15th two men-of-war, the _Iris_ and the _Somerset_,
+passed up the channel in front of the fort on Mud Island. Two
+others--the _Vigilant_ and a hulk with three twenty-four
+pounders--passed through the narrow channel on the west side and were
+placed in a position to act in concert with the batteries of Province
+Island in enfilading the American works.
+
+"At ten o'clock all was silent, and doubtless our men were awaiting the
+coming onslaught with intense anxiety, when a signal bugle sounded and
+instantly all the ships and batteries poured a storm of shot and shell
+from the mouths of their many guns upon the devoted little garrison."
+
+"Oh, how dreadful!" sighed Grace. "Could they stand it, papa?"
+
+"They endured it with astonishing courage," replied the captain, "while
+all day long, and far into the evening, it was kept up without cessation.
+The yards of the British ships hung nearly over the American battery;
+and there were musketeers stationed in their tops who immediately shot
+down every man who showed himself on the platform of the fort. Our men
+displayed, as I have said, wonderful bravery and endurance; there seems
+to have been no thought of surrender; but long before night palisades,
+block houses, parapet, embrasures--all were ruined.
+
+"Early in the evening Major Thayer sent all but forty of his men to Red
+Bank. He and the remaining forty stayed on in the fort until midnight,
+then, setting fire to the remains of the barracks, they also escaped in
+safety to Red Bank.
+
+"Lossing tells us that in the course of that last day more than a
+thousand discharges of cannon, from twelve to thirty-two pounders, were
+made against the works on Mud Island, and that it was one of the most
+gallant and obstinate defences of the war.
+
+"Major Thayer received great credit for his share in it, and was
+presented with a sword by the Rhode Island Assembly as a token of their
+appreciation of his services there."
+
+"Did not Captain--afterward Commodore--Talbot do himself great credit
+there?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; he fought for hours with his wrist shattered by a musket ball;
+then was wounded in the hip and was sent to Red Bank. He was a very
+brave man and did much good service during the war, principally on the
+water, taking vessel after vessel. In the fight with one of them--the
+_Dragon_--his speaking trumpet was pierced by bullets and the skirts of
+his coat were shot away."
+
+"How brave he must have been!" exclaimed Lulu with enthusiasm. "Don't
+you think so, papa?"
+
+"Indeed, I do," replied the captain. "He was one of the many men of that
+period of whom their countrymen may be justly proud."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his
+arms to be taken by his father. The captain lifted him tenderly, saying
+something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of
+the deck.
+
+Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an
+almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon
+the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to
+tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary
+days.
+
+"You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those
+days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes, some years ago," she replied. "Ah, how many years ago it was!" she
+added musingly; then continued, "When I was quite a little girl, my
+father took me to Philadelphia, and a number of other places, where
+occurred notable events in the war of the Revolution."
+
+"And you will tell us about them, won't you, mamma?" Walter asked, in
+coaxing tones.
+
+"Certainly, if you and the rest all wish it," she returned, smiling
+lovingly into the eager young face, while the others joined in the
+request.
+
+"Please tell about Philadelphia first, mamma," Walter went on. "You went
+to Independence Hall, of course, and we've all been there, I believe;
+but there must be some other points of interest in and about the city,
+I should think, that will be rather new to us."
+
+"Yes, there are others," she replied, "though I suppose that to every
+American Independence Hall is the most interesting of all, since it was
+there the Continental Congress held its meetings, and its bell that
+proclaimed the glad tidings that that grand Declaration of Independence
+had been signed and the colonies of Great Britain had become free and
+independent States--though there was long and desperate fighting to go
+through before England would acknowledge it."
+
+"Mamma, don't you hate old England for it?" cried Walter impulsively,
+his eyes flashing.
+
+"No, indeed!" she replied, laughing softly, and patting his rosy cheek
+with her still pretty white hand. "It was not the England of to-day, you
+must remember, my son, nor indeed the England of that day, but her half
+crazy king and his ministers, who thought to raise money for him by
+unjust taxation of the people of this land. 'Taxation without
+representation is tyranny.' So they felt and said, and as such resisted
+it."
+
+"And I'm proud of them for doing so!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.
+"Now, what other revolutionary places are to be seen in Philadelphia,
+mamma?"
+
+"There is Christ Church, where Washington, Franklin, members of
+Congress, and officers of the Continental army used to worship, with its
+graveyard where Franklin and his wife Deborah lie buried. Major-General
+Lee too was laid there; also General Mercer, killed at the battle of
+Princeton, but his body was afterward removed to Laurel Hill Cemetery."
+
+"We will visit Christ Church, I hope," said Rosie. "Carpenter's Hall
+too, where the first Continental Congress met, and Loxley House, where
+Lydia Darrah lived in Revolutionary times. You saw that, I suppose,
+mamma?"
+
+"Yes," replied her mother, "but I do not know whether it is, or is not,
+still standing."
+
+"That's a nice story about Lydia Darrah," remarked Walter, with
+satisfaction. "I think she showed herself a grand woman; don't you,
+mamma?"
+
+"I do, indeed," replied his mother. "She was a true patriot."
+
+"There were many grand men and women in our country in those times,"
+remarked Evelyn Leland. "The members of that first Congress that met in
+Carpenter's Hall on Monday, the 5th of September, 1774, were such. Do
+you not think so, Grandma Elsie?"
+
+"Yes, I quite agree with you," replied Mrs. Travilla; "and it was John
+Adams--himself by no means one of the least--who said, 'There is in the
+Congress a collection of the greatest men upon the continent in point of
+abilities, virtues, and fortunes.'"
+
+"Washington was one of them, wasn't he, Grandma Elsie?" asked Lulu.
+
+"Yes, one of the members from Virginia. The others from that State were
+Richard Henry Lee, Peyton Randolph, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison,
+Edmund Pendleton, and Patrick Henry. Peyton Randolph was chosen
+president, and Charles Thomson, of Pennsylvania, secretary."
+
+"And then, I suppose, they set to work on their preparations for
+fighting their oppressor, George the Third," remarked Lulu, half
+inquiringly.
+
+"Lossing tells us," replied Mrs. Travilla, "that the delegates from the
+different colonies then presented their credentials, and after that
+there was silence, while deep anxiety was depicted on every countenance.
+It seemed difficult to know how to begin upon the work for which they
+had been called together. But at length a grave-looking member, in a
+plain suit of gray, and wearing an unpowdered wig, arose. So plain was
+his appearance that Bishop White, who was present, afterward telling of
+the circumstances, said he 'felt a regret that a seeming country parson
+should so far have mistaken his talents and the theatre for their
+display.' However, he soon changed his mind as the plain-looking man
+began to speak; his words were so eloquent, his sentiments so logical,
+his voice was so musical, that the whole House was electrified, while
+from lip to lip ran the question, 'Who is he? who is he?' and the few
+who knew the stranger, answered, 'It is Patrick Henry of Virginia.'"
+
+"O mamma, was it before that that he had said, 'Give me liberty or give
+me death'?" queried Walter, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
+
+"No, he said that a few months afterward; but about nine years before,
+he had startled his hearers in the Virginia House of Burgesses by his
+cry, 'Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George
+the Third may profit by their example'!"
+
+"And now he was starting the Congress at its work!"
+
+"You are right; there was no more hesitation; they arranged their
+business, adopted rules for the regulation of their sessions, and
+then--at the beginning of the third day, and when about to enter upon
+the business that had called them together--Mr. Cushing moved that the
+sessions should be opened with prayer for Divine guidance and aid.
+
+"Mr. John Adams, in a letter to his wife, written the next day, said
+that Mr. Cushing's motion was opposed by a member from New York, and one
+from South Carolina, because the assembly was composed of men of so many
+different denominations--Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Quakers,
+Anabaptists, and Episcopalians,--that they could not join in the same
+act of worship.
+
+"Then Mr. Samuel Adams arose, and said that he was no bigot and could
+hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue who was at the same
+time a friend to his country. He was a stranger in Philadelphia, but had
+heard that Mr. Duché deserved that character; so he moved that he--Mr.
+Duché, an Episcopal clergyman--be desired to read prayers before
+Congress the next morning.
+
+"Mr. Duché consented, and the next morning read the prayers and the
+Psalter for the 7th of September; a part of it was the thirty-fifth
+psalm, which seemed wonderfully appropriate. Do you remember how it
+begins? 'Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight
+against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and
+stand up for mine help.'"
+
+"It does seem wonderfully appropriate," said Evelyn. "Oh, I'm sure that
+God was on the side of the patriots, and helped them greatly in their
+hard struggle with their powerful foe!"
+
+"Yes, only by His all-powerful aid could our liberties have been won,
+and to Him be all the glory and the praise," said Grandma Elsie,
+gratitude and joy shining in her beautiful eyes.
+
+"But that wasn't the Congress that signed the Declaration?" Walter
+remarked, half inquiringly, half in assertion.
+
+"No; this was in 1774, and the Declaration was not signed until July,
+1776," replied his mother.
+
+"It seems to me," remarked Lulu, "that the Americans were very slow in
+getting ready to say they would be free from England--free from British
+tyranny."
+
+"But you know you're always in a great hurry to do things, Lu," put in
+Grace softly, with an affectionate, admiring smile up into her sister's
+face.
+
+"Yes, I believe you're right, Gracie," returned Lulu, with a pleased
+laugh and giving Grace's hand a loving squeeze.
+
+"Yes," assented Grandma Elsie, "our people were slow to break with the
+mother country--as they used to call old England, the land of their
+ancestors; they bore long and patiently with her, but at last were
+convinced that in that case patience had ceased to be a virtue, and
+liberty for themselves and their children must be secured at all costs."
+
+"How soon were they convinced of it, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"The conviction came slowly to all, and to some more slowly than to
+others," she replied. "Dr. Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry
+were among the first to see the necessity of becoming, politically,
+entirely free and independent.
+
+"It is stated on good authority that Patrick Henry in speaking of Great
+Britain, as early as 1773, said, 'She _will_ drive us to extremities; no
+accommodation _will_ take place; hostilities _will soon_ commence, and a
+desperate and bloody touch it will be.'
+
+"Some one, present when the remark was made, asked Mr. Henry if he
+thought the colonies strong enough to resist successfully the fleets and
+armies of Great Britain, and he answered that he doubted whether they
+would be able to do so alone, 'but that France, Spain, and Holland were
+the natural enemies of Great Britain.'
+
+"'Where will they be all this while?' he asked. 'Do you suppose they
+will stand by, idle and indifferent spectators to the contest? Will
+Louis XVI. be asleep all this time? Believe me, no! When Louis XVI.
+shall be satisfied, by our serious opposition and our _Declaration_ of
+_Independence_, that all prospect of a reconciliation is gone, then, and
+not till then, will he furnish us with arms, ammunition, and clothing:
+and not with them only, but he will send his fleets and armies to fight
+our battles for us; he will form a treaty with us, offensive and
+defensive, against our unnatural mother. Spain and Holland will join the
+confederation! Our independence will be established! and we shall take
+our stand among the nations of the earth!'"
+
+"And it all happened so; didn't it, mamma?" exclaimed Rosie exultantly;
+"just as Patrick Henry predicted."
+
+"Yes," replied her mother, with a proud and happy smile, "and we have
+certainly taken our place--by God's blessing upon the efforts of those
+brave and gallant heroes of the revolution--as one of the greatest
+nations of the earth.
+
+"Yet not all the credit should be awarded them, but some of it given to
+their successors in the nation's counsels and on the fields of battle.
+The foundations were well and strongly laid by our revolutionary
+fathers, and the work well carried on by their successors."
+
+"Grandma Elsie, what was the story about Lydia Darrah?" asked Gracie. "I
+don't remember to have heard it."
+
+"She lived in Philadelphia when the British were in possession there
+during the winter after the battle of the Brandywine," replied Mrs.
+Travilla. "She belonged to the Society of Friends, most of whom, as you
+doubtless remember, took no active part in the war; at least, did none
+of the fighting, though many helped in other ways; but some were Tories,
+who gave aid and comfort to the enemy in other ways than by the use of
+arms."
+
+"What a shame!" cried Walter. "You will tell us about the doings of some
+of those when you are done with the story of Lydia Darrah, won't you,
+mamma?"
+
+"If you all wish it," she answered; then went on with her narrative:
+
+"Judging from her conduct at that time, Lydia must have been an ardent
+patriot; but patriots and Tories alike had British officers quartered
+upon them. The adjutant-general took up his quarters in Loxley House,
+the home of the Darrahs, and, as it was a secluded place, the superior
+officers frequently held meetings there for private conference on
+matters connected with the movements of the British troops."
+
+"One day the adjutant-general told Mrs. Darrah that such a meeting was
+to be held that evening, and that he wanted the upper back room made
+ready for himself and the friends who would be present. He added that
+they would be likely to stay late and she must be sure to see that all
+her family were early in their beds.
+
+"His tone and manner led Mrs. Darrah to think something of importance
+was going forward, and though she did not dare disobey his order, she
+resolved to try to find out what was their object in holding this
+private night meeting, probably hoping to be able to do something to
+prevent the carrying out of their plans against the liberties of her
+country.
+
+"She sent her family to bed, according to directions, before the
+officers came, and after admitting them retired to her own couch, but
+not to sleep, for her thoughts were busy with conjectures in regard to
+the mischief they--the unwelcome intruders into her house--might be
+plotting against her country.
+
+"She had lain down without undressing and after a little she rose and
+stole softly, in her stocking feet, to the door of the room where they
+were assembled.
+
+"All was quiet at the moment when she reached it. She put her ear to the
+keyhole and--doubtless, with a fast beating heart--waited there,
+listening intently for the sound of the officers' voices.
+
+"For a few moments all was silence; then it was broken by a single voice
+reading aloud an order from Sir William Howe for the troops to march out
+of the city the next night and make an attack upon Washington's camp at
+Whitemarsh.
+
+"Lydia waited to hear no more, for that was sufficient, and it would
+have been dangerous indeed for her to be caught there.
+
+"She hastened back to her own room and again threw herself on the bed;
+but not to sleep, as you may well imagine.
+
+"Presently the opening and shutting of doors told her that the visitors
+of the adjutant-general were taking their departure; then there was a
+rap on her door. But she did not answer it. It was repeated, but still
+she did not move or speak; but at the third knock she rose, went to the
+door, and found the adjutant-general there.
+
+"He informed her that his friends had gone and she might now close her
+house for the night.
+
+"She did so, then lay down again, but not to sleep. She lay thinking of
+the momentous secret she had just learned, considering how she might
+help to avert the threatened danger to the patriot army, and asking help
+and guidance from her heavenly Father.
+
+"Her prayer was heard; she laid her plans, then at early dawn arose.
+Waking her husband she told him flour was wanted for the family and she
+must go immediately to the mill at Frankford for it. Then taking a bag
+to carry it in, she started at once on foot.
+
+"At General Howe's headquarters she obtained a passport to leave the
+city.
+
+"She had a five miles' walk to Frankford, where she left her bag at the
+mill, and hurried on toward the American camp to deliver her tidings.
+
+"It was still quite early, but before reaching the camp she met an
+American officer, Lieutenant Craig, whom Washington had sent out to seek
+information in regard to the doings of the enemy.
+
+"Lydia quickly told him her story, then hastened back to the mill for
+her bag of flour and hurried home with it."
+
+"Mamma," exclaimed Walter, "how could she carry anything so big and
+heavy?"
+
+"Perhaps it was but a small bag," returned his mother, with a smile. "I
+never saw or read any statement as to its size, and perhaps the joy and
+thankfulness she felt in having been permitted and enabled to do such
+service to the cause of her country may have helped to strengthen her to
+bear the burden."
+
+"What a day it must have been to her!" exclaimed Evelyn, "hope and
+fear alternating in her breast; and how her heart must have gone up
+constantly in prayer to God for his blessing upon her bleeding country."
+
+"And how it must have throbbed with alternating hope and fear as she
+stood at the window that cold, starry night and watched the departure
+of the British troops to make the intended attack upon Washington and
+his little army," said Rosie. "And again when the distant roll of a drum
+told that they were returning."
+
+"Yes," said Lulu; "and when the adjutant-general came back to the house,
+summoned Lydia to his room, and when he got her in there shut and locked
+the door."
+
+"Oh," cried Grace, "did he know it was she that had told of his plans?"
+
+"No," said Mrs. Travilla; "from the accounts I have read he does not
+seem to have even suspected her. He invited her to be seated, then
+asked, 'Were any of your family up, Lydia, on the night when I received
+company in this house?' 'No,' she replied; 'they all retired at eight
+o'clock.' 'It is very strange,' he returned. 'You I know were asleep,
+for I knocked at your door three times before you heard me, yet it is
+certain we were betrayed. I am altogether at a loss to conceive who
+could have given information to Washington of our intended attack. On
+arriving near his camp, we found his cannon mounted, his troops under
+arms, and so prepared at every point to receive us, that we have been
+compelled to march back like a parcel of fools, without injuring our
+enemy!'"
+
+"I hope the British did not find out, before they left Philadelphia, who
+had given the information to the Americans, and take vengeance on her?"
+said Walter.
+
+"No," replied his mother, "fearing that, she had begged Lieutenant Craig
+to keep her secret; which he did; and so it has happened that her good
+deed finds no mention in the histories of that time and is recorded only
+by well authenticated tradition."
+
+"So all the Quakers were not Tories?" remarked Walter in a satisfied yet
+half inquiring tone.
+
+"Oh, no indeed!" replied his mother, "there were ardent patriots among
+them, as among people of other denominations. Nathaniel Green--after
+Washington one of our best and greatest generals--was of Quaker family,
+and I have heard that when his mother found he was not to be persuaded
+to refrain from taking an active part in the struggle for freedom, she
+said to him, 'Well, Nathaniel, if thee must fight, let me never hear of
+thee having a wound in thy back!'"
+
+"Ah, she must have been brave and patriotic," laughed Walter. "I doubt
+if she was so very sorry that her son was determined to fight for the
+freedom of his country."
+
+"No," said Rosie, "I don't believe she was, and I don't see how she
+could help feeling proud of him--so bright, brave, talented, and
+patriotic as he showed himself to be all through the war."
+
+"Yes," said Lulu, "and I don't think he has had half the honors he
+deserved, though at West Point we saw a cannon with an inscription on it
+saying it had been taken from the British army and presented by Congress
+to Major-General Green as a monument of their high sense of his services
+in the revolutionary war."
+
+"Weren't the Tories very bad men, Grandma Elsie?" asked Grace.
+
+"Not all of them, my dear," replied Mrs. Travilla, smiling lovingly into
+the sweet, though grave and earnest, little face; "some were really
+conscientiously opposed to war, even when waged for freedom from
+unbearable tyranny and oppression, but were disposed to be merely
+inactive witnesses of the struggle, some of them desiring the success of
+the patriots, others that of the king's troops; then there was another
+set who, while professing neutrality, secretly aided the British,
+betraying the patriots into their hands.
+
+"Such were Carlisle and Roberts, Quakers of that time, living in
+Philadelphia. While the British were in possession of the city those two
+men were employed as secret agents in detecting foes to the government,
+and by their secret information caused many patriots to be arrested and
+thrown into prison. Lossing tells us that Carlisle, wearing the meek
+garb and deportment of a Quaker, was at heart a Torquemada."
+
+"And who was Torquemada, mamma?" queried Walter.
+
+"A Dominican monk of Spain, who lived in the times of Ferdinand and
+Isabella, and was by them appointed inquisitor-general. He organized the
+Inquisition throughout Spain, drew up the code of procedure, and during
+sixteen years caused between nine and ten thousand persons to be burned
+at the stake."
+
+"Mamma! what a cruel, _cruel_ wretch!" cried Walter. "Oh, but I'm glad
+nobody can do such cruel things in these days! I hope Roberts and
+Carlisle weren't quite so wicked as he."
+
+"No, I should not like to think they would have been willing to go to
+quite such lengths, though they seem to have shown enough malignity
+toward their patriotic fellow-countrymen to make it evident that they
+had something of the spirit of the cruel and bloodthirsty Torquemada.
+
+"Though they would not bear arms for the wealth of the Indies, they were
+ever ready to act as guides to those whose object was to massacre their
+fellow-countrymen; and that only because they were determined to be
+free."
+
+"Were not some of those in New Jersey known as 'Pine Robbers,' Grandma
+Elsie?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; they infested the lower part of Monmouth County, whence they went
+on predatory excursions into other parts of the State, coming upon the
+people at night to burn, murder, plunder, and destroy. They burrowed
+caves in the sandhills on the borders of the swamps, where they
+concealed themselves and their booty."
+
+"Did they leave their hiding-places only in the night time, mamma?"
+asked Walter.
+
+"No," she replied, "they would sometimes sally forth during the day and
+attack the farmers in their fields. So that the men were compelled to
+carry muskets and be ready to fight for their lives, while women and
+children were kept in a constant state of terror."
+
+"I think I have read that one of the worst of them was a blacksmith,
+living in Freehold?" remarked Evelyn, half inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, his name was Fenton; he was a very wicked man, who, like many
+others calling themselves Tories, took advantage of the disturbance of
+the times to rob and murder his fellow-countrymen; he began his career
+of robbery and murder very early in the war.
+
+"One of his first acts, as such, was the plundering of a tailor's shop
+in the township. A committee of vigilance had been already organized,
+and its members sent Fenton word that if he did not return what he had
+stolen he should be hunted out and shot.
+
+"He was a coward, as such villains almost always are, and did return the
+clothing, sending with it a written message, 'I have returned your ----
+rags. In a short time I am coming to burn your barns and houses, and
+roast you all like a pack of kittens.'
+
+"One summer night, shortly afterward, he led a gang of desperadoes like
+himself against the dwelling of an old man named Farr. There were but
+three persons in the house--the old man, his wife, and daughter. They
+barricaded their door and defended themselves for a while, but Fenton
+broke in a part of the door, fired through the hole at the old man and
+broke his leg. The women could not keep them out much longer; they soon
+forced an entrance, murdered the old man and woman, and badly wounded
+the daughter. She, however, made her escape, and the cowardly ruffians
+fled without waiting to secure any plunder; no doubt fearing she would
+bring a band of patriots to avenge the slain."
+
+"I hope that wretch, Fenton, was soon caught and well punished for his
+robberies and murders!" exclaimed Lulu.
+
+"He was," replied Grandma Elsie. "The Bible tells us that 'bloody and
+deceitful men shall not live out half their days,' and Fenton's fate was
+one amongst many to prove the truth of it.
+
+"He had met a young man on his way to mill, plundered and beaten him;
+the victim carried his complaint to Lee, and a sergeant and two
+soldiers were detailed to capture or kill Fenton.
+
+"They used strategy and with success. The two soldiers were secreted
+under some straw in the bottom of a wagon, the sergeant disguised
+himself as a countryman, and the young man took a seat in the vehicle.
+Then they drove on toward the mill, expecting to meet Fenton on the
+road. They were passing a low groggery among the pines, when he came out
+of it, pistol in hand, and impudently ordered them to stop.
+
+"They drew rein, and he came nearer, asking if they had brandy with
+them. They replied that they had, and handed him a bottle. Then, as he
+lifted it to his lips, the sergeant silently signaled to one of his
+hidden soldiers, who at once rose from his hiding place in the straw and
+shot Fenton through the head. His body was then thrown into the wagon
+and carried in triumph to Freehold."
+
+"The people of that part of the country must have felt a good deal
+relieved," remarked Rosie. "Still there were Fenton's desperado
+companions left."
+
+"Two of them--Fagan and West--shared Fenton's fate, being shot by the
+exasperated people," said her mother; "and West's body was hung in
+chains, with hoop iron bands around it, on a chestnut tree hard by the
+roadside, about a mile from Freehold."
+
+"O Grandma Elsie, is it there yet?" asked Gracie, shuddering with
+horror.
+
+"No, dear child, that could hardly be possible after so many years--more
+than a hundred you will remember when you think of it," returned Mrs.
+Travilla, with a kindly reassuring smile.
+
+"I hope papa will take us to Freehold," said Lulu. "I want to see the
+battleground."
+
+"I feel quite sure he will, should nothing happen to prevent," said
+Grandma Elsie.
+
+"Wasn't it at Freehold, or in its neighborhood, that a Captain Huddy was
+murdered by those pine robbers?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes," replied Grandma Elsie. "It was only the other day that I was
+refreshing my memory in regard to it by glancing over Lossing's account
+given in his Field Book of the Revolution."
+
+"Then please tell us about it, mamma," pleaded Walter.
+
+"Very willingly, since you wish to hear it," she said, noting the look
+of eager interest on the young faces about her.
+
+"Captain Huddy was an ardent patriot and consequently hated by his Tory
+neighbors. He lived at a place called Colt's Neck, about five miles from
+Freehold.
+
+"One evening, in the summer of 1780, a party of some sixty refugees,
+headed by a mulatto named Titus, attacked Huddy's house. There was no
+one in it at the time but Huddy himself, and a servant girl, some twenty
+years old, named Lucretia Emmons."
+
+"She wouldn't be of much use for fighting men," remarked Walter, with a
+slight sniff of contempt.
+
+"Perhaps Captain Huddy may have thought differently," replied his
+mother, with a slightly amused smile. "There were several guns in the
+house which she loaded for Huddy while he passed from one window to
+another firing through them at his foes. Titus and several others were
+wounded; then they set fire to the house and Huddy surrendered.
+
+"He was taken on board of a boat from which he jumped into the water and
+escaped, assisted in so doing by the fire of some militia who were in
+pursuit of the Tories.
+
+"About two years later Huddy was in command of a block house near the
+village of Tom's River, when it was attacked by some refugees from New
+York, and, his ammunition giving out, he was obliged to surrender. He
+and his companions were taken to New York, then back to Sandy Hook,
+where they were placed on board a guard-ship and heavily ironed.
+
+"Shortly afterward he was taken to Gravelly Point, by sixteen refugees
+under Captain Lippincott, and hung on a gallows made of three rails.
+
+"He met his fate like the brave man that he was, first calmly writing
+his will on the head of the barrel upon which he was presently to stand
+for execution.
+
+"A desperate Tory, named Philip White, had been killed while Huddy was a
+prisoner in New York, and these men falsely accused Huddy of having had
+a share in his death. After hanging him that cruel, wicked Lippincott
+fastened to his breast a notice to the effect that they had killed
+Captain Huddy in revenge for the death of Philip White, and that they
+were determined to hang man for man while a refugee lived."
+
+"Oh, what dreadful, dreadful things people did in those days!" sighed
+Grace. "Did anybody venture to take the body down and bury it, Grandma
+Elsie?"
+
+"Yes, Captain Huddy's body was carried to Freehold and buried with the
+honors of war."
+
+"And did people care much about it?"
+
+"Yes, indeed! his death caused great excitement and indignation, and Dr.
+Woodhull, the Freehold minister, who preached the funeral sermon from
+the piazza of the hotel, earnestly entreated Washington to retaliate in
+order to prevent a repetition of such deeds.
+
+"Washington consented, but, ever merciful, first wrote to Sir Henry
+Clinton that unless the murderers of Captain Huddy were given up he
+should retaliate.
+
+"Clinton refused, and a young British officer, Captain Asgill, a
+prisoner in the hands of the Americans, was selected by lot for
+execution. Washington, however, mercifully postponed the carrying out of
+the sentence, feeling much pity and sympathy for the young
+man--doubtless for his relatives also; letters came from Europe
+earnestly entreating that Asgill's life might be spared; among them a
+pathetic one from his mother, and an intercessory one from the French
+minister, Count de Vergennes.
+
+"These letters Washington sent to Congress and that body passed a
+resolution, 'That the commander-in-chief be, and hereby is, directed to
+set Captain Asgill at liberty.'"
+
+"It seems to me that our people were far more merciful than the
+English," remarked Lulu, with a look of patriotic pride.
+
+"I think that is true," assented Grandma Elsie, "not meaning to deny
+that there are many kindhearted men among the British of to-day, or that
+there were such among them even then, but most of those then in power
+showed themselves to be avaricious, hardhearted, and cruel."
+
+"Yes, they wanted to make slaves of the people here," exclaimed Lulu
+hotly. "But they found that Americans wouldn't be slaves; that rather
+than resign their liberty they would die fighting for it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+It was still early in the evening when the _Dolphin_ reached her wharf
+at Philadelphia, where her passengers found friends and relatives
+waiting to give them a joyful reception.
+
+A few days passed very pleasantly in visiting these friends and places
+of interest in the city, particularly such as were in one way or another
+connected with the events of revolutionary times. Then they went up the
+Delaware in their yacht.
+
+Their first halting-place would be at Trenton, and naturally the talk,
+as they went up the river, was largely of the revolutionary events which
+had taken place there and at other not far distant points. Grandma Elsie
+was again the narrator.
+
+"In November of 1776," she began, "our country's prospects looked very
+dark. On the 16th, Fort Washington, on the east bank of the Hudson, and
+near New York City, fell into the hands of the enemy and its garrison of
+nearly three thousand men were made prisoners of war.
+
+"On the 20th Cornwallis crossed the Hudson at Dobbs Ferry and with his
+six thousand men attacked Fort Lee. The garrison hastily retreated,
+leaving all their baggage and military stores, and joined the main army
+at Hackensack, five miles away.
+
+"Then Washington, who had with him scarcely three thousand men, began a
+retreat toward the Delaware, hoping to obtain reinforcements in New
+Jersey and Pennsylvania which would enable him to make a stand against
+the invaders and give them battle.
+
+"But his troops had become much dispirited by the many recent disasters
+to our arms, delayed payment of arrears by Congress, causing them great
+inconvenience and suffering, and lack of proper food and clothing, and
+the presence of the enemy, who now had possession of New Jersey and
+seemed likely soon to take Philadelphia.
+
+"Just at that time, as I have said, there seemed little hope for our
+country. Washington's army was dwindling very rapidly, men whose terms
+of enlistment had expired refusing to serve any longer, so that he had
+but twenty-two hundred under his command when he crossed the Delaware,
+and two days later not more than seventeen hundred; indeed, scarcely
+more than a thousand on whom he could rely.
+
+"He wrote to General Lee, who had been left at White Plains with nearly
+three thousand men, asking him to lead his division into New Jersey, to
+reinforce his rapidly melting army. Lee paid no attention to the
+request and Washington sent him a positive command to do what he had
+before requested.
+
+"Lee obeyed very slowly, and while on his way was taken prisoner by the
+enemy."
+
+"Served him right for disobeying Washington!" growled Walter.
+
+"There could be no excuse for such disobedience," continued Grandma
+Elsie; "and one feels no sympathy for Lee in reading of his sudden
+seizure by the British, who carried him off in such haste that he had no
+time to dress but was taken bareheaded and in blanket coat and
+slippers."
+
+"I doubt if his capture was a loss to the American cause," remarked
+Rosie.
+
+"No," said her mother; "though much deplored at the time, I have no
+doubt it was really for the good of the cause. General Sullivan
+succeeded Lee in command and presently joined Washington with his
+forces."
+
+"I don't see how Washington could have patience with so many
+disappointments and delays," said Lulu. "Didn't he ever give way to
+despair, even for a little while, Grandma Elsie?"
+
+"I have never seen the least intimation of it," replied Mrs. Travilla.
+"He is said to have been at this time firm, calm, undaunted, holding
+fast to his faith in the final triumph of the good cause for which he
+was toiling and striving.
+
+"There seemed to be nothing but the Delaware between the enemy and his
+conquest of Philadelphia; the freezing of the river so that the British
+could pass over it on the ice might occur at any time. Some one asked
+Washington what he would do were Philadelphia to be taken. He answered,
+'We will retreat beyond the Susquehanna River, and thence, if necessary,
+to the Alleghany Mountains.' Doubtless he was even then planning the
+masterly movements of his forces that presently drove the enemy from
+Trenton and Princeton."
+
+"Didn't the people of Philadelphia try to be ready to defend themselves
+and their city, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes," she replied; "Congress gave the command there, with almost
+unlimited power, to General Putnam; then appointing a committee of three
+to act for them, they adjourned to reassemble at Baltimore.
+
+"In the meantime Washington was getting ready for the striking of his
+intended blows in New Jersey.
+
+"It would seem that General Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British
+forces, had planned to despatch Cornwallis up the Hudson to the
+assistance of Burgoyne, who was about to invade our country from Canada.
+But Cornwallis had a strong desire to capture Philadelphia, and
+probably no doubt that he could do so if allowed to carry out his plans,
+and to that Howe consented.
+
+"Cornwallis showed but little skill in the arrangement of his forces,
+scattering them here and there in detachments from New Brunswick to the
+Delaware and down that stream to a point below Burlington. His military
+stores, and his strongest detachment, were at New Brunswick. The last
+consisting of a troop of light horse with about fifteen hundred
+Hessians.
+
+"Washington decided to surprise those troops while at the same time
+Generals Ewing and Cadwalader, with the Pennsylvania militia, were
+directed to attack the posts at Bordentown, Black Horse, Burlington, and
+Mount Holly. Cadwalader was to cross near Bristol, Ewing below Trenton
+falls, while Washington, with Generals Greene and Sullivan, and Colonel
+Knox of the artillery, was to lead the main body of Continental troops
+and cross the Delaware at M'Conkey's Ferry.
+
+"Washington was very anxious to save Philadelphia, which Cornwallis was
+aiming to capture, and felt sure of taking without any great difficulty,
+after crossing the Delaware, since he had heard that the people there
+were for the king almost to a man. So sure was he indeed that the
+victory would be an easy one that he had gone back to his headquarters
+in New York and prepared to return to England.
+
+"Putnam, in Philadelphia, had heard of Washington's intended attack upon
+the British at Trenton, and to assist him sent Colonel Griffin, at the
+head of four hundred and fifty militia, across from Philadelphia to New
+Jersey with directions to make a diversion in favor of the Americans by
+marching to Mount Holly as if intending an attack upon the British
+troops under the command of Colonel Donop at Bordentown.
+
+"Donop fell into the trap, moved against Griffin with his whole force of
+two thousand men, and, as Griffin retreated before him, followed; then,
+secure like Cornwallis and other of the English officers in the belief
+that the Americans were well nigh subdued already, and that when once
+Philadelphia should fall, resistance would be about at an end, moved his
+troops in so dilatory a manner that he was two days in returning to his
+post."
+
+"Humph! they were mightily mistaken in their estimate of our people,
+weren't they, mamma?" exclaimed Walter.
+
+"I think they were themselves soon convinced of that," she answered with
+a smile; then continued her story.
+
+"Washington selected Christmas night as the time for his contemplated
+attack upon the British at Trenton. It was, as he well knew, the habit
+of the Germans to celebrate that day with feasting and drinking, and
+such being the case, he felt that he might reasonably expect to find
+them under the influence of intoxicating drinks, therefore unfit for a
+successful resistance.
+
+"The river had been free from ice, but in the last twenty-four hours
+before the time appointed for the expedition the weather changed,
+growing very much colder, so that the water was filled with floating
+ice, greatly increasing the difficulty and danger of crossing; a storm
+of sleet and snow set in too, and the night was dark and gloomy.
+
+"Still the little army was undaunted; they paraded at M'Conkey's Ferry
+at dusk, expecting to reach Trenton by midnight; but so slow and
+perilous was the crossing that it was nearly four o'clock when at last
+they mustered on the Jersey shore.
+
+"It was now too late to attack under cover of the darkness, as had been
+Washington's plan."
+
+"Excuse me, mamma, but surely it would be still dark at four o'clock in
+the morning?" Walter said half inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, my son, but you must remember they had crossed at M'Conkey's
+Ferry, which is eight miles higher up the river than is Trenton, so that
+they had that distance to march before they could make their attack.
+
+"Washington divided his forces, leading one portion himself by the upper
+road,--Generals Greene, Mercer, and Lord Sterling accompanying him,--and
+giving Sullivan command of the other, which was to approach the town by
+another road leading along the river.
+
+"The two arrived at Trenton about the same time, having marched so
+silently that the enemy was unaware of their approach till they were but
+a short distance from the picket guards on the outskirts of the town.
+
+"There was a brisk skirmish then, the Hessians retreating toward their
+main body, firing as they went from behind the houses, while the
+Americans pursued them closely."
+
+"Then the Hessians weren't drunk as Washington expected, were they,
+Grandma Elsie?" asked Grace.
+
+"Well-authenticated tradition says they were," replied Mrs. Travilla;
+"that they had been carousing through the night, Rall himself feasting,
+drinking, and playing cards at the house of Abraham Hunt, who had
+invited him and other officers to a Christmas supper. They had been
+playing all night and regaling themselves with wine.
+
+"A Tory on the Pennington road saw, about dawn, the approach of the
+Americans under Washington and sent a messenger with a note to warn
+Rall. But a negro servant who had been stationed as warden at the door
+refused to allow the messenger to pass in, saying, 'The gemman can't be
+disturbed.'
+
+"It seems that the messenger was aware of the contents of the note, or
+at least that it was a warning of the approach of the Americans, so,
+being foiled in his purpose of seeing Rall himself, he handed the note
+to the negro with an order to carry it at once to Colonel Rall.
+
+"The negro obeyed, but Rall, excited with wine and interested in his
+game, merely thrust the note into his pocket and went on with his deal.
+
+"But presently the roll of the American drums, the rattle of musketry,
+the tramp of horses, and the rumble of heavy gun-carriages fell upon his
+drowsy ear, and in a moment he was wide awake, the cards were dropped,
+he sprang to his feet, then rushed away to his quarters and mounted his
+horse with all speed; but at that time his soldiers were being driven by
+the Americans as chaff before the wind.
+
+"The Hessians' drums were beating to arms, and a company rushed out of
+the barracks to protect the patrol. Washington's troops had begun the
+fight with an attack upon the outermost picket on the Pennington road,
+and Stark, with the van of Sullivan's party, gave three cheers and
+rushed upon the enemy's pickets near the river with their bayonets, and
+they, astonished at the suddenness and fury of the charge, were seized
+with a panic and fled in confusion across the Assanpink.
+
+"Both divisions--the one commanded by Washington, the other under
+Sullivan--now pressed forward so rapidly, and with such zeal and
+determination, that the Hessians were not allowed to form. Nor could
+they get possession of the two cannon in front of Rall's quarters.
+
+"The Americans themselves were forming in line of battle when Rall made
+his appearance, reeling in his saddle as if drunk,--as I presume he
+was,--received a report, then rode up in front of his regiment and
+called out, 'Forward, march; advance, advance!'
+
+"But before his order could be obeyed a party of Americans hurried
+forward and dismounted his two cannon, accomplishing the feat without
+injury to themselves except that Captains William Washington and James
+Monroe were slightly wounded."
+
+"And where was General Washington just then, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"He was there in the midst of the fighting, and exposed to the same
+dangers as his troops. It was under his personal direction that a
+battery of six guns was opened upon two regiments of Hessians less than
+three hundred yards distant. Washington was then near the front, a
+little to the right, where he could be easily seen by the enemy, and
+made a target for their balls. But though his horse was wounded, he
+remained unhurt."
+
+"Oh," cried Evelyn with enthusiasm, "surely God protected him and turned
+aside the balls, that America might not lose the one on whom so much
+depended! the father of his country, the ardent patriot, the best of men
+and greatest of generals, as I do certainly believe he was."
+
+"I am proud that Washington was a countryman of mine," exclaimed Rosie,
+her eyes sparkling.
+
+"Yes, we are all proud of our Washington," said Lulu. "But what more can
+you tell us about the battle of Trenton, Grandma Elsie?"
+
+"Rall drew back his two regiments as if intending to reach the road to
+Princeton by turning Washington's left," continued Mrs. Travilla in
+reply. "To prevent that, an American regiment was thrown in front of
+him. It seemed likely that he might have forced a passage through it,
+but his troops, having collected much plunder in Trenton and wishing to
+hold on to it, persuaded him to try to recover the town.
+
+"He made the attempt, but was charged impetuously by the Americans and
+driven back further than before; and in that movement he himself was
+mortally wounded by a musket ball. His men were thrown into confusion,
+and presently surrendered.
+
+"Then Baylor rode up to Washington and announced, 'Sir, the Hessians
+have surrendered.'"
+
+"Baylor?" repeated Walter. "Who was he, mamma?"
+
+"One of Washington's aids," she replied. "In the first year of the war
+he was made an aid-de-camp to General Washington and in that capacity
+was with him in this battle."
+
+"How I envy him!" exclaimed Lulu.
+
+"I do think that if I'd been a man living in those days," said Walter,
+"I'd have cared for no greater honor than being aid to our Washington."
+
+His mother's only reply was a proudly affectionate look and smile as she
+went on with her story.
+
+"There was another regiment, under Knyphausen, which had been ordered to
+cover the flank. These tried to reach the Assanpink bridge, but lost
+time in an effort to get two cannon out of the morass, and when they
+reached the bridge the Americans were guarding it on both sides. They
+tried to ford the river, but without success, and presently surrendered
+to Lord Stirling, with the privilege of keeping their swords and their
+private baggage. That ended the battle, leaving the Americans with
+nearly a thousand prisoners in their hands.
+
+"Over two hundred of the Hessians had escaped--some to Princeton,
+others to Bordentown. There were a hundred and thirty absent, having
+been sent out on some expedition, and seventeen were killed. The battle
+had lasted thirty-five minutes, and the Americans had not lost a man."
+
+"It was wonderful, I think!" said Evelyn, in her earnest way; "certainly
+God helped our patriotic forefathers or they never could have succeeded
+in their conflict with so powerful a foe as Great Britain was even
+then."
+
+"It was all of God's great goodness to this land and people," said
+Grandma Elsie. "Had there been in that action defeat to our arms instead
+of victory, we would not--so soon at least--have become the free and
+powerful nation we are to-day. Congress lavished praise upon General
+Washington, but he replied, 'You pay me compliments as if the merit of
+the affair was due solely to me; but I assure you the other general
+officers who assisted me in the plan and execution have full as good a
+right to the encomiums as myself.'"
+
+"Possibly that was only just," remarked Rosie, "but it strikes me as
+very generous."
+
+"It was just like Washington," said Walter; "our Washington! I'm ever so
+proud of him!"
+
+"As we all are," said his mother; "but we must not forget to give the
+glory of that victory, and all others, and also of our final success,
+to him who is the God of battles, and by whose strength and help our
+freedom was won. As Bancroft says, 'Until that hour the life of the
+United States flickered like a dying flame,' but God had appeared for
+their deliverance and from that time the hopes of the almost despairing
+people revived, while the confident expectations of their enemies were
+dashed to the ground. Lord George Germain exclaimed after he heard the
+news, 'All our hopes were blasted by the unhappy affair at Trenton.'"
+
+"Unhappy affair indeed!" exclaimed Walter. "What a heartless wretch he
+must have been, mamma!"
+
+"And how our poor soldiers did suffer!" sighed Lulu; "it makes my heart
+ache just to think of it!"
+
+"And mine," said Grandma Elsie. "It is wonderful how much the poor
+fellows were willing to endure in the hope of attaining freedom for
+themselves and their country.
+
+"Thomas Rodney tells us that on the night of the attack upon Trenton of
+which we have been talking, while Rall caroused and played cards beside
+his warm fire, our poor soldiers were toiling and suffering with cold
+and nakedness, facing wind and sleet in the defence of their country.
+
+"The night," he says, "was as severe a night as ever I saw; the frost
+was sharp, the current difficult to stem, the ice increasing, the wind
+high, and at eleven it began to snow. It was three in the morning of the
+26th before the troops and cannon were all over, and another hour passed
+before they could be formed on the Jersey side. A violent northeast
+storm of wind, sleet, and hail set in as they began their nine miles'
+march to Trenton, against an enemy in the best condition to fight. The
+weather was terrible for men clad as they were, and the ground slipped
+under their feet. For a mile and a half they had to climb a steep hill,
+from which they descended to the road that ran for about three miles
+between hills and forests of hickory, ash, and black oak."
+
+"Oh, how brave and patriotic they were!" exclaimed Rosie. "I remember
+reading that their route might be easily traced by the blood on the snow
+from the feet of the poor fellows, who had broken shoes or none. Oh,
+what a shame it was that Congress and the people let them--the men who
+were enduring so much and fighting so bravely for the liberty of
+both--bear such hardships!"
+
+"It was, indeed," sighed Grandma Elsie; "it always gives me a heartache
+to think of those poor fellows marching through the darkness and that
+dreadful storm of snow, sleet, and bitter wind and only half clothed.
+Just think of it! a continuous march of fifteen miles through darkness,
+over such a road, the storm directly in their faces. They reached their
+destination stiff with cold, yet rushed at once upon the foe, fighting
+bravely for freedom for themselves and their children. 'Victory or
+death,' was the watchword Washington had given them."
+
+"Were they from all the States, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"They were principally Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New England troops,"
+she answered. "Grant, the British commander in New Jersey, knew of the
+destitution of our troops but felt no fear that they would really
+venture to attack him; persuading himself that they would not cross the
+river because the floating ice would make it a difficult, if not
+impossible, thing for them to return.
+
+"'Besides,' he wrote on the 21st, 'Washington's men have neither shoes
+nor stockings nor blankets, are almost naked, and dying of cold and want
+of food.'"
+
+"And didn't Rall say the Americans wouldn't dare to come against him?"
+asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; his reply to a warning of danger of being attacked was, 'Let them
+come; what need of intrenchments! We will at them with the bayonet!'"
+
+"And when they did come he was killed?"
+
+"Yes, mortally wounded; taken by his aids and servant to his quarters
+at the house of a Quaker named Stacey Potts; and there Washington and
+Greene visited him just before leaving Trenton."
+
+"They knew he was dying, mamma?"
+
+"Yes, and, as Lossing tells us, Washington offered such consolation as a
+soldier and Christian can bestow."
+
+"It was very kind, and I hope Rall appreciated it."
+
+"It would seem that he did, as the historian tells us it soothed the
+agonies of the expiring hero."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+From Trenton Grandma Elsie, the captain, and their young charges went on
+to Princeton, where they received a most joyful welcome from Harold and
+Herbert Travilla, now spending their last year at the seminary.
+
+Their mother had written to them of the intended visit, and all
+necessary arrangements had been made. Carriages were in waiting, and
+shortly after their arrival the whole party were on their way to the
+battleground, where the attention of the young people was drawn to the
+various points of interest, particularly the spot where fell General
+Mercer.
+
+"The general's horse was wounded in the leg by a musket ball," explained
+Harold, in reply to a question from his little brother; "he dismounted,
+and was rallying his troops, when a British soldier felled him to the
+ground by a blow from a musket.
+
+"He was supposed to be Washington. A shout, was raised, 'The rebel
+general is taken!' and at that others of the enemy rushed to the spot
+calling out, 'Call for quarter, you d----d rebel!'
+
+"'I am no rebel!' Mercer answered indignantly, though half a dozen of
+their bayonets were at his breast; and instead of calling for quarter he
+continued to fight, striking at them with his sword till they bayoneted
+him and left him for dead.
+
+"He was not dead, however, but mortally wounded.
+
+"After the British had retreated he was carried to the house of Thomas
+Clark," continued Harold, pointing out the building as he spoke, "where
+he lingered in great pain till the 12th and then died."
+
+"I'm glad it wasn't Washington," said Walter.
+
+"Was Washington hurt at all, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"No, though exposed to the hottest fire he escaped without injury,"
+replied the captain. "God our Heavenly Father preserved him for his
+great work--the salvation of our country. 'Man is immortal till his work
+is done'--and Washington's was not done till years afterward."
+
+"Not even when the war was over; for he was our first president, I
+remember," said Lulu.
+
+"Yes," replied her father, "and he did much for his country in that
+capacity.
+
+"The night before this battle of Princeton he and his army were in a
+critical situation, the British being fully equal in numbers and their
+troops well disciplined, while about half of Washington's army was
+composed of raw militia--so that a general engagement the next day would
+be almost sure to result in defeat to the Americans.
+
+"Washington called a council of war. It was he himself who proposed to
+withdraw from their present position--on the high ground upon the
+southern bank of the Assanpink--before dawn of the next morning, and, by
+a circuitous march to Princeton, get in the rear of the enemy, attack
+them at that place, and if successful march on to New Brunswick and take
+or destroy his stores there.
+
+"The great difficulty in the way was that the ground was too soft, from
+a thaw, to make it safe and easy to move their forty pieces of cannon.
+
+"But a kind Providence removed that hindrance, the weather suddenly
+becoming so extremely cold that in two hours or less the roads were hard
+enough for the work."
+
+"As Lossing says," remarked Grandma Elsie, "'The great difficulty was
+overcome by a power mightier than that of man. Our fathers were fighting
+for God-given rights and it was by his help they at last succeeded.'"
+
+"What's the rest of the story?" asked Walter. "How did Washington and
+his army slip away without the British seeing them? For I suppose they
+had sentinels awake and out."
+
+"Washington had a number of camp fires lighted along his front," replied
+Harold, to whom the question seemed to be addressed, "making them of the
+fences near at hand. That made the British think he was encamped for the
+night, and Cornwallis, when some one urged him to make an attack that
+night, said he would certainly 'catch the fox in the morning.' The fox,
+of course, was Washington, but he didn't catch him. It was not till dawn
+he discovered that the fox had eluded him and slipped away, fleeing so
+silently that the British did not know in what direction he had gone
+till they heard the boom of the cannon in the fight here.
+
+"Cornwallis thought it was thunder, but Sir William Erskine recognized
+it as what it was and exclaimed, 'To arms, General! Washington has
+outgeneraled us. Let us fly to the rescue at Princeton.'"
+
+"How long did the battle last?" queried Walter.
+
+"The fight right here lasted about fifteen minutes, but was very
+severe," replied his brother. "Then Washington pushed on to Princeton,
+and in a ravine near the college had another sharp fight with the
+Fifty-fifth British regiment."
+
+"And whipped them too?"
+
+"Yes; they were soon flying toward Brunswick, the Fortieth regiment
+going along with them.
+
+"A part of a regiment was still in the college buildings, and Washington
+had some cannon placed in proper position, then began firing on them.
+One of the balls--it is said to have been the first--passed into the
+chapel and through the head of a portrait of George the Second that hung
+in a large frame on the wall. A few more shots were fired, and then the
+Princeton militia, and some other daring fellows, burst open a door of
+Nassau Hall and called upon the troops there to surrender, which they
+did promptly."
+
+"And Cornwallis had not reached there yet?" Walter said interrogatively.
+
+"No," returned Harold, "and when he did arrive he found that the battle
+was over, and Washington, with his victorious troops and prisoners, had
+already left the town and was in hot pursuit of the fleeing Fortieth and
+Fifty-fifth regiments."
+
+"And our poor fellows so tired and cold!" sighed Eva.
+
+"Yes," said the captain, "they had fought at Trenton on the 26th, after
+being up, probably, all night, getting across the river, had spent the
+next night in marching upon Princeton and the day in fighting; so that
+they must have been terribly fatigued even had they had the warm
+clothing and nourishing food they needed; but less than half of them
+had been able to procure any breakfast or dinner; and, as you all know,
+many of them were without shoes or stockings. Ah, how we should prize
+the liberty which was so dearly bought!"
+
+"So to save his army," resumed Harold, "Washington refrained from an
+effort to seize the rich prize at New Brunswick, and let them rest that
+night and refresh themselves with food; then retired to his winter
+quarters at Morristown.
+
+"Now, good people, if you are ready to retrace your steps, let us go
+back and look at the town souvenirs of the revolution; among them the
+portrait of Washington in the frame that used to hold that of George the
+Second."
+
+Our friends made but a short stay at Princeton, leaving that evening,
+and the next day visited the scene of the battle of Monmouth. The
+captain gave a rapid sketch of the movements of the opposing armies, as
+he did so pointing out the various positions of the different corps,
+describing Lee's disgraceful conduct at the beginning of the fight,
+telling of the just indignation of Washington, his stern reproof, Lee's
+angry rejoinder, and then with what consummate skill and despatch his
+errors were repaired by the general-in-chief--the retreating, almost
+routed, troops rallied, and order brought out of confusion, and how
+fearlessly he exposed himself to the iron storm while giving his orders
+so that that patriot army, which had been so near destruction, within
+half an hour was drawn up in battle array and ready to meet the foe.
+
+"It was a very hot day, wasn't it, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"One of the hottest of the season," replied her father, "ninety-six
+degrees in the shade; and the sun slew his victims on both sides."
+
+"Don't you think Lee was a traitor, Captain?" queried Evelyn.
+
+"Either that or insane. I think it would have been a happy thing for
+America if both he and Gaines had remained in their own land. They did
+the American cause far more harm than good. Though I by no means accuse
+Gaines of treachery, but he was envious of Washington, and so desirous
+to supersede him that he was ready to sacrifice the cause to that end."
+
+"I just wish he'd been sent back to England," said Walter. "But please
+tell us the rest about the battle, Brother Levis, won't you?"
+
+The captain willingly complied.
+
+"It was a dreadful battle," remarked Evelyn with a sigh, as his story
+came to a conclusion.
+
+"Yes, one of the most hotly contested of the war," he assented, "and
+resulted in victory to the Americans in spite of Lee's repeated
+assertion that the 'attempt was madness.'
+
+"All the other American generals did well, the country resounded with
+praises of Washington, and Congress passed a unanimous vote of thanks to
+him 'for his great and good conduct and victory.'"
+
+"It was in this battle Captain Molly fought, wasn't it?" asked Rosie.
+
+"Yes," the captain replied; and, noticing the eagerly inquiring looks of
+Grace and Walter, he went on to tell the story.
+
+"Molly was the wife of a cannoneer who was firing one of the
+field-pieces, while she, disregarding the danger from the shots of the
+enemy, made frequent journeys to and from a spring near at hand, thus
+furnishing her husband with the means of slacking his thirst, which must
+have been great at such work in such weather.
+
+"At length a shot from the enemy killed him, and an order was given to
+remove the cannon, as there was no one among the soldiers near who was
+capable of its management.
+
+"But Molly, who had seen her husband fall, and heard the order, dropped
+her bucket, sprang to the cannon, seized the rammer, and, vowing that
+she would avenge his death, fired it with surprising skill, performing
+the duty probably as well as if she had belonged to the sterner sex.
+
+"The next morning General Greene presented her--just as she was, all
+covered with dust and blood--to Washington, who gave her the commission
+of sergeant as a reward for her bravery; in addition to that he
+recommended her to Congress as worthy to have her name placed upon the
+list of those entitled to half-pay during life.
+
+"The French officers so admired her bravery that they made her many
+presents. Lossing tells us that she would sometimes pass along their
+lines and get her cocked hat full of crowns. He also says the widow of
+General Hamilton told him she had often seen 'Captain Molly,' as she was
+called, and described her as a red-haired, freckle-faced young Irish
+woman, with a handsome piercing eye."
+
+"Papa, did she wear a man's hat?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes, and also an artilleryman's coat over her woman's petticoats. She
+had done a brave deed about nine months before the battle of Monmouth,
+when Fort Clinton was taken by the British. She was there with her
+husband when the fort was attacked, and when the Americans retreated
+from the fort, and the enemy were scaling the ramparts, her husband
+dropped his match and fled, but Molly picked it up and fired the gun,
+then scampered off after him. That was the last gun fired in the fort by
+the Americans."
+
+"And this battle of Monmouth was a great victory for us--for the
+Americans, I mean?" Walter said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, in spite of the shameful retreat of Lee and the unaccountable
+detention of Morgan and his brave riflemen, who were within sound of the
+fearful tumult of the battle and eager to take part in it, Morgan
+striding to and fro in an agony of suspense, and desire to participate
+in the struggle, yet unaccountably detained where he was."
+
+"And that was some of that traitor Lee's doings, I suspect," exclaimed
+Lulu hotly. "Wasn't it, papa?"
+
+"My dear child, I do not know," returned the captain, "but it seems
+altogether probable that if Morgan could have fallen, with his fresh
+troops, upon the weary ones of Sir Henry Clinton, toward the close of
+the day, the result might have been such a surrender as Burgoyne was
+forced to make at Saratoga.
+
+"But as it was, while Washington and his weary troops slept that night,
+the general looking forward to certain victory in the morning, when he
+could again attack his country's foes with his own troops strengthened
+and refreshed by sleep, Sir Henry and his army stole silently away and
+hurried toward Sandy Hook."
+
+"Did Washington chase him?" asked Walter.
+
+"No," said the captain; "when he considered the start the British had,
+the weariness of his own troops, the excessive heat of the weather, and
+the deep sandy country, with but little water to be had, he thought it
+wiser not to make the attempt."
+
+"Papa, was it near here that the British shot Mrs. Caldwell?" asked
+Lulu.
+
+"No; that occurred in a place called Connecticut Farms, about four miles
+northwest of Elizabethtown, to which they--the Caldwells--had removed
+for greater safety.
+
+"It was in June, 1780. The British under Clinton and Knyphausen crossed
+over to Elizabethtown and moved on toward Springfield. The Americans,
+under General Greene, were posted upon the Short Hills, a series of high
+ridges near Springfield, and came down to the plain to oppose the
+invasion of the British. I will not go into the details of the battle,
+but merely say that the British were finally repulsed, Greene being so
+advantageously posted by that time that he was anxious for an
+engagement, but Knyphausen, perceiving his own disadvantage, retreated,
+setting fire to the village of Connecticut Farms (now called Union) on
+his way.
+
+"The people of the town fled when they perceived the approach of the
+British, but Mrs. Caldwell remained, and with her children and maid
+retired to a private apartment and engaged in prayer.
+
+"Presently her maid, glancing from a window, exclaimed that a red-coated
+soldier had jumped over the fence and was coming toward the window.
+
+"At that Mrs. Caldwell rose from the bed where she had been sitting, and
+at that moment the soldier raised his musket and deliberately fired at
+her through the window, sending two balls through her body, killing her
+instantly, so that she fell dead among her poor frightened children.
+
+"It was with some difficulty that her body was saved from the fire which
+was consuming the town. It was dragged out into the street, and lay
+exposed there for some time--several hours--till some of her friends got
+leave to remove it to a house on the other side of the street.
+
+"Her husband was at the Short Hills that night, and in great anxiety and
+distress about his family; the next day he went with a flag of truce to
+the village, found it in ruins, and his wife dead.
+
+"That cold-blooded murder and wanton destruction of the peaceful little
+village aroused great indignation all over the land and turned many a
+Tory into a Whig."
+
+"Did anybody ever find out who it was that killed her, papa?" asked
+Grace.
+
+"The murderer is said to have been a man from the north of Ireland,
+named McDonald, who for some unknown reason had taken a violent dislike
+to Mr. Caldwell.
+
+"But little more than a year afterward Mr. Caldwell himself was slain,
+in a very similar manner, but by an American soldier."
+
+"An American, Brother Levis?" exclaimed Walter, in unfeigned surprise.
+"Did he do it intentionally?"
+
+"The shooting was intentional, but whether meant to kill I cannot say,"
+replied the captain; "the fellow who did it is said to have been a
+drunken Irishman. It happened at Elizabethtown, then in possession of
+the Americans. A sloop made weekly trips between that place and New
+York, where were the headquarters of the British army at that time--and
+frequently carried passengers with a flag, and also parcels.
+
+"The Americans had a strong guard at a tavern near the shore, and one or
+two sentinels paced the causeway that extended across the marsh to the
+wharf.
+
+"One day in November, 1781, the vessel came in with a lady on board who
+had permission to visit a sister at Elizabethtown, and Mr. Caldwell
+drove down to the wharf in his chaise to receive her; then, not finding
+her on the wharf, went aboard the sloop and presently returned, carrying
+a small bundle.
+
+"The sentinel on the causeway halted Mr. Caldwell and demanded the
+bundle for examination, saying he had been ordered not to let anything
+of the kind pass without strict investigation.
+
+"Mr. Caldwell refused to give it to the man--James Morgan, by
+name--saying it was the property of a lady and had been merely put in
+his care.
+
+"The sentinel repeated his demand and Mr. Caldwell turned and went
+toward the vessel, it is presumed to carry the bundle back to its owner,
+when the sentinel leveled his piece and shot him dead upon the spot.
+
+"Morgan was arrested, tried for murder, and hung. He was first taken to
+the church, where a sermon was preached from the text 'Oh, do not this
+abominable thing which I hate.'
+
+"Mr. Caldwell had been much beloved as a pious and excellent minister.
+He was shot on Saturday afternoon, and the next day many of his people
+came in to attend church knowing nothing of the dreadful deed that had
+been done till they arrived.
+
+"Then there was a great sound of weeping and lamentation. The corpse was
+placed on a large stone at the door of the house of a friend whither it
+had been carried, and all who wished to do so were allowed to take a
+last look at the remains of their beloved pastor. Then, before the
+coffin was closed, Dr. Elias Boudinot led the nine orphan children up
+to the coffin to take their last look at the face of their father, and,
+as they stood weeping there, made a most moving address in their
+behalf."
+
+A few more days were spent by our friends in and about Philadelphia,
+during which brief visits were paid to places interesting to them
+because the scenes of historical events of the Revolution--Whitemarsh,
+Germantown, Barren Hill, Valley Forge, beside those within the city
+itself.
+
+But the summer heats were over and the hearts of one and all began to
+yearn for the sweets of home; all the more when word reached them
+through the mails that the members of their party left in the Newport
+cottages had already succumbed to the same sort of sickness, and were on
+their homeward way by land. A day or two later the _Dolphin_, with her
+full complement of passengers, was moving rapidly southward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+Max had a most pleasant surprise when the mail was distributed on that
+first morning after his arrival at the Naval Academy. Till his name was
+called, he had hardly hoped there would be anything for him, and then as
+a letter was handed him, and he recognized upon it his father's
+well-known writing, his cheek flushed and his eyes shone.
+
+A hasty glance at his mates showed him that each seemed intent upon his
+own affairs,--no one watching him,--so he broke the seal and read with
+swelling heart the few sentences of fatherly advice and affection the
+captain had found time to pen before the _Dolphin_ weighed anchor the
+previous evening. He knew the homesickness that would assail his son on
+that first day of separation from himself and all composing the dear
+home circle, and was fain to relieve it so far as lay in his power.
+
+Max read the letter twice, then, refolding, slipped it into his pocket
+to read again and ponder upon when he could find a moment of leisure and
+freedom from observation.
+
+More firmly convinced than ever, if that were possible, was the lad
+that his was the best, kindest, and dearest of fathers.
+
+"And if I don't do him credit and make him happy and proud of his
+first-born, it shall not be for want of trying," was his mental resolve.
+
+It was fortunate for Max that his father had been seen and admired by
+the cadets, who one and all thought him a splendid specimen of naval
+officer, and were therefore well disposed toward his son.
+
+Then Max himself had such a bright, intelligent face and genial manner,
+was so ready to assist or oblige a comrade in any right and honorable
+way that lay in his power, so very conscientious about obeying rules and
+doing his duty in everything, and brave in facing ridicule, insolence,
+and contempt, when the choice was between that and wrong-doing, that no
+one of them could help respecting him, whether willing to acknowledge it
+or not.
+
+At first the "plebes," or boys in the same class (the fourth), who had
+entered in June of the same year, showed a disposition to treat him, as
+well as the other "Seps,"--as the lads entering in September are
+styled,--with scorn, as knowing less than themselves; but that soon
+changed under the exhibition Max was able to make of all he had learned
+from his father during the weeks on board the _Dolphin_, showing himself
+perfectly at home in "rigging-loft work," rowing, and swimming, and by
+no means slow in taking to great-gun exercise, infantry tactics, and
+field artillery.
+
+Nor was he less ready in the art of swinging a hammock. His father had
+not neglected that part of his education, and Hunt and others who had
+hoped for some fun in watching his maiden effort had to own themselves
+defeated and disappointed. Max was as expert at that as the oldest
+member of the class.
+
+So the "plebes" soon dropped their air of conscious superiority and
+presently began to treat him as an equal; a change which he reported to
+his father with evident satisfaction. He wrote frequently and with much
+openness to that father, telling of his duties and pleasures and asking
+advice in any perplexity as freely as he could have asked it of any one
+near his own age, and with full confidence in the wisdom and the
+affection for him which would dictate the reply.
+
+Nor was he disappointed; almost every day a letter came from the
+captain, breathing strong fatherly affection, giving commendation,
+encouragement, and the best of advice; also telling everything about the
+doings and happenings in the family that was not related by Mamma Vi or
+one of Max's sisters, who not unfrequently added a note to papa's larger
+letter.
+
+All those letters, like the first, were highly prized by the recipient
+and read and reread in leisure moments till he could have repeated their
+contents almost word for word; and every perusal increased the lad's
+desire and determination to be and do all those dear ones--especially
+his father--could wish; also to please and honor him to whose service
+he had consecrated his life and all his powers.
+
+Max was not perfect, but he was honest and true, and sincerely desirous
+to do right.
+
+He was much interested in the accounts received of the visits of
+his father and the others to the scenes of revolutionary events in
+Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and, though far from regretting his choice
+of a profession, could not help wishing he could have made one of the
+party.
+
+One day, after he had spent some weeks in the Academy, he was
+disappointed in his expectation of receiving a letter; none came the
+next day; but then it occurred to him that the _Dolphin_ was probably on
+her homeward way and he would soon get a letter from Woodburn, telling
+of the arrival there of all belonging to the dear home circle.
+
+And he was right; a package of letters came presently giving an account
+of the events of the last days spent in Philadelphia, the return voyage,
+and the joy of the arrival at their own beautiful and happy home.
+
+Ah, as Max read, how he longed to be with them! Yet the concluding
+sentences of his father's letter restored him to contentment with things
+as they were.
+
+The captain had just received and read the report of his boy's conduct
+and academic standing for his first month and was much pleased with it.
+He made that very clear to the lad, calling him his dear son, his joy
+and pride, and telling him that until he was a father himself he could
+never know the joy and happiness such a report of a son's behavior and
+improvement of his opportunities could give.
+
+"Ah," thought the boy, "I'll try harder than ever since it gives such
+pleasure to my kindest and best of fathers. How glad I am to have the
+chance! How thankful I ought to be! I doubt if there was ever a more
+fortunate boy than myself."
+
+Max and his room-mate, Hunt, liked each other from the first, and seldom
+had the slightest disagreement.
+
+According to the rules they took turns, week about, in keeping their
+room in order, each trying to outdo his mate in the thoroughness with
+which he attended to all the minutiæ of the business.
+
+They were good-natured rivals too in other matters connected with the
+course of instruction they were going through: gymnastic exercises,
+fencing and boxing, and the drill called fire-quarters, in which the
+whole battalion is formed into a fire-brigade, and when the fire-bell is
+sounded each cadet hastens to his proper place in the troop, and the
+steam fire-engine and hose-carriages belonging to the Academy are
+brought out and used as they would be in case some building were in
+flames and the cadets were called upon to assist in extinguishing the
+blaze.
+
+Max and his chum had become quite expert at that exercise, when one
+night they were roused from sleep by the sound of the fire-bell, and
+springing up and running to their window saw that a dwelling several
+squares from the Academy was in flames.
+
+"It's a real fire this time!" cried Hunt, snatching up a garment and
+beginning a very hurried toilet, Max doing the same, "and now we'll have
+a chance to show how well we understand the business of putting it out."
+
+"And we must try to do credit to our training here in the Academy,"
+added Max.
+
+An hour or more of great excitement and exertion followed, then, the
+fire extinguished, the brigade returned to the Academy, and the lads to
+their sleeping-room, so weary with their exertions that they were very
+soon sound asleep again.
+
+The experiences of that night furnished Max with material for an
+interesting letter to his father and the rest of the home folks.
+
+"I didn't know the cadets were taught how to put out fires," remarked
+Grace, when her father had finished reading aloud, to his wife and
+children, Max's story of the doings of the cadets on that night.
+
+"Yes," the captain said, "that is an important part of their education.
+There are a great many things a cadet needs to know."
+
+"I suppose so, papa," said Lulu, "and though Maxie doesn't say much
+about his own share in the work, I feel very sure he did his part. And
+aren't you proud of him--your eldest son?"
+
+"I am afraid I am," replied her father, with a smile in his eyes. "It
+may be all parental partiality, but my boy seems to me one of whom any
+father might well be proud."
+
+"And I am quite of your opinion, my dear," said Violet. "I am very proud
+of my husband's son--the dear, good, brave fellow."
+
+But the captain's eyes were again upon the letter, his face expressing
+both interest and amusement.
+
+"What is it, Levis?" she asked; "something more that you can share with
+the rest of us?"
+
+"Yes," he returned; then read aloud:
+
+"That was Friday night, and this is Saturday evening. This afternoon
+Hunt and I were allowed to go into the city. We were walking along one
+of the side streets, and came upon a man who was beating his horse most
+unmercifully.
+
+"The poor thing was just a bag of bones, that seemed to have nothing but
+skin over them, and was hitched to a cart heavily loaded with earth and
+stones; its head was down, and it looked ready to drop, while the savage
+wretch (not worthy to be called a man) was beating it furiously, and
+cursing and swearing in a towering passion; men and boys gathering
+around, and some calling him to stop.
+
+"But he didn't pay the smallest attention, till the poor beast spoke--at
+least the voice seemed to come from its mouth--'Aren't you ashamed to be
+beating me so, and swearing at me, too, when you've starved me till I
+haven't strength to drag even myself another step?'
+
+"At that the man stopped both his beating and swearing, and stood
+looking half scared out of his wits. The crowd, too, looked
+thunderstruck; and presently one fellow said, 'It's the story of Balaam
+and his ass over again. There must be an angel somewhere round,'
+glancing from side to side as he spoke, in a way that almost made me
+laugh, angry as I was at the human brute, or rather the inhuman
+scoundrel, who had been treating the poor creature so cruelly.
+
+"Others looked too, but didn't seem to be able to see the angel.
+
+"Hunt, standing close at my side, gave a low whistle. 'What, upon
+earth?' he said. 'Oh, there must be a ventriloquist somewhere in the
+crowd. I'd like to know who he is. Wouldn't you, Max?'
+
+"Do you really think that's the explanation?' I asked. 'Certainly,' he
+answered, in a tone as if he was rather disgusted at my stupidity. 'How
+else could you account for the seeming ability of that wretched animal
+to talk?'
+
+"'I can't think of any other explanation,' I answered, 'but I hope that
+inhuman wretch of a driver doesn't know anything about ventriloquists,
+and so will be afraid to ill-use the poor creature any more.' 'I hope
+so, indeed,' he said. 'See, the crowd are stroking and patting it, and
+yonder comes a man with a bucket of water, and another with a panful of
+oats. The ventriloquist has done some good.'
+
+"'I'm glad of it,' I replied. Then, looking at my watch, I saw that it
+was time for us to go back to the Academy.
+
+"Hunt told the story to some of the other fellows that evening, and
+there was great wonderment about the ventriloquist, and a good many
+wished they could have a chance to see him and some of his tricks. Some
+of them remarked, in a wondering way, that I seemed very indifferent
+about it, and then I told them of Cousin Ronald and his doings at Ion,
+which interested them very much, and several said they would like
+greatly to make his acquaintance and see and hear what he could do.
+Isn't it good, papa, that they have never once suspected me?"
+
+"Well," exclaimed Lulu, "Max used his talent to do good that time.
+Didn't he, papa?"
+
+"He did, indeed," replied the captain. "I hope that poor horse will, as
+a consequence, receive better treatment in future."
+
+"I'm so glad Maxie could frighten the man so and make him stop treating
+it so dreadfully," remarked Grace, with a sigh of relief. "I never
+thought before that that talent of his was good for anything but to make
+fun for folks."
+
+"The ability to afford amusement to others is a talent not to be
+despised," said her father; "for innocent mirth often does good like a
+medicine; but power to rescue even a dumb beast from ill-treatment is
+still more to be coveted, and I shall be glad indeed if Max will use his
+gift in that way whenever opportunity offers."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+A week or more had passed since the return of our friends from their
+vacation in the more northern part of their loved native land, and Lulu
+and Grace, who had at first missed their older brother sorely from the
+family circle, had now begun to feel somewhat accustomed to his absence,
+and were very merry and happy.
+
+They had resumed their studies, reciting, as before, to their father,
+and took daily walks and rides on their ponies, varied by an occasional
+drive with the captain, Violet, and the little ones.
+
+The Ion and Fairview families, too, had gone back to old pleasures and
+employments; but so busy had all been, taking up familiar cares and
+duties, and making needed preparations for approaching winter, that only
+few and short visits had as yet been exchanged between them.
+
+It was in the sitting-room, and just after breakfast, that the captain
+had read Max's letter aloud to his wife and children.
+
+"Go to the schoolroom now, daughters, and look over your lessons for the
+day," he said, presently, addressing Lulu and Grace.
+
+They obeyed instantly, and as they left the room a servant came in with
+a note from Violet's mother, which he handed to his mistress, saying one
+of the Ion servants had just brought it.
+
+"Mamma's handwriting," Violet remarked to her husband as she took the
+note and glanced at the address upon it.
+
+"Ah! I hope they are all well?" he returned half inquiringly.
+
+"No, mamma herself is certainly not quite well," Violet answered with a
+disturbed look, after glancing hastily down the page; "she says as much,
+and that she wants me to come and spend a few days with her, bringing
+all the children if I choose; they will not disturb her. And you also
+will be most welcome. Dear, dear mamma! I shall go to her at
+once--unless my husband objects," she added, looking up at him with a
+rather sad sort of smile.
+
+"As he certainly could not think of doing, my love," he replied, in
+tender tones. "We must go, of course; you and the little ones, at least;
+we will consider about the older ones, and I shall spend my time between
+the two places, not being willing to stay constantly away from you, yet
+having some matters to attend to here, some things that ought not to be
+delayed."
+
+"But you will be with us a part of every day?" returned Violet, with a
+wistful half-inquiring look up into his face.
+
+"Yes, oh yes!" he hastened to say; "with my wife so near at hand I could
+not let a day go by without inflicting my presence upon her for some
+small part of it," he concluded in a half jesting tone, and with a fond
+look down into the sweet, troubled face; for he was standing close at
+her side.
+
+"I think it could not be harder for you than for me, my dear," she
+returned, with a loving smile up at him. "I should like to take all the
+children," she went on, "but Alma is here to make up some dresses for
+Lulu, and will need her at hand to try them on and make sure of the
+fit."
+
+"And I should seriously object to allowing Lulu to drop her studies
+again just as she has made a fresh and fair start with them," said the
+captain; "so of course she will have to stay at home. Grace also, I
+think, as there would be the same objection to her absence from home--as
+regards the lessons I mean."
+
+"But if you will allow it, I can hear her recite at Ion," Violet said.
+"She could learn her lessons there and still have a good deal of time to
+play with her little sister, who thinks no one else quite equal to her
+Gracie,--as she calls her,--for a playfellow."
+
+"Well, my dear, we will make that arrangement if you wish it,"
+responded the captain.
+
+"And yet how Lulu will miss her," Violet said, a troubled look coming
+over her face. "I wish we could manage it so that she could go too, the
+dear child!"
+
+"I should be glad to give her the pleasure," returned Captain Raymond;
+"but really think it will not do to have her studies so interfered with
+now when she has but just well settled down to them. It will be a little
+hard for her, but perhaps not a bad lesson in patience and self-denial."
+
+"But a lesson I fear she will not enjoy," remarked Violet, with a
+regretful smile.
+
+Going into the schoolroom presently the captain found his two little
+girls industriously busy with their tasks.
+
+"Gracie, daughter," he said, "your mamma is going over to Ion for a few
+days, because Grandma Elsie is not very well and wants her companionship,
+and Mamma Vi wants you,--for little Elsie's sake,--having found you very
+successful in entertaining her and baby Ned. We are all invited, indeed;
+but I must be here the greater part of the time, as I have various matters
+to oversee, and Lulu cannot be spared from home as Alma is at work upon
+some dresses for her, and I wish her to go on diligently with her studies."
+
+"But don't I need to be attending to mine, papa?" queried Grace, looking
+regretfully at her sister, over whose face had come a look of keen
+disappointment, succeeding one of pleased anticipation called out by the
+beginning of her father's communication.
+
+"Yes," he said, with a smile; "we are going to let you attend to them
+there, Mamma Vi acting as governess."
+
+"Isn't she willing to do the same for me too, papa?" asked Lulu, in a
+slightly hurt tone.
+
+"I think so," he answered pleasantly; "but there is the dressmaking, and
+I couldn't think of such a thing as asking to have that carried on at
+Ion."
+
+Lulu seemed to have nothing more to say and Grace gave her a troubled
+look; then, with a little hesitation, "Papa," she said, "I--I think I'd
+rather stay at home with Lu, if I may."
+
+"No, daughter," he answered, still speaking very pleasantly. "I have not
+time to give my reasons just now; but I want you to go, and Lulu to
+stay. It will probably be for only a few days; and I think she may trust
+her father not to allow her to be very lonely in the meanwhile," he
+added, with a smile directed to Lulu, but which she did not seem to see,
+keeping her face down and her eyes fixed upon her book.
+
+Then he left the room, saying to Grace as he went out, "Make haste,
+daughter, to gather up your books and whatever else you may wish to
+take with you. I have already ordered the carriage and there is no time
+to waste. Lulu may help you if she will."
+
+"Will you, Lu?" asked Grace, with a very sympathizing look at her
+sister. "Oh, I wish papa had said you were to go too! Whatever shall I
+do without my dear, big sister!"
+
+"Never mind, Gracie; I'm sure I don't want to go where I'm not wanted,"
+replied Lulu, in a hurt tone.
+
+"I'm sure it isn't because they wouldn't like to have you there,"
+returned Grace, running to her sister and putting her arms about her
+neck.
+
+"Why don't they ask me, then?" queried Lulu, a little angrily.
+
+"May be they did. I'm most sure Grandma Elsie wouldn't forget to include
+you in her invitation; and, oh, yes! don't you remember papa did say we
+were all invited? But you know there are the lessons, and I suppose papa
+would rather hear them himself."
+
+"But he could hear them there."
+
+"Yes; so he could if he wanted to. But then there's the dressmaking, you
+know."
+
+"That could be put off for a few days," returned Lulu, with a very
+grown-up air. "There are plenty of ways when people want to do a
+thing--plenty of excuses to be thought of when they don't. Alma has
+numerous customers and could sew for somebody else first, giving her my
+time, and me hers after we get home."
+
+"Oh, maybe it could be managed in that way!" exclaimed Grace joyously;
+"and I'd so much rather have you along. I think I'll ask papa."
+
+"No, don't you do any such thing," returned Lulu, in a not particularly
+amiable tone. "If I'm not wanted, I'm sure I don't wish to go. But
+you'll have to hurry, Gracie. You know papa is very particular about our
+being prompt in obeying his orders."
+
+"Yes," returned Grace, who was again at her desk, "but I have been busy
+all this time getting out the books and other things I must take along,
+and now I'll go upstairs and get dressed and put up the things there
+that I want. Won't you go with me? You'll know so much better than I
+what I need to take."
+
+"Yes, Gracie, dear; I'll be glad to give you all the help I can. I'm
+glad papa said I might. Oh, but it will be lonely here without you! I do
+think papa might have said I could go, too."
+
+"I'd be ever so glad if he had, or would," said Grace, as hand in hand
+they left the room together, "but you know, Lu dear, we always find out
+in the end that his way is the best."
+
+"So we do, and I'll try to believe it now," returned Lulu, in a more
+cheerful tone than she had used since learning that the rest of the
+family were to go to Ion and she was to remain at home.
+
+With her good help Grace was ready in a few minutes, and just then they
+heard their father call to her to come at once, as the carriage was at
+the door.
+
+The sisters embraced each other hastily, Grace saying, "Oh, Lu, good-by,
+I do wish you were going along, for I can hardly bear to go without
+you."
+
+"Never mind, but just try to enjoy yourself as much as ever you can,"
+returned Lulu. "Go down now, dearie, for we should never keep papa
+waiting, you know. Here's Agnes to carry down your satchel. I hope you
+won't stay long enough away from me to need many clothes, and if you do
+it will be easy enough to send them--the carriage going back and forth
+every day."
+
+Grace was half-way down the stairs before Lulu had finished.
+
+"Ain't you a gwine down to see de folks off, Miss Lulu?" queried Agnes,
+as she took up the satchel.
+
+"No," returned Lulu shortly; "I'm going back to the schoolroom to attend
+to my lessons."
+
+Agnes gave her a look of surprise as she left the room, thinking she had
+never known Miss Lu fail to be at the door when any of the other
+members of the family were leaving for more than a short drive, and she
+staying behind.
+
+"Where is Lulu, Gracie?" asked Violet, as the captain handed the little
+girl into the carriage. "I hadn't time to hunt her up, and thought she
+would be here at the door to say good-by to us all."
+
+"She said she must hurry back to her lessons, mamma," answered Grace,
+blushing for her sister. "You see she stopped to help me get ready, and
+I suppose she's afraid she'll not know them well by the time papa wants
+to hear her recite."
+
+"It would have taken very little of her time," the captain remarked,
+with a grave and somewhat displeased look.
+
+"Oh, well, you can bring her over to Ion, perhaps this afternoon or
+to-morrow, for a call, Levis," Violet hastened to say in a cheery tone.
+
+"Possibly," he answered, and was about to step into the carriage when a
+servant came hurrying up to ask directions in regard to some work to be
+done in the grounds.
+
+"My dear," said the captain to Violet, "I think it would be better for
+you and the children to drive on without waiting for me. I shall
+probably follow you in another hour or two."
+
+"Very well; please don't disappoint us if you can help it," returned
+Violet, and the carriage drove on, while Captain Raymond walked away in
+the opposite direction, to give the needed orders to his men.
+
+"I think it's a shame that I should be left behind when all the rest of
+the family are going to Ion to have a good time," muttered Lulu angrily,
+as she seated herself at her desk again and opened a book. "Papa could
+hear my lessons there just as well as here if he chose, and Mamma Vi
+might have arranged to have my dresses made a week or two later."
+
+"Miss Lu," said Agnes, opening the door and putting in her head, "Miss
+Alma tole me for to tell you she's 'bout ready fo' to try on yo' new
+dress."
+
+"Tell her to take it to my room. I'll go up there to have it tried on,"
+replied Lulu, in a vexed, impatient tone.
+
+Then, as Agnes withdrew her head and closed the door, "Horrid thing! why
+couldn't she have come to me while I was up there? Here I am, hardly
+fairly settled to my work, and I must drop it and go back again. I'd
+better take my book with me, for there's no knowing how long she may
+keep me while she alters something that she has got wrong, for she's
+generally too stupid to make a thing right at the first trial. Well,
+perhaps she'll get done by the time papa comes back and is ready to hear
+me recite."
+
+So saying she went slowly from the school room and upstairs to her own
+apartment.
+
+There were a few minutes of waiting for Alma, which did not improve
+Lulu's temper, and as the girl came in she received an angry glance,
+accompanied by the remark, in no very pleasant tones, that she had no
+business to send for people till she was ready to attend to them.
+
+At that Alma colored painfully. "I am sorry to have inconvenienced you,
+Miss Lu," she said, "but I'll try not to keep you so very long."
+
+"If you don't, it will be about the first time that you haven't,"
+snapped Lulu. "I think you are just about the slowest, most blundering
+dressmaker I ever did see."
+
+At that unkind remark, Alma's eyes filled with tears, but she went on
+silently with her work, making no rejoinder, while Lulu--the reproaches
+of conscience rendering her uneasy and irritable--fidgetted and fussed,
+thus greatly increasing the difficulty of the task.
+
+"Miss Lu," Alma said at last, in a despairing tone, "if you can't keep
+stiller, it is not possible for me to make the dress to fit you right."
+
+"Indeed!" returned Lulu scornfully, "I don't feel sure of your ability
+to fit it right under any circumstances--such a stupid, awkward thing as
+you are, and----"
+
+Her sentence was left unfinished, for at that instant, to her
+astonishment and dismay, her father's voice called to her from his
+dressing-room, in sterner accents than she had heard from him in a long
+while. "Lucilla, come here to me!" She had not known of his detention at
+home, but supposed he had gone with the others to Ion.
+
+Jerking off the waist, which Alma had already unfastened,--snatching up
+a dressing-sack and putting it on as she went,--she appeared before him,
+blushing and shamefaced.
+
+"I am both surprised and mortified by what I have just overheard," he
+said. "I had a better opinion of my dear, eldest daughter than to
+suppose she would ever show herself so heartless. You surely must have
+forgotten that poor Alma is a stranger, in a strange land, while you are
+at home, in your father's house. Go to her now, and apologize for your
+rudeness."
+
+Lulu made no movement to obey, but stood before him in sullen silence
+and with downcast, scowling countenance.
+
+He waited a moment; then said sternly, "Lucilla, you will yield instant
+obedience to my order, or go immediately to your own room, and not
+venture into my presence again until you can tell me you have obeyed."
+
+At that she turned and left the room, more angry and rebellious than she
+had ever been since that dreadful time at Ion when her indulgence in a
+fit of passion had so nearly cost little Elsie's life.
+
+"Papa will have a pretty time making me do it," she muttered angrily to
+herself, as she stood by a window in her bedroom looking out into the
+grounds. "Ask Alma's pardon, indeed! She's not even a lady; she's
+nothing but a poor woman, who has to support herself with her
+needle,--or rather with a sewing machine, and cutting and fitting,--and
+I think it's just outrageous for papa to tell me I must ask her pardon.
+I'll not do it, and papa needn't think he can make me, though----" she
+added, uneasily, the next minute, "to be sure, he always has made me
+obey him; but I'm older now; too old, I think, even he would say, to be
+whipped into doing what I don't choose to do.
+
+"But he forbade me to come into his presence till I obeyed, and--oh,
+dear, I can't live that way, because I love him so--better than any one
+else in all the wide world; and--and--it would just kill me to have to
+go without his love and his caresses; never to have him hug and kiss me,
+and call me his dear child, his darling. Oh, I couldn't bear it! I never
+could! it would just break my heart!" and her tears began to fall like
+rain.
+
+She cried quite violently for a while; then began to think of Alma more
+kindly and pityingly than ever before, as an orphan and a stranger in a
+strange land.
+
+"Oh, I am ashamed to have treated her so!" she exclaimed at length, "and
+I will ask her pardon; not only because papa has ordered me to do so,
+but because I am sorry for her, and really mortified to think of having
+treated her so badly."
+
+Fortunately, just at that moment Alma's timid rap was heard at the door
+and her voice saying, in a hesitating, deprecating way, "Miss Lu,
+please, I need to try the dress once more. I'm very sorry to disturb and
+trouble you, but I know you want it to be a good fit."
+
+"Yes, of course I do, Alma," returned Lulu gently, opening the door as
+she spoke; "you are quite right to come back with it. I'm sorry and
+ashamed of having been so rude and unkind to you when you were in here
+before," she added, holding out her hand. "It was shameful treatment.
+Papa said I must ask your pardon, and I think I would do it now, even if
+he hadn't ordered me."
+
+"It is too much, Miss Lu," Alma said, blushing, and with tears in her
+eyes. "I could never ask such a thing as that of a young lady like you."
+
+"Indeed, my behavior has been very unladylike to-day," sighed Lulu; "and
+papa is very, very much displeased with me."
+
+"I am sorry, Miss," Alma responded, in a sympathizing tone. "But the
+captain will not stay angry; he is so very fond of his children."
+
+"Yes; and so kind and indulgent that I ought to be the best girl in the
+world. Oh, I wish I had not behaved so badly!"
+
+"He will forgive you, Miss; he will not stay displeased, for his love
+for you is so very great," returned Alma. "There, Miss, the dress does
+fit you now. See in the glass. Does it not?"
+
+"Yes," Lulu replied, surveying herself in the mirror; "I could not ask a
+better fit, Alma."
+
+"It is lovely, Miss Lu; the stuff so fine and soft, and the colors so
+beautiful!" remarked the girl, gazing upon it with admiring eyes. "It is
+good, Miss Lu, to have a kind papa, rich enough to gif you all things
+needful for a young lady to wear."
+
+"Yes, and so generous and kind as mine is," sighed Lulu. "It is a very
+great shame that I ever do anything to displease him."
+
+Alma went back to the sewing-room, and Lulu hastened to the door of the
+room where her father had been when he called to her. But a glance
+within showed her that he was not there now. Then she ran downstairs and
+through library, parlors, halls,--everywhere,--looking for him.
+
+"Oh, where is he?" she sighed. "I must find him and tell him how sorry I
+am for my naughtiness. I can't have one minute of happiness till I have
+done so and got a kiss of forgiveness."
+
+Snatching a hat from the rack and putting it on as she went, she ran out
+and round the porches and the grounds; but nowhere was he to be seen.
+
+"Miss Lu," called a servant, at length, "is you lookin' fo' de cap'n?
+He's done gone to Ion, I 'spects; kase dere's whar Miss Wi'let went in
+de kerridge."
+
+"Did he say when he would come back?" asked Lulu, steadying her voice
+with quite an effort.
+
+"He gwine come back dis evenin' fo' suah, Miss Lu, to see 'bout de work
+on de plantation," was the reply, as the man turned to his employment
+again. And with a heavy sigh Lulu turned about and re-entered the house.
+
+"Oh, it's so lonesome for me here all by myself!" she said half-aloud.
+
+But there was no one near enough to hear her, and she went back to her
+tasks, trying to forget her troubles in study; an effort in which she
+was for the time partially successful.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+"I hope there is nothing serious ailing dear mamma," Violet said rather
+anxiously to herself, as the carriage rolled swiftly on toward Ion;
+"there was really nothing in her note to indicate it, but she has never
+been one to complain of even a pretty serious ailment. She is not old
+yet; we may hope to keep her with us for many, many years. But then she
+is so good--so ripe for heaven!" And a silent prayer went up to God that
+the dear mother might be spared for many years to help others on their
+pilgrim way, especially her children and grandchildren. "For oh, how we
+need her!" was the added thought; "what could we ever do without
+her--the dear, kind, loving mother to whom we carry all our troubles and
+perplexities, sure of comfort, the best of advice, and all the help in
+her power to give. Dear, dear mamma! Oh, I have never prized her as I
+ought!"
+
+It was only the previous evening that Mrs. Travilla herself had learned
+that she was assailed by more than a trifling ailment. What seemed to
+her but a slight one, causing discomfort, and at times quite a good deal
+of pain, she had been conscious of for some weeks or months, but had
+not thought it necessary to speak of it to anyone.
+
+About the time of her return home, however, there had been a very
+decided increase in the suffering; which at length led her to confide
+her trouble to her cousin and family physician, Dr. Arthur Conly, and
+she had learned from him that it was far more serious than she had
+supposed; that in fact her only escape from sure and speedy death lay in
+submission to a difficult and dangerous surgical operation.
+
+Arthur told her as gently and tenderly as he could--assuring her that
+there was more than a possibility of a successful result--bringing
+relief from her suffering and prolonging her life for many years.
+
+His first words--showing her ailment as so much more serious than she
+had ever for a moment supposed it to be--gave her a shock at the thought
+of the sudden parting from all her dear ones--father, children, and
+grandchildren; yet before he had finished she was entirely calm and
+composed.
+
+"And what would death be but going home?" she said; "home to the
+mansions Jesus my Saviour has prepared for those he died to redeem, and
+to the dear ones gone before, there to await the coming of those who
+will be left behind for a little while. Ah, it is nothing to dread or
+to fear, for 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.'"
+
+"And yet, Cousin Elsie," Arthur returned, with ill-concealed emotion,
+"how illy you could be spared by any of those who know and love you.
+Even I should feel it an almost heartbreaking thing to lose you out of
+my life, and your father, children----"
+
+"Yes, I know, dear cousin, and shall not hesitate to do or bear all that
+holds out a hope of prolonging my days here upon earth; for otherwise I
+should feel that I was rushing into the Master's presence unbidden, and
+that without finishing the work he has given me to do here.
+
+"Nor would I be willing to so pain the hearts of those who love me. I am
+ready to submit at once to whatever you deem necessary or expedient. But
+ah, my dear father! How distressed he will be when he learns all that
+you have just told me! I wish he might be spared the knowledge till all
+is over. But it would not do. He must be told at once, and--I must tell
+him."
+
+"That will be very hard for you, dear cousin; would it not be
+better----" Arthur began, but paused, leaving his sentence unfinished.
+
+"It will come best from me, I think," she returned, with a sad sort of
+smile. "But when?"
+
+"Day after to-morrow, if you will. I think you would prefer to have the
+trial over as soon as possible?"
+
+"Yes; I think it will save both me and all concerned from some of the
+suffering of anticipation, if you can make it suit your convenience."
+
+"Perfectly," he answered; "there are few preparations to be made and I
+do not want long to contemplate doing what must be a trial to so many
+whom I love."
+
+Their talk had been in her boudoir. He lingered but a few moments
+longer, then went down to the drawing-room.
+
+"Uncle," he said, in a low aside to Mr. Dinsmore, "I have just left
+Cousin Elsie in her boudoir and she wishes to see you there."
+
+"She is not well, Arthur?" asked the old gentleman, with a slightly
+startled look, as he rose from his easy chair and the two passed out
+into the hall together.
+
+"Not very, uncle," was the sad-toned reply. "She has been consulting me
+and there is something she wishes to say to you."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore paled to the very lips. "Don't keep me in suspense, Arthur;
+let me know the worst, at once," he said, with almost a groan. "Why has
+anything been hidden from me--the father who loves her better than his
+life?"
+
+"I have been as ignorant as yourself, uncle, till within the last half
+hour," replied the doctor, in a patient, deeply sympathizing tone. "It
+is astonishing to me that she has been able to endure so much for weeks
+or months past without a word of complaint. But do not despair, my dear
+uncle; the case is by no means hopeless."
+
+"Tell me all, Arthur; hide nothing, nothing from me," Mr. Dinsmore said
+with mingled sternness and entreaty, hastily leading the way as he spoke
+to the little reception room opening from the other side of the hall,
+and closing the door against any chance intruder.
+
+Arthur complied, stating the case as briefly as possible, and laying
+strong emphasis upon the fact that there was reason to hope for, not
+spared life alone, but entire and permanent relief.
+
+"God grant it!" was the old gentleman's fervent, half agonized response.
+"My darling, my darling! would that I could bear all the suffering for
+you! Arthur, when--when must my child go through the trial which you say
+is--not to be escaped?"
+
+"We have agreed upon the day after to-morrow, uncle, both she and I
+wishing to have it over as soon as possible."
+
+A few minutes later, Mr. Dinsmore passed quietly into his daughter's
+boudoir, where he found her alone, lying on a lounge, her eyes closed,
+her countenance, though deathly pale, perfectly calm and peaceful.
+
+He bent down and touched his lips to the white forehead; then as the
+sweet eyes opened and looked up lovingly into his, "Oh, my darling, idol
+of my heart," he groaned, "would that your father could himself take the
+suffering that I have just learned is in store for you."
+
+"Ah no, no, my dear, dear father, I could illy bear that," she said,
+putting an arm about his neck; "suffering and danger to you would be far
+harder for me than what I am now enduring or expecting in the near
+future. Arthur has told you all?"
+
+"Yes; kind-hearted and generous fellow that he is, he felt that he must
+spare you the pain of telling it yourself."
+
+"Yes, it was very, very kind," she said, "Dear papa, sit down in this
+easy chair, close by my side, and take my hand in yours while we talk
+together of some matters that need to be settled before--before I am
+called to go through that which may be the end of earthly life for me."
+
+Then, in response to the anguished look in his face as he bent over her
+with another silent caress, "My dear father, I do not mean to distress
+you. Arthur holds out strong hope of cure and years of health and
+strength to follow; yet surely it is but the part of wisdom to prepare
+for either event."
+
+"Yes; and I am sure you are fully prepared, at least so far as your
+eternal welfare is concerned; should you be called away--our grief will
+be for ourselves alone."
+
+"I am glad the choice is not left with me," she said, in low, sweet
+tones, after a moment's silence. "For your dear sake, papa, and that of
+my beloved children, I am more than willing to stay here on earth for
+many more years, yet the thought of being forever with the Lord--near
+him and like him--thrills my heart with joy unspeakable, while added to
+that is a great gladness in the prospect of reunion with the dear
+husband who has gone before me to that happy land. So I am not to be
+pitied, my dear father," she added, with a beautiful smile; "and can you
+not rejoice with me that the choice is not mine but lies with him whose
+love for us both is far greater than ours for each other?"
+
+"Yes," he replied with emotion; "blessed be his holy name that we may
+leave it all in his hands, trusting in his infinite wisdom and love;
+knowing that if called to part for a season, we shall be reunited in
+heaven, never again to be torn asunder."
+
+"Yes, dear father; we cannot expect to go quite together, but when
+reunited there in that blessed land, never again to part, the time of
+separation will seem to have been very short; even as nothing compared
+to the long, the unending eternity we shall spend together.
+
+"And oh, what an eternity of joy and bliss, forever freed from sin and
+suffering, near and like our Lord, altogether pleasing in his sight, no
+doubts, no fears, the battle fought, the victory won. 'And there shall
+be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,
+and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his
+name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and
+they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth
+them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever!'"
+
+"Yes, my darling; blessed be his holy name for the many great and
+precious promises of his word, and I have not a doubt of your full
+preparation for either event; but oh, that it may please him to spare
+you to me as the light, comfort, joy of my remaining days! Yet should it
+please him to take you to himself--ah, I cannot, dare not allow myself
+to contemplate so terrible a bereavement," he added, in low anguished
+accents, as he bent over her, softly smoothing her hair with tenderly
+caressing touch.
+
+"Then do not, dear father," she said, lifting to his eyes full of ardent
+love and sympathy; "try to leave it all with the dear Master, and he
+will fulfil to you his precious promise, 'As thy days, so shall thy
+strength be.' Has it not ever been the testimony of all his saints
+concerning his precious promises that not one faileth?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "and so will it ever be. By his grace I will trust and
+not be afraid for you, my beloved child; nor for myself, his most
+unworthy servant."
+
+Then with an upward glance, "'Lord increase our faith.' Oh, help us each
+to trust in thee and not to be afraid, be the way ever so dark and
+dreary, remembering thy gracious promise, 'I will in no wise fail thee,
+neither will I in anywise forsake thee.'"
+
+"Sweet, sweet words, papa," she said, low and tremulously, lifting to
+his eyes full of glad, grateful tears.
+
+"And those others, 'When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with
+thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou
+walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
+flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of
+Israel, thy Saviour.'
+
+"Oh, what more could I ask? what have I to do with doubt or fear, since
+he is mine and I am his?"
+
+"Only the physical pain," he said, low and tenderly; "and Arthur tells
+me that with the help of anæsthetics there will be little or none of
+that during the operation, but----"
+
+"What may come afterward can be easily borne, dear papa," she said, as
+he paused, overcome by emotion.
+
+"My dear, brave darling! a more patient, resigned sufferer never lived!"
+was his moved, though low-breathed, exclamation.
+
+A moment's silence fell between them, he leaning over and caressing her
+with exceeding tenderness; then, "Papa," she said, with a loving look up
+into his eyes, "I cannot bear to see you so distressed. Arthur holds out
+strong hope of cure, of speedy and entire recovery; and we may be spared
+to each other for many years if the will of God be so; but--surely it is
+my wisest plan to prepare for every possibility.
+
+"I feel very easy about my dear children, most of them having already
+arrived at years of maturity, and being comfortably settled in life;
+Edward and my two older daughters, at least; while the others I can
+leave in the safest of earthly hands, even those of my dear and honored
+father, whose love for them is only secondary to my own; and for each
+one I have reason to hope that the good part has been chosen which can
+never be taken away."
+
+"I do indeed love them very dearly," he responded, "for their own sake,
+their father's, and most of all because they are the offspring of my own
+beloved child. Should I outlive her, they shall want for nothing their
+grandfather can do to make them happy."
+
+"I know it, dear father, and can leave them to your and their heavenly
+Father's care without a doubt or fear," she said, with a gentle sigh
+over the thought of the parting with her darlings that might be so near.
+
+She went on to speak of some business matters, then said: "I think that
+is all, papa. I do not care to make any alteration in my will; and, as
+you know, you and brother Horace are my executors. To-morrow I must have
+a little talk with each of my children, and then I shall be ready for
+Arthur and his assistants.
+
+"I want all my children near at hand in case of an unfavorable result
+and that I am able to say a few last words, bidding them all farewell."
+
+There was again a moment of silence, her father seeming too much
+overcome to speak; then she went on: "I think they must not be told
+to-night, that the two younger ones need know nothing of the danger till
+the morning of the operation. I would spare them all the suffering of
+anticipation that I can; and were I but sure, quite sure, of going
+safely through it all, they should know nothing of it till afterward;
+but I cannot rob them of a few last words with their mother."
+
+"My darling! always unselfish, always thinking of others first!" Mr.
+Dinsmore said, in moved tones, bending over her and pressing his lips
+again and again to her pale cheek and brow.
+
+"Surely almost any mother would think of her children before herself,"
+she returned with a sweet, sad smile.
+
+But just at that instant childish footsteps were heard in the hall
+without, then a gentle rap on the door, and Walter's voice asking,
+"Mamma, may I come in?"
+
+"Yes, my son," she answered, in cheerful tones, and in a moment he was
+at her side, asking, in some alarm and anxiety, "Mamma, dear, are you
+sick?" bending over her as he spoke, and pressing ardent kisses upon
+cheek and lip and brow.
+
+"Not very, mother's darling baby boy," she answered, lifting to his eyes
+full of tender mother love.
+
+"'Baby boy?'" repeated Walter, with a merry laugh, gently smoothing her
+hair, and patting her cheek lovingly, while he spoke. "Mamma, dear, have
+you forgotten that I am eleven years old?"
+
+"No, dear; but for all that you are still mother's dear, dear baby boy!"
+she said, hugging him close.
+
+"Well, I shan't mind your calling me that, you dearest mamma," laughed
+Walter, repeating his caresses; "but nobody else must do it."
+
+"Not even grandpa?" queried Mr. Dinsmore, with a proudly affectionate
+smile into the bright young face.
+
+"I don't think you'd want to, grandpa," returned the lad, "because, you
+know, you're always telling me I must try to be a manly boy. But I came
+up to remind you and mamma that it's time for prayers. Grandma sent me
+to do so and to ask if you could both come down now."
+
+"You will not think of going down, Elsie?" Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in
+surprise, as his daughter made a movement as if to rise from her couch.
+
+"Yes, papa," she returned. "I have been resting here for some hours and
+feel quite able to join the family now. I am not in pain at this moment,
+and Arthur said nothing about keeping to my room."
+
+"Then I wouldn't, mamma," said Walter, slipping his hand into hers. "I'm
+sure Cousin Arthur's always ready enough to order us to keep to our
+rooms if there's any occasion. I'm glad he doesn't think you sick enough
+to have to do that."
+
+His mother only smiled in reply, and, taking her father's offered arm,
+moved on in the direction of the stairway, Walter still clinging to her
+other hand.
+
+Anxious looks and inquiries greeted her on their entrance into the
+parlor, where family and servants were already gathered for the evening
+service; but she parried them all with such cheery words and bright
+sweet smiles as set their fears at rest for the time.
+
+But those of Edward were presently rearoused as--the younger members of
+the family and the servants having retired from the room--he noticed a
+look of keen, almost anguished anxiety, bestowed by his grandfather upon
+his mother; then that her cheek was unusually pale.
+
+"Mother dear, you are not well!" he exclaimed, hastily rising and going
+to her.
+
+"No, not quite, my dear boy," she replied, smiling up at him; "but do
+not look so distressed; none of us can expect always to escape all
+illness. I am going back to my room now and, though able to do so
+without assistance, will accept the support of the arm of my eldest son,
+if it is offered me."
+
+"Gladly, mother dear, unless you will let me carry you; which I am fully
+able to do."
+
+"Oh, no, Ned," she said laughingly, as she rose and put her hand within
+his arm; "the day may possibly come when I shall tax your young strength
+to that extent, but it is not necessary now. Papa, dear," turning to
+him, "shall I say good-night to you now?"
+
+"No, no," Mr. Dinsmore answered, with some emotion, "I shall step into
+your rooms for that as it is on my way to my own."
+
+"I, too," said Mrs. Dinsmore; "and perhaps you will let me play the
+nurse for you if you are not feeling quite well."
+
+"Thank you very much, mamma. In case your kind services are really
+needed I shall not hesitate to let you know. And I am always glad to see
+you in my rooms."
+
+"Mother, you are actually panting for breath!" Edward exclaimed when
+they were half-way up the stairs. "I shall carry you," and taking her in
+his arms as he spoke, he bore her to her boudoir and laid her tenderly
+down on its couch. "Oh, mother dear," he said, in quivering tones, "tell
+me all. Why should your eldest son be shut out from your confidence?"
+
+"My dear boy," she answered, putting her hand into his, "can you not
+rest content till to-morrow? Why should you think that anything serious
+ails me?"
+
+"Your pale looks and evident weakness," he said, "grandpa's distressed
+countenance as he turns his eyes on you, and the unusually sober,
+serious look of Cousin Arthur as I met him passing out of the house
+to-night. He had been with you, had he not?"
+
+"Yes, my son, and I meant that you and your sisters should know all
+to-morrow or the next day. It is only for your own sake I would have had
+you spared the knowledge till then."
+
+"Dearest mother, tell me all now," he entreated; "for surely no
+certainty can be worse than this dreadful suspense."
+
+"No, I suppose not," she replied in sorrowful tones, her eyes gazing
+into his, full of tenderest mother love. Then in a few brief sentences
+she told him all.
+
+"Oh, mother dear; dearest mother!" he cried, clasping her close, "if I,
+your eldest son, might but take and bear it all--the pain and the
+danger--for you, how gladly I would do so!"
+
+"I do not doubt it, my own dear boy," she returned, in moved tones, "but
+it cannot be; each of us must bear his or her own burden and I rejoice
+that this is mine rather than that of my dear son. Do not grieve for me;
+do not be too anxious; remember that he whose love for me is far greater
+than any earthly love appoints it all, and it shall be for good. 'We
+know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'
+Blessed, comforting assurance! And how sweet are those words of Jesus,
+'What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter!'"
+
+"Yes, dearest mother," he said, with emotion, "and for you it will be
+all joy, the beginning of an eternity of bliss, if it shall please him
+to take you to himself; but oh, how hard it will be for your children to
+learn to live without you! But I will hope and pray that the result may
+be for you restored health and a long and happy life."
+
+For some moments he held her in a close embrace, then, at the sound of
+approaching footsteps in the hall without, laid her gently down upon her
+pillows.
+
+"Keep it from Zoe for to-night, if possible," she said softly. "Dear
+little woman! I would not have her robbed of her night's rest."
+
+"I will try, mother dear," he said, pressing his lips again and again to
+hers. "God grant you sweet and refreshing sleep, but oh, do not for a
+moment hesitate to summon me if there is anything I can do to relieve
+you, should you be in pain, or to add in any way to your comfort."
+
+She gave the desired promise and he stole softly from the room; but not
+to join his wife till some moments of solitude had enabled him so to
+conquer his emotion that he could appear before her with a calm and
+untroubled countenance.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore passed into the boudoir as he left it. Rose had
+just learned from her husband of his talk of that evening with Dr.
+Conly, and what the physician had then told him of his daughter's
+condition and the trial awaiting her in the near future.
+
+Rose was full of sympathy for Elsie, and so overcome at the thought of
+the trial she must so soon pass through that she could scarcely speak.
+
+They clung to each other in a long, tender embrace, Rose shedding
+tears, Elsie calm and quiet.
+
+"You will let me be with you, dear Elsie?" she said at last. "Oh, how
+willingly I would help you bear it if I could!"
+
+"Dear mamma, how kind you are and have always been to me!" exclaimed the
+low sweet voice. "Your presence will be a great support while
+consciousness remains, but after that I would have you spared the trial.
+
+"Don't fear for me; I know that it will all be well. How glad I am that
+should I be taken you will be left to comfort my dear father and
+children. Yet I think that I shall be spared. Arthur holds out a strong
+hope of a favorable termination.
+
+"So, dear father," turning to him and putting her hand in his, "be
+comforted. Be strong and of a good courage! Do not let anxiety for me
+rob you of your needed rest and sleep."
+
+"For your dear sake, my darling, I will try to follow your advice," he
+answered, with emotion, as in his turn he folded her to his heart and
+bade her good-night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+The next morning found Mrs. Travilla calm and peaceful, even cheerful,
+ready for either life or death. She was up at her usual early hour, and
+Rosie and Walter, coming in for their accustomed half hour of Bible
+reading with mamma, found her at her writing-desk just finishing a note
+to Violet.
+
+"Dear mamma," exclaimed Walter, in a tone of delight, "you are looking
+so much better and brighter this morning. I was really troubled about
+you last night lest you were going to be ill; you were so pale, and
+grandpa looked so worried."
+
+"Grandpa is always easily frightened about mamma if she shows the
+slightest indication of illness," said Rosie; "as indeed we all are,
+because she is so dear and precious; our very greatest earthly treasure.
+
+"Mamma dearest, I am so rejoiced that you are not really sick!" she
+added, dropping on her knees beside her mother's chair, clasping her
+arms about her, and kissing her again and again with ardent affection.
+
+"I, too," Walter said, taking his station on her other side, putting an
+arm round her neck, and pressing his lips to her cheek.
+
+She returned their caresses with words of mother love, tears shining in
+her eyes at the thought that this might prove almost her last
+opportunity.
+
+"What do you think, Rosie?" laughed Walter. "Mamma called me her baby
+boy last night; me--a great fellow of eleven. I think you must be her
+baby girl."
+
+But Rosie made no reply. She was gazing earnestly into her mother's
+face. "Mamma dear," she said anxiously, "you are not well! you are
+suffering! Oh, what is it ails you?"
+
+"I am in some pain, daughter," Elsie answered, in a cheerful tone; "but
+Cousin Arthur hopes to be able to relieve it in a day or two."
+
+"Oh, I am glad to hear that!" Rosie exclaimed, with a sigh of relief.
+"Dearest mamma, I do not know how I could ever bear to have you very
+ill."
+
+"Should that trial ever come to you, daughter dear, look to God for
+strength to endure it," her mother said in sweetly solemn accents, as
+she gently smoothed Rosie's hair with her soft white hand and gazed
+lovingly into her eyes. "Do not be troubled about the future, but trust
+his gracious promise: 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be!' Many and
+many a time has it been fulfilled to me and to all who have put their
+trust in him?"
+
+"Yes, mamma, I know you have had some hard trials, and yet you always
+seem so happy."
+
+"You look happy now, mamma; are you?" asked Walter, a little anxiously.
+
+"Yes, my son, I am," she said, smiling affectionately upon him. "Now let
+us have our reading," turning over the leaves of her Bible as she spoke.
+"We will take the twenty-third psalm. It is short, and so very sweet and
+comforting."
+
+They did so, Elsie making a few brief remarks, especially on the fourth
+verse, which neither Rosie nor Walter ever forgot.
+
+She followed them with a short prayer, and just at its close her father
+came in, and, sending the children away, spent alone with his daughter
+the few minutes that remained before the ringing of the breakfast bell.
+
+He obeyed the summons, but she remained in her own apartments, a servant
+carrying her meal to her.
+
+It was something very unusual for her, and, joined to an unusual silence
+on the part of their grandfather, accompanied by a sad countenance and
+occasional heavy sigh, and similar symptoms shown by both Grandma Rose
+and Edward, excited surprise and apprehension on the part of the younger
+members of the household.
+
+Family worship, as was the rule followed immediately upon the conclusion
+of the meal, and Mr. Dinsmore's feeling petition on behalf of the sick
+one increased the alarm of Rosie and Zoe.
+
+Both followed Edward out upon the veranda, asking anxiously what ailed
+mamma.
+
+At first he tried to parry their questions, but his own ill-concealed
+distress only increased their alarm and rendered them the more
+persistent.
+
+"There is something serious ailing mamma," he said at length, "but
+Cousin Arthur hopes soon to be able to relieve her. The cure is somewhat
+doubtful, however, and that is what so distresses grandpa, grandma, and
+me. Oh, let us all pray for her, pleading the Master's precious promise,
+'If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall
+ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.'
+
+"Mamma has sent for my sisters Elsie and Violet. She wants as many of
+her children and grandchildren near her as possible; but Harold and
+Herbert have to be left out because, being so far away, there is not
+time to summon them."
+
+"O Ned," cried Rosie, in an agony of terror, "is--is mamma in immediate
+danger? What--what is it Cousin Arthur is going to do?"
+
+"A--surgical operation is, he says, the only--only thing that can
+possibly save her life, and--he hopes it will."
+
+"But he isn't certain? O mamma, mamma!" cried Rosie, bursting into an
+uncontrollable fit of weeping.
+
+Zoe was sobbing too, Edward holding her in his arms and scarce able to
+refrain from joining with her, and at that moment the Fairview carriage
+drove up, and Elsie Leland, alighting therefrom, quickly came in among
+them, asking in alarm, as she saw their tear-stained, agitated faces,
+"What is the matter? Oh, is mamma ill?"
+
+Then Edward's story had to be repeated to her, and shortly after to
+Violet, who, with her children, arrived a little later.
+
+They too seemed almost overwhelmed with distress.
+
+"Can we go to her?" Violet asked, and Mrs. Dinsmore, who had just joined
+them, replied, "Not yet; your grandpa is with her, and wishes to have
+her to himself for a while."
+
+"Ob, I hope he will not keep us long away from her; our own, own dear
+mother!" exclaimed Rosie, with a fresh burst of tears and sobs.
+
+"I think not long, Rosie, dear," Mrs. Dinsmore replied soothingly,
+putting an arm round the weeping girl as she spoke, and smoothing her
+hair with gently caressing hand. "Your mamma will be asking for you all
+presently. She has said that until the danger is past, she wants you all
+near enough to be summoned to her side in a moment."
+
+"And I--we all--know she is ready for any event," Elsie Leland said, in
+trembling, tearful tones.
+
+"Yes; and I believe God will spare her to us for years to come, in
+answer to our prayers," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in cheerful, hopeful
+accents.
+
+Walter had gone out into the grounds at the time the older ones repaired
+to the veranda, and Grace, with Violet's little ones, had joined him
+there on alighting from the carriage which had brought them from
+Woodburn.
+
+The four now came running in and Walter, noticing the looks of grief and
+anxiety on the faces of the older people asked anxiously, "What's the
+matter, folks?" then added quickly. "Oh, I hope mamma is not worse! Is
+that it, grandma?" His query was not answered, for at that moment Dr.
+Conly's carriage came driving up the avenue. All crowded about him as he
+alighted and came up the steps into the veranda. That, however, was
+nothing new for he was a great favorite, being not only their relative,
+but their trusted and valued physician.
+
+"You have come to see mamma?" Mrs. Leland said, half inquiringly. "Oh,
+Cousin Arthur, do be frank with us! do tell us plainly what you think of
+her case."
+
+"It is a serious one, Cousin Elsie, I will not deny that," the doctor
+replied, a very grave and concerned look on his face as he spoke, "and
+yet I have strong hope of complete recovery; so do not any of you give
+way to despair, but unite together in prayer for God's blessing on the
+means used."
+
+"Can I see her now, Aunt Rose?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Dinsmore. "I
+think so," she replied, leading the way, the doctor following, while the
+others remained where they were, waiting in almost silent suspense.
+
+To them all it seemed a long, sad day. One at a time they were admitted
+to a short interview with their mother, in which she spoke with each one
+as though it might be her last opportunity, the burden of her talk being
+always an earnest exhortation to a life hid with God in Christ; a life
+of earnest, loving service to him who had died to redeem them from sin
+and eternal death.
+
+She was very cheerful and spoke hopefully of the result of the
+operation, yet added that, as it might prove fatal, and in a way to
+leave her neither time nor strength for these last words, she must speak
+them now; but they need not despair of seeing her restored to health and
+given many more years of sweet companionship with her loved ones.
+
+Walter, as the youngest, took his turn last.
+
+For many minutes he could do nothing but sob on his mother's breast.
+"O mamma, mamma," he cried, "I cannot, cannot do without you!"
+
+"Mother knows it will be hard for her baby boy at first," she said, low
+and tenderly, holding him close to her heart; "but some day you will
+come to mamma in that happy land where there is no parting, no death,
+and where sorrow and sighing shall flee away; the land where 'the
+inhabitant shall not say I am sick'; the land where there is no sin, no
+suffering of any kind, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.
+
+"My darling, my little son, there is nothing else mother so desires for
+you as that you may be a lamb of Christ's fold, and I have strong hopes
+that you already are. You know that Jesus died to save sinners; that he
+is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him; that you
+can do nothing to earn salvation, but must take it as God's free
+unmerited gift: that Jesus says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no
+wise cast out.' All this you know, my son?"
+
+"Yes, mamma dearest," he sobbed. "Oh, how good it was in him to die that
+cruel death that we might live! Yes, I do love him, and he won't be
+angry with me because I'm almost heartbroken at the thought of having to
+do without my dear, dear mother, for many years. O mamma, mamma, how can
+I live without you?"
+
+"It may please the dear Lord Jesus to spare you that trial, my darling
+boy," she said. "I know that he will, if in his infinite wisdom he sees
+it to be for the best.
+
+"And we must just trust him, remembering those sweet Bible words, 'We
+know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'
+Leave it all with him, my darling, feeling perfectly sure that whatever
+he orders will be for the best; that though we may not be able to see it
+so now, we shall at the last."
+
+"But, mamma, I must pray that you may be cured and live with us for
+many, many years. It will not be wrong to ask him for that?"
+
+"No, not if you ask in submission to his will, remembering that no one
+of us knows what is really for our highest good. Remember his own prayer
+in his agony there in the garden of Gethsemane, 'Father, if thou be
+willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine,
+be done.'
+
+"He is our example and we must strive to be equally submissive to the
+Father's will. Remember what the dear Master said to Peter, 'What I do
+thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.'"
+
+"Mamma, I will try to be perfectly submissive to his will, even if it is
+to take you away from me; but oh, I must pray, pray, _pray_ as hard as I
+can that it may please him to spare your dear life and let me keep my
+mother at least till I am grown to be a man. It won't be wrong, mamma?"
+
+"No, my darling boy, I think not--if with it all you can truly, from
+your heart, say, 'thy will, not mine, be done.'"
+
+When Captain Raymond followed his wife and little ones to Ion, he found
+there a distressed household, anxious and sorely troubled over the
+suffering and danger of the dearly beloved mother and mistress. Violet
+met him on the veranda, her cheeks pale and showing traces of tears, her
+eyes full of them.
+
+"My darling!" he exclaimed in surprise and alarm, "what is the matter?"
+
+He clasped her in his arms as he spoke, and dropping her head upon his
+shoulder, she sobbed out the story of her mother's suffering and the
+trial that awaited her on the morrow.
+
+His grief and concern were scarcely less than her own, but he tried to
+speak words of comfort to both her and the others to whom the loved
+invalid was so inexpressibly dear. To the beloved invalid also when,
+like the rest, he was accorded a short interview.
+
+Yet he found to his admiring surprise that she seemed in small need of
+such service--so calm, so peaceful, so entirely ready for any event was
+she.
+
+Finding his presence apparently a source of strength and consolation,
+not only to his young wife, but to all the members of the stricken
+household, he remained till after tea, but then returned home for the
+night, principally for Lulu's sake; not being willing to leave the child
+alone, or nearly so, in that great house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+The duties of the schoolroom had filled up the rest of the morning for
+Lulu, so occupying her mind that she could give only an occasional
+thought to the sad fact that she was in disgrace with her father.
+
+Then came dinner, which she took in the dining-room, feeling it lonely
+enough with the whole family absent; immediately after that a music
+lesson filled another hour, and that was followed by an hour of practice
+on the piano.
+
+Then Alma wanted her again, and then, knowing it was what her father
+would approve, she took her usual exercise about the grounds; after
+which she prepared her lessons for the next day.
+
+But all the time her heart was heavy with the consciousness that "papa,
+dear papa," was displeased with her, and she felt that there could be no
+happiness for her till she had made her peace with him.
+
+"Oh," she sighed again and again, "will he never, never come, that I may
+tell him how sorry and ashamed I am?"
+
+But when tea-time came he was still absent, and that meal also had to be
+taken alone.
+
+She did not linger at the table, and on leaving it went into the library
+where a wood fire blazed cheerfully on the hearth, for the evenings were
+now quite cool, and settling herself in an easy-chair listened for the
+sound of his coming.
+
+She was too much disturbed, and too anxious to read or work, so sat
+doing nothing but listen intently for the sound of horses' hoofs or
+carriage-wheels on the drive without.
+
+"Will he punish me?" she was asking herself. "I believe I want him to,
+for I'm sure I richly deserve it. Oh, there he is! I hear his voice in
+the hall!" and her heart beat fast as she sprang up and ran to meet him.
+
+He was already at the door of the room when she reached it.
+
+"Papa," she said humbly, and with her eyes on the carpet, "I--I'm very,
+very sorry for my naughtiness this morning. I have obeyed you--asked
+Alma's pardon--and--please, dear papa, won't you forgive me, too?"
+
+"Certainly, dear child," he said, bending down to press a kiss upon her
+lips. "I am always ready to forgive my dear children when they tell me
+they are sorry for having offended, and ready to obey."
+
+He led her to the easy-chair by the fireside, which she had just
+vacated, and seating himself therein, drew her to a seat upon his knee.
+
+"Papa, I'm so sorry, so very sorry for my badness, so ashamed of not
+being obedient to such a dear, kind father," she said, low and
+tremulously, blushing painfully as she spoke. "Please, I want you to
+punish me well for it."
+
+"Have I not already done so, daughter?" he asked. "I doubt if this has
+been a happy day to you."
+
+"Oh, no, indeed, papa! I soon repented of my badness and looked
+everywhere for you to tell you how sorry I was and ask you to forgive
+me. But you were gone and so I had to wait, and the day has seemed as if
+it would never end, though I've been trying to do everything I thought
+you would bid me do if you were here."
+
+"Then I think I need add no further punishment," he said, softly
+caressing her hair and cheek with his hand.
+
+"But please I want you to, because I deserve it and ought to be made to
+pay for such badness; and I'm afraid if I'm not, I'll just be bad again
+soon."
+
+"Well, daughter," he replied, "we will leave that question open to
+consideration. I see you have books here on the table, and we will now
+attend to the recitations."
+
+Her recitations were quite perfect, and he gave the deserved meed of
+praise, appointed the tasks for the next day, then drawing her to his
+knee again, said: "It does not seem to me necessary, daughter, to
+inflict any further punishment for the wrong-doings of this morning. You
+are sorry for them, and do not intend to offend in the same way again?"
+
+"Yes, I am sorry, papa, and I don't mean to behave so any more; still,
+I'd feel more comfortable, and surer of not being just as bad again in a
+few days or weeks, if you'd punish me. So please do."
+
+"Very well, then, I will give you an extra task or two," he said, taking
+up her Latin grammar, "I will give you twice the usual lesson in this.
+Then, not as a punishment, but for your good, I want you to search out
+all the texts you can find in God's Holy Word about the sinfulness of
+anger and pride and the duty of confessing our faults, not only to him,
+but to those whom we have injured by them."
+
+Opening the Family Bible which lay on the table close at hand, "Here is
+one in Proverbs," he said. "'He that covereth his sins shall not
+prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy."'
+
+Then turning to the New Testament, he read again, "'Therefore, if thou
+bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
+aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
+way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy
+gift.'"
+
+"That is in Matthew," he said, "and here in the Epistle of James," again
+turning over the leaves, "we read perhaps the plainest direction of all
+on the subject, 'Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
+another that ye may be healed.'"
+
+"But, papa----" she paused, hanging her head while a vivid blush
+suffused her cheeks.
+
+"Well, daughter, what is it? Do not be afraid to let me know all your
+thoughts. I want you always to talk freely to me, that if you are wrong
+I may be able to convince you of the right. I want my children to act
+intelligently, doing right because they see that it is right, and not
+merely because papa commands it."
+
+"Please don't be angry with me, papa, but, it did seem to me a sort of
+degradation to have to ask pardon of a--a woman who has to work for her
+living like Alma," she said with some hesitation, blushing and hanging
+her head as she spoke.
+
+"I am very, very sorry to hear such sentiments from a daughter of mine,"
+he returned in a gravely concerned tone and with a slight sigh. "It is
+wicked pride, my child, that puts such thoughts in your head.
+
+"And who can say that there may not come a time when you too will have
+to work for your living? The Bible tells us riches certainly take to
+themselves wings and fly away."
+
+Again turning over the leaves, "Here is the passage--twenty-third
+chapter of Proverbs, fourth and fifth verses: 'Labor not to be rich;
+cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is
+not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an
+eagle toward heaven.'
+
+"And how little are they really worth, while we have them? 'Riches
+profit not in the day of wrath,' we are told in this Holy Book. And it
+says a great deal of the folly and sinfulness of pride; particularly in
+this book of Proverbs;" turning over the leaves he read here and
+there--"'When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but, with the lowly is
+wisdom.' 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
+fall. Better is it to be an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide
+the spoil with the proud.'
+
+"'Proud and haughty scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.'
+
+"'A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble
+in spirit.'
+
+"'The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the
+evil way and the forward mouth, do I hate.'"
+
+There was a moment of silence, then Lulu said humbly, tears starting to
+her eyes as she spoke, "Papa, I did not know--at least I never thought
+about it--that pride was so wicked."
+
+"Yes," he said, "the Bible tells us that everyone proud in heart is an
+abomination to the Lord, that God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
+unto the humble; there is much in the Bible against pride and in favor
+of humility. We are all sinners, worthy of nothing good at the hands of
+God, and what have we to do with pride?"
+
+"Papa, when I say my prayers to-night I will ask God to take away all
+the wicked pride out of my heart; and won't you ask him too?"
+
+"I will, my darling, as I have already, very many times, and I hope you
+have not neglected to ask him to forgive your wrong thoughts, feelings,
+and actions of this morning?"
+
+"I have asked for that, papa, and I will again," she replied.
+
+They were silent again for a little while, the captain looking as if his
+thoughts were far away; Lulu was studying his face with eyes that
+presently filled with tears.
+
+"Papa," she said low, and half tremulously, "you look so sad. Is it all
+because you are grieved over my naughtiness?"
+
+"No, daughter, not all; indeed I was hardly thinking of that at the
+moment, but of the grief, sorrow and anxiety at Ion."
+
+"What about, papa?" she queried with a startled look. "Oh, I hope that
+nothing bad has happened to Gracie or Mamma Vi, or our little ones?"
+
+"No; I am thankful that all is right with them: but dear Grandma Elsie
+is in a very critical condition; I cannot tell you exactly what ails
+her, but she has been suffering very much for months past, keeping it to
+herself till yesterday, when she told it all to Cousin Arthur, and
+learned from him that nothing but a difficult and dangerous surgical
+operation could save her life.
+
+"That is to be performed to-morrow, and, whether she lives or dies, will
+relieve her from the dreadful agony she is enduring; for no one who
+knows her can doubt that she is one of God's dear children. Death will
+be gain to her, but a sad loss to all of us."
+
+Before he had finished Lulu's face was hidden on his shoulder and she
+was weeping bitterly.
+
+"O papa," she sobbed, "I'm so, so sorry for her, dear, dear Grandma
+Elsie! Isn't she frightened almost to death?"
+
+"No, daughter; she is very calm and peaceful, ready to live or die as
+God's will shall be; grieving only for those who love her so dearly and
+find it so difficult to be reconciled to the thought of losing her; her
+efforts are all to comfort them. She has set her house in order and
+seems quite ready for either life or death.
+
+"But we will pray--you and I--as the others are praying, that if God's
+will be so, she may live and go in and out before us for many years to
+come."
+
+"Yes, papa. Oh, I am glad that we may ask our kind heavenly Father for
+everything we want! Poor Mamma Vi! how her heart must ache! and is she
+going to stay on at Ion now, papa?"
+
+"Yes; certainly till her mother is out of danger or forever done with
+sin and suffering. Gracie and our two little ones will stay too; Gracie
+amusing the others and keeping them in the grounds, or a part of the
+house so distant from Grandma Elsie's room that their noise will not
+disturb her."
+
+"And you and I will stay on here, papa?"
+
+"Yes; I must be here a good deal of the time to oversee my workmen, and
+shall want my dear eldest daughter to be my companion and helper in
+various ways, for I know she loves to be such to her father," he added,
+pressing his lips to her cheek.
+
+"Indeed I do, papa! Oh, thank you for letting me!" she exclaimed,
+lifting her head and showing eyes shining through tears. "I'd rather be
+here with you, than anywhere else, my own dear, dear father!" putting
+her arms about his neck and hugging him close. "Only," she added, "I'd
+like to see Gracie and the others for a little bit every once in a while
+if I may."
+
+"Yes, you shall," he said, returning her embrace. "Perhaps I may be able
+to take you over there for a short visit almost every day. And in the
+meantime we may hope that lessons and the dressmaking will go on
+prosperously."
+
+"Are you going to spend your nights here at home, papa?" she asked with
+a wistful, half pleading look.
+
+"Yes, dear child; I could not think of leaving you alone; nor would your
+Mamma Vi wish me to do so while she has both her brother and grandfather
+near her, to say nothing of the women, children, and servants; you will
+have me close at hand every night and the greater part of the day."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad and thankful!" she said, with a sigh of relief. "I
+don't think I should be exactly afraid, because God would be with me,
+but it is so delightful to have my dear earthly father too. May I sleep
+in Gracie'e room to be nearer to you?"
+
+"Yes; and with the door open between it and mine, so that if you want
+anything in the night you will only need to call to me and I will go to
+you at once.
+
+"Now if there are any more questions you would like answered, let me
+hear them."
+
+"There is something I'd like to say, papa, but I'm--almost afraid."
+
+"Afraid of what, daughter?" he asked, as she paused in some
+embarrassment, and with a half pleading look into his eyes.
+
+"That you might think it saucy and be displeased with me.
+
+"Do you mean it so, daughter?"
+
+"Oh, no indeed, papa!"
+
+"Then you need not be afraid to let me hear it."
+
+"Papa, it is only that I--I think if you had talked to me this morning,
+when you called me to you, about the wickedness of being too proud to
+ask Alma's pardon, and reasoned with me as you did a little while ago,
+about it all, I--I'd have obeyed you at once; you know you do almost
+always show me the reasonableness of your commands before, or when, you
+lay them upon me."
+
+"Yes, my child," he said in a kindly tone, "I have done so as a rule,
+and should in this instance, but that I was much hurried for time. That
+will sometimes happen, and you and all my children must always obey me
+promptly, whether you can or cannot at the moment see the reasonableness
+of the order given. Is your estimation of your father's wisdom and his
+love for you so low that you cannot trust him thus far?"
+
+"O papa, forgive me!" she exclaimed, putting her arms about his neck and
+laying her cheek to his. "I do hope I'll never, never again hesitate one
+minute to obey any order from you; because I know you love me, and that
+you are very wise and would never bid me do anything but what I ought."
+
+"Certainly never intentionally, daughter; and surely your father, who is
+so many years older than yourself, should be esteemed by you as somewhat
+wiser."
+
+"O papa, I know you are a great, great deal wiser than I," she said
+earnestly. "How ridiculous it seems to think of anybody comparing my
+wisdom with yours! I know I'm only a silly little girl, and not a good
+one either, and it would be a sad thing to have a father no wiser or
+better than myself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The morning of that critical day found Grandma Elsie as calm and
+cheerful as she had been the previous evening, though every other face
+among the older members of the family showed agitation and anxiety. Her
+daughters, Elsie and Violet, were with her almost constantly during the
+early hours, doing everything in their power to show their devoted
+affection and make all things ready for the surgeons and their
+assistants; her father and his wife also giving their aid and loving
+sympathy, while Edward and Zoe attended to necessary arrangements
+elsewhere, occasionally snatching a moment to stand beside the dear
+sufferer and speak words of love and hope.
+
+Rosie and Walter were allowed one short interview in which they were
+clasped in her arms and a few loving, tender words spoken that both she
+and they felt might be the last.
+
+Captain Raymond came a little earlier than the doctor. Lester was
+already there, and each young wife found the presence of her husband a
+comfort and support while, in an adjoining room, they waited in almost
+agonizing suspense to hear that the operation was over and what was the
+result.
+
+They were a silent group, every heart going up in strong crying to God,
+that, if consistent with his holy will, the dear mother might be spared
+to them.
+
+And the united petition was granted; Mrs. Dinsmore presently came to
+them, her face radiant with joy and hope. "It is over," she said;
+"successfully over, and the doctors say that with the good nursing she
+is sure to have she will soon be restored to perfect health."
+
+The communication was received with tears of joy and thankfulness.
+
+"It will be strange indeed if she lacks anything the most devoted nurses
+can do for her," remarked Mr. Leland.
+
+"I should think so, with three daughters, two sons, and as many
+sons-in-law, to say nothing of father and mother," remarked Violet, with
+a tearful smile. "Levis, you will spare me to her as long as I am
+needed?"
+
+"Certainly, my love," he replied, without a moment's hesitation; "there
+is nothing we could refuse, or grudge to our beloved mother at this, or
+indeed at any time."
+
+"O grandma, may we go to her now?" queried Rose and Walter in a breath.
+
+"I think not yet, dears; she must be kept very, very quiet," was the
+gently spoken reply. "I know it would be a joy to both you and her to
+meet and exchange a few words, but it might be a risk for her; and I
+know you would far rather deny yourselves the gratification than do
+anything to increase her suffering; to say nothing of endangering her
+precious life."
+
+"O grandma, neither of us would be willing to do that for the wealth of
+the world!" exclaimed Rosie, with starting tears.
+
+"No, indeed!" cried Walter. "It is very hard to refrain, but we would
+not injure our mother for the world; our dear, dear mother!"
+
+"I am sure of it," said Grandma Rose, smiling kindly upon him. "And now,
+Walter, would not you and Rosie like to go over to Fairview and carry
+the good news to Eva and Gracie? They are there with the little ones,
+and I know would be very glad to hear that your dear mother is over the
+worst of her trial."
+
+"I am going over there for Gracie, Elsie, and Ned, to take them home to
+Woodburn for a while," said Captain Raymond, "and if you two would like
+it, will take you both with me, leave you there, bring you back here, or
+carry you on to Woodburn, as you may prefer."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Rosie. "I will be pleased to go as far as
+Fairview with you, but not on to Woodburn at this time: because I do not
+feel at all sure that mamma may not be taken worse. So I shall not stay
+long away from home."
+
+Walter's reply was to the same effect, and as the captain's carriage and
+horses were already at the door, the three were presently on their way
+to Fairview.
+
+Grace and Evelyn were rejoiced to see them, and having been in great
+anxiety about their dear "Grandma Elsie," felt much relieved by the news
+of her which they brought.
+
+The captain was in some haste to return to Woodburn, and Rosie and
+Walter, finding they wanted to stay a while with Evelyn and their sister
+Elsie's children, decided to walk back to Ion; the distance being none
+too great for either their strength or enjoyment.
+
+Home and Sister Lu held strong attractions for Grace, Elsie, and Ned,
+and they were full of delight as papa lifted them into the carriage and
+took his seat beside them.
+
+"Et Ned sit on oo knee, papa," pleaded the baby, and was at once lifted
+to the desired place.
+
+"Papa's dear baby boy," the captain said, smoothing his curls and
+smiling down into the pretty blue eyes. "How glad Sister Lulu will be to
+see you and Elsie, and Gracie!"
+
+"And we'll be just as glad to see her, papa," said Grace. "I know it's
+not very long since we came away from our own dear home and Lu, but it
+does seem a long time."
+
+"Isn't Lu tired doing without us, papa?" asked Elsie.
+
+"I think she is," he replied; "at all events I know she will be very
+glad to see you. It is nearly dinner-time now," he added, looking at his
+watch, "so we will go directly home. But this afternoon I will take you
+all for a nice, long drive, then leave you little ones at Ion and take
+Lulu home again."
+
+Lulu had been busy all the morning attending to her studies, her
+practice on the piano, the demands of the dressmaker, and taking her
+usual exercise about the grounds. She was out in them now, watching for
+the coming of her father, eager to see him and to hear how it was with
+dear Grandma Elsie.
+
+Presently she heard the sound of carriage-wheels on the road, then in
+another minute the vehicle turned in at the great gates and came rapidly
+up the drive, little Elsie calling out from it, "Lu, Lu, we've come!"
+
+"Have you, Elsie? Oh, I'm so glad!" she called in reply.
+
+The carriage had stopped, Lulu bounded toward it, and her father,
+throwing open the door, helped her in. Hugs and kisses and laughter
+followed; so glad were the happy children to meet again after even so
+short a separation.
+
+In another minute the carriage drew up before the entrance to the
+mansion, and the captain and his joyous little troop alighted. Dinner
+was ready to be served, and as soon as hats and other outer garments had
+been disposed of the merry little party gathered about the table. Mamma
+was missed but it was very pleasant to all to find themselves there with
+their fond father and each other. Lulu's fears for dear Grandma Elsie
+had been much relieved by the report of the success of the surgeons, so
+that she was light-hearted and gay as well as the younger ones.
+
+Immediately after dinner, while the little ones took their accustomed
+afternoon nap, she recited her lessons, doing so in a manner that drew
+hearty commendation from her father, who was always glad to be able to
+bestow it; then, knowing it would be a joy to her to do them, he called
+upon her for some of the little services she was accustomed to render
+him.
+
+These attended to, "Now, daughter," he said, "you may dress yourself
+nicely for a drive. I am going to take you and your little brother and
+sisters for a pretty long one. Then I will drop them at Ion, and you and
+I, after a call of a few minutes to hear how Grandma Elsie is, will
+drive home together."
+
+"Oh, how pleasant that will be, papa! How good you always are to every
+one of us children!" she exclaimed, giving him an ardent kiss, then
+running away to do his bidding.
+
+A merry, happy time the children had, and on reaching Ion the little
+ones were ready for their supper and bed. The older ones were full of
+joy on learning that their loved Grandma Elsie was as comfortable and
+doing as well as possible under the circumstances. The captain and Lulu
+spent a quiet half-hour with the Ion family and Violet, then departed
+for Woodburn.
+
+As the carriage started, the captain put an arm round Lulu, drew her
+close to him, and smiling affectionately down into her face, said: "How
+glad I am to be able to keep one of my loved flock with me!"
+
+"And oh, how glad I am that I'm the one, you dear, dear papa!" responded
+the little girl, returning his loving look and smile. Then, with a sigh,
+"I think there are some fathers who wouldn't be very fond of even their
+own child, if she were so often ill-tempered and disobedient. Papa, I've
+been thinking all day that you didn't punish me half so severely as I
+deserved for my naughtiness yesterday."
+
+"I would rather err on that side than the other, daughter," he said, in
+tender tones, "and I hope your future behavior will be such as to prove
+that the slight punishment inflicted was all-sufficient."
+
+"I hope so, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly, "but if I am
+disobedient and ill-tempered again soon, you will be more severe with
+me, won't you? I really want you to, that I may improve."
+
+"Yes, daughter, I think I must," he replied a little sadly; then after a
+moment's silence went on again: "I expect to pay a little visit to Max
+in January, and if my eldest daughter has been a good and obedient
+child----" He paused, looking smilingly at her.
+
+"You will take me with you, papa?" she cried half-breathlessly. "Oh, how
+I should like it! Ah, I do hope I shall not be so bad that you will have
+to leave me behind."
+
+"No, I hope not. I want to take you; to share the pleasure of my dear
+eldest daughter will double it to me, and if neither bad conduct on your
+part, nor anything else happens to prevent, you shall go with me."
+
+"Oh, thank you, dear papa!" she exclaimed, her cheeks glowing and her
+eyes sparkling with delight, "you are so good to me that I just hate
+myself for ever doing anything to vex or grieve you."
+
+"My dear child," he said with emotion, "be more watchful, careful, and
+prayerful; fight more earnestly and determinately the good fight of
+faith, ever looking to God for help, for only so may you hope to gain
+the victory at last, and to be able to say, 'in all these things we are
+more than conquerors through him that loved us.'"
+
+"I will try, papa," she said, tears starting to her eyes, "but oh, it
+is such a hard fight for anybody with a temper like mine. Please help me
+all you can by praying for me, and punishing me too, whenever you see
+that I need it."
+
+"I will do all I can for you, my darling, in every way," he replied,
+"but as I have often told you, the hardest part of the conflict must
+inevitably be your own.
+
+"Cling close to Jesus, and cry to him every day and every hour for help,
+for only by his all-powerful assistance can we hope to win holiness and
+heaven at last."
+
+"I will try, papa, I will indeed," she said. "I am, oh, so glad and
+thankful that he will let me cling to him and that he promises his help
+to those who ask him for it."
+
+"Yes, he says, 'In me is thine help,' and having his help what can harm
+us? since he is the Lord who made heaven and earth."
+
+Again a few moments of silence; then Lulu said, "Papa, you have often
+told me I inherit my temper from you, and though I could never believe
+it if anybody else had told me, I have to believe you because I know you
+always speak the truth; but how did you ever conquer it so completely?"
+
+"By determined effort, at the same time looking to God for help," he
+replied; "and only by the same means can I even now keep it under
+control."
+
+"And you think I can learn to control mine if I use the same means?"
+
+"I do; God, our kind heavenly Father, is as able and as willing to help
+you as me."
+
+"Yes," she said thoughtfully, "and if I don't choose to try hard enough,
+at the same time praying earnestly for help, I deserve to be punished by
+my earthly father; and I do really hope he always will punish me till he
+has taught me to be as patient and self-controlled as he is," she added,
+nestling closer to him and slipping a hand into his. "Papa, I often
+wonder why I wasn't made as patient and sweet-tempered as Gracie. She
+doesn't seem to have any temper at all to fight."
+
+"No; but she has her own peculiar temptations, of some of which your
+firmer, braver nature knows nothing; and each must battle with her own
+faults and failings, looking to God for help in the hard struggle. To
+God, who, the Bible tells us, 'will not suffer you to be tempted above
+that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape
+that ye may be able to bear it.'"
+
+"It is a precious promise, papa," she said, with thoughtful look and
+tone, "and I am glad you reminded me of it. It makes me feel less
+discouraged about trying to conquer my besetting sins."
+
+"In the first chapter of Joshua," replied her father, "the Lord says to
+him three times, 'Be strong and of a good courage,' the last time
+adding, 'be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God
+is with thee whithersoever thou goest.' And that blessed assurance of
+the constant, sustaining presence of our God, each one of his children
+may take to him or herself."
+
+"What a comfort, papa!" she exclaimed. "Oh, the Bible is such a
+blessing! I do feel sorry for all the people who have none."
+
+"Yes," he responded, "they are greatly to be pitied, and those who have
+dared to take it from others will have much to answer for in the day of
+judgment; as will those also who, having it themselves, make no effort
+to supply it to such as have it not.
+
+"Ah, here we are at our own home!" he added, as the carriage drew up
+before the entrance.
+
+"And such a sweet home as it is!" she responded, as he threw open the
+door, sprang out, and took her in his arms.
+
+"Yes," he said, "so I think, and am glad my little girl appreciates it.
+There," setting her on her feet, "run in, daughter, and make yourself
+ready for the tea-table."
+
+She obeyed and presently they two were seated cozily at a little round
+table in the family breakfast-room, greatly enjoying their tea, broiled
+chicken, and waffles.
+
+"Papa," remarked Lulu, as she poured out his second cup, "I'm sorry for
+you that you have only me for company, but I do enjoy being--once in a
+while--all the family you have at home."
+
+"Do you?" he returned, with a good-humored little laugh. "Well, I am
+glad to have you contented and happy; and I can't deny that I should
+feel very lonely here to-night without the pleasant companionship of my
+dear eldest daughter. What do you want to do this evening? how shall we
+spend our time alone together?
+
+"I have my lessons to learn, you know, papa."
+
+"Ah, yes; and I must write some letters. And after that perhaps you may
+find a bit of sewing to do, while your father reads aloud something that
+will be both interesting and instructive to his dear little girl."
+
+"Yes, sir; I have some work on hand for our Dorcas Society, and though I
+rather dislike sewing, I shall not mind doing it while listening to your
+reading," she answered, smiling brightly up into his face.
+
+"Ah! then that is what we will do," he said, returning her smile.
+
+"Well, daughter, has it been a pleasant evening to you?" he asked, when
+the time had come for the good-nights to be said.
+
+"Indeed it has, papa," she replied, giving him an ardent hug. "Oh, I am
+so glad you didn't let me go to Ion with the others, but kept me at home
+with you. I do hope that I'll remember after this that you always know
+and do the very best thing for me, and that I'll never, never grow
+ill-tempered and rebellious, as I was yesterday."
+
+"You think you can trust your father after this, even without being told
+his reasons for all he does and requires?"
+
+"I hope so, papa, and indeed, indeed I'm very much ashamed of my
+rebellious feelings and don't intend to indulge in them any more!" she
+added, with a remorseful look up into his face.
+
+"Try to keep that resolution, dear child," he said. "Now good-night and
+pleasant dreams. May he who neither slumbers nor sleeps have you in his
+kind care and keeping. But if you want your earthly father, you have
+only to call out or run to him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+Lulu's first thought on awaking the next morning was of dear Grandma
+Elsie. "I wonder," she said to herself, "if papa has not been asking
+news of her through the telephone; oh, I hope she is getting well!"
+
+Hurrying through the duties of the toilet, she was ready to run to meet
+her father when presently she heard his steps in the hall without.
+
+"Good-morning, papa," she cried. "Oh, have you heard from Ion how
+Grandma Elsie passed the night?"
+
+"Yes," he said, bending down to give her a good-morning kiss, "she
+passed a very comfortable night; is thought to be doing as well as
+possible. Mamma Vi and our little ones are all right also; I have just
+had a talk with your mamma, through the telephone."
+
+"Oh, I am glad! How nice it is that we can talk in that way to the folks
+at Ion and the other places where Mamma Vi's relations live!"
+
+"Yes; a telephone is really a blessing under such circumstances. I am
+much more reconciled to being at some short distance from my wife and
+little ones than I could be if without such means of communication."
+
+They went down to the library together and seating himself he drew her
+to his knee, saying pleasantly, "You are the youngest child at home with
+me, and I think I must have you here. I hope you will never think
+yourself too old to sometimes sit on your father's knee."
+
+"No, papa, I'm sure I never shall while you are willing to let me," she
+replied, putting an arm round his neck and gazing lovingly into his
+eyes.
+
+They chatted for a few minutes, then the breakfast bell rang, and
+presently they were again seated at the little round table from which
+they had eaten last night's supper, Lulu pouring the coffee with a very
+grown-up air, while her father filled her plate and his own with the
+tempting viands.
+
+"What a lovely, delightful home we have, papa!" she remarked, as she
+handed him his cup. "I do really think that with such a father and such
+a home I ought to be the best girl in the world; and I do mean to try to
+be."
+
+"I have no doubt you do, daughter, and I have seldom had occasion to
+find serious fault with you in the last year or more, so that I am by no
+means in despair of seeing you gain control of that troublesome temper
+which has caused so much unhappiness to both you and me."
+
+"Oh, thank you for saying it, papa!" she returned, with a bright and
+joyous smile. "I'm determined to try my very best to be as good as
+possible, both to please you and to earn that visit to Annapolis that
+you spoke of last night. I think it will be very delightful; and how
+pleased Max will be to see us; especially you."
+
+"I think he will. Ah, here comes the mail-bag!" as a servant entered
+with it.
+
+"Oh, I hope there's a letter from Max," Lulu said, as her father opened
+the bag and took out the contents--papers, magazines, and letters.
+
+"Yes, here is one from our dear boy," he said, singling out a letter and
+hastily tearing it open.
+
+He read it first to himself, then aloud to her--a bright, cheery,
+boyish, affectionate epistle such as they were accustomed to receive
+from Max's pen.
+
+They talked it over together while they finished their breakfast, then
+returned to the library where, as usual, Christine, Alma, and the
+servants being called in, the captain led the family devotions, reading
+a portion of the Scripture and engaging in prayer.
+
+"Are you going immediately to Ion, papa?" asked Lulu, when again they
+were alone together.
+
+"No," he replied; "I have some matters to attend to here while you are
+preparing your lessons. After hearing them, if your recitations and
+conduct have been satisfactory, I intend taking you with me to the
+village, where I have to make some business arrangements; then we will
+drive to Ion, spend a little time there, then come home, probably
+bringing your little sisters and brother with us as we did the other
+day, returning them as before to your Mamma Vi, just in time for supper
+and bed, and coming home alone together."
+
+"Oh, I like that, papa!" she exclaimed, "and is it what you intend doing
+every day?"
+
+"Every day while your Grandma Elsie is so ill that the noise might
+disturb her; unless the weather should be quite too inclement, I think
+it will be a relief to your Mamma Vi to have them here a good deal of
+the time, till her mother is better.
+
+"I suppose so, papa; and at the same time very pleasant for us--they are
+such darlings!"
+
+"So you and I think," he said, with a smile. "Now go to your lessons,
+daughter."
+
+At Ion Grandma Elsie lay quietly sleeping, her three daughters watching
+over her with tenderest care and solicitude. Scarce a sound was to be
+heard, either within doors or without, save the distant lowing of
+cattle, the twittering of birds, and the gentle sighing of the wind in
+the treetops; family and servants moved with cautious tread, speaking
+seldom, and that with bated breath, lest they should disturb her who was
+so dear to all hearts.
+
+To Walter it seemed very hard to be shut out of mamma's room, and he sat
+on the veranda watching for the coming of Cousin Arthur, to petition for
+admittance, if only for a moment, just to look at her and come away
+again.
+
+Cousin Arthur had been with her through the night, had gone away early
+in the morning and was expected back again soon.
+
+The half hour spent in watching and waiting seemed very long indeed to
+the little lad, but at last, oh joy! there was Cousin Arthur's sulky
+turning in at the great gates; then it came swiftly up the avenue, and
+Walter rose and hastened to meet the doctor as he alighted.
+
+"O Cousin Arthur!" he cried, but in subdued tones, "they've shut me out
+of mamma's room and I just don't know how to stand it any longer. Mayn't
+I go in, if it's only for a minute, to get one look at her dear face? I
+won't speak to her or touch her if you say I must not, but oh, I don't
+know how to endure being kept away from her altogether."
+
+The little fellow's tones were tremulous, and his eyes filled with tears
+as he spoke.
+
+Dr. Conly felt for the child, and laying a hand kindly on his head, said
+cheerfully, "Don't be down-hearted, my boy, your mother will be well
+enough in a few days, I hope, to stand quite an interview with her
+youngest son, and perhaps it may do for you to go in for a moment this
+morning; you may come upstairs with me and wait in the hall till I see
+how she is. If I find her well enough to stand a peep from her boy, you
+shall go in for a minute, provided you will promise to be cheerful and
+not to speak unless you have the doctor's permission."
+
+"Oh, I'll promise to do anything you bid me, if you'll only let me see
+her," returned Walter in eager tones, then followed the doctor with
+noiseless tread through the hall and up the broad stairway.
+
+Reaching his mother's door, he paused and waited outside while the
+doctor went quietly in.
+
+His patient seemed to be asleep, but opened her eyes and smiled up into
+his face as he reached the bedside.
+
+"Dear cousin," he said, low and tenderly, "are you feeling quite easy
+now?"
+
+"Quite so," she answered in low, sweet tones; "all is going right, I
+think. Is it not?"
+
+"Yes, so it would seem. You are the best of patients, and with the
+abundance of good nursing you are sure to have, I think we will soon
+have you about again. But," glancing around upon her three daughters,
+"she must be kept very quiet, neither talking nor being talked to much
+more than is absolutely necessary.
+
+"However, I am going to allow Walter a moment's sight of his mother, and
+as he is your baby boy, you may, if you choose, speak half a dozen words
+to him," he added, addressing himself directly to the patient.
+
+Then stepping to the door, he beckoned to Walter, and led him to the
+side of the bed.
+
+"There, laddie, you may tell her how dearly you love her, but nothing
+more."
+
+"Mamma, dear, darling mamma! I couldn't begin to tell it!" Walter said,
+low and tremulously, just touching his lips to her cheek.
+
+"Mother's darling boy!" was all she said in response, but the eyes
+looking into his spoke volumes of mother-love.
+
+"Don't cry, Walter, my man," his cousin said, as he led him out to the
+hall again; "you have behaved so well that I think you may be allowed
+another interview to-morrow; and I hope you will see your mother up and
+about again in perhaps a fortnight from this. You must pray for her
+healing to the Great Physician, as we all are doing: and pray in faith,
+for you know the Bible tells us he is the hearer and answerer of
+prayer."
+
+"Oh, I will! I do!" sobbed the child, "and I'm so glad there are so many
+others asking for her too, because the Bible says Jesus promised that
+his Father would grant what two or three agreed together to ask for."
+
+"Yes; pray for your mother, believe God's promises, and be happy in the
+expectation that she will get well; and with a mind at rest interest
+yourself in your studies and sports. That's my prescription for you, my
+lad; now go and take it like a good boy," added the doctor, with a
+smile, as he turned and re-entered the sick-room.
+
+"A funny prescription, and not so bad to take," laughed Walter to
+himself, as he wiped away his tears and hastened to the schoolroom to
+attend to his lessons.
+
+"Nobody here but myself," he sighed, as he crossed the threshold. "It's
+rather lonesome, but I'll do the best I can. It's what mamma would
+advise."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Grace had gone over to Fairview with her little brother and sister,
+accompanied by their nurse, Mamma Vi having told her she might learn her
+lessons there, and if Evelyn cared to hear her recite, that would answer
+very well.
+
+Evelyn was entirely willing, and they had just finished a few minutes
+before the carriage from Woodburn came driving up the avenue, bringing
+Grace's father and sister Lulu.
+
+They had already paid a call at Ion, and now had come to make a short
+one at Fairview, and pick up Gracie, little Elsie, and Ned.
+
+"Papa, papa!" shouted the two little ones, running to meet him as he
+came up the steps into the veranda, and holding up their faces for a
+kiss.
+
+"Papa's darlings!" he responded, taking them in his arms to caress and
+fondle them, then letting them go to give Gracie her turn.
+
+"Is my feeble little girl quite well this morning?" he asked, in tender
+tones.
+
+"Yes, papa, thank you," she replied, giving him a vigorous hug, "and oh,
+so glad to see you! Have you come to take us--Elsie and Ned and
+me--home for a while again?"
+
+"I have," he said, returning her hug. "I can't have your mamma at
+present, as her mother needs her, but my dear babies I need not do
+without."
+
+"Am I one of them, papa?" asked Gracie, with a smile. "I'm almost
+eleven; but I don't mind being one of your babies, if you like to call
+me that." His only reply was a smile and a loving pat on her cheek, for
+the two little ones were tugging at his coat and coaxing for a drive.
+
+"Why, Elsie and Ned, you haven't kissed me yet," said Lulu. "Gracie and
+Eva did while you were exchanging hugs and kisses with papa, and I think
+it's my turn now."
+
+"So it is! I love you, Lu," cried Elsie, leaving her father for a moment
+to throw her arms round Lulu's neck in a hearty and loving embrace; Ned
+quickly followed suit, then running to his father again, renewed his
+request for a drive in the carriage.
+
+"Yes, my son, you shall have it presently," said the captain; then he
+proposed to Evelyn that she and her two little cousins should join the
+party for a short drive in another direction, before he would take his
+own children home to Woodburn.
+
+His invitation was joyfully accepted and in a few minutes they had all
+crowded into the captain's carriage and were driving down the avenue.
+
+The little ones were very merry, and the captain did not check their
+mirth. He was, in fact, in very good spirits himself, because thus far
+Grandma Elsie's cure had progressed so favorably. It continued to do so
+from that time till in two weeks she was able to be up and about a part
+of every day, and Violet returned to Woodburn, though daily, when the
+weather permitted, she drove over to Ion and spent an hour or more with
+her mother.
+
+Quite frequently the captain drove her over himself, and leaving her
+there, went on into the village to attend to some business matter,
+calling for her on his return.
+
+On one of these occasions, going into the parlor he found there his
+wife, her mother, eldest sister and grandparents in earnest conversation
+with the doctor.
+
+When the customary greetings had been exchanged, Grandma Elsie said to
+him, with a smile, "Captain, these good people seem to have leagued
+together to send, or to take me, to Viamede to spend the winter, Cousin
+Arthur having given it as his opinion that a warmer climate than this
+would probably be of benefit just at this time."
+
+"In which I presume he is quite right, mother," returned the captain.
+"And surely there is no difficulty in the way?"
+
+"Nothing insurmountable," she replied.
+
+"But we want some one to go on in advance and see that everything is in
+order for mamma's comfort," said Violet, giving her husband a look that
+was half entreating, half one of confident assurance that he would deny
+nothing to her or her loved mother which it was at all in his power to
+bestow.
+
+"That, I think, would certainly be the better plan," he returned
+pleasantly, "and if no one more competent than myself is to be had and
+it suits my wife to accompany me, my services may be considered as
+offered."
+
+Hearty thanks were at once bestowed upon him by all present.
+
+But he disclaimed all title to them, saying, "I now have everything in
+order at Woodburn, so that I may feel quite easy in leaving it for even
+a protracted stay; and to get a view of Viamede will be a new and
+doubtless very pleasant experience to me, with wife and little ones
+along; my daughters can go on with their studies under my tuition, there
+as well as at home, and my intended visit to Max can be paid before
+starting for the far South. I only fear," he added, with a pleasant
+glance at Mrs. Leland, "that I may be offering to take upon myself a
+duty which is much to the taste of one of my brothers-in-law and might
+be better performed by one or both of them.
+
+"No, captain," replied Mrs. Leland, "you need have no such fear, as
+neither of them is just now in a position to leave home, unless it were
+quite necessary for dear mamma's comfort."
+
+"Then we will consider it settled that Violet and I are to go," said the
+captain, turning to her with his pleasant smile. "How soon can you be
+ready, my dear?"
+
+"By the first of next week if my husband wishes to start by that time,"
+returned Violet gayly. "Oh, I am quite delighted at the prospect of
+seeing again that one of our sweet homes, and especially of doing so in
+company with you, Levis."
+
+The captain considered a moment. "I would not like to disappoint Max,"
+he said. "I think I must visit him next Saturday--as I shall not
+probably be able to see him again before next spring. But I will make
+necessary arrangements beforehand and I think we may leave for the South
+by Wednesday morning of next week, if that will suit you, my dear?"
+
+"Entirely," she said; "it will give me just about time enough to get
+everything ready without hurry or confusion."
+
+So it was settled, everybody seeming well satisfied with the
+arrangement.
+
+A little more time was spent in discussing plans, then the captain and
+Violet bade good-by and set out on their return home.
+
+"You are well pleased with the prospect of this visit to Viamede,
+Violet, my dear?" the captain said, as they drove rapidly along the
+familiar road.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed," she answered brightly; "Viamede is so lovely, a sort
+of earthly paradise I have always thought, and I am really delighted at
+the thought of showing it to you. Ah, I am quite sure, having your dear
+society there, I shall enjoy it more than ever!"
+
+"Thank you, dearest," was his smiling response. "I am certainly pleased
+with the prospect of seeing that earthly paradise, particularly with you
+to share my enjoyment. And how pleased Lulu and Gracie will be, for I
+have often heard them speak of Viamede as even lovelier than Woodburn,
+which they evidently esteem a very delightful and lovely home."
+
+"As it assuredly is, my dear," was Violet's smiling rejoinder. "I could
+not ask a lovelier, happier home than that which my husband--the very
+best and dearest of husbands--has provided for me. Oh, I often ask
+myself, 'Is there anybody else in all the wide world who has so much to
+be thankful for as I?'"
+
+"Ah, that fortunate mortal is surely he who sits by your side at this
+moment, my darling," he answered in moved tones, taking her hand in his
+and pressing it affectionately.
+
+But the carriage was turning in at the Woodburn gates and presently the
+glad shout of little voices was borne to their ears on the evening
+breeze. "There it is! Papa and mamma have come home!"
+
+A joyously tumultuous greeting followed, the little flock gathering
+about them as they alighted, talking, laughing, dancing around them,
+claiming their attention and their caresses.
+
+Elsie and Ned pleaded for a ride, and Grace and Lulu seemed not averse
+to sharing it. So there was a hasty bundling up in capes and hoods,
+cloaks and shawls, papa piled them in, followed them, taking Ned on his
+knee, and away they went for a mile or more down the road, then back
+again, and were presently taking off their outdoor garments in the hall,
+mamma helping the little ones.
+
+Then all gathered about the tea-table with appetites that made
+everything taste very good indeed. Elsie and Ned were too busy to talk
+much, but Lulu and Grace were unusually gay and mirthful, and their
+father indulged them in more than usual chat and laughter that were
+neither rude nor boisterous.
+
+Neither he nor Violet said anything of the new plans for the winter till
+the babies had had their evening romp and been taken away to bed.
+Violet, as usual, went with them, and the captain was left alone with
+Lulu and Grace.
+
+They were hanging lovingly about him as was their custom on such
+occasions, and he drew one to each knee, saying in low, tender tones,
+"My darlings! my precious little daughters! How rich I feel in the
+possession of my five dear children!"
+
+"And how rich we feel with our dear, dear father! to say nothing of our
+dear, sweet Mamma Vi and the two darling babies!" responded Lulu,
+putting her arm about his neck and her lips to his.
+
+"Yes; and our dear big brother Maxie," added Grace.
+
+"Yes, I was just going to mention him," said Lulu. "I am both very fond
+and very proud of Max. I wouldn't swap him for any other body's brother
+that ever I saw; no not even for all the nice brothers that Rosie has."
+
+"Neither would I," said Grace, "though I'm fond of them all."
+
+"Papa, when is it that we are going to see Max?" queried Lulu. "Some
+time in January I know you said, but will it be to spend New Year's with
+him?"
+
+"No; wouldn't you like to go sooner than that?" he asked, stroking her
+hair and looking down lovingly, smilingly into her eyes.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! if it suits you to go and to take me," she
+answered eagerly. "It seems now a long, long while that I have been
+separated from Max, and the sooner I may go to see him the better. But
+have you changed your plans about it?"
+
+"Yes," he replied. "I have something to tell you both which will show
+you why, and also prove pleasant news to you, I think."
+
+Then he proceeded to tell them of the plans laid that afternoon at Ion,
+and which made it necessary that, if he went to see Max at all that
+winter, he must do so before the end of the week already begun.
+
+His news that their winter was to be spent at Viamede was hailed with
+delight by both the little girls.
+
+"I am so glad!" cried Grace, clapping her hands and smiling all over her
+face.
+
+"I, too," exclaimed Lulu. "Viamede is so, _so_ beautiful, and to have
+you there with us, you dear papa, will make us--me any way--enjoy it at
+least twice as much as I did before."
+
+"Me too," said Grace; "the happiest place for me is always where my own
+dear father is with me," hugging him tight and kissing him again and
+again.
+
+"My darling! my precious darlings!" the captain said in response and
+caressing them in turn.
+
+"I'm so sorry for poor Maxie," remarked Grace presently, "that he can't
+see you every day, papa, as we do, and be kissed and hugged as we are;
+and that he can't go to Viamede with the rest of us." She finished with
+a heavy sigh.
+
+"Yes," her father said, "I am sorry for him, and for ourselves, that he
+is not to be with us. But my dear boy is happy where he is, and I in the
+thought that he is preparing himself to do good service to our country;
+to be a valuable and useful citizen."
+
+"And we are all ever so proud of him--our dear Maxie; but I'm glad I am
+not a boy. Women can be very useful in the world too, can't they, papa?"
+
+"Yes; yes, indeed, my darlings; the world couldn't go on without women,
+any more than without men; both are necessary, and the one sex to be as
+much honored as the other, and I hope and trust my daughters will all
+grow up to be noble, true-hearted, useful women, always trying to do
+earnestly and faithfully the work God has given them to do."
+
+"I hope so, indeed, papa!" responded Lulu in an earnest, thoughtful
+tone; "if I know my own heart I do want to be a very useful woman when
+I'm grown up--a useful girl now--serving God with all my might; but oh,
+I do so easily forget and go wrong!"
+
+"Yet I can see very plainly that my dear little girl is improving," her
+father said, softly smoothing her hair with his hand, "and I'm sure--for
+the Bible tells us so--that if you fight on, looking to God for help,
+you will come off conqueror and more than conqueror in the end."
+
+"Yes, papa; oh, I am so glad the Bible says that!"
+
+There was a moment's silence; then Grace said, with a sigh and a voice
+full of tears, "Oh, I do so wish I could see Maxie before we go so far
+away from him! Papa, wouldn't they let him come home for just a little
+while?"
+
+"No, daughter; but how would you like to go with Lulu and me to pay him
+a little visit?"
+
+"O papa! so much if--if you think I won't be too tired to go on to
+Viamede so soon afterward."
+
+"I really think you could stand the two journeys, coming so near
+together, now that you are so much stronger than you used to be; and as
+you can lie and rest in the cars, and we go by water from New Orleans.
+Don't you feel as if you could?"
+
+"Oh, yes, papa, I feel almost sure I could!" she cried joyously.
+
+"Then we will try it," he said, fondling her; "you will have no packing
+to do--I am sure Mamma Vi and Lulu will be pleased to attend to all that
+for you--and the journey to Annapolis is not a very long or fatiguing
+one. So, should nothing happen to prevent, you shall make one of our
+little party to visit Max."
+
+Grace's eyes shone with pleasure and Lulu exclaimed delightedly, "Oh, I
+am so glad, Gracie! It will double my pleasure to have you along; and
+you needn't worry one bit about your packing of clothes or playthings,
+for I'm sure I can see to it all with Christine or Alma to help me; or
+even if I should have to do it all myself."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you are just the very best sister
+that ever I saw! Isn't she, papa?"
+
+"I think her a very good and kind sister, and it makes me a proud and
+happy father to be able to give her that commendation," he answered,
+with a loving look down into the eyes of his eldest daughter.
+
+Just then Violet re-entered the room and a merry, happy hour followed,
+while plans and prospects were under discussion.
+
+"Won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons the rest of the time before
+we start for Viamede, papa?" asked Lulu coaxingly.
+
+"No, daughter," replied the captain, in a pleasant tone; "there is very
+little either of you will be called upon to do in regard to the
+preparations for our southward flitting, so no occasion for you to miss
+lessons for so many days. Of course you cannot study on the boats and
+cars, at least I shall not ask it of you, and when we get to Viamede
+you will be glad of a little holiday to rest and run about, seeing
+everything that is to be seen; and all that will cause quite sufficient
+loss of time from your lessons."
+
+"Oh, dear," sighed Lulu, "I think it must be ever so nice to be grown up
+and not have any lessons to learn."
+
+"Ah, Lu," laughed Violet, "I am not so sure that grown up folks have no
+lessons to learn; in fact I begin to have an idea that their lessons are
+not seldom more trying and wearisome than those of the children."
+
+"Yes, Mamma Vi," responded Lulu, with a blush, "and I'm sorry and
+ashamed of my grumbling. Papa, I'm just determined I will be good and do
+cheerfully whatever you bid me; I have always, always found your way the
+very best in the end."
+
+"Why, yes, Lu; of course papa always knows far better than we do what is
+best for us," said Grace, leaning lovingly up against him and smiling up
+into his face.
+
+"Papa is very happy in having such loving, trustful little daughters,"
+he said, passing his hand caressingly over Gracie's golden curls.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+It was a most joyful surprise to Max when, on the following Saturday,
+his father and sisters walked in upon him, as he left the dinner table
+full of life and pleasure at the thought of the half holiday that had
+just begun.
+
+His standing and conduct had been such that he was entitled to leave,
+and to be able to spend it with these dear ones was most delightful.
+
+A carriage had brought the captain and his little girls to the door, and
+they--father and children--took a long drive together, during which the
+tongues of Max and Lulu ran very fast.
+
+She and Gracie thoroughly enjoyed Max's surprise on learning of the
+plans for the winter, so soon to be carried out.
+
+At first he seemed to feel rather badly at the thought that they would
+all be so far away from him; but he presently got over that, as his
+father spoke of the letters he would receive from Viamede every day, and
+how quickly the winter would pass and all be coming home again, some of
+them--certainly himself--making haste to pay a visit to the Academy to
+see their young cadet and learn what progress he was making in
+preparing for future duty in the naval service of his country.
+
+At that Max's face brightened and he said heartily, "And I shall try my
+best to have as good a report as possible ready for you, papa, that you
+may be proud and happy in your first-born son. Ah, the thought of that
+does help me to study hard and try very, very earnestly to keep rules,
+so that I may be an honor, and not a disgrace to the best of fathers."
+
+"Yes, I am sure of it, my dear boy," the captain replied, laying his
+hand on the lad's shoulder, while the light of fatherly love and pride
+shone in his eyes; "I haven't a doubt that it is one of my son's
+greatest pleasures to make himself the joy and pride of his father's
+heart."
+
+They drove back to the Academy just in time for Max to be ready to
+report himself at evening roll-call, according to the rules, with which
+no one was better acquainted than the captain.
+
+He and the little girls were to start on their return journey that
+evening, and good-by was said at the Academy door.
+
+A very hard one it seemed to the little girls, hardly less so to Max and
+his father. The captain and his daughters went by boat, as less
+fatiguing for Grace, and reached home on Monday.
+
+The next day was a busy one to all, and Wednesday noon saw them on the
+cars, bound for New Orleans.
+
+A day and night were spent in the city, then they took the steamer for
+Berwick Bay.
+
+The morning was clear and bright and the captain, Violet, and the
+children all sat upon deck, greatly enjoying the breeze and the dancing
+of the waves in the sunlight, as the vessel cleared its port and steamed
+out into the gulf.
+
+"Oh, it is so pleasant here!" exclaimed Grace; "just like summer. And
+see the beautiful rainbow in the water that the wheel throws up!"
+
+"Oh, yes; so pretty, oh, so pretty!" cried little Elsie, clapping her
+hands in delight.
+
+"Oh, so pitty!" echoed baby Ned.
+
+"Take care, little ones; I fear you may fall overboard," warned the
+captain. "Come and sit on papa's knee, and perhaps mamma will kindly
+tell us of all the lovely things we will see at Viamede."
+
+They obeyed and were charmed with mamma's story of what she had done and
+seen at Viamede when she was a little girl, and of dear grandma being
+once a baby girl in the very same house, and how dearly all the old
+servants loved her, and how they mourned when she was taken away to live
+with her grandpa at Roseland.
+
+The babies and even the older folks, not excepting papa himself, seemed
+deeply interested, and more delighted than before that they were so soon
+to see Viamede.
+
+At length Ned fell asleep, Elsie presently followed his example, and
+older people were left to the quiet enjoyment of the lovely scenes
+through which they were passing; for they had now entered Teche Bayou,
+and from that pressed on, threading the way through lake and lakelet,
+past plantation and swamp, plain and forest, coming upon cool, shady
+dells carpeted with a rich growth of velvety grass, and flowers of
+varied hue, and shaded by magnificent trees, oaks and magnolias; while
+amid groves of orange trees they could see lordly villas, tall white
+sugar-houses and rows of cabins where the negro laborers dwelt.
+
+"A beautiful, beautiful country," remarked the captain, breaking a
+prolonged silence.
+
+"Quite up to your expectations, my dear?" queried Violet, glancing up at
+him, her eyes shining with pleasure.
+
+"I believe it rather exceeds them," he replied, "it is very, very
+lovely! an earthly paradise, so far as beauty can make it such."
+
+"Papa, do you suppose you will know which is Viamede when you see it?"
+queried Lulu.
+
+"I very much doubt it, daughter," he answered.
+
+"Yes, sir; there it is, just coming into sight; the sugar-house, at
+least, and yonder, a little beyond, is the great orange orchard."
+
+"And it's just beautiful!" cried Grace. "See, papa, the orange trees,
+with their beautiful, glossy leaves and ripe and green fruit, and
+flowers all on them at once."
+
+"And presently we will come to the beautiful lawn, with its giant oaks,
+magnolia trees, velvety grass and lovely flowers," exclaimed Lulu. "Oh,
+I am so much obliged to dear Grandma Elsie, for inviting us all to spend
+the winter here again!"
+
+"Yes, it was very kind," her father said, "and I hope my children will
+do nothing to mar the peace of the household, and so distress Mamma Vi's
+dear mother."
+
+"I do intend to be a very good girl, papa, and if I begin to be the
+least bit bad, I do hope you'll stop it at once by punishing me well and
+making me behave myself," Lulu said, in a low, earnest tone, speaking
+close to his ear.
+
+"Dear child," he returned, in the same low key in which she had spoken,
+"I have not the least doubt that you intend to be and do all I could ask
+or wish."
+
+There was no time for anything more just then, for, as they were nearing
+their destination, baggage must be seen to and satchels and parcels
+gathered up.
+
+Presently the boat rounded to at the wharf and in another minute
+greetings and embraces were being exchanged with the cousins, who,
+having been duly informed of the intended arrival, were gathered there
+to give a cordial and delighted welcome to Violet, her husband, and
+children.
+
+There were servants also, some few of the old and some new ones, each
+and all eager for a handshake and a few words of greeting from "Miss
+Wi'let and the cap'en and dere chillens," in which they were not
+disappointed.
+
+In a few moments the baggage had been landed and was being taken to the
+house, while ladies, gentlemen, and children followed, the newly arrived
+gazing, delighted, about upon the beauties of the place, the others
+asking many questions concerning Grandma Elsie and those of her family
+left behind--how they were in health, and when they would come to
+Viamede.
+
+"You will find the house in very tolerable order, I think, Vi," remarked
+Mrs. Keith, "though doubtless many little repairs and improvements
+needed, that Cousin Elsie may find everything in order when she comes.
+It was a good idea to get you and the captain to come a little in
+advance of the older folk and have everything in order for their
+reception."
+
+"I think so," Violet said with a smile, "and that no better person than
+my honored husband could have been found to undertake that task."
+
+"No more trustworthy one, I am sure, judging from his looks," returned
+Isa. "I am delighted with his appearance, Vi; he is as noble-looking a
+man as ever I saw."
+
+Violet flushed with pleasure. "And he is all that he appears to be,
+Isa," she said; "the better he is known the more highly is he esteemed."
+
+A bountiful supper had been prepared for the travelers, and the others
+stayed and partook with them, but soon after leaving the table bade
+good-night and went to their own homes.
+
+Then Violet took her sleepy little ones upstairs to see them to bed,
+leaving the captain, Lulu, and Grace on the veranda.
+
+As usual, the two were hanging lovingly about their father, he seeming
+to enjoy it as much as they.
+
+It was a beautiful moonlight night, warm, and sweet with the breath of
+flowers; away in the distance, beyond the wide-spreading lawn, they
+could see the waters of the bayou glittering in the moonbeams, and the
+soft plash of oars came pleasantly to their ears.
+
+"Oh, isn't it just lovely, here!" exclaimed Lulu, breaking a momentary
+silence. "Papa, did I exaggerate in telling you of the beauties of the
+place?"
+
+"No, I think not," he replied; "it is certainly very lovely, and I hope
+we are going to have a happy winter here."
+
+"I'm sure we will; I'm happy anywhere with you, my dear, dear papa,"
+said Grace, putting an arm round his neck and pressing her lips to his
+cheek.
+
+"So am I," said Lulu, "unless I have been doing wrong, and papa is
+displeased with me. Oh, I do mean to try my very hardest to be good! and
+I'm sure it will be ever so much easier with you for my tutor, dear
+papa, than it was before, going to that horrid school and having to take
+music lessons from that Signor Foresti, who was so ill-tempered and
+struck me, when I was trying as hard as I could to play my piece just
+right."
+
+"Yes, daughter, I think it will be easier for you with the tutor who
+loves you and is loved by you," assented the captain, drawing her into a
+close, loving embrace. "We must see if a music teacher is to be had
+here, but certainly will not try Signor Foresti again."
+
+"Oh, I am glad to hear you say that, papa! though I never thought you
+would send me back to him again. I am, oh, so glad I belong to you
+instead of to--anybody else."
+
+"So am I," he responded, with a happy little laugh.
+
+"And that I do too, papa?" asked Grace, in a half-pleading tone.
+
+"Yes, yes, my own darling," he said, addressing her with great
+tenderness. "You are no less dear than your sister."
+
+"How good in you, papa! for I'm not half so bright or pretty as Lu," she
+said, patting his cheek with her small white hand.
+
+"Why, Gracie!" exclaimed Lulu, "whatever put such a thing as that into
+your head? You are far prettier, and better too, than I am. Isn't she,
+papa?"
+
+"You must not ask me such hard questions," he returned laughingly, and
+hugging them both up in his arms, "I really could not say that either
+one is prettier or dearer to me than the other, or that I love either
+more or less than I do each of the other three. The love differs
+somewhat in kind, but, I think, not in intensity."
+
+"Yes, papa, I suppose so," returned Lulu thoughtfully; "for instance you
+must have quite a different sort of love for Max, who is almost old
+enough to take care of himself, and baby Ned who is so very young and
+helpless."
+
+Violet joined them at that moment, reported the babies as fast asleep in
+the nursery, and consulted her husband as to what rooms they should
+occupy during their stay; saying her mother had kindly bade them please
+themselves in regard to that matter.
+
+"Choose for yourself, my dear," replied the captain, "and I shall be
+entirely satisfied; only I should like to have these children close at
+hand--a door of communication between their room, or rooms, and ours, if
+that can be easily managed. We must be near the babies of course."
+
+"Yes, indeed! Near every one of our four," returned Violet brightly; "I
+could not be easy otherwise, any more than their father.
+
+"But suppose I take you over the house, if you are not too tired.
+To-morrow, you remember, is Sunday, and I could hardly wait till Monday,
+to say nothing of the curiosity that must of course be consuming you."
+
+"Of course," returned the captain laughingly, as he rose and gave her
+his arm; "it will give me great pleasure to accompany you, if you are
+not too weary for such exertion."
+
+"Not a bit," she said; "the trip on the boat was more restful than
+fatiguing; at least so far as concerned myself. May not Lulu and Gracie
+come too?"
+
+"If they wish; though I fear Gracie is too tired," he said, with an
+inquiring glance at her. "If you would like to go, pet, papa will carry
+you up the stairs."
+
+"Oh, then, I would like to, papa; I'm not so very tired," she answered
+eagerly.
+
+"Then of course Lulu is not?" he said with a smiling glance at his
+eldest daughter.
+
+"No, indeed, papa; and I'd dearly love to go along," she answered,
+taking Gracie's hand and with her tripping along in the rear, as he and
+Violet passed on into the wide hall.
+
+They first inspected the rooms on the lower floor, lingering longest in
+the drawing-room, where the many beautiful paintings and pieces of
+statuary were very attractive.
+
+"We cannot give them half enough time to-night," remarked Violet, "but
+fortunately have good reason to hope for many opportunities for future
+inspection."
+
+"Yes," the captain said, glancing at Grace, then at his watch. "Shall we
+not call in the servants and have prayers before going upstairs? It is
+not far from the usual time, and I see Gracie is growing weary."
+
+Violet gave a ready assent and led the way to the family parlor where
+her grandfather had been wont to hold that service.
+
+The servants were summoned and came in looking well pleased. The captain
+made the service short out of consideration for Gracie's weariness,
+though, indeed, he never thought it well to lengthen it so much as to
+risk making it a weariness to either children or servants.
+
+A few directions in regard to securing doors and windows for the night
+and as to what should be done for the comfort of the family in the
+morning, then he, Violet, and the little girls, having exchanged kindly
+good-nights with the servants, went on up the broad stairway, the
+captain, according to promise, carrying Grace in his arms.
+
+Only a hasty survey of the upper rooms was taken that night, for all
+began to feel the need of rest and sleep. Apartments connected with each
+other and the nursery were selected for occupation, and soon all were
+resting peacefully in their beds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+The Sabbath morning dawned bright and clear. Lulu rose with the sun and,
+before he was an hour high, was down on the veranda, gazing with delight
+upon the lovely landscape spread out at her feet.
+
+So absorbed in its beauties was she that she failed to hear an
+approaching footstep, and was aware of her father's presence only when
+he laid a hand gently on her head and, bending down, imprinted a kiss on
+her lips.
+
+"An early bird as usual, my darling!" he said.
+
+"Yes, sir, like my father, my dear, dear father," she returned, twining
+her arms around his neck and holding him fast for a moment.
+
+"Did you sleep well?" he asked, releasing himself and taking her hand in
+his.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! Did not you?"
+
+"I did; I think we all did," he answered. "God has been very good to us.
+And what a lovely, lovely Sunday morning it is!"
+
+"We can all go to church, can't we, papa?" she asked.
+
+"I think so," he said. "And now you would like to walk down across the
+lawn, to the water's edge, with me?"
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, papa," she cried delightedly. "It was just what I was
+wanting to do."
+
+"It might be well for you to have a bit of something to eat first," he
+said. "Ah, here is just the thing!" as a servant approached with a
+waiter on which were some oranges prepared for eating in the way Grandma
+Elsie had enjoyed them in her young days.
+
+"Thank you, Aunt Sally," the captain said, helping Lulu and himself;
+"you could have brought us nothing more tempting and delicious. Will you
+please carry some up to my wife?"
+
+"Ise done it already, sah," replied the woman, smiling all over her
+face, and dropping a courtesy; "yes, sah; an' she say dey's mighty nice,
+jes like she hab when she's heah in dis place yeahs ago."
+
+"Papa," remarked Lulu, as they presently crossed the lawn together, "I'm
+so glad to be here again, and with you. It was a delightful place the
+other time, I thought, but, oh, it seems twice as pleasant now, because
+my dear father is with us!" and she lifted her eyes to his face with a
+look of ardent affection.
+
+"Dear child, it is a great pleasure to me to be with you and the rest,"
+he returned, pressing affectionately the little hand he held in his,
+"and if you do not have a happier time than you had here before, it
+shall not be because your father does not try to make it so.
+
+"But, my dear little daughter, remember you have the same spiritual foes
+to fight here as in other places. If you would be happy you must try to
+live very near to Jesus and to watch and pray lest you enter into
+temptation. Particularly must you be ever on your guard against that
+quick temper which has so often got you into trouble."
+
+"Papa, I do intend to," she said, with a sigh; "and I am very glad I
+shall have you close at hand all the time to help me in the fight; for
+you do help me, oh, so often--so much, dear papa!" and again she lifted
+loving eyes to his face.
+
+"I am very thankful that I can, my darling," he returned. "I feel that
+God has been very good to me in so changing my circumstances that I can
+be with you almost constantly to aid you in the hard task of learning to
+control the fiery temper inherited from me. Yet, as I have often told
+you, dear child, the hardest part of the fight must inevitably be your
+own, and only by the help of him who has all power in heaven and in
+earth can you conquer at last.
+
+"I want you to feel that in your inmost soul, and to beware of
+self-confidence, which was, I think, the cause of your sad failure of a
+few weeks ago."
+
+"Yes, papa," she said humbly, "I believe I had begun to feel that I was
+quite reformed, so did not watch and pray as constantly as I used to,
+and then almost before I knew it I was in a passion with poor Alma."
+
+"'When I am weak, then am I strong!' the apostle says," returned her
+father; "that is when we feel our weakness and trust in the strength of
+our Almighty Saviour; of him who has said, 'In me is thine help.' It is
+help, daughter, which is never refused to those who look humbly to Jesus
+for it."
+
+"I am so glad the Bible tells us that," she said.
+
+They walked on in silence for a little, then Lulu said, "Papa, I asked
+Cousin Molly last night if Professor Manton still had his school at
+Oakdale. She said, 'Yes, is your papa going to send you there?' and I
+was so glad I could answer, 'No, ma'am; he is going to teach me
+himself.' Then Cousin Molly said, 'Oh, is he? I am sure that will be far
+pleasanter for you, dear. The professor is not very popular, and I hear
+that his school grows smaller.'"
+
+"Ah, then, don't you think it would be only kind in me to put my eldest
+daughter there as a pupil?" asked the captain jestingly.
+
+"Not to me, papa, I am sure," she answered, lifting to his smiling eyes
+that said as plainly as any words could have spoken that she had no fear
+that he would do any such thing.
+
+"No; and I do not know what could induce me to do so," he returned. "So
+you need never ask it, but must try to content yourself with the tutor
+who has had charge of your education ever since Woodburn became our
+home."
+
+"I don't need to try, papa," she said with a happy laugh; "for it's just
+as easy as anything. Gracie and I both think there was never such a
+dear, kind teacher as ours. Neither of us wants ever to have any other."
+
+"Ah! then we are mutually pleased. And now I think we should turn and go
+back to the house, for it must be near the breakfast hour." They found
+Violet, Grace, and the little ones on the veranda, awaiting their
+coming, and breakfast ready to be served.
+
+Morning greetings were exchanged and all repaired to the breakfast room.
+
+The meal proved a dainty one, was daintily served and enlivened by
+cheerful chat on such themes as were not unsuited to the sacredness of
+the day.
+
+Family worship followed, and soon after the family carriage was at the
+door ready to convey them to the church of which their Cousin Cyril was
+pastor.
+
+The captain, Violet, and the two little girls, Lulu and Grace, formed
+the deputation from that family, the two babies remaining at home in
+the care of their nurse, whom they had brought with them from Woodburn.
+
+Cyril gave them an excellent sermon, and at the close of the exercises
+conducted a Bible class attended by nearly every one belonging to the
+congregation.
+
+The Viamede family remained to its close, held a little pleasant talk
+with the relatives from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall, then drove back
+to Viamede, reaching there just in time for dinner.
+
+In the afternoon the captain gathered his family and the servants under
+the trees in the lawn, read and expounded a portion of scripture, and
+led them in prayer and the singing of several familiar hymns.
+
+The evening was spent much as it would have been at Woodburn, and all
+retired early to rest.
+
+Monday morning found them all in good health and spirits, entirely
+recovered from the fatigues of the journey and ready for work or play.
+
+"We don't have to learn and recite lessons to-day, papa, do we?" asked
+Lulu, at the breakfast table. "I think you said we could have a day or
+two for play first, didn't you?"
+
+"Yes; but I shall give you your choice of having that playtime now or
+taking it about a week hence, when you will have Rosie and Walter with
+you."
+
+"May I choose too, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then I choose to wait for my holiday till the others are here to share
+it with us; for don't you suppose Grandma Elsie will let them, papa?"
+
+"No doubt of it," he replied. "And what is your choice, Lulu?"
+
+"The same as Gracie's, papa," she answered in bright cheerful tones.
+"Lessons are not bad to take, with you for my teacher," she added
+laughingly, "and will leave us a good deal of time for running about and
+looking at everything."
+
+"Besides an occasional drive or walk with mamma and papa," he
+supplemented, with an approving smile, adding, "the lessons shall not be
+long or hard to-day, so that you will still have some time for roaming
+about the grounds; and perhaps, if my pupils are very deserving, there
+may be a row on the bayou after dinner."
+
+"Oh, how delightful, papa!" they cried, in a breath.
+
+"I am glad you think so," he said, smiling on them; "there is nothing I
+enjoy more than giving pleasure to my wife and children," with an
+affectionate glance at Violet. "I hope such a little excursion will
+afford you pleasure, my dear?"
+
+"Yes," she returned gayly, "I think even the children will hardly enjoy
+it more than I; and," she added laughingly, "I shall endeavor to earn my
+right to it by faithfully attending to housekeeping matters in the
+meantime."
+
+"I don't believe there is any schoolroom here!" exclaimed Grace, as if
+struck with a sudden thought.
+
+"We will have to select one and get it ready before the others come,"
+said Violet.
+
+"And for the present my dressing-room will answer very well," added the
+captain.
+
+So thither the children repaired at the usual hour for beginning their
+studies.
+
+It was at first a little difficult to fix their attention upon them, but
+with an earnest desire to do right, and to please their dear father,
+they made very determined efforts, and had their lessons well prepared
+by the time he came to hear them.
+
+It seemed to afford him pleasure to give the deserved meed of praise,
+and the young faces grew bright and gladsome under it. An hour was then
+given to writing and ciphering, and they were dismissed for the day.
+
+"May we go out into the grounds now, papa?" asked Lulu, as she put up
+her books.
+
+"Yes," he replied, "but keep near the house for the present, for it is
+near dinner-time now."
+
+"We will, papa," both little girls answered and hurried away.
+
+They sported about the lawn till summoned to the house by the
+dinner-bell, whose call they obeyed with alacrity, air and exercise
+having given them good appetites.
+
+"My dear," the captain said to his wife, near the conclusion of the
+meal, "you have had a busy morning, can you not afford to devote the
+afternoon to recreation?"
+
+"Certainly, if you will share it," she replied. "Are we not to have that
+row on the bayou?"
+
+"It is what I had planned, should my wife still feel inclined to go," he
+said.
+
+"Ah! that will be very enjoyable I think; and perhaps there may be time
+afterward for me to drive over to the parsonage. I want a bit of chat
+with Isa about some household matters."
+
+"Yes, I think you may have time for both," he returned. "An hour on the
+bayou will be sufficient for this first time; the carriage can be
+ordered to be in waiting when we return, and you, if the plan suits your
+views, can drive over to the parsonage at once, have your talk, and be
+at home again in season to pour out your husband's tea."
+
+"That will do nicely, thank you, sir," she returned gayly. "I see I am
+not likely to lack for diversion with you at the head of affairs, so I
+think I shall try to keep you there as long as possible."
+
+"I hope you will, Mamma Vi," said Lulu, "And any way I'm glad that when
+papa is about, he is the one that has control of me."
+
+"So I have at least one willing subject," remarked the captain, looking
+not ill-pleased.
+
+"Two, papa," said Grace, "you can always count on me for one."
+
+"I don't doubt it in the least, dear child," he said. "And now, as I see
+you have all finished your dinner, and the boat is at the wharf, let us
+be going."
+
+In a few minutes all were seated in the boat, and it was moving rapidly
+over the water, the children very merry, the parents by no means
+disposed to check the manifestations of their mirth.
+
+They found the carriage in waiting when they landed.
+
+"You are going with us, Levis?" Violet said inquiringly, as the captain
+handed her in.
+
+"I should be pleased to do so, my dear, but have too many business
+letters calling for immediate reply," he said, lifting little Ned, and
+then Elsie, to a place by her side. "Lulu and Gracie, you would like to
+go with your mamma?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if I may," Grace answered with alacrity, but Lulu declined,
+saying: "I would much rather stay with you, papa, if I may."
+
+"Certainly, dear child; I shall be glad to have you," he said with a
+pleased look; "but I fear you will find it dull, as I shall be too busy
+to talk to you, or let you talk to me."
+
+"But I can be with you, and perhaps of some use waiting on you, papa."
+
+"Perhaps so," he said. "You generally contrive to make yourself useful
+to your father in one way or another."
+
+Then the carriage drove on, Lulu slipped her hand into his, and together
+they walked back to the house.
+
+"I do hope I can find something to do that will be a help to you, papa,"
+she said, as they entered the library.
+
+"I verily believe my dear eldest daughter would like to carry all her
+father's burdens if she could," he said, laying his hand caressingly on
+her head, "but it wouldn't be good for me, my darling, to have my life
+made too easy."
+
+"I am sure it wouldn't hurt you, papa, and I only wish I could carry all
+your burdens," she replied, with an ardently affectionate look up into
+his face. "Isn't there something I can do now?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, glancing at the table; "here are papers, magazines,
+and letters, quite a pile. You may cut leaves and open envelopes for me,
+that will save me some time and exertion--be quite a help."
+
+"Yes, sir; I'll be glad to do it all. But, oh, papa," and a bright,
+eager look came into her face.
+
+"Well, daughter, what is it?" as she paused half breathless with her new
+idea.
+
+"Papa, couldn't I write some of the letters for you? Here is my
+typewriter that you so kindly let me bring along. I've learned to write
+pretty fast on it, you know, and wouldn't it be easier for you just to
+tell me the words you want said and let me put them down, than to do it
+all yourself with either it or your pen?"
+
+"That is a bright thought, daughter," he said, patting her cheek, and
+smiling down upon her. "I dare say that plan would shorten my work
+considerably."
+
+"Oh, I shall be so glad if it does, papa!" she exclaimed. "There is
+nothing in the world I'd enjoy more than finding myself a real help and
+comfort to you."
+
+"I have found you both many a time, daughter," he responded, taking up
+and opening a letter as he spoke, while she picked up a paper cutter and
+fell zealously to work opening envelopes, laying each one close to his
+hand as she had it ready.
+
+"Now, you may get your typewriter ready for work," he said presently.
+"Put in a sheet of this paper," taking some from a drawer in the table
+and laying it beside the machine, "date it, and in a moment I will tell
+you what to say."
+
+He had already instructed her carefully in punctuation and paragraphing:
+spelling also; and, with an occasional direction in regard to such
+matters, she did her work well.
+
+She was full of joy when at the close of the business he bestowed upon
+her a judicious amount of praise and said that she had proved a great
+help to him, shortening his labor very considerably.
+
+"I think," he concluded, "that before long my dear eldest daughter will
+prove a valuable amanuensis for me."
+
+"Papa, I am so glad!" she cried, her cheeks flushing and her eyes
+sparkling. "Oh, there is nothing else in the world that I enjoy so much
+as being a help and comfort to my dear, dear father!"
+
+"My precious little daughter," he responded, "words cannot express the
+love your father feels for you. Now there is one letter that I wish to
+write with my own hand, and while I am doing that you may amuse yourself
+in any way you like."
+
+"May I read this, papa?" she asked, taking up a magazine.
+
+"Yes," he said, and she went quietly from the room with it in her hand.
+
+She seated herself on the back veranda, read a short story, then stole
+softly back to the library door to see if her father had finished his
+letter so that she might talk to him.
+
+But some one else was there; a stranger she thought, though she did not
+get a view of his face.
+
+She paused on the threshold, uncertain whether her father would wish her
+to be present at the interview, and at that instant he spoke, apparently
+in reply to something his caller had said, and his words riveted her to
+the spot.
+
+"No," he said, in stern tones, "had I been here my daughter would never
+have been sent back to your school. She was most unjustly and shamefully
+treated by that fiery little Italian, and you, sir, upheld him in it.
+When I am at hand no daughter of mine shall be struck by another man, or
+woman either, with impunity, and Foresti may deem himself fortunate in
+that I was at a distance when he ventured to commit so great an outrage
+upon my child."
+
+Lulu waited to hear no more, but ran back to the veranda, where she
+danced about in a tumult of delight, clapping her hands and saying
+exultingly to herself, "I just knew papa wouldn't have made me go back
+to that horrid school and take lessons of that brute of a man. Oh, I do
+wish he had been here! How much it would have saved me! If my father is
+strict and stern sometimes, he's ever so much better and kinder than
+Grandpa Dinsmore. Yes, yes, indeed, he's such a dear father! I wouldn't
+exchange him for any other, if I could."
+
+Presently she suddenly ceased her jumping and dancing, and stood in an
+intently listening attitude.
+
+"Yes, he's going--that horrid professor! I'm so glad! I don't believe
+he'll ever trouble this house again, while papa is in it any way," she
+said half aloud.
+
+Then running to meet her father as he returned from seeing the professor
+to the door, she threw her arms round him, exclaiming in a voice
+quivering with delight. "Oh, you dear, dear papa, I'm so glad, so glad
+to know that you wouldn't have made me go back to that horrid music
+teacher! I felt sure at the time that you wouldn't, if you were here."
+
+He heard her with a look of astonishment not unmixed with sternness.
+
+"O papa, please don't be angry with me!" she pleaded, tears starting to
+her eyes; "I didn't mean to listen, but I happened to be at the library
+door (I was going back to see if you were done writing that letter and I
+might be with you again) when you told Professor Manton that you
+wouldn't have sent me back to Signor Foresti, nor even to his school. It
+made me so glad, papa, but I didn't stop to hear any more, but ran away
+to the veranda again; because I knew it wouldn't be right for me to
+listen to what wasn't intended for me to hear."
+
+He took her hand, led her into the library again, drew her to a seat
+upon his knee, and softly smoothing back the hair from her forehead,
+said in kind, fatherly tones, "I am not displeased with you, daughter.
+I understand that it was quite accidental, and I am sure my little girl
+is entirely above the meanness of intentionally listening to what is
+evidently not meant for her ear. And in fact, now that I think of it,
+I am not sorry that you know I did not, and do not now, approve of the
+treatment you received at that time. Yet that was the first time I had
+ever mentioned it to any one, and I should be sorry to have your Grandpa
+Dinsmore know, or suspect, how entirely I disapproved of what he thought
+best to do at the time. Can, and will, my little daughter promise to
+keep the secret? never mentioning it to any one but me?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa," she returned, looking up brightly into his face.
+"Oh, it's nice to be trusted by you, and not even threatened with
+punishment if I disobey!"
+
+"I am happy to think that is by no means necessary," he said, drawing
+her into a closer embrace. "I believe my little girl loves her father
+well enough to do of her own free will what she knows he would have her
+do."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly; "and do you know, it seems
+a great pleasure to have a secret along with you. But, papa, why did you
+write--after I had confessed it all to you--as if you were so much
+displeased with me that you couldn't let me stay any longer at Ion
+after you had found another place to put me?"
+
+"My child, as I had put you under Grandpa Dinsmore's care, it was your
+duty to submit to his orders till I could be heard from in regard to the
+matter. You should therefore have gone back, not only to the school, but
+to the music teacher, when he directed you to do so; you were disobeying
+me in refusing, and also showing great ingratitude to the kind friends
+who were doing so much for you without your having the slightest claim
+upon them."
+
+"Papa, I am very sorry and ashamed," she murmured low and tremulously,
+hanging her head and blushing deeply as she spoke; "I almost want you to
+punish me well for it yet."
+
+"No, daughter, that account was settled long ago," he said in kindly,
+reassuring accents, "fully settled, and I have no desire to open it
+again."
+
+"But, oh, papa," she sighed, "sometimes I do feel so afraid I may get
+into a passion with somebody about something while we're here this
+winter, with all the Ion folks, that--that I believe I want you to say
+you will punish me very severely if I do."
+
+"My daughter," he said, "I want you to avoid sin and strive to do right,
+not from fear of punishment, but that you may please and honor him whose
+disciple you hope you are."
+
+"Oh, yes, papa, I do want to for that reason and also to please and
+honor you--the best and dearest father in the world!" she concluded,
+putting her arms round his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to his.
+"But you will watch me and warn me and try to keep me from yielding to
+my dreadful temper?"
+
+"Yes, dear child, I will, as I have promised you again and again, do all
+I can to help you in that way," he replied in tenderest tones.
+
+Then, as the carriage-wheels were heard on the drive without, "Ah, your
+mamma and our little ones have returned," he said, putting her off his
+knee; and taking her hand led her out to the veranda to meet and welcome
+them home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+"Had you a call from Professor Manton, Levis?" asked Violet, as they sat
+together on the veranda that evening. "I thought so because he passed us
+as we were coming home and was looking very glum."
+
+"Yes, he was here this afternoon," replied the captain.
+
+"In search of pupils, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; and was rather disappointed to learn that I had none for him. He
+asked about Rosie and Walter, but I was unable to tell him positively
+whether they would, or would not, be sent to him; though I gave him but
+little encouragement, perhaps I should say none at all, to expect them."
+
+"No; I am nearly certain they will not be willing to go to him, and that
+mamma will not care to send them; indeed she more than hinted that she
+would be delighted to commit them to your care should you show yourself
+willing to undertake the task of instructing them. Are you willing?"
+
+"I am hardly prepared to answer that question, my dear," he replied
+thoughtfully. "They might not be willing to submit to the authority of
+a brother-in-law."
+
+"I am almost sure you would have no trouble in governing them," returned
+Violet.
+
+"I don't believe you would have any at all, papa," remarked Lulu, who
+was leaning on the arm of his chair and listening with much interest to
+the conversation; "neither of them is half so--so wilful and
+quick-tempered as I am."
+
+The captain smiled at that, put an arm about her, and drew her closer to
+him. "But they don't belong to me as you do," he said, touching his lips
+to her cheek. "You are my very own, own little daughter, you know."
+
+"Yes, indeed, and so glad to be," she returned, putting her arm round
+his neck and gazing into his eyes, her own shining with filial love.
+
+The younger ones were already in bed, even Gracie having felt too much
+fatigued with the duties and pleasures of the day to wait for evening
+prayers.
+
+"Yes, I think you may esteem yourself a fortunate child in that respect,
+Lu," said Violet. "I really believe it is the next best thing to being
+his wife," she added, with a pleasant little laugh.
+
+"I think it's the very best thing, Mamma Vi," returned Lulu.
+
+"Well, to go back to the original topic of discourse, Levis--or at
+least to the question whether you are willing to undertake the tuition
+of my young sister and brother," Violet went on. "I feel certain they
+would give you no trouble in governing them; also that your talent for
+teaching is such that they could not fail to greatly improve under your
+tuition."
+
+"But might not your grandpa feel that I was interfering with him?"
+queried the captain.
+
+"Oh, no, indeed! Grandpa feels that he is growing old, and has done
+enough of that kind of work. And you would be glad to please mamma?"
+
+"Most certainly; I could refuse her nothing--the poor, dear woman!"
+
+"Then we may consider it settled? Oh, thank you, my dear."
+
+"Well, yes; I suppose so. Are you willing to share your teacher with
+Rosie and Walter, daughter mine?" he asked, softly stroking Lulu's hair.
+
+"My teacher, but not my father, you dear papa," returned Lulu, patting
+his cheek, then holding up her face for a kiss, which he gave heartily
+and repeated more than once.
+
+"What do you think, Mamma Vi, of your husband having an amanuensis?" he
+continued, affectionately squeezing Lulu's hand, which he had taken in
+his. "My correspondence was disposed of to-day with most unusual and
+unexpected ease. I would read a letter, tell my amanuensis the reply I
+wished to make, and she would write it off on the typewriter while I
+examined the next epistle, asking few directions and making scarcely any
+mistakes."
+
+"Lulu did it?" Violet exclaimed in surprise "Why, Lu, I am both
+astonished and delighted!"
+
+"Thank you, Mamma Vi; and I am very glad that I can help my dear, kind
+father, who does so much for me," Lulu answered, putting her arm round
+his neck, and laying her cheek to his. "Oh, I couldn't possibly do half
+enough for him! but I hope I may be of a great deal of use to him some
+of these days."
+
+"You are that already, dear child," he said; "so useful and so dear that
+your father would not know how to do without you."
+
+"How good in you to say that, dear papa; but I am sure it would be ten
+times worse for me to be without you," she returned. "Oh, I'm glad I'm
+not a boy, to have to go away from you."
+
+"I am glad too," he responded; "glad that my children are neither all
+boys nor all girls. It is quite delightful, I think, to have some of
+each."
+
+"Yes, sir; and I think it's delightful to have both brothers and sisters
+when they are of as good a sort as mine are, though I've seen some I'd
+be sorry to have."
+
+"As I have seen some children that I should be sorry, I think, to call
+my own. Yet if they were mine I would probably love them dearly, and
+perhaps not see their faults; or rather love them in spite of their
+naughtiness."
+
+"Just as you do me, papa," she said, a little sadly. "Haven't you always
+loved me, though I've sometimes been very, very naughty indeed?"
+
+"Yes, always," he said, holding her close, as something very dear and
+precious. "And I believe my little girl has always loved me even when I
+have been quite severe in the punishment of her faults."
+
+"Yes; oh, yes, indeed, papa! because I have always felt that I deserved
+it; often a much more severe punishment than you inflicted; and that you
+didn't do it because you liked to, but because you wanted to make me
+good."
+
+"And happy," he added. "I think you are never happy when disobedient,
+wilful, or ill-tempered."
+
+"No, indeed, papa! and I'm thankful to you that you have never indulged
+me in those things."
+
+"And I think, with Lu, that you are one of the best of fathers, Levis,"
+remarked Violet.
+
+"It is certainly very pleasant to be so highly esteemed by one's wife
+and daughter, whether deserving of it or not," he said, with a pleased
+little laugh; "yet I am not at all sure that such flattery is quite
+good for me."
+
+"I don't believe any amount of praise could ever hurt you, papa," Lulu
+said, with a look into his eyes of ardent love and reverence; "you do
+seem to me to be just perfect; never doing or saying anything wrong."
+
+"I think it must be my little girl's great love for her father that
+makes her so blind to his faults and failings," he replied, in low,
+tender tones.
+
+"A blindness certainly shared by your wife," remarked Violet lightly.
+"We have been married five years and I have yet to hear the first unkind
+word from my husband's lips."
+
+"He would be an exceedingly unreasonable man who could find fault with
+such a wife as mine," was his smiling rejoinder.
+
+"But to change the subject, I suppose we may look for the rest of our
+party about the last of next week?"
+
+"Yes, I think so."
+
+"I shall be ever so glad to see them--especially dear Grandma Elsie and
+Rosie and Walter; but oh, I wish the Fairview folks were coming,
+especially Eva," remarked Lulu, ending with a sigh of regret.
+
+"Ah, well, daughter, perhaps Evelyn may be here before the winter is
+over," the captain said, exchanging a slightly amused glance with
+Violet.
+
+"Oh, I hope so!" exclaimed Lulu; "but of course one can't expect to have
+everything one wants in this world."
+
+"No, certainly not," her father said; "it would be by no means good for
+us if we could."
+
+"Not for me, I know; but oh, I have a great, great many
+blessings--health and strength and such a dear kind father to love me,
+provide for me, teach me, and train me up in the way I should go," she
+concluded, with a smiling look up into his eyes.
+
+"That is what I am trying to do, at all events," he returned, holding
+her close, "though I sometimes fear I may not always have taken the
+wisest way."
+
+"Is it because you have succeeded so poorly that you fear so, papa?" she
+asked. "If so, don't be troubled about it, because I don't believe it's
+from any mistake of yours, but only that I'm so very naughty and
+unmanageable."
+
+"Really, now, Lu, I think your father has succeeded fairly well at the
+business," laughed Violet. "I doubt if anybody else would have done
+better."
+
+"Or half so well," said Lulu; "and I am fully resolved to try to do
+credit to his training."
+
+"I think you had a letter from Max to-day, Levis?" remarked Violet
+inquiringly, "Dear fellow, I hope he was quite well at the time of
+writing?"
+
+"Yes; and apparently in excellent spirits. He seems to be doing well in
+his studies; content with things as they are too, though evidently
+feeling that he would greatly enjoy being here with the rest of us."
+
+"Yes, poor, dear fellow! I wish he could make one of our party;
+especially at Christmas time."
+
+"So do I," said his father. "We must make it up to him with as full an
+account as possible of the Christmas doings here."
+
+"I wonder what they will be," said Lulu.
+
+"We will have to consider and decide that question--to some extent, at
+least--after mamma comes," replied Violet.
+
+"And now we must go in and have prayers; for it is near bedtime for my
+eldest daughter," remarked the captain, rising and taking Lulu's hand in
+his.
+
+The days flew by on swift wings, even to Lulu and Grace, so filled were
+they with duties and pleasures, and at length the time had come when
+Grandma Elsie and the others were expected by the evening boat.
+
+Their arrival was anticipated with great delight by every one on the
+estate, and all possible preparations had been made for their comfort
+and to show how gladly welcome they were. Everything indoors and out was
+in beautiful order, a feast of fat things ready in the kitchen, the
+families from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall were present by
+invitation, and as the hour drew near when the boat might be expected,
+all gathered at the wharf and eagerly watched for its appearance.
+
+At length their patience was rewarded; the little steamer appeared in
+sight far down the bayou, came puffing along past the orange orchard,
+and rounded to at the landing.
+
+In another moment the travelers were on shore: Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore,
+Grandma Elsie, Rosie, Walter, and--could Lulu believe her eyes--yes,
+there was Evelyn! It could be no one else; and with a cry of joy the two
+little girls ran into each other's arms.
+
+"Oh, Eva, Eva, I'm so glad! I hadn't the least idea that you were coming
+too!" cried Lulu, fairly wild with delight.
+
+"Ah, papa, you must have known and kept it a secret from me to give me
+such a glad surprise," she exclaimed, as she caught sight of his face
+and noted the pleased smile with which he was regarding her.
+
+"Yes, daughter, I knew and planned, with Mamma Vi and the others, to
+give you this pleasant surprise," he said, bending down to bestow a
+paternal kiss upon the gentle, fatherless girl who had won so large a
+place in the heart of his own dear child.
+
+"And we were all very glad to have Eva along," Rosie said. "And, O Lu,
+I'm looking for very good times this coming winter here in our lovely
+Viamede, and with your father here I know it will be pleasanter than
+ever for you--pleasanter for all of us; for, Brother Levis, I hear that
+I am to be your pupil instead of Professor Manton's; a change which I
+haven't a doubt I shall enjoy extremely."
+
+"Ah, don't be too sure of that, little sister," he returned laughingly,
+giving a welcoming embrace to her also. "I am a very strict
+disciplinarian, as Lulu here can testify," laying a hand affectionately
+on his daughter's shoulder.
+
+"Yes, Rosie, papa is strict, but if one does exactly as he orders, he's
+kind as kind can be; and maybe he wouldn't be quite so stern and strict
+with other folks' children as he is with me--his very own, you know."
+
+But a reply from Rosie was prevented by Violet catching her in her arms,
+saying, "You dear child, how glad I am to have you here at last! We have
+all been looking forward to your coming as well as to that of dear,
+darling mamma, grandpa, and the others."
+
+At the same time Grandma Elsie was embracing Lulu most affectionately,
+saying how well she looked, and hoping that she and Grace, as well as
+the older people, had been enjoying Viamede.
+
+"Indeed we have, dear Grandma Elsie," replied Lulu. "Oh, it was so good
+and kind in you to invite us all to spend the winter in this loveliest
+of lovely places!"
+
+"Good to myself, dear child, quite as much as to you; for I love to have
+you all about me."
+
+"And I hope you are better? A great deal better?" returned Lulu, with an
+inquiring look into the sweet face.
+
+"Very much better, thank you, dear child. Almost my old self again," was
+the sweet-toned reply.
+
+Some few moments more were spent in the exchange of glad, affectionate
+greetings and inquiries after each other's health and welfare, then all
+took their way to the house; even Grandma Elsie claiming that her
+strength was quite equal to so short a walk, the journey on the boat
+having been restful rather than fatiguing. Yet it was evident to all
+that she was far from strong, and they joined Mr. Dinsmore in an urgent
+entreaty that she would retire at an early hour to her own room and bed;
+which she did, her daughters accompanying her to see that nothing was
+lacking that could in any way add to her comfort.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+A bright, beautiful day succeeded that on which the Ion family had
+arrived at Viamede. The younger members of their party woke early, and
+the sun was hardly more than an hour high when Evelyn and Rosie passed
+down the broad stairway into the lower hall, moving with cautious tread
+lest they might disturb the still sleeping older members of the
+household.
+
+But on reaching the veranda they were surprised to see the captain and
+Lulu already taking a morning promenade along the bank of the bayou.
+
+"Ah, I see there is no getting ahead of Brother Levis," laughed Rosie.
+"Let us run down there and join them, Eva."
+
+"With all my heart," returned Evelyn gayly, and away they went, racing
+down the broad gravelled walk in merry girlish fashion.
+
+"Good-morning, little ladies, I see that you are early birds as well as
+Lulu and myself," the captain said, with his genial smile, as they drew
+near.
+
+"Yes, sir," returned Rosie, catching hold of Lulu and giving her a
+hearty embrace; "on such a morning as this, and in such a lovely place,
+bed has no attractions to compare with those of out of doors."
+
+"That's exactly what papa and I think," said Lulu; "and, oh girls, I'm
+so glad you have come to share this lovely, lovely place with us. Eva, I
+haven't yet got over the glad surprise of your coming. I was just saying
+to papa how very kind it was in Grandma Elsie and the rest of them to
+prepare such an unexpected pleasure for me. Wasn't it good in them?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, good to us both!" Evelyn said, squeezing affectionately
+the hand Lulu had slipped into hers.
+
+"Captain," looking up smilingly into his face, "are you intending to be
+so very, very kind as to take me for one of your pupils?"
+
+"Most assuredly, my dear, if you wish it," he replied.
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed, and I promise to give
+you as little trouble as I possibly can."
+
+"I shall consider it no trouble at all, my dear child," he returned,
+giving her a fatherly smile. "Indeed, I think the favor will be on
+your side, as doubtless Lulu will improve all the faster for your
+companionship in her studies. Rosie, being older than either of you,
+will, I fear, have to be quite alone in most of hers."
+
+"Yes, Brother Levis, and as I am to be such a lonely, forlorn creature
+you ought to be extremely good to me," remarked Rosie demurely. "I hope
+you will remember that and try to have unlimited patience with your
+youngest sister."
+
+"Ah! my little sister would better not try the patience of her big
+brother too far," returned the captain with a twinkle of fun in his eye.
+
+"I dare say; but he needn't think he can make me very much afraid of
+him, big as he is," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Perhaps, though, it might turn out to the advantage of Professor
+Manton, should my youngest sister prove quite beyond the management of
+her biggest and oldest brother," remarked the captain, with assumed
+gravity.
+
+"There!" exclaimed Rosie, "that's the worst threat you could possibly
+have made. I think I'll try to be at least passably good and obedient in
+the schoolroom. You needn't look for it in any other place, Captain
+Raymond," making him a deep courtesy, then dancing gayly away.
+
+"Don't you envy her that it is only in the schoolroom she must be
+obedient to me, whom you have to obey all the time?" asked the captain
+laughingly of Lulu, noticing that she was watching Rosie with a hurt,
+almost indignant look on her expressive features.
+
+"No, indeed, papa! I'm only too glad that I belong to you everywhere
+and all the time," she answered, lifting to his face eyes full of filial
+respect and ardent affection.
+
+"So am I," he returned, pressing tenderly the hand she had again slipped
+into his. "But you must not be vexed with Rosie. Could you not see that
+all she said just now was in sportive jest?"
+
+"I'm glad if she didn't mean it, papa; but I don't like such things said
+to my dear, honored father even in jest."
+
+"But you must excuse Rosie, Lu, dear," said Evelyn. "It was indeed all
+in jest, for I know that she feels the very highest respect for your
+father--her biggest brother; as we all do."
+
+Lulu's brow cleared. "Well, then, I won't mind it, papa, if you don't,"
+she said.
+
+"And I certainly do not, daughter," he returned pleasantly. "Rosie and I
+are the best of friends, and I think will continue to be such."
+
+It was a gay, light-hearted party that met at the Viamede
+breakfast-table that morning. Even their loved invalid, Grandma Elsie,
+was looking wonderfully bright and well; yet, as she laughingly averred,
+everybody seemed determined to consider her as ill and unable to make
+any exertion.
+
+"I shall have to let you continue to take the rôle of mistress of the
+establishment, Vi," she said, with a pleasant smile, as, resigning to
+her daughter her accustomed seat at the head of the table, she took
+possession of one at the side.
+
+"Not that I am of so humble a spirit as to consider myself unfitted for
+the duties and responsibilities of the position, but because older and
+wiser people do."
+
+"I really think Vi makes as good a substitute as could well be found,
+mother," remarked the captain, with a proudly affectionate glance at his
+lovely young wife.
+
+"In which I entirely agree with you, sir," said Mr. Dinsmore.
+
+The meal was partaken of with appetite, and enlivened by cheery talk; a
+good deal of it in regard to pleasures and amusements attainable in that
+locality; riding, driving, boating, fishing; to say nothing of the
+pleasant rambles that could be taken on and beyond the estate.
+
+There was no lack of carriages for driving, or horses to draw them, or
+for those to ride who might prefer that mode of locomotion.
+
+The final decision was in favor of a drive, for Mrs. Dinsmore, Violet,
+her little ones, and Grace, accompanied by the rest of the party on
+horseback.
+
+Breakfast and family prayers over, the young girls hastened to their
+rooms to prepare for the little excursion, all seemingly in the gayest
+spirits at the pleasing prospect; none more so than merry, excitable
+Lulu.
+
+She and Grace were ready a little sooner than either of the other girls,
+and went down to the veranda to wait there for the rest.
+
+As they did so a servant passed them with the bag containing the morning
+mail, which he had just brought from the nearest post-office.
+
+He carried it to the library, where Mr. Dinsmore and the captain were
+seated, awaiting the appearance of the ladies, carriages, and horses.
+
+As if struck by a sudden thought, Lulu ran after him. She saw her father
+take the bag, open it, hand several letters to Mr. Dinsmore, select
+several others and give them to the servant (with directions to carry
+them up to the ladies), then lay a pretty large pile on the table, take
+up one, and open it.
+
+"There, those are papa's own," she said to herself, "and what a number
+he has!--all to be answered, too. I don't believe he'll take time to
+ride this morning; he's always so prompt about replying to a letter. Oh,
+dear, I don't want to go without him, and I just wish they hadn't come
+till to-morrow."
+
+She walked slowly out to the veranda again.
+
+Rosie and Evelyn had not yet made their appearance, and Grace was
+romping about with little Elsie and Ned.
+
+Just then a servant man came round from the stables, leading the ponies
+the little girls were to ride, and at sight of them Lulu seemed to take
+a sudden resolution.
+
+"Oh, Solon," she said, hurrying toward the man, "you can put my pony
+back into the stable; I'm not going to ride this morning; I've changed
+my mind; and if anybody asks about me, you can tell them so," and with
+that she ran away round the house and seated herself on the back
+veranda, where she had been when Professor Manton made his call upon the
+captain.
+
+Presently she heard the ladies and young girls come down the stairs, her
+father and Mr. Dinsmore come out from the library and assist the older
+ones into the carriage, the younger to mount their ponies; then her
+father's voice asking, "Where is Lulu?" and the servant's reply, "Miss
+Lu, she tole me, sah, to tell you she doan want fo' to ride dis heah
+mornin', sah"; then her father's surprised, "She did, Solon? Why, that
+is a sudden change on her part. I thought she was quite delighted at the
+prospect of going.
+
+"Violet, my dear, I find I have so many letters calling for reply this
+morning, that I, too, must remain at home."
+
+Some exclamations of surprise and regret from the others followed; then
+the sound of hoofs and wheels told that the party had set out on their
+little excursion, and the captain's step was heard in the hall as he
+returned to the library.
+
+But a thought seemed to strike him as he reached its door, and he
+paused, calling aloud, "Lulu! Lulu!"
+
+She ran to him at once, answering, "Here I am, papa."
+
+"Why, daughter, what is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Why did you not
+go with the others?"
+
+"Because I preferred to stay at home with my dear father; and I hope he
+isn't displeased with me for it!" she replied, looking up coaxingly,
+smilingly, into his face.
+
+"Displeased with you, dear child? I am only too glad to have you by my
+side; except that I feel sorry on your own account that you should miss
+the pleasant, healthful trip along with the others," he said, bestowing
+upon her a fond caress.
+
+"But how did you know that I was going to stay at home?" he asked, as he
+led her in and sat down, drawing her to a seat upon his knee.
+
+"Because I'm enough of a Yankee to be good at guessing, I suppose,
+papa," she answered, with a merry laugh, putting an arm round his neck
+and gazing into his eyes with her own full of ardent filial love. "I saw
+that big pile of letters," pointing to them as they lay on the table,
+"and I thought, 'Now, if I stay at home with papa, maybe he will let me
+help him as I did the other day.' So now as I have stayed, won't you be
+so very good as to let me, you dear, dearest papa?"
+
+"I shall be very glad of both your company and your help, darling,
+though I am sorry to have you miss your ride in order to give them to
+me."
+
+"But you needn't be sorry, papa, because I'm ever so glad. I was almost
+afraid you might be displeased with me for taking the liberty of staying
+at home without consulting you; but I don't believe you are a bit,"
+stroking his face with her little soft white hand, then kissing him with
+warmth of affection.
+
+"I am so much displeased, that as a punishment you will have to write
+several letters on your machine at my dictation," he replied, with
+playful look and tone. "We will set to work at once," he added, putting
+her off his knee, taking the cover from her typewriter, and placing a
+chair before it for her to sit upon, then laying a pile of paper and
+envelopes within easy reach of her hand.
+
+"Ah, papa, I don't care how often you punish me in this way!" she
+exclaimed, with a merry laugh, as she took her seat.
+
+"Tut! tut! don't talk as if my punishment were nothing," he replied, in
+pretended displeasure. "You may get more of this kind some of these days
+than you will like."
+
+"Not while it's a help to my dear father," she returned, smiling up at
+him.
+
+"You find that a pleasure, do you?" he asked, with tender look and tone,
+laying a hand caressingly on her head and gazing fondly down into her
+eyes.
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir! O papa, I just long to be a real help and comfort and
+blessing to you; and I do hope that some day I may be."
+
+"My own dear little daughter, you are already all three to me," he said
+with emotion. "Truly, I think no man ever had a more lovable child, or a
+more grateful and appreciative one."
+
+Those words sent a thrill of exquisite delight to Lulu's heart. "Dear
+papa, you are so kind to tell me that!" she said. "Oh, I do want always
+to be all that to you!"
+
+"And it is certainly my ardent desire to be the best of fathers to my
+dear eldest daughter, and all my children," he responded.
+
+"But now let us set to work upon this correspondence."
+
+For the next hour and more they were very busy; then, every letter
+having been replied to, the captain went out to a distant part of the
+plantation to see how work was progressing there, taking Lulu along.
+
+Their way led them through the orange orchard, and both father and
+daughter found it a delightful walk.
+
+They reached the house again just in time to receive the others on their
+return from their little excursion, and presently after, all sat down to
+dinner.
+
+On leaving the table the little girls repaired to the veranda.
+
+"I'm decidedly offended with you, Lu," said Rosie, in jesting tone.
+
+"What for?" asked Lulu.
+
+"For forsaking us as you did this morning; and now the least reparation
+you can make is to confess why you did so. Do you not agree with me,
+Eva?"
+
+"Yes," replied Evelyn, "I think she ought to do so, as the only amends
+she can make. So, Miss Raymond, let us hear your excuse at once--if you
+have any."
+
+"Well, then, I suppose I must," said Lulu. "Please understand that I
+would have enjoyed going with you very much indeed, but I saw that papa
+had a good many letters to answer and I wanted to help him a great deal
+more than I did to take a ride.
+
+"He lets me write some on the typewriter--those, you see, that don't
+require a very particular answer--and he says it shortens his work very
+much. And," she added with a sigh, "I have given my dear father so much
+trouble in past days by my bad temper and wilfulness, that I feel I can
+never do enough to make up to him for it."
+
+"Dear Lu, I just love you for feeling and acting so," said Evelyn
+softly, giving Lulu's hand an affectionate squeeze as she spoke; "and I
+am sure your father must."
+
+"Yes, he does love me dearly, and you can't think how happy that makes
+me," returned Lulu, glad tears shining in her eyes.
+
+"I don't know about that, but I think we can," said Rosie, a slight
+tremble in her voice; for she had not forgotten altogether the dear
+father who had fondled and caressed her in her babyhood, but had so long
+since passed away to the better land.
+
+But just at that moment Violet drew near with a light, quick step.
+
+"The boat is at the landing, little girls," she said, "and we older
+folks want to be off. Please put on your hats, coats too,--or carry some
+kind of wrap,--for the captain says it may be quite cool on the water
+before we return."
+
+"A summons we're delighted to receive," returned Rosie, springing to her
+feet and hurrying toward the hall door, the others following, all of
+them in gay good humor.
+
+No one was missing from that boating excursion, and on their return, a
+little before tea time, all spoke of having had a most enjoyable
+afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+After tea, when all were together upon the front veranda, Grandma Elsie
+in a reclining chair, the others grouped about her, the talk turned upon
+the approaching Christmas and how it should be celebrated--what gifts
+prepared for friends and servants.
+
+Various plans were suggested, various gifts spoken of, but nothing
+settled.
+
+The little girls took a deep interest in the subject, and when they
+separated for the night each one's thoughts were full of it; Lulu's
+perhaps even more so than those of any other, not of what she might
+receive, but what she would like to give.
+
+"Papa," she said, when he came into her room to bid her good-night, "I
+do so want to make some pretty things to give at Christmas time. Please,
+won't you let me?" and look and tone were very coaxing.
+
+"My dear little daughter," he replied, taking possession of an
+easy-chair and drawing her to a seat upon his knee, "it would give me
+much pleasure to indulge you in this, but you have lost a good deal of
+time from your studies of late, and I know very well that to allow you
+to engage in the manufacture of Christmas gifts would have the effect
+of taking your mind off your lessons in a way to prevent you from making
+much, if any, progress with them."
+
+"Then you won't let me, papa?"
+
+"No, my child. If you choose you may use your pocket-money, and some
+more that I will give you, to buy what you please, that will not make
+any work for you. Your studies must be faithfully attended to, and the
+greater part of your remaining time I wish you to spend in out-of-door
+amusements which will, I hope, both give you much pleasure and keep you
+in vigorous health.
+
+"I could not bear to see my dear eldest daughter growing pale and thin,
+or failing to improve her mind and talents so that she may in due time
+become a noble, useful woman, capable of doing with her might whatever
+work her heavenly Father may be pleased to give her."
+
+A wofully ill-used, discontented look had come over Lulu's expressive
+countenance as her father began what he had to say, but before he had
+finished it was replaced by a much sweeter one of contentment with his
+decision, and confiding filial love.
+
+"Papa, dear, I did at first very much want you to say yes to my
+petition, but now I see that you know best and am quite content to do as
+you have said you want me to," she returned, putting her arm about his
+neck and laying her cheek to his in her accustomed fashion when her
+heart was swelling with daughterly affection.
+
+"My dear child, your ready acquiescence in your father's decision makes
+you dearer than ever to him, if that be possible," he said, holding her
+close with many a fond caress.
+
+Meanwhile Rosie and Evelyn, occupying adjoining rooms, were chatting
+gaily of what they should make for one and another of those they loved.
+
+Suddenly Evelyn paused, a very thoughtful look overspreading her
+expressive face.
+
+"Well, what is it?" asked Rosie in a bantering tone; and Evelyn
+answered, "I was just thinking that all this, should we undertake it,
+will be apt to take our minds from our lessons, which are certainly of
+far greater importance."
+
+"And that Captain Raymond may veto it on that account?" asked Rosie,
+with a twinkle of fun in her eye.
+
+"Possibly he may; and if he does, I, for one, shall certainly obey him,"
+replied Evelyn, speaking in a sober, earnest way that said plainly she
+was far from being in jest.
+
+"Well, I make no rash promises," laughed Rosie; "and I'm not very much
+afraid of that brother-in-law of mine, stern as he can look when it
+suits him."
+
+"But you will want to please your dear mother?" returned Evelyn, in a
+tone between assertion and inquiry.
+
+"Yes," replied Rosie, sobering down at once; "I could refuse nothing to
+dear mamma. I would do anything and everything in my power to add to her
+happiness. Oh, how glad and thankful I am that she has been spared to
+us!"
+
+"I, too," said Evelyn. "I think I could hardly love her better if she
+were really my very near relative."
+
+A moment of silence followed, presently broken by Rosie. "Well, I
+suppose," she said with a return to her jesting tone, "it may be our
+wisest plan to consult his lordship--Captain Raymond--in regard to the
+matter just now under discussion--whether we--his prospective
+pupils--may or may not engage in the work of preparing Christmas gifts
+for other folk."
+
+"I, at least, certainly intend doing so," replied Evelyn. "Obedience to
+his wishes--to say nothing of orders--it strikes me will be the very
+least we can do in return for his great kindness in taking the trouble
+to instruct us."
+
+"There, you are right!" said Rosie. "I hadn't thought of that before. It
+is very good in him and I shall really try to show him that I am one of
+the best and most tractable of pupils."
+
+"Suppose we join him and Lu to-morrow in their morning walk, as we did
+to-day, and then and there improve the opportunity to discuss this
+momentous question," suggested Evelyn laughingly.
+
+"I am strongly in favor of so doing, provided I wake in season,"
+returned Rosie, and with that they separated for the night.
+
+They carried out their plan, had a pleasant little morning ramble and
+chat with the captain and Lulu, and finding that such was his wish,
+promised to do but little in the way of making Christmas gifts, in order
+that their time and attention might be the more fully occupied with
+their studies, which they were all to take up again on the following
+Monday.
+
+"And this being Friday, we have only to-day and to-morrow for play. It
+looks like rain, too," sighed Rosie disconsolately, glancing up at the
+sky as she spoke; "so we are not likely to have much out-of-door sport."
+
+"Ah, well, little sister, we must not grumble about the rain, for it is
+needed; and there are the verandas for you young folks to sport upon,"
+returned the captain.
+
+"Besides, your big brother is not intending to be so hard upon you as to
+allow no diversion after lessons are resumed. I hope you will all have
+many an hour for romping, riding, driving, boating, and walking."
+
+"Pleasant chats, too, and interesting books to read; music, and games
+besides," remarked Evelyn. "Oh, we are not likely to suffer from lack
+of diversion when we have been good and industrious enough to deserve
+it," she added, with a smiling look at the captain.
+
+"As I have little doubt that you will be always," he returned, smiling
+kindly upon her.
+
+By the time breakfast and family worship were over a gentle rain was
+falling, and instead of seeking out-of-door amusement, the whole family
+gathered upon the veranda at the front of the house.
+
+Just then a pretty well-filled mail-bag made its appearance, and
+presently nearly everybody had one or more letters in hand.
+
+Noticing that her father had several, Lulu presently drew near him and
+asked, "Mayn't I help you answer those, papa?"
+
+"Thank you, dear child," he returned, smiling fondly upon her, "you may
+if you wish, but I have plenty of time to do the work myself this
+morning, and would be sorry to deprive you of the pleasure you might be
+taking with your mates."
+
+"I'll have time enough for that afterward, papa, and would very much
+rather do a little to help you--if it will be a help, instead of a
+trouble to you to have me use my machine in that way," she said, with a
+look up into his eyes that showed plainly how anxious she was to have
+her offer accepted.
+
+"Then you shall, my darling," he returned, and taking her hand led her
+into the library, seated her before her typewriter, supplied paper and
+envelopes, and began dictating to her as on the two former occasions.
+
+"It grieves me to rob my dear little girl of any of her holiday time,"
+he remarked, as the first letter was completed, laying his hand
+caressingly on her head. "Your father loves to see you enjoying
+yourself."
+
+"Yes, dear papa, I know that," she replied, with a pleased loving look
+up into his face, "but there is nothing I enjoy more than feeling that I
+can be of a little help and comfort to you."
+
+"Well, it will not take us long to answer these letters--there are but
+few to-day--and perhaps you may enjoy your sports all the more
+afterward," he replied, handing her a fresh sheet of paper.
+
+"This, from our dear Max, is the only one left now," he remarked
+presently; "and he, I know, would rather have his reply in papa's own
+handwriting; but, shall I read this to you, daughter?"
+
+"Oh, I should like to hear it, papa!" was her eager response. "Please,
+may I sit on your knee while I listen?"
+
+"Indeed you may," he answered, drawing her to the coveted seat and
+putting his arm about her waist. "Maxie does write such good,
+interesting letters, and I'm so much obliged to you for reading this one
+to me, papa," she said, when he had finished.
+
+"You are very welcome, daughter; and now you may go back to your mates
+while I write my reply."
+
+On the veranda family letters had been read and discussed, meanwhile,
+and when Lulu joined the group they were again talking of the
+approaching Christmas and what gifts should be prepared for relatives,
+near and dear friends, and servants.
+
+Grandma Elsie, seated in their midst, was looking quite her old
+self--very bright, beautiful, and sweet.
+
+"With the housekeeping given in charge to Vi," she was saying, as Lulu
+drew near, "I shall have abundance of spare time and hope to prepare
+many gifts for----"
+
+"No," interrupted her father, "you are to do nothing of the kind; but
+must devote yourself to the business of gaining strength as fast as
+possible."
+
+She laughed pleasantly at that, saying, "My vacation has been a long one
+already, papa, for I have really done nothing worth speaking of since we
+returned home from the North."
+
+"And what of that, daughter?" he responded. "You have never been an
+idler, but it seems to be time now for you to begin. Let your vacation
+go on till next spring. That is my prescription for you."
+
+"Ah, ha, mamma!" laughed Rosie, "the captain forbids Christmas-gift
+making for us younger ones, and I'm mighty glad grandpa forbids it to
+you. 'Misery loves company,' you know."
+
+"I hope my Rosie may never be called upon to share any worse misery,"
+was the smiling rejoinder. "Also that she will show herself as obedient
+to the captain as I intend to be to her kind, loving grandpa--so
+tenderly careful of his daughter," with a fond look up into the face of
+her father, standing by her side.
+
+"As he may well be, for she is a treasure worth guarding," he said,
+returning her look of love. "Rosie, when does the captain propose
+beginning his labors as tutor?"
+
+"Next Monday morning, grandpa; so we want to crowd all the fun and
+diversion we can into to-day and to-morrow."
+
+"Ah, we must select a schoolroom and furnish it with whatever may be
+necessary!" exclaimed Violet.
+
+"Yes," her mother said; "the room used for that purpose when you were a
+very little girl will answer nicely. Its desks were sent to the attic
+when no longer needed. You might order them brought down to-day, the
+room swept and dusted, and whatever else done that is necessary or
+desirable, so that it will be quite ready for occupation on Monday."
+
+"Thank you, mamma; I will have it attended to at once," Violet replied,
+and hastened away, Rosie running after her with a "Come girls, let us go
+and see the room and find out whether it has a closet for the captain to
+shut us up in when we misbehave."
+
+"I don't believe he'll use it if it has," laughed Lulu, rather enjoying
+Rosie's fun, "for he has never punished any of us--his own children--in
+that way."
+
+"Still there is no knowing but he may take a new departure, now, when
+he's going to have so distinguished a pupil as myself," pursued Rosie,
+dancing down the hall with the others close in her rear.
+
+They followed Violet to the room Grandma Elsie had spoken of, and found
+it large and airy, with windows down to the floor,--opening out upon the
+veranda on that side of the house,--the walls prettily papered and
+adorned with good pictures, handsomely framed; the floor covered with
+fine matting, furniture handsome, a pretty clock and vases on the
+mantel. On one side of that was a door to which Rosie flew and, throwing
+it wide open, brought to view a large closet.
+
+"There!" she exclaimed, "didn't I tell you, girls and Walter?" for he
+was in the company by that time, "here's the place of incarceration for
+those who shall dare to disobey Captain Raymond. I for one shall
+certainly try to behave my prettiest, for I wouldn't like to be shut up
+in the dark."
+
+"Well, it appears to me that you are more likely to come to it than any
+of the rest of us," observed Walter quietly, as he turned on his heel
+and walked away.
+
+"Did you ever hear the like?" cried Rosie, opening her eyes very wide in
+pretended astonishment.
+
+"What's all this?" asked a familiar voice at the door, and turning at
+the sound they saw Captain Raymond standing there, looking very grave
+and slightly reproving, but with a perceptible twinkle of fun in his
+eyes.
+
+"We were just looking at the closet you are going to use for the
+incarceration of the naughty ones, for this is to be your schoolroom,
+you see, sir," returned Rosie demurely.
+
+"And you expect to enjoy a sojourn there?" he queried, coming forward
+and himself taking a survey of the interior. "It strikes me it would
+suit better as a receptacle for school-books and the like."
+
+"So it would," she said, with a sigh of pretended relief; "and we, your
+pupils that are to be will venture to hope that you will see best to
+devote it to that use."
+
+"A hope in which you will not be disappointed, I trust," he replied, in
+a kindly tone, and laying a hand lightly upon her shoulder.
+
+"There girls!" she exclaimed, "you may thank me for extracting such a
+promise beforehand. I do really believe his honor intends to treat us
+well if we are reasonably well behaved."
+
+"And the rest of us are quite sure of it," added Evelyn, with a bright
+look up into the captain's face.
+
+"Thank you for your confidence, my dear," he returned. "I have little
+doubt that we will have pleasant times together in this very pleasant
+room."
+
+A little more time was spent in examining the room and commenting upon
+its beauties and conveniences; then they went back to the veranda to
+find that the sun had begun to peep through the clouds.
+
+So carriages were ordered and all took a drive through the beautiful
+woods.
+
+The afternoon was spent in boating and fishing, the evening in the
+veranda, where they were joined by their relatives from Magnolia Hall
+and the parsonage.
+
+The manner in which they would spend the approaching Christmas and New
+Year's Day was the principal subject of conversation, and the young
+folks were particularly interested in listening to the plans made or
+suggested, and well satisfied with the proposed arrangement that the
+cousins should spend the first at Viamede, all gather at Magnolia Hall
+for their New Year's dinner, and pass the evening of that day at the
+parsonage.
+
+Lulu had a talk with her father in her own room at bedtime, that made
+her feel very happy and entirely content with his prohibition of the
+making of gifts.
+
+He told her that she and Grace might each make out a list of the
+articles they would like to buy to present to others, and that some one,
+probably Mr. Embury--Cousin Millie's husband--who was intending to pay a
+visit of a few days to New Orleans, would kindly make the purchases for
+them.
+
+"Oh, that will do nicely, papa!" she exclaimed delightedly, "and Gracie
+and I might make out our lists to-morrow with a little help from our
+dear father," smiling up into his eyes.
+
+"Yes, dear child, I will gladly give you both all the assistance in my
+power," he replied, softly smoothing her hair, for she was--as usual at
+such times--sitting upon his knee; "and not with advice only," he
+continued, "but also by adding something to your means for carrying out
+your wishes."
+
+"Oh, you dear papa, you are just the kindest father that ever was
+made!" she cried, in an ecstasy of delight, and hugging him with all her
+strength.
+
+"Ah, but if you choke me to death," he said laughingly, "I can do
+nothing for you."
+
+"Oh, papa, please excuse me!" she exclaimed, relaxing her hold. "Did I
+hurt you? oh, I am very, very sorry!"
+
+"Not much; I could stand it very well," he returned, giving her a hug
+and kiss. "But now I must leave you to go to bed and to sleep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+There was a decided downpour of rain the next morning, but no one minded
+that very much, as the necessity for staying within doors gave time and
+opportunity for further arrangements in regard to Christmas and the
+gifts to be presented.
+
+The captain kindly devoted an hour or more to helping his little girls
+to decide upon theirs and make out a list; Mr. Embury, and Molly and
+Isadore, who were intending to accompany him to the city, having kindly
+offered to make any purchases desired by the Viamede relatives.
+
+At the same time the others, older and younger, were similarly engaged,
+and there were many little private chats as they gathered in twos and
+threes here and there about the veranda or in the rooms.
+
+In the afternoon Violet invited the whole party to inspect the
+schoolroom, where some of the servants had been busy, under her
+direction, all the morning, giving it a thorough cleaning, draping the
+windows with fresh lace curtains, looped back with blue ribbons, and
+placing a desk for each expected pupil, and a neat table for the
+teacher.
+
+Every one pronounced it a model schoolroom, some of the older people
+adding that it made them almost wish themselves young enough to again be
+busy with lessons and recitations.
+
+"Where's your ferule, Brother Levis?" asked Rosie, facetiously, after a
+close scrutiny of the table, not omitting its drawer.
+
+"I think you have not made a thorough examination of the closet yet,"
+was his noncommittal reply.
+
+"Oh, that's where you keep it? I say girls----" in a loud whisper,
+perfectly audible to everyone in the room, "let's carry it off before he
+has a chance to use it."
+
+"Hardly worth while, since it would be no difficult matter to replace
+it," remarked the captain, with assumed gravity and sternness.
+
+"Ah, then I suppose one may as well be resigned to circumstances,"
+sighed Rosie, following the others from the room.
+
+"Papa, can I help you?" asked Lulu, seeing him seat himself at the table
+in the library, take out writing materials from its drawer, and dip a
+pen into the ink.
+
+"No, thank you, daughter," he replied. "I am going to write to Max."
+
+"Please tell him we are all ever so sorry he can't be here to spend
+Christmas and New Year's with us."
+
+"I will."
+
+"And he can't have the pleasure of giving any gifts I suppose, as they
+allow him so little pocket money!"
+
+"Dear boy! he shall not miss that pleasure entirely," said the captain.
+"I am going now to write to him that I will set apart a certain sum for
+his use in the purchase of gifts for others. That is, he may tell me
+what he would like to give, and I will see that the articles are bought
+and distributed as he wishes."
+
+"Oh, what a nice plan, papa! I am sure Maxie will be very glad."
+
+"Yes, I do it with the hope of giving pleasure to my dear boy. And
+besides that I shall tell him that he may again choose some benevolent
+object to which I will give, in his name, a thousand dollars. You too,
+and Gracie, shall have the same privilege."
+
+"Just as we all had last year. Oh, papa, it is so good and kind in you!"
+
+"That is the opinion of my very partial little daughter," he returned,
+with a smile. "But, daughter, as I have often told you, the money is the
+Lord's, and I am only his steward."
+
+"Yes, sir," she said, and walked thoughtfully away.
+
+By the middle of the afternoon the rain seemed to be over and a row on
+the bayou was enjoyed by the most of the party; all who cared to go.
+
+Music and conversation made the evening pass quickly and pleasantly, and
+all retired to their rooms at an early hour that they might rise
+refreshed for the duties and privileges of the Lord's day.
+
+It was spent, as former ones had been, attending church and the pastor's
+Bible class in the morning, and holding a similar service on the lawn at
+Viamede in the afternoon.
+
+In addressing that little congregation the captain tried to make the way
+of salvation very clear and plain.
+
+"It is just to come to Jesus as you are," he said; "not waiting to make
+yourself any better, for you never can; he alone can do that work; it is
+his blood that cleanses from all sin; his righteousness that is perfect,
+and therefore acceptable to God; while all our righteousnesses are as
+filthy rags, stained and defiled with sin.
+
+"Concerning him--the only begotten and well beloved Son of God--the
+Bible tells us, 'He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come
+unto God by him.'
+
+"'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.'
+
+"And he says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.'
+
+"'This is the will of him that sent me, that every one who seeth the
+Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise
+him up at the last day.'
+
+"Just go to Jesus each one of you, give yourself to him and believe his
+word--that he will not cast you out; he will receive you and make you
+his own; giving you of his spirit, changing you from the poor sinner you
+are, by nature, into his image, his likeness."
+
+At the conclusion of that service Lulu and Grace recited their Bible
+verses and catechism to their father.
+
+The evening was spent in conversation and music suited to the sacredness
+of the day, and all retired to rest.
+
+Nine o'clock of the next morning found the girls and Walter seated in
+the schoolroom. Lulu and Grace busied with their tasks, the others ready
+and waiting to have theirs appointed by the captain.
+
+School that day was a decided success, and Rosie pretended that her
+fears of the new teacher were greatly allayed.
+
+Between that and Christmas-time everything moved along smoothly; studies
+were well attended to, sports and pastimes greatly enjoyed.
+
+The celebration of the holidays--Christmas and New Year's--also proved a
+great success. There were many and beautiful gifts; a handsome brooch
+from the captain delighted each little girl, and there were other lovely
+gifts too numerous to mention.
+
+The distribution was on Christmas Eve. The next day there was a grand
+dinner at Viamede, all the relatives present, and everybody in gayest
+spirits.
+
+The day was bright and beautiful, seeming but little like Christmas to
+those accustomed to frost and snow at that season.
+
+New Year's day was not less lovely, nor were its festivities less
+enjoyable, though the gifts were fewer.
+
+The holidays past, the young folks went back with zest to their studies,
+Rosie saying she was now convinced that Captain Raymond was an excellent
+teacher, and not at all inclined to tyrannize over a well-behaved pupil;
+for which complimentary expression of opinion he gravely thanked her.
+
+"You are very welcome, sir," she said, "and may depend upon a
+recommendation from me whenever it is wanted."
+
+"O Rosie, how ridiculous you are!" exclaimed Walter.
+
+But Rosie was already out of the room, the other girls following. They
+went out on the lawn, ran about for a while, then settled themselves
+under a tree and began cracking and eating nuts.
+
+Lulu, who was very fond of them, presently put one between her teeth and
+cracked it there.
+
+"O Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you forget that papa forbade you to crack nuts
+with your teeth, for fear you might break them."
+
+"Well, I wanted to break the nut," returned Lulu, laughing, and blushing
+because her conscience reproached her.
+
+"I meant break your teeth," said Grace. "I'm sure you wouldn't have done
+it--cracked the nut with them, I mean--if you hadn't forgotten that papa
+forbade you to do it."
+
+"No, Gracie, I'm not so good as you think; I did not forget; I just did
+it because I wanted to," Lulu said with an evident effort, and blushing
+again.
+
+Then she sprang up and ran toward her father, who was seen at some
+little distance, coming from the orange orchard toward the house.
+
+"I do believe she's going to tell on herself!" exclaimed Rosie, in
+astonishment.
+
+"Oh, dear, I wonder what papa will do to her!" exclaimed Grace, just
+ready to burst into tears.
+
+"It is very noble in her to go and confess at once, when he needn't have
+ever known anything about it," cried Eva admiringly.
+
+They were all three watching Lulu and her father with intense interest,
+though too far away to hear anything that either one might say.
+
+Lulu drew near him, hanging her head shamefacedly. "Papa," she said, in
+a low, remorseful tone, "I have just been disobeying you."
+
+"Ah! I am sorry, very sorry, to hear it, daughter," he returned a little
+sadly; then, taking her hand, led her away further from the house and
+seated her and himself on a bench beneath a group of trees that entirely
+hid them from view.
+
+"Tell me the whole story, my child," he said, not unkindly, and still
+keeping her hand in his.
+
+"I cracked a nut with my teeth, papa," she replied, with her eyes upon
+the ground, her cheek hot with blushes.
+
+"You forgot that I had forbidden it?"
+
+"No, papa, I haven't even that poor excuse. I remembered all the time
+that you had forbidden me, but just did it because I wanted to."
+
+"Though I had given you my reason for the prohibition--that you would
+risk serious damage to your teeth, and probably suffer both pain and the
+loss of those useful members in consequence. It gives me pain to find
+that my dear eldest daughter cares so little for her father's wishes or
+commands."
+
+At that Lulu burst into tears and sobs. "Oh, I hope you'll punish me
+well for it, papa!" she said. "I deserve it, and I think it would do me
+good."
+
+"I must indeed punish you for conduct so decidedly rebellious," he
+replied. "I will either forbid nuts for a week, or refrain from giving
+you a caress for the same length of time. Which shall it be?"
+
+"O papa, I'd rather do without nuts for the rest of the winter than a
+whole week without a caress from you!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Very well, then," he said, bending down and touching his lips to her
+cheek. "I forbid the nuts, and I think I can trust my daughter to obey
+me by not touching one till she has her father's permission."
+
+"I feel sure I will, papa," she said; "but if I should be so very bad as
+to disobey you again in this, I will come to you, confess it, and take
+my punishment without a word of objection."
+
+"I have no doubt of it, daughter," he returned, taking her hand again
+and leading her back to the house.
+
+The other girls were awaiting with intense interest the reappearance of
+the captain and Lulu.
+
+"Here they come!" exclaimed Rosie, "and I don't believe he has punished
+her; there has hardly been time, and though she looks very sober--he,
+too--she doesn't look at all frightened; nor does he look angry, and he
+holds her hand in what strikes me as a very affectionate way."
+
+"Yes," said Evelyn, "I think the captain is as good and kind a father as
+anyone could desire; and I'm sure Lulu's opinion of him is the same."
+
+"Yes, indeed," assented Grace heartily, as she wiped the tears from her
+eyes, "there couldn't be a better, kinder father than ours, Lulu and I
+both think; but though he doesn't like to punish us, sometimes he feels
+that it's his duty to do it to make us good."
+
+"I don't believe you get, or need, punishment very often, Gracie,"
+remarked Rosie; "you are as good as gold; at least so it seems to me."
+
+"I'm not perfect, Rosie; oh, no, indeed!" Gracie answered earnestly;
+"but papa almost never does anything more than talk in a grave, kind way
+to me about my faults."
+
+By this time the captain and Lulu had drawn near the house, and, letting
+go her hand, "You may go back to your mates now, daughter," he said in a
+kindly tone. "I have some matters to attend to, and if you have anything
+more to say to me I will hear it at another time."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Lulu, and went slowly toward the little group under
+the tree, while her father passed round to the other side of the house.
+
+"He was not very much vexed with you, Lu, was he?" queried Rosie, in a
+kindly inquiring tone, as Lulu joined them, looking grave and a trifle
+sad, while traces of tears could be discerned on her cheeks and about
+her eyes.
+
+"Papa only seemed sorry that--that I could be so disobedient," faltered
+the little girl, tears starting to her eyes again; "but he always
+punishes disobedience,--which is just what he ought to do, I am
+sure,--and he has forbidden me to eat any more nuts for a week. I chose
+that rather than doing without a caress from him for the same length of
+time. So you see he was not very severe; not half so severe as I
+deserved that he should be."
+
+The others agreed with her that it was but a light punishment; then they
+began talking of something else.
+
+Nuts were a part of the dessert that day, and Lulu, sitting near her
+father, asked in a low aside, "Papa, mayn't I pick out some kernels for
+you?"
+
+"If you wish, daughter," he answered; and she performed the little
+service with evident pleasure.
+
+"Thank you, dear child," he said, with a loving look and smile as she
+handed them to him. Speaking of it to Violet that night in the privacy
+of their own room, "I found it hard to take and eat them without sharing
+with her, the dear, affectionate child!" he said, with feeling, "but I
+knew it gave her pleasure to do her father that little service. Ah, it
+is so much pleasanter to fondle and indulge one's children than to
+reprove or punish them! yet I am sure it is the truest kindness to
+train them to obedience, as the Bible directs."
+
+"Yes," returned Violet, "and I have often noticed that those parents who
+do follow that Bible teaching are more loved and respected by their
+children than the foolishly indulgent ones. And, by the way, how
+devotedly fond of her father Lulu is! It delights me to see it."
+
+"Me also, my dear," he returned, with a pleased little laugh. "I doubt
+if any man ever had better, dearer children--speaking of the whole five
+together--than mine. Nor can I believe that ever a father esteemed his
+greater treasures than I do mine."
+
+The rest of the winter passed quietly and peacefully to our friends at
+Viamede, the young folks making good progress with their studies, the
+older ones finding employment in various ways--the ladies in reading,
+writing letters, overseeing house and servants, and making and receiving
+visits; Mr. Dinsmore in much the same manner, except that he gave
+himself no concern about domestic affairs; while the captain found full
+employment in instructing his pupils and superintending work on the
+plantation; but with time enough to spare for participation in the
+diversions and recreations of the others.
+
+Grandma Elsie had entirely recovered her health, and as spring opened
+they began to talk of returning to their more northern homes, yet
+continued to tarry, looking for a visit to Viamede from the dear ones of
+Ion and Fairview.
+
+And here at beautiful Viamede we will leave them for the present.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS SERIES
+
+
+An attractive and popular edition of books for Girls. Printed from
+large, clear type on a superior quality of paper. Hard bound and stamped
+on back and front with attractive designs.
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS IN THE ALLEGHANY MOUNTAINS; or, a Christmas Success
+Against Odds
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS IN THE COUNTRY; or, The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS' TRIP UP THE RIVER; or, Ethel Hollister's First Lesson
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS' OUTING; or, Ethel Hollister's Second Summer in Camp
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS ON A HIKE; or, Lost in the Great North Woods
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS AT TWIN LAKES; or, the Quest for a Summer Vacation
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+FAIRY LIBRARY SERIES
+
+
+An attractive assortment of popular titles for both boys and girls.
+Printed from large clear type and printed on a superior quality of book
+paper. Hard bound and stamped on back and front.
+
+          MOTHER GOOSE
+          ROBINSON CRUSOE
+          BLACK BEAUTY
+          ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
+          STORIES FROM THE BIBLE
+          WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY
+          ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES
+          ARABIAN NIGHTS
+          ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Price 25c Each, postpaid_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY
+          701-733 South Dearborn Street    ::    CHICAGO
+
+
+
+
+Famous Books in Rebound Editions
+
+
+HEIDI
+
+_By Johanna Spyri._ Three hundred and ninety-five pages, illustrated.
+Printed from new plates, handsomely bound in cloth.
+
+
+LITTLE LAME PRINCE
+
+_By Miss Mulock._ A popular edition of this well known story. Printed
+from large, clear type and attractively bound in cloth.
+
+
+ELSIE DINSMORE
+
+_By Martha Finley._ A beautiful edition of this popular novel. Printed
+on a superior quality of book paper and bound in cloth.
+
+
+HELEN'S BABIES
+
+_By John Habberton._ An amusing and entertaining book for everyone.
+Printed from new plates and attractively bound in cloth.
+
+
+A DOG OF FLANDERS
+
+_By Ouida._ An illustrated edition of this popular and interesting
+story. Printed from new plates and bound in cloth.
+
+
+BLACK BEAUTY
+
+_By Anna Sewell._ Beautiful edition of this popular story. An attractive
+book, printed from large clear type, bound in cloth.
+
+
+HANS BRINKER
+
+_By Mary Mapes Dodge._ This is a well-known story of life in Holland.
+Printed on a superior quality of paper; cloth bound.
+
+
+PINOCCHIO
+
+_By C. Collodi._ A beautiful illustrated edition of this popular story.
+Attractively printed from new plates and bound in cloth.
+
+
+LITTLE WOMEN
+
+_By Louisa May Alcott._ Beautiful edition of this famous story in one
+volume. Attractively printed and bound in cloth.
+
+
+ALICE IN WONDERLAND
+
+_By Lewis Carroll._ An attractive edition of this well-known story.
+Printed from new plates and attractively bound in cloth.
+
+_Price each 75c, postpaid_
+
+          M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY
+          701-733 South Dearborn Street    ::    CHICAGO
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+   Hyphenation retained in "kind-hearted" as it appears once with
+   and once without the hyphen.
+
+   Page 14, "sailer" changed to "sailor" (a splendid sailor)
+
+   Page 147, "honered" changed to "honored" (my dear and honored)
+
+   Page 166, "child" and "in" presumed from remaining letters
+   (child alone, or nearly so, in)
+
+   Page 172, "froward" changed to "forward" (the forward mouth)
+
+   Page 182, "two" changed to "too" (the distance being too great)
+
+   Page 198, "tremuously" changed to "tremulously" (tremulously,
+   just)
+
+   Page 203, "Lelaand" changed to "Leland" (glance at Mrs. Leland)
+
+   Page 216, paragraph break inserted between "queried Lulu." and
+   "I very much doubt".
+
+   Page 273, "beautitiful" changed to "beautiful" (very bright,
+   beautiful)
+
+   Page 253, "fatigueing" changed to "fatiguing" (rather than
+   fatiguing)
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER EVENTS***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 18058-8.txt or 18058-8.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/0/5/18058
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/18058-8.zip b/18058-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..036ce9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058-8.zip
diff --git a/18058-h.zip b/18058-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f97fc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058-h.zip
diff --git a/18058-h/18058-h.htm b/18058-h/18058-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7f90e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058-h/18058-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,8204 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Elsie's Vacation and After Events, by Martha Finley</title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p {margin-top: .75em;
+       text-align: justify;
+       text-indent: 1.25em;
+       margin-bottom: .75em;
+        }
+    .unindent {margin-top: .75em;
+       text-align: justify;
+       margin-bottom: .75em;
+        }
+    img {border: 0;}
+    .tnote      {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+                  padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;}
+    ins {text-decoration:none;  border-bottom: thin dotted gray;}
+    .right    {text-align: right;}
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         clear: both;
+         }
+    hr { width: 33%;
+	 margin-top: 2em;
+	 margin-bottom: 2em;
+         margin-left: auto;
+         margin-right: auto;
+         clear: both;
+       }
+    .u        {text-decoration: underline;}
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+
+    .pagenum  { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+            /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+                position: absolute;
+                left: 92%;
+                font-size: smaller;
+                text-align: right;
+              } /* page numbers */
+
+    .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;}
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+    .caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+    hr.full { width: 100%; }
+    pre      {font-size: 75%;}
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie's Vacation and After Events, by Martha
+Finley</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Elsie's Vacation and After Events</p>
+<p>Author: Martha Finley</p>
+<p>Release Date: March 27, 2006  [eBook #18058]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER EVENTS***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes, Emmy,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net/)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>ELSIE'S VACATION<br />AND AFTER EVENTS</h1>
+
+<h3>By</h3>
+
+<h2>MARTHA FINLEY</h2>
+
+
+
+<div class="center">Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "Elsie at Home," etc.<br />
+<br /><br /><br />
+SPECIAL AUTHORIZED EDITION<br /></div>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 78px;">
+<img src="images/emblem.png" width="78" height="100" alt="Emblem" title="Emblem" />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><big>M. A. DONOHUE &amp; CO.</big><br />
+CHICAGO &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; NEW YORK</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="center">COPYRIGHT, 1891.<br />
+BY DODD, MEAD &amp; COMPANY.<br /><br /><br /><br />
+Made in U.S.A.<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>ELSIE'S VACATION</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Captain Raymond went back to the hotel feeling somewhat lonely and
+heartsore over the parting from his eldest hope, but as he entered the
+private parlor where his young wife and most of the party were, his look
+and manner had all their accustomed cheeriness.</p>
+
+<p>He made a pleasant remark to Violet, fondled the little ones, and talked
+for a few minutes in his usual agreeable way with Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
+and the others; then glancing about the room, as if in search of someone
+or something, asked, "Where are Lulu and Gracie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought they were here," Violet answered in some surprise,
+following the direction of his glance. "They seem to have slipped out of
+the room very quietly."</p>
+
+<p>"I must hunt them up, poor dears! for it is about time we were starting
+for the <i>Dolphin</i>," he said, hastily leaving the room. A low sobbing
+sound struck upon his ear as he softly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>opened the door of the room
+where his little girls had slept the previous night, and there they were
+down on the carpet near a window, Gracie's head in her sister's lap,
+Lulu softly stroking the golden curls and saying in tender tones,
+"Don't, Gracie dear; oh, don't! It can't be helped, you know; and we
+have our dear papa and Mamma Vi, and the little ones left. Besides,
+Maxie will come home again to visit us one of these days."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but he'll never live at home with us any more," sobbed Gracie; "at
+least I'm afraid he won't; and&mdash;and oh, I do love him so! and he's the
+only big brother we have."</p>
+
+<p>"But we have papa, dear, dear papa, who used to be obliged to go away
+and leave us; but we have him all the time now," Lulu replied half
+chokingly. "I wish we could have them both, but we can't, and we both do
+love papa the best after all."</p>
+
+<p>"And papa loves his two dear little girls more than tongue can tell,"
+the captain said in tenderest tones, drawing near, bending down to take
+both in his arms together, and kissing first one and then the other. "Be
+comforted, my darlings," he went on, holding them close to his heart;
+"we haven't lost our Maxie by any means; and though I left him feeling a
+trifle homesick and forlorn, he will get over that in a day or two I
+know, and greatly enjoy the busi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>ness of preparing himself for the life
+work he has freely chosen."</p>
+
+<p>"But, oh, papa, how he will miss our lovely home, and you, and all of
+us!" sobbed Gracie, hiding her tear-stained face on her father's
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Not as you would, my darling," he replied, holding her close and
+caressing her with great tenderness. "Boys are different from girls, and
+I think our dear Maxie will soon feel very happy there among his mates,
+though he will, I am sure, never cease to love his father, sisters,
+Mamma Vi, baby brother, and his home with them all."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I'm thinking how he'll miss the pleasant evenings at home&mdash;the
+good talks with you," sobbed the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, darling, but I will tell you what we will do to partly, at least,
+make up that loss to our dear boy."</p>
+
+<p>"What, papa?" she asked, lifting her head and looking up into his face,
+with her own brightening a little.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we each keep a journal or diary, telling everything that goes
+on each day at home, and now and then send them to Maxie; so that he
+will know all that we are doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what a good thought, papa!" exclaimed Lulu, giving him a vigorous
+hug and kiss. "And Maxie will write us nice, inter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>esting letters; and
+some day he'll come home for a visit and have ever so much to tell us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," her father said, "and I think we will have interesting letters
+from him in the meantime."</p>
+
+<p>"And perhaps I'll learn to like writing letters, when it's just to
+please Maxie and comfort him," said Grace, wiping away her tears and
+trying to smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, darling," her father replied, bestowing another kiss upon
+the sweet little tear-stained face. "But now, my dears," he added, "put
+on your hats; it is time to go back to the <i>Dolphin</i>."</p>
+
+<p>They hastened to obey, and he led them to the parlor, where they found
+the rest of the party ready to accompany them on board the yacht.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was setting as they reached the <i>Dolphin's</i> deck and they found
+a luxurious repast ready for them to partake of by the time outdoor
+garments could be laid aside and wind-tossed hair restored to order.</p>
+
+<p>The captain missed the bright face of his first-born at the table, but,
+exerting himself for the entertainment of the others, seemed even more
+than usually cheery and genial, now and then indulging in some innocent
+jest that made his little girls laugh in spite of themselves, and at
+length almost forget, for the moment, their part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>ing from Max, and their
+grief over the thought that he would no longer share their lessons or
+their sports, and would be at home only after what, in the prospect,
+seemed to them a long, long time; and then but for a little while.</p>
+
+<p>On leaving the table all gathered upon deck. There was no wind, but the
+yacht had a steam engine and used her sails only on occasions when they
+could be of service. Stars shone brightly in the sky overhead, but their
+light was not sufficient to give an extended view on land or water, and
+as all were weary with the excitement and sightseeing of the day, they
+retired early to their berths.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Grace, worn out with her unusual excitement, and especially the
+grief of the parting with Max, was asleep the instant her head touched
+the pillow. Not so with Lulu; her loneliness and depression banished
+sleep from her eyes for the time, and presently she slipped from her
+berth, threw on a warm dressing-gown, and thrust her feet into felt
+slippers. The next moment she stole noiselessly into the saloon where
+her father sat alone looking over an evening paper.</p>
+
+<p>He was not aware of her entrance till she stood close at his side, her
+hand on his shoulder, her eyes fixed, with a gaze of ardent affection,
+upon his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear child!" he said, looking up from his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>paper, and smiling
+affectionately upon her; then tossing the paper aside and putting an arm
+about her waist, he drew her to his knee and pressed fatherly kisses
+upon lip and cheek and brow, asking tenderly if anything was wrong with
+her that she had come in search of him when he supposed her to be
+already in bed and sound asleep.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not sick, papa," she said in reply; "but oh, I miss Maxie so!" The
+words were almost a sob, and she clung about her father's neck, hiding
+her face on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"I, too, miss my boy more than words can tell," he replied, stroking her
+hair with gently caressing touch, and she was sure his tones trembled a
+little with the pain of the thought of Max left alone among strangers;
+"but I thank God, our Heavenly Father, that I have by no means lost my
+eldest son, while I still have another one and three dear daughters to
+add to my happiness in our sweet home."</p>
+
+<p>"I do want to add to it, you dear, dear, good papa!" she said, hugging
+and kissing him over and over again. "Oh, I wish I was a better girl for
+your sake, so that my wrong-doing would never give you pain!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think&mdash;and am very happy in the thought&mdash;that you are improving," he
+said, repeating his caresses; "and it is a great comfort to me," he
+continued, "that my little girls need <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>not be sent away from home and
+their father to be educated."</p>
+
+<p>"To me also, papa," she returned. "I am very thankful that I may live
+with my dear father always while we are spared to each other. I don't
+mean to ever go away from you, papa, but to stay with you always, to
+wait on you and do everything I can to be a great help, comfort, and
+blessing to you; even when I'm grown up to womanhood."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" he returned, again smoothing her hair caressingly and smiling down
+into her eyes; then holding her close, "I shall be very glad to keep you
+as long as you may prefer life with me, my own dear, dear child," he
+said in tender tones. "I look upon my dear eldest daughter as one of the
+great blessings my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me, and which I
+hope he may spare to me as long as I live."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I'm so, so glad you love me so dearly!" she exclaimed, lifting to
+his eyes full of love and joy; "and oh, I do love you so! I want to be a
+great blessing to you as long as we both live."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt it, my darling," he replied. "I doubt neither your desire
+nor purpose to be such."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, I do really long to be the very greatest of comforts to you,
+and yet," she sighed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> "I have such a bad temper you know, papa, I'm so
+wilful too, that&mdash;that I'm afraid&mdash;almost sure, indeed&mdash;I'll be naughty
+again one of these days and give you the pain of punishing me for it."</p>
+
+<p>"That would grieve me very much, but would not diminish my love for
+you," he said; "nor yours for me, I think."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, papa!" she exclaimed, creeping closer into his embrace,
+"because I know that when you have to punish me in any way it makes you
+very, very sorry."</p>
+
+<p>"It does indeed!" he responded.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," she sighed, "I'm always dreadfully sorry and ashamed after one
+of my times of being disobedient, wilful, and ill-tempered, and I am
+really thankful to you for taking so much pains and trouble to make a
+better girl of me."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt it, daughter," he answered; "it is a long while now since
+I have had any occasion to punish you, and your conduct has rarely
+called for even so much as a reproof."</p>
+
+<p>She gave him a glad, grateful look, an embrace of ardent affection,
+then, laying her cheek to his, "You dear, dear papa, you have made me
+feel very happy," she said, "and I'm sure I am much happier than I
+should be if you had let me go on indulging my bad temper and
+wilfulness. Oh, it's so nice to be able to run to my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>dear father
+whenever I want to, and always to be so kindly received that I can't
+feel any doubt that he loves me dearly. Ah, how I pity poor Maxie that
+he can't see you for weeks or months!"</p>
+
+<p>"And don't you pity papa a little that he can't see Maxie?" he asked,
+with a smile and a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! yes indeed! I'm so sorry for you, papa, and I mean to do all I
+can to supply his place. What do you suppose Maxie is doing just now,
+papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Doubtless he is in his room preparing his lessons for to-morrow. The
+bugle-call for evening study-hour sounds at half-past seven, and the
+lads must be busy with their books till half-after nine."</p>
+
+<p>He drew out his watch, and glancing at its face, "Ah, it is just nine
+o'clock," he said. "Kiss me good-night, daughter, and go back to your
+berth."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Max was in his room at the Academy, busy with his tasks, trying
+determinately to forget homesickness by giving his whole mind to them,
+and succeeding fairly well. Very desirous, very determined was the lad
+to acquit himself to the very best of his ability that he might please
+and honor both his Heavenly Father and his earthly one.</p>
+
+<p>By the time the welcome sound of gun-fire and tattoo announced that the
+day's work was over he felt fully prepared for the morrow's recitations.
+But he was in no mood for play. The quiet that had reigned through the
+building for the last two hours was suddenly broken in upon by sounds of
+mirth and jollity&mdash;merry boyish voices talking, singing, some
+accompanying themselves with the twang of a banjo or the tinkle of a
+guitar; but Max, closing and putting his book aside, kept his seat, his
+elbow on the desk, his head on his hand, while with a far-away look in
+his dark eyes, he indulged in a waking dream.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to see the <i>Dolphin</i> steaming down the bay, his father,
+perhaps, sitting in the saloon <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>with the other grown folks (the younger
+ones would be pretty sure to have retired to their state-rooms), and
+thinking and speaking of his absent son. Or, it might be, pacing the
+deck alone, his heart going up in prayer to God for his first-born&mdash;his
+"might and the beginning of his strength,"&mdash;that he might be kept from
+sin and every danger and evil and enabled to prove himself a brave, true
+follower of Christ, never ashamed or afraid to show his colors and let
+it be known to all with whom he had to do that he was a disciple, a
+servant of the dear Lord Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord, help me; help me to be brave and faithful and true," was the
+silent petition that went up from the boy's heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Homesick, bub?" asked a boyish voice, in mocking tones. "I believe most
+of the fellows are just at the first, but they get over it after a bit
+without much doctoring."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm inclined to think it is not a dangerous kind of ailment," returned
+Max, in a pleasant tone, lifting his head and turning toward his
+companion with a smile that seemed rather forced. "However, I was
+thinking not of home, exactly, but the homefolks who are just at present
+aboard my father's yacht and steaming down the bay."</p>
+
+<p>It was only by a great effort he repressed a sigh with the concluding
+words.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's a handsome yacht and about the largest I ever saw," was the next
+remark of his room-mate, a lad&mdash;Benjamin Hunt by name&mdash;of about the same
+age as himself, not particularly handsome but with a good, honest face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and a splendid <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'sailer'">sailor</ins>," returned Max, with enthusiasm. "Papa
+bought her this summer and we've had a jolly good time sailing or
+steaming (sometimes one and again the other, the <i>Dolphin</i> has both
+sails and engines) along the coast and a short distance out to sea."</p>
+
+<p>"Had a good, safe captain?" Hunt asked, with a quizzical smile.</p>
+
+<p>"My father, a retired naval officer; there could be none better,"
+returned Max, straightening himself slightly, while the color deepened
+on his cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I don't wonder you are proud of him," laughed Hunt. "I happened to
+see him when he brought you here, and I must say I thought he had a fine
+military bearing and was&mdash;well, I think I might say one of the
+handsomest men I ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Max heartily, glancing up at Hunt with a gratified
+smile. "I suppose being so fond of him I may not be a competent judge,
+but to me my father seems the best, the noblest, and the handsomest man
+that ever lived."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Didn't force you to come here against your will, eh?" queried Hunt
+jestingly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed! he only let me come because I wanted to. I think he would
+have been glad if I had chosen the ministry, but you see I don't think I
+have any talent in that line, and I inherit a love for the sea, and papa
+says a man can do best in the profession or business that is most to his
+taste, so that perhaps I may be more useful as a naval officer than I
+could be in the ministry."</p>
+
+<p>"Especially in case of war, and if you turn out a good and capable
+commander," returned Hunt, tossing up a ball and catching it as it fell.
+"I sometimes think I'd like nothing better; a fellow would have a chance
+to distinguish himself, such as he could never hope for in time of
+peace."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and if such a thing should happen I hope it will be when I'm ready
+to take part in the defence of my country," said Max, his cheek flushing
+and his eyes kindling, "but war is an awful thing considering all the
+killing and maiming, to say nothing of the destruction of property; and
+I hope our country will never be engaged in another. But excuse me," he
+added, opening his Bible, "I see we have scarcely fifteen minutes now
+before taps will sound."</p>
+
+<p>At that Hunt moved away to his own side <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>of the room, from whence he
+watched Max furtively, a mocking smile on his lips.</p>
+
+<p>Max was uncomfortably conscious of it, but tried to ignore it and give
+his thoughts to what he was reading. Presently, closing his book he
+knelt and silently offered up his evening prayer, asking forgiveness of
+all his sins, strength to resist temptation, and never be afraid or
+ashamed to own himself a follower of Jesus, his loving disciple, his
+servant, whose greatest desire was to know and do the Master's will; and
+very earnestly he prayed that no evil might befall his dearly loved and
+honored father, his sisters or brother, Mamma Vi, or any of those he
+loved; that they might be taken safely through all their journeying, and
+he permitted to see them all again when the right time should come; and
+having committed both them and himself to the watchful care of his
+Heavenly Father, he rose from his knees and began his preparations for
+bed.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sonny, I hope you will sleep soundly and well after saying your
+prayers like the goodest of little boys," sneered Hunt.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall sleep none the worse," returned Max pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet not a bit better than I shall without going through any such
+baby-like performance."</p>
+
+<p>"God is very good and often takes care of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>those who don't ask him to,"
+said Max; "but I don't think they have any right to expect it; also I am
+sure I should be shamefully ungrateful if I were to lie down for my
+night's rest without a word of thanks to him for his protecting care
+over me and mine through the day that is just past. As to its being a
+baby-like performance, it is one in which some of the greatest, as well
+as best men, have indulged. Washington was a man of prayer. So was
+General Daniel Morgan&mdash;that grand revolutionary officer who whipped
+Tarleton so completely at the battle of the Cowpens. There was
+Macdonough also, who gained that splendid victory over the British on
+Lake Champlain in the war of 1812-14. Have you forgotten that just
+before the fight began, after he had put springs on his cables, had the
+decks cleared, and everything was ready for action, with his officers
+and men around him, he knelt down near one of his heaviest guns and in a
+few words asked God to help him in the coming struggle? He might well do
+that, because, as you know of course, we were in the right, fighting
+against oppression and wrongs fit to rouse the indignation of the most
+patient and forbearing of mortals."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fact!" interrupted Hunt. "Americans have always been
+forbearing at the start; but let them get once thoroughly roused and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>they make things hot enough for the aggressors."</p>
+
+<p>"So they do," said Max, "and so I think they always will; I hope so,
+anyhow; for I don't believe it's right for any nation to allow any of
+its people to be so dreadfully wronged and ill-treated as thousands of
+our poor sailors were, by the English, before the war of 1812 taught
+them better. I don't believe the mass of the English people approved,
+but they couldn't keep their aristocracy&mdash;who hated republicanism, and
+wanted always to continue superior in station and power to the mass of
+their countrymen and ours&mdash;from oppressing and abusing our poor sailors,
+impressing, flogging, and ill-treating them in various ways, and to such
+a degree that it makes one's blood boil in reading or thinking of it.
+And I think it's right enough for one to be angry and indignant at such
+wrongs to others."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it is," said Hunt; "and Americans always will resist
+oppression&mdash;of themselves or their weaker brethren&mdash;and I glory in the
+fact. What a fight that was of Macdonough's! Do you remember the
+incident of the gamecock?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; what was it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It seems that one of the shots from the British vessel <i>Linnet</i>
+demolished a hencoop on the deck of the <i>Saratoga</i>, releasing this
+game<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>cock, and that he flew to a gun-slide, where he alighted, then
+clapped his wings and crowed lustily.</p>
+
+<p>"That delighted our sailors, who accepted the incident as an omen of the
+victory that crowned their arms before the fight was over. They cheered
+and felt their courage strengthened."</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" said Max, "that cock was at better business than the fighting he
+had doubtless been brought up to."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; so say I:</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="O Johnny Bull">
+<tr><td align='left'>"O Johnny Bull, my joe John,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Behold on Lake Champlain,</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">With more than equal force, John,</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">You tried your fist again;</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But the cock saw how 'twas going.</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And cried 'Cock-a-doodle-doo,'</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And Macdonough was victorious,</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Johnny Bull, my joe!""</span></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"Pretty good," laughed Max. "But there are the taps; so good-night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Lulu woke early the next morning and was dressed and on deck before any
+other of the <i>Dolphin's</i> passengers. Day had dawned and the eastern sky
+was bright with purple, orange, and gold, heralding the near approach of
+the sun which, just as she set her foot on the deck, suddenly showed his
+face above the restless waves, making a golden pathway across them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how beautiful!" was her involuntary exclamation. Then catching
+sight of her father standing with his back toward her, and apparently
+absorbed in gazing upon the sunrise, she hastened to his side, caught
+his hand in hers, and carried it to her lips with a glad, "Good-morning,
+you dear papa."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! good-morning, my darling," he returned, bending down to press a
+kiss on the bright, upturned face.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a lovely morning, papa, isn't it?" she said, standing with her
+hand fast clasped in his, but turning her eyes again upon sea and sky.
+"But where are we now? Almost at Fortress Monroe?"</p>
+
+<p>"Look and tell me what you see," was his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>smiling rejoinder, as, with a
+hand on each of her shoulders, he turned her about so that she caught
+the view from the other side of the vessel.</p>
+
+<p>"O papa, is that it?" she exclaimed. "Why, we're almost there, aren't
+we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; we will reach our anchorage within a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, are we going to stop to see the old fort, papa?" she asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we are," was his smiling rejoinder. "But you don't expect to
+find in it a relic of the Revolution, do you?" he asked laughingly,
+pinching her cheek, then bending down to kiss again the rosy face
+upturned to his.</p>
+
+<p>"Why yes, papa; I have been thinking there must have been a fight there.
+Wasn't that the case?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter; the fortress was not there at that time."</p>
+
+<p>"Was it in the war of 1812-14, then, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," he returned, smiling down on her. "The building of Fortress Monroe
+was not begun until 1817. However, there was a small fort built on Point
+Comfort in 1630; also, shortly before the siege of Yorktown, Count De
+Grasse had some fortifications thrown up to protect his troops in
+landing to take part in that affair."</p>
+
+<p>But just then the talk was interrupted by the coming on deck of one
+after another of their party and the exchange of morning greetings;
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>then followed the interest and excitement of the approach to the
+fortress and anchoring in its vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>Next came the call to breakfast. But naturally, and quite to Lulu's
+satisfaction, the talk at the table turned upon the building of the
+fort, its history and that of the adjacent country, particularly
+Hampton, two and a half miles distant.</p>
+
+<p>The captain pointed it out to them all as they stood upon the deck
+shortly afterward.</p>
+
+<p>"Which is Old Point Comfort, papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"That sandy promontory on the extremity of which stands Fortress
+Monroe," he answered. "Yonder, on the opposite side, is Point
+Willoughhy, the two forming the mouth of the James River; and these are
+the Rip Raps between the two. You see that there the ocean tides and the
+currents of the river meet and cause a constant ripple. There is a
+narrow channel of deep water through the bar, but elsewhere between the
+capes it is shallow.</p>
+
+<p>"Beyond the Rip Raps we see the spacious harbor which is called Hampton
+Roads. It is so large that great navies might ride there together."</p>
+
+<p>"And I think some have ridden there in our wars with England?" remarked
+Rosie, half inquiringly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You are quite right," replied the captain; "that happened in both the
+Revolution and the last war with England.</p>
+
+<p>"In October, 1775, Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia,&mdash;who
+had, however, abdicated some months earlier by fleeing on board a
+man-of-war, the <i>Fowey</i>,&mdash;driven by his fears, and his desire for
+revenge, to destroy the property of the patriots, sent Captain Squires,
+of the British navy, with six tenders, into Hampton Creek.</p>
+
+<p>"He reached there before the arrival of Colonel Woodford&mdash;who, with a
+hundred Culpepper men, had been sent to protect the people of
+Hampton&mdash;and sent armed men in boats to burn the town; protecting them
+by a furious cannonade from the guns of the tenders.</p>
+
+<p>"But they were baffled in the carrying out of their design; being driven
+off by Virginia riflemen, concealed in the houses. Excellent marksmen
+those Virginians were, and picked off so many of the advancing foe that
+they compelled them to take ignominious flight to their boats and return
+to the vessels, which then had to withdraw beyond the reach of the
+rifles to await reinforcements."</p>
+
+<p>"What is a tender, papa?" asked Grace, as her father paused in his
+narrative.</p>
+
+<p>"A small vessel that attends on a larger one to convey intelligence and
+supply stores," he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>replied; then went on with his account of Dunmore's
+repulse.</p>
+
+<p>"Woodford and his men reached Hampton about daybreak of the succeeding
+morning. At sunrise they saw the hostile fleet approaching; it came so
+near as to be within rifle shot, and Woodford bade his men fire with
+caution, taking sure aim. They obeyed and picked off so many from every
+part of the vessels that the seamen were soon seized with a great
+terror. The cannons were silenced,&mdash;the men who worked them being shot
+down,&mdash;and their commander presently ordered a retreat; but that was
+difficult to accomplish, for any one seen at the helm, or aloft,
+adjusting the sails, was sure to become a target for the sharpshooters;
+in consequence many of the sailors retreated to the holds of the
+vessels, and when their commander ordered them out on the dangerous
+duty, refused to obey.</p>
+
+<p>"The victory for the Americans was complete; before the fleet could
+escape, the Hampton people, with Woodford and his soldiers, had sunk
+five vessels."</p>
+
+<p>"And such a victory!" exclaimed Rosie, in an exultant tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," the captain said, smiling at her enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"Were the houses they fired on the very ones that are there now, papa?"
+asked Lulu.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Some few of them," he replied. "Nearly all were burned by Magruder in
+the Civil War; among them St. John's Episcopal Church, which was built
+probably about 1700. Before the Revolution it bore the royal arms carved
+upon its steeple; but soon after the Declaration of Independence&mdash;so it
+is said&mdash;that steeple was struck by lightning and those badges of
+royalty were hurled to the ground."</p>
+
+<p>"Just as the country was shaking off the yoke they represented," laughed
+Rosie. "A good omen, wasn't it, Brother Levis?"</p>
+
+<p>"So it would seem, viewed in the light of after events," he answered
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, can't we visit Hampton?" asked Lulu eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you would all like to do so," was the reply, in an indulgent
+tone and with an inquiring glance at the older members of the party.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone seemed to think it would be a pleasant little excursion,
+especially as the <i>Dolphin</i> would carry them all the way to the town;
+but first they must visit the fortress. They did not, however, set out
+thither immediately, but remained on deck a little longer gazing about
+and questioning the captain in regard to the points of interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," asked Grace, pointing in a southerly direction, "is that another
+fort yonder?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, "that is Fort Wool. It <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>is a mile distant, and with
+Fortress Monroe defends Hampton Roads, the Gosport navy yard, and
+Norfolk."</p>
+
+<p>"They both have soldiers in them?" she said inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter; both contain barracks for soldiers, and Fortress Monroe
+has also an arsenal, a United States school of artillery, chapel, and,
+besides the barracks for the soldiers, storehouses and other buildings,
+and covers eighty acres of ground."</p>
+
+<p>"And when was it finished, papa? How long did it take to build it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is not finished yet," he answered, "and has already cost nearly
+three million dollars. It is an irregular hexagon&mdash;that is has six sides
+and six angles&mdash;surrounded by a tide-water ditch eight feet deep at high
+water."</p>
+
+<p>"I see trees and flower gardens, papa," she remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, "there are a good many trees, standing singly and in
+groves. The flower gardens belong to the officers' quarters. Now, if you
+will make yourselves ready for the trip, ladies, Mr. Dinsmore, and any
+of you younger ones who care to go," he added, smoothing Grace's golden
+curls with caressing hand and smiling down into her face, "we will take
+a nearer view."</p>
+
+<p>No one felt disposed to decline the invita<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>tion and they were soon on
+their way to the fortress.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take very long to look at all they cared to see; then they
+returned to their vessel, weighed anchor, and passed through the narrow
+channel of the Rip Raps into the spacious harbor of Hampton Roads.</p>
+
+<p>It was a lovely day and all were on deck, enjoying the breeze and the
+prospect on both land and water.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," said Lulu, "you haven't told us yet what happened here in the
+last war with England."</p>
+
+<p>"No," he said. "They attacked Hampton by both land and water, a force of
+two thousand five hundred men under General Beckwith landing at Old
+Point Comfort, and marching from there against the town, while at the
+same time Admiral Cockburn assailed it from the water.</p>
+
+<p>"The fortification at Hampton was but slight and guarded by only four
+hundred and fifty militiamen. Feeling themselves too weak to repel an
+attack by such overwhelming odds, they retired, and the town was given
+up to pillage."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't they do any fighting at all, papa?" asked Lulu in a tone of
+regret and mortification. "I know Americans often did fight when their
+numbers were very much smaller than those of the enemy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That is quite true," he said, with a gleam of patriotic pride in his
+eye, "and sometimes won the victory in spite of the odds against them.
+That thing had happened only a few days previously at Craney Island, and
+the British were doubtless smarting under a sense of humiliating defeat
+when they proceeded to the attack of Hampton."</p>
+
+<p>"How many of the British were there, Captain?" asked Evelyn Leland. "I
+have forgotten, though I know they far outnumbered the Americans."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, "as I have said there were about four hundred and
+fifty of the Americans, while Beckwith had twenty-five hundred men and
+was assisted by the flotilla of Admiral Cockburn, consisting of armed
+boats and barges, which appeared suddenly off Blackbeard's Point at the
+mouth of Hampton Creek, at the same time that Beckwith's troops moved
+stealthily forward through the woods under cover of the <i>Mohawk's</i> guns.</p>
+
+<p>"To draw the attention of the Americans from the land force coming
+against them was Cockburn's object, in which he was partly successful,
+his flotilla being seen first by the American patrols at Mill Creek.</p>
+
+<p>"They gave the alarm, arousing the camp, and a line of battle was
+formed. But just then some one came in haste to tell them of the large
+land <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>force coming against the town from the rear, and presently in the
+woods and grain fields could be seen the scarlet uniforms of the British
+and the green ones of the French."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how frightened the people in the town must have been!" exclaimed
+Grace. "I should think they'd all have run away."</p>
+
+<p>"Most of them did," replied her father; "but some sick and feeble ones
+had to stay behind&mdash;others also in whose care they were&mdash;and trust to
+the supposed humanity of the British; a vain reliance it proved, at
+least so far as Admiral Cockburn was concerned. He gave up the town to
+pillage and rapine, allowing the doing of such deeds as have consigned
+his name to well-merited infamy.</p>
+
+<p>"But to return to my story: Major Crutchfield, the American commander,
+resolved that he and his four hundred and fifty men would do what they
+could to defend the town. They were encamped on an estate called 'Little
+England,' a short distance southwest of Hampton, and had a heavy battery
+of seven guns, the largest an eighteen-pounder cannon.</p>
+
+<p>"Major Crutchfield was convinced that the intention of the British was
+to make their principal attack in his rear, and that Cockburn's was only
+a feint to draw his attention from the other. So he sent Captain Servant
+out with his rifle company to ambush on the road by which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> Beckwith's
+troops were approaching, ordering him to attack and check the enemy.
+Then when Cockburn came round Blackbeard's Point and opened fire on the
+American camp he received so warm a welcome from Crutchfield's heavy
+battery that he was presently glad to escape for shelter behind the
+Point, and content himself with throwing an occasional shot or rocket
+into the American camp.</p>
+
+<p>"Beckwith's troops had reached rising ground and halted for breakfast
+before the Americans discovered them. When that happened Sergeant
+Parker, with a field-piece and a few picked men, went to the assistance
+of Captain Servant and his rifle company, already lying in ambush.</p>
+
+<p>"Parker had barely time to reach his position and plant his cannon when
+the British were seen rapidly advancing.</p>
+
+<p>"At the head of the west branch of Hampton Creek, at the Celey road,
+there was a large cedar tree behind which Servant's advanced
+corps&mdash;Lieutenant Hope and two other men&mdash;had stationed themselves, and
+just as the British crossed the creek&mdash;the French column in front, led
+by the British sergeant major&mdash;they opened a deadly fire upon them. A
+number were killed, among them the sergeant major&mdash;a large, powerful
+man.</p>
+
+<p>"This threw the British ranks into great con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>fusion for the time, and
+the main body of our riflemen delivered their fire, killing the brave
+Lieutenant-Colonel Williams of the British army. But the others
+presently recovered from their panic and pushed forward, while our
+riflemen, being so few in number, were compelled to fall back.</p>
+
+<p>"But Crutchfield had heard the firing, and hastened forward with nearly
+all his force, leaving Pryor and his artillerymen behind to defend the
+Little England estate from the attack of the barges. But while he was
+moving on along the lane that led from the plantation toward Celey's
+road and the great highway, he was suddenly assailed by an enfilading
+fire from the left.</p>
+
+<p>"Instantly he ordered his men to wheel and charge upon the foe, who were
+now in the edge of the woods. His troops obeyed, behaving like veterans,
+and the enemy fell back; but presently rallied, and, showing themselves
+directly in front of the Americans, opened upon them in a storm of grape
+and canister from two six-pounders and some Congreve rockets.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans stood the storm for a few minutes, then fell back, broke
+ranks, and some of them fled in confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime Parker had been working his piece with good effect till
+his ammunition gave out. Lieutenant Jones, of the Hampton <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>artillery,
+perceiving that to be the case, hurried to his assistance; but seeing an
+overwhelming force of the enemy approaching, they&mdash;Parker's men&mdash;fell
+back to the Yorktown Pike.</p>
+
+<p>"Jones, who had one cannon with him, found that his match had gone out,
+and rushing to a house near by he snatched a burning brand from the
+fire, hurried back, and hid himself in a hollow near a spring.</p>
+
+<p>"The British supposed they had captured all the cannon, or that if any
+were left they had been abandoned, and drawing near they presently
+filled the lane; then Jones rose and discharged his piece with terrible
+effect, many of the British were prostrated by the unexpected shot, and
+during the confusion that followed Jones made good his retreat,
+attaching a horse to his cannon, and bearing it off with him.</p>
+
+<p>"He hastened to the assistance of Pryor, but on drawing near his camp
+saw that it had fallen into the possession of the foe.</p>
+
+<p>"Pryor had retreated in safety, after spiking his guns. He and his
+command fought their way through the enemy's ranks with their guns, swam
+the west branch of Hampton Creek, and, making a circuit in the enemy's
+rear, fled without losing a man or a musket.</p>
+
+<p>"Jones had seen it all, and spiking his gun followed Pryor's men to the
+same place.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime Crutchfield had rallied his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>men, those who still
+remained with him, on the flank of Servant's riflemen, and was again
+fighting vigorously.</p>
+
+<p>"But presently a powerful flank movement of the foe showed him that he
+was in danger of being out off from his line of retreat. He then
+withdrew in good order and escaped, though pursued for two miles by the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"That ended the battle, in which about thirty Americans and fifty of the
+British had fallen. Then presently followed the disgraceful scenes in
+Hampton of which I have already told you as having brought lasting
+infamy upon the name of Sir George Cockburn."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he was worse than a savage!" exclaimed Lulu hotly.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, far worse; and more brutal than some of the Indian
+chiefs&mdash;Brant, for instance," said Rosie, "or Tecumseh."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot see in what respect he was any better than a pirate," added
+Evelyn, in a quiet tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor can I," said Captain Raymond; "so shameful were his atrocities that
+even the most violent of his British partisans were constrained to
+denounce them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Before the sun had set the <i>Dolphin</i> was again speeding over the water,
+but now on the ocean, and going northward, Philadelphia being their
+present destination. It had grown cloudy and by bedtime a steady rain
+was falling, but unaccompanied by much wind, so that no one felt any
+apprehension of shipwreck or other marine disaster, and all slept well.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Lulu was, as usual, one of the first to leave her
+berth, and having made herself neat for the day she hurried upon deck.</p>
+
+<p>It had ceased raining and the clouds were breaking away.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, running to meet her father, who was
+coming toward her, holding out his hand with an affectionate smile, "so
+glad it is clearing off so beautifully; aren't you, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; particularly for your sake, daughter," he replied, putting an arm
+about her and bending down to give her a good-morning kiss. "Did you
+sleep well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, papa, thank you; but I woke early and got up because I
+wanted to come on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>deck and look about. Where are we now? I can see land
+on the western side."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is a part of the Delaware coast," he answered. "We are
+nearing Cape Henlopen. By the way, do you remember what occurred near
+there, at the village of Lewis, in the war of 1812?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," she said. "Won't you please tell me about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will; it is not a very long story. It was in March of the year 1813
+that the British, after destroying such small merchant craft as they
+could find in Chesapeake Bay, concluded to blockade Delaware bay and
+river and reduce to submission the Americans living along their shores.
+Commodore Beresford was accordingly sent on the expedition in command of
+the <i>Belvidera</i>, <i>Poictiers</i>, and several smaller vessels.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 16th of March he appeared before Lewis in his vessel, the
+<i>Poictiers</i>, and pointing her guns toward the town sent a note addressed
+to the first magistrate demanding twenty live bullocks and a
+proportionate quantity of hay and of vegetables for the use of his
+Britannic majesty's squadron. He offered to pay for them, but threatened
+in the event of refusal to destroy the town."</p>
+
+<p>"The insolent fellow!" cried Lulu. "I hope they didn't do it, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; indeed, they flatly refused compliance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>and told him to do his
+worst. The people on both sides of the bay and river had heard of his
+approach and armed bodies of them were gathered at points where an
+attack might be expected. There were still among them some of the old
+soldiers of the revolution, and you may be sure they were ready to do
+their best to repel this second invasion by their old enemy. One of
+these was a bent old man of the name of Jonathan M'Nult. He lived in
+Dover, and when, on the Sabbath day, the drums beat to arms, he, along
+with men of every denomination to the number of nearly five hundred,
+quickly responded to the call, took part in the drill, and spent the
+whole afternoon in making ball-cartridges.</p>
+
+<p>"The people of all the towns of the vicinity showed the same spirit and
+turned out with spades and muskets, ready to take part in the throwing
+up of batteries and trenches, or to fight 'for their altars and their
+fires'&mdash;defending wives, children, and other helpless ones. At
+Wilmington they built a strong fort which they named Union.</p>
+
+<p>"This spirited behavior of the Americans surprised Beresford, and for
+three weeks he refrained from any attempt to carry out his threat.</p>
+
+<p>"During that time Governor Haslet came to Lewis and summoned the militia
+to its defence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> On his arrival he reiterated the refusal to supply the
+British invaders with what had been demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Beresford repeated his threats and at length, on the 6th of April, sent
+Captain Byron, with the <i>Belvidera</i> and several smaller vessels, to
+attack the town.</p>
+
+<p>"He fired several heavy round shot into it, then sent a flag of truce,
+again demanding the supplies Beresford had called for.</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Davis, the officer in command of the militia, repeated the
+refusal; then Byron sent word that he was sorry for the misery he should
+inflict on the women and children by a bombardment.</p>
+
+<p>"To that a verbal reply was sent: 'Colonel Davis is a gallant officer,
+and has taken care of the ladies.'</p>
+
+<p>"Then Byron presently began a cannonade and bombardment and kept it up
+for twenty-two hours.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans replied in a very spirited manner from a battery on an
+eminence. Davis's militia worked it and succeeded in disabling the most
+dangerous of the enemy's gunboats and silencing its cannon.</p>
+
+<p>"The British failed in their effort to inflict great damage upon the
+town, although they hurled into it as many as eight hundred eighteen and
+thirty-two pound shot, besides many shells <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>and Congreve rockets. The
+heavy round shot injured some of the houses but the shells did not reach
+the town and the rockets passed over it. No one was killed.</p>
+
+<p>"Plenty of powder was sent for the American guns from Dupont's at
+Wilmington, and they picked up and sent back the British balls, which
+they found just fitted their cannon."</p>
+
+<p>"How good that was," laughed Lulu. "It reminds me of the British at
+Boston asking the Americans to sell them their balls which they had
+picked up, and the Americans answering, 'Give us powder and we'll return
+your balls.' But is that all of your story, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, all about the fight at Lewis, but in the afternoon of the next day
+the British tried to land to steal some of the live stock in the
+neighborhood; yet without success, as the American militia met them at
+the water's edge and drove them back to their ships.</p>
+
+<p>"About a month later the British squadron dropped down to Newbold's
+ponds, seven miles below Lewis, and boats filled with their armed men
+were sent on shore for water; but a few of Colonel Davis's men, under
+the command of Major George H. Hunter, met and drove them back to their
+ships. So, finding he could not obtain supplies on the Delaware shore,
+Beresford's little squadron sailed for Bermuda."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! Thank you for telling me about it, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>papa," said Lulu. "Are we
+going to stop at Lewis?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but we will pass near enough to have a distant view of the town."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I want to see it!" she exclaimed; "and I'm sure the rest will when
+they hear what happened there."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter, there will be nothing to hinder," the captain answered
+pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>"How soon will we reach the point from which we can see it best, papa?"
+she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I think about the time we leave the breakfast table," was his reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, don't you miss Max?" was her next question.</p>
+
+<p>"Very much," he said. "Dear boy! he is doubtless feeling quite lonely
+and homesick this morning. However, he will soon get over that and enjoy
+his studies and his sports."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he'll do you credit, papa, and make us all proud of him," she
+said, slipping her hand into her father's and looking up lovingly into
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," the captain said, pressing the little hand affectionately in his,
+"I have no doubt he will. I think, as I am sure his sister Lulu does,
+that Max is a boy any father and sister might be proud of."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, papa!" she responded. "I'm glad he is my brother, and I
+hope to live to see <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>him an admiral; as I'm sure you would have been if
+you'd stayed in the navy and we'd had a war."</p>
+
+<p>"And my partial little daughter had the bestowal of such preferment and
+titles," he added laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Rosie and Evelyn joined them, followed almost immediately by
+Walter and Grace, when Lulu gave them in a few hasty sentences the
+information her father had given her in regard to the history of Lewis,
+and told of their near approach to it.</p>
+
+<p>Every one was interested and all hurried from the breakfast-table to the
+deck in time to catch a view of the place, though a rather distant one.</p>
+
+<p>When it had vanished from sight, Evelyn turned to Captain Raymond,
+exclaiming, "O sir, will you not point out Forts Mercer and Mifflin to
+us when we come in sight of them?"</p>
+
+<p>"With pleasure," he replied. "They are at Red Bank. Port Mercer on the
+New Jersey shore of the Delaware River, a few miles below Philadelphia,
+Fort Mifflin on the other side of the river on Great and Little Mud
+Islands. It was, in Revolutionary days, a strong redoubt with quite
+extensive outworks."</p>
+
+<p>"Did our men fight the British there in the Revolutionary war, papa?"
+asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it was in the fall of 1777, soon after <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>the battle of the
+Brandywine, in which, as you may remember, the Americans were defeated.
+They retreated to Chester that night, marched the next day toward
+Philadelphia, and encamped near Germantown. Howe followed and took
+possession of the city of Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans, fearing such an event, had put obstructions in the
+Delaware River to prevent the British ships from ascending it, and also
+had built these two forts with which to protect the <i>chevaux de frise</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"The battle of the Brandywine, as you may remember, was fought on the
+11th of September, and, as I have said, the British pushed on to
+Philadelphia and entered it in triumph on the 26th."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, what are <i>chevaux de frise?</i>" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"They are ranges of strong frames with iron-pointed wooden spikes," he
+answered; then went on:</p>
+
+<p>"In addition to these, the Americans had erected batteries on the
+shores, among which was the strong redoubt called Fort Mercer, which,
+and also Port Mifflin on the Mud Islands, I have already mentioned.
+Besides all these, there were several floating batteries and armed
+galleys stationed in the river.</p>
+
+<p>"All this troubled the British general, because he foresaw that their
+presence there would make <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>it very difficult, if not impossible, to keep
+his army supplied with provisions; also they would be in more danger
+from the American forces if unsupported by their fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"Earl Howe, as you will remember, was at this time in Chesapeake Bay
+with a number of British vessels of war. As we have just been doing, he
+sailed down the one bay and up into the other, but was prevented, by
+these fortifications of the Americans, from continuing on up the
+Delaware River to Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>"Among his vessels was one called the <i>Roebuck</i>, commanded by a Captain
+Hammond. That officer offered to take upon himself the task of opening a
+passage for their vessels through the <i>chevaux de frise</i>, if Howe would
+send a sufficient force to reduce the fortifications at Billingsport.</p>
+
+<p>"Howe was pleased with the proposition and two regiments of troops were
+sent from Chester to accomplish the work. They were successful, made a
+furious and unexpected assault upon the unfinished works, and the
+Americans spiked their cannon, set fire to the barracks, and fled; the
+English demolished the works on the river front, and Hammond, with some
+difficulty, made a passage way seven feet wide in the <i>chevaux de
+frise</i>, so that six of the British vessels passed through and anchored
+near Hog Island."</p>
+
+<p>"Did they immediately attack Forts Mifflin and Mercer, papa?" asked
+Lulu.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It took some little time to make the needed preparations," replied the
+captain. "It was on the 21st of October that Count Donop, with twelve
+hundred picked Hessians, crossed the Delaware at Cooper's Ferry, and
+marched to the attack of Fort Mercer. The Americans added eight miles to
+the extent of their march by taking up the bridge over a creek which
+they must cross, so compelling them to go four miles up the stream to
+find a ford.</p>
+
+<p>"It was on the morning of the 22d that they made their appearance, fully
+armed for battle, on the edge of a wood within cannon shot of Fort
+Mercer.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a great surprise to our men, for they had not heard of the
+approach of these troops. They were informed that there were twenty-five
+hundred of the Hessians, while of themselves there were but four hundred
+men in a feeble earth fort, with but fourteen pieces of cannon.</p>
+
+<p>"But the brave fellows had no idea of surrendering without a struggle.
+There were two Rhode Island regiments, commanded by Colonel Christopher
+Greene. They at once made preparations for defence, and while they were
+thus engaged a Hessian officer rode up to the fort with a flag and a
+drummer, and insolently proclaimed, 'The King of England orders his
+rebellious subjects to lay down their arms; and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>they are warned that if
+they stand the battle, no quarter whatever will be given.'</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Greene answered him, 'We ask no quarter nor will we give any.'</p>
+
+<p>"The Hessian and his drummer then rode hastily back to his commander and
+the Hessians at once fell to work building a battery within half cannon
+shot of the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"At the same time the Americans continued their preparations for the
+coming conflict, making them with the greatest activity and eagerness,
+feeling that with them skill and bravery must now combat overwhelming
+numbers, fierceness, and discipline.</p>
+
+<p>"Their outworks were unfinished but they placed great reliance upon the
+redoubt.</p>
+
+<p>"At four o'clock in the afternoon the Hessians opened a brisk cannonade,
+and at a quarter before five a battalion advanced to the attack on the
+north side of the fort, near a morass which covered it.</p>
+
+<p>"They found the works there abandoned but not destroyed, and thought
+that they had frightened the Americans away. So with a shout of victory,
+and the drummer beating a lively march, they rushed to the redoubt,
+where not a man was to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"But as they reached it, and were about to climb the ramparts to plant
+their flag there, a sudden and galling fire of musketry and grape-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>shot
+poured out upon them, from a half-masked battery on their left flank,
+formed by an angle of an old embankment.</p>
+
+<p>"It took terrible effect and drove them back to their old intrenchments.</p>
+
+<p>"At the same time another division, commanded by Dunot himself, attacked
+the fort on the south side, but they also were driven back, with great
+loss, by the continuous and heavy fire of the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"The fight was a short one but very severe. Donop had fallen, mortally
+wounded, at the first fire. Mingerode, his second in command, was
+wounded also, and in all the enemy left behind, in the hasty retreat
+which followed, some four hundred in killed and wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"The American galleys and floating batteries in the river galled them
+considerably in their retreat.</p>
+
+<p>"After the fight was over Manduit, the French engineer who had directed
+the artillery fire of the fort, was out with a detachment examining and
+restoring the palisades, when he heard a voice coming from among the
+killed and wounded of the enemy, saying, 'Whoever you are, draw me
+hence.'</p>
+
+<p>"It was Count Donop, and Manduit had him carried first into the fort,
+afterward to a house close at hand, occupied by a family named Whitall,
+where he died three days afterward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Donop was but thirty-seven. He said to Manduit, who attended him till
+he died, 'It is finishing a noble career early; but I die the victim of
+my ambition and the avarice of my sovereign.'"</p>
+
+<p>"His sovereign? That was George the Third, papa?" Grace said
+inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Donop was a Hessian, hired out to the British king by his
+sovereign," replied her father.</p>
+
+<p>"And avarice means love of money?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter; and it was avarice on the part of both sovereigns that
+led to the hiring of the Hessians; the war was waged by the king of
+England because the Americans refused to be taxed by him at his pleasure
+and without their consent. He wanted their money.</p>
+
+<p>"Whitall's house, a two-story brick, built in 1748, stood close by the
+river," continued the captain, "and I suppose is still there; it was, in
+1851, when Lossing visited the locality.</p>
+
+<p>"The Whitalls were Quakers and took no part in the war. When the fort
+was attacked Mrs. Whitall was urged to flee to some place of safety, but
+declined to do so, saying, 'God's arm is strong, and will protect me; I
+may do good by staying.'</p>
+
+<p>"She was left alone in the house, and, while the battle was raging, sat
+in a room in the second story busily at work at her spinning-wheel,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>while the shot came dashing like hail against the walls. At length one,
+a twelve-pound ball from a British vessel in the river, just grazed the
+walnut tree at the fort, which the Americans used as a flag-staff, and
+crashed into her house through the heavy brick wall on the north gable,
+then through a partition at the head of the stairs, crossed a recess,
+and lodged in another partition near where she was sitting.</p>
+
+<p>"At that she gathered up her work and went down to the cellar.</p>
+
+<p>"At the close of the battle the wounded and dying were brought into her
+house and she left her work to wait upon them and do all in her power to
+relieve their sufferings.</p>
+
+<p>"She attended to all, friend and foe, with equal kindness, but scolded
+the Hessians for coming to America to butcher the people."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure she must have been a good woman," remarked Grace; "but, oh, I
+don't know how she could dare to stay in the house while those dreadful
+balls were flying about it."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt she felt that she was in the way of her duty," replied the
+captain, "and the path of duty is the safe one. She seems to have been a
+good Christian woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed!" said Evelyn. "Captain, did not the British attack Fort
+Mifflin at the same time that the fight was in progress at Fort
+Mercer?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; the firing of the first gun from the Hessian battery was the
+signal for the British vessels in the river to begin the assault upon
+the other fort on its opposite side.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Augusta</i> and several smaller vessels had made their way through
+the passage in the <i>chevaux de frise</i> which Hammond had opened, and were
+now anchored above it, waiting for flood tide.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Augusta</i> was a sixty-four gun ship; besides there were the
+<i>Merlin</i>, of eighteen guns; the <i>Roebuck</i>, of forty-four; two frigates,
+and a galley. All these came up with the purpose to attack the fort, but
+were kept at bay by the American galleys and floating batteries, which
+also did good service by flanking the enemy in their attack upon Fort
+Mercer.</p>
+
+<p>"The British deferred their attack upon Fort Mifflin until the next
+morning, when, the Hessians having been driven off from Fort Mercer, the
+American flotilla was able to turn its attention entirely upon the
+British fleet, which now opened a heavy cannonade upon Fort Mifflin,
+attempting also to get floating batteries into the channel back of the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>"But Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, a gallant officer in command of the fort,
+very vigilant and brave, thwarted all their efforts and greatly assisted
+the flotilla in repulsing them.</p>
+
+<p>"The fire of the Americans was so fierce and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>incessant that the British
+vessels presently tried to fall down the stream to get beyond its reach.
+But a hot shot struck the <i>Augusta</i> and set her on fire. She also got
+aground on a mud bank near the Jersey shore and at noon blew up.</p>
+
+<p>"The fight between the other British and the American vessels went on
+until three o'clock in the afternoon, when the <i>Merlin</i> took fire and
+blew up near the mouth of Mud Creek.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Roebuck</i> then dropped down the river below the <i>chevaux de frise</i>,
+and for a short time the Americans were left in undisturbed possession
+of their forts.</p>
+
+<p>"Howe was, however, very anxious to dislodge them, because the river was
+the only avenue by which provisions could be brought to his army in
+Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 1st of November he took possession of Province Island, lying
+between Fort Mifflin and the mainland, and began throwing up works to
+strengthen himself and annoy the defenders of the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"But they showed themselves wonderfully brave and patient.
+Lieutenant-Colonel Smith was as fine an officer as one could desire to
+see.</p>
+
+<p>"The principal fortification of Fort Mifflin was in front, that being
+the side from which vessels coming up the river must be repelled; but on
+the side toward Province Island it was defended by <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>only a wet ditch.
+There was a block house at each of its angles, but they were not strong,
+and when the Americans saw the British take possession of Province
+Island and begin building batteries there, they felt that unless
+assistance should be sent to dislodge the enemy, the fort would soon be
+demolished or fall into his possession."</p>
+
+<p>"But couldn't Washington help them, and didn't he try to?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Washington was most desirous to do so and made every effort in his
+power," replied her father; "and if Gates had done his duty the fort
+might probably have been saved. Burgoyne's army had been defeated and
+captured some time before this, and there was then no other formidable
+enemy in that quarter; but Gates was jealous of Washington and, rather
+than have him successful, preferred to sacrifice the cause which he had
+engaged to defend.</p>
+
+<p>"He had ample stores and a formidable force, and had he come promptly to
+the rescue might have rendered such assistance as to enable Washington
+to drive the British from Philadelphia and save the forts upon the
+Delaware.</p>
+
+<p>"But, actuated by the meanest jealousy, he delayed, and would not even
+return Morgan's corps, which Washington had been but ill able to spare
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hamilton, sent by Washington to hasten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> Gates's movements in the
+matter, grew very indignant at the slow and reluctant compliance of
+Gates, and by plainly expressing his opinion induced him to send a
+stronger reinforcement than he had intended.</p>
+
+<p>"Putnam also made trouble by detaining some of the troops forwarded by
+Gates to assist him in carrying out a plan of his own for attacking New
+York.</p>
+
+<p>"Governor Clinton then advised Hamilton to issue a peremptory order to
+Putnam to set those troops in motion for Whitemarsh where Washington was
+encamped. Hamilton did so, and the troops were sent."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear, dear!" sighed Lulu, "what a time poor Washington did have with
+Congress being so slow, and officers under him so perverse, wanting
+their own way instead of doing their best to help him to carry out his
+good and wise plans."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," her father said, with a slight twinkle of fun in his eye, "but
+doesn't my eldest daughter feel something like sympathy with them in
+their wish to carry out their own plans without much regard for those of
+other people?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I suppose perhaps I ought to, papa," she replied, blushing and
+hanging her head rather shamefacedly; "and yet," she added, lifting it
+again and smiling up into his eyes, "I do think if you had been the
+commander over me I'd have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>tried to follow your directions, believing
+you knew better than I."</p>
+
+<p>She moved nearer to his side and leaned up lovingly against him as she
+spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear child, I feel quite sure of it," he returned, laying his hand
+tenderly on her head, then smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"But you haven't finished about the second attack upon Fort Mifflin,
+have you, brother Levis?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not quite," the captain answered; then went on with his narrative:</p>
+
+<p>"All through the war Washington showed himself wonderfully patient and
+hopeful, but it was with intense anxiety he now watched the progress of
+the enemy in his designs upon Fort Mifflin, unable as he himself was to
+succor its threatened garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"But why couldn't he go and help them with his soldiers, papa?" asked
+Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Because, daughter, if he broke up his camp at Whitemarsh, and moved his
+army to the other side of the Schuylkill, he must leave stores and
+hospitals for the sick, within reach of the enemy; leave the British
+troops in possession of the fords of the river; make it difficult, if
+not impossible, for the troops he was expecting from the North to join
+him, and perhaps bring on a battle while he was too weak to hope for
+victory <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>over such odds as Howe could bring against him.</p>
+
+<p>"So the poor fellows in the fort had to fight it out themselves with no
+assistance from outside."</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't they have slipped out in the night and gone away quietly
+without fighting, papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps so," he said, with a slight smile; "but such doings as that
+would never have helped our country to free herself from the British
+yoke; and these men were too brave and patriotic to try it; they were
+freemen and never could be slaves; to them death was preferable to
+slavery. We may well be proud of the skill and courage with which
+Lieutenant-Colonel Smith defended his fort against the foe.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 10th of November the British opened their batteries on land and
+water. They had five on Province Island, within five hundred yards of
+the fort; a large floating battery with twenty-two twenty-four pounders,
+which they brought up within forty yards of an angle of the fort; also
+six ships, two of them with forty guns each, the others with sixty-four
+each, all within less than nine hundred yards of the fort."</p>
+
+<p>"More than three hundred guns all firing on that one little fort!"
+exclaimed Rosie. "It is really wonderful how our poor men could stand
+it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, for six consecutive days a perfect storm of bombs and round shot
+poured upon them," said the captain, "and it must have required no small
+amount of courage to stand such a tempest."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope they fired back and killed some of those wicked fellows!"
+exclaimed Walter, his eyes flashing.</p>
+
+<p>"You may be sure they did their best to defend themselves and their
+fort," replied the captain. "And the British loss was great, though the
+exact number has never been known.</p>
+
+<p>"Nearly two hundred and fifty of our men were killed or wounded.
+Lieutenant Treat, commanding the artillery, was killed on the first day
+by the bursting of a bomb. The next day quite a number of the garrison
+were killed or wounded, and Colonel Smith himself had a narrow escape.</p>
+
+<p>"A ball passed through a chimney in the barracks,&mdash;whither he had gone
+intending to write a letter,&mdash;scattered the bricks, and one of them
+striking him on the head knocked him senseless.</p>
+
+<p>"He was carried across the river to Red Bank, and Major Thayer of the
+Rhode Island line took command in his place.</p>
+
+<p>"The first day a battery of two guns was destroyed, a block house and
+the laboratory were blown up, and the garrison were compelled to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>keep
+within the fort. All that night the British threw shells and the scene
+was a terrible one indeed, especially for the poor fellows inside the
+fort.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning, about sunrise, they saw thirty armed boats coming
+against them, and that night the heavy floating battery was brought to
+bear upon the fort. The next morning it opened with terrible effect, yet
+they endured it, and made the enemy suffer so much from their fire that
+they began to think seriously of giving up the contest, when one of the
+men in the fort deserted to them, and his tale of the weakness of the
+garrison inspiring the British with renewed hope of conquest they
+prepared for a more general and vigorous assault.</p>
+
+<p>"At daylight on the 15th two men-of-war, the <i>Iris</i> and the <i>Somerset</i>,
+passed up the channel in front of the fort on Mud Island. Two
+others&mdash;the <i>Vigilant</i> and a hulk with three twenty-four
+pounders&mdash;passed through the narrow channel on the west side and were
+placed in a position to act in concert with the batteries of Province
+Island in enfilading the American works.</p>
+
+<p>"At ten o'clock all was silent, and doubtless our men were awaiting the
+coming onslaught with intense anxiety, when a signal bugle sounded and
+instantly all the ships and batteries poured a storm of shot and shell
+from the mouths of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>their many guns upon the devoted little garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how dreadful!" sighed Grace. "Could they stand it, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"They endured it with astonishing courage," replied the captain, "while
+all day long, and far into the evening, it was kept up without
+cessation. The yards of the British ships hung nearly over the American
+battery; and there were musketeers stationed in their tops who
+immediately shot down every man who showed himself on the platform of
+the fort. Our men displayed, as I have said, wonderful bravery and
+endurance; there seems to have been no thought of surrender; but long
+before night palisades, block houses, parapet, embrasures&mdash;all were
+ruined.</p>
+
+<p>"Early in the evening Major Thayer sent all but forty of his men to Red
+Bank. He and the remaining forty stayed on in the fort until midnight,
+then, setting fire to the remains of the barracks, they also escaped in
+safety to Red Bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Lossing tells us that in the course of that last day more than a
+thousand discharges of cannon, from twelve to thirty-two pounders, were
+made against the works on Mud Island, and that it was one of the most
+gallant and obstinate defences of the war.</p>
+
+<p>"Major Thayer received great credit for his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>share in it, and was
+presented with a sword by the Rhode Island Assembly as a token of their
+appreciation of his services there."</p>
+
+<p>"Did not Captain&mdash;afterward Commodore&mdash;Talbot do himself great credit
+there?" asked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he fought for hours with his wrist shattered by a musket ball;
+then was wounded in the hip and was sent to Red Bank. He was a very
+brave man and did much good service during the war, principally on the
+water, taking vessel after vessel. In the fight with one of them&mdash;the
+<i>Dragon</i>&mdash;his speaking trumpet was pierced by bullets and the skirts of
+his coat were shot away."</p>
+
+<p>"How brave he must have been!" exclaimed Lulu with enthusiasm. "Don't
+you think so, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, I do," replied the captain. "He was one of the many men of that
+period of whom their countrymen may be justly proud."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his
+arms to be taken by his father. The captain lifted him tenderly, saying
+something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of
+the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an
+almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon
+the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to
+tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary
+days.</p>
+
+<p>"You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those
+days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, some years ago," she replied. "Ah, how many years ago it was!" she
+added musingly; then continued, "When I was quite a little girl, my
+father took me to Philadelphia, and a number of other places, where
+occurred notable events in the war of the Revolution."</p>
+
+<p>"And you will tell us about them, won't you, mamma?" Walter asked, in
+coaxing tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, if you and the rest all wish it,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> she returned, smiling
+lovingly into the eager young face, while the others joined in the
+request.</p>
+
+<p>"Please tell about Philadelphia first, mamma," Walter went on. "You went
+to Independence Hall, of course, and we've all been there, I believe;
+but there must be some other points of interest in and about the city, I
+should think, that will be rather new to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there are others," she replied, "though I suppose that to every
+American Independence Hall is the most interesting of all, since it was
+there the Continental Congress held its meetings, and its bell that
+proclaimed the glad tidings that that grand Declaration of Independence
+had been signed and the colonies of Great Britain had become free and
+independent States&mdash;though there was long and desperate fighting to go
+through before England would acknowledge it."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, don't you hate old England for it?" cried Walter impulsively,
+his eyes flashing.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed!" she replied, laughing softly, and patting his rosy cheek
+with her still pretty white hand. "It was not the England of to-day, you
+must remember, my son, nor indeed the England of that day, but her half
+crazy king and his ministers, who thought to raise money for him by
+unjust taxation of the people of this land. 'Taxation without
+representation <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>is tyranny.' So they felt and said, and as such resisted
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm proud of them for doing so!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.
+"Now, what other revolutionary places are to be seen in Philadelphia,
+mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is Christ Church, where Washington, Franklin, members of
+Congress, and officers of the Continental army used to worship, with its
+graveyard where Franklin and his wife Deborah lie buried. Major-General
+Lee too was laid there; also General Mercer, killed at the battle of
+Princeton, but his body was afterward removed to Laurel Hill Cemetery."</p>
+
+<p>"We will visit Christ Church, I hope," said Rosie. "Carpenter's Hall
+too, where the first Continental Congress met, and Loxley House, where
+Lydia Darrah lived in Revolutionary times. You saw that, I suppose,
+mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied her mother, "but I do not know whether it is, or is not,
+still standing."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a nice story about Lydia Darrah," remarked Walter, with
+satisfaction. "I think she showed herself a grand woman; don't you,
+mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do, indeed," replied his mother. "She was a true patriot."</p>
+
+<p>"There were many grand men and women in our country in those times,"
+remarked Evelyn Leland. "The members of that first Congress <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>that met in
+Carpenter's Hall on Monday, the 5th of September, 1774, were such. Do
+you not think so, Grandma Elsie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I quite agree with you," replied Mrs. Travilla; "and it was John
+Adams&mdash;himself by no means one of the least&mdash;who said, 'There is in the
+Congress a collection of the greatest men upon the continent in point of
+abilities, virtues, and fortunes.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Washington was one of them, wasn't he, Grandma Elsie?" asked Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, one of the members from Virginia. The others from that State were
+Richard Henry Lee, Peyton Randolph, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison,
+Edmund Pendleton, and Patrick Henry. Peyton Randolph was chosen
+president, and Charles Thomson, of Pennsylvania, secretary."</p>
+
+<p>"And then, I suppose, they set to work on their preparations for
+fighting their oppressor, George the Third," remarked Lulu, half
+inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Lossing tells us," replied Mrs. Travilla, "that the delegates from the
+different colonies then presented their credentials, and after that
+there was silence, while deep anxiety was depicted on every countenance.
+It seemed difficult to know how to begin upon the work for which they
+had been called together. But at length a grave-looking member, in a
+plain suit of gray, and wearing an unpowdered wig, arose. So <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>plain was
+his appearance that Bishop White, who was present, afterward telling of
+the circumstances, said he 'felt a regret that a seeming country parson
+should so far have mistaken his talents and the theatre for their
+display.' However, he soon changed his mind as the plain-looking man
+began to speak; his words were so eloquent, his sentiments so logical,
+his voice was so musical, that the whole House was electrified, while
+from lip to lip ran the question, 'Who is he? who is he?' and the few
+who knew the stranger, answered, 'It is Patrick Henry of Virginia.'"</p>
+
+<p>"O mamma, was it before that that he had said, 'Give me liberty or give
+me death'?" queried Walter, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he said that a few months afterward; but about nine years before,
+he had startled his hearers in the Virginia House of Burgesses by his
+cry, 'C&aelig;sar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George
+the Third may profit by their example'!"</p>
+
+<p>"And now he was starting the Congress at its work!"</p>
+
+<p>"You are right; there was no more hesitation; they arranged their
+business, adopted rules for the regulation of their sessions, and
+then&mdash;at the beginning of the third day, and when about to enter upon
+the business that had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>called them together&mdash;Mr. Cushing moved that the
+sessions should be opened with prayer for Divine guidance and aid.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. John Adams, in a letter to his wife, written the next day, said
+that Mr. Cushing's motion was opposed by a member from New York, and one
+from South Carolina, because the assembly was composed of men of so many
+different denominations&mdash;Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Quakers,
+Anabaptists, and Episcopalians,&mdash;that they could not join in the same
+act of worship.</p>
+
+<p>"Then Mr. Samuel Adams arose, and said that he was no bigot and could
+hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue who was at the same
+time a friend to his country. He was a stranger in Philadelphia, but had
+heard that Mr. Duch&eacute; deserved that character; so he moved that he&mdash;Mr.
+Duch&eacute;, an Episcopal clergyman&mdash;be desired to read prayers before
+Congress the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Duch&eacute; consented, and the next morning read the prayers and the
+Psalter for the 7th of September; a part of it was the thirty-fifth
+psalm, which seemed wonderfully appropriate. Do you remember how it
+begins? 'Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight
+against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and
+stand up for mine help.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It does seem wonderfully appropriate," said Evelyn. "Oh, I'm sure that
+God was on the side of the patriots, and helped them greatly in their
+hard struggle with their powerful foe!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, only by His all-powerful aid could our liberties have been won,
+and to Him be all the glory and the praise," said Grandma Elsie,
+gratitude and joy shining in her beautiful eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"But that wasn't the Congress that signed the Declaration?" Walter
+remarked, half inquiringly, half in assertion.</p>
+
+<p>"No; this was in 1774, and the Declaration was not signed until July,
+1776," replied his mother.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me," remarked Lulu, "that the Americans were very slow in
+getting ready to say they would be free from England&mdash;free from British
+tyranny."</p>
+
+<p>"But you know you're always in a great hurry to do things, Lu," put in
+Grace softly, with an affectionate, admiring smile up into her sister's
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I believe you're right, Gracie," returned Lulu, with a pleased
+laugh and giving Grace's hand a loving squeeze.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented Grandma Elsie, "our people were slow to break with the
+mother country&mdash;as they used to call old England, the land of their
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>ancestors; they bore long and patiently with her, but at last were
+convinced that in that case patience had ceased to be a virtue, and
+liberty for themselves and their children must be secured at all costs."</p>
+
+<p>"How soon were they convinced of it, mamma?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"The conviction came slowly to all, and to some more slowly than to
+others," she replied. "Dr. Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry
+were among the first to see the necessity of becoming, politically,
+entirely free and independent.</p>
+
+<p>"It is stated on good authority that Patrick Henry in speaking of Great
+Britain, as early as 1773, said, 'She <i>will</i> drive us to extremities; no
+accommodation <i>will</i> take place; hostilities <i>will soon</i> commence, and a
+desperate and bloody touch it will be.'</p>
+
+<p>"Some one, present when the remark was made, asked Mr. Henry if he
+thought the colonies strong enough to resist successfully the fleets and
+armies of Great Britain, and he answered that he doubted whether they
+would be able to do so alone, 'but that France, Spain, and Holland were
+the natural enemies of Great Britain.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Where will they be all this while?' he asked. 'Do you suppose they
+will stand by, idle and indifferent spectators to the contest? Will
+Louis XVI. be asleep all this time? Believe me, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>no! When Louis XVI.
+shall be satisfied, by our serious opposition and our <i>Declaration</i> of
+<i>Independence</i>, that all prospect of a reconciliation is gone, then, and
+not till then, will he furnish us with arms, ammunition, and clothing:
+and not with them only, but he will send his fleets and armies to fight
+our battles for us; he will form a treaty with us, offensive and
+defensive, against our unnatural mother. Spain and Holland will join the
+confederation! Our independence will be established! and we shall take
+our stand among the nations of the earth!'"</p>
+
+<p>"And it all happened so; didn't it, mamma?" exclaimed Rosie exultantly;
+"just as Patrick Henry predicted."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied her mother, with a proud and happy smile, "and we have
+certainly taken our place&mdash;by God's blessing upon the efforts of those
+brave and gallant heroes of the revolution&mdash;as one of the greatest
+nations of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet not all the credit should be awarded them, but some of it given to
+their successors in the nation's counsels and on the fields of battle.
+The foundations were well and strongly laid by our revolutionary
+fathers, and the work well carried on by their successors."</p>
+
+<p>"Grandma Elsie, what was the story about Lydia Darrah?" asked Gracie. "I
+don't remember to have heard it."</p>
+
+<p>"She lived in Philadelphia when the British <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>were in possession there
+during the winter after the battle of the Brandywine," replied Mrs.
+Travilla. "She belonged to the Society of Friends, most of whom, as you
+doubtless remember, took no active part in the war; at least, did none
+of the fighting, though many helped in other ways; but some were Tories,
+who gave aid and comfort to the enemy in other ways than by the use of
+arms."</p>
+
+<p>"What a shame!" cried Walter. "You will tell us about the doings of some
+of those when you are done with the story of Lydia Darrah, won't you,
+mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you all wish it," she answered; then went on with her narrative:</p>
+
+<p>"Judging from her conduct at that time, Lydia must have been an ardent
+patriot; but patriots and Tories alike had British officers quartered
+upon them. The adjutant-general took up his quarters in Loxley House,
+the home of the Darrahs, and, as it was a secluded place, the superior
+officers frequently held meetings there for private conference on
+matters connected with the movements of the British troops."</p>
+
+<p>"One day the adjutant-general told Mrs. Darrah that such a meeting was
+to be held that evening, and that he wanted the upper back room made
+ready for himself and the friends who would be present. He added that
+they would be likely to stay late and she must be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>sure to see that all
+her family were early in their beds.</p>
+
+<p>"His tone and manner led Mrs. Darrah to think something of importance
+was going forward, and though she did not dare disobey his order, she
+resolved to try to find out what was their object in holding this
+private night meeting, probably hoping to be able to do something to
+prevent the carrying out of their plans against the liberties of her
+country.</p>
+
+<p>"She sent her family to bed, according to directions, before the
+officers came, and after admitting them retired to her own couch, but
+not to sleep, for her thoughts were busy with conjectures in regard to
+the mischief they&mdash;the unwelcome intruders into her house&mdash;might be
+plotting against her country.</p>
+
+<p>"She had lain down without undressing and after a little she rose and
+stole softly, in her stocking feet, to the door of the room where they
+were assembled.</p>
+
+<p>"All was quiet at the moment when she reached it. She put her ear to the
+keyhole and&mdash;doubtless, with a fast beating heart&mdash;waited there,
+listening intently for the sound of the officers' voices.</p>
+
+<p>"For a few moments all was silence; then it was broken by a single voice
+reading aloud an order from Sir William Howe for the troops to march out
+of the city the next night and make <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>an attack upon Washington's camp at
+Whitemarsh.</p>
+
+<p>"Lydia waited to hear no more, for that was sufficient, and it would
+have been dangerous indeed for her to be caught there.</p>
+
+<p>"She hastened back to her own room and again threw herself on the bed;
+but not to sleep, as you may well imagine.</p>
+
+<p>"Presently the opening and shutting of doors told her that the visitors
+of the adjutant-general were taking their departure; then there was a
+rap on her door. But she did not answer it. It was repeated, but still
+she did not move or speak; but at the third knock she rose, went to the
+door, and found the adjutant-general there.</p>
+
+<p>"He informed her that his friends had gone and she might now close her
+house for the night.</p>
+
+<p>"She did so, then lay down again, but not to sleep. She lay thinking of
+the momentous secret she had just learned, considering how she might
+help to avert the threatened danger to the patriot army, and asking help
+and guidance from her heavenly Father.</p>
+
+<p>"Her prayer was heard; she laid her plans, then at early dawn arose.
+Waking her husband she told him flour was wanted for the family and she
+must go immediately to the mill at Frankford for it. Then taking a bag
+to carry it in, she started at once on foot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"At General Howe's headquarters she obtained a passport to leave the
+city.</p>
+
+<p>"She had a five miles' walk to Frankford, where she left her bag at the
+mill, and hurried on toward the American camp to deliver her tidings.</p>
+
+<p>"It was still quite early, but before reaching the camp she met an
+American officer, Lieutenant Craig, whom Washington had sent out to seek
+information in regard to the doings of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Lydia quickly told him her story, then hastened back to the mill for
+her bag of flour and hurried home with it."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma," exclaimed Walter, "how could she carry anything so big and
+heavy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it was but a small bag," returned his mother, with a smile. "I
+never saw or read any statement as to its size, and perhaps the joy and
+thankfulness she felt in having been permitted and enabled to do such
+service to the cause of her country may have helped to strengthen her to
+bear the burden."</p>
+
+<p>"What a day it must have been to her!" exclaimed Evelyn, "hope and fear
+alternating in her breast; and how her heart must have gone up
+constantly in prayer to God for his blessing upon her bleeding country."</p>
+
+<p>"And how it must have throbbed with alternating hope and fear as she
+stood at the window <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>that cold, starry night and watched the departure
+of the British troops to make the intended attack upon Washington and
+his little army," said Rosie. "And again when the distant roll of a drum
+told that they were returning."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Lulu; "and when the adjutant-general came back to the house,
+summoned Lydia to his room, and when he got her in there shut and locked
+the door."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," cried Grace, "did he know it was she that had told of his plans?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Mrs. Travilla; "from the accounts I have read he does not
+seem to have even suspected her. He invited her to be seated, then
+asked, 'Were any of your family up, Lydia, on the night when I received
+company in this house?' 'No,' she replied; 'they all retired at eight
+o'clock.' 'It is very strange,' he returned. 'You I know were asleep,
+for I knocked at your door three times before you heard me, yet it is
+certain we were betrayed. I am altogether at a loss to conceive who
+could have given information to Washington of our intended attack. On
+arriving near his camp, we found his cannon mounted, his troops under
+arms, and so prepared at every point to receive us, that we have been
+compelled to march back like a parcel of fools, without injuring our
+enemy!'"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope the British did not find out, before they left Philadelphia, who
+had given the in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>formation to the Americans, and take vengeance on her?"
+said Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied his mother, "fearing that, she had begged Lieutenant Craig
+to keep her secret; which he did; and so it has happened that her good
+deed finds no mention in the histories of that time and is recorded only
+by well authenticated tradition."</p>
+
+<p>"So all the Quakers were not Tories?" remarked Walter in a satisfied yet
+half inquiring tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no indeed!" replied his mother, "there were ardent patriots among
+them, as among people of other denominations. Nathaniel Green&mdash;after
+Washington one of our best and greatest generals&mdash;was of Quaker family,
+and I have heard that when his mother found he was not to be persuaded
+to refrain from taking an active part in the struggle for freedom, she
+said to him, 'Well, Nathaniel, if thee must fight, let me never hear of
+thee having a wound in thy back!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, she must have been brave and patriotic," laughed Walter. "I doubt
+if she was so very sorry that her son was determined to fight for the
+freedom of his country."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Rosie, "I don't believe she was, and I don't see how she
+could help feeling proud of him&mdash;so bright, brave, talented, and
+patriotic as he showed himself to be all through the war."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Lulu, "and I don't think he has had half the honors he
+deserved, though at West Point we saw a cannon with an inscription on it
+saying it had been taken from the British army and presented by Congress
+to Major-General Green as a monument of their high sense of his services
+in the revolutionary war."</p>
+
+<p>"Weren't the Tories very bad men, Grandma Elsie?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Not all of them, my dear," replied Mrs. Travilla, smiling lovingly into
+the sweet, though grave and earnest, little face; "some were really
+conscientiously opposed to war, even when waged for freedom from
+unbearable tyranny and oppression, but were disposed to be merely
+inactive witnesses of the struggle, some of them desiring the success of
+the patriots, others that of the king's troops; then there was another
+set who, while professing neutrality, secretly aided the British,
+betraying the patriots into their hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Such were Carlisle and Roberts, Quakers of that time, living in
+Philadelphia. While the British were in possession of the city those two
+men were employed as secret agents in detecting foes to the government,
+and by their secret information caused many patriots to be arrested and
+thrown into prison. Lossing tells us that Carlisle, wearing the meek
+garb and deportment of a Quaker, was at heart a Torquemada."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And who was Torquemada, mamma?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"A Dominican monk of Spain, who lived in the times of Ferdinand and
+Isabella, and was by them appointed inquisitor-general. He organized the
+Inquisition throughout Spain, drew up the code of procedure, and during
+sixteen years caused between nine and ten thousand persons to be burned
+at the stake."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma! what a cruel, <i>cruel</i> wretch!" cried Walter. "Oh, but I'm glad
+nobody can do such cruel things in these days! I hope Roberts and
+Carlisle weren't quite so wicked as he."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I should not like to think they would have been willing to go to
+quite such lengths, though they seem to have shown enough malignity
+toward their patriotic fellow-countrymen to make it evident that they
+had something of the spirit of the cruel and bloodthirsty Torquemada.</p>
+
+<p>"Though they would not bear arms for the wealth of the Indies, they were
+ever ready to act as guides to those whose object was to massacre their
+fellow-countrymen; and that only because they were determined to be
+free."</p>
+
+<p>"Were not some of those in New Jersey known as 'Pine Robbers,' Grandma
+Elsie?" asked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; they infested the lower part of Monmouth County, whence they went
+on predatory <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>excursions into other parts of the State, coming upon the
+people at night to burn, murder, plunder, and destroy. They burrowed
+caves in the sandhills on the borders of the swamps, where they
+concealed themselves and their booty."</p>
+
+<p>"Did they leave their hiding-places only in the night time, mamma?"
+asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied, "they would sometimes sally forth during the day and
+attack the farmers in their fields. So that the men were compelled to
+carry muskets and be ready to fight for their lives, while women and
+children were kept in a constant state of terror."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I have read that one of the worst of them was a blacksmith,
+living in Freehold?" remarked Evelyn, half inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, his name was Fenton; he was a very wicked man, who, like many
+others calling themselves Tories, took advantage of the disturbance of
+the times to rob and murder his fellow-countrymen; he began his career
+of robbery and murder very early in the war.</p>
+
+<p>"One of his first acts, as such, was the plundering of a tailor's shop
+in the township. A committee of vigilance had been already organized,
+and its members sent Fenton word that if he did not return what he had
+stolen he should be hunted out and shot.</p>
+
+<p>"He was a coward, as such villains almost always are, and did return the
+clothing, sending <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>with it a written message, 'I have returned your &mdash;&mdash;
+rags. In a short time I am coming to burn your barns and houses, and
+roast you all like a pack of kittens.'</p>
+
+<p>"One summer night, shortly afterward, he led a gang of desperadoes like
+himself against the dwelling of an old man named Farr. There were but
+three persons in the house&mdash;the old man, his wife, and daughter. They
+barricaded their door and defended themselves for a while, but Fenton
+broke in a part of the door, fired through the hole at the old man and
+broke his leg. The women could not keep them out much longer; they soon
+forced an entrance, murdered the old man and woman, and badly wounded
+the daughter. She, however, made her escape, and the cowardly ruffians
+fled without waiting to secure any plunder; no doubt fearing she would
+bring a band of patriots to avenge the slain."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope that wretch, Fenton, was soon caught and well punished for his
+robberies and murders!" exclaimed Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"He was," replied Grandma Elsie. "The Bible tells us that 'bloody and
+deceitful men shall not live out half their days,' and Fenton's fate was
+one amongst many to prove the truth of it.</p>
+
+<p>"He had met a young man on his way to mill, plundered and beaten him;
+the victim <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>carried his complaint to Lee, and a sergeant and two
+soldiers were detailed to capture or kill Fenton.</p>
+
+<p>"They used strategy and with success. The two soldiers were secreted
+under some straw in the bottom of a wagon, the sergeant disguised
+himself as a countryman, and the young man took a seat in the vehicle.
+Then they drove on toward the mill, expecting to meet Fenton on the
+road. They were passing a low groggery among the pines, when he came out
+of it, pistol in hand, and impudently ordered them to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"They drew rein, and he came nearer, asking if they had brandy with
+them. They replied that they had, and handed him a bottle. Then, as he
+lifted it to his lips, the sergeant silently signaled to one of his
+hidden soldiers, who at once rose from his hiding place in the straw and
+shot Fenton through the head. His body was then thrown into the wagon
+and carried in triumph to Freehold."</p>
+
+<p>"The people of that part of the country must have felt a good deal
+relieved," remarked Rosie. "Still there were Fenton's desperado
+companions left."</p>
+
+<p>"Two of them&mdash;Fagan and West&mdash;shared Fenton's fate, being shot by the
+exasperated people," said her mother; "and West's body was hung in
+chains, with hoop iron bands around <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>it, on a chestnut tree hard by the
+roadside, about a mile from Freehold."</p>
+
+<p>"O Grandma Elsie, is it there yet?" asked Gracie, shuddering with
+horror.</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear child, that could hardly be possible after so many years&mdash;more
+than a hundred you will remember when you think of it," returned Mrs.
+Travilla, with a kindly reassuring smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope papa will take us to Freehold," said Lulu. "I want to see the
+battleground."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel quite sure he will, should nothing happen to prevent," said
+Grandma Elsie.</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't it at Freehold, or in its neighborhood, that a Captain Huddy was
+murdered by those pine robbers?" asked Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Grandma Elsie. "It was only the other day that I was
+refreshing my memory in regard to it by glancing over Lossing's account
+given in his Field Book of the Revolution."</p>
+
+<p>"Then please tell us about it, mamma," pleaded Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Very willingly, since you wish to hear it," she said, noting the look
+of eager interest on the young faces about her.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Huddy was an ardent patriot and consequently hated by his Tory
+neighbors. He lived at a place called Colt's Neck, about five miles from
+Freehold.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"One evening, in the summer of 1780, a party of some sixty refugees,
+headed by a mulatto named Titus, attacked Huddy's house. There was no
+one in it at the time but Huddy himself, and a servant girl, some twenty
+years old, named Lucretia Emmons."</p>
+
+<p>"She wouldn't be of much use for fighting men," remarked Walter, with a
+slight sniff of contempt.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps Captain Huddy may have thought differently," replied his
+mother, with a slightly amused smile. "There were several guns in the
+house which she loaded for Huddy while he passed from one window to
+another firing through them at his foes. Titus and several others were
+wounded; then they set fire to the house and Huddy surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>"He was taken on board of a boat from which he jumped into the water and
+escaped, assisted in so doing by the fire of some militia who were in
+pursuit of the Tories.</p>
+
+<p>"About two years later Huddy was in command of a block house near the
+village of Tom's River, when it was attacked by some refugees from New
+York, and, his ammunition giving out, he was obliged to surrender. He
+and his companions were taken to New York, then back to Sandy Hook,
+where they were placed on board a guard-ship and heavily ironed.</p>
+
+<p>"Shortly afterward he was taken to Gravelly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> Point, by sixteen refugees
+under Captain Lippincott, and hung on a gallows made of three rails.</p>
+
+<p>"He met his fate like the brave man that he was, first calmly writing
+his will on the head of the barrel upon which he was presently to stand
+for execution.</p>
+
+<p>"A desperate Tory, named Philip White, had been killed while Huddy was a
+prisoner in New York, and these men falsely accused Huddy of having had
+a share in his death. After hanging him that cruel, wicked Lippincott
+fastened to his breast a notice to the effect that they had killed
+Captain Huddy in revenge for the death of Philip White, and that they
+were determined to hang man for man while a refugee lived."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what dreadful, dreadful things people did in those days!" sighed
+Grace. "Did anybody venture to take the body down and bury it, Grandma
+Elsie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Captain Huddy's body was carried to Freehold and buried with the
+honors of war."</p>
+
+<p>"And did people care much about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed! his death caused great excitement and indignation, and Dr.
+Woodhull, the Freehold minister, who preached the funeral sermon from
+the piazza of the hotel, earnestly entreated Washington to retaliate in
+order to prevent a repetition of such deeds.</p>
+
+<p>"Washington consented, but, ever merciful, first wrote to Sir Henry
+Clinton that unless the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>murderers of Captain Huddy were given up he
+should retaliate.</p>
+
+<p>"Clinton refused, and a young British officer, Captain Asgill, a
+prisoner in the hands of the Americans, was selected by lot for
+execution. Washington, however, mercifully postponed the carrying out of
+the sentence, feeling much pity and sympathy for the young
+man&mdash;doubtless for his relatives also; letters came from Europe
+earnestly entreating that Asgill's life might be spared; among them a
+pathetic one from his mother, and an intercessory one from the French
+minister, Count de Vergennes.</p>
+
+<p>"These letters Washington sent to Congress and that body passed a
+resolution, 'That the commander-in-chief be, and hereby is, directed to
+set Captain Asgill at liberty.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that our people were far more merciful than the
+English," remarked Lulu, with a look of patriotic pride.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that is true," assented Grandma Elsie, "not meaning to deny
+that there are many kindhearted men among the British of to-day, or that
+there were such among them even then, but most of those then in power
+showed themselves to be avaricious, hardhearted, and cruel."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they wanted to make slaves of the people here," exclaimed Lulu
+hotly. "But they found that Americans wouldn't be slaves; that rather
+than resign their liberty they would die fighting for it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was still early in the evening when the <i>Dolphin</i> reached her wharf
+at Philadelphia, where her passengers found friends and relatives
+waiting to give them a joyful reception.</p>
+
+<p>A few days passed very pleasantly in visiting these friends and places
+of interest in the city, particularly such as were in one way or another
+connected with the events of revolutionary times. Then they went up the
+Delaware in their yacht.</p>
+
+<p>Their first halting-place would be at Trenton, and naturally the talk,
+as they went up the river, was largely of the revolutionary events which
+had taken place there and at other not far distant points. Grandma Elsie
+was again the narrator.</p>
+
+<p>"In November of 1776," she began, "our country's prospects looked very
+dark. On the 16th, Fort Washington, on the east bank of the Hudson, and
+near New York City, fell into the hands of the enemy and its garrison of
+nearly three thousand men were made prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>"On the 20th Cornwallis crossed the Hudson at Dobbs Ferry and with his
+six thousand men attacked Fort Lee. The garrison hastily re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>treated,
+leaving all their baggage and military stores, and joined the main army
+at Hackensack, five miles away.</p>
+
+<p>"Then Washington, who had with him scarcely three thousand men, began a
+retreat toward the Delaware, hoping to obtain reinforcements in New
+Jersey and Pennsylvania which would enable him to make a stand against
+the invaders and give them battle.</p>
+
+<p>"But his troops had become much dispirited by the many recent disasters
+to our arms, delayed payment of arrears by Congress, causing them great
+inconvenience and suffering, and lack of proper food and clothing, and
+the presence of the enemy, who now had possession of New Jersey and
+seemed likely soon to take Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>"Just at that time, as I have said, there seemed little hope for our
+country. Washington's army was dwindling very rapidly, men whose terms
+of enlistment had expired refusing to serve any longer, so that he had
+but twenty-two hundred under his command when he crossed the Delaware,
+and two days later not more than seventeen hundred; indeed, scarcely
+more than a thousand on whom he could rely.</p>
+
+<p>"He wrote to General Lee, who had been left at White Plains with nearly
+three thousand men, asking him to lead his division into New Jersey, to
+reinforce his rapidly melting army. Lee <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>paid no attention to the
+request and Washington sent him a positive command to do what he had
+before requested.</p>
+
+<p>"Lee obeyed very slowly, and while on his way was taken prisoner by the
+enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"Served him right for disobeying Washington!" growled Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"There could be no excuse for such disobedience," continued Grandma
+Elsie; "and one feels no sympathy for Lee in reading of his sudden
+seizure by the British, who carried him off in such haste that he had no
+time to dress but was taken bareheaded and in blanket coat and
+slippers."</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt if his capture was a loss to the American cause," remarked
+Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said her mother; "though much deplored at the time, I have no
+doubt it was really for the good of the cause. General Sullivan
+succeeded Lee in command and presently joined Washington with his
+forces."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how Washington could have patience with so many
+disappointments and delays," said Lulu. "Didn't he ever give way to
+despair, even for a little while, Grandma Elsie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have never seen the least intimation of it," replied Mrs. Travilla.
+"He is said to have been at this time firm, calm, undaunted, holding
+fast to his faith in the final triumph of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>good cause for which he
+was toiling and striving.</p>
+
+<p>"There seemed to be nothing but the Delaware between the enemy and his
+conquest of Philadelphia; the freezing of the river so that the British
+could pass over it on the ice might occur at any time. Some one asked
+Washington what he would do were Philadelphia to be taken. He answered,
+'We will retreat beyond the Susquehanna River, and thence, if necessary,
+to the Alleghany Mountains.' Doubtless he was even then planning the
+masterly movements of his forces that presently drove the enemy from
+Trenton and Princeton."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't the people of Philadelphia try to be ready to defend themselves
+and their city, mamma?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she replied; "Congress gave the command there, with almost
+unlimited power, to General Putnam; then appointing a committee of three
+to act for them, they adjourned to reassemble at Baltimore.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime Washington was getting ready for the striking of his
+intended blows in New Jersey.</p>
+
+<p>"It would seem that General Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British
+forces, had planned to despatch Cornwallis up the Hudson to the
+assistance of Burgoyne, who was about to invade our country from Canada.
+But Corn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>wallis had a strong desire to capture Philadelphia, and
+probably no doubt that he could do so if allowed to carry out his plans,
+and to that Howe consented.</p>
+
+<p>"Cornwallis showed but little skill in the arrangement of his forces,
+scattering them here and there in detachments from New Brunswick to the
+Delaware and down that stream to a point below Burlington. His military
+stores, and his strongest detachment, were at New Brunswick. The last
+consisting of a troop of light horse with about fifteen hundred
+Hessians.</p>
+
+<p>"Washington decided to surprise those troops while at the same time
+Generals Ewing and Cadwalader, with the Pennsylvania militia, were
+directed to attack the posts at Bordentown, Black Horse, Burlington, and
+Mount Holly. Cadwalader was to cross near Bristol, Ewing below Trenton
+falls, while Washington, with Generals Greene and Sullivan, and Colonel
+Knox of the artillery, was to lead the main body of Continental troops
+and cross the Delaware at M'Conkey's Ferry.</p>
+
+<p>"Washington was very anxious to save Philadelphia, which Cornwallis was
+aiming to capture, and felt sure of taking without any great difficulty,
+after crossing the Delaware, since he had heard that the people there
+were for the king almost to a man. So sure was he indeed that the
+victory would be an easy one that he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>had gone back to his headquarters
+in New York and prepared to return to England.</p>
+
+<p>"Putnam, in Philadelphia, had heard of Washington's intended attack upon
+the British at Trenton, and to assist him sent Colonel Griffin, at the
+head of four hundred and fifty militia, across from Philadelphia to New
+Jersey with directions to make a diversion in favor of the Americans by
+marching to Mount Holly as if intending an attack upon the British
+troops under the command of Colonel Donop at Bordentown.</p>
+
+<p>"Donop fell into the trap, moved against Griffin with his whole force of
+two thousand men, and, as Griffin retreated before him, followed; then,
+secure like Cornwallis and other of the English officers in the belief
+that the Americans were well nigh subdued already, and that when once
+Philadelphia should fall, resistance would be about at an end, moved his
+troops in so dilatory a manner that he was two days in returning to his
+post."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! they were mightily mistaken in their estimate of our people,
+weren't they, mamma?" exclaimed Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"I think they were themselves soon convinced of that," she answered with
+a smile; then continued her story.</p>
+
+<p>"Washington selected Christmas night as the time for his contemplated
+attack upon the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> British at Trenton. It was, as he well knew, the habit
+of the Germans to celebrate that day with feasting and drinking, and
+such being the case, he felt that he might reasonably expect to find
+them under the influence of intoxicating drinks, therefore unfit for a
+successful resistance.</p>
+
+<p>"The river had been free from ice, but in the last twenty-four hours
+before the time appointed for the expedition the weather changed,
+growing very much colder, so that the water was filled with floating
+ice, greatly increasing the difficulty and danger of crossing; a storm
+of sleet and snow set in too, and the night was dark and gloomy.</p>
+
+<p>"Still the little army was undaunted; they paraded at M'Conkey's Ferry
+at dusk, expecting to reach Trenton by midnight; but so slow and
+perilous was the crossing that it was nearly four o'clock when at last
+they mustered on the Jersey shore.</p>
+
+<p>"It was now too late to attack under cover of the darkness, as had been
+Washington's plan."</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me, mamma, but surely it would be still dark at four o'clock in
+the morning?" Walter said half inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my son, but you must remember they had crossed at M'Conkey's
+Ferry, which is eight miles higher up the river than is Trenton, so that
+they had that distance to march before they could make their attack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Washington divided his forces, leading one portion himself by the upper
+road,&mdash;Generals Greene, Mercer, and Lord Sterling accompanying him,&mdash;and
+giving Sullivan command of the other, which was to approach the town by
+another road leading along the river.</p>
+
+<p>"The two arrived at Trenton about the same time, having marched so
+silently that the enemy was unaware of their approach till they were but
+a short distance from the picket guards on the outskirts of the town.</p>
+
+<p>"There was a brisk skirmish then, the Hessians retreating toward their
+main body, firing as they went from behind the houses, while the
+Americans pursued them closely."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the Hessians weren't drunk as Washington expected, were they,
+Grandma Elsie?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Well-authenticated tradition says they were," replied Mrs. Travilla;
+"that they had been carousing through the night, Rall himself feasting,
+drinking, and playing cards at the house of Abraham Hunt, who had
+invited him and other officers to a Christmas supper. They had been
+playing all night and regaling themselves with wine.</p>
+
+<p>"A Tory on the Pennington road saw, about dawn, the approach of the
+Americans under Washington and sent a messenger with a note to warn
+Rall. But a negro servant who had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>been stationed as warden at the door
+refused to allow the messenger to pass in, saying, 'The gemman can't be
+disturbed.'</p>
+
+<p>"It seems that the messenger was aware of the contents of the note, or
+at least that it was a warning of the approach of the Americans, so,
+being foiled in his purpose of seeing Rall himself, he handed the note
+to the negro with an order to carry it at once to Colonel Rall.</p>
+
+<p>"The negro obeyed, but Rall, excited with wine and interested in his
+game, merely thrust the note into his pocket and went on with his deal.</p>
+
+<p>"But presently the roll of the American drums, the rattle of musketry,
+the tramp of horses, and the rumble of heavy gun-carriages fell upon his
+drowsy ear, and in a moment he was wide awake, the cards were dropped,
+he sprang to his feet, then rushed away to his quarters and mounted his
+horse with all speed; but at that time his soldiers were being driven by
+the Americans as chaff before the wind.</p>
+
+<p>"The Hessians' drums were beating to arms, and a company rushed out of
+the barracks to protect the patrol. Washington's troops had begun the
+fight with an attack upon the outermost picket on the Pennington road,
+and Stark, with the van of Sullivan's party, gave three cheers and
+rushed upon the enemy's pickets near the river with their bayonets, and
+they, aston<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>ished at the suddenness and fury of the charge, were seized
+with a panic and fled in confusion across the Assanpink.</p>
+
+<p>"Both divisions&mdash;the one commanded by Washington, the other under
+Sullivan&mdash;now pressed forward so rapidly, and with such zeal and
+determination, that the Hessians were not allowed to form. Nor could
+they get possession of the two cannon in front of Rall's quarters.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans themselves were forming in line of battle when Rall made
+his appearance, reeling in his saddle as if drunk,&mdash;as I presume he
+was,&mdash;received a report, then rode up in front of his regiment and
+called out, 'Forward, march; advance, advance!'</p>
+
+<p>"But before his order could be obeyed a party of Americans hurried
+forward and dismounted his two cannon, accomplishing the feat without
+injury to themselves except that Captains William Washington and James
+Monroe were slightly wounded."</p>
+
+<p>"And where was General Washington just then, mamma?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"He was there in the midst of the fighting, and exposed to the same
+dangers as his troops. It was under his personal direction that a
+battery of six guns was opened upon two regiments of Hessians less than
+three hundred yards distant. Washington was then near the front, a
+little to the right, where he could be easily seen by the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>enemy, and
+made a target for their balls. But though his horse was wounded, he
+remained unhurt."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," cried Evelyn with enthusiasm, "surely God protected him and turned
+aside the balls, that America might not lose the one on whom so much
+depended! the father of his country, the ardent patriot, the best of men
+and greatest of generals, as I do certainly believe he was."</p>
+
+<p>"I am proud that Washington was a countryman of mine," exclaimed Rosie,
+her eyes sparkling.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we are all proud of our Washington," said Lulu. "But what more can
+you tell us about the battle of Trenton, Grandma Elsie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rall drew back his two regiments as if intending to reach the road to
+Princeton by turning Washington's left," continued Mrs. Travilla in
+reply. "To prevent that, an American regiment was thrown in front of
+him. It seemed likely that he might have forced a passage through it,
+but his troops, having collected much plunder in Trenton and wishing to
+hold on to it, persuaded him to try to recover the town.</p>
+
+<p>"He made the attempt, but was charged impetuously by the Americans and
+driven back further than before; and in that movement he himself was
+mortally wounded by a musket ball. His men were thrown into confusion,
+and presently surrendered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then Baylor rode up to Washington and announced, 'Sir, the Hessians
+have surrendered.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Baylor?" repeated Walter. "Who was he, mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"One of Washington's aids," she replied. "In the first year of the war
+he was made an aid-de-camp to General Washington and in that capacity
+was with him in this battle."</p>
+
+<p>"How I envy him!" exclaimed Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"I do think that if I'd been a man living in those days," said Walter,
+"I'd have cared for no greater honor than being aid to our Washington."</p>
+
+<p>His mother's only reply was a proudly affectionate look and smile as she
+went on with her story.</p>
+
+<p>"There was another regiment, under Knyphausen, which had been ordered to
+cover the flank. These tried to reach the Assanpink bridge, but lost
+time in an effort to get two cannon out of the morass, and when they
+reached the bridge the Americans were guarding it on both sides. They
+tried to ford the river, but without success, and presently surrendered
+to Lord Stirling, with the privilege of keeping their swords and their
+private baggage. That ended the battle, leaving the Americans with
+nearly a thousand prisoners in their hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Over two hundred of the Hessians had es<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>caped&mdash;some to Princeton,
+others to Bordentown. There were a hundred and thirty absent, having
+been sent out on some expedition, and seventeen were killed. The battle
+had lasted thirty-five minutes, and the Americans had not lost a man."</p>
+
+<p>"It was wonderful, I think!" said Evelyn, in her earnest way; "certainly
+God helped our patriotic forefathers or they never could have succeeded
+in their conflict with so powerful a foe as Great Britain was even
+then."</p>
+
+<p>"It was all of God's great goodness to this land and people," said
+Grandma Elsie. "Had there been in that action defeat to our arms instead
+of victory, we would not&mdash;so soon at least&mdash;have become the free and
+powerful nation we are to-day. Congress lavished praise upon General
+Washington, but he replied, 'You pay me compliments as if the merit of
+the affair was due solely to me; but I assure you the other general
+officers who assisted me in the plan and execution have full as good a
+right to the encomiums as myself.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly that was only just," remarked Rosie, "but it strikes me as
+very generous."</p>
+
+<p>"It was just like Washington," said Walter; "our Washington! I'm ever so
+proud of him!"</p>
+
+<p>"As we all are," said his mother; "but we must not forget to give the
+glory of that victory, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>and all others, and also of our final success,
+to him who is the God of battles, and by whose strength and help our
+freedom was won. As Bancroft says, 'Until that hour the life of the
+United States flickered like a dying flame,' but God had appeared for
+their deliverance and from that time the hopes of the almost despairing
+people revived, while the confident expectations of their enemies were
+dashed to the ground. Lord George Germain exclaimed after he heard the
+news, 'All our hopes were blasted by the unhappy affair at Trenton.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Unhappy affair indeed!" exclaimed Walter. "What a heartless wretch he
+must have been, mamma!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how our poor soldiers did suffer!" sighed Lulu; "it makes my heart
+ache just to think of it!"</p>
+
+<p>"And mine," said Grandma Elsie. "It is wonderful how much the poor
+fellows were willing to endure in the hope of attaining freedom for
+themselves and their country.</p>
+
+<p>"Thomas Rodney tells us that on the night of the attack upon Trenton of
+which we have been talking, while Rall caroused and played cards beside
+his warm fire, our poor soldiers were toiling and suffering with cold
+and nakedness, facing wind and sleet in the defence of their country.</p>
+
+<p>"The night," he says, "was as severe a night <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>as ever I saw; the frost
+was sharp, the current difficult to stem, the ice increasing, the wind
+high, and at eleven it began to snow. It was three in the morning of the
+26th before the troops and cannon were all over, and another hour passed
+before they could be formed on the Jersey side. A violent northeast
+storm of wind, sleet, and hail set in as they began their nine miles'
+march to Trenton, against an enemy in the best condition to fight. The
+weather was terrible for men clad as they were, and the ground slipped
+under their feet. For a mile and a half they had to climb a steep hill,
+from which they descended to the road that ran for about three miles
+between hills and forests of hickory, ash, and black oak."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how brave and patriotic they were!" exclaimed Rosie. "I remember
+reading that their route might be easily traced by the blood on the snow
+from the feet of the poor fellows, who had broken shoes or none. Oh,
+what a shame it was that Congress and the people let them&mdash;the men who
+were enduring so much and fighting so bravely for the liberty of
+both&mdash;bear such hardships!"</p>
+
+<p>"It was, indeed," sighed Grandma Elsie; "it always gives me a heartache
+to think of those poor fellows marching through the darkness and that
+dreadful storm of snow, sleet, and bitter wind and only half clothed.
+Just think of it! a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>continuous march of fifteen miles through darkness,
+over such a road, the storm directly in their faces. They reached their
+destination stiff with cold, yet rushed at once upon the foe, fighting
+bravely for freedom for themselves and their children. 'Victory or
+death,' was the watchword Washington had given them."</p>
+
+<p>"Were they from all the States, mamma?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"They were principally Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New England troops,"
+she answered. "Grant, the British commander in New Jersey, knew of the
+destitution of our troops but felt no fear that they would really
+venture to attack him; persuading himself that they would not cross the
+river because the floating ice would make it a difficult, if not
+impossible, thing for them to return.</p>
+
+<p>"'Besides,' he wrote on the 21st, 'Washington's men have neither shoes
+nor stockings nor blankets, are almost naked, and dying of cold and want
+of food.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And didn't Rall say the Americans wouldn't dare to come against him?"
+asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; his reply to a warning of danger of being attacked was, 'Let them
+come; what need of intrenchments! We will at them with the bayonet!'"</p>
+
+<p>"And when they did come he was killed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mortally wounded; taken by his aids and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>servant to his quarters
+at the house of a Quaker named Stacey Potts; and there Washington and
+Greene visited him just before leaving Trenton."</p>
+
+<p>"They knew he was dying, mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and, as Lossing tells us, Washington offered such consolation as a
+soldier and Christian can bestow."</p>
+
+<p>"It was very kind, and I hope Rall appreciated it."</p>
+
+<p>"It would seem that he did, as the historian tells us it soothed the
+agonies of the expiring hero."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>From Trenton Grandma Elsie, the captain, and their young charges went on
+to Princeton, where they received a most joyful welcome from Harold and
+Herbert Travilla, now spending their last year at the seminary.</p>
+
+<p>Their mother had written to them of the intended visit, and all
+necessary arrangements had been made. Carriages were in waiting, and
+shortly after their arrival the whole party were on their way to the
+battleground, where the attention of the young people was drawn to the
+various points of interest, particularly the spot where fell General
+Mercer.</p>
+
+<p>"The general's horse was wounded in the leg by a musket ball," explained
+Harold, in reply to a question from his little brother; "he dismounted,
+and was rallying his troops, when a British soldier felled him to the
+ground by a blow from a musket.</p>
+
+<p>"He was supposed to be Washington. A shout, was raised, 'The rebel
+general is taken!' and at that others of the enemy rushed to the spot
+calling out, 'Call for quarter, you d&mdash;d rebel!'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am no rebel!' Mercer answered indig<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>nantly, though half a dozen of
+their bayonets were at his breast; and instead of calling for quarter he
+continued to fight, striking at them with his sword till they bayoneted
+him and left him for dead.</p>
+
+<p>"He was not dead, however, but mortally wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"After the British had retreated he was carried to the house of Thomas
+Clark," continued Harold, pointing out the building as he spoke, "where
+he lingered in great pain till the 12th and then died."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad it wasn't Washington," said Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Was Washington hurt at all, papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"No, though exposed to the hottest fire he escaped without injury,"
+replied the captain. "God our Heavenly Father preserved him for his
+great work&mdash;the salvation of our country. 'Man is immortal till his work
+is done'&mdash;and Washington's was not done till years afterward."</p>
+
+<p>"Not even when the war was over; for he was our first president, I
+remember," said Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied her father, "and he did much for his country in that
+capacity.</p>
+
+<p>"The night before this battle of Princeton he and his army were in a
+critical situation, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> British being fully equal in numbers and their
+troops well disciplined, while about half of Washington's army was
+composed of raw militia&mdash;so that a general engagement the next day would
+be almost sure to result in defeat to the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"Washington called a council of war. It was he himself who proposed to
+withdraw from their present position&mdash;on the high ground upon the
+southern bank of the Assanpink&mdash;before dawn of the next morning, and, by
+a circuitous march to Princeton, get in the rear of the enemy, attack
+them at that place, and if successful march on to New Brunswick and take
+or destroy his stores there.</p>
+
+<p>"The great difficulty in the way was that the ground was too soft, from
+a thaw, to make it safe and easy to move their forty pieces of cannon.</p>
+
+<p>"But a kind Providence removed that hindrance, the weather suddenly
+becoming so extremely cold that in two hours or less the roads were hard
+enough for the work."</p>
+
+<p>"As Lossing says," remarked Grandma Elsie, "'The great difficulty was
+overcome by a power mightier than that of man. Our fathers were fighting
+for God-given rights and it was by his help they at last succeeded.'"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the rest of the story?" asked Walter. "How did Washington and
+his army slip <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>away without the British seeing them? For I suppose they
+had sentinels awake and out."</p>
+
+<p>"Washington had a number of camp fires lighted along his front," replied
+Harold, to whom the question seemed to be addressed, "making them of the
+fences near at hand. That made the British think he was encamped for the
+night, and Cornwallis, when some one urged him to make an attack that
+night, said he would certainly 'catch the fox in the morning.' The fox,
+of course, was Washington, but he didn't catch him. It was not till dawn
+he discovered that the fox had eluded him and slipped away, fleeing so
+silently that the British did not know in what direction he had gone
+till they heard the boom of the cannon in the fight here.</p>
+
+<p>"Cornwallis thought it was thunder, but Sir William Erskine recognized
+it as what it was and exclaimed, 'To arms, General! Washington has
+outgeneraled us. Let us fly to the rescue at Princeton.'"</p>
+
+<p>"How long did the battle last?" queried Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"The fight right here lasted about fifteen minutes, but was very
+severe," replied his brother. "Then Washington pushed on to Princeton,
+and in a ravine near the college had another sharp fight with the
+Fifty-fifth British regiment."</p>
+
+<p>"And whipped them too?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; they were soon flying toward Brunswick, the Fortieth regiment
+going along with them.</p>
+
+<p>"A part of a regiment was still in the college buildings, and Washington
+had some cannon placed in proper position, then began firing on them.
+One of the balls&mdash;it is said to have been the first&mdash;passed into the
+chapel and through the head of a portrait of George the Second that hung
+in a large frame on the wall. A few more shots were fired, and then the
+Princeton militia, and some other daring fellows, burst open a door of
+Nassau Hall and called upon the troops there to surrender, which they
+did promptly."</p>
+
+<p>"And Cornwallis had not reached there yet?" Walter said interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>"No," returned Harold, "and when he did arrive he found that the battle
+was over, and Washington, with his victorious troops and prisoners, had
+already left the town and was in hot pursuit of the fleeing Fortieth and
+Fifty-fifth regiments."</p>
+
+<p>"And our poor fellows so tired and cold!" sighed Eva.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the captain, "they had fought at Trenton on the 26th, after
+being up, probably, all night, getting across the river, had spent the
+next night in marching upon Princeton and the day in fighting; so that
+they must have been terribly fatigued even had they had the warm
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>clothing and nourishing food they needed; but less than half of them
+had been able to procure any breakfast or dinner; and, as you all know,
+many of them were without shoes or stockings. Ah, how we should prize
+the liberty which was so dearly bought!"</p>
+
+<p>"So to save his army," resumed Harold, "Washington refrained from an
+effort to seize the rich prize at New Brunswick, and let them rest that
+night and refresh themselves with food; then retired to his winter
+quarters at Morristown.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, good people, if you are ready to retrace your steps, let us go
+back and look at the town souvenirs of the revolution; among them the
+portrait of Washington in the frame that used to hold that of George the
+Second."</p>
+
+<p>Our friends made but a short stay at Princeton, leaving that evening,
+and the next day visited the scene of the battle of Monmouth. The
+captain gave a rapid sketch of the movements of the opposing armies, as
+he did so pointing out the various positions of the different corps,
+describing Lee's disgraceful conduct at the beginning of the fight,
+telling of the just indignation of Washington, his stern reproof, Lee's
+angry rejoinder, and then with what consummate skill and despatch his
+errors were repaired by the general-in-chief&mdash;the retreating, almost
+routed, troops rallied, and order brought out of confu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>sion, and how
+fearlessly he exposed himself to the iron storm while giving his orders
+so that that patriot army, which had been so near destruction, within
+half an hour was drawn up in battle array and ready to meet the foe.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a very hot day, wasn't it, papa?" asked Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the hottest of the season," replied her father, "ninety-six
+degrees in the shade; and the sun slew his victims on both sides."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think Lee was a traitor, Captain?" queried Evelyn.</p>
+
+<p>"Either that or insane. I think it would have been a happy thing for
+America if both he and Gaines had remained in their own land. They did
+the American cause far more harm than good. Though I by no means accuse
+Gaines of treachery, but he was envious of Washington, and so desirous
+to supersede him that he was ready to sacrifice the cause to that end."</p>
+
+<p>"I just wish he'd been sent back to England," said Walter. "But please
+tell us the rest about the battle, Brother Levis, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>The captain willingly complied.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a dreadful battle," remarked Evelyn with a sigh, as his story
+came to a conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, one of the most hotly contested of the war," he assented, "and
+resulted in victory to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>the Americans in spite of Lee's repeated
+assertion that the 'attempt was madness.'</p>
+
+<p>"All the other American generals did well, the country resounded with
+praises of Washington, and Congress passed a unanimous vote of thanks to
+him 'for his great and good conduct and victory.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It was in this battle Captain Molly fought, wasn't it?" asked Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," the captain replied; and, noticing the eagerly inquiring looks of
+Grace and Walter, he went on to tell the story.</p>
+
+<p>"Molly was the wife of a cannoneer who was firing one of the
+field-pieces, while she, disregarding the danger from the shots of the
+enemy, made frequent journeys to and from a spring near at hand, thus
+furnishing her husband with the means of slacking his thirst, which must
+have been great at such work in such weather.</p>
+
+<p>"At length a shot from the enemy killed him, and an order was given to
+remove the cannon, as there was no one among the soldiers near who was
+capable of its management.</p>
+
+<p>"But Molly, who had seen her husband fall, and heard the order, dropped
+her bucket, sprang to the cannon, seized the rammer, and, vowing that
+she would avenge his death, fired it with surprising skill, performing
+the duty probably as well as if she had belonged to the sterner sex.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning General Greene presented <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>her&mdash;just as she was, all
+covered with dust and blood&mdash;to Washington, who gave her the commission
+of sergeant as a reward for her bravery; in addition to that he
+recommended her to Congress as worthy to have her name placed upon the
+list of those entitled to half-pay during life.</p>
+
+<p>"The French officers so admired her bravery that they made her many
+presents. Lossing tells us that she would sometimes pass along their
+lines and get her cocked hat full of crowns. He also says the widow of
+General Hamilton told him she had often seen 'Captain Molly,' as she was
+called, and described her as a red-haired, freckle-faced young Irish
+woman, with a handsome piercing eye."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, did she wear a man's hat?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and also an artilleryman's coat over her woman's petticoats. She
+had done a brave deed about nine months before the battle of Monmouth,
+when Fort Clinton was taken by the British. She was there with her
+husband when the fort was attacked, and when the Americans retreated
+from the fort, and the enemy were scaling the ramparts, her husband
+dropped his match and fled, but Molly picked it up and fired the gun,
+then scampered off after him. That was the last gun fired in the fort by
+the Americans."</p>
+
+<p>"And this battle of Monmouth was a great <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>victory for us&mdash;for the
+Americans, I mean?" Walter said inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, in spite of the shameful retreat of Lee and the unaccountable
+detention of Morgan and his brave riflemen, who were within sound of the
+fearful tumult of the battle and eager to take part in it, Morgan
+striding to and fro in an agony of suspense, and desire to participate
+in the struggle, yet unaccountably detained where he was."</p>
+
+<p>"And that was some of that traitor Lee's doings, I suspect," exclaimed
+Lulu hotly. "Wasn't it, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child, I do not know," returned the captain, "but it seems
+altogether probable that if Morgan could have fallen, with his fresh
+troops, upon the weary ones of Sir Henry Clinton, toward the close of
+the day, the result might have been such a surrender as Burgoyne was
+forced to make at Saratoga.</p>
+
+<p>"But as it was, while Washington and his weary troops slept that night,
+the general looking forward to certain victory in the morning, when he
+could again attack his country's foes with his own troops strengthened
+and refreshed by sleep, Sir Henry and his army stole silently away and
+hurried toward Sandy Hook."</p>
+
+<p>"Did Washington chase him?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said the captain; "when he considered <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>the start the British had,
+the weariness of his own troops, the excessive heat of the weather, and
+the deep sandy country, with but little water to be had, he thought it
+wiser not to make the attempt."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, was it near here that the British shot Mrs. Caldwell?" asked
+Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"No; that occurred in a place called Connecticut Farms, about four miles
+northwest of Elizabethtown, to which they&mdash;the Caldwells&mdash;had removed
+for greater safety.</p>
+
+<p>"It was in June, 1780. The British under Clinton and Knyphausen crossed
+over to Elizabethtown and moved on toward Springfield. The Americans,
+under General Greene, were posted upon the Short Hills, a series of high
+ridges near Springfield, and came down to the plain to oppose the
+invasion of the British. I will not go into the details of the battle,
+but merely say that the British were finally repulsed, Greene being so
+advantageously posted by that time that he was anxious for an
+engagement, but Knyphausen, perceiving his own disadvantage, retreated,
+setting fire to the village of Connecticut Farms (now called Union) on
+his way.</p>
+
+<p>"The people of the town fled when they perceived the approach of the
+British, but Mrs. Caldwell remained, and with her children and maid
+retired to a private apartment and engaged in prayer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Presently her maid, glancing from a window, exclaimed that a red-coated
+soldier had jumped over the fence and was coming toward the window.</p>
+
+<p>"At that Mrs. Caldwell rose from the bed where she had been sitting, and
+at that moment the soldier raised his musket and deliberately fired at
+her through the window, sending two balls through her body, killing her
+instantly, so that she fell dead among her poor frightened children.</p>
+
+<p>"It was with some difficulty that her body was saved from the fire which
+was consuming the town. It was dragged out into the street, and lay
+exposed there for some time&mdash;several hours&mdash;till some of her friends got
+leave to remove it to a house on the other side of the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Her husband was at the Short Hills that night, and in great anxiety and
+distress about his family; the next day he went with a flag of truce to
+the village, found it in ruins, and his wife dead.</p>
+
+<p>"That cold-blooded murder and wanton destruction of the peaceful little
+village aroused great indignation all over the land and turned many a
+Tory into a Whig."</p>
+
+<p>"Did anybody ever find out who it was that killed her, papa?" asked
+Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"The murderer is said to have been a man <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>from the north of Ireland,
+named McDonald, who for some unknown reason had taken a violent dislike
+to Mr. Caldwell.</p>
+
+<p>"But little more than a year afterward Mr. Caldwell himself was slain,
+in a very similar manner, but by an American soldier."</p>
+
+<p>"An American, Brother Levis?" exclaimed Walter, in unfeigned surprise.
+"Did he do it intentionally?"</p>
+
+<p>"The shooting was intentional, but whether meant to kill I cannot say,"
+replied the captain; "the fellow who did it is said to have been a
+drunken Irishman. It happened at Elizabethtown, then in possession of
+the Americans. A sloop made weekly trips between that place and New
+York, where were the headquarters of the British army at that time&mdash;and
+frequently carried passengers with a flag, and also parcels.</p>
+
+<p>"The Americans had a strong guard at a tavern near the shore, and one or
+two sentinels paced the causeway that extended across the marsh to the
+wharf.</p>
+
+<p>"One day in November, 1781, the vessel came in with a lady on board who
+had permission to visit a sister at Elizabethtown, and Mr. Caldwell
+drove down to the wharf in his chaise to receive her; then, not finding
+her on the wharf, went aboard the sloop and presently returned, carrying
+a small bundle.</p>
+
+<p>"The sentinel on the causeway halted Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> Caldwell and demanded the
+bundle for examination, saying he had been ordered not to let anything
+of the kind pass without strict investigation.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Caldwell refused to give it to the man&mdash;James Morgan, by
+name&mdash;saying it was the property of a lady and had been merely put in
+his care.</p>
+
+<p>"The sentinel repeated his demand and Mr. Caldwell turned and went
+toward the vessel, it is presumed to carry the bundle back to its owner,
+when the sentinel leveled his piece and shot him dead upon the spot.</p>
+
+<p>"Morgan was arrested, tried for murder, and hung. He was first taken to
+the church, where a sermon was preached from the text 'Oh, do not this
+abominable thing which I hate.'</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Caldwell had been much beloved as a pious and excellent minister.
+He was shot on Saturday afternoon, and the next day many of his people
+came in to attend church knowing nothing of the dreadful deed that had
+been done till they arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"Then there was a great sound of weeping and lamentation. The corpse was
+placed on a large stone at the door of the house of a friend whither it
+had been carried, and all who wished to do so were allowed to take a
+last look at the remains of their beloved pastor. Then, before the
+coffin was closed, Dr. Elias Boudinot led <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>the nine orphan children up
+to the coffin to take their last look at the face of their father, and,
+as they stood weeping there, made a most moving address in their
+behalf."</p>
+
+<p>A few more days were spent by our friends in and about Philadelphia,
+during which brief visits were paid to places interesting to them
+because the scenes of historical events of the Revolution&mdash;Whitemarsh,
+Germantown, Barren Hill, Valley Forge, beside those within the city
+itself.</p>
+
+<p>But the summer heats were over and the hearts of one and all began to
+yearn for the sweets of home; all the more when word reached them
+through the mails that the members of their party left in the Newport
+cottages had already succumbed to the same sort of sickness, and were on
+their homeward way by land. A day or two later the <i>Dolphin</i>, with her
+full complement of passengers, was moving rapidly southward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Max had a most pleasant surprise when the mail was distributed on that
+first morning after his arrival at the Naval Academy. Till his name was
+called, he had hardly hoped there would be anything for him, and then as
+a letter was handed him, and he recognized upon it his father's
+well-known writing, his cheek flushed and his eyes shone.</p>
+
+<p>A hasty glance at his mates showed him that each seemed intent upon his
+own affairs,&mdash;no one watching him,&mdash;so he broke the seal and read with
+swelling heart the few sentences of fatherly advice and affection the
+captain had found time to pen before the <i>Dolphin</i> weighed anchor the
+previous evening. He knew the homesickness that would assail his son on
+that first day of separation from himself and all composing the dear
+home circle, and was fain to relieve it so far as lay in his power.</p>
+
+<p>Max read the letter twice, then, refolding, slipped it into his pocket
+to read again and ponder upon when he could find a moment of leisure and
+freedom from observation.</p>
+
+<p>More firmly convinced than ever, if that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>were possible, was the lad
+that his was the best, kindest, and dearest of fathers.</p>
+
+<p>"And if I don't do him credit and make him happy and proud of his
+first-born, it shall not be for want of trying," was his mental resolve.</p>
+
+<p>It was fortunate for Max that his father had been seen and admired by
+the cadets, who one and all thought him a splendid specimen of naval
+officer, and were therefore well disposed toward his son.</p>
+
+<p>Then Max himself had such a bright, intelligent face and genial manner,
+was so ready to assist or oblige a comrade in any right and honorable
+way that lay in his power, so very conscientious about obeying rules and
+doing his duty in everything, and brave in facing ridicule, insolence,
+and contempt, when the choice was between that and wrong-doing, that no
+one of them could help respecting him, whether willing to acknowledge it
+or not.</p>
+
+<p>At first the "plebes," or boys in the same class (the fourth), who had
+entered in June of the same year, showed a disposition to treat him, as
+well as the other "Seps,"&mdash;as the lads entering in September are
+styled,&mdash;with scorn, as knowing less than themselves; but that soon
+changed under the exhibition Max was able to make of all he had learned
+from his father during the weeks on board the <i>Dolphin</i>, showing himself
+perfectly at home in "rigging-loft work," row<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>ing, and swimming, and by
+no means slow in taking to great-gun exercise, infantry tactics, and
+field artillery.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was he less ready in the art of swinging a hammock. His father had
+not neglected that part of his education, and Hunt and others who had
+hoped for some fun in watching his maiden effort had to own themselves
+defeated and disappointed. Max was as expert at that as the oldest
+member of the class.</p>
+
+<p>So the "plebes" soon dropped their air of conscious superiority and
+presently began to treat him as an equal; a change which he reported to
+his father with evident satisfaction. He wrote frequently and with much
+openness to that father, telling of his duties and pleasures and asking
+advice in any perplexity as freely as he could have asked it of any one
+near his own age, and with full confidence in the wisdom and the
+affection for him which would dictate the reply.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was he disappointed; almost every day a letter came from the
+captain, breathing strong fatherly affection, giving commendation,
+encouragement, and the best of advice; also telling everything about the
+doings and happenings in the family that was not related by Mamma Vi or
+one of Max's sisters, who not unfrequently added a note to papa's larger
+letter.</p>
+
+<p>All those letters, like the first, were highly prized by the recipient
+and read and reread in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>leisure moments till he could have repeated
+their contents almost word for word; and every perusal increased the
+lad's desire and determination to be and do all those dear
+ones&mdash;especially his father&mdash;could wish; also to please and honor him to
+whose service he had consecrated his life and all his powers.</p>
+
+<p>Max was not perfect, but he was honest and true, and sincerely desirous
+to do right.</p>
+
+<p>He was much interested in the accounts received of the visits of his
+father and the others to the scenes of revolutionary events in
+Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and, though far from regretting his choice
+of a profession, could not help wishing he could have made one of the
+party.</p>
+
+<p>One day, after he had spent some weeks in the Academy, he was
+disappointed in his expectation of receiving a letter; none came the
+next day; but then it occurred to him that the <i>Dolphin</i> was probably on
+her homeward way and he would soon get a letter from Woodburn, telling
+of the arrival there of all belonging to the dear home circle.</p>
+
+<p>And he was right; a package of letters came presently giving an account
+of the events of the last days spent in Philadelphia, the return voyage,
+and the joy of the arrival at their own beautiful and happy home.</p>
+
+<p>Ah, as Max read, how he longed to be with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>them! Yet the concluding
+sentences of his father's letter restored him to contentment with things
+as they were.</p>
+
+<p>The captain had just received and read the report of his boy's conduct
+and academic standing for his first month and was much pleased with it.
+He made that very clear to the lad, calling him his dear son, his joy
+and pride, and telling him that until he was a father himself he could
+never know the joy and happiness such a report of a son's behavior and
+improvement of his opportunities could give.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," thought the boy, "I'll try harder than ever since it gives such
+pleasure to my kindest and best of fathers. How glad I am to have the
+chance! How thankful I ought to be! I doubt if there was ever a more
+fortunate boy than myself."</p>
+
+<p>Max and his room-mate, Hunt, liked each other from the first, and seldom
+had the slightest disagreement.</p>
+
+<p>According to the rules they took turns, week about, in keeping their
+room in order, each trying to outdo his mate in the thoroughness with
+which he attended to all the minuti&aelig; of the business.</p>
+
+<p>They were good-natured rivals too in other matters connected with the
+course of instruction they were going through: gymnastic exercises,
+fencing and boxing, and the drill called fire-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>quarters, in which the
+whole battalion is formed into a fire-brigade, and when the fire-bell is
+sounded each cadet hastens to his proper place in the troop, and the
+steam fire-engine and hose-carriages belonging to the Academy are
+brought out and used as they would be in case some building were in
+flames and the cadets were called upon to assist in extinguishing the
+blaze.</p>
+
+<p>Max and his chum had become quite expert at that exercise, when one
+night they were roused from sleep by the sound of the fire-bell, and
+springing up and running to their window saw that a dwelling several
+squares from the Academy was in flames.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a real fire this time!" cried Hunt, snatching up a garment and
+beginning a very hurried toilet, Max doing the same, "and now we'll have
+a chance to show how well we understand the business of putting it out."</p>
+
+<p>"And we must try to do credit to our training here in the Academy,"
+added Max.</p>
+
+<p>An hour or more of great excitement and exertion followed, then, the
+fire extinguished, the brigade returned to the Academy, and the lads to
+their sleeping-room, so weary with their exertions that they were very
+soon sound asleep again.</p>
+
+<p>The experiences of that night furnished Max with material for an
+interesting letter to his father and the rest of the home folks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know the cadets were taught how to put out fires," remarked
+Grace, when her father had finished reading aloud, to his wife and
+children, Max's story of the doings of the cadets on that night.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," the captain said, "that is an important part of their education.
+There are a great many things a cadet needs to know."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, papa," said Lulu, "and though Maxie doesn't say much
+about his own share in the work, I feel very sure he did his part. And
+aren't you proud of him&mdash;your eldest son?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I am," replied her father, with a smile in his eyes. "It
+may be all parental partiality, but my boy seems to me one of whom any
+father might well be proud."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am quite of your opinion, my dear," said Violet. "I am very proud
+of my husband's son&mdash;the dear, good, brave fellow."</p>
+
+<p>But the captain's eyes were again upon the letter, his face expressing
+both interest and amusement.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Levis?" she asked; "something more that you can share with
+the rest of us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he returned; then read aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"That was Friday night, and this is Saturday evening. This afternoon
+Hunt and I were allowed to go into the city. We were walking along one
+of the side streets, and came upon a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>man who was beating his horse most
+unmercifully.</p>
+
+<p>"The poor thing was just a bag of bones, that seemed to have nothing but
+skin over them, and was hitched to a cart heavily loaded with earth and
+stones; its head was down, and it looked ready to drop, while the savage
+wretch (not worthy to be called a man) was beating it furiously, and
+cursing and swearing in a towering passion; men and boys gathering
+around, and some calling him to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"But he didn't pay the smallest attention, till the poor beast spoke&mdash;at
+least the voice seemed to come from its mouth&mdash;'Aren't you ashamed to be
+beating me so, and swearing at me, too, when you've starved me till I
+haven't strength to drag even myself another step?'</p>
+
+<p>"At that the man stopped both his beating and swearing, and stood
+looking half scared out of his wits. The crowd, too, looked
+thunderstruck; and presently one fellow said, 'It's the story of Balaam
+and his ass over again. There must be an angel somewhere round,'
+glancing from side to side as he spoke, in a way that almost made me
+laugh, angry as I was at the human brute, or rather the inhuman
+scoundrel, who had been treating the poor creature so cruelly.</p>
+
+<p>"Others looked too, but didn't seem to be able to see the angel.</p>
+
+<p>"Hunt, standing close at my side, gave a low <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>whistle. 'What, upon
+earth?' he said. 'Oh, there must be a ventriloquist somewhere in the
+crowd. I'd like to know who he is. Wouldn't you, Max?'</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think that's the explanation?' I asked. 'Certainly,' he
+answered, in a tone as if he was rather disgusted at my stupidity. 'How
+else could you account for the seeming ability of that wretched animal
+to talk?'</p>
+
+<p>"'I can't think of any other explanation,' I answered, 'but I hope that
+inhuman wretch of a driver doesn't know anything about ventriloquists,
+and so will be afraid to ill-use the poor creature any more.' 'I hope
+so, indeed,' he said. 'See, the crowd are stroking and patting it, and
+yonder comes a man with a bucket of water, and another with a panful of
+oats. The ventriloquist has done some good.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I'm glad of it,' I replied. Then, looking at my watch, I saw that it
+was time for us to go back to the Academy.</p>
+
+<p>"Hunt told the story to some of the other fellows that evening, and
+there was great wonderment about the ventriloquist, and a good many
+wished they could have a chance to see him and some of his tricks. Some
+of them remarked, in a wondering way, that I seemed very indifferent
+about it, and then I told them of Cousin Ronald and his doings at Ion,
+which interested them very <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>much, and several said they would like
+greatly to make his acquaintance and see and hear what he could do.
+Isn't it good, papa, that they have never once suspected me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," exclaimed Lulu, "Max used his talent to do good that time.
+Didn't he, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did, indeed," replied the captain. "I hope that poor horse will, as
+a consequence, receive better treatment in future."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so glad Maxie could frighten the man so and make him stop treating
+it so dreadfully," remarked Grace, with a sigh of relief. "I never
+thought before that that talent of his was good for anything but to make
+fun for folks."</p>
+
+<p>"The ability to afford amusement to others is a talent not to be
+despised," said her father; "for innocent mirth often does good like a
+medicine; but power to rescue even a dumb beast from ill-treatment is
+still more to be coveted, and I shall be glad indeed if Max will use his
+gift in that way whenever opportunity offers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>A week or more had passed since the return of our friends from their
+vacation in the more northern part of their loved native land, and Lulu
+and Grace, who had at first missed their older brother sorely from the
+family circle, had now begun to feel somewhat accustomed to his absence,
+and were very merry and happy.</p>
+
+<p>They had resumed their studies, reciting, as before, to their father,
+and took daily walks and rides on their ponies, varied by an occasional
+drive with the captain, Violet, and the little ones.</p>
+
+<p>The Ion and Fairview families, too, had gone back to old pleasures and
+employments; but so busy had all been, taking up familiar cares and
+duties, and making needed preparations for approaching winter, that only
+few and short visits had as yet been exchanged between them.</p>
+
+<p>It was in the sitting-room, and just after breakfast, that the captain
+had read Max's letter aloud to his wife and children.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to the schoolroom now, daughters, and look over your lessons for the
+day," he said, presently, addressing Lulu and Grace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They obeyed instantly, and as they left the room a servant came in with
+a note from Violet's mother, which he handed to his mistress, saying one
+of the Ion servants had just brought it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma's handwriting," Violet remarked to her husband as she took the
+note and glanced at the address upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! I hope they are all well?" he returned half inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, mamma herself is certainly not quite well," Violet answered with a
+disturbed look, after glancing hastily down the page; "she says as much,
+and that she wants me to come and spend a few days with her, bringing
+all the children if I choose; they will not disturb her. And you also
+will be most welcome. Dear, dear mamma! I shall go to her at
+once&mdash;unless my husband objects," she added, looking up at him with a
+rather sad sort of smile.</p>
+
+<p>"As he certainly could not think of doing, my love," he replied, in
+tender tones. "We must go, of course; you and the little ones, at least;
+we will consider about the older ones, and I shall spend my time between
+the two places, not being willing to stay constantly away from you, yet
+having some matters to attend to here, some things that ought not to be
+delayed."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will be with us a part of every <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>day?" returned Violet, with a
+wistful half-inquiring look up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, oh yes!" he hastened to say; "with my wife so near at hand I could
+not let a day go by without inflicting my presence upon her for some
+small part of it," he concluded in a half jesting tone, and with a fond
+look down into the sweet, troubled face; for he was standing close at
+her side.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it could not be harder for you than for me, my dear," she
+returned, with a loving smile up at him. "I should like to take all the
+children," she went on, "but Alma is here to make up some dresses for
+Lulu, and will need her at hand to try them on and make sure of the
+fit."</p>
+
+<p>"And I should seriously object to allowing Lulu to drop her studies
+again just as she has made a fresh and fair start with them," said the
+captain; "so of course she will have to stay at home. Grace also, I
+think, as there would be the same objection to her absence from home&mdash;as
+regards the lessons I mean."</p>
+
+<p>"But if you will allow it, I can hear her recite at Ion," Violet said.
+"She could learn her lessons there and still have a good deal of time to
+play with her little sister, who thinks no one else quite equal to her
+Gracie,&mdash;as she calls her,&mdash;for a playfellow."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear, we will make that ar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>rangement if you wish it,"
+responded the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet how Lulu will miss her," Violet said, a troubled look coming
+over her face. "I wish we could manage it so that she could go too, the
+dear child!"</p>
+
+<p>"I should be glad to give her the pleasure," returned Captain Raymond;
+"but really think it will not do to have her studies so interfered with
+now when she has but just well settled down to them. It will be a little
+hard for her, but perhaps not a bad lesson in patience and self-denial."</p>
+
+<p>"But a lesson I fear she will not enjoy," remarked Violet, with a
+regretful smile.</p>
+
+<p>Going into the schoolroom presently the captain found his two little
+girls industriously busy with their tasks.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracie, daughter," he said, "your mamma is going over to Ion for a few
+days, because Grandma Elsie is not very well and wants her
+companionship, and Mamma Vi wants you,&mdash;for little Elsie's sake,&mdash;having
+found you very successful in entertaining her and baby Ned. We are all
+invited, indeed; but I must be here the greater part of the time, as I
+have various matters to oversee, and Lulu cannot be spared from home as
+Alma is at work upon some dresses for her, and I wish her to go on
+diligently with her studies."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But don't I need to be attending to mine, papa?" queried Grace, looking
+regretfully at her sister, over whose face had come a look of keen
+disappointment, succeeding one of pleased anticipation called out by the
+beginning of her father's communication.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, with a smile; "we are going to let you attend to them
+there, Mamma Vi acting as governess."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't she willing to do the same for me too, papa?" asked Lulu, in a
+slightly hurt tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," he answered pleasantly; "but there is the dressmaking, and
+I couldn't think of such a thing as asking to have that carried on at
+Ion."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu seemed to have nothing more to say and Grace gave her a troubled
+look; then, with a little hesitation, "Papa," she said, "I&mdash;I think I'd
+rather stay at home with Lu, if I may."</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter," he answered, still speaking very pleasantly. "I have not
+time to give my reasons just now; but I want you to go, and Lulu to
+stay. It will probably be for only a few days; and I think she may trust
+her father not to allow her to be very lonely in the meanwhile," he
+added, with a smile directed to Lulu, but which she did not seem to see,
+keeping her face down and her eyes fixed upon her book.</p>
+
+<p>Then he left the room, saying to Grace as he went out, "Make haste,
+daughter, to gather up <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>your books and whatever else you may wish to
+take with you. I have already ordered the carriage and there is no time
+to waste. Lulu may help you if she will."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you, Lu?" asked Grace, with a very sympathizing look at her
+sister. "Oh, I wish papa had said you were to go too! Whatever shall I
+do without my dear, big sister!"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Gracie; I'm sure I don't want to go where I'm not wanted,"
+replied Lulu, in a hurt tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure it isn't because they wouldn't like to have you there,"
+returned Grace, running to her sister and putting her arms about her
+neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't they ask me, then?" queried Lulu, a little angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"May be they did. I'm most sure Grandma Elsie wouldn't forget to include
+you in her invitation; and, oh, yes! don't you remember papa did say we
+were all invited? But you know there are the lessons, and I suppose papa
+would rather hear them himself."</p>
+
+<p>"But he could hear them there."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; so he could if he wanted to. But then there's the dressmaking, you
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"That could be put off for a few days," returned Lulu, with a very
+grown-up air. "There are plenty of ways when people want to do a
+thing&mdash;plenty of excuses to be thought of when they don't. Alma has
+numerous customers and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>could sew for somebody else first, giving her my
+time, and me hers after we get home."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, maybe it could be managed in that way!" exclaimed Grace joyously;
+"and I'd so much rather have you along. I think I'll ask papa."</p>
+
+<p>"No, don't you do any such thing," returned Lulu, in a not particularly
+amiable tone. "If I'm not wanted, I'm sure I don't wish to go. But
+you'll have to hurry, Gracie. You know papa is very particular about our
+being prompt in obeying his orders."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," returned Grace, who was again at her desk, "but I have been busy
+all this time getting out the books and other things I must take along,
+and now I'll go upstairs and get dressed and put up the things there
+that I want. Won't you go with me? You'll know so much better than I
+what I need to take."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Gracie, dear; I'll be glad to give you all the help I can. I'm
+glad papa said I might. Oh, but it will be lonely here without you! I do
+think papa might have said I could go, too."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd be ever so glad if he had, or would," said Grace, as hand in hand
+they left the room together, "but you know, Lu dear, we always find out
+in the end that his way is the best."</p>
+
+<p>"So we do, and I'll try to believe it now," returned Lulu, in a more
+cheerful tone than she <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>had used since learning that the rest of the
+family were to go to Ion and she was to remain at home.</p>
+
+<p>With her good help Grace was ready in a few minutes, and just then they
+heard their father call to her to come at once, as the carriage was at
+the door.</p>
+
+<p>The sisters embraced each other hastily, Grace saying, "Oh, Lu, good-by,
+I do wish you were going along, for I can hardly bear to go without
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, but just try to enjoy yourself as much as ever you can,"
+returned Lulu. "Go down now, dearie, for we should never keep papa
+waiting, you know. Here's Agnes to carry down your satchel. I hope you
+won't stay long enough away from me to need many clothes, and if you do
+it will be easy enough to send them&mdash;the carriage going back and forth
+every day."</p>
+
+<p>Grace was half-way down the stairs before Lulu had finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't you a gwine down to see de folks off, Miss Lulu?" queried Agnes,
+as she took up the satchel.</p>
+
+<p>"No," returned Lulu shortly; "I'm going back to the schoolroom to attend
+to my lessons."</p>
+
+<p>Agnes gave her a look of surprise as she left the room, thinking she had
+never known Miss Lu fail to be at the door when any of the other
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>members of the family were leaving for more than a short drive, and she
+staying behind.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Lulu, Gracie?" asked Violet, as the captain handed the little
+girl into the carriage. "I hadn't time to hunt her up, and thought she
+would be here at the door to say good-by to us all."</p>
+
+<p>"She said she must hurry back to her lessons, mamma," answered Grace,
+blushing for her sister. "You see she stopped to help me get ready, and
+I suppose she's afraid she'll not know them well by the time papa wants
+to hear her recite."</p>
+
+<p>"It would have taken very little of her time," the captain remarked,
+with a grave and somewhat displeased look.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, you can bring her over to Ion, perhaps this afternoon or
+to-morrow, for a call, Levis," Violet hastened to say in a cheery tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly," he answered, and was about to step into the carriage when a
+servant came hurrying up to ask directions in regard to some work to be
+done in the grounds.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear," said the captain to Violet, "I think it would be better for
+you and the children to drive on without waiting for me. I shall
+probably follow you in another hour or two."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; please don't disappoint us if you can help it," returned
+Violet, and the carriage drove on, while Captain Raymond walked <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>away in
+the opposite direction, to give the needed orders to his men.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it's a shame that I should be left behind when all the rest of
+the family are going to Ion to have a good time," muttered Lulu angrily,
+as she seated herself at her desk again and opened a book. "Papa could
+hear my lessons there just as well as here if he chose, and Mamma Vi
+might have arranged to have my dresses made a week or two later."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Lu," said Agnes, opening the door and putting in her head, "Miss
+Alma tole me for to tell you she's 'bout ready fo' to try on yo' new
+dress."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell her to take it to my room. I'll go up there to have it tried on,"
+replied Lulu, in a vexed, impatient tone.</p>
+
+<p>Then, as Agnes withdrew her head and closed the door, "Horrid thing! why
+couldn't she have come to me while I was up there? Here I am, hardly
+fairly settled to my work, and I must drop it and go back again. I'd
+better take my book with me, for there's no knowing how long she may
+keep me while she alters something that she has got wrong, for she's
+generally too stupid to make a thing right at the first trial. Well,
+perhaps she'll get done by the time papa comes back and is ready to hear
+me recite."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So saying she went slowly from the school room and upstairs to her own
+apartment.</p>
+
+<p>There were a few minutes of waiting for Alma, which did not improve
+Lulu's temper, and as the girl came in she received an angry glance,
+accompanied by the remark, in no very pleasant tones, that she had no
+business to send for people till she was ready to attend to them.</p>
+
+<p>At that Alma colored painfully. "I am sorry to have inconvenienced you,
+Miss Lu," she said, "but I'll try not to keep you so very long."</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't, it will be about the first time that you haven't,"
+snapped Lulu. "I think you are just about the slowest, most blundering
+dressmaker I ever did see."</p>
+
+<p>At that unkind remark, Alma's eyes filled with tears, but she went on
+silently with her work, making no rejoinder, while Lulu&mdash;the reproaches
+of conscience rendering her uneasy and irritable&mdash;fidgetted and fussed,
+thus greatly increasing the difficulty of the task.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Lu," Alma said at last, in a despairing tone, "if you can't keep
+stiller, it is not possible for me to make the dress to fit you right."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" returned Lulu scornfully, "I don't feel sure of your ability
+to fit it right under any circumstances&mdash;such a stupid, awkward thing as
+you are, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Her sentence was left unfinished, for at that in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>stant, to her
+astonishment and dismay, her father's voice called to her from his
+dressing-room, in sterner accents than she had heard from him in a long
+while. "Lucilla, come here to me!" She had not known of his detention at
+home, but supposed he had gone with the others to Ion.</p>
+
+<p>Jerking off the waist, which Alma had already unfastened,&mdash;snatching up
+a dressing-sack and putting it on as she went,&mdash;she appeared before him,
+blushing and shamefaced.</p>
+
+<p>"I am both surprised and mortified by what I have just overheard," he
+said. "I had a better opinion of my dear, eldest daughter than to
+suppose she would ever show herself so heartless. You surely must have
+forgotten that poor Alma is a stranger, in a strange land, while you are
+at home, in your father's house. Go to her now, and apologize for your
+rudeness."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu made no movement to obey, but stood before him in sullen silence
+and with downcast, scowling countenance.</p>
+
+<p>He waited a moment; then said sternly, "Lucilla, you will yield instant
+obedience to my order, or go immediately to your own room, and not
+venture into my presence again until you can tell me you have obeyed."</p>
+
+<p>At that she turned and left the room, more angry and rebellious than she
+had ever been since that dreadful time at Ion when her in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>dulgence in a
+fit of passion had so nearly cost little Elsie's life.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa will have a pretty time making me do it," she muttered angrily to
+herself, as she stood by a window in her bedroom looking out into the
+grounds. "Ask Alma's pardon, indeed! She's not even a lady; she's
+nothing but a poor woman, who has to support herself with her
+needle,&mdash;or rather with a sewing machine, and cutting and fitting,&mdash;and
+I think it's just outrageous for papa to tell me I must ask her pardon.
+I'll not do it, and papa needn't think he can make me, though&mdash;&mdash;" she
+added, uneasily, the next minute, "to be sure, he always has made me
+obey him; but I'm older now; too old, I think, even he would say, to be
+whipped into doing what I don't choose to do.</p>
+
+<p>"But he forbade me to come into his presence till I obeyed, and&mdash;oh,
+dear, I can't live that way, because I love him so&mdash;better than any one
+else in all the wide world; and&mdash;and&mdash;it would just kill me to have to
+go without his love and his caresses; never to have him hug and kiss me,
+and call me his dear child, his darling. Oh, I couldn't bear it! I never
+could! it would just break my heart!" and her tears began to fall like
+rain.</p>
+
+<p>She cried quite violently for a while; then began to think of Alma more
+kindly and pity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>ingly than ever before, as an orphan and a stranger in a
+strange land.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am ashamed to have treated her so!" she exclaimed at length, "and
+I will ask her pardon; not only because papa has ordered me to do so,
+but because I am sorry for her, and really mortified to think of having
+treated her so badly."</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, just at that moment Alma's timid rap was heard at the door
+and her voice saying, in a hesitating, deprecating way, "Miss Lu,
+please, I need to try the dress once more. I'm very sorry to disturb and
+trouble you, but I know you want it to be a good fit."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course I do, Alma," returned Lulu gently, opening the door as
+she spoke; "you are quite right to come back with it. I'm sorry and
+ashamed of having been so rude and unkind to you when you were in here
+before," she added, holding out her hand. "It was shameful treatment.
+Papa said I must ask your pardon, and I think I would do it now, even if
+he hadn't ordered me."</p>
+
+<p>"It is too much, Miss Lu," Alma said, blushing, and with tears in her
+eyes. "I could never ask such a thing as that of a young lady like you."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, my behavior has been very unladylike to-day," sighed Lulu; "and
+papa is very, very much displeased with me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, Miss," Alma responded, in a sympathizing tone. "But the
+captain will not stay angry; he is so very fond of his children."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and so kind and indulgent that I ought to be the best girl in the
+world. Oh, I wish I had not behaved so badly!"</p>
+
+<p>"He will forgive you, Miss; he will not stay displeased, for his love
+for you is so very great," returned Alma. "There, Miss, the dress does
+fit you now. See in the glass. Does it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Lulu replied, surveying herself in the mirror; "I could not ask a
+better fit, Alma."</p>
+
+<p>"It is lovely, Miss Lu; the stuff so fine and soft, and the colors so
+beautiful!" remarked the girl, gazing upon it with admiring eyes. "It is
+good, Miss Lu, to have a kind papa, rich enough to gif you all things
+needful for a young lady to wear."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and so generous and kind as mine is," sighed Lulu. "It is a very
+great shame that I ever do anything to displease him."</p>
+
+<p>Alma went back to the sewing-room, and Lulu hastened to the door of the
+room where her father had been when he called to her. But a glance
+within showed her that he was not there now. Then she ran downstairs and
+through library, parlors, halls,&mdash;everywhere,&mdash;looking for him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, where is he?" she sighed. "I must find him and tell him how sorry I
+am for my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>naughtiness. I can't have one minute of happiness till I have
+done so and got a kiss of forgiveness."</p>
+
+<p>Snatching a hat from the rack and putting it on as she went, she ran out
+and round the porches and the grounds; but nowhere was he to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Lu," called a servant, at length, "is you lookin' fo' de cap'n?
+He's done gone to Ion, I 'spects; kase dere's whar Miss Wi'let went in
+de kerridge."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he say when he would come back?" asked Lulu, steadying her voice
+with quite an effort.</p>
+
+<p>"He gwine come back dis evenin' fo' suah, Miss Lu, to see 'bout de work
+on de plantation," was the reply, as the man turned to his employment
+again. And with a heavy sigh Lulu turned about and re-entered the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's so lonesome for me here all by myself!" she said half-aloud.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no one near enough to hear her, and she went back to her
+tasks, trying to forget her troubles in study; an effort in which she
+was for the time partially successful.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"I hope there is nothing serious ailing dear mamma," Violet said rather
+anxiously to herself, as the carriage rolled swiftly on toward Ion;
+"there was really nothing in her note to indicate it, but she has never
+been one to complain of even a pretty serious ailment. She is not old
+yet; we may hope to keep her with us for many, many years. But then she
+is so good&mdash;so ripe for heaven!" And a silent prayer went up to God that
+the dear mother might be spared for many years to help others on their
+pilgrim way, especially her children and grandchildren. "For oh, how we
+need her!" was the added thought; "what could we ever do without
+her&mdash;the dear, kind, loving mother to whom we carry all our troubles and
+perplexities, sure of comfort, the best of advice, and all the help in
+her power to give. Dear, dear mamma! Oh, I have never prized her as I
+ought!"</p>
+
+<p>It was only the previous evening that Mrs. Travilla herself had learned
+that she was assailed by more than a trifling ailment. What seemed to
+her but a slight one, causing discomfort, and at times quite a good deal
+of pain, she had been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>conscious of for some weeks or months, but had
+not thought it necessary to speak of it to anyone.</p>
+
+<p>About the time of her return home, however, there had been a very
+decided increase in the suffering; which at length led her to confide
+her trouble to her cousin and family physician, Dr. Arthur Conly, and
+she had learned from him that it was far more serious than she had
+supposed; that in fact her only escape from sure and speedy death lay in
+submission to a difficult and dangerous surgical operation.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur told her as gently and tenderly as he could&mdash;assuring her that
+there was more than a possibility of a successful result&mdash;bringing
+relief from her suffering and prolonging her life for many years.</p>
+
+<p>His first words&mdash;showing her ailment as so much more serious than she
+had ever for a moment supposed it to be&mdash;gave her a shock at the thought
+of the sudden parting from all her dear ones&mdash;father, children, and
+grandchildren; yet before he had finished she was entirely calm and
+composed.</p>
+
+<p>"And what would death be but going home?" she said; "home to the
+mansions Jesus my Saviour has prepared for those he died to redeem, and
+to the dear ones gone before, there to await the coming of those who
+will be left behind for a little while. Ah, it is nothing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>to dread or
+to fear, for 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And yet, Cousin Elsie," Arthur returned, with ill-concealed emotion,
+"how illy you could be spared by any of those who know and love you.
+Even I should feel it an almost heartbreaking thing to lose you out of
+my life, and your father, children&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know, dear cousin, and shall not hesitate to do or bear all that
+holds out a hope of prolonging my days here upon earth; for otherwise I
+should feel that I was rushing into the Master's presence unbidden, and
+that without finishing the work he has given me to do here.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor would I be willing to so pain the hearts of those who love me. I am
+ready to submit at once to whatever you deem necessary or expedient. But
+ah, my dear father! How distressed he will be when he learns all that
+you have just told me! I wish he might be spared the knowledge till all
+is over. But it would not do. He must be told at once, and&mdash;I must tell
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be very hard for you, dear cousin; would it not be
+better&mdash;&mdash;" Arthur began, but paused, leaving his sentence unfinished.</p>
+
+<p>"It will come best from me, I think," she returned, with a sad sort of
+smile. "But when?"</p>
+
+<p>"Day after to-morrow, if you will. I think <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>you would prefer to have the
+trial over as soon as possible?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I think it will save both me and all concerned from some of the
+suffering of anticipation, if you can make it suit your convenience."</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly," he answered; "there are few preparations to be made and I
+do not want long to contemplate doing what must be a trial to so many
+whom I love."</p>
+
+<p>Their talk had been in her boudoir. He lingered but a few moments
+longer, then went down to the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle," he said, in a low aside to Mr. Dinsmore, "I have just left
+Cousin Elsie in her boudoir and she wishes to see you there."</p>
+
+<p>"She is not well, Arthur?" asked the old gentleman, with a slightly
+startled look, as he rose from his easy chair and the two passed out
+into the hall together.</p>
+
+<p>"Not very, uncle," was the sad-toned reply. "She has been consulting me
+and there is something she wishes to say to you."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Dinsmore paled to the very lips. "Don't keep me in suspense, Arthur;
+let me know the worst, at once," he said, with almost a groan. "Why has
+anything been hidden from me&mdash;the father who loves her better than his
+life?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have been as ignorant as yourself, uncle, till within the last half
+hour," replied the doctor, in a patient, deeply sympathizing tone. "It
+is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>astonishing to me that she has been able to endure so much for weeks
+or months past without a word of complaint. But do not despair, my dear
+uncle; the case is by no means hopeless."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me all, Arthur; hide nothing, nothing from me," Mr. Dinsmore said
+with mingled sternness and entreaty, hastily leading the way as he spoke
+to the little reception room opening from the other side of the hall,
+and closing the door against any chance intruder.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur complied, stating the case as briefly as possible, and laying
+strong emphasis upon the fact that there was reason to hope for, not
+spared life alone, but entire and permanent relief.</p>
+
+<p>"God grant it!" was the old gentleman's fervent, half agonized response.
+"My darling, my darling! would that I could bear all the suffering for
+you! Arthur, when&mdash;when must my child go through the trial which you say
+is&mdash;not to be escaped?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have agreed upon the day after to-morrow, uncle, both she and I
+wishing to have it over as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later, Mr. Dinsmore passed quietly into his daughter's
+boudoir, where he found her alone, lying on a lounge, her eyes closed,
+her countenance, though deathly pale, perfectly calm and peaceful.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He bent down and touched his lips to the white forehead; then as the
+sweet eyes opened and looked up lovingly into his, "Oh, my darling, idol
+of my heart," he groaned, "would that your father could himself take the
+suffering that I have just learned is in store for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah no, no, my dear, dear father, I could illy bear that," she said,
+putting an arm about his neck; "suffering and danger to you would be far
+harder for me than what I am now enduring or expecting in the near
+future. Arthur has told you all?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; kind-hearted and generous fellow that he is, he felt that he must
+spare you the pain of telling it yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it was very, very kind," she said, "Dear papa, sit down in this
+easy chair, close by my side, and take my hand in yours while we talk
+together of some matters that need to be settled before&mdash;before I am
+called to go through that which may be the end of earthly life for me."</p>
+
+<p>Then, in response to the anguished look in his face as he bent over her
+with another silent caress, "My dear father, I do not mean to distress
+you. Arthur holds out strong hope of cure and years of health and
+strength to follow; yet surely it is but the part of wisdom to prepare
+for either event."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and I am sure you are fully prepared, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>at least so far as your
+eternal welfare is concerned; should you be called away&mdash;our grief will
+be for ourselves alone."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad the choice is not left with me," she said, in low, sweet
+tones, after a moment's silence. "For your dear sake, papa, and that of
+my beloved children, I am more than willing to stay here on earth for
+many more years, yet the thought of being forever with the Lord&mdash;near
+him and like him&mdash;thrills my heart with joy unspeakable, while added to
+that is a great gladness in the prospect of reunion with the dear
+husband who has gone before me to that happy land. So I am not to be
+pitied, my dear father," she added, with a beautiful smile; "and can you
+not rejoice with me that the choice is not mine but lies with him whose
+love for us both is far greater than ours for each other?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied with emotion; "blessed be his holy name that we may
+leave it all in his hands, trusting in his infinite wisdom and love;
+knowing that if called to part for a season, we shall be reunited in
+heaven, never again to be torn asunder."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear father; we cannot expect to go quite together, but when
+reunited there in that blessed land, never again to part, the time of
+separation will seem to have been very short; even as nothing compared
+to the long, the unending eternity we shall spend together.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And oh, what an eternity of joy and bliss, forever freed from sin and
+suffering, near and like our Lord, altogether pleasing in his sight, no
+doubts, no fears, the battle fought, the victory won. 'And there shall
+be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,
+and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his
+name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and
+they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth
+them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my darling; blessed be his holy name for the many great and
+precious promises of his word, and I have not a doubt of your full
+preparation for either event; but oh, that it may please him to spare
+you to me as the light, comfort, joy of my remaining days! Yet should it
+please him to take you to himself&mdash;ah, I cannot, dare not allow myself
+to contemplate so terrible a bereavement," he added, in low anguished
+accents, as he bent over her, softly smoothing her hair with tenderly
+caressing touch.</p>
+
+<p>"Then do not, dear father," she said, lifting to his eyes full of ardent
+love and sympathy; "try to leave it all with the dear Master, and he
+will fulfil to you his precious promise, 'As thy days, so shall thy
+strength be.' Has it not ever been the testimony of all his saints
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>concerning his precious promises that not one faileth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, "and so will it ever be. By his grace I will trust and
+not be afraid for you, my beloved child; nor for myself, his most
+unworthy servant."</p>
+
+<p>Then with an upward glance, "'Lord increase our faith.' Oh, help us each
+to trust in thee and not to be afraid, be the way ever so dark and
+dreary, remembering thy gracious promise, 'I will in no wise fail thee,
+neither will I in anywise forsake thee.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Sweet, sweet words, papa," she said, low and tremulously, lifting to
+his eyes full of glad, grateful tears.</p>
+
+<p>"And those others, 'When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with
+thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou
+walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
+flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of
+Israel, thy Saviour.'</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what more could I ask? what have I to do with doubt or fear, since
+he is mine and I am his?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only the physical pain," he said, low and tenderly; "and Arthur tells
+me that with the help of an&aelig;sthetics there will be little or none of
+that during the operation, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What may come afterward can be easily <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>borne, dear papa," she said, as
+he paused, overcome by emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, brave darling! a more patient, resigned sufferer never lived!"
+was his moved, though low-breathed, exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>A moment's silence fell between them, he leaning over and caressing her
+with exceeding tenderness; then, "Papa," she said, with a loving look up
+into his eyes, "I cannot bear to see you so distressed. Arthur holds out
+strong hope of cure, of speedy and entire recovery; and we may be spared
+to each other for many years if the will of God be so; but&mdash;surely it is
+my wisest plan to prepare for every possibility.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel very easy about my dear children, most of them having already
+arrived at years of maturity, and being comfortably settled in life;
+Edward and my two older daughters, at least; while the others I can
+leave in the safest of earthly hands, even those of my dear and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'honered'">honored</ins>
+father, whose love for them is only secondary to my own; and for each
+one I have reason to hope that the good part has been chosen which can
+never be taken away."</p>
+
+<p>"I do indeed love them very dearly," he responded, "for their own sake,
+their father's, and most of all because they are the offspring of my own
+beloved child. Should I outlive her, they shall want for nothing their
+grandfather can do to make them happy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know it, dear father, and can leave them to your and their heavenly
+Father's care without a doubt or fear," she said, with a gentle sigh
+over the thought of the parting with her darlings that might be so near.</p>
+
+<p>She went on to speak of some business matters, then said: "I think that
+is all, papa. I do not care to make any alteration in my will; and, as
+you know, you and brother Horace are my executors. To-morrow I must have
+a little talk with each of my children, and then I shall be ready for
+Arthur and his assistants.</p>
+
+<p>"I want all my children near at hand in case of an unfavorable result
+and that I am able to say a few last words, bidding them all farewell."</p>
+
+<p>There was again a moment of silence, her father seeming too much
+overcome to speak; then she went on: "I think they must not be told
+to-night, that the two younger ones need know nothing of the danger till
+the morning of the operation. I would spare them all the suffering of
+anticipation that I can; and were I but sure, quite sure, of going
+safely through it all, they should know nothing of it till afterward;
+but I cannot rob them of a few last words with their mother."</p>
+
+<p>"My darling! always unselfish, always thinking of others first!" Mr.
+Dinsmore said, in moved tones, bending over her and pressing his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>lips
+again and again to her pale cheek and brow.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely almost any mother would think of her children before herself,"
+she returned with a sweet, sad smile.</p>
+
+<p>But just at that instant childish footsteps were heard in the hall
+without, then a gentle rap on the door, and Walter's voice asking,
+"Mamma, may I come in?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my son," she answered, in cheerful tones, and in a moment he was
+at her side, asking, in some alarm and anxiety, "Mamma, dear, are you
+sick?" bending over her as he spoke, and pressing ardent kisses upon
+cheek and lip and brow.</p>
+
+<p>"Not very, mother's darling baby boy," she answered, lifting to his eyes
+full of tender mother love.</p>
+
+<p>"'Baby boy?'" repeated Walter, with a merry laugh, gently smoothing her
+hair, and patting her cheek lovingly, while he spoke. "Mamma, dear, have
+you forgotten that I am eleven years old?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear; but for all that you are still mother's dear, dear baby boy!"
+she said, hugging him close.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I shan't mind your calling me that, you dearest mamma," laughed
+Walter, repeating his caresses; "but nobody else must do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Not even grandpa?" queried Mr. Dins<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>more, with a proudly affectionate
+smile into the bright young face.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you'd want to, grandpa," returned the lad, "because, you
+know, you're always telling me I must try to be a manly boy. But I came
+up to remind you and mamma that it's time for prayers. Grandma sent me
+to do so and to ask if you could both come down now."</p>
+
+<p>"You will not think of going down, Elsie?" Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in
+surprise, as his daughter made a movement as if to rise from her couch.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa," she returned. "I have been resting here for some hours and
+feel quite able to join the family now. I am not in pain at this moment,
+and Arthur said nothing about keeping to my room."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I wouldn't, mamma," said Walter, slipping his hand into hers. "I'm
+sure Cousin Arthur's always ready enough to order us to keep to our
+rooms if there's any occasion. I'm glad he doesn't think you sick enough
+to have to do that."</p>
+
+<p>His mother only smiled in reply, and, taking her father's offered arm,
+moved on in the direction of the stairway, Walter still clinging to her
+other hand.</p>
+
+<p>Anxious looks and inquiries greeted her on their entrance into the
+parlor, where family and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>servants were already gathered for the evening
+service; but she parried them all with such cheery words and bright
+sweet smiles as set their fears at rest for the time.</p>
+
+<p>But those of Edward were presently rearoused as&mdash;the younger members of
+the family and the servants having retired from the room&mdash;he noticed a
+look of keen, almost anguished anxiety, bestowed by his grandfather upon
+his mother; then that her cheek was unusually pale.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother dear, you are not well!" he exclaimed, hastily rising and going
+to her.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not quite, my dear boy," she replied, smiling up at him; "but do
+not look so distressed; none of us can expect always to escape all
+illness. I am going back to my room now and, though able to do so
+without assistance, will accept the support of the arm of my eldest son,
+if it is offered me."</p>
+
+<p>"Gladly, mother dear, unless you will let me carry you; which I am fully
+able to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, Ned," she said laughingly, as she rose and put her hand within
+his arm; "the day may possibly come when I shall tax your young strength
+to that extent, but it is not necessary now. Papa, dear," turning to
+him, "shall I say good-night to you now?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," Mr. Dinsmore answered, with some emotion, "I shall step into
+your rooms for that as it is on my way to my own."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I, too," said Mrs. Dinsmore; "and perhaps you will let me play the
+nurse for you if you are not feeling quite well."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you very much, mamma. In case your kind services are really
+needed I shall not hesitate to let you know. And I am always glad to see
+you in my rooms."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, you are actually panting for breath!" Edward exclaimed when
+they were half-way up the stairs. "I shall carry you," and taking her in
+his arms as he spoke, he bore her to her boudoir and laid her tenderly
+down on its couch. "Oh, mother dear," he said, in quivering tones, "tell
+me all. Why should your eldest son be shut out from your confidence?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear boy," she answered, putting her hand into his, "can you not
+rest content till to-morrow? Why should you think that anything serious
+ails me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your pale looks and evident weakness," he said, "grandpa's distressed
+countenance as he turns his eyes on you, and the unusually sober,
+serious look of Cousin Arthur as I met him passing out of the house
+to-night. He had been with you, had he not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my son, and I meant that you and your sisters should know all
+to-morrow or the next day. It is only for your own sake I would have had
+you spared the knowledge till then."</p>
+
+<p>"Dearest mother, tell me all now," he en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>treated; "for surely no
+certainty can be worse than this dreadful suspense."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I suppose not," she replied in sorrowful tones, her eyes gazing
+into his, full of tenderest mother love. Then in a few brief sentences
+she told him all.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mother dear; dearest mother!" he cried, clasping her close, "if I,
+your eldest son, might but take and bear it all&mdash;the pain and the
+danger&mdash;for you, how gladly I would do so!"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not doubt it, my own dear boy," she returned, in moved tones, "but
+it cannot be; each of us must bear his or her own burden and I rejoice
+that this is mine rather than that of my dear son. Do not grieve for me;
+do not be too anxious; remember that he whose love for me is far greater
+than any earthly love appoints it all, and it shall be for good. 'We
+know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'
+Blessed, comforting assurance! And how sweet are those words of Jesus,
+'What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dearest mother," he said, with emotion, "and for you it will be
+all joy, the beginning of an eternity of bliss, if it shall please him
+to take you to himself; but oh, how hard it will be for your children to
+learn to live without you! But I will hope and pray that the result may
+be for you restored health and a long and happy life."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For some moments he held her in a close embrace, then, at the sound of
+approaching footsteps in the hall without, laid her gently down upon her
+pillows.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep it from Zoe for to-night, if possible," she said softly. "Dear
+little woman! I would not have her robbed of her night's rest."</p>
+
+<p>"I will try, mother dear," he said, pressing his lips again and again to
+hers. "God grant you sweet and refreshing sleep, but oh, do not for a
+moment hesitate to summon me if there is anything I can do to relieve
+you, should you be in pain, or to add in any way to your comfort."</p>
+
+<p>She gave the desired promise and he stole softly from the room; but not
+to join his wife till some moments of solitude had enabled him so to
+conquer his emotion that he could appear before her with a calm and
+untroubled countenance.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore passed into the boudoir as he left it. Rose had
+just learned from her husband of his talk of that evening with Dr.
+Conly, and what the physician had then told him of his daughter's
+condition and the trial awaiting her in the near future.</p>
+
+<p>Rose was full of sympathy for Elsie, and so overcome at the thought of
+the trial she must so soon pass through that she could scarcely speak.</p>
+
+<p>They clung to each other in a long, tender <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>embrace, Rose shedding
+tears, Elsie calm and quiet.</p>
+
+<p>"You will let me be with you, dear Elsie?" she said at last. "Oh, how
+willingly I would help you bear it if I could!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear mamma, how kind you are and have always been to me!" exclaimed the
+low sweet voice. "Your presence will be a great support while
+consciousness remains, but after that I would have you spared the trial.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't fear for me; I know that it will all be well. How glad I am that
+should I be taken you will be left to comfort my dear father and
+children. Yet I think that I shall be spared. Arthur holds out a strong
+hope of a favorable termination.</p>
+
+<p>"So, dear father," turning to him and putting her hand in his, "be
+comforted. Be strong and of a good courage! Do not let anxiety for me
+rob you of your needed rest and sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"For your dear sake, my darling, I will try to follow your advice," he
+answered, with emotion, as in his turn he folded her to his heart and
+bade her good-night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The next morning found Mrs. Travilla calm and peaceful, even cheerful,
+ready for either life or death. She was up at her usual early hour, and
+Rosie and Walter, coming in for their accustomed half hour of Bible
+reading with mamma, found her at her writing-desk just finishing a note
+to Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear mamma," exclaimed Walter, in a tone of delight, "you are looking
+so much better and brighter this morning. I was really troubled about
+you last night lest you were going to be ill; you were so pale, and
+grandpa looked so worried."</p>
+
+<p>"Grandpa is always easily frightened about mamma if she shows the
+slightest indication of illness," said Rosie; "as indeed we all are,
+because she is so dear and precious; our very greatest earthly treasure.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma dearest, I am so rejoiced that you are not really sick!" she
+added, dropping on her knees beside her mother's chair, clasping her
+arms about her, and kissing her again and again with ardent affection.</p>
+
+<p>"I, too," Walter said, taking his station on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>her other side, putting an
+arm round her neck, and pressing his lips to her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>She returned their caresses with words of mother love, tears shining in
+her eyes at the thought that this might prove almost her last
+opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think, Rosie?" laughed Walter. "Mamma called me her baby
+boy last night; me&mdash;a great fellow of eleven. I think you must be her
+baby girl."</p>
+
+<p>But Rosie made no reply. She was gazing earnestly into her mother's
+face. "Mamma dear," she said anxiously, "you are not well! you are
+suffering! Oh, what is it ails you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am in some pain, daughter," Elsie answered, in a cheerful tone; "but
+Cousin Arthur hopes to be able to relieve it in a day or two."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am glad to hear that!" Rosie exclaimed, with a sigh of relief.
+"Dearest mamma, I do not know how I could ever bear to have you very
+ill."</p>
+
+<p>"Should that trial ever come to you, daughter dear, look to God for
+strength to endure it," her mother said in sweetly solemn accents, as
+she gently smoothed Rosie's hair with her soft white hand and gazed
+lovingly into her eyes. "Do not be troubled about the future, but trust
+his gracious promise: 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be!' Many and
+many a time has it <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>been fulfilled to me and to all who have put their
+trust in him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mamma, I know you have had some hard trials, and yet you always
+seem so happy."</p>
+
+<p>"You look happy now, mamma; are you?" asked Walter, a little anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my son, I am," she said, smiling affectionately upon him. "Now let
+us have our reading," turning over the leaves of her Bible as she spoke.
+"We will take the twenty-third psalm. It is short, and so very sweet and
+comforting."</p>
+
+<p>They did so, Elsie making a few brief remarks, especially on the fourth
+verse, which neither Rosie nor Walter ever forgot.</p>
+
+<p>She followed them with a short prayer, and just at its close her father
+came in, and, sending the children away, spent alone with his daughter
+the few minutes that remained before the ringing of the breakfast bell.</p>
+
+<p>He obeyed the summons, but she remained in her own apartments, a servant
+carrying her meal to her.</p>
+
+<p>It was something very unusual for her, and, joined to an unusual silence
+on the part of their grandfather, accompanied by a sad countenance and
+occasional heavy sigh, and similar symptoms shown by both Grandma Rose
+and Edward, excited surprise and apprehension on the part of the younger
+members of the household.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Family worship, as was the rule followed immediately upon the conclusion
+of the meal, and Mr. Dinsmore's feeling petition on behalf of the sick
+one increased the alarm of Rosie and Zoe.</p>
+
+<p>Both followed Edward out upon the veranda, asking anxiously what ailed
+mamma.</p>
+
+<p>At first he tried to parry their questions, but his own ill-concealed
+distress only increased their alarm and rendered them the more
+persistent.</p>
+
+<p>"There is something serious ailing mamma," he said at length, "but
+Cousin Arthur hopes soon to be able to relieve her. The cure is somewhat
+doubtful, however, and that is what so distresses grandpa, grandma, and
+me. Oh, let us all pray for her, pleading the Master's precious promise,
+'If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall
+ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.'</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma has sent for my sisters Elsie and Violet. She wants as many of
+her children and grandchildren near her as possible; but Harold and
+Herbert have to be left out because, being so far away, there is not
+time to summon them."</p>
+
+<p>"O Ned," cried Rosie, in an agony of terror, "is&mdash;is mamma in immediate
+danger? What&mdash;what is it Cousin Arthur is going to do?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A&mdash;surgical operation is, he says, the only&mdash;only thing that can
+possibly save her life, and&mdash;he hopes it will."</p>
+
+<p>"But he isn't certain? O mamma, mamma!" cried Rosie, bursting into an
+uncontrollable fit of weeping.</p>
+
+<p>Zoe was sobbing too, Edward holding her in his arms and scarce able to
+refrain from joining with her, and at that moment the Fairview carriage
+drove up, and Elsie Leland, alighting therefrom, quickly came in among
+them, asking in alarm, as she saw their tear-stained, agitated faces,
+"What is the matter? Oh, is mamma ill?"</p>
+
+<p>Then Edward's story had to be repeated to her, and shortly after to
+Violet, who, with her children, arrived a little later.</p>
+
+<p>They too seemed almost overwhelmed with distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Can we go to her?" Violet asked, and Mrs. Dinsmore, who had just joined
+them, replied, "Not yet; your grandpa is with her, and wishes to have
+her to himself for a while."</p>
+
+<p>"Ob, I hope he will not keep us long away from her; our own, own dear
+mother!" exclaimed Rosie, with a fresh burst of tears and sobs.</p>
+
+<p>"I think not long, Rosie, dear," Mrs. Dinsmore replied soothingly,
+putting an arm round the weeping girl as she spoke, and smoothing her
+hair with gently caressing hand. "Your <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>mamma will be asking for you all
+presently. She has said that until the danger is past, she wants you all
+near enough to be summoned to her side in a moment."</p>
+
+<p>"And I&mdash;we all&mdash;know she is ready for any event," Elsie Leland said, in
+trembling, tearful tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and I believe God will spare her to us for years to come, in
+answer to our prayers," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in cheerful, hopeful
+accents.</p>
+
+<p>Walter had gone out into the grounds at the time the older ones repaired
+to the veranda, and Grace, with Violet's little ones, had joined him
+there on alighting from the carriage which had brought them from
+Woodburn.</p>
+
+<p>The four now came running in and Walter, noticing the looks of grief and
+anxiety on the faces of the older people asked anxiously, "What's the
+matter, folks?" then added quickly. "Oh, I hope mamma is not worse! Is
+that it, grandma?" His query was not answered, for at that moment Dr.
+Conly's carriage came driving up the avenue. All crowded about him as he
+alighted and came up the steps into the veranda. That, however, was
+nothing new for he was a great favorite, being not only their relative,
+but their trusted and valued physician.</p>
+
+<p>"You have come to see mamma?" Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> Leland said, half inquiringly. "Oh,
+Cousin Arthur, do be frank with us! do tell us plainly what you think of
+her case."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a serious one, Cousin Elsie, I will not deny that," the doctor
+replied, a very grave and concerned look on his face as he spoke, "and
+yet I have strong hope of complete recovery; so do not any of you give
+way to despair, but unite together in prayer for God's blessing on the
+means used."</p>
+
+<p>"Can I see her now, Aunt Rose?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Dinsmore. "I
+think so," she replied, leading the way, the doctor following, while the
+others remained where they were, waiting in almost silent suspense.</p>
+
+<p>To them all it seemed a long, sad day. One at a time they were admitted
+to a short interview with their mother, in which she spoke with each one
+as though it might be her last opportunity, the burden of her talk being
+always an earnest exhortation to a life hid with God in Christ; a life
+of earnest, loving service to him who had died to redeem them from sin
+and eternal death.</p>
+
+<p>She was very cheerful and spoke hopefully of the result of the
+operation, yet added that, as it might prove fatal, and in a way to
+leave her neither time nor strength for these last words, she must speak
+them now; but they need not despair of seeing her restored to health and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>given many more years of sweet companionship with her loved ones.</p>
+
+<p>Walter, as the youngest, took his turn last.</p>
+
+<p>For many minutes he could do nothing but sob on his mother's breast. "O
+mamma, mamma," he cried, "I cannot, cannot do without you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mother knows it will be hard for her baby boy at first," she said, low
+and tenderly, holding him close to her heart; "but some day you will
+come to mamma in that happy land where there is no parting, no death,
+and where sorrow and sighing shall flee away; the land where 'the
+inhabitant shall not say I am sick'; the land where there is no sin, no
+suffering of any kind, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"My darling, my little son, there is nothing else mother so desires for
+you as that you may be a lamb of Christ's fold, and I have strong hopes
+that you already are. You know that Jesus died to save sinners; that he
+is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him; that you
+can do nothing to earn salvation, but must take it as God's free
+unmerited gift: that Jesus says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no
+wise cast out.' All this you know, my son?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mamma dearest," he sobbed. "Oh, how good it was in him to die that
+cruel death <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>that we might live! Yes, I do love him, and he won't be
+angry with me because I'm almost heartbroken at the thought of having to
+do without my dear, dear mother, for many years. O mamma, mamma, how can
+I live without you?"</p>
+
+<p>"It may please the dear Lord Jesus to spare you that trial, my darling
+boy," she said. "I know that he will, if in his infinite wisdom he sees
+it to be for the best.</p>
+
+<p>"And we must just trust him, remembering those sweet Bible words, 'We
+know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'
+Leave it all with him, my darling, feeling perfectly sure that whatever
+he orders will be for the best; that though we may not be able to see it
+so now, we shall at the last."</p>
+
+<p>"But, mamma, I must pray that you may be cured and live with us for
+many, many years. It will not be wrong to ask him for that?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, not if you ask in submission to his will, remembering that no one
+of us knows what is really for our highest good. Remember his own prayer
+in his agony there in the garden of Gethsemane, 'Father, if thou be
+willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine,
+be done.'</p>
+
+<p>"He is our example and we must strive to be equally submissive to the
+Father's will.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> Remember what the dear Master said to Peter, 'What I do
+thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, I will try to be perfectly submissive to his will, even if it is
+to take you away from me; but oh, I must pray, pray, <i>pray</i> as hard as I
+can that it may please him to spare your dear life and let me keep my
+mother at least till I am grown to be a man. It won't be wrong, mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my darling boy, I think not&mdash;if with it all you can truly, from
+your heart, say, 'thy will, not mine, be done.'"</p>
+
+<p>When Captain Raymond followed his wife and little ones to Ion, he found
+there a distressed household, anxious and sorely troubled over the
+suffering and danger of the dearly beloved mother and mistress. Violet
+met him on the veranda, her cheeks pale and showing traces of tears, her
+eyes full of them.</p>
+
+<p>"My darling!" he exclaimed in surprise and alarm, "what is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>He clasped her in his arms as he spoke, and dropping her head upon his
+shoulder, she sobbed out the story of her mother's suffering and the
+trial that awaited her on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>His grief and concern were scarcely less than her own, but he tried to
+speak words of comfort to both her and the others to whom the loved
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>invalid was so inexpressibly dear. To the beloved invalid also when,
+like the rest, he was accorded a short interview.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he found to his admiring surprise that she seemed in small need of
+such service&mdash;so calm, so peaceful, so entirely ready for any event was
+she.</p>
+
+<p>Finding his presence apparently a source of strength and consolation,
+not only to his young wife, but to all the members of the stricken
+household, he remained till after tea, but then returned home for the
+night, principally for Lulu's sake; not being willing to leave the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original unclear for this word">child</ins>
+alone, or nearly so, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original unclear for this word">in</ins> that great house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The duties of the schoolroom had filled up the rest of the morning for
+Lulu, so occupying her mind that she could give only an occasional
+thought to the sad fact that she was in disgrace with her father.</p>
+
+<p>Then came dinner, which she took in the dining-room, feeling it lonely
+enough with the whole family absent; immediately after that a music
+lesson filled another hour, and that was followed by an hour of practice
+on the piano.</p>
+
+<p>Then Alma wanted her again, and then, knowing it was what her father
+would approve, she took her usual exercise about the grounds; after
+which she prepared her lessons for the next day.</p>
+
+<p>But all the time her heart was heavy with the consciousness that "papa,
+dear papa," was displeased with her, and she felt that there could be no
+happiness for her till she had made her peace with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," she sighed again and again, "will he never, never come, that I may
+tell him how sorry and ashamed I am?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But when tea-time came he was still absent, and that meal also had to be
+taken alone.</p>
+
+<p>She did not linger at the table, and on leaving it went into the library
+where a wood fire blazed cheerfully on the hearth, for the evenings were
+now quite cool, and settling herself in an easy-chair listened for the
+sound of his coming.</p>
+
+<p>She was too much disturbed, and too anxious to read or work, so sat
+doing nothing but listen intently for the sound of horses' hoofs or
+carriage-wheels on the drive without.</p>
+
+<p>"Will he punish me?" she was asking herself. "I believe I want him to,
+for I'm sure I richly deserve it. Oh, there he is! I hear his voice in
+the hall!" and her heart beat fast as she sprang up and ran to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>He was already at the door of the room when she reached it.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," she said humbly, and with her eyes on the carpet, "I&mdash;I'm very,
+very sorry for my naughtiness this morning. I have obeyed you&mdash;asked
+Alma's pardon&mdash;and&mdash;please, dear papa, won't you forgive me, too?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, dear child," he said, bending down to press a kiss upon her
+lips. "I am always ready to forgive my dear children when they tell me
+they are sorry for having offended, and ready to obey."</p>
+
+<p>He led her to the easy-chair by the fireside, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>which she had just
+vacated, and seating himself therein, drew her to a seat upon his knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I'm so sorry, so very sorry for my badness, so ashamed of not
+being obedient to such a dear, kind father," she said, low and
+tremulously, blushing painfully as she spoke. "Please, I want you to
+punish me well for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Have I not already done so, daughter?" he asked. "I doubt if this has
+been a happy day to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, indeed, papa! I soon repented of my badness and looked
+everywhere for you to tell you how sorry I was and ask you to forgive
+me. But you were gone and so I had to wait, and the day has seemed as if
+it would never end, though I've been trying to do everything I thought
+you would bid me do if you were here."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I think I need add no further punishment," he said, softly
+caressing her hair and cheek with his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"But please I want you to, because I deserve it and ought to be made to
+pay for such badness; and I'm afraid if I'm not, I'll just be bad again
+soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter," he replied, "we will leave that question open to
+consideration. I see you have books here on the table, and we will now
+attend to the recitations."</p>
+
+<p>Her recitations were quite perfect, and he gave the deserved meed of
+praise, appointed the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>tasks for the next day, then drawing her to his
+knee again, said: "It does not seem to me necessary, daughter, to
+inflict any further punishment for the wrong-doings of this morning. You
+are sorry for them, and do not intend to offend in the same way again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am sorry, papa, and I don't mean to behave so any more; still,
+I'd feel more comfortable, and surer of not being just as bad again in a
+few days or weeks, if you'd punish me. So please do."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then, I will give you an extra task or two," he said, taking
+up her Latin grammar, "I will give you twice the usual lesson in this.
+Then, not as a punishment, but for your good, I want you to search out
+all the texts you can find in God's Holy Word about the sinfulness of
+anger and pride and the duty of confessing our faults, not only to him,
+but to those whom we have injured by them."</p>
+
+<p>Opening the Family Bible which lay on the table close at hand, "Here is
+one in Proverbs," he said. "'He that covereth his sins shall not
+prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy."'</p>
+
+<p>Then turning to the New Testament, he read again, "'Therefore, if thou
+bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
+aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
+way; first be re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>conciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy
+gift.'"</p>
+
+<p>"That is in Matthew," he said, "and here in the Epistle of James," again
+turning over the leaves, "we read perhaps the plainest direction of all
+on the subject, 'Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
+another that ye may be healed.'"</p>
+
+<p>"But, papa&mdash;&mdash;" she paused, hanging her head while a vivid blush
+suffused her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter, what is it? Do not be afraid to let me know all your
+thoughts. I want you always to talk freely to me, that if you are wrong
+I may be able to convince you of the right. I want my children to act
+intelligently, doing right because they see that it is right, and not
+merely because papa commands it."</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't be angry with me, papa, but, it did seem to me a sort of
+degradation to have to ask pardon of a&mdash;a woman who has to work for her
+living like Alma," she said with some hesitation, blushing and hanging
+her head as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very, very sorry to hear such sentiments from a daughter of mine,"
+he returned in a gravely concerned tone and with a slight sigh. "It is
+wicked pride, my child, that puts such thoughts in your head.</p>
+
+<p>"And who can say that there may not come <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>a time when you too will have
+to work for your living? The Bible tells us riches certainly take to
+themselves wings and fly away."</p>
+
+<p>Again turning over the leaves, "Here is the passage&mdash;twenty-third
+chapter of Proverbs, fourth and fifth verses: 'Labor not to be rich;
+cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is
+not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an
+eagle toward heaven.'</p>
+
+<p>"And how little are they really worth, while we have them? 'Riches
+profit not in the day of wrath,' we are told in this Holy Book. And it
+says a great deal of the folly and sinfulness of pride; particularly in
+this book of Proverbs;" turning over the leaves he read here and
+there&mdash;"'When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but, with the lowly is
+wisdom.' 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
+fall. Better is it to be an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide
+the spoil with the proud.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Proud and haughty scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.'</p>
+
+<p>"'A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble
+in spirit.'</p>
+
+<p>"'The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the
+evil way and the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'froward'">forward</ins> mouth, do I hate.'"</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment of silence, then Lulu said <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>humbly, tears starting to
+her eyes as she spoke, "Papa, I did not know&mdash;at least I never thought
+about it&mdash;that pride was so wicked."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, "the Bible tells us that everyone proud in heart is an
+abomination to the Lord, that God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
+unto the humble; there is much in the Bible against pride and in favor
+of humility. We are all sinners, worthy of nothing good at the hands of
+God, and what have we to do with pride?"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, when I say my prayers to-night I will ask God to take away all
+the wicked pride out of my heart; and won't you ask him too?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will, my darling, as I have already, very many times, and I hope you
+have not neglected to ask him to forgive your wrong thoughts, feelings,
+and actions of this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have asked for that, papa, and I will again," she replied.</p>
+
+<p>They were silent again for a little while, the captain looking as if his
+thoughts were far away; Lulu was studying his face with eyes that
+presently filled with tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," she said low, and half tremulously, "you look so sad. Is it all
+because you are grieved over my naughtiness?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter, not all; indeed I was hardly thinking of that at the
+moment, but of the grief, sorrow and anxiety at Ion."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What about, papa?" she queried with a startled look. "Oh, I hope that
+nothing bad has happened to Gracie or Mamma Vi, or our little ones?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am thankful that all is right with them: but dear Grandma Elsie
+is in a very critical condition; I cannot tell you exactly what ails
+her, but she has been suffering very much for months past, keeping it to
+herself till yesterday, when she told it all to Cousin Arthur, and
+learned from him that nothing but a difficult and dangerous surgical
+operation could save her life.</p>
+
+<p>"That is to be performed to-morrow, and, whether she lives or dies, will
+relieve her from the dreadful agony she is enduring; for no one who
+knows her can doubt that she is one of God's dear children. Death will
+be gain to her, but a sad loss to all of us."</p>
+
+<p>Before he had finished Lulu's face was hidden on his shoulder and she
+was weeping bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"O papa," she sobbed, "I'm so, so sorry for her, dear, dear Grandma
+Elsie! Isn't she frightened almost to death?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter; she is very calm and peaceful, ready to live or die as
+God's will shall be; grieving only for those who love her so dearly and
+find it so difficult to be reconciled to the thought of losing her; her
+efforts are all to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>comfort them. She has set her house in order and
+seems quite ready for either life or death.</p>
+
+<p>"But we will pray&mdash;you and I&mdash;as the others are praying, that if God's
+will be so, she may live and go in and out before us for many years to
+come."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa. Oh, I am glad that we may ask our kind heavenly Father for
+everything we want! Poor Mamma Vi! how her heart must ache! and is she
+going to stay on at Ion now, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; certainly till her mother is out of danger or forever done with
+sin and suffering. Gracie and our two little ones will stay too; Gracie
+amusing the others and keeping them in the grounds, or a part of the
+house so distant from Grandma Elsie's room that their noise will not
+disturb her."</p>
+
+<p>"And you and I will stay on here, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I must be here a good deal of the time to oversee my workmen, and
+shall want my dear eldest daughter to be my companion and helper in
+various ways, for I know she loves to be such to her father," he added,
+pressing his lips to her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I do, papa! Oh, thank you for letting me!" she exclaimed,
+lifting her head and showing eyes shining through tears. "I'd rather be
+here with you, than anywhere else, my own dear, dear father!" putting
+her arms <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>about his neck and hugging him close. "Only," she added, "I'd
+like to see Gracie and the others for a little bit every once in a while
+if I may."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you shall," he said, returning her embrace. "Perhaps I may be able
+to take you over there for a short visit almost every day. And in the
+meantime we may hope that lessons and the dressmaking will go on
+prosperously."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to spend your nights here at home, papa?" she asked with
+a wistful, half pleading look.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear child; I could not think of leaving you alone; nor would your
+Mamma Vi wish me to do so while she has both her brother and grandfather
+near her, to say nothing of the women, children, and servants; you will
+have me close at hand every night and the greater part of the day."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am so glad and thankful!" she said, with a sigh of relief. "I
+don't think I should be exactly afraid, because God would be with me,
+but it is so delightful to have my dear earthly father too. May I sleep
+in Gracie'e room to be nearer to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and with the door open between it and mine, so that if you want
+anything in the night you will only need to call to me and I will go to
+you at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Now if there are any more questions you would like answered, let me
+hear them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"There is something I'd like to say, papa, but I'm&mdash;almost afraid."</p>
+
+<p>"Afraid of what, daughter?" he asked, as she paused in some
+embarrassment, and with a half pleading look into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"That you might think it saucy and be displeased with me.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean it so, daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no indeed, papa!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then you need not be afraid to let me hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, it is only that I&mdash;I think if you had talked to me this morning,
+when you called me to you, about the wickedness of being too proud to
+ask Alma's pardon, and reasoned with me as you did a little while ago,
+about it all, I&mdash;I'd have obeyed you at once; you know you do almost
+always show me the reasonableness of your commands before, or when, you
+lay them upon me."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my child," he said in a kindly tone, "I have done so as a rule,
+and should in this instance, but that I was much hurried for time. That
+will sometimes happen, and you and all my children must always obey me
+promptly, whether you can or cannot at the moment see the reasonableness
+of the order given. Is your estimation of your father's wisdom and his
+love for you so low that you cannot trust him thus far?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O papa, forgive me!" she exclaimed, putting her arms about his neck and
+laying her cheek to his. "I do hope I'll never, never again hesitate one
+minute to obey any order from you; because I know you love me, and that
+you are very wise and would never bid me do anything but what I ought."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly never intentionally, daughter; and surely your father, who is
+so many years older than yourself, should be esteemed by you as somewhat
+wiser."</p>
+
+<p>"O papa, I know you are a great, great deal wiser than I," she said
+earnestly. "How ridiculous it seems to think of anybody comparing my
+wisdom with yours! I know I'm only a silly little girl, and not a good
+one either, and it would be a sad thing to have a father no wiser or
+better than myself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The morning of that critical day found Grandma Elsie as calm and
+cheerful as she had been the previous evening, though every other face
+among the older members of the family showed agitation and anxiety. Her
+daughters, Elsie and Violet, were with her almost constantly during the
+early hours, doing everything in their power to show their devoted
+affection and make all things ready for the surgeons and their
+assistants; her father and his wife also giving their aid and loving
+sympathy, while Edward and Zoe attended to necessary arrangements
+elsewhere, occasionally snatching a moment to stand beside the dear
+sufferer and speak words of love and hope.</p>
+
+<p>Rosie and Walter were allowed one short interview in which they were
+clasped in her arms and a few loving, tender words spoken that both she
+and they felt might be the last.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Raymond came a little earlier than the doctor. Lester was
+already there, and each young wife found the presence of her husband a
+comfort and support while, in an adjoining room, they waited in almost
+agonizing suspense <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>to hear that the operation was over and what was the
+result.</p>
+
+<p>They were a silent group, every heart going up in strong crying to God,
+that, if consistent with his holy will, the dear mother might be spared
+to them.</p>
+
+<p>And the united petition was granted; Mrs. Dinsmore presently came to
+them, her face radiant with joy and hope. "It is over," she said;
+"successfully over, and the doctors say that with the good nursing she
+is sure to have she will soon be restored to perfect health."</p>
+
+<p>The communication was received with tears of joy and thankfulness.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be strange indeed if she lacks anything the most devoted nurses
+can do for her," remarked Mr. Leland.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think so, with three daughters, two sons, and as many
+sons-in-law, to say nothing of father and mother," remarked Violet, with
+a tearful smile. "Levis, you will spare me to her as long as I am
+needed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, my love," he replied, without a moment's hesitation; "there
+is nothing we could refuse, or grudge to our beloved mother at this, or
+indeed at any time."</p>
+
+<p>"O grandma, may we go to her now?" queried Rose and Walter in a breath.</p>
+
+<p>"I think not yet, dears; she must be kept very, very quiet," was the
+gently spoken reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> "I know it would be a joy to both you and her to
+meet and exchange a few words, but it might be a risk for her; and I
+know you would far rather deny yourselves the gratification than do
+anything to increase her suffering; to say nothing of endangering her
+precious life."</p>
+
+<p>"O grandma, neither of us would be willing to do that for the wealth of
+the world!" exclaimed Rosie, with starting tears.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed!" cried Walter. "It is very hard to refrain, but we would
+not injure our mother for the world; our dear, dear mother!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure of it," said Grandma Rose, smiling kindly upon him. "And now,
+Walter, would not you and Rosie like to go over to Fairview and carry
+the good news to Eva and Gracie? They are there with the little ones,
+and I know would be very glad to hear that your dear mother is over the
+worst of her trial."</p>
+
+<p>"I am going over there for Gracie, Elsie, and Ned, to take them home to
+Woodburn for a while," said Captain Raymond, "and if you two would like
+it, will take you both with me, leave you there, bring you back here, or
+carry you on to Woodburn, as you may prefer."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," said Rosie. "I will be pleased to go as far as
+Fairview with you, but not on to Woodburn at this time: because I do not
+feel at all sure that mamma may not be taken <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>worse. So I shall not stay
+long away from home."</p>
+
+<p>Walter's reply was to the same effect, and as the captain's carriage and
+horses were already at the door, the three were presently on their way
+to Fairview.</p>
+
+<p>Grace and Evelyn were rejoiced to see them, and having been in great
+anxiety about their dear "Grandma Elsie," felt much relieved by the news
+of her which they brought.</p>
+
+<p>The captain was in some haste to return to Woodburn, and Rosie and
+Walter, finding they wanted to stay a while with Evelyn and their sister
+Elsie's children, decided to walk back to Ion; the distance being none
+<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'two'">too</ins> great for either their strength or enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>Home and Sister Lu held strong attractions for Grace, Elsie, and Ned,
+and they were full of delight as papa lifted them into the carriage and
+took his seat beside them.</p>
+
+<p>"Et Ned sit on oo knee, papa," pleaded the baby, and was at once lifted
+to the desired place.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa's dear baby boy," the captain said, smoothing his curls and
+smiling down into the pretty blue eyes. "How glad Sister Lulu will be to
+see you and Elsie, and Gracie!"</p>
+
+<p>"And we'll be just as glad to see her, papa," said Grace. "I know it's
+not very long since we came away from our own dear home and Lu, but it
+does seem a long time."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Isn't Lu tired doing without us, papa?" asked Elsie.</p>
+
+<p>"I think she is," he replied; "at all events I know she will be very
+glad to see you. It is nearly dinner-time now," he added, looking at his
+watch, "so we will go directly home. But this afternoon I will take you
+all for a nice, long drive, then leave you little ones at Ion and take
+Lulu home again."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu had been busy all the morning attending to her studies, her
+practice on the piano, the demands of the dressmaker, and taking her
+usual exercise about the grounds. She was out in them now, watching for
+the coming of her father, eager to see him and to hear how it was with
+dear Grandma Elsie.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she heard the sound of carriage-wheels on the road, then in
+another minute the vehicle turned in at the great gates and came rapidly
+up the drive, little Elsie calling out from it, "Lu, Lu, we've come!"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you, Elsie? Oh, I'm so glad!" she called in reply.</p>
+
+<p>The carriage had stopped, Lulu bounded toward it, and her father,
+throwing open the door, helped her in. Hugs and kisses and laughter
+followed; so glad were the happy children to meet again after even so
+short a separation.</p>
+
+<p>In another minute the carriage drew up before the entrance to the
+mansion, and the captain and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>his joyous little troop alighted. Dinner
+was ready to be served, and as soon as hats and other outer garments had
+been disposed of the merry little party gathered about the table. Mamma
+was missed but it was very pleasant to all to find themselves there with
+their fond father and each other. Lulu's fears for dear Grandma Elsie
+had been much relieved by the report of the success of the surgeons, so
+that she was light-hearted and gay as well as the younger ones.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after dinner, while the little ones took their accustomed
+afternoon nap, she recited her lessons, doing so in a manner that drew
+hearty commendation from her father, who was always glad to be able to
+bestow it; then, knowing it would be a joy to her to do them, he called
+upon her for some of the little services she was accustomed to render
+him.</p>
+
+<p>These attended to, "Now, daughter," he said, "you may dress yourself
+nicely for a drive. I am going to take you and your little brother and
+sisters for a pretty long one. Then I will drop them at Ion, and you and
+I, after a call of a few minutes to hear how Grandma Elsie is, will
+drive home together."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how pleasant that will be, papa! How good you always are to every
+one of us children!" she exclaimed, giving him an ardent kiss, then
+running away to do his bidding.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A merry, happy time the children had, and on reaching Ion the little
+ones were ready for their supper and bed. The older ones were full of
+joy on learning that their loved Grandma Elsie was as comfortable and
+doing as well as possible under the circumstances. The captain and Lulu
+spent a quiet half-hour with the Ion family and Violet, then departed
+for Woodburn.</p>
+
+<p>As the carriage started, the captain put an arm round Lulu, drew her
+close to him, and smiling affectionately down into her face, said: "How
+glad I am to be able to keep one of my loved flock with me!"</p>
+
+<p>"And oh, how glad I am that I'm the one, you dear, dear papa!" responded
+the little girl, returning his loving look and smile. Then, with a sigh,
+"I think there are some fathers who wouldn't be very fond of even their
+own child, if she were so often ill-tempered and disobedient. Papa, I've
+been thinking all day that you didn't punish me half so severely as I
+deserved for my naughtiness yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather err on that side than the other, daughter," he said, in
+tender tones, "and I hope your future behavior will be such as to prove
+that the slight punishment inflicted was all-sufficient."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly, "but if I am
+disobedient and ill-tempered again soon, you will be more severe <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>with
+me, won't you? I really want you to, that I may improve."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter, I think I must," he replied a little sadly; then after a
+moment's silence went on again: "I expect to pay a little visit to Max
+in January, and if my eldest daughter has been a good and obedient
+child&mdash;&mdash;" He paused, looking smilingly at her.</p>
+
+<p>"You will take me with you, papa?" she cried half-breathlessly. "Oh, how
+I should like it! Ah, I do hope I shall not be so bad that you will have
+to leave me behind."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I hope not. I want to take you; to share the pleasure of my dear
+eldest daughter will double it to me, and if neither bad conduct on your
+part, nor anything else happens to prevent, you shall go with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, dear papa!" she exclaimed, her cheeks glowing and her
+eyes sparkling with delight, "you are so good to me that I just hate
+myself for ever doing anything to vex or grieve you."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child," he said with emotion, "be more watchful, careful, and
+prayerful; fight more earnestly and determinately the good fight of
+faith, ever looking to God for help, for only so may you hope to gain
+the victory at last, and to be able to say, 'in all these things we are
+more than conquerors through him that loved us.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I will try, papa," she said, tears starting to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>her eyes, "but oh, it
+is such a hard fight for anybody with a temper like mine. Please help me
+all you can by praying for me, and punishing me too, whenever you see
+that I need it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will do all I can for you, my darling, in every way," he replied,
+"but as I have often told you, the hardest part of the conflict must
+inevitably be your own.</p>
+
+<p>"Cling close to Jesus, and cry to him every day and every hour for help,
+for only by his all-powerful assistance can we hope to win holiness and
+heaven at last."</p>
+
+<p>"I will try, papa, I will indeed," she said. "I am, oh, so glad and
+thankful that he will let me cling to him and that he promises his help
+to those who ask him for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he says, 'In me is thine help,' and having his help what can harm
+us? since he is the Lord who made heaven and earth."</p>
+
+<p>Again a few moments of silence; then Lulu said, "Papa, you have often
+told me I inherit my temper from you, and though I could never believe
+it if anybody else had told me, I have to believe you because I know you
+always speak the truth; but how did you ever conquer it so completely?"</p>
+
+<p>"By determined effort, at the same time looking to God for help," he
+replied; "and only by the same means can I even now keep it under
+control."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And you think I can learn to control mine if I use the same means?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do; God, our kind heavenly Father, is as able and as willing to help
+you as me."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said thoughtfully, "and if I don't choose to try hard enough,
+at the same time praying earnestly for help, I deserve to be punished by
+my earthly father; and I do really hope he always will punish me till he
+has taught me to be as patient and self-controlled as he is," she added,
+nestling closer to him and slipping a hand into his. "Papa, I often
+wonder why I wasn't made as patient and sweet-tempered as Gracie. She
+doesn't seem to have any temper at all to fight."</p>
+
+<p>"No; but she has her own peculiar temptations, of some of which your
+firmer, braver nature knows nothing; and each must battle with her own
+faults and failings, looking to God for help in the hard struggle. To
+God, who, the Bible tells us, 'will not suffer you to be tempted above
+that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape
+that ye may be able to bear it.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a precious promise, papa," she said, with thoughtful look and
+tone, "and I am glad you reminded me of it. It makes me feel less
+discouraged about trying to conquer my besetting sins."</p>
+
+<p>"In the first chapter of Joshua," replied her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>father, "the Lord says to
+him three times, 'Be strong and of a good courage,' the last time
+adding, 'be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God
+is with thee whithersoever thou goest.' And that blessed assurance of
+the constant, sustaining presence of our God, each one of his children
+may take to him or herself."</p>
+
+<p>"What a comfort, papa!" she exclaimed. "Oh, the Bible is such a
+blessing! I do feel sorry for all the people who have none."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he responded, "they are greatly to be pitied, and those who have
+dared to take it from others will have much to answer for in the day of
+judgment; as will those also who, having it themselves, make no effort
+to supply it to such as have it not.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, here we are at our own home!" he added, as the carriage drew up
+before the entrance.</p>
+
+<p>"And such a sweet home as it is!" she responded, as he threw open the
+door, sprang out, and took her in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, "so I think, and am glad my little girl appreciates it.
+There," setting her on her feet, "run in, daughter, and make yourself
+ready for the tea-table."</p>
+
+<p>She obeyed and presently they two were seated cozily at a little round
+table in the family breakfast-room, greatly enjoying their tea, broiled
+chicken, and waffles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Papa," remarked Lulu, as she poured out his second cup, "I'm sorry for
+you that you have only me for company, but I do enjoy being&mdash;once in a
+while&mdash;all the family you have at home."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you?" he returned, with a good-humored little laugh. "Well, I am
+glad to have you contented and happy; and I can't deny that I should
+feel very lonely here to-night without the pleasant companionship of my
+dear eldest daughter. What do you want to do this evening? how shall we
+spend our time alone together?</p>
+
+<p>"I have my lessons to learn, you know, papa."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes; and I must write some letters. And after that perhaps you may
+find a bit of sewing to do, while your father reads aloud something that
+will be both interesting and instructive to his dear little girl."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I have some work on hand for our Dorcas Society, and though I
+rather dislike sewing, I shall not mind doing it while listening to your
+reading," she answered, smiling brightly up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! then that is what we will do," he said, returning her smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter, has it been a pleasant evening to you?" he asked, when
+the time had come for the good-nights to be said.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed it has, papa," she replied, giving <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>him an ardent hug. "Oh, I am
+so glad you didn't let me go to Ion with the others, but kept me at home
+with you. I do hope that I'll remember after this that you always know
+and do the very best thing for me, and that I'll never, never grow
+ill-tempered and rebellious, as I was yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"You think you can trust your father after this, even without being told
+his reasons for all he does and requires?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, papa, and indeed, indeed I'm very much ashamed of my
+rebellious feelings and don't intend to indulge in them any more!" she
+added, with a remorseful look up into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Try to keep that resolution, dear child," he said. "Now good-night and
+pleasant dreams. May he who neither slumbers nor sleeps have you in his
+kind care and keeping. But if you want your earthly father, you have
+only to call out or run to him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Lulu's first thought on awaking the next morning was of dear Grandma
+Elsie. "I wonder," she said to herself, "if papa has not been asking
+news of her through the telephone; oh, I hope she is getting well!"</p>
+
+<p>Hurrying through the duties of the toilet, she was ready to run to meet
+her father when presently she heard his steps in the hall without.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, papa," she cried. "Oh, have you heard from Ion how
+Grandma Elsie passed the night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, bending down to give her a good-morning kiss, "she
+passed a very comfortable night; is thought to be doing as well as
+possible. Mamma Vi and our little ones are all right also; I have just
+had a talk with your mamma, through the telephone."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am glad! How nice it is that we can talk in that way to the folks
+at Ion and the other places where Mamma Vi's relations live!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; a telephone is really a blessing under such circumstances. I am
+much more reconciled to being at some short distance from my wife <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>and
+little ones than I could be if without such means of communication."</p>
+
+<p>They went down to the library together and seating himself he drew her
+to his knee, saying pleasantly, "You are the youngest child at home with
+me, and I think I must have you here. I hope you will never think
+yourself too old to sometimes sit on your father's knee."</p>
+
+<p>"No, papa, I'm sure I never shall while you are willing to let me," she
+replied, putting an arm round his neck and gazing lovingly into his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>They chatted for a few minutes, then the breakfast bell rang, and
+presently they were again seated at the little round table from which
+they had eaten last night's supper, Lulu pouring the coffee with a very
+grown-up air, while her father filled her plate and his own with the
+tempting viands.</p>
+
+<p>"What a lovely, delightful home we have, papa!" she remarked, as she
+handed him his cup. "I do really think that with such a father and such
+a home I ought to be the best girl in the world; and I do mean to try to
+be."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt you do, daughter, and I have seldom had occasion to
+find serious fault with you in the last year or more, so that I am by no
+means in despair of seeing you gain control of that troublesome temper
+which has caused so much unhappiness to both you and me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you for saying it, papa!" she returned, with a bright and
+joyous smile. "I'm determined to try my very best to be as good as
+possible, both to please you and to earn that visit to Annapolis that
+you spoke of last night. I think it will be very delightful; and how
+pleased Max will be to see us; especially you."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he will. Ah, here comes the mail-bag!" as a servant entered
+with it.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope there's a letter from Max," Lulu said, as her father opened
+the bag and took out the contents&mdash;papers, magazines, and letters.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, here is one from our dear boy," he said, singling out a letter and
+hastily tearing it open.</p>
+
+<p>He read it first to himself, then aloud to her&mdash;a bright, cheery,
+boyish, affectionate epistle such as they were accustomed to receive
+from Max's pen.</p>
+
+<p>They talked it over together while they finished their breakfast, then
+returned to the library where, as usual, Christine, Alma, and the
+servants being called in, the captain led the family devotions, reading
+a portion of the Scripture and engaging in prayer.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going immediately to Ion, papa?" asked Lulu, when again they
+were alone together.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he replied; "I have some matters to attend to here while you are
+preparing your <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>lessons. After hearing them, if your recitations and
+conduct have been satisfactory, I intend taking you with me to the
+village, where I have to make some business arrangements; then we will
+drive to Ion, spend a little time there, then come home, probably
+bringing your little sisters and brother with us as we did the other
+day, returning them as before to your Mamma Vi, just in time for supper
+and bed, and coming home alone together."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I like that, papa!" she exclaimed, "and is it what you intend doing
+every day?"</p>
+
+<p>"Every day while your Grandma Elsie is so ill that the noise might
+disturb her; unless the weather should be quite too inclement, I think
+it will be a relief to your Mamma Vi to have them here a good deal of
+the time, till her mother is better.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, papa; and at the same time very pleasant for us&mdash;they are
+such darlings!"</p>
+
+<p>"So you and I think," he said, with a smile. "Now go to your lessons,
+daughter."</p>
+
+<p>At Ion Grandma Elsie lay quietly sleeping, her three daughters watching
+over her with tenderest care and solicitude. Scarce a sound was to be
+heard, either within doors or without, save the distant lowing of
+cattle, the twittering of birds, and the gentle sighing of the wind in
+the treetops; family and servants moved with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>cautious tread, speaking
+seldom, and that with bated breath, lest they should disturb her who was
+so dear to all hearts.</p>
+
+<p>To Walter it seemed very hard to be shut out of mamma's room, and he sat
+on the veranda watching for the coming of Cousin Arthur, to petition for
+admittance, if only for a moment, just to look at her and come away
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Cousin Arthur had been with her through the night, had gone away early
+in the morning and was expected back again soon.</p>
+
+<p>The half hour spent in watching and waiting seemed very long indeed to
+the little lad, but at last, oh joy! there was Cousin Arthur's sulky
+turning in at the great gates; then it came swiftly up the avenue, and
+Walter rose and hastened to meet the doctor as he alighted.</p>
+
+<p>"O Cousin Arthur!" he cried, but in subdued tones, "they've shut me out
+of mamma's room and I just don't know how to stand it any longer. Mayn't
+I go in, if it's only for a minute, to get one look at her dear face? I
+won't speak to her or touch her if you say I must not, but oh, I don't
+know how to endure being kept away from her altogether."</p>
+
+<p>The little fellow's tones were tremulous, and his eyes filled with tears
+as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Conly felt for the child, and laying a hand kindly on his head, said
+cheerfully, "Don't be down-hearted, my boy, your mother will be well
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>enough in a few days, I hope, to stand quite an interview with her
+youngest son, and perhaps it may do for you to go in for a moment this
+morning; you may come upstairs with me and wait in the hall till I see
+how she is. If I find her well enough to stand a peep from her boy, you
+shall go in for a minute, provided you will promise to be cheerful and
+not to speak unless you have the doctor's permission."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll promise to do anything you bid me, if you'll only let me see
+her," returned Walter in eager tones, then followed the doctor with
+noiseless tread through the hall and up the broad stairway.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching his mother's door, he paused and waited outside while the
+doctor went quietly in.</p>
+
+<p>His patient seemed to be asleep, but opened her eyes and smiled up into
+his face as he reached the bedside.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear cousin," he said, low and tenderly, "are you feeling quite easy
+now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite so," she answered in low, sweet tones; "all is going right, I
+think. Is it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so it would seem. You are the best of patients, and with the
+abundance of good nursing you are sure to have, I think we will soon
+have you about again. But," glancing around upon her three daughters,
+"she must be kept very quiet, neither talking nor being talked to much
+more than is absolutely necessary.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"However, I am going to allow Walter a moment's sight of his mother, and
+as he is your baby boy, you may, if you choose, speak half a dozen words
+to him," he added, addressing himself directly to the patient.</p>
+
+<p>Then stepping to the door, he beckoned to Walter, and led him to the
+side of the bed.</p>
+
+<p>"There, laddie, you may tell her how dearly you love her, but nothing
+more."</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma, dear, darling mamma! I couldn't begin to tell it!" Walter said,
+low and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'tremuously'">tremulously</ins>, just touching his lips to her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother's darling boy!" was all she said in response, but the eyes
+looking into his spoke volumes of mother-love.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't cry, Walter, my man," his cousin said, as he led him out to the
+hall again; "you have behaved so well that I think you may be allowed
+another interview to-morrow; and I hope you will see your mother up and
+about again in perhaps a fortnight from this. You must pray for her
+healing to the Great Physician, as we all are doing: and pray in faith,
+for you know the Bible tells us he is the hearer and answerer of
+prayer."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I will! I do!" sobbed the child, "and I'm so glad there are so many
+others asking for her too, because the Bible says Jesus promised that
+his Father would grant what two or three agreed together to ask for."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; pray for your mother, believe God's promises, and be happy in the
+expectation that she will get well; and with a mind at rest interest
+yourself in your studies and sports. That's my prescription for you, my
+lad; now go and take it like a good boy," added the doctor, with a
+smile, as he turned and re-entered the sick-room.</p>
+
+<p>"A funny prescription, and not so bad to take," laughed Walter to
+himself, as he wiped away his tears and hastened to the schoolroom to
+attend to his lessons.</p>
+
+<p>"Nobody here but myself," he sighed, as he crossed the threshold. "It's
+rather lonesome, but I'll do the best I can. It's what mamma would
+advise."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Grace had gone over to Fairview with her little brother and sister,
+accompanied by their nurse, Mamma Vi having told her she might learn her
+lessons there, and if Evelyn cared to hear her recite, that would answer
+very well.</p>
+
+<p>Evelyn was entirely willing, and they had just finished a few minutes
+before the carriage from Woodburn came driving up the avenue, bringing
+Grace's father and sister Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>They had already paid a call at Ion, and now had come to make a short
+one at Fairview, and pick up Gracie, little Elsie, and Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, papa!" shouted the two little ones, running to meet him as he
+came up the steps into the veranda, and holding up their faces for a
+kiss.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa's darlings!" he responded, taking them in his arms to caress and
+fondle them, then letting them go to give Gracie her turn.</p>
+
+<p>"Is my feeble little girl quite well this morning?" he asked, in tender
+tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa, thank you," she replied, giving him a vigorous hug, "and oh,
+so glad to see you!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> Have you come to take us&mdash;Elsie and Ned and
+me&mdash;home for a while again?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have," he said, returning her hug. "I can't have your mamma at
+present, as her mother needs her, but my dear babies I need not do
+without."</p>
+
+<p>"Am I one of them, papa?" asked Gracie, with a smile. "I'm almost
+eleven; but I don't mind being one of your babies, if you like to call
+me that." His only reply was a smile and a loving pat on her cheek, for
+the two little ones were tugging at his coat and coaxing for a drive.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Elsie and Ned, you haven't kissed me yet," said Lulu. "Gracie and
+Eva did while you were exchanging hugs and kisses with papa, and I think
+it's my turn now."</p>
+
+<p>"So it is! I love you, Lu," cried Elsie, leaving her father for a moment
+to throw her arms round Lulu's neck in a hearty and loving embrace; Ned
+quickly followed suit, then running to his father again, renewed his
+request for a drive in the carriage.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my son, you shall have it presently," said the captain; then he
+proposed to Evelyn that she and her two little cousins should join the
+party for a short drive in another direction, before he would take his
+own children home to Woodburn.</p>
+
+<p>His invitation was joyfully accepted and in a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>few minutes they had all
+crowded into the captain's carriage and were driving down the avenue.</p>
+
+<p>The little ones were very merry, and the captain did not check their
+mirth. He was, in fact, in very good spirits himself, because thus far
+Grandma Elsie's cure had progressed so favorably. It continued to do so
+from that time till in two weeks she was able to be up and about a part
+of every day, and Violet returned to Woodburn, though daily, when the
+weather permitted, she drove over to Ion and spent an hour or more with
+her mother.</p>
+
+<p>Quite frequently the captain drove her over himself, and leaving her
+there, went on into the village to attend to some business matter,
+calling for her on his return.</p>
+
+<p>On one of these occasions, going into the parlor he found there his
+wife, her mother, eldest sister and grandparents in earnest conversation
+with the doctor.</p>
+
+<p>When the customary greetings had been exchanged, Grandma Elsie said to
+him, with a smile, "Captain, these good people seem to have leagued
+together to send, or to take me, to Viamede to spend the winter, Cousin
+Arthur having given it as his opinion that a warmer climate than this
+would probably be of benefit just at this time."</p>
+
+<p>"In which I presume he is quite right, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>mother," returned the captain.
+"And surely there is no difficulty in the way?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing insurmountable," she replied.</p>
+
+<p>"But we want some one to go on in advance and see that everything is in
+order for mamma's comfort," said Violet, giving her husband a look that
+was half entreating, half one of confident assurance that he would deny
+nothing to her or her loved mother which it was at all in his power to
+bestow.</p>
+
+<p>"That, I think, would certainly be the better plan," he returned
+pleasantly, "and if no one more competent than myself is to be had and
+it suits my wife to accompany me, my services may be considered as
+offered."</p>
+
+<p>Hearty thanks were at once bestowed upon him by all present.</p>
+
+<p>But he disclaimed all title to them, saying, "I now have everything in
+order at Woodburn, so that I may feel quite easy in leaving it for even
+a protracted stay; and to get a view of Viamede will be a new and
+doubtless very pleasant experience to me, with wife and little ones
+along; my daughters can go on with their studies under my tuition, there
+as well as at home, and my intended visit to Max can be paid before
+starting for the far South. I only fear," he added, with a pleasant
+glance at Mrs. <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Lelaand'">Leland</ins>, "that I may be offering to take upon myself a
+duty which is much to the taste of one of my brothers-in-law <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>and might
+be better performed by one or both of them.</p>
+
+<p>"No, captain," replied Mrs. Leland, "you need have no such fear, as
+neither of them is just now in a position to leave home, unless it were
+quite necessary for dear mamma's comfort."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we will consider it settled that Violet and I are to go," said the
+captain, turning to her with his pleasant smile. "How soon can you be
+ready, my dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"By the first of next week if my husband wishes to start by that time,"
+returned Violet gayly. "Oh, I am quite delighted at the prospect of
+seeing again that one of our sweet homes, and especially of doing so in
+company with you, Levis."</p>
+
+<p>The captain considered a moment. "I would not like to disappoint Max,"
+he said. "I think I must visit him next Saturday&mdash;as I shall not
+probably be able to see him again before next spring. But I will make
+necessary arrangements beforehand and I think we may leave for the South
+by Wednesday morning of next week, if that will suit you, my dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Entirely," she said; "it will give me just about time enough to get
+everything ready without hurry or confusion."</p>
+
+<p>So it was settled, everybody seeming well satisfied with the
+arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>A little more time was spent in discussing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>plans, then the captain and
+Violet bade good-by and set out on their return home.</p>
+
+<p>"You are well pleased with the prospect of this visit to Viamede,
+Violet, my dear?" the captain said, as they drove rapidly along the
+familiar road.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, indeed," she answered brightly; "Viamede is so lovely, a sort
+of earthly paradise I have always thought, and I am really delighted at
+the thought of showing it to you. Ah, I am quite sure, having your dear
+society there, I shall enjoy it more than ever!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, dearest," was his smiling response. "I am certainly pleased
+with the prospect of seeing that earthly paradise, particularly with you
+to share my enjoyment. And how pleased Lulu and Gracie will be, for I
+have often heard them speak of Viamede as even lovelier than Woodburn,
+which they evidently esteem a very delightful and lovely home."</p>
+
+<p>"As it assuredly is, my dear," was Violet's smiling rejoinder. "I could
+not ask a lovelier, happier home than that which my husband&mdash;the very
+best and dearest of husbands&mdash;has provided for me. Oh, I often ask
+myself, 'Is there anybody else in all the wide world who has so much to
+be thankful for as I?'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that fortunate mortal is surely he who sits by your side at this
+moment, my darling,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> he answered in moved tones, taking her hand in his
+and pressing it affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>But the carriage was turning in at the Woodburn gates and presently the
+glad shout of little voices was borne to their ears on the evening
+breeze. "There it is! Papa and mamma have come home!"</p>
+
+<p>A joyously tumultuous greeting followed, the little flock gathering
+about them as they alighted, talking, laughing, dancing around them,
+claiming their attention and their caresses.</p>
+
+<p>Elsie and Ned pleaded for a ride, and Grace and Lulu seemed not averse
+to sharing it. So there was a hasty bundling up in capes and hoods,
+cloaks and shawls, papa piled them in, followed them, taking Ned on his
+knee, and away they went for a mile or more down the road, then back
+again, and were presently taking off their outdoor garments in the hall,
+mamma helping the little ones.</p>
+
+<p>Then all gathered about the tea-table with appetites that made
+everything taste very good indeed. Elsie and Ned were too busy to talk
+much, but Lulu and Grace were unusually gay and mirthful, and their
+father indulged them in more than usual chat and laughter that were
+neither rude nor boisterous.</p>
+
+<p>Neither he nor Violet said anything of the new plans for the winter till
+the babies had had their evening romp and been taken away to bed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+Violet, as usual, went with them, and the captain was left alone with
+Lulu and Grace.</p>
+
+<p>They were hanging lovingly about him as was their custom on such
+occasions, and he drew one to each knee, saying in low, tender tones,
+"My darlings! my precious little daughters! How rich I feel in the
+possession of my five dear children!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how rich we feel with our dear, dear father! to say nothing of our
+dear, sweet Mamma Vi and the two darling babies!" responded Lulu,
+putting her arm about his neck and her lips to his.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and our dear big brother Maxie," added Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I was just going to mention him," said Lulu. "I am both very fond
+and very proud of Max. I wouldn't swap him for any other body's brother
+that ever I saw; no not even for all the nice brothers that Rosie has."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither would I," said Grace, "though I'm fond of them all."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, when is it that we are going to see Max?" queried Lulu. "Some
+time in January I know you said, but will it be to spend New Year's with
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; wouldn't you like to go sooner than that?" he asked, stroking her
+hair and looking down lovingly, smilingly into her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! if it suits you to go <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>and to take me," she
+answered eagerly. "It seems now a long, long while that I have been
+separated from Max, and the sooner I may go to see him the better. But
+have you changed your plans about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied. "I have something to tell you both which will show
+you why, and also prove pleasant news to you, I think."</p>
+
+<p>Then he proceeded to tell them of the plans laid that afternoon at Ion,
+and which made it necessary that, if he went to see Max at all that
+winter, he must do so before the end of the week already begun.</p>
+
+<p>His news that their winter was to be spent at Viamede was hailed with
+delight by both the little girls.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad!" cried Grace, clapping her hands and smiling all over her
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"I, too," exclaimed Lulu. "Viamede is so, <i>so</i> beautiful, and to have
+you there with us, you dear papa, will make us&mdash;me any way&mdash;enjoy it at
+least twice as much as I did before."</p>
+
+<p>"Me too," said Grace; "the happiest place for me is always where my own
+dear father is with me," hugging him tight and kissing him again and
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"My darling! my precious darlings!" the captain said in response and
+caressing them in turn.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so sorry for poor Maxie," remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> Grace presently, "that he can't
+see you every day, papa, as we do, and be kissed and hugged as we are;
+and that he can't go to Viamede with the rest of us." She finished with
+a heavy sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," her father said, "I am sorry for him, and for ourselves, that he
+is not to be with us. But my dear boy is happy where he is, and I in the
+thought that he is preparing himself to do good service to our country;
+to be a valuable and useful citizen."</p>
+
+<p>"And we are all ever so proud of him&mdash;our dear Maxie; but I'm glad I am
+not a boy. Women can be very useful in the world too, can't they, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; yes, indeed, my darlings; the world couldn't go on without women,
+any more than without men; both are necessary, and the one sex to be as
+much honored as the other, and I hope and trust my daughters will all
+grow up to be noble, true-hearted, useful women, always trying to do
+earnestly and faithfully the work God has given them to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, indeed, papa!" responded Lulu in an earnest, thoughtful
+tone; "if I know my own heart I do want to be a very useful woman when
+I'm grown up&mdash;a useful girl now&mdash;serving God with all my might; but oh,
+I do so easily forget and go wrong!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yet I can see very plainly that my dear little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>girl is improving," her
+father said, softly smoothing her hair with his hand, "and I'm sure&mdash;for
+the Bible tells us so&mdash;that if you fight on, looking to God for help,
+you will come off conqueror and more than conqueror in the end."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa; oh, I am so glad the Bible says that!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's silence; then Grace said, with a sigh and a voice
+full of tears, "Oh, I do so wish I could see Maxie before we go so far
+away from him! Papa, wouldn't they let him come home for just a little
+while?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter; but how would you like to go with Lulu and me to pay him
+a little visit?"</p>
+
+<p>"O papa! so much if&mdash;if you think I won't be too tired to go on to
+Viamede so soon afterward."</p>
+
+<p>"I really think you could stand the two journeys, coming so near
+together, now that you are so much stronger than you used to be; and as
+you can lie and rest in the cars, and we go by water from New Orleans.
+Don't you feel as if you could?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, papa, I feel almost sure I could!" she cried joyously.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we will try it," he said, fondling her; "you will have no packing
+to do&mdash;I am sure Mamma Vi and Lulu will be pleased to attend to all that
+for you&mdash;and the journey to Annapolis is not a very long or fatiguing
+one. So, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>should nothing happen to prevent, you shall make one of our
+little party to visit Max."</p>
+
+<p>Grace's eyes shone with pleasure and Lulu exclaimed delightedly, "Oh, I
+am so glad, Gracie! It will double my pleasure to have you along; and
+you needn't worry one bit about your packing of clothes or playthings,
+for I'm sure I can see to it all with Christine or Alma to help me; or
+even if I should have to do it all myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you are just the very best sister
+that ever I saw! Isn't she, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think her a very good and kind sister, and it makes me a proud and
+happy father to be able to give her that commendation," he answered,
+with a loving look down into the eyes of his eldest daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Violet re-entered the room and a merry, happy hour followed,
+while plans and prospects were under discussion.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons the rest of the time before
+we start for Viamede, papa?" asked Lulu coaxingly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter," replied the captain, in a pleasant tone; "there is very
+little either of you will be called upon to do in regard to the
+preparations for our southward flitting, so no occasion for you to miss
+lessons for so many days. Of course you cannot study on the boats and
+cars, at least I shall not ask it of you, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>when we get to Viamede
+you will be glad of a little holiday to rest and run about, seeing
+everything that is to be seen; and all that will cause quite sufficient
+loss of time from your lessons."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear," sighed Lulu, "I think it must be ever so nice to be grown up
+and not have any lessons to learn."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Lu," laughed Violet, "I am not so sure that grown up folks have no
+lessons to learn; in fact I begin to have an idea that their lessons are
+not seldom more trying and wearisome than those of the children."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mamma Vi," responded Lulu, with a blush, "and I'm sorry and
+ashamed of my grumbling. Papa, I'm just determined I will be good and do
+cheerfully whatever you bid me; I have always, always found your way the
+very best in the end."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, Lu; of course papa always knows far better than we do what is
+best for us," said Grace, leaning lovingly up against him and smiling up
+into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa is very happy in having such loving, trustful little daughters,"
+he said, passing his hand caressingly over Gracie's golden curls.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was a most joyful surprise to Max when, on the following Saturday,
+his father and sisters walked in upon him, as he left the dinner table
+full of life and pleasure at the thought of the half holiday that had
+just begun.</p>
+
+<p>His standing and conduct had been such that he was entitled to leave,
+and to be able to spend it with these dear ones was most delightful.</p>
+
+<p>A carriage had brought the captain and his little girls to the door, and
+they&mdash;father and children&mdash;took a long drive together, during which the
+tongues of Max and Lulu ran very fast.</p>
+
+<p>She and Gracie thoroughly enjoyed Max's surprise on learning of the
+plans for the winter, so soon to be carried out.</p>
+
+<p>At first he seemed to feel rather badly at the thought that they would
+all be so far away from him; but he presently got over that, as his
+father spoke of the letters he would receive from Viamede every day, and
+how quickly the winter would pass and all be coming home again, some of
+them&mdash;certainly himself&mdash;making haste to pay a visit to the Academy to
+see <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>their young cadet and learn what progress he was making in
+preparing for future duty in the naval service of his country.</p>
+
+<p>At that Max's face brightened and he said heartily, "And I shall try my
+best to have as good a report as possible ready for you, papa, that you
+may be proud and happy in your first-born son. Ah, the thought of that
+does help me to study hard and try very, very earnestly to keep rules,
+so that I may be an honor, and not a disgrace to the best of fathers."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am sure of it, my dear boy," the captain replied, laying his
+hand on the lad's shoulder, while the light of fatherly love and pride
+shone in his eyes; "I haven't a doubt that it is one of my son's
+greatest pleasures to make himself the joy and pride of his father's
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>They drove back to the Academy just in time for Max to be ready to
+report himself at evening roll-call, according to the rules, with which
+no one was better acquainted than the captain.</p>
+
+<p>He and the little girls were to start on their return journey that
+evening, and good-by was said at the Academy door.</p>
+
+<p>A very hard one it seemed to the little girls, hardly less so to Max and
+his father. The captain and his daughters went by boat, as less
+fatiguing for Grace, and reached home on Monday.</p>
+
+<p>The next day was a busy one to all, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> Wednesday noon saw them on the
+cars, bound for New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>A day and night were spent in the city, then they took the steamer for
+Berwick Bay.</p>
+
+<p>The morning was clear and bright and the captain, Violet, and the
+children all sat upon deck, greatly enjoying the breeze and the dancing
+of the waves in the sunlight, as the vessel cleared its port and steamed
+out into the gulf.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it is so pleasant here!" exclaimed Grace; "just like summer. And
+see the beautiful rainbow in the water that the wheel throws up!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; so pretty, oh, so pretty!" cried little Elsie, clapping her
+hands in delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, so pitty!" echoed baby Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Take care, little ones; I fear you may fall overboard," warned the
+captain. "Come and sit on papa's knee, and perhaps mamma will kindly
+tell us of all the lovely things we will see at Viamede."</p>
+
+<p>They obeyed and were charmed with mamma's story of what she had done and
+seen at Viamede when she was a little girl, and of dear grandma being
+once a baby girl in the very same house, and how dearly all the old
+servants loved her, and how they mourned when she was taken away to live
+with her grandpa at Roseland.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The babies and even the older folks, not excepting papa himself, seemed
+deeply interested, and more delighted than before that they were so soon
+to see Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>At length Ned fell asleep, Elsie presently followed his example, and
+older people were left to the quiet enjoyment of the lovely scenes
+through which they were passing; for they had now entered Teche Bayou,
+and from that pressed on, threading the way through lake and lakelet,
+past plantation and swamp, plain and forest, coming upon cool, shady
+dells carpeted with a rich growth of velvety grass, and flowers of
+varied hue, and shaded by magnificent trees, oaks and magnolias; while
+amid groves of orange trees they could see lordly villas, tall white
+sugar-houses and rows of cabins where the negro laborers dwelt.</p>
+
+<p>"A beautiful, beautiful country," remarked the captain, breaking a
+prolonged silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite up to your expectations, my dear?" queried Violet, glancing up at
+him, her eyes shining with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it rather exceeds them," he replied, "it is very, very
+lovely! an earthly paradise, so far as beauty can make it such."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, do you suppose you will know which is Viamede when you see it?"
+queried Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"I very much doubt it, daughter," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; there it is, just coming into sight; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>the sugar-house, at
+least, and yonder, a little beyond, is the great orange orchard."</p>
+
+<p>"And it's just beautiful!" cried Grace. "See, papa, the orange trees,
+with their beautiful, glossy leaves and ripe and green fruit, and
+flowers all on them at once."</p>
+
+<p>"And presently we will come to the beautiful lawn, with its giant oaks,
+magnolia trees, velvety grass and lovely flowers," exclaimed Lulu. "Oh,
+I am so much obliged to dear Grandma Elsie, for inviting us all to spend
+the winter here again!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it was very kind," her father said, "and I hope my children will
+do nothing to mar the peace of the household, and so distress Mamma Vi's
+dear mother."</p>
+
+<p>"I do intend to be a very good girl, papa, and if I begin to be the
+least bit bad, I do hope you'll stop it at once by punishing me well and
+making me behave myself," Lulu said, in a low, earnest tone, speaking
+close to his ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear child," he returned, in the same low key in which she had spoken,
+"I have not the least doubt that you intend to be and do all I could ask
+or wish."</p>
+
+<p>There was no time for anything more just then, for, as they were nearing
+their destination, baggage must be seen to and satchels and parcels
+gathered up.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the boat rounded to at the wharf <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>and in another minute
+greetings and embraces were being exchanged with the cousins, who,
+having been duly informed of the intended arrival, were gathered there
+to give a cordial and delighted welcome to Violet, her husband, and
+children.</p>
+
+<p>There were servants also, some few of the old and some new ones, each
+and all eager for a handshake and a few words of greeting from "Miss
+Wi'let and the cap'en and dere chillens," in which they were not
+disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments the baggage had been landed and was being taken to the
+house, while ladies, gentlemen, and children followed, the newly arrived
+gazing, delighted, about upon the beauties of the place, the others
+asking many questions concerning Grandma Elsie and those of her family
+left behind&mdash;how they were in health, and when they would come to
+Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>"You will find the house in very tolerable order, I think, Vi," remarked
+Mrs. Keith, "though doubtless many little repairs and improvements
+needed, that Cousin Elsie may find everything in order when she comes.
+It was a good idea to get you and the captain to come a little in
+advance of the older folk and have everything in order for their
+reception."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," Violet said with a smile, "and that no better person than
+my honored husband <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>could have been found to undertake that task."</p>
+
+<p>"No more trustworthy one, I am sure, judging from his looks," returned
+Isa. "I am delighted with his appearance, Vi; he is as noble-looking a
+man as ever I saw."</p>
+
+<p>Violet flushed with pleasure. "And he is all that he appears to be,
+Isa," she said; "the better he is known the more highly is he esteemed."</p>
+
+<p>A bountiful supper had been prepared for the travelers, and the others
+stayed and partook with them, but soon after leaving the table bade
+good-night and went to their own homes.</p>
+
+<p>Then Violet took her sleepy little ones upstairs to see them to bed,
+leaving the captain, Lulu, and Grace on the veranda.</p>
+
+<p>As usual, the two were hanging lovingly about their father, he seeming
+to enjoy it as much as they.</p>
+
+<p>It was a beautiful moonlight night, warm, and sweet with the breath of
+flowers; away in the distance, beyond the wide-spreading lawn, they
+could see the waters of the bayou glittering in the moonbeams, and the
+soft plash of oars came pleasantly to their ears.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, isn't it just lovely, here!" exclaimed Lulu, breaking a momentary
+silence. "Papa, did I exaggerate in telling you of the beauties of the
+place?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think not," he replied; "it is cer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>tainly very lovely, and I hope
+we are going to have a happy winter here."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure we will; I'm happy anywhere with you, my dear, dear papa,"
+said Grace, putting an arm round his neck and pressing her lips to his
+cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," said Lulu, "unless I have been doing wrong, and papa is
+displeased with me. Oh, I do mean to try my very hardest to be good! and
+I'm sure it will be ever so much easier with you for my tutor, dear
+papa, than it was before, going to that horrid school and having to take
+music lessons from that Signor Foresti, who was so ill-tempered and
+struck me, when I was trying as hard as I could to play my piece just
+right."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter, I think it will be easier for you with the tutor who
+loves you and is loved by you," assented the captain, drawing her into a
+close, loving embrace. "We must see if a music teacher is to be had
+here, but certainly will not try Signor Foresti again."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am glad to hear you say that, papa! though I never thought you
+would send me back to him again. I am, oh, so glad I belong to you
+instead of to&mdash;anybody else."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," he responded, with a happy little laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"And that I do too, papa?" asked Grace, in a half-pleading tone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, my own darling," he said, addressing her with great
+tenderness. "You are no less dear than your sister."</p>
+
+<p>"How good in you, papa! for I'm not half so bright or pretty as Lu," she
+said, patting his cheek with her small white hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Gracie!" exclaimed Lulu, "whatever put such a thing as that into
+your head? You are far prettier, and better too, than I am. Isn't she,
+papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"You must not ask me such hard questions," he returned laughingly, and
+hugging them both up in his arms, "I really could not say that either
+one is prettier or dearer to me than the other, or that I love either
+more or less than I do each of the other three. The love differs
+somewhat in kind, but, I think, not in intensity."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa, I suppose so," returned Lulu thoughtfully; "for instance you
+must have quite a different sort of love for Max, who is almost old
+enough to take care of himself, and baby Ned who is so very young and
+helpless."</p>
+
+<p>Violet joined them at that moment, reported the babies as fast asleep in
+the nursery, and consulted her husband as to what rooms they should
+occupy during their stay; saying her mother had kindly bade them please
+themselves in regard to that matter.</p>
+
+<p>"Choose for yourself, my dear," replied the captain, "and I shall be
+entirely satisfied; only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> I should like to have these children close at
+hand&mdash;a door of communication between their room, or rooms, and ours, if
+that can be easily managed. We must be near the babies of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed! Near every one of our four," returned Violet brightly; "I
+could not be easy otherwise, any more than their father.</p>
+
+<p>"But suppose I take you over the house, if you are not too tired.
+To-morrow, you remember, is Sunday, and I could hardly wait till Monday,
+to say nothing of the curiosity that must of course be consuming you."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," returned the captain laughingly, as he rose and gave her
+his arm; "it will give me great pleasure to accompany you, if you are
+not too weary for such exertion."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit," she said; "the trip on the boat was more restful than
+fatiguing; at least so far as concerned myself. May not Lulu and Gracie
+come too?"</p>
+
+<p>"If they wish; though I fear Gracie is too tired," he said, with an
+inquiring glance at her. "If you would like to go, pet, papa will carry
+you up the stairs."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then, I would like to, papa; I'm not so very tired," she answered
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then of course Lulu is not?" he said with a smiling glance at his
+eldest daughter.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, papa; and I'd dearly love to go <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>along," she answered,
+taking Gracie's hand and with her tripping along in the rear, as he and
+Violet passed on into the wide hall.</p>
+
+<p>They first inspected the rooms on the lower floor, lingering longest in
+the drawing-room, where the many beautiful paintings and pieces of
+statuary were very attractive.</p>
+
+<p>"We cannot give them half enough time to-night," remarked Violet, "but
+fortunately have good reason to hope for many opportunities for future
+inspection."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," the captain said, glancing at Grace, then at his watch. "Shall we
+not call in the servants and have prayers before going upstairs? It is
+not far from the usual time, and I see Gracie is growing weary."</p>
+
+<p>Violet gave a ready assent and led the way to the family parlor where
+her grandfather had been wont to hold that service.</p>
+
+<p>The servants were summoned and came in looking well pleased. The captain
+made the service short out of consideration for Gracie's weariness,
+though, indeed, he never thought it well to lengthen it so much as to
+risk making it a weariness to either children or servants.</p>
+
+<p>A few directions in regard to securing doors and windows for the night
+and as to what should be done for the comfort of the family in the
+morning, then he, Violet, and the little girls, having exchanged kindly
+good-nights with the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>servants, went on up the broad stairway, the
+captain, according to promise, carrying Grace in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>Only a hasty survey of the upper rooms was taken that night, for all
+began to feel the need of rest and sleep. Apartments connected with each
+other and the nursery were selected for occupation, and soon all were
+resting peacefully in their beds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The Sabbath morning dawned bright and clear. Lulu rose with the sun and,
+before he was an hour high, was down on the veranda, gazing with delight
+upon the lovely landscape spread out at her feet.</p>
+
+<p>So absorbed in its beauties was she that she failed to hear an
+approaching footstep, and was aware of her father's presence only when
+he laid a hand gently on her head and, bending down, imprinted a kiss on
+her lips.</p>
+
+<p>"An early bird as usual, my darling!" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, like my father, my dear, dear father," she returned, twining
+her arms around his neck and holding him fast for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you sleep well?" he asked, releasing himself and taking her hand in
+his.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! Did not you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did; I think we all did," he answered. "God has been very good to us.
+And what a lovely, lovely Sunday morning it is!"</p>
+
+<p>"We can all go to church, can't we, papa?" she asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think so," he said. "And now you would like to walk down across the
+lawn, to the water's edge, with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, indeed, papa," she cried delightedly. "It was just what I was
+wanting to do."</p>
+
+<p>"It might be well for you to have a bit of something to eat first," he
+said. "Ah, here is just the thing!" as a servant approached with a
+waiter on which were some oranges prepared for eating in the way Grandma
+Elsie had enjoyed them in her young days.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Aunt Sally," the captain said, helping Lulu and himself;
+"you could have brought us nothing more tempting and delicious. Will you
+please carry some up to my wife?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ise done it already, sah," replied the woman, smiling all over her
+face, and dropping a courtesy; "yes, sah; an' she say dey's mighty nice,
+jes like she hab when she's heah in dis place yeahs ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," remarked Lulu, as they presently crossed the lawn together, "I'm
+so glad to be here again, and with you. It was a delightful place the
+other time, I thought, but, oh, it seems twice as pleasant now, because
+my dear father is with us!" and she lifted her eyes to his face with a
+look of ardent affection.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear child, it is a great pleasure to me to be with you and the rest,"
+he returned, pressing affectionately the little hand he held in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>his,
+"and if you do not have a happier time than you had here before, it
+shall not be because your father does not try to make it so.</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear little daughter, remember you have the same spiritual foes
+to fight here as in other places. If you would be happy you must try to
+live very near to Jesus and to watch and pray lest you enter into
+temptation. Particularly must you be ever on your guard against that
+quick temper which has so often got you into trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I do intend to," she said, with a sigh; "and I am very glad I
+shall have you close at hand all the time to help me in the fight; for
+you do help me, oh, so often&mdash;so much, dear papa!" and again she lifted
+loving eyes to his face.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very thankful that I can, my darling," he returned. "I feel that
+God has been very good to me in so changing my circumstances that I can
+be with you almost constantly to aid you in the hard task of learning to
+control the fiery temper inherited from me. Yet, as I have often told
+you, dear child, the hardest part of the fight must inevitably be your
+own, and only by the help of him who has all power in heaven and in
+earth can you conquer at last.</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to feel that in your inmost soul, and to beware of
+self-confidence, which was, I think, the cause of your sad failure of a
+few weeks ago."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, papa," she said humbly, "I believe I had begun to feel that I was
+quite reformed, so did not watch and pray as constantly as I used to,
+and then almost before I knew it I was in a passion with poor Alma."</p>
+
+<p>"'When I am weak, then am I strong!' the apostle says," returned her
+father; "that is when we feel our weakness and trust in the strength of
+our Almighty Saviour; of him who has said, 'In me is thine help.' It is
+help, daughter, which is never refused to those who look humbly to Jesus
+for it."</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad the Bible tells us that," she said.</p>
+
+<p>They walked on in silence for a little, then Lulu said, "Papa, I asked
+Cousin Molly last night if Professor Manton still had his school at
+Oakdale. She said, 'Yes, is your papa going to send you there?' and I
+was so glad I could answer, 'No, ma'am; he is going to teach me
+himself.' Then Cousin Molly said, 'Oh, is he? I am sure that will be far
+pleasanter for you, dear. The professor is not very popular, and I hear
+that his school grows smaller.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, then, don't you think it would be only kind in me to put my eldest
+daughter there as a pupil?" asked the captain jestingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not to me, papa, I am sure," she answered, lifting to his smiling eyes
+that said as plainly as any words could have spoken that she had no fear
+that he would do any such thing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No; and I do not know what could induce me to do so," he returned. "So
+you need never ask it, but must try to content yourself with the tutor
+who has had charge of your education ever since Woodburn became our
+home."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't need to try, papa," she said with a happy laugh; "for it's just
+as easy as anything. Gracie and I both think there was never such a
+dear, kind teacher as ours. Neither of us wants ever to have any other."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! then we are mutually pleased. And now I think we should turn and go
+back to the house, for it must be near the breakfast hour." They found
+Violet, Grace, and the little ones on the veranda, awaiting their
+coming, and breakfast ready to be served.</p>
+
+<p>Morning greetings were exchanged and all repaired to the breakfast room.</p>
+
+<p>The meal proved a dainty one, was daintily served and enlivened by
+cheerful chat on such themes as were not unsuited to the sacredness of
+the day.</p>
+
+<p>Family worship followed, and soon after the family carriage was at the
+door ready to convey them to the church of which their Cousin Cyril was
+pastor.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, Violet, and the two little girls, Lulu and Grace, formed
+the deputation from that family, the two babies remaining at home <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>in
+the care of their nurse, whom they had brought with them from Woodburn.</p>
+
+<p>Cyril gave them an excellent sermon, and at the close of the exercises
+conducted a Bible class attended by nearly every one belonging to the
+congregation.</p>
+
+<p>The Viamede family remained to its close, held a little pleasant talk
+with the relatives from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall, then drove back
+to Viamede, reaching there just in time for dinner.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the captain gathered his family and the servants under
+the trees in the lawn, read and expounded a portion of scripture, and
+led them in prayer and the singing of several familiar hymns.</p>
+
+<p>The evening was spent much as it would have been at Woodburn, and all
+retired early to rest.</p>
+
+<p>Monday morning found them all in good health and spirits, entirely
+recovered from the fatigues of the journey and ready for work or play.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't have to learn and recite lessons to-day, papa, do we?" asked
+Lulu, at the breakfast table. "I think you said we could have a day or
+two for play first, didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but I shall give you your choice of having that playtime now or
+taking it about a week hence, when you will have Rosie and Walter with
+you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"May I choose too, papa?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I choose to wait for my holiday till the others are here to share
+it with us; for don't you suppose Grandma Elsie will let them, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt of it," he replied. "And what is your choice, Lulu?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same as Gracie's, papa," she answered in bright cheerful tones.
+"Lessons are not bad to take, with you for my teacher," she added
+laughingly, "and will leave us a good deal of time for running about and
+looking at everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Besides an occasional drive or walk with mamma and papa," he
+supplemented, with an approving smile, adding, "the lessons shall not be
+long or hard to-day, so that you will still have some time for roaming
+about the grounds; and perhaps, if my pupils are very deserving, there
+may be a row on the bayou after dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how delightful, papa!" they cried, in a breath.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you think so," he said, smiling on them; "there is nothing I
+enjoy more than giving pleasure to my wife and children," with an
+affectionate glance at Violet. "I hope such a little excursion will
+afford you pleasure, my dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she returned gayly, "I think even the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>children will hardly enjoy
+it more than I; and," she added laughingly, "I shall endeavor to earn my
+right to it by faithfully attending to housekeeping matters in the
+meantime."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe there is any schoolroom here!" exclaimed Grace, as if
+struck with a sudden thought.</p>
+
+<p>"We will have to select one and get it ready before the others come,"
+said Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"And for the present my dressing-room will answer very well," added the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>So thither the children repaired at the usual hour for beginning their
+studies.</p>
+
+<p>It was at first a little difficult to fix their attention upon them, but
+with an earnest desire to do right, and to please their dear father,
+they made very determined efforts, and had their lessons well prepared
+by the time he came to hear them.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to afford him pleasure to give the deserved meed of praise,
+and the young faces grew bright and gladsome under it. An hour was then
+given to writing and ciphering, and they were dismissed for the day.</p>
+
+<p>"May we go out into the grounds now, papa?" asked Lulu, as she put up
+her books.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, "but keep near the house for the present, for it is
+near dinner-time now."</p>
+
+<p>"We will, papa," both little girls answered and hurried away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They sported about the lawn till summoned to the house by the
+dinner-bell, whose call they obeyed with alacrity, air and exercise
+having given them good appetites.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear," the captain said to his wife, near the conclusion of the
+meal, "you have had a busy morning, can you not afford to devote the
+afternoon to recreation?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, if you will share it," she replied. "Are we not to have that
+row on the bayou?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is what I had planned, should my wife still feel inclined to go," he
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! that will be very enjoyable I think; and perhaps there may be time
+afterward for me to drive over to the parsonage. I want a bit of chat
+with Isa about some household matters."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think you may have time for both," he returned. "An hour on the
+bayou will be sufficient for this first time; the carriage can be
+ordered to be in waiting when we return, and you, if the plan suits your
+views, can drive over to the parsonage at once, have your talk, and be
+at home again in season to pour out your husband's tea."</p>
+
+<p>"That will do nicely, thank you, sir," she returned gayly. "I see I am
+not likely to lack for diversion with you at the head of affairs, so I
+think I shall try to keep you there as long as possible."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you will, Mamma Vi," said Lulu,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> "And any way I'm glad that when
+papa is about, he is the one that has control of me."</p>
+
+<p>"So I have at least one willing subject," remarked the captain, looking
+not ill-pleased.</p>
+
+<p>"Two, papa," said Grace, "you can always count on me for one."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't doubt it in the least, dear child," he said. "And now, as I see
+you have all finished your dinner, and the boat is at the wharf, let us
+be going."</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes all were seated in the boat, and it was moving rapidly
+over the water, the children very merry, the parents by no means
+disposed to check the manifestations of their mirth.</p>
+
+<p>They found the carriage in waiting when they landed.</p>
+
+<p>"You are going with us, Levis?" Violet said inquiringly, as the captain
+handed her in.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be pleased to do so, my dear, but have too many business
+letters calling for immediate reply," he said, lifting little Ned, and
+then Elsie, to a place by her side. "Lulu and Gracie, you would like to
+go with your mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, if I may," Grace answered with alacrity, but Lulu declined,
+saying: "I would much rather stay with you, papa, if I may."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, dear child; I shall be glad to have you," he said with a
+pleased look; "but I fear you will find it dull, as I shall be too busy
+to talk to you, or let you talk to me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But I can be with you, and perhaps of some use waiting on you, papa."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps so," he said. "You generally contrive to make yourself useful
+to your father in one way or another."</p>
+
+<p>Then the carriage drove on, Lulu slipped her hand into his, and together
+they walked back to the house.</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope I can find something to do that will be a help to you, papa,"
+she said, as they entered the library.</p>
+
+<p>"I verily believe my dear eldest daughter would like to carry all her
+father's burdens if she could," he said, laying his hand caressingly on
+her head, "but it wouldn't be good for me, my darling, to have my life
+made too easy."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure it wouldn't hurt you, papa, and I only wish I could carry all
+your burdens," she replied, with an ardently affectionate look up into
+his face. "Isn't there something I can do now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, glancing at the table; "here are papers, magazines,
+and letters, quite a pile. You may cut leaves and open envelopes for me,
+that will save me some time and exertion&mdash;be quite a help."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I'll be glad to do it all. But, oh, papa," and a bright,
+eager look came into her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, daughter, what is it?" as she paused half breathless with her new
+idea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Papa, couldn't I write some of the letters for you? Here is my
+typewriter that you so kindly let me bring along. I've learned to write
+pretty fast on it, you know, and wouldn't it be easier for you just to
+tell me the words you want said and let me put them down, than to do it
+all yourself with either it or your pen?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is a bright thought, daughter," he said, patting her cheek, and
+smiling down upon her. "I dare say that plan would shorten my work
+considerably."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I shall be so glad if it does, papa!" she exclaimed. "There is
+nothing in the world I'd enjoy more than finding myself a real help and
+comfort to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I have found you both many a time, daughter," he responded, taking up
+and opening a letter as he spoke, while she picked up a paper cutter and
+fell zealously to work opening envelopes, laying each one close to his
+hand as she had it ready.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you may get your typewriter ready for work," he said presently.
+"Put in a sheet of this paper," taking some from a drawer in the table
+and laying it beside the machine, "date it, and in a moment I will tell
+you what to say."</p>
+
+<p>He had already instructed her carefully in punctuation and paragraphing:
+spelling also; and, with an occasional direction in regard to such
+matters, she did her work well.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She was full of joy when at the close of the business he bestowed upon
+her a judicious amount of praise and said that she had proved a great
+help to him, shortening his labor very considerably.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," he concluded, "that before long my dear eldest daughter will
+prove a valuable amanuensis for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I am so glad!" she cried, her cheeks flushing and her eyes
+sparkling. "Oh, there is nothing else in the world that I enjoy so much
+as being a help and comfort to my dear, dear father!"</p>
+
+<p>"My precious little daughter," he responded, "words cannot express the
+love your father feels for you. Now there is one letter that I wish to
+write with my own hand, and while I am doing that you may amuse yourself
+in any way you like."</p>
+
+<p>"May I read this, papa?" she asked, taking up a magazine.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, and she went quietly from the room with it in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>She seated herself on the back veranda, read a short story, then stole
+softly back to the library door to see if her father had finished his
+letter so that she might talk to him.</p>
+
+<p>But some one else was there; a stranger she thought, though she did not
+get a view of his face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She paused on the threshold, uncertain whether her father would wish her
+to be present at the interview, and at that instant he spoke, apparently
+in reply to something his caller had said, and his words riveted her to
+the spot.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he said, in stern tones, "had I been here my daughter would never
+have been sent back to your school. She was most unjustly and shamefully
+treated by that fiery little Italian, and you, sir, upheld him in it.
+When I am at hand no daughter of mine shall be struck by another man, or
+woman either, with impunity, and Foresti may deem himself fortunate in
+that I was at a distance when he ventured to commit so great an outrage
+upon my child."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu waited to hear no more, but ran back to the veranda, where she
+danced about in a tumult of delight, clapping her hands and saying
+exultingly to herself, "I just knew papa wouldn't have made me go back
+to that horrid school and take lessons of that brute of a man. Oh, I do
+wish he had been here! How much it would have saved me! If my father is
+strict and stern sometimes, he's ever so much better and kinder than
+Grandpa Dinsmore. Yes, yes, indeed, he's such a dear father! I wouldn't
+exchange him for any other, if I could."</p>
+
+<p>Presently she suddenly ceased her jumping and dancing, and stood in an
+intently listening attitude.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he's going&mdash;that horrid professor! I'm so glad! I don't believe
+he'll ever trouble this house again, while papa is in it any way," she
+said half aloud.</p>
+
+<p>Then running to meet her father as he returned from seeing the professor
+to the door, she threw her arms round him, exclaiming in a voice
+quivering with delight. "Oh, you dear, dear papa, I'm so glad, so glad
+to know that you wouldn't have made me go back to that horrid music
+teacher! I felt sure at the time that you wouldn't, if you were here."</p>
+
+<p>He heard her with a look of astonishment not unmixed with sternness.</p>
+
+<p>"O papa, please don't be angry with me!" she pleaded, tears starting to
+her eyes; "I didn't mean to listen, but I happened to be at the library
+door (I was going back to see if you were done writing that letter and I
+might be with you again) when you told Professor Manton that you
+wouldn't have sent me back to Signor Foresti, nor even to his school. It
+made me so glad, papa, but I didn't stop to hear any more, but ran away
+to the veranda again; because I knew it wouldn't be right for me to
+listen to what wasn't intended for me to hear."</p>
+
+<p>He took her hand, led her into the library again, drew her to a seat
+upon his knee, and softly smoothing back the hair from her forehead,
+said in kind, fatherly tones, "I am not dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>pleased with you, daughter.
+I understand that it was quite accidental, and I am sure my little girl
+is entirely above the meanness of intentionally listening to what is
+evidently not meant for her ear. And in fact, now that I think of it,
+I am not sorry that you know I did not, and do not now, approve of the
+treatment you received at that time. Yet that was the first time I had
+ever mentioned it to any one, and I should be sorry to have your Grandpa
+Dinsmore know, or suspect, how entirely I disapproved of what he thought
+best to do at the time. Can, and will, my little daughter promise to
+keep the secret? never mentioning it to any one but me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, papa," she returned, looking up brightly into his face.
+"Oh, it's nice to be trusted by you, and not even threatened with
+punishment if I disobey!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am happy to think that is by no means necessary," he said, drawing
+her into a closer embrace. "I believe my little girl loves her father
+well enough to do of her own free will what she knows he would have her
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly; "and do you know, it seems
+a great pleasure to have a secret along with you. But, papa, why did you
+write&mdash;after I had confessed it all to you&mdash;as if you were so much
+displeased with me that you couldn't let me stay any longer at Ion
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>after you had found another place to put me?"</p>
+
+<p>"My child, as I had put you under Grandpa Dinsmore's care, it was your
+duty to submit to his orders till I could be heard from in regard to the
+matter. You should therefore have gone back, not only to the school, but
+to the music teacher, when he directed you to do so; you were disobeying
+me in refusing, and also showing great ingratitude to the kind friends
+who were doing so much for you without your having the slightest claim
+upon them."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, I am very sorry and ashamed," she murmured low and tremulously,
+hanging her head and blushing deeply as she spoke; "I almost want you to
+punish me well for it yet."</p>
+
+<p>"No, daughter, that account was settled long ago," he said in kindly,
+reassuring accents, "fully settled, and I have no desire to open it
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"But, oh, papa," she sighed, "sometimes I do feel so afraid I may get
+into a passion with somebody about something while we're here this
+winter, with all the Ion folks, that&mdash;that I believe I want you to say
+you will punish me very severely if I do."</p>
+
+<p>"My daughter," he said, "I want you to avoid sin and strive to do right,
+not from fear of punishment, but that you may please and honor him whose
+disciple you hope you are."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, papa, I do want to for that reason <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>and also to please and
+honor you&mdash;the best and dearest father in the world!" she concluded,
+putting her arms round his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to his.
+"But you will watch me and warn me and try to keep me from yielding to
+my dreadful temper?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear child, I will, as I have promised you again and again, do all
+I can to help you in that way," he replied in tenderest tones.</p>
+
+<p>Then, as the carriage-wheels were heard on the drive without, "Ah, your
+mamma and our little ones have returned," he said, putting her off his
+knee; and taking her hand led her out to the veranda to meet and welcome
+them home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"Had you a call from Professor Manton, Levis?" asked Violet, as they sat
+together on the veranda that evening. "I thought so because he passed us
+as we were coming home and was looking very glum."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he was here this afternoon," replied the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"In search of pupils, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and was rather disappointed to learn that I had none for him. He
+asked about Rosie and Walter, but I was unable to tell him positively
+whether they would, or would not, be sent to him; though I gave him but
+little encouragement, perhaps I should say none at all, to expect them."</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am nearly certain they will not be willing to go to him, and that
+mamma will not care to send them; indeed she more than hinted that she
+would be delighted to commit them to your care should you show yourself
+willing to undertake the task of instructing them. Are you willing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am hardly prepared to answer that question, my dear," he replied
+thoughtfully. "They <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>might not be willing to submit to the authority of
+a brother-in-law."</p>
+
+<p>"I am almost sure you would have no trouble in governing them," returned
+Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you would have any at all, papa," remarked Lulu, who
+was leaning on the arm of his chair and listening with much interest to
+the conversation; "neither of them is half so&mdash;so wilful and
+quick-tempered as I am."</p>
+
+<p>The captain smiled at that, put an arm about her, and drew her closer to
+him. "But they don't belong to me as you do," he said, touching his lips
+to her cheek. "You are my very own, own little daughter, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, and so glad to be," she returned, putting her arm round
+his neck and gazing into his eyes, her own shining with filial love.</p>
+
+<p>The younger ones were already in bed, even Gracie having felt too much
+fatigued with the duties and pleasures of the day to wait for evening
+prayers.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think you may esteem yourself a fortunate child in that respect,
+Lu," said Violet. "I really believe it is the next best thing to being
+his wife," she added, with a pleasant little laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it's the very best thing, Mamma Vi," returned Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, to go back to the original topic of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>discourse, Levis&mdash;or at
+least to the question whether you are willing to undertake the tuition
+of my young sister and brother," Violet went on. "I feel certain they
+would give you no trouble in governing them; also that your talent for
+teaching is such that they could not fail to greatly improve under your
+tuition."</p>
+
+<p>"But might not your grandpa feel that I was interfering with him?"
+queried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, indeed! Grandpa feels that he is growing old, and has done
+enough of that kind of work. And you would be glad to please mamma?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most certainly; I could refuse her nothing&mdash;the poor, dear woman!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then we may consider it settled? Oh, thank you, my dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes; I suppose so. Are you willing to share your teacher with
+Rosie and Walter, daughter mine?" he asked, softly stroking Lulu's hair.</p>
+
+<p>"My teacher, but not my father, you dear papa," returned Lulu, patting
+his cheek, then holding up her face for a kiss, which he gave heartily
+and repeated more than once.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think, Mamma Vi, of your husband having an amanuensis?" he
+continued, affectionately squeezing Lulu's hand, which he had taken in
+his. "My correspondence was disposed of to-day with most unusual and
+unex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>pected ease. I would read a letter, tell my amanuensis the reply I
+wished to make, and she would write it off on the typewriter while I
+examined the next epistle, asking few directions and making scarcely any
+mistakes."</p>
+
+<p>"Lulu did it?" Violet exclaimed in surprise "Why, Lu, I am both
+astonished and delighted!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mamma Vi; and I am very glad that I can help my dear, kind
+father, who does so much for me," Lulu answered, putting her arm round
+his neck, and laying her cheek to his. "Oh, I couldn't possibly do half
+enough for him! but I hope I may be of a great deal of use to him some
+of these days."</p>
+
+<p>"You are that already, dear child," he said; "so useful and so dear that
+your father would not know how to do without you."</p>
+
+<p>"How good in you to say that, dear papa; but I am sure it would be ten
+times worse for me to be without you," she returned. "Oh, I'm glad I'm
+not a boy, to have to go away from you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad too," he responded; "glad that my children are neither all
+boys nor all girls. It is quite delightful, I think, to have some of
+each."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; and I think it's delightful to have both brothers and sisters
+when they are of as good a sort as mine are, though I've seen some I'd
+be sorry to have."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As I have seen some children that I should be sorry, I think, to call
+my own. Yet if they were mine I would probably love them dearly, and
+perhaps not see their faults; or rather love them in spite of their
+naughtiness."</p>
+
+<p>"Just as you do me, papa," she said, a little sadly. "Haven't you always
+loved me, though I've sometimes been very, very naughty indeed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, always," he said, holding her close, as something very dear and
+precious. "And I believe my little girl has always loved me even when I
+have been quite severe in the punishment of her faults."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; oh, yes, indeed, papa! because I have always felt that I deserved
+it; often a much more severe punishment than you inflicted; and that you
+didn't do it because you liked to, but because you wanted to make me
+good."</p>
+
+<p>"And happy," he added. "I think you are never happy when disobedient,
+wilful, or ill-tempered."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, papa! and I'm thankful to you that you have never indulged
+me in those things."</p>
+
+<p>"And I think, with Lu, that you are one of the best of fathers, Levis,"
+remarked Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"It is certainly very pleasant to be so highly esteemed by one's wife
+and daughter, whether deserving of it or not," he said, with a pleased
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>little laugh; "yet I am not at all sure that such flattery is quite
+good for me."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe any amount of praise could ever hurt you, papa," Lulu
+said, with a look into his eyes of ardent love and reverence; "you do
+seem to me to be just perfect; never doing or saying anything wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it must be my little girl's great love for her father that
+makes her so blind to his faults and failings," he replied, in low,
+tender tones.</p>
+
+<p>"A blindness certainly shared by your wife," remarked Violet lightly.
+"We have been married five years and I have yet to hear the first unkind
+word from my husband's lips."</p>
+
+<p>"He would be an exceedingly unreasonable man who could find fault with
+such a wife as mine," was his smiling rejoinder.</p>
+
+<p>"But to change the subject, I suppose we may look for the rest of our
+party about the last of next week?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think so."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be ever so glad to see them&mdash;especially dear Grandma Elsie and
+Rosie and Walter; but oh, I wish the Fairview folks were coming,
+especially Eva," remarked Lulu, ending with a sigh of regret.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, well, daughter, perhaps Evelyn may be here before the winter is
+over," the captain said, exchanging a slightly amused glance with
+Violet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope so!" exclaimed Lulu; "but of course one can't expect to have
+everything one wants in this world."</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly not," her father said; "it would be by no means good for
+us if we could."</p>
+
+<p>"Not for me, I know; but oh, I have a great, great many
+blessings&mdash;health and strength and such a dear kind father to love me,
+provide for me, teach me, and train me up in the way I should go," she
+concluded, with a smiling look up into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"That is what I am trying to do, at all events," he returned, holding
+her close, "though I sometimes fear I may not always have taken the
+wisest way."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it because you have succeeded so poorly that you fear so, papa?" she
+asked. "If so, don't be troubled about it, because I don't believe it's
+from any mistake of yours, but only that I'm so very naughty and
+unmanageable."</p>
+
+<p>"Really, now, Lu, I think your father has succeeded fairly well at the
+business," laughed Violet. "I doubt if anybody else would have done
+better."</p>
+
+<p>"Or half so well," said Lulu; "and I am fully resolved to try to do
+credit to his training."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you had a letter from Max to-day, Levis?" remarked Violet
+inquiringly, "Dear fellow, I hope he was quite well at the time of
+writing?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and apparently in excellent spirits. He seems to be doing well in
+his studies; content with things as they are too, though evidently
+feeling that he would greatly enjoy being here with the rest of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, poor, dear fellow! I wish he could make one of our party;
+especially at Christmas time."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said his father. "We must make it up to him with as full an
+account as possible of the Christmas doings here."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what they will be," said Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"We will have to consider and decide that question&mdash;to some extent, at
+least&mdash;after mamma comes," replied Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"And now we must go in and have prayers; for it is near bedtime for my
+eldest daughter," remarked the captain, rising and taking Lulu's hand in
+his.</p>
+
+<p>The days flew by on swift wings, even to Lulu and Grace, so filled were
+they with duties and pleasures, and at length the time had come when
+Grandma Elsie and the others were expected by the evening boat.</p>
+
+<p>Their arrival was anticipated with great delight by every one on the
+estate, and all possible preparations had been made for their comfort
+and to show how gladly welcome they were. Everything indoors and out was
+in beautiful order, a feast of fat things ready in the kitchen, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>the
+families from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall were present by
+invitation, and as the hour drew near when the boat might be expected,
+all gathered at the wharf and eagerly watched for its appearance.</p>
+
+<p>At length their patience was rewarded; the little steamer appeared in
+sight far down the bayou, came puffing along past the orange orchard,
+and rounded to at the landing.</p>
+
+<p>In another moment the travelers were on shore: Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore,
+Grandma Elsie, Rosie, Walter, and&mdash;could Lulu believe her eyes&mdash;yes,
+there was Evelyn! It could be no one else; and with a cry of joy the two
+little girls ran into each other's arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Eva, Eva, I'm so glad! I hadn't the least idea that you were coming
+too!" cried Lulu, fairly wild with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, papa, you must have known and kept it a secret from me to give me
+such a glad surprise," she exclaimed, as she caught sight of his face
+and noted the pleased smile with which he was regarding her.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, daughter, I knew and planned, with Mamma Vi and the others, to
+give you this pleasant surprise," he said, bending down to bestow a
+paternal kiss upon the gentle, fatherless girl who had won so large a
+place in the heart of his own dear child.</p>
+
+<p>"And we were all very glad to have Eva <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>along," Rosie said. "And, O Lu,
+I'm looking for very good times this coming winter here in our lovely
+Viamede, and with your father here I know it will be pleasanter than
+ever for you&mdash;pleasanter for all of us; for, Brother Levis, I hear that
+I am to be your pupil instead of Professor Manton's; a change which I
+haven't a doubt I shall enjoy extremely."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, don't be too sure of that, little sister," he returned laughingly,
+giving a welcoming embrace to her also. "I am a very strict
+disciplinarian, as Lulu here can testify," laying a hand affectionately
+on his daughter's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rosie, papa is strict, but if one does exactly as he orders, he's
+kind as kind can be; and maybe he wouldn't be quite so stern and strict
+with other folks' children as he is with me&mdash;his very own, you know."</p>
+
+<p>But a reply from Rosie was prevented by Violet catching her in her arms,
+saying, "You dear child, how glad I am to have you here at last! We have
+all been looking forward to your coming as well as to that of dear,
+darling mamma, grandpa, and the others."</p>
+
+<p>At the same time Grandma Elsie was embracing Lulu most affectionately,
+saying how well she looked, and hoping that she and Grace, as well as
+the older people, had been enjoying Viamede.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed we have, dear Grandma Elsie," re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span>plied Lulu. "Oh, it was so good
+and kind in you to invite us all to spend the winter in this loveliest
+of lovely places!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good to myself, dear child, quite as much as to you; for I love to have
+you all about me."</p>
+
+<p>"And I hope you are better? A great deal better?" returned Lulu, with an
+inquiring look into the sweet face.</p>
+
+<p>"Very much better, thank you, dear child. Almost my old self again," was
+the sweet-toned reply.</p>
+
+<p>Some few moments more were spent in the exchange of glad, affectionate
+greetings and inquiries after each other's health and welfare, then all
+took their way to the house; even Grandma Elsie claiming that her
+strength was quite equal to so short a walk, the journey on the boat
+having been restful rather than <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'fatigueing'">fatiguing</ins>. Yet it was evident to all
+that she was far from strong, and they joined Mr. Dinsmore in an urgent
+entreaty that she would retire at an early hour to her own room and bed;
+which she did, her daughters accompanying her to see that nothing was
+lacking that could in any way add to her comfort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>A bright, beautiful day succeeded that on which the Ion family had
+arrived at Viamede. The younger members of their party woke early, and
+the sun was hardly more than an hour high when Evelyn and Rosie passed
+down the broad stairway into the lower hall, moving with cautious tread
+lest they might disturb the still sleeping older members of the
+household.</p>
+
+<p>But on reaching the veranda they were surprised to see the captain and
+Lulu already taking a morning promenade along the bank of the bayou.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I see there is no getting ahead of Brother Levis," laughed Rosie.
+"Let us run down there and join them, Eva."</p>
+
+<p>"With all my heart," returned Evelyn gayly, and away they went, racing
+down the broad gravelled walk in merry girlish fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, little ladies, I see that you are early birds as well as
+Lulu and myself," the captain said, with his genial smile, as they drew
+near.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," returned Rosie, catching hold of Lulu and giving her a
+hearty embrace; "on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span>such a morning as this, and in such a lovely place,
+bed has no attractions to compare with those of out of doors."</p>
+
+<p>"That's exactly what papa and I think," said Lulu; "and, oh girls, I'm
+so glad you have come to share this lovely, lovely place with us. Eva, I
+haven't yet got over the glad surprise of your coming. I was just saying
+to papa how very kind it was in Grandma Elsie and the rest of them to
+prepare such an unexpected pleasure for me. Wasn't it good in them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, good to us both!" Evelyn said, squeezing affectionately
+the hand Lulu had slipped into hers.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain," looking up smilingly into his face, "are you intending to be
+so very, very kind as to take me for one of your pupils?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most assuredly, my dear, if you wish it," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed, and I promise to give
+you as little trouble as I possibly can."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall consider it no trouble at all, my dear child," he returned,
+giving her a fatherly smile. "Indeed, I think the favor will be on your
+side, as doubtless Lulu will improve all the faster for your
+companionship in her studies. Rosie, being older than either of you,
+will, I fear, have to be quite alone in most of hers."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Brother Levis, and as I am to be such <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>a lonely, forlorn creature
+you ought to be extremely good to me," remarked Rosie demurely. "I hope
+you will remember that and try to have unlimited patience with your
+youngest sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! my little sister would better not try the patience of her big
+brother too far," returned the captain with a twinkle of fun in his eye.</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say; but he needn't think he can make me very much afraid of
+him, big as he is," laughed Rosie.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps, though, it might turn out to the advantage of Professor
+Manton, should my youngest sister prove quite beyond the management of
+her biggest and oldest brother," remarked the captain, with assumed
+gravity.</p>
+
+<p>"There!" exclaimed Rosie, "that's the worst threat you could possibly
+have made. I think I'll try to be at least passably good and obedient in
+the schoolroom. You needn't look for it in any other place, Captain
+Raymond," making him a deep courtesy, then dancing gayly away.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you envy her that it is only in the schoolroom she must be
+obedient to me, whom you have to obey all the time?" asked the captain
+laughingly of Lulu, noticing that she was watching Rosie with a hurt,
+almost indignant look on her expressive features.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, papa! I'm only too glad that I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>belong to you everywhere
+and all the time," she answered, lifting to his face eyes full of filial
+respect and ardent affection.</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," he returned, pressing tenderly the hand she had again slipped
+into his. "But you must not be vexed with Rosie. Could you not see that
+all she said just now was in sportive jest?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad if she didn't mean it, papa; but I don't like such things said
+to my dear, honored father even in jest."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must excuse Rosie, Lu, dear," said Evelyn. "It was indeed all
+in jest, for I know that she feels the very highest respect for your
+father&mdash;her biggest brother; as we all do."</p>
+
+<p>Lulu's brow cleared. "Well, then, I won't mind it, papa, if you don't,"
+she said.</p>
+
+<p>"And I certainly do not, daughter," he returned pleasantly. "Rosie and I
+are the best of friends, and I think will continue to be such."</p>
+
+<p>It was a gay, light-hearted party that met at the Viamede
+breakfast-table that morning. Even their loved invalid, Grandma Elsie,
+was looking wonderfully bright and well; yet, as she laughingly averred,
+everybody seemed determined to consider her as ill and unable to make
+any exertion.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have to let you continue to take the r&ocirc;le of mistress of the
+establishment, Vi," she said, with a pleasant smile, as, resigning to
+her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>daughter her accustomed seat at the head of the table, she took
+possession of one at the side.</p>
+
+<p>"Not that I am of so humble a spirit as to consider myself unfitted for
+the duties and responsibilities of the position, but because older and
+wiser people do."</p>
+
+<p>"I really think Vi makes as good a substitute as could well be found,
+mother," remarked the captain, with a proudly affectionate glance at his
+lovely young wife.</p>
+
+<p>"In which I entirely agree with you, sir," said Mr. Dinsmore.</p>
+
+<p>The meal was partaken of with appetite, and enlivened by cheery talk; a
+good deal of it in regard to pleasures and amusements attainable in that
+locality; riding, driving, boating, fishing; to say nothing of the
+pleasant rambles that could be taken on and beyond the estate.</p>
+
+<p>There was no lack of carriages for driving, or horses to draw them, or
+for those to ride who might prefer that mode of locomotion.</p>
+
+<p>The final decision was in favor of a drive, for Mrs. Dinsmore, Violet,
+her little ones, and Grace, accompanied by the rest of the party on
+horseback.</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast and family prayers over, the young girls hastened to their
+rooms to prepare for the little excursion, all seemingly in the gayest
+spirits at the pleasing prospect; none more so than merry, excitable
+Lulu.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She and Grace were ready a little sooner than either of the other girls,
+and went down to the veranda to wait there for the rest.</p>
+
+<p>As they did so a servant passed them with the bag containing the morning
+mail, which he had just brought from the nearest post-office.</p>
+
+<p>He carried it to the library, where Mr. Dinsmore and the captain were
+seated, awaiting the appearance of the ladies, carriages, and horses.</p>
+
+<p>As if struck by a sudden thought, Lulu ran after him. She saw her father
+take the bag, open it, hand several letters to Mr. Dinsmore, select
+several others and give them to the servant (with directions to carry
+them up to the ladies), then lay a pretty large pile on the table, take
+up one, and open it.</p>
+
+<p>"There, those are papa's own," she said to herself, "and what a number
+he has!&mdash;all to be answered, too. I don't believe he'll take time to
+ride this morning; he's always so prompt about replying to a letter. Oh,
+dear, I don't want to go without him, and I just wish they hadn't come
+till to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>She walked slowly out to the veranda again.</p>
+
+<p>Rosie and Evelyn had not yet made their appearance, and Grace was
+romping about with little Elsie and Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Just then a servant man came round from the stables, leading the ponies
+the little girls were to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>ride, and at sight of them Lulu seemed to take
+a sudden resolution.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Solon," she said, hurrying toward the man, "you can put my pony
+back into the stable; I'm not going to ride this morning; I've changed
+my mind; and if anybody asks about me, you can tell them so," and with
+that she ran away round the house and seated herself on the back
+veranda, where she had been when Professor Manton made his call upon the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she heard the ladies and young girls come down the stairs, her
+father and Mr. Dinsmore come out from the library and assist the older
+ones into the carriage, the younger to mount their ponies; then her
+father's voice asking, "Where is Lulu?" and the servant's reply, "Miss
+Lu, she tole me, sah, to tell you she doan want fo' to ride dis heah
+mornin', sah"; then her father's surprised, "She did, Solon? Why, that
+is a sudden change on her part. I thought she was quite delighted at the
+prospect of going.</p>
+
+<p>"Violet, my dear, I find I have so many letters calling for reply this
+morning, that I, too, must remain at home."</p>
+
+<p>Some exclamations of surprise and regret from the others followed; then
+the sound of hoofs and wheels told that the party had set out on their
+little excursion, and the captain's step <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>was heard in the hall as he
+returned to the library.</p>
+
+<p>But a thought seemed to strike him as he reached its door, and he
+paused, calling aloud, "Lulu! Lulu!"</p>
+
+<p>She ran to him at once, answering, "Here I am, papa."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, daughter, what is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Why did you not
+go with the others?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I preferred to stay at home with my dear father; and I hope he
+isn't displeased with me for it!" she replied, looking up coaxingly,
+smilingly, into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Displeased with you, dear child? I am only too glad to have you by my
+side; except that I feel sorry on your own account that you should miss
+the pleasant, healthful trip along with the others," he said, bestowing
+upon her a fond caress.</p>
+
+<p>"But how did you know that I was going to stay at home?" he asked, as he
+led her in and sat down, drawing her to a seat upon his knee.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I'm enough of a Yankee to be good at guessing, I suppose,
+papa," she answered, with a merry laugh, putting an arm round his neck
+and gazing into his eyes with her own full of ardent filial love. "I saw
+that big pile of letters," pointing to them as they lay on the table,
+"and I thought, 'Now, if I stay at home <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span>with papa, maybe he will let me
+help him as I did the other day.' So now as I have stayed, won't you be
+so very good as to let me, you dear, dearest papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very glad of both your company and your help, darling,
+though I am sorry to have you miss your ride in order to give them to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"But you needn't be sorry, papa, because I'm ever so glad. I was almost
+afraid you might be displeased with me for taking the liberty of staying
+at home without consulting you; but I don't believe you are a bit,"
+stroking his face with her little soft white hand, then kissing him with
+warmth of affection.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so much displeased, that as a punishment you will have to write
+several letters on your machine at my dictation," he replied, with
+playful look and tone. "We will set to work at once," he added, putting
+her off his knee, taking the cover from her typewriter, and placing a
+chair before it for her to sit upon, then laying a pile of paper and
+envelopes within easy reach of her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, papa, I don't care how often you punish me in this way!" she
+exclaimed, with a merry laugh, as she took her seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Tut! tut! don't talk as if my punishment were nothing," he replied, in
+pretended displeasure. "You may get more of this kind some of these days
+than you will like."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not while it's a help to my dear father," she returned, smiling up at
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"You find that a pleasure, do you?" he asked, with tender look and tone,
+laying a hand caressingly on her head and gazing fondly down into her
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, sir! O papa, I just long to be a real help and comfort and
+blessing to you; and I do hope that some day I may be."</p>
+
+<p>"My own dear little daughter, you are already all three to me," he said
+with emotion. "Truly, I think no man ever had a more lovable child, or a
+more grateful and appreciative one."</p>
+
+<p>Those words sent a thrill of exquisite delight to Lulu's heart. "Dear
+papa, you are so kind to tell me that!" she said. "Oh, I do want always
+to be all that to you!"</p>
+
+<p>"And it is certainly my ardent desire to be the best of fathers to my
+dear eldest daughter, and all my children," he responded.</p>
+
+<p>"But now let us set to work upon this correspondence."</p>
+
+<p>For the next hour and more they were very busy; then, every letter
+having been replied to, the captain went out to a distant part of the
+plantation to see how work was progressing there, taking Lulu along.</p>
+
+<p>Their way led them through the orange or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>chard, and both father and
+daughter found it a delightful walk.</p>
+
+<p>They reached the house again just in time to receive the others on their
+return from their little excursion, and presently after, all sat down to
+dinner.</p>
+
+<p>On leaving the table the little girls repaired to the veranda.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm decidedly offended with you, Lu," said Rosie, in jesting tone.</p>
+
+<p>"What for?" asked Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"For forsaking us as you did this morning; and now the least reparation
+you can make is to confess why you did so. Do you not agree with me,
+Eva?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Evelyn, "I think she ought to do so, as the only amends
+she can make. So, Miss Raymond, let us hear your excuse at once&mdash;if you
+have any."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, I suppose I must," said Lulu. "Please understand that I
+would have enjoyed going with you very much indeed, but I saw that papa
+had a good many letters to answer and I wanted to help him a great deal
+more than I did to take a ride.</p>
+
+<p>"He lets me write some on the typewriter&mdash;those, you see, that don't
+require a very particular answer&mdash;and he says it shortens his work very
+much. And," she added with a sigh, "I have given my dear father so much
+trouble in past <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>days by my bad temper and wilfulness, that I feel I can
+never do enough to make up to him for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Lu, I just love you for feeling and acting so," said Evelyn
+softly, giving Lulu's hand an affectionate squeeze as she spoke; "and I
+am sure your father must."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he does love me dearly, and you can't think how happy that makes
+me," returned Lulu, glad tears shining in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that, but I think we can," said Rosie, a slight
+tremble in her voice; for she had not forgotten altogether the dear
+father who had fondled and caressed her in her babyhood, but had so long
+since passed away to the better land.</p>
+
+<p>But just at that moment Violet drew near with a light, quick step.</p>
+
+<p>"The boat is at the landing, little girls," she said, "and we older
+folks want to be off. Please put on your hats, coats too,&mdash;or carry some
+kind of wrap,&mdash;for the captain says it may be quite cool on the water
+before we return."</p>
+
+<p>"A summons we're delighted to receive," returned Rosie, springing to her
+feet and hurrying toward the hall door, the others following, all of
+them in gay good humor.</p>
+
+<p>No one was missing from that boating excursion, and on their return, a
+little before tea time, all spoke of having had a most enjoyable
+afternoon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>After tea, when all were together upon the front veranda, Grandma Elsie
+in a reclining chair, the others grouped about her, the talk turned upon
+the approaching Christmas and how it should be celebrated&mdash;what gifts
+prepared for friends and servants.</p>
+
+<p>Various plans were suggested, various gifts spoken of, but nothing
+settled.</p>
+
+<p>The little girls took a deep interest in the subject, and when they
+separated for the night each one's thoughts were full of it; Lulu's
+perhaps even more so than those of any other, not of what she might
+receive, but what she would like to give.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," she said, when he came into her room to bid her good-night, "I
+do so want to make some pretty things to give at Christmas time. Please,
+won't you let me?" and look and tone were very coaxing.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear little daughter," he replied, taking possession of an
+easy-chair and drawing her to a seat upon his knee, "it would give me
+much pleasure to indulge you in this, but you have lost a good deal of
+time from your studies of late, and I know very well that to allow you
+to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>engage in the manufacture of Christmas gifts would have the effect
+of taking your mind off your lessons in a way to prevent you from making
+much, if any, progress with them."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't let me, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my child. If you choose you may use your pocket-money, and some
+more that I will give you, to buy what you please, that will not make
+any work for you. Your studies must be faithfully attended to, and the
+greater part of your remaining time I wish you to spend in out-of-door
+amusements which will, I hope, both give you much pleasure and keep you
+in vigorous health.</p>
+
+<p>"I could not bear to see my dear eldest daughter growing pale and thin,
+or failing to improve her mind and talents so that she may in due time
+become a noble, useful woman, capable of doing with her might whatever
+work her heavenly Father may be pleased to give her."</p>
+
+<p>A wofully ill-used, discontented look had come over Lulu's expressive
+countenance as her father began what he had to say, but before he had
+finished it was replaced by a much sweeter one of contentment with his
+decision, and confiding filial love.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, dear, I did at first very much want you to say yes to my
+petition, but now I see that you know best and am quite content to do as
+you have said you want me to," she re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>turned, putting her arm about his
+neck and laying her cheek to his in her accustomed fashion when her
+heart was swelling with daughterly affection.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child, your ready acquiescence in your father's decision makes
+you dearer than ever to him, if that be possible," he said, holding her
+close with many a fond caress.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Rosie and Evelyn, occupying adjoining rooms, were chatting
+gaily of what they should make for one and another of those they loved.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Evelyn paused, a very thoughtful look overspreading her
+expressive face.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what is it?" asked Rosie in a bantering tone; and Evelyn
+answered, "I was just thinking that all this, should we undertake it,
+will be apt to take our minds from our lessons, which are certainly of
+far greater importance."</p>
+
+<p>"And that Captain Raymond may veto it on that account?" asked Rosie,
+with a twinkle of fun in her eye.</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly he may; and if he does, I, for one, shall certainly obey him,"
+replied Evelyn, speaking in a sober, earnest way that said plainly she
+was far from being in jest.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I make no rash promises," laughed Rosie; "and I'm not very much
+afraid of that brother-in-law of mine, stern as he can look when it
+suits him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But you will want to please your dear mother?" returned Evelyn, in a
+tone between assertion and inquiry.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Rosie, sobering down at once; "I could refuse nothing to
+dear mamma. I would do anything and everything in my power to add to her
+happiness. Oh, how glad and thankful I am that she has been spared to
+us!"</p>
+
+<p>"I, too," said Evelyn. "I think I could hardly love her better if she
+were really my very near relative."</p>
+
+<p>A moment of silence followed, presently broken by Rosie. "Well, I
+suppose," she said with a return to her jesting tone, "it may be our
+wisest plan to consult his lordship&mdash;Captain Raymond&mdash;in regard to the
+matter just now under discussion&mdash;whether we&mdash;his prospective
+pupils&mdash;may or may not engage in the work of preparing Christmas gifts
+for other folk."</p>
+
+<p>"I, at least, certainly intend doing so," replied Evelyn. "Obedience to
+his wishes&mdash;to say nothing of orders&mdash;it strikes me will be the very
+least we can do in return for his great kindness in taking the trouble
+to instruct us."</p>
+
+<p>"There, you are right!" said Rosie. "I hadn't thought of that before. It
+is very good in him and I shall really try to show him that I am one of
+the best and most tractable of pupils."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we join him and Lu to-morrow in their morning walk, as we did
+to-day, and then <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>and there improve the opportunity to discuss this
+momentous question," suggested Evelyn laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am strongly in favor of so doing, provided I wake in season,"
+returned Rosie, and with that they separated for the night.</p>
+
+<p>They carried out their plan, had a pleasant little morning ramble and
+chat with the captain and Lulu, and finding that such was his wish,
+promised to do but little in the way of making Christmas gifts, in order
+that their time and attention might be the more fully occupied with
+their studies, which they were all to take up again on the following
+Monday.</p>
+
+<p>"And this being Friday, we have only to-day and to-morrow for play. It
+looks like rain, too," sighed Rosie disconsolately, glancing up at the
+sky as she spoke; "so we are not likely to have much out-of-door sport."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, well, little sister, we must not grumble about the rain, for it is
+needed; and there are the verandas for you young folks to sport upon,"
+returned the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides, your big brother is not intending to be so hard upon you as to
+allow no diversion after lessons are resumed. I hope you will all have
+many an hour for romping, riding, driving, boating, and walking."</p>
+
+<p>"Pleasant chats, too, and interesting books to read; music, and games
+besides," remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> Evelyn. "Oh, we are not likely to suffer from lack
+of diversion when we have been good and industrious enough to deserve
+it," she added, with a smiling look at the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"As I have little doubt that you will be always," he returned, smiling
+kindly upon her.</p>
+
+<p>By the time breakfast and family worship were over a gentle rain was
+falling, and instead of seeking out-of-door amusement, the whole family
+gathered upon the veranda at the front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>Just then a pretty well-filled mail-bag made its appearance, and
+presently nearly everybody had one or more letters in hand.</p>
+
+<p>Noticing that her father had several, Lulu presently drew near him and
+asked, "Mayn't I help you answer those, papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, dear child," he returned, smiling fondly upon her, "you may
+if you wish, but I have plenty of time to do the work myself this
+morning, and would be sorry to deprive you of the pleasure you might be
+taking with your mates."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have time enough for that afterward, papa, and would very much
+rather do a little to help you&mdash;if it will be a help, instead of a
+trouble to you to have me use my machine in that way," she said, with a
+look up into his eyes that showed plainly how anxious she was to have
+her offer accepted.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then you shall, my darling," he returned, and taking her hand led her
+into the library, seated her before her typewriter, supplied paper and
+envelopes, and began dictating to her as on the two former occasions.</p>
+
+<p>"It grieves me to rob my dear little girl of any of her holiday time,"
+he remarked, as the first letter was completed, laying his hand
+caressingly on her head. "Your father loves to see you enjoying
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear papa, I know that," she replied, with a pleased loving look
+up into his face, "but there is nothing I enjoy more than feeling that I
+can be of a little help and comfort to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it will not take us long to answer these letters&mdash;there are but
+few to-day&mdash;and perhaps you may enjoy your sports all the more
+afterward," he replied, handing her a fresh sheet of paper.</p>
+
+<p>"This, from our dear Max, is the only one left now," he remarked
+presently; "and he, I know, would rather have his reply in papa's own
+handwriting; but, shall I read this to you, daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I should like to hear it, papa!" was her eager response. "Please,
+may I sit on your knee while I listen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed you may," he answered, drawing her to the coveted seat and
+putting his arm <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>about her waist. "Maxie does write such good,
+interesting letters, and I'm so much obliged to you for reading this one
+to me, papa," she said, when he had finished.</p>
+
+<p>"You are very welcome, daughter; and now you may go back to your mates
+while I write my reply."</p>
+
+<p>On the veranda family letters had been read and discussed, meanwhile,
+and when Lulu joined the group they were again talking of the
+approaching Christmas and what gifts should be prepared for relatives,
+near and dear friends, and servants.</p>
+
+<p>Grandma Elsie, seated in their midst, was looking quite her old
+self&mdash;very bright, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'beautitiful'">beautiful</ins>, and sweet.</p>
+
+<p>"With the housekeeping given in charge to Vi," she was saying, as Lulu
+drew near, "I shall have abundance of spare time and hope to prepare
+many gifts for&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No," interrupted her father, "you are to do nothing of the kind; but
+must devote yourself to the business of gaining strength as fast as
+possible."</p>
+
+<p>She laughed pleasantly at that, saying, "My vacation has been a long one
+already, papa, for I have really done nothing worth speaking of since we
+returned home from the North."</p>
+
+<p>"And what of that, daughter?" he responded. "You have never been an
+idler, but <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span>it seems to be time now for you to begin. Let your vacation
+go on till next spring. That is my prescription for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, ha, mamma!" laughed Rosie, "the captain forbids Christmas-gift
+making for us younger ones, and I'm mighty glad grandpa forbids it to
+you. 'Misery loves company,' you know."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope my Rosie may never be called upon to share any worse misery,"
+was the smiling rejoinder. "Also that she will show herself as obedient
+to the captain as I intend to be to her kind, loving grandpa&mdash;so
+tenderly careful of his daughter," with a fond look up into the face of
+her father, standing by her side.</p>
+
+<p>"As he may well be, for she is a treasure worth guarding," he said,
+returning her look of love. "Rosie, when does the captain propose
+beginning his labors as tutor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Next Monday morning, grandpa; so we want to crowd all the fun and
+diversion we can into to-day and to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, we must select a schoolroom and furnish it with whatever may be
+necessary!" exclaimed Violet.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," her mother said; "the room used for that purpose when you were a
+very little girl will answer nicely. Its desks were sent to the attic
+when no longer needed. You might order them brought down to-day, the
+room swept and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>dusted, and whatever else done that is necessary or
+desirable, so that it will be quite ready for occupation on Monday."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, mamma; I will have it attended to at once," Violet replied,
+and hastened away, Rosie running after her with a "Come girls, let us go
+and see the room and find out whether it has a closet for the captain to
+shut us up in when we misbehave."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he'll use it if it has," laughed Lulu, rather enjoying
+Rosie's fun, "for he has never punished any of us&mdash;his own children&mdash;in
+that way."</p>
+
+<p>"Still there is no knowing but he may take a new departure, now, when
+he's going to have so distinguished a pupil as myself," pursued Rosie,
+dancing down the hall with the others close in her rear.</p>
+
+<p>They followed Violet to the room Grandma Elsie had spoken of, and found
+it large and airy, with windows down to the floor,&mdash;opening out upon the
+veranda on that side of the house,&mdash;the walls prettily papered and
+adorned with good pictures, handsomely framed; the floor covered with
+fine matting, furniture handsome, a pretty clock and vases on the
+mantel. On one side of that was a door to which Rosie flew and, throwing
+it wide open, brought to view a large closet.</p>
+
+<p>"There!" she exclaimed, "didn't I tell you, girls and Walter?" for he
+was in the company <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>by that time, "here's the place of incarceration for
+those who shall dare to disobey Captain Raymond. I for one shall
+certainly try to behave my prettiest, for I wouldn't like to be shut up
+in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it appears to me that you are more likely to come to it than any
+of the rest of us," observed Walter quietly, as he turned on his heel
+and walked away.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever hear the like?" cried Rosie, opening her eyes very wide in
+pretended astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"What's all this?" asked a familiar voice at the door, and turning at
+the sound they saw Captain Raymond standing there, looking very grave
+and slightly reproving, but with a perceptible twinkle of fun in his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We were just looking at the closet you are going to use for the
+incarceration of the naughty ones, for this is to be your schoolroom,
+you see, sir," returned Rosie demurely.</p>
+
+<p>"And you expect to enjoy a sojourn there?" he queried, coming forward
+and himself taking a survey of the interior. "It strikes me it would
+suit better as a receptacle for school-books and the like."</p>
+
+<p>"So it would," she said, with a sigh of pretended relief; "and we, your
+pupils that are to be will venture to hope that you will see best to
+devote it to that use."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A hope in which you will not be disappointed, I trust," he replied, in
+a kindly tone, and laying a hand lightly upon her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"There girls!" she exclaimed, "you may thank me for extracting such a
+promise beforehand. I do really believe his honor intends to treat us
+well if we are reasonably well behaved."</p>
+
+<p>"And the rest of us are quite sure of it," added Evelyn, with a bright
+look up into the captain's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for your confidence, my dear," he returned. "I have little
+doubt that we will have pleasant times together in this very pleasant
+room."</p>
+
+<p>A little more time was spent in examining the room and commenting upon
+its beauties and conveniences; then they went back to the veranda to
+find that the sun had begun to peep through the clouds.</p>
+
+<p>So carriages were ordered and all took a drive through the beautiful
+woods.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon was spent in boating and fishing, the evening in the
+veranda, where they were joined by their relatives from Magnolia Hall
+and the parsonage.</p>
+
+<p>The manner in which they would spend the approaching Christmas and New
+Year's Day was the principal subject of conversation, and the young
+folks were particularly interested in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>listening to the plans made or
+suggested, and well satisfied with the proposed arrangement that the
+cousins should spend the first at Viamede, all gather at Magnolia Hall
+for their New Year's dinner, and pass the evening of that day at the
+parsonage.</p>
+
+<p>Lulu had a talk with her father in her own room at bedtime, that made
+her feel very happy and entirely content with his prohibition of the
+making of gifts.</p>
+
+<p>He told her that she and Grace might each make out a list of the
+articles they would like to buy to present to others, and that some one,
+probably Mr. Embury&mdash;Cousin Millie's husband&mdash;who was intending to pay a
+visit of a few days to New Orleans, would kindly make the purchases for
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that will do nicely, papa!" she exclaimed delightedly, "and Gracie
+and I might make out our lists to-morrow with a little help from our
+dear father," smiling up into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear child, I will gladly give you both all the assistance in my
+power," he replied, softly smoothing her hair, for she was&mdash;as usual at
+such times&mdash;sitting upon his knee; "and not with advice only," he
+continued, "but also by adding something to your means for carrying out
+your wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you dear papa, you are just the kindest <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>father that ever was
+made!" she cried, in an ecstasy of delight, and hugging him with all her
+strength.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but if you choke me to death," he said laughingly, "I can do
+nothing for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, papa, please excuse me!" she exclaimed, relaxing her hold. "Did I
+hurt you? oh, I am very, very sorry!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much; I could stand it very well," he returned, giving her a hug
+and kiss. "But now I must leave you to go to bed and to sleep."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>There was a decided downpour of rain the next morning, but no one minded
+that very much, as the necessity for staying within doors gave time and
+opportunity for further arrangements in regard to Christmas and the
+gifts to be presented.</p>
+
+<p>The captain kindly devoted an hour or more to helping his little girls
+to decide upon theirs and make out a list; Mr. Embury, and Molly and
+Isadore, who were intending to accompany him to the city, having kindly
+offered to make any purchases desired by the Viamede relatives.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time the others, older and younger, were similarly engaged,
+and there were many little private chats as they gathered in twos and
+threes here and there about the veranda or in the rooms.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon Violet invited the whole party to inspect the
+schoolroom, where some of the servants had been busy, under her
+direction, all the morning, giving it a thorough cleaning, draping the
+windows with fresh lace curtains, looped back with blue ribbons, and
+placing a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span>desk for each expected pupil, and a neat table for the
+teacher.</p>
+
+<p>Every one pronounced it a model schoolroom, some of the older people
+adding that it made them almost wish themselves young enough to again be
+busy with lessons and recitations.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's your ferule, Brother Levis?" asked Rosie, facetiously, after a
+close scrutiny of the table, not omitting its drawer.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you have not made a thorough examination of the closet yet,"
+was his noncommittal reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's where you keep it? I say girls&mdash;&mdash;" in a loud whisper,
+perfectly audible to everyone in the room, "let's carry it off before he
+has a chance to use it."</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly worth while, since it would be no difficult matter to replace
+it," remarked the captain, with assumed gravity and sternness.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, then I suppose one may as well be resigned to circumstances,"
+sighed Rosie, following the others from the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, can I help you?" asked Lulu, seeing him seat himself at the table
+in the library, take out writing materials from its drawer, and dip a
+pen into the ink.</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you, daughter," he replied. "I am going to write to Max."</p>
+
+<p>"Please tell him we are all ever so sorry he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span>can't be here to spend
+Christmas and New Year's with us."</p>
+
+<p>"I will."</p>
+
+<p>"And he can't have the pleasure of giving any gifts I suppose, as they
+allow him so little pocket money!"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear boy! he shall not miss that pleasure entirely," said the captain.
+"I am going now to write to him that I will set apart a certain sum for
+his use in the purchase of gifts for others. That is, he may tell me
+what he would like to give, and I will see that the articles are bought
+and distributed as he wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what a nice plan, papa! I am sure Maxie will be very glad."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do it with the hope of giving pleasure to my dear boy. And
+besides that I shall tell him that he may again choose some benevolent
+object to which I will give, in his name, a thousand dollars. You too,
+and Gracie, shall have the same privilege."</p>
+
+<p>"Just as we all had last year. Oh, papa, it is so good and kind in you!"</p>
+
+<p>"That is the opinion of my very partial little daughter," he returned,
+with a smile. "But, daughter, as I have often told you, the money is the
+Lord's, and I am only his steward."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," she said, and walked thoughtfully away.</p>
+
+<p>By the middle of the afternoon the rain <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>seemed to be over and a row on
+the bayou was enjoyed by the most of the party; all who cared to go.</p>
+
+<p>Music and conversation made the evening pass quickly and pleasantly, and
+all retired to their rooms at an early hour that they might rise
+refreshed for the duties and privileges of the Lord's day.</p>
+
+<p>It was spent, as former ones had been, attending church and the pastor's
+Bible class in the morning, and holding a similar service on the lawn at
+Viamede in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>In addressing that little congregation the captain tried to make the way
+of salvation very clear and plain.</p>
+
+<p>"It is just to come to Jesus as you are," he said; "not waiting to make
+yourself any better, for you never can; he alone can do that work; it is
+his blood that cleanses from all sin; his righteousness that is perfect,
+and therefore acceptable to God; while all our righteousnesses are as
+filthy rags, stained and defiled with sin.</p>
+
+<p>"Concerning him&mdash;the only begotten and well beloved Son of God&mdash;the
+Bible tells us, 'He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come
+unto God by him.'</p>
+
+<p>"'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.'</p>
+
+<p>"And he says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'This is the will of him that sent me, that every one who seeth the
+Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise
+him up at the last day.'</p>
+
+<p>"Just go to Jesus each one of you, give yourself to him and believe his
+word&mdash;that he will not cast you out; he will receive you and make you
+his own; giving you of his spirit, changing you from the poor sinner you
+are, by nature, into his image, his likeness."</p>
+
+<p>At the conclusion of that service Lulu and Grace recited their Bible
+verses and catechism to their father.</p>
+
+<p>The evening was spent in conversation and music suited to the sacredness
+of the day, and all retired to rest.</p>
+
+<p>Nine o'clock of the next morning found the girls and Walter seated in
+the schoolroom. Lulu and Grace busied with their tasks, the others ready
+and waiting to have theirs appointed by the captain.</p>
+
+<p>School that day was a decided success, and Rosie pretended that her
+fears of the new teacher were greatly allayed.</p>
+
+<p>Between that and Christmas-time everything moved along smoothly; studies
+were well attended to, sports and pastimes greatly enjoyed.</p>
+
+<p>The celebration of the holidays&mdash;Christmas and New Year's&mdash;also proved a
+great success. There were many and beautiful gifts; a hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span>some brooch
+from the captain delighted each little girl, and there were other lovely
+gifts too numerous to mention.</p>
+
+<p>The distribution was on Christmas Eve. The next day there was a grand
+dinner at Viamede, all the relatives present, and everybody in gayest
+spirits.</p>
+
+<p>The day was bright and beautiful, seeming but little like Christmas to
+those accustomed to frost and snow at that season.</p>
+
+<p>New Year's day was not less lovely, nor were its festivities less
+enjoyable, though the gifts were fewer.</p>
+
+<p>The holidays past, the young folks went back with zest to their studies,
+Rosie saying she was now convinced that Captain Raymond was an excellent
+teacher, and not at all inclined to tyrannize over a well-behaved pupil;
+for which complimentary expression of opinion he gravely thanked her.</p>
+
+<p>"You are very welcome, sir," she said, "and may depend upon a
+recommendation from me whenever it is wanted."</p>
+
+<p>"O Rosie, how ridiculous you are!" exclaimed Walter.</p>
+
+<p>But Rosie was already out of the room, the other girls following. They
+went out on the lawn, ran about for a while, then settled themselves
+under a tree and began cracking and eating nuts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lulu, who was very fond of them, presently put one between her teeth and
+cracked it there.</p>
+
+<p>"O Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you forget that papa forbade you to crack nuts
+with your teeth, for fear you might break them."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I wanted to break the nut," returned Lulu, laughing, and blushing
+because her conscience reproached her.</p>
+
+<p>"I meant break your teeth," said Grace. "I'm sure you wouldn't have done
+it&mdash;cracked the nut with them, I mean&mdash;if you hadn't forgotten that papa
+forbade you to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Gracie, I'm not so good as you think; I did not forget; I just did
+it because I wanted to," Lulu said with an evident effort, and blushing
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Then she sprang up and ran toward her father, who was seen at some
+little distance, coming from the orange orchard toward the house.</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe she's going to tell on herself!" exclaimed Rosie, in
+astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear, I wonder what papa will do to her!" exclaimed Grace, just
+ready to burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very noble in her to go and confess at once, when he needn't have
+ever known anything about it," cried Eva admiringly.</p>
+
+<p>They were all three watching Lulu and her father with intense interest,
+though too far away to hear anything that either one might say.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lulu drew near him, hanging her head shamefacedly. "Papa," she said, in
+a low, remorseful tone, "I have just been disobeying you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! I am sorry, very sorry, to hear it, daughter," he returned a little
+sadly; then, taking her hand, led her away further from the house and
+seated her and himself on a bench beneath a group of trees that entirely
+hid them from view.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me the whole story, my child," he said, not unkindly, and still
+keeping her hand in his.</p>
+
+<p>"I cracked a nut with my teeth, papa," she replied, with her eyes upon
+the ground, her cheek hot with blushes.</p>
+
+<p>"You forgot that I had forbidden it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, papa, I haven't even that poor excuse. I remembered all the time
+that you had forbidden me, but just did it because I wanted to."</p>
+
+<p>"Though I had given you my reason for the prohibition&mdash;that you would
+risk serious damage to your teeth, and probably suffer both pain and the
+loss of those useful members in consequence. It gives me pain to find
+that my dear eldest daughter cares so little for her father's wishes or
+commands."</p>
+
+<p>At that Lulu burst into tears and sobs. "Oh, I hope you'll punish me
+well for it, papa!" she said. "I deserve it, and I think it would do me
+good."</p>
+
+<p>"I must indeed punish you for conduct so decidedly rebellious," he
+replied. "I will either <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>forbid nuts for a week, or refrain from giving
+you a caress for the same length of time. Which shall it be?"</p>
+
+<p>"O papa, I'd rather do without nuts for the rest of the winter than a
+whole week without a caress from you!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then," he said, bending down and touching his lips to her
+cheek. "I forbid the nuts, and I think I can trust my daughter to obey
+me by not touching one till she has her father's permission."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel sure I will, papa," she said; "but if I should be so very bad as
+to disobey you again in this, I will come to you, confess it, and take
+my punishment without a word of objection."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt of it, daughter," he returned, taking her hand again
+and leading her back to the house.</p>
+
+<p>The other girls were awaiting with intense interest the reappearance of
+the captain and Lulu.</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come!" exclaimed Rosie, "and I don't believe he has punished
+her; there has hardly been time, and though she looks very sober&mdash;he,
+too&mdash;she doesn't look at all frightened; nor does he look angry, and he
+holds her hand in what strikes me as a very affectionate way."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Evelyn, "I think the captain is as good and kind a father as
+anyone could <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>desire; and I'm sure Lulu's opinion of him is the same."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," assented Grace heartily, as she wiped the tears from her
+eyes, "there couldn't be a better, kinder father than ours, Lulu and I
+both think; but though he doesn't like to punish us, sometimes he feels
+that it's his duty to do it to make us good."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you get, or need, punishment very often, Gracie,"
+remarked Rosie; "you are as good as gold; at least so it seems to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not perfect, Rosie; oh, no, indeed!" Gracie answered earnestly;
+"but papa almost never does anything more than talk in a grave, kind way
+to me about my faults."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the captain and Lulu had drawn near the house, and, letting
+go her hand, "You may go back to your mates now, daughter," he said in a
+kindly tone. "I have some matters to attend to, and if you have anything
+more to say to me I will hear it at another time."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," replied Lulu, and went slowly toward the little group under
+the tree, while her father passed round to the other side of the house.</p>
+
+<p>"He was not very much vexed with you, Lu, was he?" queried Rosie, in a
+kindly inquiring tone, as Lulu joined them, looking grave and a trifle
+sad, while traces of tears could be discerned on her cheeks and about
+her eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Papa only seemed sorry that&mdash;that I could be so disobedient," faltered
+the little girl, tears starting to her eyes again; "but he always
+punishes disobedience,&mdash;which is just what he ought to do, I am
+sure,&mdash;and he has forbidden me to eat any more nuts for a week. I chose
+that rather than doing without a caress from him for the same length of
+time. So you see he was not very severe; not half so severe as I
+deserved that he should be."</p>
+
+<p>The others agreed with her that it was but a light punishment; then they
+began talking of something else.</p>
+
+<p>Nuts were a part of the dessert that day, and Lulu, sitting near her
+father, asked in a low aside, "Papa, mayn't I pick out some kernels for
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you wish, daughter," he answered; and she performed the little
+service with evident pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, dear child," he said, with a loving look and smile as she
+handed them to him. Speaking of it to Violet that night in the privacy
+of their own room, "I found it hard to take and eat them without sharing
+with her, the dear, affectionate child!" he said, with feeling, "but I
+knew it gave her pleasure to do her father that little service. Ah, it
+is so much pleasanter to fondle and indulge one's children than to
+reprove or punish them! yet I am sure <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span>it is the truest kindness to
+train them to obedience, as the Bible directs."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," returned Violet, "and I have often noticed that those parents who
+do follow that Bible teaching are more loved and respected by their
+children than the foolishly indulgent ones. And, by the way, how
+devotedly fond of her father Lulu is! It delights me to see it."</p>
+
+<p>"Me also, my dear," he returned, with a pleased little laugh. "I doubt
+if any man ever had better, dearer children&mdash;speaking of the whole five
+together&mdash;than mine. Nor can I believe that ever a father esteemed his
+greater treasures than I do mine."</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the winter passed quietly and peacefully to our friends at
+Viamede, the young folks making good progress with their studies, the
+older ones finding employment in various ways&mdash;the ladies in reading,
+writing letters, overseeing house and servants, and making and receiving
+visits; Mr. Dinsmore in much the same manner, except that he gave
+himself no concern about domestic affairs; while the captain found full
+employment in instructing his pupils and superintending work on the
+plantation; but with time enough to spare for participation in the
+diversions and recreations of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Grandma Elsie had entirely recovered her health, and as spring opened
+they began to talk <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>of returning to their more northern homes, yet
+continued to tarry, looking for a visit to Viamede from the dear ones of
+Ion and Fairview.</p>
+
+<p>And here at beautiful Viamede we will leave them for the present.</p>
+
+
+<h2>THE END</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='u'><h2><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls Series</span></h2></div>
+
+
+<p>An attractive and popular edition of books for Girls. Printed from
+large, clear type on a superior quality of paper. Hard bound and stamped
+on back and front with attractive designs.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls in the Alleghany Mountains</span>; or, a Christmas
+Success Against Odds</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls in the Country</span>; or, The Secret Aunt Hannah
+Forgot</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls' Trip up the River</span>; or, Ethel Hollister's First
+Lesson</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls' Outing</span>; or, Ethel Hollister's Second Summer in
+Camp</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls on a Hike</span>; or, Lost in the Great North Woods</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes</span>; or, the Quest for a Summer
+Vacation</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+
+
+
+<div class="u"><h2><span class="smcap">Fairy Library Series</span></h2></div>
+
+
+<p>An attractive assortment of popular titles for both boys and girls.
+Printed from large clear type and printed on a superior quality of book
+paper. Hard bound and stamped on back and front.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<span class="smcap">Mother Goose</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span class="smcap">Robinson Crusoe</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span class="smcap">Black Beauty</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Alice's Adventures in Wonderland</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Stories from the Bible</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span class="smcap">Wood's Natural History</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Andersen's Fairy Tales</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span class="smcap">Arabian Nights</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Alice Through the Looking Glass</span><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div class='center'><i>Price 25c Each, postpaid</i></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+<big>M. A. DONOHUE &amp; COMPANY</big><br />
+701-733 South Dearborn Street &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;::  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;  <span class="smcap">Chicago</span><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>Famous Books in Rebound Editions</h2>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>HEIDI</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Johanna Spyri.</i> Three hundred and ninety-five pages, illustrated.
+Printed from new plates, handsomely bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>LITTLE LAME PRINCE</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Miss Mulock.</i> A popular edition of this well known story. Printed
+from large, clear type and attractively bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>ELSIE DINSMORE</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Martha Finley.</i> A beautiful edition of this popular novel. Printed
+on a superior quality of book paper and bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>HELEN'S BABIES</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By John Habberton.</i> An amusing and entertaining book for everyone.
+Printed from new plates and attractively bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>A DOG OF FLANDERS</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Ouida.</i> An illustrated edition of this popular and interesting
+story. Printed from new plates and bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>BLACK BEAUTY</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Anna Sewell.</i> Beautiful edition of this popular story. An attractive
+book, printed from large clear type, bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>HANS BRINKER</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Mary Mapes Dodge.</i> This is a well-known story of life in Holland.
+Printed on a superior quality of paper; cloth bound.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>PINOCCHIO</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By C. Collodi.</i> A beautiful illustrated edition of this popular story.
+Attractively printed from new plates and bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>LITTLE WOMEN</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Louisa May Alcott.</i> Beautiful edition of this famous story in one
+volume. Attractively printed and bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><big>ALICE IN WONDERLAND</big></div>
+
+<p><i>By Lewis Carroll.</i> An attractive edition of this well-known story.
+Printed from new plates and attractively bound in cloth.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<div class='center'><br /><i>Price each 75c, postpaid</i><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<big>M. A. DONOHUE &amp; COMPANY</big><br />
+701-733 South Dearborn Street &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;::  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;  <span class="smcap">Chicago</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3>
+
+<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p>
+
+<p>Hyphenation retained in one instance of "kind-hearted" as it appears once with and once
+without the hyphen.</p>
+
+<p>Table of Contents has been added to this version. The original text had
+none.</p>
+
+<p>Page 216, paragraph break inserted between "queried Lulu." and "I very much doubt".
+</p>
+
+<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections.
+Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER EVENTS***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 18058-h.txt or 18058-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/0/5/18058">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/0/5/18058</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.</p>
+
+<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.</p>
+
+
+
+<pre>
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>.
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a>
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a>
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a>
+
+*** END: FULL LICENSE ***
+</pre>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/18058-h/images/emblem.png b/18058-h/images/emblem.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a3557c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058-h/images/emblem.png
diff --git a/18058.txt b/18058.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c684775
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8101 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie's Vacation and After Events, by Martha
+Finley
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Elsie's Vacation and After Events
+
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 27, 2006  [eBook #18058]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER
+EVENTS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes, Emmy, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/)
+
+
+
+ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER EVENTS
+
+by
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+Author of "Elsie Dinsmore," "Elsie at Home," etc.
+
+Special Authorized Edition
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+M. A. Donohue & Co.
+Chicago New York
+Copyright, 1891.
+By Dodd, Mead & Company.
+Made in U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE'S VACATION
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Captain Raymond went back to the hotel feeling somewhat lonely and
+heartsore over the parting from his eldest hope, but as he entered the
+private parlor where his young wife and most of the party were, his look
+and manner had all their accustomed cheeriness.
+
+He made a pleasant remark to Violet, fondled the little ones, and talked
+for a few minutes in his usual agreeable way with Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
+and the others; then glancing about the room, as if in search of someone
+or something, asked, "Where are Lulu and Gracie?"
+
+"Why, I thought they were here," Violet answered in some surprise,
+following the direction of his glance. "They seem to have slipped out of
+the room very quietly."
+
+"I must hunt them up, poor dears! for it is about time we were starting
+for the _Dolphin_," he said, hastily leaving the room. A low sobbing
+sound struck upon his ear as he softly opened the door of the room
+where his little girls had slept the previous night, and there they were
+down on the carpet near a window, Gracie's head in her sister's lap,
+Lulu softly stroking the golden curls and saying in tender tones,
+"Don't, Gracie dear; oh, don't! It can't be helped, you know; and we
+have our dear papa and Mamma Vi, and the little ones left. Besides,
+Maxie will come home again to visit us one of these days."
+
+"Oh, but he'll never live at home with us any more," sobbed Gracie; "at
+least I'm afraid he won't; and--and oh, I do love him so! and he's the
+only big brother we have."
+
+"But we have papa, dear, dear papa, who used to be obliged to go away
+and leave us; but we have him all the time now," Lulu replied half
+chokingly. "I wish we could have them both, but we can't, and we both do
+love papa the best after all."
+
+"And papa loves his two dear little girls more than tongue can tell,"
+the captain said in tenderest tones, drawing near, bending down to take
+both in his arms together, and kissing first one and then the other. "Be
+comforted, my darlings," he went on, holding them close to his heart;
+"we haven't lost our Maxie by any means; and though I left him feeling a
+trifle homesick and forlorn, he will get over that in a day or two I
+know, and greatly enjoy the business of preparing himself for the life
+work he has freely chosen."
+
+"But, oh, papa, how he will miss our lovely home, and you, and all of
+us!" sobbed Gracie, hiding her tear-stained face on her father's
+shoulder.
+
+"Not as you would, my darling," he replied, holding her close and
+caressing her with great tenderness. "Boys are different from girls, and
+I think our dear Maxie will soon feel very happy there among his mates,
+though he will, I am sure, never cease to love his father, sisters,
+Mamma Vi, baby brother, and his home with them all."
+
+"Papa, I'm thinking how he'll miss the pleasant evenings at home--the
+good talks with you," sobbed the little girl.
+
+"Yes, darling, but I will tell you what we will do to partly, at least,
+make up that loss to our dear boy."
+
+"What, papa?" she asked, lifting her head and looking up into his face,
+with her own brightening a little.
+
+"Suppose we each keep a journal or diary, telling everything that goes
+on each day at home, and now and then send them to Maxie; so that he
+will know all that we are doing?"
+
+"Oh, what a good thought, papa!" exclaimed Lulu, giving him a vigorous
+hug and kiss. "And Maxie will write us nice, interesting letters; and
+some day he'll come home for a visit and have ever so much to tell us."
+
+"Yes," her father said, "and I think we will have interesting letters
+from him in the meantime."
+
+"And perhaps I'll learn to like writing letters, when it's just to
+please Maxie and comfort him," said Grace, wiping away her tears and
+trying to smile.
+
+"I hope so, darling," her father replied, bestowing another kiss upon
+the sweet little tear-stained face. "But now, my dears," he added, "put
+on your hats; it is time to go back to the _Dolphin_."
+
+They hastened to obey, and he led them to the parlor, where they found
+the rest of the party ready to accompany them on board the yacht.
+
+The sun was setting as they reached the _Dolphin's_ deck and they found
+a luxurious repast ready for them to partake of by the time outdoor
+garments could be laid aside and wind-tossed hair restored to order.
+
+The captain missed the bright face of his first-born at the table, but,
+exerting himself for the entertainment of the others, seemed even more
+than usually cheery and genial, now and then indulging in some innocent
+jest that made his little girls laugh in spite of themselves, and at
+length almost forget, for the moment, their parting from Max, and their
+grief over the thought that he would no longer share their lessons or
+their sports, and would be at home only after what, in the prospect,
+seemed to them a long, long time; and then but for a little while.
+
+On leaving the table all gathered upon deck. There was no wind, but the
+yacht had a steam engine and used her sails only on occasions when they
+could be of service. Stars shone brightly in the sky overhead, but their
+light was not sufficient to give an extended view on land or water, and
+as all were weary with the excitement and sightseeing of the day, they
+retired early to their berths.
+
+Poor Grace, worn out with her unusual excitement, and especially the
+grief of the parting with Max, was asleep the instant her head touched
+the pillow. Not so with Lulu; her loneliness and depression banished
+sleep from her eyes for the time, and presently she slipped from her
+berth, threw on a warm dressing-gown, and thrust her feet into felt
+slippers. The next moment she stole noiselessly into the saloon where
+her father sat alone looking over an evening paper.
+
+He was not aware of her entrance till she stood close at his side, her
+hand on his shoulder, her eyes fixed, with a gaze of ardent affection,
+upon his face.
+
+"Dear child!" he said, looking up from his paper, and smiling
+affectionately upon her; then tossing the paper aside and putting an arm
+about her waist, he drew her to his knee and pressed fatherly kisses
+upon lip and cheek and brow, asking tenderly if anything was wrong with
+her that she had come in search of him when he supposed her to be
+already in bed and sound asleep.
+
+"I'm not sick, papa," she said in reply; "but oh, I miss Maxie so!" The
+words were almost a sob, and she clung about her father's neck, hiding
+her face on his shoulder.
+
+"I, too, miss my boy more than words can tell," he replied, stroking her
+hair with gently caressing touch, and she was sure his tones trembled a
+little with the pain of the thought of Max left alone among strangers;
+"but I thank God, our Heavenly Father, that I have by no means lost my
+eldest son, while I still have another one and three dear daughters to
+add to my happiness in our sweet home."
+
+"I do want to add to it, you dear, dear, good papa!" she said, hugging
+and kissing him over and over again. "Oh, I wish I was a better girl for
+your sake, so that my wrong-doing would never give you pain!"
+
+"I think--and am very happy in the thought--that you are improving," he
+said, repeating his caresses; "and it is a great comfort to me," he
+continued, "that my little girls need not be sent away from home and
+their father to be educated."
+
+"To me also, papa," she returned. "I am very thankful that I may live
+with my dear father always while we are spared to each other. I don't
+mean to ever go away from you, papa, but to stay with you always, to
+wait on you and do everything I can to be a great help, comfort, and
+blessing to you; even when I'm grown up to womanhood."
+
+"Ah!" he returned, again smoothing her hair caressingly and smiling down
+into her eyes; then holding her close, "I shall be very glad to keep you
+as long as you may prefer life with me, my own dear, dear child," he
+said in tender tones. "I look upon my dear eldest daughter as one of the
+great blessings my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me, and which I
+hope he may spare to me as long as I live."
+
+"Papa, I'm so, so glad you love me so dearly!" she exclaimed, lifting to
+his eyes full of love and joy; "and oh, I do love you so! I want to be a
+great blessing to you as long as we both live."
+
+"I don't doubt it, my darling," he replied. "I doubt neither your desire
+nor purpose to be such."
+
+"Yes, sir, I do really long to be the very greatest of comforts to you,
+and yet," she sighed, "I have such a bad temper you know, papa, I'm so
+wilful too, that--that I'm afraid--almost sure, indeed--I'll be naughty
+again one of these days and give you the pain of punishing me for it."
+
+"That would grieve me very much, but would not diminish my love for
+you," he said; "nor yours for me, I think."
+
+"No, indeed, papa!" she exclaimed, creeping closer into his embrace,
+"because I know that when you have to punish me in any way it makes you
+very, very sorry."
+
+"It does indeed!" he responded.
+
+"Papa," she sighed, "I'm always dreadfully sorry and ashamed after one
+of my times of being disobedient, wilful, and ill-tempered, and I am
+really thankful to you for taking so much pains and trouble to make a
+better girl of me."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter," he answered; "it is a long while now since
+I have had any occasion to punish you, and your conduct has rarely
+called for even so much as a reproof."
+
+She gave him a glad, grateful look, an embrace of ardent affection,
+then, laying her cheek to his, "You dear, dear papa, you have made me
+feel very happy," she said, "and I'm sure I am much happier than I
+should be if you had let me go on indulging my bad temper and
+wilfulness. Oh, it's so nice to be able to run to my dear father
+whenever I want to, and always to be so kindly received that I can't
+feel any doubt that he loves me dearly. Ah, how I pity poor Maxie that
+he can't see you for weeks or months!"
+
+"And don't you pity papa a little that he can't see Maxie?" he asked,
+with a smile and a sigh.
+
+"Oh, yes! yes indeed! I'm so sorry for you, papa, and I mean to do all I
+can to supply his place. What do you suppose Maxie is doing just now,
+papa?"
+
+"Doubtless he is in his room preparing his lessons for to-morrow. The
+bugle-call for evening study-hour sounds at half-past seven, and the
+lads must be busy with their books till half-after nine."
+
+He drew out his watch, and glancing at its face, "Ah, it is just nine
+o'clock," he said. "Kiss me good-night, daughter, and go back to your
+berth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Max was in his room at the Academy, busy with his tasks, trying
+determinately to forget homesickness by giving his whole mind to them,
+and succeeding fairly well. Very desirous, very determined was the lad
+to acquit himself to the very best of his ability that he might please
+and honor both his Heavenly Father and his earthly one.
+
+By the time the welcome sound of gun-fire and tattoo announced that the
+day's work was over he felt fully prepared for the morrow's recitations.
+But he was in no mood for play. The quiet that had reigned through the
+building for the last two hours was suddenly broken in upon by sounds of
+mirth and jollity--merry boyish voices talking, singing, some
+accompanying themselves with the twang of a banjo or the tinkle of a
+guitar; but Max, closing and putting his book aside, kept his seat, his
+elbow on the desk, his head on his hand, while with a far-away look in
+his dark eyes, he indulged in a waking dream.
+
+He seemed to see the _Dolphin_ steaming down the bay, his father,
+perhaps, sitting in the saloon with the other grown folks (the younger
+ones would be pretty sure to have retired to their state-rooms), and
+thinking and speaking of his absent son. Or, it might be, pacing the
+deck alone, his heart going up in prayer to God for his first-born--his
+"might and the beginning of his strength,"--that he might be kept from
+sin and every danger and evil and enabled to prove himself a brave, true
+follower of Christ, never ashamed or afraid to show his colors and let
+it be known to all with whom he had to do that he was a disciple, a
+servant of the dear Lord Jesus.
+
+"Lord, help me; help me to be brave and faithful and true," was the
+silent petition that went up from the boy's heart.
+
+"Homesick, bub?" asked a boyish voice, in mocking tones. "I believe most
+of the fellows are just at the first, but they get over it after a bit
+without much doctoring."
+
+"I'm inclined to think it is not a dangerous kind of ailment," returned
+Max, in a pleasant tone, lifting his head and turning toward his
+companion with a smile that seemed rather forced. "However, I was
+thinking not of home, exactly, but the homefolks who are just at present
+aboard my father's yacht and steaming down the bay."
+
+It was only by a great effort he repressed a sigh with the concluding
+words.
+
+"That's a handsome yacht and about the largest I ever saw," was the next
+remark of his room-mate, a lad--Benjamin Hunt by name--of about the same
+age as himself, not particularly handsome but with a good, honest face.
+
+"Yes, and a splendid sailor," returned Max, with enthusiasm. "Papa
+bought her this summer and we've had a jolly good time sailing or
+steaming (sometimes one and again the other, the _Dolphin_ has both
+sails and engines) along the coast and a short distance out to sea."
+
+"Had a good, safe captain?" Hunt asked, with a quizzical smile.
+
+"My father, a retired naval officer; there could be none better,"
+returned Max, straightening himself slightly, while the color deepened
+on his cheek.
+
+"Yes; I don't wonder you are proud of him," laughed Hunt. "I happened
+to see him when he brought you here, and I must say I thought he had a
+fine military bearing and was--well, I think I might say one of the
+handsomest men I ever saw."
+
+"Thank you," said Max heartily, glancing up at Hunt with a gratified
+smile. "I suppose being so fond of him I may not be a competent judge,
+but to me my father seems the best, the noblest, and the handsomest man
+that ever lived."
+
+"Didn't force you to come here against your will, eh?" queried Hunt
+jestingly.
+
+"No, indeed! he only let me come because I wanted to. I think he would
+have been glad if I had chosen the ministry, but you see I don't think I
+have any talent in that line, and I inherit a love for the sea, and papa
+says a man can do best in the profession or business that is most to his
+taste, so that perhaps I may be more useful as a naval officer than I
+could be in the ministry."
+
+"Especially in case of war, and if you turn out a good and capable
+commander," returned Hunt, tossing up a ball and catching it as it fell.
+"I sometimes think I'd like nothing better; a fellow would have a chance
+to distinguish himself, such as he could never hope for in time of
+peace."
+
+"Yes; and if such a thing should happen I hope it will be when I'm ready
+to take part in the defence of my country," said Max, his cheek flushing
+and his eyes kindling, "but war is an awful thing considering all the
+killing and maiming, to say nothing of the destruction of property; and
+I hope our country will never be engaged in another. But excuse me," he
+added, opening his Bible, "I see we have scarcely fifteen minutes now
+before taps will sound."
+
+At that Hunt moved away to his own side of the room, from whence he
+watched Max furtively, a mocking smile on his lips.
+
+Max was uncomfortably conscious of it, but tried to ignore it and give
+his thoughts to what he was reading. Presently, closing his book he
+knelt and silently offered up his evening prayer, asking forgiveness of
+all his sins, strength to resist temptation, and never be afraid or
+ashamed to own himself a follower of Jesus, his loving disciple, his
+servant, whose greatest desire was to know and do the Master's will; and
+very earnestly he prayed that no evil might befall his dearly loved and
+honored father, his sisters or brother, Mamma Vi, or any of those he
+loved; that they might be taken safely through all their journeying, and
+he permitted to see them all again when the right time should come; and
+having committed both them and himself to the watchful care of his
+Heavenly Father, he rose from his knees and began his preparations for
+bed.
+
+"Well, sonny, I hope you will sleep soundly and well after saying your
+prayers like the goodest of little boys," sneered Hunt.
+
+"I shall sleep none the worse," returned Max pleasantly.
+
+"I'll bet not a bit better than I shall without going through any such
+baby-like performance."
+
+"God is very good and often takes care of those who don't ask him to,"
+said Max; "but I don't think they have any right to expect it; also I am
+sure I should be shamefully ungrateful if I were to lie down for my
+night's rest without a word of thanks to him for his protecting care
+over me and mine through the day that is just past. As to its being a
+baby-like performance, it is one in which some of the greatest, as well
+as best men, have indulged. Washington was a man of prayer. So was
+General Daniel Morgan--that grand revolutionary officer who whipped
+Tarleton so completely at the battle of the Cowpens. There was
+Macdonough also, who gained that splendid victory over the British on
+Lake Champlain in the war of 1812-14. Have you forgotten that just
+before the fight began, after he had put springs on his cables, had the
+decks cleared, and everything was ready for action, with his officers
+and men around him, he knelt down near one of his heaviest guns and in a
+few words asked God to help him in the coming struggle? He might well do
+that, because, as you know of course, we were in the right, fighting
+against oppression and wrongs fit to rouse the indignation of the most
+patient and forbearing of mortals."
+
+"That's a fact!" interrupted Hunt. "Americans have always been
+forbearing at the start; but let them get once thoroughly roused and
+they make things hot enough for the aggressors."
+
+"So they do," said Max, "and so I think they always will; I hope so,
+anyhow; for I don't believe it's right for any nation to allow any of
+its people to be so dreadfully wronged and ill-treated as thousands of
+our poor sailors were, by the English, before the war of 1812 taught
+them better. I don't believe the mass of the English people approved,
+but they couldn't keep their aristocracy--who hated republicanism, and
+wanted always to continue superior in station and power to the mass of
+their countrymen and ours--from oppressing and abusing our poor sailors,
+impressing, flogging, and ill-treating them in various ways, and to such
+a degree that it makes one's blood boil in reading or thinking of it.
+And I think it's right enough for one to be angry and indignant at such
+wrongs to others."
+
+"Of course it is," said Hunt; "and Americans always will resist
+oppression--of themselves or their weaker brethren--and I glory in the
+fact. What a fight that was of Macdonough's! Do you remember the
+incident of the gamecock?"
+
+"No; what was it?"
+
+"It seems that one of the shots from the British vessel _Linnet_
+demolished a hencoop on the deck of the _Saratoga_, releasing this
+gamecock, and that he flew to a gun-slide, where he alighted, then
+clapped his wings and crowed lustily.
+
+"That delighted our sailors, who accepted the incident as an omen of the
+victory that crowned their arms before the fight was over. They cheered
+and felt their courage strengthened."
+
+"Good!" said Max, "that cock was at better business than the fighting he
+had doubtless been brought up to."
+
+"Yes; so say I:
+
+          "O Johnny Bull, my joe John,
+             Behold on Lake Champlain,
+           With more than equal force, John,
+             You tried your fist again;
+           But the cock saw how 'twas going.
+             And cried 'Cock-a-doodle-doo,'
+           And Macdonough was victorious,
+             Johnny Bull, my joe!"
+
+"Pretty good," laughed Max. "But there are the taps; so good-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Lulu woke early the next morning and was dressed and on deck before any
+other of the _Dolphin's_ passengers. Day had dawned and the eastern sky
+was bright with purple, orange, and gold, heralding the near approach of
+the sun which, just as she set her foot on the deck, suddenly showed his
+face above the restless waves, making a golden pathway across them.
+
+"Oh, how beautiful!" was her involuntary exclamation. Then catching
+sight of her father standing with his back toward her, and apparently
+absorbed in gazing upon the sunrise, she hastened to his side, caught
+his hand in hers, and carried it to her lips with a glad, "Good-morning,
+you dear papa."
+
+"Ah! good-morning, my darling," he returned, bending down to press a
+kiss on the bright, upturned face.
+
+"Such a lovely morning, papa, isn't it?" she said, standing with her
+hand fast clasped in his, but turning her eyes again upon sea and sky.
+"But where are we now? Almost at Fortress Monroe?"
+
+"Look and tell me what you see," was his smiling rejoinder, as, with a
+hand on each of her shoulders, he turned her about so that she caught
+the view from the other side of the vessel.
+
+"O papa, is that it?" she exclaimed. "Why, we're almost there, aren't
+we?"
+
+"Yes; we will reach our anchorage within a few minutes."
+
+"Oh, are we going to stop to see the old fort, papa?" she asked eagerly.
+
+"I think we are," was his smiling rejoinder. "But you don't expect to
+find in it a relic of the Revolution, do you?" he asked laughingly,
+pinching her cheek, then bending down to kiss again the rosy face
+upturned to his.
+
+"Why yes, papa; I have been thinking there must have been a fight there.
+Wasn't that the case?"
+
+"No, daughter; the fortress was not there at that time."
+
+"Was it in the war of 1812-14, then, papa?"
+
+"No," he returned, smiling down on her. "The building of Fortress Monroe
+was not begun until 1817. However, there was a small fort built on Point
+Comfort in 1630; also, shortly before the siege of Yorktown, Count De
+Grasse had some fortifications thrown up to protect his troops in
+landing to take part in that affair."
+
+But just then the talk was interrupted by the coming on deck of one
+after another of their party and the exchange of morning greetings;
+then followed the interest and excitement of the approach to the
+fortress and anchoring in its vicinity.
+
+Next came the call to breakfast. But naturally, and quite to Lulu's
+satisfaction, the talk at the table turned upon the building of the
+fort, its history and that of the adjacent country, particularly
+Hampton, two and a half miles distant.
+
+The captain pointed it out to them all as they stood upon the deck
+shortly afterward.
+
+"Which is Old Point Comfort, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"That sandy promontory on the extremity of which stands Fortress
+Monroe," he answered. "Yonder, on the opposite side, is Point
+Willoughhy, the two forming the mouth of the James River; and these are
+the Rip Raps between the two. You see that there the ocean tides and the
+currents of the river meet and cause a constant ripple. There is a
+narrow channel of deep water through the bar, but elsewhere between the
+capes it is shallow.
+
+"Beyond the Rip Raps we see the spacious harbor which is called Hampton
+Roads. It is so large that great navies might ride there together."
+
+"And I think some have ridden there in our wars with England?" remarked
+Rosie, half inquiringly.
+
+"You are quite right," replied the captain; "that happened in both the
+Revolution and the last war with England.
+
+"In October, 1775, Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia,--who
+had, however, abdicated some months earlier by fleeing on board a
+man-of-war, the _Fowey_,--driven by his fears, and his desire for
+revenge, to destroy the property of the patriots, sent Captain Squires,
+of the British navy, with six tenders, into Hampton Creek.
+
+"He reached there before the arrival of Colonel Woodford--who, with
+a hundred Culpepper men, had been sent to protect the people of
+Hampton--and sent armed men in boats to burn the town; protecting
+them by a furious cannonade from the guns of the tenders.
+
+"But they were baffled in the carrying out of their design; being driven
+off by Virginia riflemen, concealed in the houses. Excellent marksmen
+those Virginians were, and picked off so many of the advancing foe that
+they compelled them to take ignominious flight to their boats and return
+to the vessels, which then had to withdraw beyond the reach of the
+rifles to await reinforcements."
+
+"What is a tender, papa?" asked Grace, as her father paused in his
+narrative.
+
+"A small vessel that attends on a larger one to convey intelligence and
+supply stores," he replied; then went on with his account of Dunmore's
+repulse.
+
+"Woodford and his men reached Hampton about daybreak of the succeeding
+morning. At sunrise they saw the hostile fleet approaching; it came so
+near as to be within rifle shot, and Woodford bade his men fire with
+caution, taking sure aim. They obeyed and picked off so many from every
+part of the vessels that the seamen were soon seized with a great
+terror. The cannons were silenced,--the men who worked them being shot
+down,--and their commander presently ordered a retreat; but that was
+difficult to accomplish, for any one seen at the helm, or aloft,
+adjusting the sails, was sure to become a target for the sharpshooters;
+in consequence many of the sailors retreated to the holds of the
+vessels, and when their commander ordered them out on the dangerous
+duty, refused to obey.
+
+"The victory for the Americans was complete; before the fleet could
+escape, the Hampton people, with Woodford and his soldiers, had sunk
+five vessels."
+
+"And such a victory!" exclaimed Rosie, in an exultant tone.
+
+"Yes," the captain said, smiling at her enthusiasm.
+
+"Were the houses they fired on the very ones that are there now, papa?"
+asked Lulu.
+
+"Some few of them," he replied. "Nearly all were burned by Magruder in
+the Civil War; among them St. John's Episcopal Church, which was built
+probably about 1700. Before the Revolution it bore the royal arms carved
+upon its steeple; but soon after the Declaration of Independence--so it
+is said--that steeple was struck by lightning and those badges of
+royalty were hurled to the ground."
+
+"Just as the country was shaking off the yoke they represented," laughed
+Rosie. "A good omen, wasn't it, Brother Levis?"
+
+"So it would seem, viewed in the light of after events," he answered
+with a smile.
+
+"Papa, can't we visit Hampton?" asked Lulu eagerly.
+
+"Yes, if you would all like to do so," was the reply, in an indulgent
+tone and with an inquiring glance at the older members of the party.
+
+Everyone seemed to think it would be a pleasant little excursion,
+especially as the _Dolphin_ would carry them all the way to the town;
+but first they must visit the fortress. They did not, however, set out
+thither immediately, but remained on deck a little longer gazing about
+and questioning the captain in regard to the points of interest.
+
+"Papa," asked Grace, pointing in a southerly direction, "is that another
+fort yonder?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "that is Fort Wool. It is a mile distant, and with
+Fortress Monroe defends Hampton Roads, the Gosport navy yard, and
+Norfolk."
+
+"They both have soldiers in them?" she said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, daughter; both contain barracks for soldiers, and Fortress Monroe
+has also an arsenal, a United States school of artillery, chapel, and,
+besides the barracks for the soldiers, storehouses and other buildings,
+and covers eighty acres of ground."
+
+"And when was it finished, papa? How long did it take to build it?"
+
+"It is not finished yet," he answered, "and has already cost nearly
+three million dollars. It is an irregular hexagon--that is has six sides
+and six angles--surrounded by a tide-water ditch eight feet deep at high
+water."
+
+"I see trees and flower gardens, papa," she remarked.
+
+"Yes," he said, "there are a good many trees, standing singly and in
+groves. The flower gardens belong to the officers' quarters. Now, if you
+will make yourselves ready for the trip, ladies, Mr. Dinsmore, and any
+of you younger ones who care to go," he added, smoothing Grace's golden
+curls with caressing hand and smiling down into her face, "we will take
+a nearer view."
+
+No one felt disposed to decline the invitation and they were soon on
+their way to the fortress.
+
+It did not take very long to look at all they cared to see; then they
+returned to their vessel, weighed anchor, and passed through the narrow
+channel of the Rip Raps into the spacious harbor of Hampton Roads.
+
+It was a lovely day and all were on deck, enjoying the breeze and the
+prospect on both land and water.
+
+"Papa," said Lulu, "you haven't told us yet what happened here in the
+last war with England."
+
+"No," he said. "They attacked Hampton by both land and water, a force of
+two thousand five hundred men under General Beckwith landing at Old
+Point Comfort, and marching from there against the town, while at the
+same time Admiral Cockburn assailed it from the water.
+
+"The fortification at Hampton was but slight and guarded by only four
+hundred and fifty militiamen. Feeling themselves too weak to repel an
+attack by such overwhelming odds, they retired, and the town was given
+up to pillage."
+
+"Didn't they do any fighting at all, papa?" asked Lulu in a tone of
+regret and mortification. "I know Americans often did fight when their
+numbers were very much smaller than those of the enemy."
+
+"That is quite true," he said, with a gleam of patriotic pride in his
+eye, "and sometimes won the victory in spite of the odds against them.
+That thing had happened only a few days previously at Craney Island, and
+the British were doubtless smarting under a sense of humiliating defeat
+when they proceeded to the attack of Hampton."
+
+"How many of the British were there, Captain?" asked Evelyn Leland.
+"I have forgotten, though I know they far outnumbered the Americans."
+
+"Yes," he replied, "as I have said there were about four hundred and
+fifty of the Americans, while Beckwith had twenty-five hundred men and
+was assisted by the flotilla of Admiral Cockburn, consisting of armed
+boats and barges, which appeared suddenly off Blackbeard's Point at the
+mouth of Hampton Creek, at the same time that Beckwith's troops moved
+stealthily forward through the woods under cover of the _Mohawk's_ guns.
+
+"To draw the attention of the Americans from the land force coming
+against them was Cockburn's object, in which he was partly successful,
+his flotilla being seen first by the American patrols at Mill Creek.
+
+"They gave the alarm, arousing the camp, and a line of battle was
+formed. But just then some one came in haste to tell them of the large
+land force coming against the town from the rear, and presently in the
+woods and grain fields could be seen the scarlet uniforms of the British
+and the green ones of the French."
+
+"Oh, how frightened the people in the town must have been!" exclaimed
+Grace. "I should think they'd all have run away."
+
+"Most of them did," replied her father; "but some sick and feeble ones
+had to stay behind--others also in whose care they were--and trust to
+the supposed humanity of the British; a vain reliance it proved, at
+least so far as Admiral Cockburn was concerned. He gave up the town to
+pillage and rapine, allowing the doing of such deeds as have consigned
+his name to well-merited infamy.
+
+"But to return to my story: Major Crutchfield, the American commander,
+resolved that he and his four hundred and fifty men would do what they
+could to defend the town. They were encamped on an estate called 'Little
+England,' a short distance southwest of Hampton, and had a heavy battery
+of seven guns, the largest an eighteen-pounder cannon.
+
+"Major Crutchfield was convinced that the intention of the British was
+to make their principal attack in his rear, and that Cockburn's was only
+a feint to draw his attention from the other. So he sent Captain Servant
+out with his rifle company to ambush on the road by which Beckwith's
+troops were approaching, ordering him to attack and check the enemy.
+Then when Cockburn came round Blackbeard's Point and opened fire on the
+American camp he received so warm a welcome from Crutchfield's heavy
+battery that he was presently glad to escape for shelter behind the
+Point, and content himself with throwing an occasional shot or rocket
+into the American camp.
+
+"Beckwith's troops had reached rising ground and halted for breakfast
+before the Americans discovered them. When that happened Sergeant
+Parker, with a field-piece and a few picked men, went to the assistance
+of Captain Servant and his rifle company, already lying in ambush.
+
+"Parker had barely time to reach his position and plant his cannon when
+the British were seen rapidly advancing.
+
+"At the head of the west branch of Hampton Creek, at the Celey road,
+there was a large cedar tree behind which Servant's advanced
+corps--Lieutenant Hope and two other men--had stationed themselves, and
+just as the British crossed the creek--the French column in front, led
+by the British sergeant major--they opened a deadly fire upon them. A
+number were killed, among them the sergeant major--a large, powerful
+man.
+
+"This threw the British ranks into great confusion for the time, and
+the main body of our riflemen delivered their fire, killing the brave
+Lieutenant-Colonel Williams of the British army. But the others
+presently recovered from their panic and pushed forward, while our
+riflemen, being so few in number, were compelled to fall back.
+
+"But Crutchfield had heard the firing, and hastened forward with nearly
+all his force, leaving Pryor and his artillerymen behind to defend the
+Little England estate from the attack of the barges. But while he was
+moving on along the lane that led from the plantation toward Celey's
+road and the great highway, he was suddenly assailed by an enfilading
+fire from the left.
+
+"Instantly he ordered his men to wheel and charge upon the foe, who were
+now in the edge of the woods. His troops obeyed, behaving like veterans,
+and the enemy fell back; but presently rallied, and, showing themselves
+directly in front of the Americans, opened upon them in a storm of grape
+and canister from two six-pounders and some Congreve rockets.
+
+"The Americans stood the storm for a few minutes, then fell back, broke
+ranks, and some of them fled in confusion.
+
+"In the meantime Parker had been working his piece with good effect till
+his ammunition gave out. Lieutenant Jones, of the Hampton artillery,
+perceiving that to be the case, hurried to his assistance; but seeing an
+overwhelming force of the enemy approaching, they--Parker's men--fell
+back to the Yorktown Pike.
+
+"Jones, who had one cannon with him, found that his match had gone out,
+and rushing to a house near by he snatched a burning brand from the
+fire, hurried back, and hid himself in a hollow near a spring.
+
+"The British supposed they had captured all the cannon, or that if any
+were left they had been abandoned, and drawing near they presently
+filled the lane; then Jones rose and discharged his piece with terrible
+effect, many of the British were prostrated by the unexpected shot, and
+during the confusion that followed Jones made good his retreat,
+attaching a horse to his cannon, and bearing it off with him.
+
+"He hastened to the assistance of Pryor, but on drawing near his camp
+saw that it had fallen into the possession of the foe.
+
+"Pryor had retreated in safety, after spiking his guns. He and his
+command fought their way through the enemy's ranks with their guns, swam
+the west branch of Hampton Creek, and, making a circuit in the enemy's
+rear, fled without losing a man or a musket.
+
+"Jones had seen it all, and spiking his gun followed Pryor's men to the
+same place.
+
+"In the meantime Crutchfield had rallied his men, those who still
+remained with him, on the flank of Servant's riflemen, and was again
+fighting vigorously.
+
+"But presently a powerful flank movement of the foe showed him that he
+was in danger of being out off from his line of retreat. He then
+withdrew in good order and escaped, though pursued for two miles by the
+enemy.
+
+"That ended the battle, in which about thirty Americans and fifty of the
+British had fallen. Then presently followed the disgraceful scenes in
+Hampton of which I have already told you as having brought lasting
+infamy upon the name of Sir George Cockburn."
+
+"I think he was worse than a savage!" exclaimed Lulu hotly.
+
+"Certainly, far worse; and more brutal than some of the Indian
+chiefs--Brant, for instance," said Rosie, "or Tecumseh."
+
+"I cannot see in what respect he was any better than a pirate," added
+Evelyn, in a quiet tone.
+
+"Nor can I," said Captain Raymond; "so shameful were his atrocities that
+even the most violent of his British partisans were constrained to
+denounce them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+Before the sun had set the _Dolphin_ was again speeding over the water,
+but now on the ocean, and going northward, Philadelphia being their
+present destination. It had grown cloudy and by bedtime a steady rain
+was falling, but unaccompanied by much wind, so that no one felt any
+apprehension of shipwreck or other marine disaster, and all slept well.
+
+The next morning Lulu was, as usual, one of the first to leave her
+berth, and having made herself neat for the day she hurried upon deck.
+
+It had ceased raining and the clouds were breaking away.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, running to meet her father, who was
+coming toward her, holding out his hand with an affectionate smile, "so
+glad it is clearing off so beautifully; aren't you, papa?"
+
+"Yes; particularly for your sake, daughter," he replied, putting an arm
+about her and bending down to give her a good-morning kiss. "Did you
+sleep well?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa, thank you; but I woke early and got up because I
+wanted to come on deck and look about. Where are we now? I can see land
+on the western side."
+
+"Yes, that is a part of the Delaware coast," he answered. "We are
+nearing Cape Henlopen. By the way, do you remember what occurred near
+there, at the village of Lewis, in the war of 1812?"
+
+"No, sir," she said. "Won't you please tell me about it?"
+
+"I will; it is not a very long story. It was in March of the year 1813
+that the British, after destroying such small merchant craft as they
+could find in Chesapeake Bay, concluded to blockade Delaware bay and
+river and reduce to submission the Americans living along their shores.
+Commodore Beresford was accordingly sent on the expedition in command of
+the _Belvidera_, _Poictiers_, and several smaller vessels.
+
+"On the 16th of March he appeared before Lewis in his vessel, the
+_Poictiers_, and pointing her guns toward the town sent a note addressed
+to the first magistrate demanding twenty live bullocks and a
+proportionate quantity of hay and of vegetables for the use of his
+Britannic majesty's squadron. He offered to pay for them, but threatened
+in the event of refusal to destroy the town."
+
+"The insolent fellow!" cried Lulu. "I hope they didn't do it, papa?"
+
+"No; indeed, they flatly refused compliance and told him to do his
+worst. The people on both sides of the bay and river had heard of his
+approach and armed bodies of them were gathered at points where an
+attack might be expected. There were still among them some of the old
+soldiers of the revolution, and you may be sure they were ready to do
+their best to repel this second invasion by their old enemy. One of
+these was a bent old man of the name of Jonathan M'Nult. He lived in
+Dover, and when, on the Sabbath day, the drums beat to arms, he, along
+with men of every denomination to the number of nearly five hundred,
+quickly responded to the call, took part in the drill, and spent the
+whole afternoon in making ball-cartridges.
+
+"The people of all the towns of the vicinity showed the same spirit and
+turned out with spades and muskets, ready to take part in the throwing
+up of batteries and trenches, or to fight 'for their altars and their
+fires'--defending wives, children, and other helpless ones. At
+Wilmington they built a strong fort which they named Union.
+
+"This spirited behavior of the Americans surprised Beresford, and for
+three weeks he refrained from any attempt to carry out his threat.
+
+"During that time Governor Haslet came to Lewis and summoned the militia
+to its defence. On his arrival he reiterated the refusal to supply the
+British invaders with what had been demanded.
+
+"Beresford repeated his threats and at length, on the 6th of April, sent
+Captain Byron, with the _Belvidera_ and several smaller vessels, to
+attack the town.
+
+"He fired several heavy round shot into it, then sent a flag of truce,
+again demanding the supplies Beresford had called for.
+
+"Colonel Davis, the officer in command of the militia, repeated the
+refusal; then Byron sent word that he was sorry for the misery he should
+inflict on the women and children by a bombardment.
+
+"To that a verbal reply was sent: 'Colonel Davis is a gallant officer,
+and has taken care of the ladies.'
+
+"Then Byron presently began a cannonade and bombardment and kept it up
+for twenty-two hours.
+
+"The Americans replied in a very spirited manner from a battery on an
+eminence. Davis's militia worked it and succeeded in disabling the most
+dangerous of the enemy's gunboats and silencing its cannon.
+
+"The British failed in their effort to inflict great damage upon the
+town, although they hurled into it as many as eight hundred eighteen and
+thirty-two pound shot, besides many shells and Congreve rockets. The
+heavy round shot injured some of the houses but the shells did not reach
+the town and the rockets passed over it. No one was killed.
+
+"Plenty of powder was sent for the American guns from Dupont's at
+Wilmington, and they picked up and sent back the British balls, which
+they found just fitted their cannon."
+
+"How good that was," laughed Lulu. "It reminds me of the British at
+Boston asking the Americans to sell them their balls which they had
+picked up, and the Americans answering, 'Give us powder and we'll return
+your balls.' But is that all of your story, papa?"
+
+"Yes, all about the fight at Lewis, but in the afternoon of the next
+day the British tried to land to steal some of the live stock in the
+neighborhood; yet without success, as the American militia met them at
+the water's edge and drove them back to their ships.
+
+"About a month later the British squadron dropped down to Newbold's
+ponds, seven miles below Lewis, and boats filled with their armed men
+were sent on shore for water; but a few of Colonel Davis's men, under
+the command of Major George H. Hunter, met and drove them back to their
+ships. So, finding he could not obtain supplies on the Delaware shore,
+Beresford's little squadron sailed for Bermuda."
+
+"Good! Thank you for telling me about it, papa," said Lulu. "Are we
+going to stop at Lewis?"
+
+"No, but we will pass near enough to have a distant view of the town."
+
+"Oh, I want to see it!" she exclaimed; "and I'm sure the rest will when
+they hear what happened there."
+
+"Well, daughter, there will be nothing to hinder," the captain answered
+pleasantly.
+
+"How soon will we reach the point from which we can see it best, papa?"
+she asked.
+
+"I think about the time we leave the breakfast table," was his reply.
+
+"Papa, don't you miss Max?" was her next question.
+
+"Very much," he said. "Dear boy! he is doubtless feeling quite lonely
+and homesick this morning. However, he will soon get over that and enjoy
+his studies and his sports."
+
+"I think he'll do you credit, papa, and make us all proud of him," she
+said, slipping her hand into her father's and looking up lovingly into
+his face.
+
+"Yes," the captain said, pressing the little hand affectionately in his,
+"I have no doubt he will. I think, as I am sure his sister Lulu does,
+that Max is a boy any father and sister might be proud of."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa!" she responded. "I'm glad he is my brother, and I
+hope to live to see him an admiral; as I'm sure you would have been if
+you'd stayed in the navy and we'd had a war."
+
+"And my partial little daughter had the bestowal of such preferment and
+titles," he added laughingly.
+
+Just then Rosie and Evelyn joined them, followed almost immediately by
+Walter and Grace, when Lulu gave them in a few hasty sentences the
+information her father had given her in regard to the history of Lewis,
+and told of their near approach to it.
+
+Every one was interested and all hurried from the breakfast-table to the
+deck in time to catch a view of the place, though a rather distant one.
+
+When it had vanished from sight, Evelyn turned to Captain Raymond,
+exclaiming, "O sir, will you not point out Forts Mercer and Mifflin to
+us when we come in sight of them?"
+
+"With pleasure," he replied. "They are at Red Bank. Port Mercer on the
+New Jersey shore of the Delaware River, a few miles below Philadelphia,
+Fort Mifflin on the other side of the river on Great and Little Mud
+Islands. It was, in Revolutionary days, a strong redoubt with quite
+extensive outworks."
+
+"Did our men fight the British there in the Revolutionary war, papa?"
+asked Grace.
+
+"Yes; it was in the fall of 1777, soon after the battle of the
+Brandywine, in which, as you may remember, the Americans were defeated.
+They retreated to Chester that night, marched the next day toward
+Philadelphia, and encamped near Germantown. Howe followed and took
+possession of the city of Philadelphia.
+
+"The Americans, fearing such an event, had put obstructions in the
+Delaware River to prevent the British ships from ascending it, and also
+had built these two forts with which to protect the _chevaux de frise_.
+
+"The battle of the Brandywine, as you may remember, was fought on the
+11th of September, and, as I have said, the British pushed on to
+Philadelphia and entered it in triumph on the 26th."
+
+"Papa, what are _chevaux de frise_?" asked Grace.
+
+"They are ranges of strong frames with iron-pointed wooden spikes," he
+answered; then went on:
+
+"In addition to these, the Americans had erected batteries on the
+shores, among which was the strong redoubt called Fort Mercer, which,
+and also Port Mifflin on the Mud Islands, I have already mentioned.
+Besides all these, there were several floating batteries and armed
+galleys stationed in the river.
+
+"All this troubled the British general, because he foresaw that their
+presence there would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to keep
+his army supplied with provisions; also they would be in more danger
+from the American forces if unsupported by their fleet.
+
+"Earl Howe, as you will remember, was at this time in Chesapeake Bay
+with a number of British vessels of war. As we have just been doing, he
+sailed down the one bay and up into the other, but was prevented, by
+these fortifications of the Americans, from continuing on up the
+Delaware River to Philadelphia.
+
+"Among his vessels was one called the _Roebuck_, commanded by a Captain
+Hammond. That officer offered to take upon himself the task of opening a
+passage for their vessels through the _chevaux de frise_, if Howe would
+send a sufficient force to reduce the fortifications at Billingsport.
+
+"Howe was pleased with the proposition and two regiments of troops were
+sent from Chester to accomplish the work. They were successful, made a
+furious and unexpected assault upon the unfinished works, and the
+Americans spiked their cannon, set fire to the barracks, and fled; the
+English demolished the works on the river front, and Hammond, with some
+difficulty, made a passage way seven feet wide in the _chevaux de
+frise_, so that six of the British vessels passed through and anchored
+near Hog Island."
+
+"Did they immediately attack Forts Mifflin and Mercer, papa?" asked
+Lulu.
+
+"It took some little time to make the needed preparations," replied the
+captain. "It was on the 21st of October that Count Donop, with twelve
+hundred picked Hessians, crossed the Delaware at Cooper's Ferry, and
+marched to the attack of Fort Mercer. The Americans added eight miles to
+the extent of their march by taking up the bridge over a creek which
+they must cross, so compelling them to go four miles up the stream to
+find a ford.
+
+"It was on the morning of the 22d that they made their appearance, fully
+armed for battle, on the edge of a wood within cannon shot of Fort
+Mercer.
+
+"It was a great surprise to our men, for they had not heard of the
+approach of these troops. They were informed that there were twenty-five
+hundred of the Hessians, while of themselves there were but four hundred
+men in a feeble earth fort, with but fourteen pieces of cannon.
+
+"But the brave fellows had no idea of surrendering without a struggle.
+There were two Rhode Island regiments, commanded by Colonel Christopher
+Greene. They at once made preparations for defence, and while they were
+thus engaged a Hessian officer rode up to the fort with a flag and a
+drummer, and insolently proclaimed, 'The King of England orders his
+rebellious subjects to lay down their arms; and they are warned that if
+they stand the battle, no quarter whatever will be given.'
+
+"Colonel Greene answered him, 'We ask no quarter nor will we give any.'
+
+"The Hessian and his drummer then rode hastily back to his commander and
+the Hessians at once fell to work building a battery within half cannon
+shot of the fort.
+
+"At the same time the Americans continued their preparations for the
+coming conflict, making them with the greatest activity and eagerness,
+feeling that with them skill and bravery must now combat overwhelming
+numbers, fierceness, and discipline.
+
+"Their outworks were unfinished but they placed great reliance upon the
+redoubt.
+
+"At four o'clock in the afternoon the Hessians opened a brisk cannonade,
+and at a quarter before five a battalion advanced to the attack on the
+north side of the fort, near a morass which covered it.
+
+"They found the works there abandoned but not destroyed, and thought
+that they had frightened the Americans away. So with a shout of victory,
+and the drummer beating a lively march, they rushed to the redoubt,
+where not a man was to be seen.
+
+"But as they reached it, and were about to climb the ramparts to plant
+their flag there, a sudden and galling fire of musketry and grape-shot
+poured out upon them, from a half-masked battery on their left flank,
+formed by an angle of an old embankment.
+
+"It took terrible effect and drove them back to their old intrenchments.
+
+"At the same time another division, commanded by Dunot himself, attacked
+the fort on the south side, but they also were driven back, with great
+loss, by the continuous and heavy fire of the Americans.
+
+"The fight was a short one but very severe. Donop had fallen, mortally
+wounded, at the first fire. Mingerode, his second in command, was
+wounded also, and in all the enemy left behind, in the hasty retreat
+which followed, some four hundred in killed and wounded.
+
+"The American galleys and floating batteries in the river galled them
+considerably in their retreat.
+
+"After the fight was over Manduit, the French engineer who had directed
+the artillery fire of the fort, was out with a detachment examining and
+restoring the palisades, when he heard a voice coming from among the
+killed and wounded of the enemy, saying, 'Whoever you are, draw me
+hence.'
+
+"It was Count Donop, and Manduit had him carried first into the fort,
+afterward to a house close at hand, occupied by a family named Whitall,
+where he died three days afterward.
+
+"Donop was but thirty-seven. He said to Manduit, who attended him till
+he died, 'It is finishing a noble career early; but I die the victim of
+my ambition and the avarice of my sovereign.'"
+
+"His sovereign? That was George the Third, papa?" Grace said
+inquiringly.
+
+"No, Donop was a Hessian, hired out to the British king by his
+sovereign," replied her father.
+
+"And avarice means love of money?"
+
+"Yes, daughter; and it was avarice on the part of both sovereigns that
+led to the hiring of the Hessians; the war was waged by the king of
+England because the Americans refused to be taxed by him at his pleasure
+and without their consent. He wanted their money.
+
+"Whitall's house, a two-story brick, built in 1748, stood close by the
+river," continued the captain, "and I suppose is still there; it was, in
+1851, when Lossing visited the locality.
+
+"The Whitalls were Quakers and took no part in the war. When the fort
+was attacked Mrs. Whitall was urged to flee to some place of safety, but
+declined to do so, saying, 'God's arm is strong, and will protect me; I
+may do good by staying.'
+
+"She was left alone in the house, and, while the battle was raging, sat
+in a room in the second story busily at work at her spinning-wheel,
+while the shot came dashing like hail against the walls. At length one,
+a twelve-pound ball from a British vessel in the river, just grazed the
+walnut tree at the fort, which the Americans used as a flag-staff, and
+crashed into her house through the heavy brick wall on the north gable,
+then through a partition at the head of the stairs, crossed a recess,
+and lodged in another partition near where she was sitting.
+
+"At that she gathered up her work and went down to the cellar.
+
+"At the close of the battle the wounded and dying were brought into her
+house and she left her work to wait upon them and do all in her power to
+relieve their sufferings.
+
+"She attended to all, friend and foe, with equal kindness, but scolded
+the Hessians for coming to America to butcher the people."
+
+"I am sure she must have been a good woman," remarked Grace; "but, oh, I
+don't know how she could dare to stay in the house while those dreadful
+balls were flying about it."
+
+"No doubt she felt that she was in the way of her duty," replied the
+captain, "and the path of duty is the safe one. She seems to have been a
+good Christian woman."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" said Evelyn. "Captain, did not the British attack Fort
+Mifflin at the same time that the fight was in progress at Fort
+Mercer?"
+
+"Yes; the firing of the first gun from the Hessian battery was the
+signal for the British vessels in the river to begin the assault upon
+the other fort on its opposite side.
+
+"The _Augusta_ and several smaller vessels had made their way through
+the passage in the _chevaux de frise_ which Hammond had opened, and were
+now anchored above it, waiting for flood tide.
+
+"The _Augusta_ was a sixty-four gun ship; besides there were the
+_Merlin_, of eighteen guns; the _Roebuck_, of forty-four; two frigates,
+and a galley. All these came up with the purpose to attack the fort, but
+were kept at bay by the American galleys and floating batteries, which
+also did good service by flanking the enemy in their attack upon Fort
+Mercer.
+
+"The British deferred their attack upon Fort Mifflin until the next
+morning, when, the Hessians having been driven off from Fort Mercer, the
+American flotilla was able to turn its attention entirely upon the
+British fleet, which now opened a heavy cannonade upon Fort Mifflin,
+attempting also to get floating batteries into the channel back of the
+island.
+
+"But Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, a gallant officer in command of the fort,
+very vigilant and brave, thwarted all their efforts and greatly assisted
+the flotilla in repulsing them.
+
+"The fire of the Americans was so fierce and incessant that the British
+vessels presently tried to fall down the stream to get beyond its reach.
+But a hot shot struck the _Augusta_ and set her on fire. She also got
+aground on a mud bank near the Jersey shore and at noon blew up.
+
+"The fight between the other British and the American vessels went on
+until three o'clock in the afternoon, when the _Merlin_ took fire and
+blew up near the mouth of Mud Creek.
+
+"The _Roebuck_ then dropped down the river below the _chevaux de frise_,
+and for a short time the Americans were left in undisturbed possession
+of their forts.
+
+"Howe was, however, very anxious to dislodge them, because the river was
+the only avenue by which provisions could be brought to his army in
+Philadelphia.
+
+"On the 1st of November he took possession of Province Island, lying
+between Fort Mifflin and the mainland, and began throwing up works to
+strengthen himself and annoy the defenders of the fort.
+
+"But they showed themselves wonderfully brave and patient.
+Lieutenant-Colonel Smith was as fine an officer as one could desire to
+see.
+
+"The principal fortification of Fort Mifflin was in front, that being
+the side from which vessels coming up the river must be repelled; but on
+the side toward Province Island it was defended by only a wet ditch.
+There was a block house at each of its angles, but they were not strong,
+and when the Americans saw the British take possession of Province
+Island and begin building batteries there, they felt that unless
+assistance should be sent to dislodge the enemy, the fort would soon be
+demolished or fall into his possession."
+
+"But couldn't Washington help them, and didn't he try to?" asked Grace.
+
+"Washington was most desirous to do so and made every effort in his
+power," replied her father; "and if Gates had done his duty the fort
+might probably have been saved. Burgoyne's army had been defeated and
+captured some time before this, and there was then no other formidable
+enemy in that quarter; but Gates was jealous of Washington and, rather
+than have him successful, preferred to sacrifice the cause which he had
+engaged to defend.
+
+"He had ample stores and a formidable force, and had he come promptly to
+the rescue might have rendered such assistance as to enable Washington
+to drive the British from Philadelphia and save the forts upon the
+Delaware.
+
+"But, actuated by the meanest jealousy, he delayed, and would not even
+return Morgan's corps, which Washington had been but ill able to spare
+to him.
+
+"Hamilton, sent by Washington to hasten Gates's movements in the
+matter, grew very indignant at the slow and reluctant compliance of
+Gates, and by plainly expressing his opinion induced him to send a
+stronger reinforcement than he had intended.
+
+"Putnam also made trouble by detaining some of the troops forwarded by
+Gates to assist him in carrying out a plan of his own for attacking New
+York.
+
+"Governor Clinton then advised Hamilton to issue a peremptory order to
+Putnam to set those troops in motion for Whitemarsh where Washington was
+encamped. Hamilton did so, and the troops were sent."
+
+"Dear, dear!" sighed Lulu, "what a time poor Washington did have with
+Congress being so slow, and officers under him so perverse, wanting
+their own way instead of doing their best to help him to carry out his
+good and wise plans."
+
+"Yes," her father said, with a slight twinkle of fun in his eye, "but
+doesn't my eldest daughter feel something like sympathy with them in
+their wish to carry out their own plans without much regard for those of
+other people?"
+
+"I--I suppose perhaps I ought to, papa," she replied, blushing and
+hanging her head rather shamefacedly; "and yet," she added, lifting it
+again and smiling up into his eyes, "I do think if you had been the
+commander over me I'd have tried to follow your directions, believing
+you knew better than I."
+
+She moved nearer to his side and leaned up lovingly against him as she
+spoke.
+
+"Yes, dear child, I feel quite sure of it," he returned, laying his hand
+tenderly on her head, then smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke.
+
+"But you haven't finished about the second attack upon Fort Mifflin,
+have you, brother Levis?" queried Walter.
+
+"No, not quite," the captain answered; then went on with his narrative:
+
+"All through the war Washington showed himself wonderfully patient and
+hopeful, but it was with intense anxiety he now watched the progress of
+the enemy in his designs upon Fort Mifflin, unable as he himself was to
+succor its threatened garrison."
+
+"But why couldn't he go and help them with his soldiers, papa?" asked
+Grace.
+
+"Because, daughter, if he broke up his camp at Whitemarsh, and moved his
+army to the other side of the Schuylkill, he must leave stores and
+hospitals for the sick, within reach of the enemy; leave the British
+troops in possession of the fords of the river; make it difficult, if
+not impossible, for the troops he was expecting from the North to join
+him, and perhaps bring on a battle while he was too weak to hope for
+victory over such odds as Howe could bring against him.
+
+"So the poor fellows in the fort had to fight it out themselves with no
+assistance from outside."
+
+"Couldn't they have slipped out in the night and gone away quietly
+without fighting, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"Perhaps so," he said, with a slight smile; "but such doings as that
+would never have helped our country to free herself from the British
+yoke; and these men were too brave and patriotic to try it; they were
+freemen and never could be slaves; to them death was preferable to
+slavery. We may well be proud of the skill and courage with which
+Lieutenant-Colonel Smith defended his fort against the foe.
+
+"On the 10th of November the British opened their batteries on land and
+water. They had five on Province Island, within five hundred yards of
+the fort; a large floating battery with twenty-two twenty-four pounders,
+which they brought up within forty yards of an angle of the fort; also
+six ships, two of them with forty guns each, the others with sixty-four
+each, all within less than nine hundred yards of the fort."
+
+"More than three hundred guns all firing on that one little fort!"
+exclaimed Rosie. "It is really wonderful how our poor men could stand
+it."
+
+"Yes, for six consecutive days a perfect storm of bombs and round shot
+poured upon them," said the captain, "and it must have required no small
+amount of courage to stand such a tempest."
+
+"I hope they fired back and killed some of those wicked fellows!"
+exclaimed Walter, his eyes flashing.
+
+"You may be sure they did their best to defend themselves and their
+fort," replied the captain. "And the British loss was great, though the
+exact number has never been known.
+
+"Nearly two hundred and fifty of our men were killed or wounded.
+Lieutenant Treat, commanding the artillery, was killed on the first day
+by the bursting of a bomb. The next day quite a number of the garrison
+were killed or wounded, and Colonel Smith himself had a narrow escape.
+
+"A ball passed through a chimney in the barracks,--whither he had gone
+intending to write a letter,--scattered the bricks, and one of them
+striking him on the head knocked him senseless.
+
+"He was carried across the river to Red Bank, and Major Thayer of the
+Rhode Island line took command in his place.
+
+"The first day a battery of two guns was destroyed, a block house and
+the laboratory were blown up, and the garrison were compelled to keep
+within the fort. All that night the British threw shells and the scene
+was a terrible one indeed, especially for the poor fellows inside the
+fort.
+
+"The next morning, about sunrise, they saw thirty armed boats coming
+against them, and that night the heavy floating battery was brought to
+bear upon the fort. The next morning it opened with terrible effect, yet
+they endured it, and made the enemy suffer so much from their fire that
+they began to think seriously of giving up the contest, when one of the
+men in the fort deserted to them, and his tale of the weakness of the
+garrison inspiring the British with renewed hope of conquest they
+prepared for a more general and vigorous assault.
+
+"At daylight on the 15th two men-of-war, the _Iris_ and the _Somerset_,
+passed up the channel in front of the fort on Mud Island. Two
+others--the _Vigilant_ and a hulk with three twenty-four
+pounders--passed through the narrow channel on the west side and were
+placed in a position to act in concert with the batteries of Province
+Island in enfilading the American works.
+
+"At ten o'clock all was silent, and doubtless our men were awaiting the
+coming onslaught with intense anxiety, when a signal bugle sounded and
+instantly all the ships and batteries poured a storm of shot and shell
+from the mouths of their many guns upon the devoted little garrison."
+
+"Oh, how dreadful!" sighed Grace. "Could they stand it, papa?"
+
+"They endured it with astonishing courage," replied the captain, "while
+all day long, and far into the evening, it was kept up without cessation.
+The yards of the British ships hung nearly over the American battery;
+and there were musketeers stationed in their tops who immediately shot
+down every man who showed himself on the platform of the fort. Our men
+displayed, as I have said, wonderful bravery and endurance; there seems
+to have been no thought of surrender; but long before night palisades,
+block houses, parapet, embrasures--all were ruined.
+
+"Early in the evening Major Thayer sent all but forty of his men to Red
+Bank. He and the remaining forty stayed on in the fort until midnight,
+then, setting fire to the remains of the barracks, they also escaped in
+safety to Red Bank.
+
+"Lossing tells us that in the course of that last day more than a
+thousand discharges of cannon, from twelve to thirty-two pounders, were
+made against the works on Mud Island, and that it was one of the most
+gallant and obstinate defences of the war.
+
+"Major Thayer received great credit for his share in it, and was
+presented with a sword by the Rhode Island Assembly as a token of their
+appreciation of his services there."
+
+"Did not Captain--afterward Commodore--Talbot do himself great credit
+there?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; he fought for hours with his wrist shattered by a musket ball;
+then was wounded in the hip and was sent to Red Bank. He was a very
+brave man and did much good service during the war, principally on the
+water, taking vessel after vessel. In the fight with one of them--the
+_Dragon_--his speaking trumpet was pierced by bullets and the skirts of
+his coat were shot away."
+
+"How brave he must have been!" exclaimed Lulu with enthusiasm. "Don't
+you think so, papa?"
+
+"Indeed, I do," replied the captain. "He was one of the many men of that
+period of whom their countrymen may be justly proud."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his
+arms to be taken by his father. The captain lifted him tenderly, saying
+something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of
+the deck.
+
+Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an
+almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon
+the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to
+tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary
+days.
+
+"You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those
+days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes, some years ago," she replied. "Ah, how many years ago it was!" she
+added musingly; then continued, "When I was quite a little girl, my
+father took me to Philadelphia, and a number of other places, where
+occurred notable events in the war of the Revolution."
+
+"And you will tell us about them, won't you, mamma?" Walter asked, in
+coaxing tones.
+
+"Certainly, if you and the rest all wish it," she returned, smiling
+lovingly into the eager young face, while the others joined in the
+request.
+
+"Please tell about Philadelphia first, mamma," Walter went on. "You went
+to Independence Hall, of course, and we've all been there, I believe;
+but there must be some other points of interest in and about the city,
+I should think, that will be rather new to us."
+
+"Yes, there are others," she replied, "though I suppose that to every
+American Independence Hall is the most interesting of all, since it was
+there the Continental Congress held its meetings, and its bell that
+proclaimed the glad tidings that that grand Declaration of Independence
+had been signed and the colonies of Great Britain had become free and
+independent States--though there was long and desperate fighting to go
+through before England would acknowledge it."
+
+"Mamma, don't you hate old England for it?" cried Walter impulsively,
+his eyes flashing.
+
+"No, indeed!" she replied, laughing softly, and patting his rosy cheek
+with her still pretty white hand. "It was not the England of to-day, you
+must remember, my son, nor indeed the England of that day, but her half
+crazy king and his ministers, who thought to raise money for him by
+unjust taxation of the people of this land. 'Taxation without
+representation is tyranny.' So they felt and said, and as such resisted
+it."
+
+"And I'm proud of them for doing so!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.
+"Now, what other revolutionary places are to be seen in Philadelphia,
+mamma?"
+
+"There is Christ Church, where Washington, Franklin, members of
+Congress, and officers of the Continental army used to worship, with its
+graveyard where Franklin and his wife Deborah lie buried. Major-General
+Lee too was laid there; also General Mercer, killed at the battle of
+Princeton, but his body was afterward removed to Laurel Hill Cemetery."
+
+"We will visit Christ Church, I hope," said Rosie. "Carpenter's Hall
+too, where the first Continental Congress met, and Loxley House, where
+Lydia Darrah lived in Revolutionary times. You saw that, I suppose,
+mamma?"
+
+"Yes," replied her mother, "but I do not know whether it is, or is not,
+still standing."
+
+"That's a nice story about Lydia Darrah," remarked Walter, with
+satisfaction. "I think she showed herself a grand woman; don't you,
+mamma?"
+
+"I do, indeed," replied his mother. "She was a true patriot."
+
+"There were many grand men and women in our country in those times,"
+remarked Evelyn Leland. "The members of that first Congress that met in
+Carpenter's Hall on Monday, the 5th of September, 1774, were such. Do
+you not think so, Grandma Elsie?"
+
+"Yes, I quite agree with you," replied Mrs. Travilla; "and it was John
+Adams--himself by no means one of the least--who said, 'There is in the
+Congress a collection of the greatest men upon the continent in point of
+abilities, virtues, and fortunes.'"
+
+"Washington was one of them, wasn't he, Grandma Elsie?" asked Lulu.
+
+"Yes, one of the members from Virginia. The others from that State were
+Richard Henry Lee, Peyton Randolph, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison,
+Edmund Pendleton, and Patrick Henry. Peyton Randolph was chosen
+president, and Charles Thomson, of Pennsylvania, secretary."
+
+"And then, I suppose, they set to work on their preparations for
+fighting their oppressor, George the Third," remarked Lulu, half
+inquiringly.
+
+"Lossing tells us," replied Mrs. Travilla, "that the delegates from the
+different colonies then presented their credentials, and after that
+there was silence, while deep anxiety was depicted on every countenance.
+It seemed difficult to know how to begin upon the work for which they
+had been called together. But at length a grave-looking member, in a
+plain suit of gray, and wearing an unpowdered wig, arose. So plain was
+his appearance that Bishop White, who was present, afterward telling of
+the circumstances, said he 'felt a regret that a seeming country parson
+should so far have mistaken his talents and the theatre for their
+display.' However, he soon changed his mind as the plain-looking man
+began to speak; his words were so eloquent, his sentiments so logical,
+his voice was so musical, that the whole House was electrified, while
+from lip to lip ran the question, 'Who is he? who is he?' and the few
+who knew the stranger, answered, 'It is Patrick Henry of Virginia.'"
+
+"O mamma, was it before that that he had said, 'Give me liberty or give
+me death'?" queried Walter, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
+
+"No, he said that a few months afterward; but about nine years before,
+he had startled his hearers in the Virginia House of Burgesses by his
+cry, 'Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George
+the Third may profit by their example'!"
+
+"And now he was starting the Congress at its work!"
+
+"You are right; there was no more hesitation; they arranged their
+business, adopted rules for the regulation of their sessions, and
+then--at the beginning of the third day, and when about to enter upon
+the business that had called them together--Mr. Cushing moved that the
+sessions should be opened with prayer for Divine guidance and aid.
+
+"Mr. John Adams, in a letter to his wife, written the next day, said
+that Mr. Cushing's motion was opposed by a member from New York, and one
+from South Carolina, because the assembly was composed of men of so many
+different denominations--Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Quakers,
+Anabaptists, and Episcopalians,--that they could not join in the same
+act of worship.
+
+"Then Mr. Samuel Adams arose, and said that he was no bigot and could
+hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue who was at the same
+time a friend to his country. He was a stranger in Philadelphia, but had
+heard that Mr. Duche deserved that character; so he moved that he--Mr.
+Duche, an Episcopal clergyman--be desired to read prayers before
+Congress the next morning.
+
+"Mr. Duche consented, and the next morning read the prayers and the
+Psalter for the 7th of September; a part of it was the thirty-fifth
+psalm, which seemed wonderfully appropriate. Do you remember how it
+begins? 'Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight
+against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and
+stand up for mine help.'"
+
+"It does seem wonderfully appropriate," said Evelyn. "Oh, I'm sure that
+God was on the side of the patriots, and helped them greatly in their
+hard struggle with their powerful foe!"
+
+"Yes, only by His all-powerful aid could our liberties have been won,
+and to Him be all the glory and the praise," said Grandma Elsie,
+gratitude and joy shining in her beautiful eyes.
+
+"But that wasn't the Congress that signed the Declaration?" Walter
+remarked, half inquiringly, half in assertion.
+
+"No; this was in 1774, and the Declaration was not signed until July,
+1776," replied his mother.
+
+"It seems to me," remarked Lulu, "that the Americans were very slow in
+getting ready to say they would be free from England--free from British
+tyranny."
+
+"But you know you're always in a great hurry to do things, Lu," put in
+Grace softly, with an affectionate, admiring smile up into her sister's
+face.
+
+"Yes, I believe you're right, Gracie," returned Lulu, with a pleased
+laugh and giving Grace's hand a loving squeeze.
+
+"Yes," assented Grandma Elsie, "our people were slow to break with the
+mother country--as they used to call old England, the land of their
+ancestors; they bore long and patiently with her, but at last were
+convinced that in that case patience had ceased to be a virtue, and
+liberty for themselves and their children must be secured at all costs."
+
+"How soon were they convinced of it, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"The conviction came slowly to all, and to some more slowly than to
+others," she replied. "Dr. Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry
+were among the first to see the necessity of becoming, politically,
+entirely free and independent.
+
+"It is stated on good authority that Patrick Henry in speaking of Great
+Britain, as early as 1773, said, 'She _will_ drive us to extremities; no
+accommodation _will_ take place; hostilities _will soon_ commence, and a
+desperate and bloody touch it will be.'
+
+"Some one, present when the remark was made, asked Mr. Henry if he
+thought the colonies strong enough to resist successfully the fleets and
+armies of Great Britain, and he answered that he doubted whether they
+would be able to do so alone, 'but that France, Spain, and Holland were
+the natural enemies of Great Britain.'
+
+"'Where will they be all this while?' he asked. 'Do you suppose they
+will stand by, idle and indifferent spectators to the contest? Will
+Louis XVI. be asleep all this time? Believe me, no! When Louis XVI.
+shall be satisfied, by our serious opposition and our _Declaration_ of
+_Independence_, that all prospect of a reconciliation is gone, then, and
+not till then, will he furnish us with arms, ammunition, and clothing:
+and not with them only, but he will send his fleets and armies to fight
+our battles for us; he will form a treaty with us, offensive and
+defensive, against our unnatural mother. Spain and Holland will join the
+confederation! Our independence will be established! and we shall take
+our stand among the nations of the earth!'"
+
+"And it all happened so; didn't it, mamma?" exclaimed Rosie exultantly;
+"just as Patrick Henry predicted."
+
+"Yes," replied her mother, with a proud and happy smile, "and we have
+certainly taken our place--by God's blessing upon the efforts of those
+brave and gallant heroes of the revolution--as one of the greatest
+nations of the earth.
+
+"Yet not all the credit should be awarded them, but some of it given to
+their successors in the nation's counsels and on the fields of battle.
+The foundations were well and strongly laid by our revolutionary
+fathers, and the work well carried on by their successors."
+
+"Grandma Elsie, what was the story about Lydia Darrah?" asked Gracie. "I
+don't remember to have heard it."
+
+"She lived in Philadelphia when the British were in possession there
+during the winter after the battle of the Brandywine," replied Mrs.
+Travilla. "She belonged to the Society of Friends, most of whom, as you
+doubtless remember, took no active part in the war; at least, did none
+of the fighting, though many helped in other ways; but some were Tories,
+who gave aid and comfort to the enemy in other ways than by the use of
+arms."
+
+"What a shame!" cried Walter. "You will tell us about the doings of some
+of those when you are done with the story of Lydia Darrah, won't you,
+mamma?"
+
+"If you all wish it," she answered; then went on with her narrative:
+
+"Judging from her conduct at that time, Lydia must have been an ardent
+patriot; but patriots and Tories alike had British officers quartered
+upon them. The adjutant-general took up his quarters in Loxley House,
+the home of the Darrahs, and, as it was a secluded place, the superior
+officers frequently held meetings there for private conference on
+matters connected with the movements of the British troops."
+
+"One day the adjutant-general told Mrs. Darrah that such a meeting was
+to be held that evening, and that he wanted the upper back room made
+ready for himself and the friends who would be present. He added that
+they would be likely to stay late and she must be sure to see that all
+her family were early in their beds.
+
+"His tone and manner led Mrs. Darrah to think something of importance
+was going forward, and though she did not dare disobey his order, she
+resolved to try to find out what was their object in holding this
+private night meeting, probably hoping to be able to do something to
+prevent the carrying out of their plans against the liberties of her
+country.
+
+"She sent her family to bed, according to directions, before the
+officers came, and after admitting them retired to her own couch, but
+not to sleep, for her thoughts were busy with conjectures in regard to
+the mischief they--the unwelcome intruders into her house--might be
+plotting against her country.
+
+"She had lain down without undressing and after a little she rose and
+stole softly, in her stocking feet, to the door of the room where they
+were assembled.
+
+"All was quiet at the moment when she reached it. She put her ear to the
+keyhole and--doubtless, with a fast beating heart--waited there,
+listening intently for the sound of the officers' voices.
+
+"For a few moments all was silence; then it was broken by a single voice
+reading aloud an order from Sir William Howe for the troops to march out
+of the city the next night and make an attack upon Washington's camp at
+Whitemarsh.
+
+"Lydia waited to hear no more, for that was sufficient, and it would
+have been dangerous indeed for her to be caught there.
+
+"She hastened back to her own room and again threw herself on the bed;
+but not to sleep, as you may well imagine.
+
+"Presently the opening and shutting of doors told her that the visitors
+of the adjutant-general were taking their departure; then there was a
+rap on her door. But she did not answer it. It was repeated, but still
+she did not move or speak; but at the third knock she rose, went to the
+door, and found the adjutant-general there.
+
+"He informed her that his friends had gone and she might now close her
+house for the night.
+
+"She did so, then lay down again, but not to sleep. She lay thinking of
+the momentous secret she had just learned, considering how she might
+help to avert the threatened danger to the patriot army, and asking help
+and guidance from her heavenly Father.
+
+"Her prayer was heard; she laid her plans, then at early dawn arose.
+Waking her husband she told him flour was wanted for the family and she
+must go immediately to the mill at Frankford for it. Then taking a bag
+to carry it in, she started at once on foot.
+
+"At General Howe's headquarters she obtained a passport to leave the
+city.
+
+"She had a five miles' walk to Frankford, where she left her bag at the
+mill, and hurried on toward the American camp to deliver her tidings.
+
+"It was still quite early, but before reaching the camp she met an
+American officer, Lieutenant Craig, whom Washington had sent out to seek
+information in regard to the doings of the enemy.
+
+"Lydia quickly told him her story, then hastened back to the mill for
+her bag of flour and hurried home with it."
+
+"Mamma," exclaimed Walter, "how could she carry anything so big and
+heavy?"
+
+"Perhaps it was but a small bag," returned his mother, with a smile. "I
+never saw or read any statement as to its size, and perhaps the joy and
+thankfulness she felt in having been permitted and enabled to do such
+service to the cause of her country may have helped to strengthen her to
+bear the burden."
+
+"What a day it must have been to her!" exclaimed Evelyn, "hope and
+fear alternating in her breast; and how her heart must have gone up
+constantly in prayer to God for his blessing upon her bleeding country."
+
+"And how it must have throbbed with alternating hope and fear as she
+stood at the window that cold, starry night and watched the departure
+of the British troops to make the intended attack upon Washington and
+his little army," said Rosie. "And again when the distant roll of a drum
+told that they were returning."
+
+"Yes," said Lulu; "and when the adjutant-general came back to the house,
+summoned Lydia to his room, and when he got her in there shut and locked
+the door."
+
+"Oh," cried Grace, "did he know it was she that had told of his plans?"
+
+"No," said Mrs. Travilla; "from the accounts I have read he does not
+seem to have even suspected her. He invited her to be seated, then
+asked, 'Were any of your family up, Lydia, on the night when I received
+company in this house?' 'No,' she replied; 'they all retired at eight
+o'clock.' 'It is very strange,' he returned. 'You I know were asleep,
+for I knocked at your door three times before you heard me, yet it is
+certain we were betrayed. I am altogether at a loss to conceive who
+could have given information to Washington of our intended attack. On
+arriving near his camp, we found his cannon mounted, his troops under
+arms, and so prepared at every point to receive us, that we have been
+compelled to march back like a parcel of fools, without injuring our
+enemy!'"
+
+"I hope the British did not find out, before they left Philadelphia, who
+had given the information to the Americans, and take vengeance on her?"
+said Walter.
+
+"No," replied his mother, "fearing that, she had begged Lieutenant Craig
+to keep her secret; which he did; and so it has happened that her good
+deed finds no mention in the histories of that time and is recorded only
+by well authenticated tradition."
+
+"So all the Quakers were not Tories?" remarked Walter in a satisfied yet
+half inquiring tone.
+
+"Oh, no indeed!" replied his mother, "there were ardent patriots among
+them, as among people of other denominations. Nathaniel Green--after
+Washington one of our best and greatest generals--was of Quaker family,
+and I have heard that when his mother found he was not to be persuaded
+to refrain from taking an active part in the struggle for freedom, she
+said to him, 'Well, Nathaniel, if thee must fight, let me never hear of
+thee having a wound in thy back!'"
+
+"Ah, she must have been brave and patriotic," laughed Walter. "I doubt
+if she was so very sorry that her son was determined to fight for the
+freedom of his country."
+
+"No," said Rosie, "I don't believe she was, and I don't see how she
+could help feeling proud of him--so bright, brave, talented, and
+patriotic as he showed himself to be all through the war."
+
+"Yes," said Lulu, "and I don't think he has had half the honors he
+deserved, though at West Point we saw a cannon with an inscription on it
+saying it had been taken from the British army and presented by Congress
+to Major-General Green as a monument of their high sense of his services
+in the revolutionary war."
+
+"Weren't the Tories very bad men, Grandma Elsie?" asked Grace.
+
+"Not all of them, my dear," replied Mrs. Travilla, smiling lovingly into
+the sweet, though grave and earnest, little face; "some were really
+conscientiously opposed to war, even when waged for freedom from
+unbearable tyranny and oppression, but were disposed to be merely
+inactive witnesses of the struggle, some of them desiring the success of
+the patriots, others that of the king's troops; then there was another
+set who, while professing neutrality, secretly aided the British,
+betraying the patriots into their hands.
+
+"Such were Carlisle and Roberts, Quakers of that time, living in
+Philadelphia. While the British were in possession of the city those two
+men were employed as secret agents in detecting foes to the government,
+and by their secret information caused many patriots to be arrested and
+thrown into prison. Lossing tells us that Carlisle, wearing the meek
+garb and deportment of a Quaker, was at heart a Torquemada."
+
+"And who was Torquemada, mamma?" queried Walter.
+
+"A Dominican monk of Spain, who lived in the times of Ferdinand and
+Isabella, and was by them appointed inquisitor-general. He organized the
+Inquisition throughout Spain, drew up the code of procedure, and during
+sixteen years caused between nine and ten thousand persons to be burned
+at the stake."
+
+"Mamma! what a cruel, _cruel_ wretch!" cried Walter. "Oh, but I'm glad
+nobody can do such cruel things in these days! I hope Roberts and
+Carlisle weren't quite so wicked as he."
+
+"No, I should not like to think they would have been willing to go to
+quite such lengths, though they seem to have shown enough malignity
+toward their patriotic fellow-countrymen to make it evident that they
+had something of the spirit of the cruel and bloodthirsty Torquemada.
+
+"Though they would not bear arms for the wealth of the Indies, they were
+ever ready to act as guides to those whose object was to massacre their
+fellow-countrymen; and that only because they were determined to be
+free."
+
+"Were not some of those in New Jersey known as 'Pine Robbers,' Grandma
+Elsie?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes; they infested the lower part of Monmouth County, whence they went
+on predatory excursions into other parts of the State, coming upon the
+people at night to burn, murder, plunder, and destroy. They burrowed
+caves in the sandhills on the borders of the swamps, where they
+concealed themselves and their booty."
+
+"Did they leave their hiding-places only in the night time, mamma?"
+asked Walter.
+
+"No," she replied, "they would sometimes sally forth during the day and
+attack the farmers in their fields. So that the men were compelled to
+carry muskets and be ready to fight for their lives, while women and
+children were kept in a constant state of terror."
+
+"I think I have read that one of the worst of them was a blacksmith,
+living in Freehold?" remarked Evelyn, half inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, his name was Fenton; he was a very wicked man, who, like many
+others calling themselves Tories, took advantage of the disturbance of
+the times to rob and murder his fellow-countrymen; he began his career
+of robbery and murder very early in the war.
+
+"One of his first acts, as such, was the plundering of a tailor's shop
+in the township. A committee of vigilance had been already organized,
+and its members sent Fenton word that if he did not return what he had
+stolen he should be hunted out and shot.
+
+"He was a coward, as such villains almost always are, and did return the
+clothing, sending with it a written message, 'I have returned your ----
+rags. In a short time I am coming to burn your barns and houses, and
+roast you all like a pack of kittens.'
+
+"One summer night, shortly afterward, he led a gang of desperadoes like
+himself against the dwelling of an old man named Farr. There were but
+three persons in the house--the old man, his wife, and daughter. They
+barricaded their door and defended themselves for a while, but Fenton
+broke in a part of the door, fired through the hole at the old man and
+broke his leg. The women could not keep them out much longer; they soon
+forced an entrance, murdered the old man and woman, and badly wounded
+the daughter. She, however, made her escape, and the cowardly ruffians
+fled without waiting to secure any plunder; no doubt fearing she would
+bring a band of patriots to avenge the slain."
+
+"I hope that wretch, Fenton, was soon caught and well punished for his
+robberies and murders!" exclaimed Lulu.
+
+"He was," replied Grandma Elsie. "The Bible tells us that 'bloody and
+deceitful men shall not live out half their days,' and Fenton's fate was
+one amongst many to prove the truth of it.
+
+"He had met a young man on his way to mill, plundered and beaten him;
+the victim carried his complaint to Lee, and a sergeant and two
+soldiers were detailed to capture or kill Fenton.
+
+"They used strategy and with success. The two soldiers were secreted
+under some straw in the bottom of a wagon, the sergeant disguised
+himself as a countryman, and the young man took a seat in the vehicle.
+Then they drove on toward the mill, expecting to meet Fenton on the
+road. They were passing a low groggery among the pines, when he came out
+of it, pistol in hand, and impudently ordered them to stop.
+
+"They drew rein, and he came nearer, asking if they had brandy with
+them. They replied that they had, and handed him a bottle. Then, as he
+lifted it to his lips, the sergeant silently signaled to one of his
+hidden soldiers, who at once rose from his hiding place in the straw and
+shot Fenton through the head. His body was then thrown into the wagon
+and carried in triumph to Freehold."
+
+"The people of that part of the country must have felt a good deal
+relieved," remarked Rosie. "Still there were Fenton's desperado
+companions left."
+
+"Two of them--Fagan and West--shared Fenton's fate, being shot by the
+exasperated people," said her mother; "and West's body was hung in
+chains, with hoop iron bands around it, on a chestnut tree hard by the
+roadside, about a mile from Freehold."
+
+"O Grandma Elsie, is it there yet?" asked Gracie, shuddering with
+horror.
+
+"No, dear child, that could hardly be possible after so many years--more
+than a hundred you will remember when you think of it," returned Mrs.
+Travilla, with a kindly reassuring smile.
+
+"I hope papa will take us to Freehold," said Lulu. "I want to see the
+battleground."
+
+"I feel quite sure he will, should nothing happen to prevent," said
+Grandma Elsie.
+
+"Wasn't it at Freehold, or in its neighborhood, that a Captain Huddy was
+murdered by those pine robbers?" asked Evelyn.
+
+"Yes," replied Grandma Elsie. "It was only the other day that I was
+refreshing my memory in regard to it by glancing over Lossing's account
+given in his Field Book of the Revolution."
+
+"Then please tell us about it, mamma," pleaded Walter.
+
+"Very willingly, since you wish to hear it," she said, noting the look
+of eager interest on the young faces about her.
+
+"Captain Huddy was an ardent patriot and consequently hated by his Tory
+neighbors. He lived at a place called Colt's Neck, about five miles from
+Freehold.
+
+"One evening, in the summer of 1780, a party of some sixty refugees,
+headed by a mulatto named Titus, attacked Huddy's house. There was no
+one in it at the time but Huddy himself, and a servant girl, some twenty
+years old, named Lucretia Emmons."
+
+"She wouldn't be of much use for fighting men," remarked Walter, with a
+slight sniff of contempt.
+
+"Perhaps Captain Huddy may have thought differently," replied his
+mother, with a slightly amused smile. "There were several guns in the
+house which she loaded for Huddy while he passed from one window to
+another firing through them at his foes. Titus and several others were
+wounded; then they set fire to the house and Huddy surrendered.
+
+"He was taken on board of a boat from which he jumped into the water and
+escaped, assisted in so doing by the fire of some militia who were in
+pursuit of the Tories.
+
+"About two years later Huddy was in command of a block house near the
+village of Tom's River, when it was attacked by some refugees from New
+York, and, his ammunition giving out, he was obliged to surrender. He
+and his companions were taken to New York, then back to Sandy Hook,
+where they were placed on board a guard-ship and heavily ironed.
+
+"Shortly afterward he was taken to Gravelly Point, by sixteen refugees
+under Captain Lippincott, and hung on a gallows made of three rails.
+
+"He met his fate like the brave man that he was, first calmly writing
+his will on the head of the barrel upon which he was presently to stand
+for execution.
+
+"A desperate Tory, named Philip White, had been killed while Huddy was a
+prisoner in New York, and these men falsely accused Huddy of having had
+a share in his death. After hanging him that cruel, wicked Lippincott
+fastened to his breast a notice to the effect that they had killed
+Captain Huddy in revenge for the death of Philip White, and that they
+were determined to hang man for man while a refugee lived."
+
+"Oh, what dreadful, dreadful things people did in those days!" sighed
+Grace. "Did anybody venture to take the body down and bury it, Grandma
+Elsie?"
+
+"Yes, Captain Huddy's body was carried to Freehold and buried with the
+honors of war."
+
+"And did people care much about it?"
+
+"Yes, indeed! his death caused great excitement and indignation, and Dr.
+Woodhull, the Freehold minister, who preached the funeral sermon from
+the piazza of the hotel, earnestly entreated Washington to retaliate in
+order to prevent a repetition of such deeds.
+
+"Washington consented, but, ever merciful, first wrote to Sir Henry
+Clinton that unless the murderers of Captain Huddy were given up he
+should retaliate.
+
+"Clinton refused, and a young British officer, Captain Asgill, a
+prisoner in the hands of the Americans, was selected by lot for
+execution. Washington, however, mercifully postponed the carrying out of
+the sentence, feeling much pity and sympathy for the young
+man--doubtless for his relatives also; letters came from Europe
+earnestly entreating that Asgill's life might be spared; among them a
+pathetic one from his mother, and an intercessory one from the French
+minister, Count de Vergennes.
+
+"These letters Washington sent to Congress and that body passed a
+resolution, 'That the commander-in-chief be, and hereby is, directed to
+set Captain Asgill at liberty.'"
+
+"It seems to me that our people were far more merciful than the
+English," remarked Lulu, with a look of patriotic pride.
+
+"I think that is true," assented Grandma Elsie, "not meaning to deny
+that there are many kindhearted men among the British of to-day, or that
+there were such among them even then, but most of those then in power
+showed themselves to be avaricious, hardhearted, and cruel."
+
+"Yes, they wanted to make slaves of the people here," exclaimed Lulu
+hotly. "But they found that Americans wouldn't be slaves; that rather
+than resign their liberty they would die fighting for it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+It was still early in the evening when the _Dolphin_ reached her wharf
+at Philadelphia, where her passengers found friends and relatives
+waiting to give them a joyful reception.
+
+A few days passed very pleasantly in visiting these friends and places
+of interest in the city, particularly such as were in one way or another
+connected with the events of revolutionary times. Then they went up the
+Delaware in their yacht.
+
+Their first halting-place would be at Trenton, and naturally the talk,
+as they went up the river, was largely of the revolutionary events which
+had taken place there and at other not far distant points. Grandma Elsie
+was again the narrator.
+
+"In November of 1776," she began, "our country's prospects looked very
+dark. On the 16th, Fort Washington, on the east bank of the Hudson, and
+near New York City, fell into the hands of the enemy and its garrison of
+nearly three thousand men were made prisoners of war.
+
+"On the 20th Cornwallis crossed the Hudson at Dobbs Ferry and with his
+six thousand men attacked Fort Lee. The garrison hastily retreated,
+leaving all their baggage and military stores, and joined the main army
+at Hackensack, five miles away.
+
+"Then Washington, who had with him scarcely three thousand men, began a
+retreat toward the Delaware, hoping to obtain reinforcements in New
+Jersey and Pennsylvania which would enable him to make a stand against
+the invaders and give them battle.
+
+"But his troops had become much dispirited by the many recent disasters
+to our arms, delayed payment of arrears by Congress, causing them great
+inconvenience and suffering, and lack of proper food and clothing, and
+the presence of the enemy, who now had possession of New Jersey and
+seemed likely soon to take Philadelphia.
+
+"Just at that time, as I have said, there seemed little hope for our
+country. Washington's army was dwindling very rapidly, men whose terms
+of enlistment had expired refusing to serve any longer, so that he had
+but twenty-two hundred under his command when he crossed the Delaware,
+and two days later not more than seventeen hundred; indeed, scarcely
+more than a thousand on whom he could rely.
+
+"He wrote to General Lee, who had been left at White Plains with nearly
+three thousand men, asking him to lead his division into New Jersey, to
+reinforce his rapidly melting army. Lee paid no attention to the
+request and Washington sent him a positive command to do what he had
+before requested.
+
+"Lee obeyed very slowly, and while on his way was taken prisoner by the
+enemy."
+
+"Served him right for disobeying Washington!" growled Walter.
+
+"There could be no excuse for such disobedience," continued Grandma
+Elsie; "and one feels no sympathy for Lee in reading of his sudden
+seizure by the British, who carried him off in such haste that he had no
+time to dress but was taken bareheaded and in blanket coat and
+slippers."
+
+"I doubt if his capture was a loss to the American cause," remarked
+Rosie.
+
+"No," said her mother; "though much deplored at the time, I have no
+doubt it was really for the good of the cause. General Sullivan
+succeeded Lee in command and presently joined Washington with his
+forces."
+
+"I don't see how Washington could have patience with so many
+disappointments and delays," said Lulu. "Didn't he ever give way to
+despair, even for a little while, Grandma Elsie?"
+
+"I have never seen the least intimation of it," replied Mrs. Travilla.
+"He is said to have been at this time firm, calm, undaunted, holding
+fast to his faith in the final triumph of the good cause for which he
+was toiling and striving.
+
+"There seemed to be nothing but the Delaware between the enemy and his
+conquest of Philadelphia; the freezing of the river so that the British
+could pass over it on the ice might occur at any time. Some one asked
+Washington what he would do were Philadelphia to be taken. He answered,
+'We will retreat beyond the Susquehanna River, and thence, if necessary,
+to the Alleghany Mountains.' Doubtless he was even then planning the
+masterly movements of his forces that presently drove the enemy from
+Trenton and Princeton."
+
+"Didn't the people of Philadelphia try to be ready to defend themselves
+and their city, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes," she replied; "Congress gave the command there, with almost
+unlimited power, to General Putnam; then appointing a committee of three
+to act for them, they adjourned to reassemble at Baltimore.
+
+"In the meantime Washington was getting ready for the striking of his
+intended blows in New Jersey.
+
+"It would seem that General Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British
+forces, had planned to despatch Cornwallis up the Hudson to the
+assistance of Burgoyne, who was about to invade our country from Canada.
+But Cornwallis had a strong desire to capture Philadelphia, and
+probably no doubt that he could do so if allowed to carry out his plans,
+and to that Howe consented.
+
+"Cornwallis showed but little skill in the arrangement of his forces,
+scattering them here and there in detachments from New Brunswick to the
+Delaware and down that stream to a point below Burlington. His military
+stores, and his strongest detachment, were at New Brunswick. The last
+consisting of a troop of light horse with about fifteen hundred
+Hessians.
+
+"Washington decided to surprise those troops while at the same time
+Generals Ewing and Cadwalader, with the Pennsylvania militia, were
+directed to attack the posts at Bordentown, Black Horse, Burlington, and
+Mount Holly. Cadwalader was to cross near Bristol, Ewing below Trenton
+falls, while Washington, with Generals Greene and Sullivan, and Colonel
+Knox of the artillery, was to lead the main body of Continental troops
+and cross the Delaware at M'Conkey's Ferry.
+
+"Washington was very anxious to save Philadelphia, which Cornwallis was
+aiming to capture, and felt sure of taking without any great difficulty,
+after crossing the Delaware, since he had heard that the people there
+were for the king almost to a man. So sure was he indeed that the
+victory would be an easy one that he had gone back to his headquarters
+in New York and prepared to return to England.
+
+"Putnam, in Philadelphia, had heard of Washington's intended attack upon
+the British at Trenton, and to assist him sent Colonel Griffin, at the
+head of four hundred and fifty militia, across from Philadelphia to New
+Jersey with directions to make a diversion in favor of the Americans by
+marching to Mount Holly as if intending an attack upon the British
+troops under the command of Colonel Donop at Bordentown.
+
+"Donop fell into the trap, moved against Griffin with his whole force of
+two thousand men, and, as Griffin retreated before him, followed; then,
+secure like Cornwallis and other of the English officers in the belief
+that the Americans were well nigh subdued already, and that when once
+Philadelphia should fall, resistance would be about at an end, moved his
+troops in so dilatory a manner that he was two days in returning to his
+post."
+
+"Humph! they were mightily mistaken in their estimate of our people,
+weren't they, mamma?" exclaimed Walter.
+
+"I think they were themselves soon convinced of that," she answered with
+a smile; then continued her story.
+
+"Washington selected Christmas night as the time for his contemplated
+attack upon the British at Trenton. It was, as he well knew, the habit
+of the Germans to celebrate that day with feasting and drinking, and
+such being the case, he felt that he might reasonably expect to find
+them under the influence of intoxicating drinks, therefore unfit for a
+successful resistance.
+
+"The river had been free from ice, but in the last twenty-four hours
+before the time appointed for the expedition the weather changed,
+growing very much colder, so that the water was filled with floating
+ice, greatly increasing the difficulty and danger of crossing; a storm
+of sleet and snow set in too, and the night was dark and gloomy.
+
+"Still the little army was undaunted; they paraded at M'Conkey's Ferry
+at dusk, expecting to reach Trenton by midnight; but so slow and
+perilous was the crossing that it was nearly four o'clock when at last
+they mustered on the Jersey shore.
+
+"It was now too late to attack under cover of the darkness, as had been
+Washington's plan."
+
+"Excuse me, mamma, but surely it would be still dark at four o'clock in
+the morning?" Walter said half inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, my son, but you must remember they had crossed at M'Conkey's
+Ferry, which is eight miles higher up the river than is Trenton, so that
+they had that distance to march before they could make their attack.
+
+"Washington divided his forces, leading one portion himself by the upper
+road,--Generals Greene, Mercer, and Lord Sterling accompanying him,--and
+giving Sullivan command of the other, which was to approach the town by
+another road leading along the river.
+
+"The two arrived at Trenton about the same time, having marched so
+silently that the enemy was unaware of their approach till they were but
+a short distance from the picket guards on the outskirts of the town.
+
+"There was a brisk skirmish then, the Hessians retreating toward their
+main body, firing as they went from behind the houses, while the
+Americans pursued them closely."
+
+"Then the Hessians weren't drunk as Washington expected, were they,
+Grandma Elsie?" asked Grace.
+
+"Well-authenticated tradition says they were," replied Mrs. Travilla;
+"that they had been carousing through the night, Rall himself feasting,
+drinking, and playing cards at the house of Abraham Hunt, who had
+invited him and other officers to a Christmas supper. They had been
+playing all night and regaling themselves with wine.
+
+"A Tory on the Pennington road saw, about dawn, the approach of the
+Americans under Washington and sent a messenger with a note to warn
+Rall. But a negro servant who had been stationed as warden at the door
+refused to allow the messenger to pass in, saying, 'The gemman can't be
+disturbed.'
+
+"It seems that the messenger was aware of the contents of the note, or
+at least that it was a warning of the approach of the Americans, so,
+being foiled in his purpose of seeing Rall himself, he handed the note
+to the negro with an order to carry it at once to Colonel Rall.
+
+"The negro obeyed, but Rall, excited with wine and interested in his
+game, merely thrust the note into his pocket and went on with his deal.
+
+"But presently the roll of the American drums, the rattle of musketry,
+the tramp of horses, and the rumble of heavy gun-carriages fell upon his
+drowsy ear, and in a moment he was wide awake, the cards were dropped,
+he sprang to his feet, then rushed away to his quarters and mounted his
+horse with all speed; but at that time his soldiers were being driven by
+the Americans as chaff before the wind.
+
+"The Hessians' drums were beating to arms, and a company rushed out of
+the barracks to protect the patrol. Washington's troops had begun the
+fight with an attack upon the outermost picket on the Pennington road,
+and Stark, with the van of Sullivan's party, gave three cheers and
+rushed upon the enemy's pickets near the river with their bayonets, and
+they, astonished at the suddenness and fury of the charge, were seized
+with a panic and fled in confusion across the Assanpink.
+
+"Both divisions--the one commanded by Washington, the other under
+Sullivan--now pressed forward so rapidly, and with such zeal and
+determination, that the Hessians were not allowed to form. Nor could
+they get possession of the two cannon in front of Rall's quarters.
+
+"The Americans themselves were forming in line of battle when Rall made
+his appearance, reeling in his saddle as if drunk,--as I presume he
+was,--received a report, then rode up in front of his regiment and
+called out, 'Forward, march; advance, advance!'
+
+"But before his order could be obeyed a party of Americans hurried
+forward and dismounted his two cannon, accomplishing the feat without
+injury to themselves except that Captains William Washington and James
+Monroe were slightly wounded."
+
+"And where was General Washington just then, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"He was there in the midst of the fighting, and exposed to the same
+dangers as his troops. It was under his personal direction that a
+battery of six guns was opened upon two regiments of Hessians less than
+three hundred yards distant. Washington was then near the front, a
+little to the right, where he could be easily seen by the enemy, and
+made a target for their balls. But though his horse was wounded, he
+remained unhurt."
+
+"Oh," cried Evelyn with enthusiasm, "surely God protected him and turned
+aside the balls, that America might not lose the one on whom so much
+depended! the father of his country, the ardent patriot, the best of men
+and greatest of generals, as I do certainly believe he was."
+
+"I am proud that Washington was a countryman of mine," exclaimed Rosie,
+her eyes sparkling.
+
+"Yes, we are all proud of our Washington," said Lulu. "But what more can
+you tell us about the battle of Trenton, Grandma Elsie?"
+
+"Rall drew back his two regiments as if intending to reach the road to
+Princeton by turning Washington's left," continued Mrs. Travilla in
+reply. "To prevent that, an American regiment was thrown in front of
+him. It seemed likely that he might have forced a passage through it,
+but his troops, having collected much plunder in Trenton and wishing to
+hold on to it, persuaded him to try to recover the town.
+
+"He made the attempt, but was charged impetuously by the Americans and
+driven back further than before; and in that movement he himself was
+mortally wounded by a musket ball. His men were thrown into confusion,
+and presently surrendered.
+
+"Then Baylor rode up to Washington and announced, 'Sir, the Hessians
+have surrendered.'"
+
+"Baylor?" repeated Walter. "Who was he, mamma?"
+
+"One of Washington's aids," she replied. "In the first year of the war
+he was made an aid-de-camp to General Washington and in that capacity
+was with him in this battle."
+
+"How I envy him!" exclaimed Lulu.
+
+"I do think that if I'd been a man living in those days," said Walter,
+"I'd have cared for no greater honor than being aid to our Washington."
+
+His mother's only reply was a proudly affectionate look and smile as she
+went on with her story.
+
+"There was another regiment, under Knyphausen, which had been ordered to
+cover the flank. These tried to reach the Assanpink bridge, but lost
+time in an effort to get two cannon out of the morass, and when they
+reached the bridge the Americans were guarding it on both sides. They
+tried to ford the river, but without success, and presently surrendered
+to Lord Stirling, with the privilege of keeping their swords and their
+private baggage. That ended the battle, leaving the Americans with
+nearly a thousand prisoners in their hands.
+
+"Over two hundred of the Hessians had escaped--some to Princeton,
+others to Bordentown. There were a hundred and thirty absent, having
+been sent out on some expedition, and seventeen were killed. The battle
+had lasted thirty-five minutes, and the Americans had not lost a man."
+
+"It was wonderful, I think!" said Evelyn, in her earnest way; "certainly
+God helped our patriotic forefathers or they never could have succeeded
+in their conflict with so powerful a foe as Great Britain was even
+then."
+
+"It was all of God's great goodness to this land and people," said
+Grandma Elsie. "Had there been in that action defeat to our arms instead
+of victory, we would not--so soon at least--have become the free and
+powerful nation we are to-day. Congress lavished praise upon General
+Washington, but he replied, 'You pay me compliments as if the merit of
+the affair was due solely to me; but I assure you the other general
+officers who assisted me in the plan and execution have full as good a
+right to the encomiums as myself.'"
+
+"Possibly that was only just," remarked Rosie, "but it strikes me as
+very generous."
+
+"It was just like Washington," said Walter; "our Washington! I'm ever so
+proud of him!"
+
+"As we all are," said his mother; "but we must not forget to give the
+glory of that victory, and all others, and also of our final success,
+to him who is the God of battles, and by whose strength and help our
+freedom was won. As Bancroft says, 'Until that hour the life of the
+United States flickered like a dying flame,' but God had appeared for
+their deliverance and from that time the hopes of the almost despairing
+people revived, while the confident expectations of their enemies were
+dashed to the ground. Lord George Germain exclaimed after he heard the
+news, 'All our hopes were blasted by the unhappy affair at Trenton.'"
+
+"Unhappy affair indeed!" exclaimed Walter. "What a heartless wretch he
+must have been, mamma!"
+
+"And how our poor soldiers did suffer!" sighed Lulu; "it makes my heart
+ache just to think of it!"
+
+"And mine," said Grandma Elsie. "It is wonderful how much the poor
+fellows were willing to endure in the hope of attaining freedom for
+themselves and their country.
+
+"Thomas Rodney tells us that on the night of the attack upon Trenton of
+which we have been talking, while Rall caroused and played cards beside
+his warm fire, our poor soldiers were toiling and suffering with cold
+and nakedness, facing wind and sleet in the defence of their country.
+
+"The night," he says, "was as severe a night as ever I saw; the frost
+was sharp, the current difficult to stem, the ice increasing, the wind
+high, and at eleven it began to snow. It was three in the morning of the
+26th before the troops and cannon were all over, and another hour passed
+before they could be formed on the Jersey side. A violent northeast
+storm of wind, sleet, and hail set in as they began their nine miles'
+march to Trenton, against an enemy in the best condition to fight. The
+weather was terrible for men clad as they were, and the ground slipped
+under their feet. For a mile and a half they had to climb a steep hill,
+from which they descended to the road that ran for about three miles
+between hills and forests of hickory, ash, and black oak."
+
+"Oh, how brave and patriotic they were!" exclaimed Rosie. "I remember
+reading that their route might be easily traced by the blood on the snow
+from the feet of the poor fellows, who had broken shoes or none. Oh,
+what a shame it was that Congress and the people let them--the men who
+were enduring so much and fighting so bravely for the liberty of
+both--bear such hardships!"
+
+"It was, indeed," sighed Grandma Elsie; "it always gives me a heartache
+to think of those poor fellows marching through the darkness and that
+dreadful storm of snow, sleet, and bitter wind and only half clothed.
+Just think of it! a continuous march of fifteen miles through darkness,
+over such a road, the storm directly in their faces. They reached their
+destination stiff with cold, yet rushed at once upon the foe, fighting
+bravely for freedom for themselves and their children. 'Victory or
+death,' was the watchword Washington had given them."
+
+"Were they from all the States, mamma?" asked Walter.
+
+"They were principally Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New England troops,"
+she answered. "Grant, the British commander in New Jersey, knew of the
+destitution of our troops but felt no fear that they would really
+venture to attack him; persuading himself that they would not cross the
+river because the floating ice would make it a difficult, if not
+impossible, thing for them to return.
+
+"'Besides,' he wrote on the 21st, 'Washington's men have neither shoes
+nor stockings nor blankets, are almost naked, and dying of cold and want
+of food.'"
+
+"And didn't Rall say the Americans wouldn't dare to come against him?"
+asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; his reply to a warning of danger of being attacked was, 'Let them
+come; what need of intrenchments! We will at them with the bayonet!'"
+
+"And when they did come he was killed?"
+
+"Yes, mortally wounded; taken by his aids and servant to his quarters
+at the house of a Quaker named Stacey Potts; and there Washington and
+Greene visited him just before leaving Trenton."
+
+"They knew he was dying, mamma?"
+
+"Yes, and, as Lossing tells us, Washington offered such consolation as a
+soldier and Christian can bestow."
+
+"It was very kind, and I hope Rall appreciated it."
+
+"It would seem that he did, as the historian tells us it soothed the
+agonies of the expiring hero."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+From Trenton Grandma Elsie, the captain, and their young charges went on
+to Princeton, where they received a most joyful welcome from Harold and
+Herbert Travilla, now spending their last year at the seminary.
+
+Their mother had written to them of the intended visit, and all
+necessary arrangements had been made. Carriages were in waiting, and
+shortly after their arrival the whole party were on their way to the
+battleground, where the attention of the young people was drawn to the
+various points of interest, particularly the spot where fell General
+Mercer.
+
+"The general's horse was wounded in the leg by a musket ball," explained
+Harold, in reply to a question from his little brother; "he dismounted,
+and was rallying his troops, when a British soldier felled him to the
+ground by a blow from a musket.
+
+"He was supposed to be Washington. A shout, was raised, 'The rebel
+general is taken!' and at that others of the enemy rushed to the spot
+calling out, 'Call for quarter, you d----d rebel!'
+
+"'I am no rebel!' Mercer answered indignantly, though half a dozen of
+their bayonets were at his breast; and instead of calling for quarter he
+continued to fight, striking at them with his sword till they bayoneted
+him and left him for dead.
+
+"He was not dead, however, but mortally wounded.
+
+"After the British had retreated he was carried to the house of Thomas
+Clark," continued Harold, pointing out the building as he spoke, "where
+he lingered in great pain till the 12th and then died."
+
+"I'm glad it wasn't Washington," said Walter.
+
+"Was Washington hurt at all, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"No, though exposed to the hottest fire he escaped without injury,"
+replied the captain. "God our Heavenly Father preserved him for his
+great work--the salvation of our country. 'Man is immortal till his work
+is done'--and Washington's was not done till years afterward."
+
+"Not even when the war was over; for he was our first president, I
+remember," said Lulu.
+
+"Yes," replied her father, "and he did much for his country in that
+capacity.
+
+"The night before this battle of Princeton he and his army were in a
+critical situation, the British being fully equal in numbers and their
+troops well disciplined, while about half of Washington's army was
+composed of raw militia--so that a general engagement the next day would
+be almost sure to result in defeat to the Americans.
+
+"Washington called a council of war. It was he himself who proposed to
+withdraw from their present position--on the high ground upon the
+southern bank of the Assanpink--before dawn of the next morning, and, by
+a circuitous march to Princeton, get in the rear of the enemy, attack
+them at that place, and if successful march on to New Brunswick and take
+or destroy his stores there.
+
+"The great difficulty in the way was that the ground was too soft, from
+a thaw, to make it safe and easy to move their forty pieces of cannon.
+
+"But a kind Providence removed that hindrance, the weather suddenly
+becoming so extremely cold that in two hours or less the roads were hard
+enough for the work."
+
+"As Lossing says," remarked Grandma Elsie, "'The great difficulty was
+overcome by a power mightier than that of man. Our fathers were fighting
+for God-given rights and it was by his help they at last succeeded.'"
+
+"What's the rest of the story?" asked Walter. "How did Washington and
+his army slip away without the British seeing them? For I suppose they
+had sentinels awake and out."
+
+"Washington had a number of camp fires lighted along his front," replied
+Harold, to whom the question seemed to be addressed, "making them of the
+fences near at hand. That made the British think he was encamped for the
+night, and Cornwallis, when some one urged him to make an attack that
+night, said he would certainly 'catch the fox in the morning.' The fox,
+of course, was Washington, but he didn't catch him. It was not till dawn
+he discovered that the fox had eluded him and slipped away, fleeing so
+silently that the British did not know in what direction he had gone
+till they heard the boom of the cannon in the fight here.
+
+"Cornwallis thought it was thunder, but Sir William Erskine recognized
+it as what it was and exclaimed, 'To arms, General! Washington has
+outgeneraled us. Let us fly to the rescue at Princeton.'"
+
+"How long did the battle last?" queried Walter.
+
+"The fight right here lasted about fifteen minutes, but was very
+severe," replied his brother. "Then Washington pushed on to Princeton,
+and in a ravine near the college had another sharp fight with the
+Fifty-fifth British regiment."
+
+"And whipped them too?"
+
+"Yes; they were soon flying toward Brunswick, the Fortieth regiment
+going along with them.
+
+"A part of a regiment was still in the college buildings, and Washington
+had some cannon placed in proper position, then began firing on them.
+One of the balls--it is said to have been the first--passed into the
+chapel and through the head of a portrait of George the Second that hung
+in a large frame on the wall. A few more shots were fired, and then the
+Princeton militia, and some other daring fellows, burst open a door of
+Nassau Hall and called upon the troops there to surrender, which they
+did promptly."
+
+"And Cornwallis had not reached there yet?" Walter said interrogatively.
+
+"No," returned Harold, "and when he did arrive he found that the battle
+was over, and Washington, with his victorious troops and prisoners, had
+already left the town and was in hot pursuit of the fleeing Fortieth and
+Fifty-fifth regiments."
+
+"And our poor fellows so tired and cold!" sighed Eva.
+
+"Yes," said the captain, "they had fought at Trenton on the 26th, after
+being up, probably, all night, getting across the river, had spent the
+next night in marching upon Princeton and the day in fighting; so that
+they must have been terribly fatigued even had they had the warm
+clothing and nourishing food they needed; but less than half of them
+had been able to procure any breakfast or dinner; and, as you all know,
+many of them were without shoes or stockings. Ah, how we should prize
+the liberty which was so dearly bought!"
+
+"So to save his army," resumed Harold, "Washington refrained from an
+effort to seize the rich prize at New Brunswick, and let them rest that
+night and refresh themselves with food; then retired to his winter
+quarters at Morristown.
+
+"Now, good people, if you are ready to retrace your steps, let us go
+back and look at the town souvenirs of the revolution; among them the
+portrait of Washington in the frame that used to hold that of George the
+Second."
+
+Our friends made but a short stay at Princeton, leaving that evening,
+and the next day visited the scene of the battle of Monmouth. The
+captain gave a rapid sketch of the movements of the opposing armies, as
+he did so pointing out the various positions of the different corps,
+describing Lee's disgraceful conduct at the beginning of the fight,
+telling of the just indignation of Washington, his stern reproof, Lee's
+angry rejoinder, and then with what consummate skill and despatch his
+errors were repaired by the general-in-chief--the retreating, almost
+routed, troops rallied, and order brought out of confusion, and how
+fearlessly he exposed himself to the iron storm while giving his orders
+so that that patriot army, which had been so near destruction, within
+half an hour was drawn up in battle array and ready to meet the foe.
+
+"It was a very hot day, wasn't it, papa?" asked Lulu.
+
+"One of the hottest of the season," replied her father, "ninety-six
+degrees in the shade; and the sun slew his victims on both sides."
+
+"Don't you think Lee was a traitor, Captain?" queried Evelyn.
+
+"Either that or insane. I think it would have been a happy thing for
+America if both he and Gaines had remained in their own land. They did
+the American cause far more harm than good. Though I by no means accuse
+Gaines of treachery, but he was envious of Washington, and so desirous
+to supersede him that he was ready to sacrifice the cause to that end."
+
+"I just wish he'd been sent back to England," said Walter. "But please
+tell us the rest about the battle, Brother Levis, won't you?"
+
+The captain willingly complied.
+
+"It was a dreadful battle," remarked Evelyn with a sigh, as his story
+came to a conclusion.
+
+"Yes, one of the most hotly contested of the war," he assented, "and
+resulted in victory to the Americans in spite of Lee's repeated
+assertion that the 'attempt was madness.'
+
+"All the other American generals did well, the country resounded with
+praises of Washington, and Congress passed a unanimous vote of thanks to
+him 'for his great and good conduct and victory.'"
+
+"It was in this battle Captain Molly fought, wasn't it?" asked Rosie.
+
+"Yes," the captain replied; and, noticing the eagerly inquiring looks of
+Grace and Walter, he went on to tell the story.
+
+"Molly was the wife of a cannoneer who was firing one of the
+field-pieces, while she, disregarding the danger from the shots of the
+enemy, made frequent journeys to and from a spring near at hand, thus
+furnishing her husband with the means of slacking his thirst, which must
+have been great at such work in such weather.
+
+"At length a shot from the enemy killed him, and an order was given to
+remove the cannon, as there was no one among the soldiers near who was
+capable of its management.
+
+"But Molly, who had seen her husband fall, and heard the order, dropped
+her bucket, sprang to the cannon, seized the rammer, and, vowing that
+she would avenge his death, fired it with surprising skill, performing
+the duty probably as well as if she had belonged to the sterner sex.
+
+"The next morning General Greene presented her--just as she was, all
+covered with dust and blood--to Washington, who gave her the commission
+of sergeant as a reward for her bravery; in addition to that he
+recommended her to Congress as worthy to have her name placed upon the
+list of those entitled to half-pay during life.
+
+"The French officers so admired her bravery that they made her many
+presents. Lossing tells us that she would sometimes pass along their
+lines and get her cocked hat full of crowns. He also says the widow of
+General Hamilton told him she had often seen 'Captain Molly,' as she was
+called, and described her as a red-haired, freckle-faced young Irish
+woman, with a handsome piercing eye."
+
+"Papa, did she wear a man's hat?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes, and also an artilleryman's coat over her woman's petticoats. She
+had done a brave deed about nine months before the battle of Monmouth,
+when Fort Clinton was taken by the British. She was there with her
+husband when the fort was attacked, and when the Americans retreated
+from the fort, and the enemy were scaling the ramparts, her husband
+dropped his match and fled, but Molly picked it up and fired the gun,
+then scampered off after him. That was the last gun fired in the fort by
+the Americans."
+
+"And this battle of Monmouth was a great victory for us--for the
+Americans, I mean?" Walter said inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, in spite of the shameful retreat of Lee and the unaccountable
+detention of Morgan and his brave riflemen, who were within sound of the
+fearful tumult of the battle and eager to take part in it, Morgan
+striding to and fro in an agony of suspense, and desire to participate
+in the struggle, yet unaccountably detained where he was."
+
+"And that was some of that traitor Lee's doings, I suspect," exclaimed
+Lulu hotly. "Wasn't it, papa?"
+
+"My dear child, I do not know," returned the captain, "but it seems
+altogether probable that if Morgan could have fallen, with his fresh
+troops, upon the weary ones of Sir Henry Clinton, toward the close of
+the day, the result might have been such a surrender as Burgoyne was
+forced to make at Saratoga.
+
+"But as it was, while Washington and his weary troops slept that night,
+the general looking forward to certain victory in the morning, when he
+could again attack his country's foes with his own troops strengthened
+and refreshed by sleep, Sir Henry and his army stole silently away and
+hurried toward Sandy Hook."
+
+"Did Washington chase him?" asked Walter.
+
+"No," said the captain; "when he considered the start the British had,
+the weariness of his own troops, the excessive heat of the weather, and
+the deep sandy country, with but little water to be had, he thought it
+wiser not to make the attempt."
+
+"Papa, was it near here that the British shot Mrs. Caldwell?" asked
+Lulu.
+
+"No; that occurred in a place called Connecticut Farms, about four miles
+northwest of Elizabethtown, to which they--the Caldwells--had removed
+for greater safety.
+
+"It was in June, 1780. The British under Clinton and Knyphausen crossed
+over to Elizabethtown and moved on toward Springfield. The Americans,
+under General Greene, were posted upon the Short Hills, a series of high
+ridges near Springfield, and came down to the plain to oppose the
+invasion of the British. I will not go into the details of the battle,
+but merely say that the British were finally repulsed, Greene being so
+advantageously posted by that time that he was anxious for an
+engagement, but Knyphausen, perceiving his own disadvantage, retreated,
+setting fire to the village of Connecticut Farms (now called Union) on
+his way.
+
+"The people of the town fled when they perceived the approach of the
+British, but Mrs. Caldwell remained, and with her children and maid
+retired to a private apartment and engaged in prayer.
+
+"Presently her maid, glancing from a window, exclaimed that a red-coated
+soldier had jumped over the fence and was coming toward the window.
+
+"At that Mrs. Caldwell rose from the bed where she had been sitting, and
+at that moment the soldier raised his musket and deliberately fired at
+her through the window, sending two balls through her body, killing her
+instantly, so that she fell dead among her poor frightened children.
+
+"It was with some difficulty that her body was saved from the fire which
+was consuming the town. It was dragged out into the street, and lay
+exposed there for some time--several hours--till some of her friends got
+leave to remove it to a house on the other side of the street.
+
+"Her husband was at the Short Hills that night, and in great anxiety and
+distress about his family; the next day he went with a flag of truce to
+the village, found it in ruins, and his wife dead.
+
+"That cold-blooded murder and wanton destruction of the peaceful little
+village aroused great indignation all over the land and turned many a
+Tory into a Whig."
+
+"Did anybody ever find out who it was that killed her, papa?" asked
+Grace.
+
+"The murderer is said to have been a man from the north of Ireland,
+named McDonald, who for some unknown reason had taken a violent dislike
+to Mr. Caldwell.
+
+"But little more than a year afterward Mr. Caldwell himself was slain,
+in a very similar manner, but by an American soldier."
+
+"An American, Brother Levis?" exclaimed Walter, in unfeigned surprise.
+"Did he do it intentionally?"
+
+"The shooting was intentional, but whether meant to kill I cannot say,"
+replied the captain; "the fellow who did it is said to have been a
+drunken Irishman. It happened at Elizabethtown, then in possession of
+the Americans. A sloop made weekly trips between that place and New
+York, where were the headquarters of the British army at that time--and
+frequently carried passengers with a flag, and also parcels.
+
+"The Americans had a strong guard at a tavern near the shore, and one or
+two sentinels paced the causeway that extended across the marsh to the
+wharf.
+
+"One day in November, 1781, the vessel came in with a lady on board who
+had permission to visit a sister at Elizabethtown, and Mr. Caldwell
+drove down to the wharf in his chaise to receive her; then, not finding
+her on the wharf, went aboard the sloop and presently returned, carrying
+a small bundle.
+
+"The sentinel on the causeway halted Mr. Caldwell and demanded the
+bundle for examination, saying he had been ordered not to let anything
+of the kind pass without strict investigation.
+
+"Mr. Caldwell refused to give it to the man--James Morgan, by
+name--saying it was the property of a lady and had been merely put in
+his care.
+
+"The sentinel repeated his demand and Mr. Caldwell turned and went
+toward the vessel, it is presumed to carry the bundle back to its owner,
+when the sentinel leveled his piece and shot him dead upon the spot.
+
+"Morgan was arrested, tried for murder, and hung. He was first taken to
+the church, where a sermon was preached from the text 'Oh, do not this
+abominable thing which I hate.'
+
+"Mr. Caldwell had been much beloved as a pious and excellent minister.
+He was shot on Saturday afternoon, and the next day many of his people
+came in to attend church knowing nothing of the dreadful deed that had
+been done till they arrived.
+
+"Then there was a great sound of weeping and lamentation. The corpse was
+placed on a large stone at the door of the house of a friend whither it
+had been carried, and all who wished to do so were allowed to take a
+last look at the remains of their beloved pastor. Then, before the
+coffin was closed, Dr. Elias Boudinot led the nine orphan children up
+to the coffin to take their last look at the face of their father, and,
+as they stood weeping there, made a most moving address in their
+behalf."
+
+A few more days were spent by our friends in and about Philadelphia,
+during which brief visits were paid to places interesting to them
+because the scenes of historical events of the Revolution--Whitemarsh,
+Germantown, Barren Hill, Valley Forge, beside those within the city
+itself.
+
+But the summer heats were over and the hearts of one and all began to
+yearn for the sweets of home; all the more when word reached them
+through the mails that the members of their party left in the Newport
+cottages had already succumbed to the same sort of sickness, and were on
+their homeward way by land. A day or two later the _Dolphin_, with her
+full complement of passengers, was moving rapidly southward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+Max had a most pleasant surprise when the mail was distributed on that
+first morning after his arrival at the Naval Academy. Till his name was
+called, he had hardly hoped there would be anything for him, and then as
+a letter was handed him, and he recognized upon it his father's
+well-known writing, his cheek flushed and his eyes shone.
+
+A hasty glance at his mates showed him that each seemed intent upon his
+own affairs,--no one watching him,--so he broke the seal and read with
+swelling heart the few sentences of fatherly advice and affection the
+captain had found time to pen before the _Dolphin_ weighed anchor the
+previous evening. He knew the homesickness that would assail his son on
+that first day of separation from himself and all composing the dear
+home circle, and was fain to relieve it so far as lay in his power.
+
+Max read the letter twice, then, refolding, slipped it into his pocket
+to read again and ponder upon when he could find a moment of leisure and
+freedom from observation.
+
+More firmly convinced than ever, if that were possible, was the lad
+that his was the best, kindest, and dearest of fathers.
+
+"And if I don't do him credit and make him happy and proud of his
+first-born, it shall not be for want of trying," was his mental resolve.
+
+It was fortunate for Max that his father had been seen and admired by
+the cadets, who one and all thought him a splendid specimen of naval
+officer, and were therefore well disposed toward his son.
+
+Then Max himself had such a bright, intelligent face and genial manner,
+was so ready to assist or oblige a comrade in any right and honorable
+way that lay in his power, so very conscientious about obeying rules and
+doing his duty in everything, and brave in facing ridicule, insolence,
+and contempt, when the choice was between that and wrong-doing, that no
+one of them could help respecting him, whether willing to acknowledge it
+or not.
+
+At first the "plebes," or boys in the same class (the fourth), who had
+entered in June of the same year, showed a disposition to treat him, as
+well as the other "Seps,"--as the lads entering in September are
+styled,--with scorn, as knowing less than themselves; but that soon
+changed under the exhibition Max was able to make of all he had learned
+from his father during the weeks on board the _Dolphin_, showing himself
+perfectly at home in "rigging-loft work," rowing, and swimming, and by
+no means slow in taking to great-gun exercise, infantry tactics, and
+field artillery.
+
+Nor was he less ready in the art of swinging a hammock. His father had
+not neglected that part of his education, and Hunt and others who had
+hoped for some fun in watching his maiden effort had to own themselves
+defeated and disappointed. Max was as expert at that as the oldest
+member of the class.
+
+So the "plebes" soon dropped their air of conscious superiority and
+presently began to treat him as an equal; a change which he reported to
+his father with evident satisfaction. He wrote frequently and with much
+openness to that father, telling of his duties and pleasures and asking
+advice in any perplexity as freely as he could have asked it of any one
+near his own age, and with full confidence in the wisdom and the
+affection for him which would dictate the reply.
+
+Nor was he disappointed; almost every day a letter came from the
+captain, breathing strong fatherly affection, giving commendation,
+encouragement, and the best of advice; also telling everything about the
+doings and happenings in the family that was not related by Mamma Vi or
+one of Max's sisters, who not unfrequently added a note to papa's larger
+letter.
+
+All those letters, like the first, were highly prized by the recipient
+and read and reread in leisure moments till he could have repeated their
+contents almost word for word; and every perusal increased the lad's
+desire and determination to be and do all those dear ones--especially
+his father--could wish; also to please and honor him to whose service
+he had consecrated his life and all his powers.
+
+Max was not perfect, but he was honest and true, and sincerely desirous
+to do right.
+
+He was much interested in the accounts received of the visits of
+his father and the others to the scenes of revolutionary events in
+Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and, though far from regretting his choice
+of a profession, could not help wishing he could have made one of the
+party.
+
+One day, after he had spent some weeks in the Academy, he was
+disappointed in his expectation of receiving a letter; none came the
+next day; but then it occurred to him that the _Dolphin_ was probably on
+her homeward way and he would soon get a letter from Woodburn, telling
+of the arrival there of all belonging to the dear home circle.
+
+And he was right; a package of letters came presently giving an account
+of the events of the last days spent in Philadelphia, the return voyage,
+and the joy of the arrival at their own beautiful and happy home.
+
+Ah, as Max read, how he longed to be with them! Yet the concluding
+sentences of his father's letter restored him to contentment with things
+as they were.
+
+The captain had just received and read the report of his boy's conduct
+and academic standing for his first month and was much pleased with it.
+He made that very clear to the lad, calling him his dear son, his joy
+and pride, and telling him that until he was a father himself he could
+never know the joy and happiness such a report of a son's behavior and
+improvement of his opportunities could give.
+
+"Ah," thought the boy, "I'll try harder than ever since it gives such
+pleasure to my kindest and best of fathers. How glad I am to have the
+chance! How thankful I ought to be! I doubt if there was ever a more
+fortunate boy than myself."
+
+Max and his room-mate, Hunt, liked each other from the first, and seldom
+had the slightest disagreement.
+
+According to the rules they took turns, week about, in keeping their
+room in order, each trying to outdo his mate in the thoroughness with
+which he attended to all the minutiae of the business.
+
+They were good-natured rivals too in other matters connected with the
+course of instruction they were going through: gymnastic exercises,
+fencing and boxing, and the drill called fire-quarters, in which the
+whole battalion is formed into a fire-brigade, and when the fire-bell is
+sounded each cadet hastens to his proper place in the troop, and the
+steam fire-engine and hose-carriages belonging to the Academy are
+brought out and used as they would be in case some building were in
+flames and the cadets were called upon to assist in extinguishing the
+blaze.
+
+Max and his chum had become quite expert at that exercise, when one
+night they were roused from sleep by the sound of the fire-bell, and
+springing up and running to their window saw that a dwelling several
+squares from the Academy was in flames.
+
+"It's a real fire this time!" cried Hunt, snatching up a garment and
+beginning a very hurried toilet, Max doing the same, "and now we'll have
+a chance to show how well we understand the business of putting it out."
+
+"And we must try to do credit to our training here in the Academy,"
+added Max.
+
+An hour or more of great excitement and exertion followed, then, the
+fire extinguished, the brigade returned to the Academy, and the lads to
+their sleeping-room, so weary with their exertions that they were very
+soon sound asleep again.
+
+The experiences of that night furnished Max with material for an
+interesting letter to his father and the rest of the home folks.
+
+"I didn't know the cadets were taught how to put out fires," remarked
+Grace, when her father had finished reading aloud, to his wife and
+children, Max's story of the doings of the cadets on that night.
+
+"Yes," the captain said, "that is an important part of their education.
+There are a great many things a cadet needs to know."
+
+"I suppose so, papa," said Lulu, "and though Maxie doesn't say much
+about his own share in the work, I feel very sure he did his part. And
+aren't you proud of him--your eldest son?"
+
+"I am afraid I am," replied her father, with a smile in his eyes. "It
+may be all parental partiality, but my boy seems to me one of whom any
+father might well be proud."
+
+"And I am quite of your opinion, my dear," said Violet. "I am very proud
+of my husband's son--the dear, good, brave fellow."
+
+But the captain's eyes were again upon the letter, his face expressing
+both interest and amusement.
+
+"What is it, Levis?" she asked; "something more that you can share with
+the rest of us?"
+
+"Yes," he returned; then read aloud:
+
+"That was Friday night, and this is Saturday evening. This afternoon
+Hunt and I were allowed to go into the city. We were walking along one
+of the side streets, and came upon a man who was beating his horse most
+unmercifully.
+
+"The poor thing was just a bag of bones, that seemed to have nothing but
+skin over them, and was hitched to a cart heavily loaded with earth and
+stones; its head was down, and it looked ready to drop, while the savage
+wretch (not worthy to be called a man) was beating it furiously, and
+cursing and swearing in a towering passion; men and boys gathering
+around, and some calling him to stop.
+
+"But he didn't pay the smallest attention, till the poor beast spoke--at
+least the voice seemed to come from its mouth--'Aren't you ashamed to be
+beating me so, and swearing at me, too, when you've starved me till I
+haven't strength to drag even myself another step?'
+
+"At that the man stopped both his beating and swearing, and stood
+looking half scared out of his wits. The crowd, too, looked
+thunderstruck; and presently one fellow said, 'It's the story of Balaam
+and his ass over again. There must be an angel somewhere round,'
+glancing from side to side as he spoke, in a way that almost made me
+laugh, angry as I was at the human brute, or rather the inhuman
+scoundrel, who had been treating the poor creature so cruelly.
+
+"Others looked too, but didn't seem to be able to see the angel.
+
+"Hunt, standing close at my side, gave a low whistle. 'What, upon
+earth?' he said. 'Oh, there must be a ventriloquist somewhere in the
+crowd. I'd like to know who he is. Wouldn't you, Max?'
+
+"Do you really think that's the explanation?' I asked. 'Certainly,' he
+answered, in a tone as if he was rather disgusted at my stupidity. 'How
+else could you account for the seeming ability of that wretched animal
+to talk?'
+
+"'I can't think of any other explanation,' I answered, 'but I hope that
+inhuman wretch of a driver doesn't know anything about ventriloquists,
+and so will be afraid to ill-use the poor creature any more.' 'I hope
+so, indeed,' he said. 'See, the crowd are stroking and patting it, and
+yonder comes a man with a bucket of water, and another with a panful of
+oats. The ventriloquist has done some good.'
+
+"'I'm glad of it,' I replied. Then, looking at my watch, I saw that it
+was time for us to go back to the Academy.
+
+"Hunt told the story to some of the other fellows that evening, and
+there was great wonderment about the ventriloquist, and a good many
+wished they could have a chance to see him and some of his tricks. Some
+of them remarked, in a wondering way, that I seemed very indifferent
+about it, and then I told them of Cousin Ronald and his doings at Ion,
+which interested them very much, and several said they would like
+greatly to make his acquaintance and see and hear what he could do.
+Isn't it good, papa, that they have never once suspected me?"
+
+"Well," exclaimed Lulu, "Max used his talent to do good that time.
+Didn't he, papa?"
+
+"He did, indeed," replied the captain. "I hope that poor horse will, as
+a consequence, receive better treatment in future."
+
+"I'm so glad Maxie could frighten the man so and make him stop treating
+it so dreadfully," remarked Grace, with a sigh of relief. "I never
+thought before that that talent of his was good for anything but to make
+fun for folks."
+
+"The ability to afford amusement to others is a talent not to be
+despised," said her father; "for innocent mirth often does good like a
+medicine; but power to rescue even a dumb beast from ill-treatment is
+still more to be coveted, and I shall be glad indeed if Max will use his
+gift in that way whenever opportunity offers."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+A week or more had passed since the return of our friends from their
+vacation in the more northern part of their loved native land, and Lulu
+and Grace, who had at first missed their older brother sorely from the
+family circle, had now begun to feel somewhat accustomed to his absence,
+and were very merry and happy.
+
+They had resumed their studies, reciting, as before, to their father,
+and took daily walks and rides on their ponies, varied by an occasional
+drive with the captain, Violet, and the little ones.
+
+The Ion and Fairview families, too, had gone back to old pleasures and
+employments; but so busy had all been, taking up familiar cares and
+duties, and making needed preparations for approaching winter, that only
+few and short visits had as yet been exchanged between them.
+
+It was in the sitting-room, and just after breakfast, that the captain
+had read Max's letter aloud to his wife and children.
+
+"Go to the schoolroom now, daughters, and look over your lessons for the
+day," he said, presently, addressing Lulu and Grace.
+
+They obeyed instantly, and as they left the room a servant came in with
+a note from Violet's mother, which he handed to his mistress, saying one
+of the Ion servants had just brought it.
+
+"Mamma's handwriting," Violet remarked to her husband as she took the
+note and glanced at the address upon it.
+
+"Ah! I hope they are all well?" he returned half inquiringly.
+
+"No, mamma herself is certainly not quite well," Violet answered with a
+disturbed look, after glancing hastily down the page; "she says as much,
+and that she wants me to come and spend a few days with her, bringing
+all the children if I choose; they will not disturb her. And you also
+will be most welcome. Dear, dear mamma! I shall go to her at
+once--unless my husband objects," she added, looking up at him with a
+rather sad sort of smile.
+
+"As he certainly could not think of doing, my love," he replied, in
+tender tones. "We must go, of course; you and the little ones, at least;
+we will consider about the older ones, and I shall spend my time between
+the two places, not being willing to stay constantly away from you, yet
+having some matters to attend to here, some things that ought not to be
+delayed."
+
+"But you will be with us a part of every day?" returned Violet, with a
+wistful half-inquiring look up into his face.
+
+"Yes, oh yes!" he hastened to say; "with my wife so near at hand I could
+not let a day go by without inflicting my presence upon her for some
+small part of it," he concluded in a half jesting tone, and with a fond
+look down into the sweet, troubled face; for he was standing close at
+her side.
+
+"I think it could not be harder for you than for me, my dear," she
+returned, with a loving smile up at him. "I should like to take all the
+children," she went on, "but Alma is here to make up some dresses for
+Lulu, and will need her at hand to try them on and make sure of the
+fit."
+
+"And I should seriously object to allowing Lulu to drop her studies
+again just as she has made a fresh and fair start with them," said the
+captain; "so of course she will have to stay at home. Grace also, I
+think, as there would be the same objection to her absence from home--as
+regards the lessons I mean."
+
+"But if you will allow it, I can hear her recite at Ion," Violet said.
+"She could learn her lessons there and still have a good deal of time to
+play with her little sister, who thinks no one else quite equal to her
+Gracie,--as she calls her,--for a playfellow."
+
+"Well, my dear, we will make that arrangement if you wish it,"
+responded the captain.
+
+"And yet how Lulu will miss her," Violet said, a troubled look coming
+over her face. "I wish we could manage it so that she could go too, the
+dear child!"
+
+"I should be glad to give her the pleasure," returned Captain Raymond;
+"but really think it will not do to have her studies so interfered with
+now when she has but just well settled down to them. It will be a little
+hard for her, but perhaps not a bad lesson in patience and self-denial."
+
+"But a lesson I fear she will not enjoy," remarked Violet, with a
+regretful smile.
+
+Going into the schoolroom presently the captain found his two little
+girls industriously busy with their tasks.
+
+"Gracie, daughter," he said, "your mamma is going over to Ion for a few
+days, because Grandma Elsie is not very well and wants her companionship,
+and Mamma Vi wants you,--for little Elsie's sake,--having found you very
+successful in entertaining her and baby Ned. We are all invited, indeed;
+but I must be here the greater part of the time, as I have various matters
+to oversee, and Lulu cannot be spared from home as Alma is at work upon
+some dresses for her, and I wish her to go on diligently with her studies."
+
+"But don't I need to be attending to mine, papa?" queried Grace, looking
+regretfully at her sister, over whose face had come a look of keen
+disappointment, succeeding one of pleased anticipation called out by the
+beginning of her father's communication.
+
+"Yes," he said, with a smile; "we are going to let you attend to them
+there, Mamma Vi acting as governess."
+
+"Isn't she willing to do the same for me too, papa?" asked Lulu, in a
+slightly hurt tone.
+
+"I think so," he answered pleasantly; "but there is the dressmaking, and
+I couldn't think of such a thing as asking to have that carried on at
+Ion."
+
+Lulu seemed to have nothing more to say and Grace gave her a troubled
+look; then, with a little hesitation, "Papa," she said, "I--I think I'd
+rather stay at home with Lu, if I may."
+
+"No, daughter," he answered, still speaking very pleasantly. "I have not
+time to give my reasons just now; but I want you to go, and Lulu to
+stay. It will probably be for only a few days; and I think she may trust
+her father not to allow her to be very lonely in the meanwhile," he
+added, with a smile directed to Lulu, but which she did not seem to see,
+keeping her face down and her eyes fixed upon her book.
+
+Then he left the room, saying to Grace as he went out, "Make haste,
+daughter, to gather up your books and whatever else you may wish to
+take with you. I have already ordered the carriage and there is no time
+to waste. Lulu may help you if she will."
+
+"Will you, Lu?" asked Grace, with a very sympathizing look at her
+sister. "Oh, I wish papa had said you were to go too! Whatever shall I
+do without my dear, big sister!"
+
+"Never mind, Gracie; I'm sure I don't want to go where I'm not wanted,"
+replied Lulu, in a hurt tone.
+
+"I'm sure it isn't because they wouldn't like to have you there,"
+returned Grace, running to her sister and putting her arms about her
+neck.
+
+"Why don't they ask me, then?" queried Lulu, a little angrily.
+
+"May be they did. I'm most sure Grandma Elsie wouldn't forget to include
+you in her invitation; and, oh, yes! don't you remember papa did say we
+were all invited? But you know there are the lessons, and I suppose papa
+would rather hear them himself."
+
+"But he could hear them there."
+
+"Yes; so he could if he wanted to. But then there's the dressmaking, you
+know."
+
+"That could be put off for a few days," returned Lulu, with a very
+grown-up air. "There are plenty of ways when people want to do a
+thing--plenty of excuses to be thought of when they don't. Alma has
+numerous customers and could sew for somebody else first, giving her my
+time, and me hers after we get home."
+
+"Oh, maybe it could be managed in that way!" exclaimed Grace joyously;
+"and I'd so much rather have you along. I think I'll ask papa."
+
+"No, don't you do any such thing," returned Lulu, in a not particularly
+amiable tone. "If I'm not wanted, I'm sure I don't wish to go. But
+you'll have to hurry, Gracie. You know papa is very particular about our
+being prompt in obeying his orders."
+
+"Yes," returned Grace, who was again at her desk, "but I have been busy
+all this time getting out the books and other things I must take along,
+and now I'll go upstairs and get dressed and put up the things there
+that I want. Won't you go with me? You'll know so much better than I
+what I need to take."
+
+"Yes, Gracie, dear; I'll be glad to give you all the help I can. I'm
+glad papa said I might. Oh, but it will be lonely here without you! I do
+think papa might have said I could go, too."
+
+"I'd be ever so glad if he had, or would," said Grace, as hand in hand
+they left the room together, "but you know, Lu dear, we always find out
+in the end that his way is the best."
+
+"So we do, and I'll try to believe it now," returned Lulu, in a more
+cheerful tone than she had used since learning that the rest of the
+family were to go to Ion and she was to remain at home.
+
+With her good help Grace was ready in a few minutes, and just then they
+heard their father call to her to come at once, as the carriage was at
+the door.
+
+The sisters embraced each other hastily, Grace saying, "Oh, Lu, good-by,
+I do wish you were going along, for I can hardly bear to go without
+you."
+
+"Never mind, but just try to enjoy yourself as much as ever you can,"
+returned Lulu. "Go down now, dearie, for we should never keep papa
+waiting, you know. Here's Agnes to carry down your satchel. I hope you
+won't stay long enough away from me to need many clothes, and if you do
+it will be easy enough to send them--the carriage going back and forth
+every day."
+
+Grace was half-way down the stairs before Lulu had finished.
+
+"Ain't you a gwine down to see de folks off, Miss Lulu?" queried Agnes,
+as she took up the satchel.
+
+"No," returned Lulu shortly; "I'm going back to the schoolroom to attend
+to my lessons."
+
+Agnes gave her a look of surprise as she left the room, thinking she had
+never known Miss Lu fail to be at the door when any of the other
+members of the family were leaving for more than a short drive, and she
+staying behind.
+
+"Where is Lulu, Gracie?" asked Violet, as the captain handed the little
+girl into the carriage. "I hadn't time to hunt her up, and thought she
+would be here at the door to say good-by to us all."
+
+"She said she must hurry back to her lessons, mamma," answered Grace,
+blushing for her sister. "You see she stopped to help me get ready, and
+I suppose she's afraid she'll not know them well by the time papa wants
+to hear her recite."
+
+"It would have taken very little of her time," the captain remarked,
+with a grave and somewhat displeased look.
+
+"Oh, well, you can bring her over to Ion, perhaps this afternoon or
+to-morrow, for a call, Levis," Violet hastened to say in a cheery tone.
+
+"Possibly," he answered, and was about to step into the carriage when a
+servant came hurrying up to ask directions in regard to some work to be
+done in the grounds.
+
+"My dear," said the captain to Violet, "I think it would be better for
+you and the children to drive on without waiting for me. I shall
+probably follow you in another hour or two."
+
+"Very well; please don't disappoint us if you can help it," returned
+Violet, and the carriage drove on, while Captain Raymond walked away in
+the opposite direction, to give the needed orders to his men.
+
+"I think it's a shame that I should be left behind when all the rest of
+the family are going to Ion to have a good time," muttered Lulu angrily,
+as she seated herself at her desk again and opened a book. "Papa could
+hear my lessons there just as well as here if he chose, and Mamma Vi
+might have arranged to have my dresses made a week or two later."
+
+"Miss Lu," said Agnes, opening the door and putting in her head, "Miss
+Alma tole me for to tell you she's 'bout ready fo' to try on yo' new
+dress."
+
+"Tell her to take it to my room. I'll go up there to have it tried on,"
+replied Lulu, in a vexed, impatient tone.
+
+Then, as Agnes withdrew her head and closed the door, "Horrid thing! why
+couldn't she have come to me while I was up there? Here I am, hardly
+fairly settled to my work, and I must drop it and go back again. I'd
+better take my book with me, for there's no knowing how long she may
+keep me while she alters something that she has got wrong, for she's
+generally too stupid to make a thing right at the first trial. Well,
+perhaps she'll get done by the time papa comes back and is ready to hear
+me recite."
+
+So saying she went slowly from the school room and upstairs to her own
+apartment.
+
+There were a few minutes of waiting for Alma, which did not improve
+Lulu's temper, and as the girl came in she received an angry glance,
+accompanied by the remark, in no very pleasant tones, that she had no
+business to send for people till she was ready to attend to them.
+
+At that Alma colored painfully. "I am sorry to have inconvenienced you,
+Miss Lu," she said, "but I'll try not to keep you so very long."
+
+"If you don't, it will be about the first time that you haven't,"
+snapped Lulu. "I think you are just about the slowest, most blundering
+dressmaker I ever did see."
+
+At that unkind remark, Alma's eyes filled with tears, but she went on
+silently with her work, making no rejoinder, while Lulu--the reproaches
+of conscience rendering her uneasy and irritable--fidgetted and fussed,
+thus greatly increasing the difficulty of the task.
+
+"Miss Lu," Alma said at last, in a despairing tone, "if you can't keep
+stiller, it is not possible for me to make the dress to fit you right."
+
+"Indeed!" returned Lulu scornfully, "I don't feel sure of your ability
+to fit it right under any circumstances--such a stupid, awkward thing as
+you are, and----"
+
+Her sentence was left unfinished, for at that instant, to her
+astonishment and dismay, her father's voice called to her from his
+dressing-room, in sterner accents than she had heard from him in a long
+while. "Lucilla, come here to me!" She had not known of his detention at
+home, but supposed he had gone with the others to Ion.
+
+Jerking off the waist, which Alma had already unfastened,--snatching up
+a dressing-sack and putting it on as she went,--she appeared before him,
+blushing and shamefaced.
+
+"I am both surprised and mortified by what I have just overheard," he
+said. "I had a better opinion of my dear, eldest daughter than to
+suppose she would ever show herself so heartless. You surely must have
+forgotten that poor Alma is a stranger, in a strange land, while you are
+at home, in your father's house. Go to her now, and apologize for your
+rudeness."
+
+Lulu made no movement to obey, but stood before him in sullen silence
+and with downcast, scowling countenance.
+
+He waited a moment; then said sternly, "Lucilla, you will yield instant
+obedience to my order, or go immediately to your own room, and not
+venture into my presence again until you can tell me you have obeyed."
+
+At that she turned and left the room, more angry and rebellious than she
+had ever been since that dreadful time at Ion when her indulgence in a
+fit of passion had so nearly cost little Elsie's life.
+
+"Papa will have a pretty time making me do it," she muttered angrily to
+herself, as she stood by a window in her bedroom looking out into the
+grounds. "Ask Alma's pardon, indeed! She's not even a lady; she's
+nothing but a poor woman, who has to support herself with her
+needle,--or rather with a sewing machine, and cutting and fitting,--and
+I think it's just outrageous for papa to tell me I must ask her pardon.
+I'll not do it, and papa needn't think he can make me, though----" she
+added, uneasily, the next minute, "to be sure, he always has made me
+obey him; but I'm older now; too old, I think, even he would say, to be
+whipped into doing what I don't choose to do.
+
+"But he forbade me to come into his presence till I obeyed, and--oh,
+dear, I can't live that way, because I love him so--better than any one
+else in all the wide world; and--and--it would just kill me to have to
+go without his love and his caresses; never to have him hug and kiss me,
+and call me his dear child, his darling. Oh, I couldn't bear it! I never
+could! it would just break my heart!" and her tears began to fall like
+rain.
+
+She cried quite violently for a while; then began to think of Alma more
+kindly and pityingly than ever before, as an orphan and a stranger in a
+strange land.
+
+"Oh, I am ashamed to have treated her so!" she exclaimed at length, "and
+I will ask her pardon; not only because papa has ordered me to do so,
+but because I am sorry for her, and really mortified to think of having
+treated her so badly."
+
+Fortunately, just at that moment Alma's timid rap was heard at the door
+and her voice saying, in a hesitating, deprecating way, "Miss Lu,
+please, I need to try the dress once more. I'm very sorry to disturb and
+trouble you, but I know you want it to be a good fit."
+
+"Yes, of course I do, Alma," returned Lulu gently, opening the door as
+she spoke; "you are quite right to come back with it. I'm sorry and
+ashamed of having been so rude and unkind to you when you were in here
+before," she added, holding out her hand. "It was shameful treatment.
+Papa said I must ask your pardon, and I think I would do it now, even if
+he hadn't ordered me."
+
+"It is too much, Miss Lu," Alma said, blushing, and with tears in her
+eyes. "I could never ask such a thing as that of a young lady like you."
+
+"Indeed, my behavior has been very unladylike to-day," sighed Lulu; "and
+papa is very, very much displeased with me."
+
+"I am sorry, Miss," Alma responded, in a sympathizing tone. "But the
+captain will not stay angry; he is so very fond of his children."
+
+"Yes; and so kind and indulgent that I ought to be the best girl in the
+world. Oh, I wish I had not behaved so badly!"
+
+"He will forgive you, Miss; he will not stay displeased, for his love
+for you is so very great," returned Alma. "There, Miss, the dress does
+fit you now. See in the glass. Does it not?"
+
+"Yes," Lulu replied, surveying herself in the mirror; "I could not ask a
+better fit, Alma."
+
+"It is lovely, Miss Lu; the stuff so fine and soft, and the colors so
+beautiful!" remarked the girl, gazing upon it with admiring eyes. "It is
+good, Miss Lu, to have a kind papa, rich enough to gif you all things
+needful for a young lady to wear."
+
+"Yes, and so generous and kind as mine is," sighed Lulu. "It is a very
+great shame that I ever do anything to displease him."
+
+Alma went back to the sewing-room, and Lulu hastened to the door of the
+room where her father had been when he called to her. But a glance
+within showed her that he was not there now. Then she ran downstairs and
+through library, parlors, halls,--everywhere,--looking for him.
+
+"Oh, where is he?" she sighed. "I must find him and tell him how sorry I
+am for my naughtiness. I can't have one minute of happiness till I have
+done so and got a kiss of forgiveness."
+
+Snatching a hat from the rack and putting it on as she went, she ran out
+and round the porches and the grounds; but nowhere was he to be seen.
+
+"Miss Lu," called a servant, at length, "is you lookin' fo' de cap'n?
+He's done gone to Ion, I 'spects; kase dere's whar Miss Wi'let went in
+de kerridge."
+
+"Did he say when he would come back?" asked Lulu, steadying her voice
+with quite an effort.
+
+"He gwine come back dis evenin' fo' suah, Miss Lu, to see 'bout de work
+on de plantation," was the reply, as the man turned to his employment
+again. And with a heavy sigh Lulu turned about and re-entered the house.
+
+"Oh, it's so lonesome for me here all by myself!" she said half-aloud.
+
+But there was no one near enough to hear her, and she went back to her
+tasks, trying to forget her troubles in study; an effort in which she
+was for the time partially successful.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+"I hope there is nothing serious ailing dear mamma," Violet said rather
+anxiously to herself, as the carriage rolled swiftly on toward Ion;
+"there was really nothing in her note to indicate it, but she has never
+been one to complain of even a pretty serious ailment. She is not old
+yet; we may hope to keep her with us for many, many years. But then she
+is so good--so ripe for heaven!" And a silent prayer went up to God that
+the dear mother might be spared for many years to help others on their
+pilgrim way, especially her children and grandchildren. "For oh, how we
+need her!" was the added thought; "what could we ever do without
+her--the dear, kind, loving mother to whom we carry all our troubles and
+perplexities, sure of comfort, the best of advice, and all the help in
+her power to give. Dear, dear mamma! Oh, I have never prized her as I
+ought!"
+
+It was only the previous evening that Mrs. Travilla herself had learned
+that she was assailed by more than a trifling ailment. What seemed to
+her but a slight one, causing discomfort, and at times quite a good deal
+of pain, she had been conscious of for some weeks or months, but had
+not thought it necessary to speak of it to anyone.
+
+About the time of her return home, however, there had been a very
+decided increase in the suffering; which at length led her to confide
+her trouble to her cousin and family physician, Dr. Arthur Conly, and
+she had learned from him that it was far more serious than she had
+supposed; that in fact her only escape from sure and speedy death lay in
+submission to a difficult and dangerous surgical operation.
+
+Arthur told her as gently and tenderly as he could--assuring her that
+there was more than a possibility of a successful result--bringing
+relief from her suffering and prolonging her life for many years.
+
+His first words--showing her ailment as so much more serious than she
+had ever for a moment supposed it to be--gave her a shock at the thought
+of the sudden parting from all her dear ones--father, children, and
+grandchildren; yet before he had finished she was entirely calm and
+composed.
+
+"And what would death be but going home?" she said; "home to the
+mansions Jesus my Saviour has prepared for those he died to redeem, and
+to the dear ones gone before, there to await the coming of those who
+will be left behind for a little while. Ah, it is nothing to dread or
+to fear, for 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.'"
+
+"And yet, Cousin Elsie," Arthur returned, with ill-concealed emotion,
+"how illy you could be spared by any of those who know and love you.
+Even I should feel it an almost heartbreaking thing to lose you out of
+my life, and your father, children----"
+
+"Yes, I know, dear cousin, and shall not hesitate to do or bear all that
+holds out a hope of prolonging my days here upon earth; for otherwise I
+should feel that I was rushing into the Master's presence unbidden, and
+that without finishing the work he has given me to do here.
+
+"Nor would I be willing to so pain the hearts of those who love me. I am
+ready to submit at once to whatever you deem necessary or expedient. But
+ah, my dear father! How distressed he will be when he learns all that
+you have just told me! I wish he might be spared the knowledge till all
+is over. But it would not do. He must be told at once, and--I must tell
+him."
+
+"That will be very hard for you, dear cousin; would it not be
+better----" Arthur began, but paused, leaving his sentence unfinished.
+
+"It will come best from me, I think," she returned, with a sad sort of
+smile. "But when?"
+
+"Day after to-morrow, if you will. I think you would prefer to have the
+trial over as soon as possible?"
+
+"Yes; I think it will save both me and all concerned from some of the
+suffering of anticipation, if you can make it suit your convenience."
+
+"Perfectly," he answered; "there are few preparations to be made and I
+do not want long to contemplate doing what must be a trial to so many
+whom I love."
+
+Their talk had been in her boudoir. He lingered but a few moments
+longer, then went down to the drawing-room.
+
+"Uncle," he said, in a low aside to Mr. Dinsmore, "I have just left
+Cousin Elsie in her boudoir and she wishes to see you there."
+
+"She is not well, Arthur?" asked the old gentleman, with a slightly
+startled look, as he rose from his easy chair and the two passed out
+into the hall together.
+
+"Not very, uncle," was the sad-toned reply. "She has been consulting me
+and there is something she wishes to say to you."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore paled to the very lips. "Don't keep me in suspense, Arthur;
+let me know the worst, at once," he said, with almost a groan. "Why has
+anything been hidden from me--the father who loves her better than his
+life?"
+
+"I have been as ignorant as yourself, uncle, till within the last half
+hour," replied the doctor, in a patient, deeply sympathizing tone. "It
+is astonishing to me that she has been able to endure so much for weeks
+or months past without a word of complaint. But do not despair, my dear
+uncle; the case is by no means hopeless."
+
+"Tell me all, Arthur; hide nothing, nothing from me," Mr. Dinsmore said
+with mingled sternness and entreaty, hastily leading the way as he spoke
+to the little reception room opening from the other side of the hall,
+and closing the door against any chance intruder.
+
+Arthur complied, stating the case as briefly as possible, and laying
+strong emphasis upon the fact that there was reason to hope for, not
+spared life alone, but entire and permanent relief.
+
+"God grant it!" was the old gentleman's fervent, half agonized response.
+"My darling, my darling! would that I could bear all the suffering for
+you! Arthur, when--when must my child go through the trial which you say
+is--not to be escaped?"
+
+"We have agreed upon the day after to-morrow, uncle, both she and I
+wishing to have it over as soon as possible."
+
+A few minutes later, Mr. Dinsmore passed quietly into his daughter's
+boudoir, where he found her alone, lying on a lounge, her eyes closed,
+her countenance, though deathly pale, perfectly calm and peaceful.
+
+He bent down and touched his lips to the white forehead; then as the
+sweet eyes opened and looked up lovingly into his, "Oh, my darling, idol
+of my heart," he groaned, "would that your father could himself take the
+suffering that I have just learned is in store for you."
+
+"Ah no, no, my dear, dear father, I could illy bear that," she said,
+putting an arm about his neck; "suffering and danger to you would be far
+harder for me than what I am now enduring or expecting in the near
+future. Arthur has told you all?"
+
+"Yes; kind-hearted and generous fellow that he is, he felt that he must
+spare you the pain of telling it yourself."
+
+"Yes, it was very, very kind," she said, "Dear papa, sit down in this
+easy chair, close by my side, and take my hand in yours while we talk
+together of some matters that need to be settled before--before I am
+called to go through that which may be the end of earthly life for me."
+
+Then, in response to the anguished look in his face as he bent over her
+with another silent caress, "My dear father, I do not mean to distress
+you. Arthur holds out strong hope of cure and years of health and
+strength to follow; yet surely it is but the part of wisdom to prepare
+for either event."
+
+"Yes; and I am sure you are fully prepared, at least so far as your
+eternal welfare is concerned; should you be called away--our grief will
+be for ourselves alone."
+
+"I am glad the choice is not left with me," she said, in low, sweet
+tones, after a moment's silence. "For your dear sake, papa, and that of
+my beloved children, I am more than willing to stay here on earth for
+many more years, yet the thought of being forever with the Lord--near
+him and like him--thrills my heart with joy unspeakable, while added to
+that is a great gladness in the prospect of reunion with the dear
+husband who has gone before me to that happy land. So I am not to be
+pitied, my dear father," she added, with a beautiful smile; "and can you
+not rejoice with me that the choice is not mine but lies with him whose
+love for us both is far greater than ours for each other?"
+
+"Yes," he replied with emotion; "blessed be his holy name that we may
+leave it all in his hands, trusting in his infinite wisdom and love;
+knowing that if called to part for a season, we shall be reunited in
+heaven, never again to be torn asunder."
+
+"Yes, dear father; we cannot expect to go quite together, but when
+reunited there in that blessed land, never again to part, the time of
+separation will seem to have been very short; even as nothing compared
+to the long, the unending eternity we shall spend together.
+
+"And oh, what an eternity of joy and bliss, forever freed from sin and
+suffering, near and like our Lord, altogether pleasing in his sight, no
+doubts, no fears, the battle fought, the victory won. 'And there shall
+be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,
+and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his
+name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and
+they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth
+them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever!'"
+
+"Yes, my darling; blessed be his holy name for the many great and
+precious promises of his word, and I have not a doubt of your full
+preparation for either event; but oh, that it may please him to spare
+you to me as the light, comfort, joy of my remaining days! Yet should it
+please him to take you to himself--ah, I cannot, dare not allow myself
+to contemplate so terrible a bereavement," he added, in low anguished
+accents, as he bent over her, softly smoothing her hair with tenderly
+caressing touch.
+
+"Then do not, dear father," she said, lifting to his eyes full of ardent
+love and sympathy; "try to leave it all with the dear Master, and he
+will fulfil to you his precious promise, 'As thy days, so shall thy
+strength be.' Has it not ever been the testimony of all his saints
+concerning his precious promises that not one faileth?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "and so will it ever be. By his grace I will trust and
+not be afraid for you, my beloved child; nor for myself, his most
+unworthy servant."
+
+Then with an upward glance, "'Lord increase our faith.' Oh, help us each
+to trust in thee and not to be afraid, be the way ever so dark and
+dreary, remembering thy gracious promise, 'I will in no wise fail thee,
+neither will I in anywise forsake thee.'"
+
+"Sweet, sweet words, papa," she said, low and tremulously, lifting to
+his eyes full of glad, grateful tears.
+
+"And those others, 'When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with
+thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou
+walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
+flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of
+Israel, thy Saviour.'
+
+"Oh, what more could I ask? what have I to do with doubt or fear, since
+he is mine and I am his?"
+
+"Only the physical pain," he said, low and tenderly; "and Arthur tells
+me that with the help of anaesthetics there will be little or none of
+that during the operation, but----"
+
+"What may come afterward can be easily borne, dear papa," she said, as
+he paused, overcome by emotion.
+
+"My dear, brave darling! a more patient, resigned sufferer never lived!"
+was his moved, though low-breathed, exclamation.
+
+A moment's silence fell between them, he leaning over and caressing her
+with exceeding tenderness; then, "Papa," she said, with a loving look up
+into his eyes, "I cannot bear to see you so distressed. Arthur holds out
+strong hope of cure, of speedy and entire recovery; and we may be spared
+to each other for many years if the will of God be so; but--surely it is
+my wisest plan to prepare for every possibility.
+
+"I feel very easy about my dear children, most of them having already
+arrived at years of maturity, and being comfortably settled in life;
+Edward and my two older daughters, at least; while the others I can
+leave in the safest of earthly hands, even those of my dear and honored
+father, whose love for them is only secondary to my own; and for each
+one I have reason to hope that the good part has been chosen which can
+never be taken away."
+
+"I do indeed love them very dearly," he responded, "for their own sake,
+their father's, and most of all because they are the offspring of my own
+beloved child. Should I outlive her, they shall want for nothing their
+grandfather can do to make them happy."
+
+"I know it, dear father, and can leave them to your and their heavenly
+Father's care without a doubt or fear," she said, with a gentle sigh
+over the thought of the parting with her darlings that might be so near.
+
+She went on to speak of some business matters, then said: "I think that
+is all, papa. I do not care to make any alteration in my will; and, as
+you know, you and brother Horace are my executors. To-morrow I must have
+a little talk with each of my children, and then I shall be ready for
+Arthur and his assistants.
+
+"I want all my children near at hand in case of an unfavorable result
+and that I am able to say a few last words, bidding them all farewell."
+
+There was again a moment of silence, her father seeming too much
+overcome to speak; then she went on: "I think they must not be told
+to-night, that the two younger ones need know nothing of the danger till
+the morning of the operation. I would spare them all the suffering of
+anticipation that I can; and were I but sure, quite sure, of going
+safely through it all, they should know nothing of it till afterward;
+but I cannot rob them of a few last words with their mother."
+
+"My darling! always unselfish, always thinking of others first!" Mr.
+Dinsmore said, in moved tones, bending over her and pressing his lips
+again and again to her pale cheek and brow.
+
+"Surely almost any mother would think of her children before herself,"
+she returned with a sweet, sad smile.
+
+But just at that instant childish footsteps were heard in the hall
+without, then a gentle rap on the door, and Walter's voice asking,
+"Mamma, may I come in?"
+
+"Yes, my son," she answered, in cheerful tones, and in a moment he was
+at her side, asking, in some alarm and anxiety, "Mamma, dear, are you
+sick?" bending over her as he spoke, and pressing ardent kisses upon
+cheek and lip and brow.
+
+"Not very, mother's darling baby boy," she answered, lifting to his eyes
+full of tender mother love.
+
+"'Baby boy?'" repeated Walter, with a merry laugh, gently smoothing her
+hair, and patting her cheek lovingly, while he spoke. "Mamma, dear, have
+you forgotten that I am eleven years old?"
+
+"No, dear; but for all that you are still mother's dear, dear baby boy!"
+she said, hugging him close.
+
+"Well, I shan't mind your calling me that, you dearest mamma," laughed
+Walter, repeating his caresses; "but nobody else must do it."
+
+"Not even grandpa?" queried Mr. Dinsmore, with a proudly affectionate
+smile into the bright young face.
+
+"I don't think you'd want to, grandpa," returned the lad, "because, you
+know, you're always telling me I must try to be a manly boy. But I came
+up to remind you and mamma that it's time for prayers. Grandma sent me
+to do so and to ask if you could both come down now."
+
+"You will not think of going down, Elsie?" Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in
+surprise, as his daughter made a movement as if to rise from her couch.
+
+"Yes, papa," she returned. "I have been resting here for some hours and
+feel quite able to join the family now. I am not in pain at this moment,
+and Arthur said nothing about keeping to my room."
+
+"Then I wouldn't, mamma," said Walter, slipping his hand into hers. "I'm
+sure Cousin Arthur's always ready enough to order us to keep to our
+rooms if there's any occasion. I'm glad he doesn't think you sick enough
+to have to do that."
+
+His mother only smiled in reply, and, taking her father's offered arm,
+moved on in the direction of the stairway, Walter still clinging to her
+other hand.
+
+Anxious looks and inquiries greeted her on their entrance into the
+parlor, where family and servants were already gathered for the evening
+service; but she parried them all with such cheery words and bright
+sweet smiles as set their fears at rest for the time.
+
+But those of Edward were presently rearoused as--the younger members of
+the family and the servants having retired from the room--he noticed a
+look of keen, almost anguished anxiety, bestowed by his grandfather upon
+his mother; then that her cheek was unusually pale.
+
+"Mother dear, you are not well!" he exclaimed, hastily rising and going
+to her.
+
+"No, not quite, my dear boy," she replied, smiling up at him; "but do
+not look so distressed; none of us can expect always to escape all
+illness. I am going back to my room now and, though able to do so
+without assistance, will accept the support of the arm of my eldest son,
+if it is offered me."
+
+"Gladly, mother dear, unless you will let me carry you; which I am fully
+able to do."
+
+"Oh, no, Ned," she said laughingly, as she rose and put her hand within
+his arm; "the day may possibly come when I shall tax your young strength
+to that extent, but it is not necessary now. Papa, dear," turning to
+him, "shall I say good-night to you now?"
+
+"No, no," Mr. Dinsmore answered, with some emotion, "I shall step into
+your rooms for that as it is on my way to my own."
+
+"I, too," said Mrs. Dinsmore; "and perhaps you will let me play the
+nurse for you if you are not feeling quite well."
+
+"Thank you very much, mamma. In case your kind services are really
+needed I shall not hesitate to let you know. And I am always glad to see
+you in my rooms."
+
+"Mother, you are actually panting for breath!" Edward exclaimed when
+they were half-way up the stairs. "I shall carry you," and taking her in
+his arms as he spoke, he bore her to her boudoir and laid her tenderly
+down on its couch. "Oh, mother dear," he said, in quivering tones, "tell
+me all. Why should your eldest son be shut out from your confidence?"
+
+"My dear boy," she answered, putting her hand into his, "can you not
+rest content till to-morrow? Why should you think that anything serious
+ails me?"
+
+"Your pale looks and evident weakness," he said, "grandpa's distressed
+countenance as he turns his eyes on you, and the unusually sober,
+serious look of Cousin Arthur as I met him passing out of the house
+to-night. He had been with you, had he not?"
+
+"Yes, my son, and I meant that you and your sisters should know all
+to-morrow or the next day. It is only for your own sake I would have had
+you spared the knowledge till then."
+
+"Dearest mother, tell me all now," he entreated; "for surely no
+certainty can be worse than this dreadful suspense."
+
+"No, I suppose not," she replied in sorrowful tones, her eyes gazing
+into his, full of tenderest mother love. Then in a few brief sentences
+she told him all.
+
+"Oh, mother dear; dearest mother!" he cried, clasping her close, "if I,
+your eldest son, might but take and bear it all--the pain and the
+danger--for you, how gladly I would do so!"
+
+"I do not doubt it, my own dear boy," she returned, in moved tones, "but
+it cannot be; each of us must bear his or her own burden and I rejoice
+that this is mine rather than that of my dear son. Do not grieve for me;
+do not be too anxious; remember that he whose love for me is far greater
+than any earthly love appoints it all, and it shall be for good. 'We
+know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'
+Blessed, comforting assurance! And how sweet are those words of Jesus,
+'What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter!'"
+
+"Yes, dearest mother," he said, with emotion, "and for you it will be
+all joy, the beginning of an eternity of bliss, if it shall please him
+to take you to himself; but oh, how hard it will be for your children to
+learn to live without you! But I will hope and pray that the result may
+be for you restored health and a long and happy life."
+
+For some moments he held her in a close embrace, then, at the sound of
+approaching footsteps in the hall without, laid her gently down upon her
+pillows.
+
+"Keep it from Zoe for to-night, if possible," she said softly. "Dear
+little woman! I would not have her robbed of her night's rest."
+
+"I will try, mother dear," he said, pressing his lips again and again to
+hers. "God grant you sweet and refreshing sleep, but oh, do not for a
+moment hesitate to summon me if there is anything I can do to relieve
+you, should you be in pain, or to add in any way to your comfort."
+
+She gave the desired promise and he stole softly from the room; but not
+to join his wife till some moments of solitude had enabled him so to
+conquer his emotion that he could appear before her with a calm and
+untroubled countenance.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore passed into the boudoir as he left it. Rose had
+just learned from her husband of his talk of that evening with Dr.
+Conly, and what the physician had then told him of his daughter's
+condition and the trial awaiting her in the near future.
+
+Rose was full of sympathy for Elsie, and so overcome at the thought of
+the trial she must so soon pass through that she could scarcely speak.
+
+They clung to each other in a long, tender embrace, Rose shedding
+tears, Elsie calm and quiet.
+
+"You will let me be with you, dear Elsie?" she said at last. "Oh, how
+willingly I would help you bear it if I could!"
+
+"Dear mamma, how kind you are and have always been to me!" exclaimed the
+low sweet voice. "Your presence will be a great support while
+consciousness remains, but after that I would have you spared the trial.
+
+"Don't fear for me; I know that it will all be well. How glad I am that
+should I be taken you will be left to comfort my dear father and
+children. Yet I think that I shall be spared. Arthur holds out a strong
+hope of a favorable termination.
+
+"So, dear father," turning to him and putting her hand in his, "be
+comforted. Be strong and of a good courage! Do not let anxiety for me
+rob you of your needed rest and sleep."
+
+"For your dear sake, my darling, I will try to follow your advice," he
+answered, with emotion, as in his turn he folded her to his heart and
+bade her good-night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+The next morning found Mrs. Travilla calm and peaceful, even cheerful,
+ready for either life or death. She was up at her usual early hour, and
+Rosie and Walter, coming in for their accustomed half hour of Bible
+reading with mamma, found her at her writing-desk just finishing a note
+to Violet.
+
+"Dear mamma," exclaimed Walter, in a tone of delight, "you are looking
+so much better and brighter this morning. I was really troubled about
+you last night lest you were going to be ill; you were so pale, and
+grandpa looked so worried."
+
+"Grandpa is always easily frightened about mamma if she shows the
+slightest indication of illness," said Rosie; "as indeed we all are,
+because she is so dear and precious; our very greatest earthly treasure.
+
+"Mamma dearest, I am so rejoiced that you are not really sick!" she
+added, dropping on her knees beside her mother's chair, clasping her
+arms about her, and kissing her again and again with ardent affection.
+
+"I, too," Walter said, taking his station on her other side, putting an
+arm round her neck, and pressing his lips to her cheek.
+
+She returned their caresses with words of mother love, tears shining in
+her eyes at the thought that this might prove almost her last
+opportunity.
+
+"What do you think, Rosie?" laughed Walter. "Mamma called me her baby
+boy last night; me--a great fellow of eleven. I think you must be her
+baby girl."
+
+But Rosie made no reply. She was gazing earnestly into her mother's
+face. "Mamma dear," she said anxiously, "you are not well! you are
+suffering! Oh, what is it ails you?"
+
+"I am in some pain, daughter," Elsie answered, in a cheerful tone; "but
+Cousin Arthur hopes to be able to relieve it in a day or two."
+
+"Oh, I am glad to hear that!" Rosie exclaimed, with a sigh of relief.
+"Dearest mamma, I do not know how I could ever bear to have you very
+ill."
+
+"Should that trial ever come to you, daughter dear, look to God for
+strength to endure it," her mother said in sweetly solemn accents, as
+she gently smoothed Rosie's hair with her soft white hand and gazed
+lovingly into her eyes. "Do not be troubled about the future, but trust
+his gracious promise: 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be!' Many and
+many a time has it been fulfilled to me and to all who have put their
+trust in him?"
+
+"Yes, mamma, I know you have had some hard trials, and yet you always
+seem so happy."
+
+"You look happy now, mamma; are you?" asked Walter, a little anxiously.
+
+"Yes, my son, I am," she said, smiling affectionately upon him. "Now let
+us have our reading," turning over the leaves of her Bible as she spoke.
+"We will take the twenty-third psalm. It is short, and so very sweet and
+comforting."
+
+They did so, Elsie making a few brief remarks, especially on the fourth
+verse, which neither Rosie nor Walter ever forgot.
+
+She followed them with a short prayer, and just at its close her father
+came in, and, sending the children away, spent alone with his daughter
+the few minutes that remained before the ringing of the breakfast bell.
+
+He obeyed the summons, but she remained in her own apartments, a servant
+carrying her meal to her.
+
+It was something very unusual for her, and, joined to an unusual silence
+on the part of their grandfather, accompanied by a sad countenance and
+occasional heavy sigh, and similar symptoms shown by both Grandma Rose
+and Edward, excited surprise and apprehension on the part of the younger
+members of the household.
+
+Family worship, as was the rule followed immediately upon the conclusion
+of the meal, and Mr. Dinsmore's feeling petition on behalf of the sick
+one increased the alarm of Rosie and Zoe.
+
+Both followed Edward out upon the veranda, asking anxiously what ailed
+mamma.
+
+At first he tried to parry their questions, but his own ill-concealed
+distress only increased their alarm and rendered them the more
+persistent.
+
+"There is something serious ailing mamma," he said at length, "but
+Cousin Arthur hopes soon to be able to relieve her. The cure is somewhat
+doubtful, however, and that is what so distresses grandpa, grandma, and
+me. Oh, let us all pray for her, pleading the Master's precious promise,
+'If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall
+ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.'
+
+"Mamma has sent for my sisters Elsie and Violet. She wants as many of
+her children and grandchildren near her as possible; but Harold and
+Herbert have to be left out because, being so far away, there is not
+time to summon them."
+
+"O Ned," cried Rosie, in an agony of terror, "is--is mamma in immediate
+danger? What--what is it Cousin Arthur is going to do?"
+
+"A--surgical operation is, he says, the only--only thing that can
+possibly save her life, and--he hopes it will."
+
+"But he isn't certain? O mamma, mamma!" cried Rosie, bursting into an
+uncontrollable fit of weeping.
+
+Zoe was sobbing too, Edward holding her in his arms and scarce able to
+refrain from joining with her, and at that moment the Fairview carriage
+drove up, and Elsie Leland, alighting therefrom, quickly came in among
+them, asking in alarm, as she saw their tear-stained, agitated faces,
+"What is the matter? Oh, is mamma ill?"
+
+Then Edward's story had to be repeated to her, and shortly after to
+Violet, who, with her children, arrived a little later.
+
+They too seemed almost overwhelmed with distress.
+
+"Can we go to her?" Violet asked, and Mrs. Dinsmore, who had just joined
+them, replied, "Not yet; your grandpa is with her, and wishes to have
+her to himself for a while."
+
+"Ob, I hope he will not keep us long away from her; our own, own dear
+mother!" exclaimed Rosie, with a fresh burst of tears and sobs.
+
+"I think not long, Rosie, dear," Mrs. Dinsmore replied soothingly,
+putting an arm round the weeping girl as she spoke, and smoothing her
+hair with gently caressing hand. "Your mamma will be asking for you all
+presently. She has said that until the danger is past, she wants you all
+near enough to be summoned to her side in a moment."
+
+"And I--we all--know she is ready for any event," Elsie Leland said, in
+trembling, tearful tones.
+
+"Yes; and I believe God will spare her to us for years to come, in
+answer to our prayers," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore in cheerful, hopeful
+accents.
+
+Walter had gone out into the grounds at the time the older ones repaired
+to the veranda, and Grace, with Violet's little ones, had joined him
+there on alighting from the carriage which had brought them from
+Woodburn.
+
+The four now came running in and Walter, noticing the looks of grief and
+anxiety on the faces of the older people asked anxiously, "What's the
+matter, folks?" then added quickly. "Oh, I hope mamma is not worse! Is
+that it, grandma?" His query was not answered, for at that moment Dr.
+Conly's carriage came driving up the avenue. All crowded about him as he
+alighted and came up the steps into the veranda. That, however, was
+nothing new for he was a great favorite, being not only their relative,
+but their trusted and valued physician.
+
+"You have come to see mamma?" Mrs. Leland said, half inquiringly. "Oh,
+Cousin Arthur, do be frank with us! do tell us plainly what you think of
+her case."
+
+"It is a serious one, Cousin Elsie, I will not deny that," the doctor
+replied, a very grave and concerned look on his face as he spoke, "and
+yet I have strong hope of complete recovery; so do not any of you give
+way to despair, but unite together in prayer for God's blessing on the
+means used."
+
+"Can I see her now, Aunt Rose?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Dinsmore. "I
+think so," she replied, leading the way, the doctor following, while the
+others remained where they were, waiting in almost silent suspense.
+
+To them all it seemed a long, sad day. One at a time they were admitted
+to a short interview with their mother, in which she spoke with each one
+as though it might be her last opportunity, the burden of her talk being
+always an earnest exhortation to a life hid with God in Christ; a life
+of earnest, loving service to him who had died to redeem them from sin
+and eternal death.
+
+She was very cheerful and spoke hopefully of the result of the
+operation, yet added that, as it might prove fatal, and in a way to
+leave her neither time nor strength for these last words, she must speak
+them now; but they need not despair of seeing her restored to health and
+given many more years of sweet companionship with her loved ones.
+
+Walter, as the youngest, took his turn last.
+
+For many minutes he could do nothing but sob on his mother's breast.
+"O mamma, mamma," he cried, "I cannot, cannot do without you!"
+
+"Mother knows it will be hard for her baby boy at first," she said, low
+and tenderly, holding him close to her heart; "but some day you will
+come to mamma in that happy land where there is no parting, no death,
+and where sorrow and sighing shall flee away; the land where 'the
+inhabitant shall not say I am sick'; the land where there is no sin, no
+suffering of any kind, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.
+
+"My darling, my little son, there is nothing else mother so desires for
+you as that you may be a lamb of Christ's fold, and I have strong hopes
+that you already are. You know that Jesus died to save sinners; that he
+is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him; that you
+can do nothing to earn salvation, but must take it as God's free
+unmerited gift: that Jesus says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no
+wise cast out.' All this you know, my son?"
+
+"Yes, mamma dearest," he sobbed. "Oh, how good it was in him to die that
+cruel death that we might live! Yes, I do love him, and he won't be
+angry with me because I'm almost heartbroken at the thought of having to
+do without my dear, dear mother, for many years. O mamma, mamma, how can
+I live without you?"
+
+"It may please the dear Lord Jesus to spare you that trial, my darling
+boy," she said. "I know that he will, if in his infinite wisdom he sees
+it to be for the best.
+
+"And we must just trust him, remembering those sweet Bible words, 'We
+know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'
+Leave it all with him, my darling, feeling perfectly sure that whatever
+he orders will be for the best; that though we may not be able to see it
+so now, we shall at the last."
+
+"But, mamma, I must pray that you may be cured and live with us for
+many, many years. It will not be wrong to ask him for that?"
+
+"No, not if you ask in submission to his will, remembering that no one
+of us knows what is really for our highest good. Remember his own prayer
+in his agony there in the garden of Gethsemane, 'Father, if thou be
+willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine,
+be done.'
+
+"He is our example and we must strive to be equally submissive to the
+Father's will. Remember what the dear Master said to Peter, 'What I do
+thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.'"
+
+"Mamma, I will try to be perfectly submissive to his will, even if it is
+to take you away from me; but oh, I must pray, pray, _pray_ as hard as I
+can that it may please him to spare your dear life and let me keep my
+mother at least till I am grown to be a man. It won't be wrong, mamma?"
+
+"No, my darling boy, I think not--if with it all you can truly, from
+your heart, say, 'thy will, not mine, be done.'"
+
+When Captain Raymond followed his wife and little ones to Ion, he found
+there a distressed household, anxious and sorely troubled over the
+suffering and danger of the dearly beloved mother and mistress. Violet
+met him on the veranda, her cheeks pale and showing traces of tears, her
+eyes full of them.
+
+"My darling!" he exclaimed in surprise and alarm, "what is the matter?"
+
+He clasped her in his arms as he spoke, and dropping her head upon his
+shoulder, she sobbed out the story of her mother's suffering and the
+trial that awaited her on the morrow.
+
+His grief and concern were scarcely less than her own, but he tried to
+speak words of comfort to both her and the others to whom the loved
+invalid was so inexpressibly dear. To the beloved invalid also when,
+like the rest, he was accorded a short interview.
+
+Yet he found to his admiring surprise that she seemed in small need of
+such service--so calm, so peaceful, so entirely ready for any event was
+she.
+
+Finding his presence apparently a source of strength and consolation,
+not only to his young wife, but to all the members of the stricken
+household, he remained till after tea, but then returned home for the
+night, principally for Lulu's sake; not being willing to leave the child
+alone, or nearly so, in that great house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+The duties of the schoolroom had filled up the rest of the morning for
+Lulu, so occupying her mind that she could give only an occasional
+thought to the sad fact that she was in disgrace with her father.
+
+Then came dinner, which she took in the dining-room, feeling it lonely
+enough with the whole family absent; immediately after that a music
+lesson filled another hour, and that was followed by an hour of practice
+on the piano.
+
+Then Alma wanted her again, and then, knowing it was what her father
+would approve, she took her usual exercise about the grounds; after
+which she prepared her lessons for the next day.
+
+But all the time her heart was heavy with the consciousness that "papa,
+dear papa," was displeased with her, and she felt that there could be no
+happiness for her till she had made her peace with him.
+
+"Oh," she sighed again and again, "will he never, never come, that I may
+tell him how sorry and ashamed I am?"
+
+But when tea-time came he was still absent, and that meal also had to be
+taken alone.
+
+She did not linger at the table, and on leaving it went into the library
+where a wood fire blazed cheerfully on the hearth, for the evenings were
+now quite cool, and settling herself in an easy-chair listened for the
+sound of his coming.
+
+She was too much disturbed, and too anxious to read or work, so sat
+doing nothing but listen intently for the sound of horses' hoofs or
+carriage-wheels on the drive without.
+
+"Will he punish me?" she was asking herself. "I believe I want him to,
+for I'm sure I richly deserve it. Oh, there he is! I hear his voice in
+the hall!" and her heart beat fast as she sprang up and ran to meet him.
+
+He was already at the door of the room when she reached it.
+
+"Papa," she said humbly, and with her eyes on the carpet, "I--I'm very,
+very sorry for my naughtiness this morning. I have obeyed you--asked
+Alma's pardon--and--please, dear papa, won't you forgive me, too?"
+
+"Certainly, dear child," he said, bending down to press a kiss upon her
+lips. "I am always ready to forgive my dear children when they tell me
+they are sorry for having offended, and ready to obey."
+
+He led her to the easy-chair by the fireside, which she had just
+vacated, and seating himself therein, drew her to a seat upon his knee.
+
+"Papa, I'm so sorry, so very sorry for my badness, so ashamed of not
+being obedient to such a dear, kind father," she said, low and
+tremulously, blushing painfully as she spoke. "Please, I want you to
+punish me well for it."
+
+"Have I not already done so, daughter?" he asked. "I doubt if this has
+been a happy day to you."
+
+"Oh, no, indeed, papa! I soon repented of my badness and looked
+everywhere for you to tell you how sorry I was and ask you to forgive
+me. But you were gone and so I had to wait, and the day has seemed as if
+it would never end, though I've been trying to do everything I thought
+you would bid me do if you were here."
+
+"Then I think I need add no further punishment," he said, softly
+caressing her hair and cheek with his hand.
+
+"But please I want you to, because I deserve it and ought to be made to
+pay for such badness; and I'm afraid if I'm not, I'll just be bad again
+soon."
+
+"Well, daughter," he replied, "we will leave that question open to
+consideration. I see you have books here on the table, and we will now
+attend to the recitations."
+
+Her recitations were quite perfect, and he gave the deserved meed of
+praise, appointed the tasks for the next day, then drawing her to his
+knee again, said: "It does not seem to me necessary, daughter, to
+inflict any further punishment for the wrong-doings of this morning. You
+are sorry for them, and do not intend to offend in the same way again?"
+
+"Yes, I am sorry, papa, and I don't mean to behave so any more; still,
+I'd feel more comfortable, and surer of not being just as bad again in a
+few days or weeks, if you'd punish me. So please do."
+
+"Very well, then, I will give you an extra task or two," he said, taking
+up her Latin grammar, "I will give you twice the usual lesson in this.
+Then, not as a punishment, but for your good, I want you to search out
+all the texts you can find in God's Holy Word about the sinfulness of
+anger and pride and the duty of confessing our faults, not only to him,
+but to those whom we have injured by them."
+
+Opening the Family Bible which lay on the table close at hand, "Here is
+one in Proverbs," he said. "'He that covereth his sins shall not
+prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy."'
+
+Then turning to the New Testament, he read again, "'Therefore, if thou
+bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
+aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
+way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy
+gift.'"
+
+"That is in Matthew," he said, "and here in the Epistle of James," again
+turning over the leaves, "we read perhaps the plainest direction of all
+on the subject, 'Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
+another that ye may be healed.'"
+
+"But, papa----" she paused, hanging her head while a vivid blush
+suffused her cheeks.
+
+"Well, daughter, what is it? Do not be afraid to let me know all your
+thoughts. I want you always to talk freely to me, that if you are wrong
+I may be able to convince you of the right. I want my children to act
+intelligently, doing right because they see that it is right, and not
+merely because papa commands it."
+
+"Please don't be angry with me, papa, but, it did seem to me a sort of
+degradation to have to ask pardon of a--a woman who has to work for her
+living like Alma," she said with some hesitation, blushing and hanging
+her head as she spoke.
+
+"I am very, very sorry to hear such sentiments from a daughter of mine,"
+he returned in a gravely concerned tone and with a slight sigh. "It is
+wicked pride, my child, that puts such thoughts in your head.
+
+"And who can say that there may not come a time when you too will have
+to work for your living? The Bible tells us riches certainly take to
+themselves wings and fly away."
+
+Again turning over the leaves, "Here is the passage--twenty-third
+chapter of Proverbs, fourth and fifth verses: 'Labor not to be rich;
+cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is
+not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an
+eagle toward heaven.'
+
+"And how little are they really worth, while we have them? 'Riches
+profit not in the day of wrath,' we are told in this Holy Book. And it
+says a great deal of the folly and sinfulness of pride; particularly in
+this book of Proverbs;" turning over the leaves he read here and
+there--"'When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but, with the lowly is
+wisdom.' 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
+fall. Better is it to be an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide
+the spoil with the proud.'
+
+"'Proud and haughty scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.'
+
+"'A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble
+in spirit.'
+
+"'The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the
+evil way and the forward mouth, do I hate.'"
+
+There was a moment of silence, then Lulu said humbly, tears starting to
+her eyes as she spoke, "Papa, I did not know--at least I never thought
+about it--that pride was so wicked."
+
+"Yes," he said, "the Bible tells us that everyone proud in heart is an
+abomination to the Lord, that God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
+unto the humble; there is much in the Bible against pride and in favor
+of humility. We are all sinners, worthy of nothing good at the hands of
+God, and what have we to do with pride?"
+
+"Papa, when I say my prayers to-night I will ask God to take away all
+the wicked pride out of my heart; and won't you ask him too?"
+
+"I will, my darling, as I have already, very many times, and I hope you
+have not neglected to ask him to forgive your wrong thoughts, feelings,
+and actions of this morning?"
+
+"I have asked for that, papa, and I will again," she replied.
+
+They were silent again for a little while, the captain looking as if his
+thoughts were far away; Lulu was studying his face with eyes that
+presently filled with tears.
+
+"Papa," she said low, and half tremulously, "you look so sad. Is it all
+because you are grieved over my naughtiness?"
+
+"No, daughter, not all; indeed I was hardly thinking of that at the
+moment, but of the grief, sorrow and anxiety at Ion."
+
+"What about, papa?" she queried with a startled look. "Oh, I hope that
+nothing bad has happened to Gracie or Mamma Vi, or our little ones?"
+
+"No; I am thankful that all is right with them: but dear Grandma Elsie
+is in a very critical condition; I cannot tell you exactly what ails
+her, but she has been suffering very much for months past, keeping it to
+herself till yesterday, when she told it all to Cousin Arthur, and
+learned from him that nothing but a difficult and dangerous surgical
+operation could save her life.
+
+"That is to be performed to-morrow, and, whether she lives or dies, will
+relieve her from the dreadful agony she is enduring; for no one who
+knows her can doubt that she is one of God's dear children. Death will
+be gain to her, but a sad loss to all of us."
+
+Before he had finished Lulu's face was hidden on his shoulder and she
+was weeping bitterly.
+
+"O papa," she sobbed, "I'm so, so sorry for her, dear, dear Grandma
+Elsie! Isn't she frightened almost to death?"
+
+"No, daughter; she is very calm and peaceful, ready to live or die as
+God's will shall be; grieving only for those who love her so dearly and
+find it so difficult to be reconciled to the thought of losing her; her
+efforts are all to comfort them. She has set her house in order and
+seems quite ready for either life or death.
+
+"But we will pray--you and I--as the others are praying, that if God's
+will be so, she may live and go in and out before us for many years to
+come."
+
+"Yes, papa. Oh, I am glad that we may ask our kind heavenly Father for
+everything we want! Poor Mamma Vi! how her heart must ache! and is she
+going to stay on at Ion now, papa?"
+
+"Yes; certainly till her mother is out of danger or forever done with
+sin and suffering. Gracie and our two little ones will stay too; Gracie
+amusing the others and keeping them in the grounds, or a part of the
+house so distant from Grandma Elsie's room that their noise will not
+disturb her."
+
+"And you and I will stay on here, papa?"
+
+"Yes; I must be here a good deal of the time to oversee my workmen, and
+shall want my dear eldest daughter to be my companion and helper in
+various ways, for I know she loves to be such to her father," he added,
+pressing his lips to her cheek.
+
+"Indeed I do, papa! Oh, thank you for letting me!" she exclaimed,
+lifting her head and showing eyes shining through tears. "I'd rather be
+here with you, than anywhere else, my own dear, dear father!" putting
+her arms about his neck and hugging him close. "Only," she added, "I'd
+like to see Gracie and the others for a little bit every once in a while
+if I may."
+
+"Yes, you shall," he said, returning her embrace. "Perhaps I may be able
+to take you over there for a short visit almost every day. And in the
+meantime we may hope that lessons and the dressmaking will go on
+prosperously."
+
+"Are you going to spend your nights here at home, papa?" she asked with
+a wistful, half pleading look.
+
+"Yes, dear child; I could not think of leaving you alone; nor would your
+Mamma Vi wish me to do so while she has both her brother and grandfather
+near her, to say nothing of the women, children, and servants; you will
+have me close at hand every night and the greater part of the day."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad and thankful!" she said, with a sigh of relief. "I
+don't think I should be exactly afraid, because God would be with me,
+but it is so delightful to have my dear earthly father too. May I sleep
+in Gracie'e room to be nearer to you?"
+
+"Yes; and with the door open between it and mine, so that if you want
+anything in the night you will only need to call to me and I will go to
+you at once.
+
+"Now if there are any more questions you would like answered, let me
+hear them."
+
+"There is something I'd like to say, papa, but I'm--almost afraid."
+
+"Afraid of what, daughter?" he asked, as she paused in some
+embarrassment, and with a half pleading look into his eyes.
+
+"That you might think it saucy and be displeased with me.
+
+"Do you mean it so, daughter?"
+
+"Oh, no indeed, papa!"
+
+"Then you need not be afraid to let me hear it."
+
+"Papa, it is only that I--I think if you had talked to me this morning,
+when you called me to you, about the wickedness of being too proud to
+ask Alma's pardon, and reasoned with me as you did a little while ago,
+about it all, I--I'd have obeyed you at once; you know you do almost
+always show me the reasonableness of your commands before, or when, you
+lay them upon me."
+
+"Yes, my child," he said in a kindly tone, "I have done so as a rule,
+and should in this instance, but that I was much hurried for time. That
+will sometimes happen, and you and all my children must always obey me
+promptly, whether you can or cannot at the moment see the reasonableness
+of the order given. Is your estimation of your father's wisdom and his
+love for you so low that you cannot trust him thus far?"
+
+"O papa, forgive me!" she exclaimed, putting her arms about his neck and
+laying her cheek to his. "I do hope I'll never, never again hesitate one
+minute to obey any order from you; because I know you love me, and that
+you are very wise and would never bid me do anything but what I ought."
+
+"Certainly never intentionally, daughter; and surely your father, who is
+so many years older than yourself, should be esteemed by you as somewhat
+wiser."
+
+"O papa, I know you are a great, great deal wiser than I," she said
+earnestly. "How ridiculous it seems to think of anybody comparing my
+wisdom with yours! I know I'm only a silly little girl, and not a good
+one either, and it would be a sad thing to have a father no wiser or
+better than myself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The morning of that critical day found Grandma Elsie as calm and
+cheerful as she had been the previous evening, though every other face
+among the older members of the family showed agitation and anxiety. Her
+daughters, Elsie and Violet, were with her almost constantly during the
+early hours, doing everything in their power to show their devoted
+affection and make all things ready for the surgeons and their
+assistants; her father and his wife also giving their aid and loving
+sympathy, while Edward and Zoe attended to necessary arrangements
+elsewhere, occasionally snatching a moment to stand beside the dear
+sufferer and speak words of love and hope.
+
+Rosie and Walter were allowed one short interview in which they were
+clasped in her arms and a few loving, tender words spoken that both she
+and they felt might be the last.
+
+Captain Raymond came a little earlier than the doctor. Lester was
+already there, and each young wife found the presence of her husband a
+comfort and support while, in an adjoining room, they waited in almost
+agonizing suspense to hear that the operation was over and what was the
+result.
+
+They were a silent group, every heart going up in strong crying to God,
+that, if consistent with his holy will, the dear mother might be spared
+to them.
+
+And the united petition was granted; Mrs. Dinsmore presently came to
+them, her face radiant with joy and hope. "It is over," she said;
+"successfully over, and the doctors say that with the good nursing she
+is sure to have she will soon be restored to perfect health."
+
+The communication was received with tears of joy and thankfulness.
+
+"It will be strange indeed if she lacks anything the most devoted nurses
+can do for her," remarked Mr. Leland.
+
+"I should think so, with three daughters, two sons, and as many
+sons-in-law, to say nothing of father and mother," remarked Violet, with
+a tearful smile. "Levis, you will spare me to her as long as I am
+needed?"
+
+"Certainly, my love," he replied, without a moment's hesitation; "there
+is nothing we could refuse, or grudge to our beloved mother at this, or
+indeed at any time."
+
+"O grandma, may we go to her now?" queried Rose and Walter in a breath.
+
+"I think not yet, dears; she must be kept very, very quiet," was the
+gently spoken reply. "I know it would be a joy to both you and her to
+meet and exchange a few words, but it might be a risk for her; and I
+know you would far rather deny yourselves the gratification than do
+anything to increase her suffering; to say nothing of endangering her
+precious life."
+
+"O grandma, neither of us would be willing to do that for the wealth of
+the world!" exclaimed Rosie, with starting tears.
+
+"No, indeed!" cried Walter. "It is very hard to refrain, but we would
+not injure our mother for the world; our dear, dear mother!"
+
+"I am sure of it," said Grandma Rose, smiling kindly upon him. "And now,
+Walter, would not you and Rosie like to go over to Fairview and carry
+the good news to Eva and Gracie? They are there with the little ones,
+and I know would be very glad to hear that your dear mother is over the
+worst of her trial."
+
+"I am going over there for Gracie, Elsie, and Ned, to take them home to
+Woodburn for a while," said Captain Raymond, "and if you two would like
+it, will take you both with me, leave you there, bring you back here, or
+carry you on to Woodburn, as you may prefer."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Rosie. "I will be pleased to go as far as
+Fairview with you, but not on to Woodburn at this time: because I do not
+feel at all sure that mamma may not be taken worse. So I shall not stay
+long away from home."
+
+Walter's reply was to the same effect, and as the captain's carriage and
+horses were already at the door, the three were presently on their way
+to Fairview.
+
+Grace and Evelyn were rejoiced to see them, and having been in great
+anxiety about their dear "Grandma Elsie," felt much relieved by the news
+of her which they brought.
+
+The captain was in some haste to return to Woodburn, and Rosie and
+Walter, finding they wanted to stay a while with Evelyn and their sister
+Elsie's children, decided to walk back to Ion; the distance being none
+too great for either their strength or enjoyment.
+
+Home and Sister Lu held strong attractions for Grace, Elsie, and Ned,
+and they were full of delight as papa lifted them into the carriage and
+took his seat beside them.
+
+"Et Ned sit on oo knee, papa," pleaded the baby, and was at once lifted
+to the desired place.
+
+"Papa's dear baby boy," the captain said, smoothing his curls and
+smiling down into the pretty blue eyes. "How glad Sister Lulu will be to
+see you and Elsie, and Gracie!"
+
+"And we'll be just as glad to see her, papa," said Grace. "I know it's
+not very long since we came away from our own dear home and Lu, but it
+does seem a long time."
+
+"Isn't Lu tired doing without us, papa?" asked Elsie.
+
+"I think she is," he replied; "at all events I know she will be very
+glad to see you. It is nearly dinner-time now," he added, looking at his
+watch, "so we will go directly home. But this afternoon I will take you
+all for a nice, long drive, then leave you little ones at Ion and take
+Lulu home again."
+
+Lulu had been busy all the morning attending to her studies, her
+practice on the piano, the demands of the dressmaker, and taking her
+usual exercise about the grounds. She was out in them now, watching for
+the coming of her father, eager to see him and to hear how it was with
+dear Grandma Elsie.
+
+Presently she heard the sound of carriage-wheels on the road, then in
+another minute the vehicle turned in at the great gates and came rapidly
+up the drive, little Elsie calling out from it, "Lu, Lu, we've come!"
+
+"Have you, Elsie? Oh, I'm so glad!" she called in reply.
+
+The carriage had stopped, Lulu bounded toward it, and her father,
+throwing open the door, helped her in. Hugs and kisses and laughter
+followed; so glad were the happy children to meet again after even so
+short a separation.
+
+In another minute the carriage drew up before the entrance to the
+mansion, and the captain and his joyous little troop alighted. Dinner
+was ready to be served, and as soon as hats and other outer garments had
+been disposed of the merry little party gathered about the table. Mamma
+was missed but it was very pleasant to all to find themselves there with
+their fond father and each other. Lulu's fears for dear Grandma Elsie
+had been much relieved by the report of the success of the surgeons, so
+that she was light-hearted and gay as well as the younger ones.
+
+Immediately after dinner, while the little ones took their accustomed
+afternoon nap, she recited her lessons, doing so in a manner that drew
+hearty commendation from her father, who was always glad to be able to
+bestow it; then, knowing it would be a joy to her to do them, he called
+upon her for some of the little services she was accustomed to render
+him.
+
+These attended to, "Now, daughter," he said, "you may dress yourself
+nicely for a drive. I am going to take you and your little brother and
+sisters for a pretty long one. Then I will drop them at Ion, and you and
+I, after a call of a few minutes to hear how Grandma Elsie is, will
+drive home together."
+
+"Oh, how pleasant that will be, papa! How good you always are to every
+one of us children!" she exclaimed, giving him an ardent kiss, then
+running away to do his bidding.
+
+A merry, happy time the children had, and on reaching Ion the little
+ones were ready for their supper and bed. The older ones were full of
+joy on learning that their loved Grandma Elsie was as comfortable and
+doing as well as possible under the circumstances. The captain and Lulu
+spent a quiet half-hour with the Ion family and Violet, then departed
+for Woodburn.
+
+As the carriage started, the captain put an arm round Lulu, drew her
+close to him, and smiling affectionately down into her face, said: "How
+glad I am to be able to keep one of my loved flock with me!"
+
+"And oh, how glad I am that I'm the one, you dear, dear papa!" responded
+the little girl, returning his loving look and smile. Then, with a sigh,
+"I think there are some fathers who wouldn't be very fond of even their
+own child, if she were so often ill-tempered and disobedient. Papa, I've
+been thinking all day that you didn't punish me half so severely as I
+deserved for my naughtiness yesterday."
+
+"I would rather err on that side than the other, daughter," he said, in
+tender tones, "and I hope your future behavior will be such as to prove
+that the slight punishment inflicted was all-sufficient."
+
+"I hope so, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly, "but if I am
+disobedient and ill-tempered again soon, you will be more severe with
+me, won't you? I really want you to, that I may improve."
+
+"Yes, daughter, I think I must," he replied a little sadly; then after a
+moment's silence went on again: "I expect to pay a little visit to Max
+in January, and if my eldest daughter has been a good and obedient
+child----" He paused, looking smilingly at her.
+
+"You will take me with you, papa?" she cried half-breathlessly. "Oh, how
+I should like it! Ah, I do hope I shall not be so bad that you will have
+to leave me behind."
+
+"No, I hope not. I want to take you; to share the pleasure of my dear
+eldest daughter will double it to me, and if neither bad conduct on your
+part, nor anything else happens to prevent, you shall go with me."
+
+"Oh, thank you, dear papa!" she exclaimed, her cheeks glowing and her
+eyes sparkling with delight, "you are so good to me that I just hate
+myself for ever doing anything to vex or grieve you."
+
+"My dear child," he said with emotion, "be more watchful, careful, and
+prayerful; fight more earnestly and determinately the good fight of
+faith, ever looking to God for help, for only so may you hope to gain
+the victory at last, and to be able to say, 'in all these things we are
+more than conquerors through him that loved us.'"
+
+"I will try, papa," she said, tears starting to her eyes, "but oh, it
+is such a hard fight for anybody with a temper like mine. Please help me
+all you can by praying for me, and punishing me too, whenever you see
+that I need it."
+
+"I will do all I can for you, my darling, in every way," he replied,
+"but as I have often told you, the hardest part of the conflict must
+inevitably be your own.
+
+"Cling close to Jesus, and cry to him every day and every hour for help,
+for only by his all-powerful assistance can we hope to win holiness and
+heaven at last."
+
+"I will try, papa, I will indeed," she said. "I am, oh, so glad and
+thankful that he will let me cling to him and that he promises his help
+to those who ask him for it."
+
+"Yes, he says, 'In me is thine help,' and having his help what can harm
+us? since he is the Lord who made heaven and earth."
+
+Again a few moments of silence; then Lulu said, "Papa, you have often
+told me I inherit my temper from you, and though I could never believe
+it if anybody else had told me, I have to believe you because I know you
+always speak the truth; but how did you ever conquer it so completely?"
+
+"By determined effort, at the same time looking to God for help," he
+replied; "and only by the same means can I even now keep it under
+control."
+
+"And you think I can learn to control mine if I use the same means?"
+
+"I do; God, our kind heavenly Father, is as able and as willing to help
+you as me."
+
+"Yes," she said thoughtfully, "and if I don't choose to try hard enough,
+at the same time praying earnestly for help, I deserve to be punished by
+my earthly father; and I do really hope he always will punish me till he
+has taught me to be as patient and self-controlled as he is," she added,
+nestling closer to him and slipping a hand into his. "Papa, I often
+wonder why I wasn't made as patient and sweet-tempered as Gracie. She
+doesn't seem to have any temper at all to fight."
+
+"No; but she has her own peculiar temptations, of some of which your
+firmer, braver nature knows nothing; and each must battle with her own
+faults and failings, looking to God for help in the hard struggle. To
+God, who, the Bible tells us, 'will not suffer you to be tempted above
+that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape
+that ye may be able to bear it.'"
+
+"It is a precious promise, papa," she said, with thoughtful look and
+tone, "and I am glad you reminded me of it. It makes me feel less
+discouraged about trying to conquer my besetting sins."
+
+"In the first chapter of Joshua," replied her father, "the Lord says to
+him three times, 'Be strong and of a good courage,' the last time
+adding, 'be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God
+is with thee whithersoever thou goest.' And that blessed assurance of
+the constant, sustaining presence of our God, each one of his children
+may take to him or herself."
+
+"What a comfort, papa!" she exclaimed. "Oh, the Bible is such a
+blessing! I do feel sorry for all the people who have none."
+
+"Yes," he responded, "they are greatly to be pitied, and those who have
+dared to take it from others will have much to answer for in the day of
+judgment; as will those also who, having it themselves, make no effort
+to supply it to such as have it not.
+
+"Ah, here we are at our own home!" he added, as the carriage drew up
+before the entrance.
+
+"And such a sweet home as it is!" she responded, as he threw open the
+door, sprang out, and took her in his arms.
+
+"Yes," he said, "so I think, and am glad my little girl appreciates it.
+There," setting her on her feet, "run in, daughter, and make yourself
+ready for the tea-table."
+
+She obeyed and presently they two were seated cozily at a little round
+table in the family breakfast-room, greatly enjoying their tea, broiled
+chicken, and waffles.
+
+"Papa," remarked Lulu, as she poured out his second cup, "I'm sorry for
+you that you have only me for company, but I do enjoy being--once in a
+while--all the family you have at home."
+
+"Do you?" he returned, with a good-humored little laugh. "Well, I am
+glad to have you contented and happy; and I can't deny that I should
+feel very lonely here to-night without the pleasant companionship of my
+dear eldest daughter. What do you want to do this evening? how shall we
+spend our time alone together?
+
+"I have my lessons to learn, you know, papa."
+
+"Ah, yes; and I must write some letters. And after that perhaps you may
+find a bit of sewing to do, while your father reads aloud something that
+will be both interesting and instructive to his dear little girl."
+
+"Yes, sir; I have some work on hand for our Dorcas Society, and though I
+rather dislike sewing, I shall not mind doing it while listening to your
+reading," she answered, smiling brightly up into his face.
+
+"Ah! then that is what we will do," he said, returning her smile.
+
+"Well, daughter, has it been a pleasant evening to you?" he asked, when
+the time had come for the good-nights to be said.
+
+"Indeed it has, papa," she replied, giving him an ardent hug. "Oh, I am
+so glad you didn't let me go to Ion with the others, but kept me at home
+with you. I do hope that I'll remember after this that you always know
+and do the very best thing for me, and that I'll never, never grow
+ill-tempered and rebellious, as I was yesterday."
+
+"You think you can trust your father after this, even without being told
+his reasons for all he does and requires?"
+
+"I hope so, papa, and indeed, indeed I'm very much ashamed of my
+rebellious feelings and don't intend to indulge in them any more!" she
+added, with a remorseful look up into his face.
+
+"Try to keep that resolution, dear child," he said. "Now good-night and
+pleasant dreams. May he who neither slumbers nor sleeps have you in his
+kind care and keeping. But if you want your earthly father, you have
+only to call out or run to him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+Lulu's first thought on awaking the next morning was of dear Grandma
+Elsie. "I wonder," she said to herself, "if papa has not been asking
+news of her through the telephone; oh, I hope she is getting well!"
+
+Hurrying through the duties of the toilet, she was ready to run to meet
+her father when presently she heard his steps in the hall without.
+
+"Good-morning, papa," she cried. "Oh, have you heard from Ion how
+Grandma Elsie passed the night?"
+
+"Yes," he said, bending down to give her a good-morning kiss, "she
+passed a very comfortable night; is thought to be doing as well as
+possible. Mamma Vi and our little ones are all right also; I have just
+had a talk with your mamma, through the telephone."
+
+"Oh, I am glad! How nice it is that we can talk in that way to the folks
+at Ion and the other places where Mamma Vi's relations live!"
+
+"Yes; a telephone is really a blessing under such circumstances. I am
+much more reconciled to being at some short distance from my wife and
+little ones than I could be if without such means of communication."
+
+They went down to the library together and seating himself he drew her
+to his knee, saying pleasantly, "You are the youngest child at home with
+me, and I think I must have you here. I hope you will never think
+yourself too old to sometimes sit on your father's knee."
+
+"No, papa, I'm sure I never shall while you are willing to let me," she
+replied, putting an arm round his neck and gazing lovingly into his
+eyes.
+
+They chatted for a few minutes, then the breakfast bell rang, and
+presently they were again seated at the little round table from which
+they had eaten last night's supper, Lulu pouring the coffee with a very
+grown-up air, while her father filled her plate and his own with the
+tempting viands.
+
+"What a lovely, delightful home we have, papa!" she remarked, as she
+handed him his cup. "I do really think that with such a father and such
+a home I ought to be the best girl in the world; and I do mean to try to
+be."
+
+"I have no doubt you do, daughter, and I have seldom had occasion to
+find serious fault with you in the last year or more, so that I am by no
+means in despair of seeing you gain control of that troublesome temper
+which has caused so much unhappiness to both you and me."
+
+"Oh, thank you for saying it, papa!" she returned, with a bright and
+joyous smile. "I'm determined to try my very best to be as good as
+possible, both to please you and to earn that visit to Annapolis that
+you spoke of last night. I think it will be very delightful; and how
+pleased Max will be to see us; especially you."
+
+"I think he will. Ah, here comes the mail-bag!" as a servant entered
+with it.
+
+"Oh, I hope there's a letter from Max," Lulu said, as her father opened
+the bag and took out the contents--papers, magazines, and letters.
+
+"Yes, here is one from our dear boy," he said, singling out a letter and
+hastily tearing it open.
+
+He read it first to himself, then aloud to her--a bright, cheery,
+boyish, affectionate epistle such as they were accustomed to receive
+from Max's pen.
+
+They talked it over together while they finished their breakfast, then
+returned to the library where, as usual, Christine, Alma, and the
+servants being called in, the captain led the family devotions, reading
+a portion of the Scripture and engaging in prayer.
+
+"Are you going immediately to Ion, papa?" asked Lulu, when again they
+were alone together.
+
+"No," he replied; "I have some matters to attend to here while you are
+preparing your lessons. After hearing them, if your recitations and
+conduct have been satisfactory, I intend taking you with me to the
+village, where I have to make some business arrangements; then we will
+drive to Ion, spend a little time there, then come home, probably
+bringing your little sisters and brother with us as we did the other
+day, returning them as before to your Mamma Vi, just in time for supper
+and bed, and coming home alone together."
+
+"Oh, I like that, papa!" she exclaimed, "and is it what you intend doing
+every day?"
+
+"Every day while your Grandma Elsie is so ill that the noise might
+disturb her; unless the weather should be quite too inclement, I think
+it will be a relief to your Mamma Vi to have them here a good deal of
+the time, till her mother is better.
+
+"I suppose so, papa; and at the same time very pleasant for us--they are
+such darlings!"
+
+"So you and I think," he said, with a smile. "Now go to your lessons,
+daughter."
+
+At Ion Grandma Elsie lay quietly sleeping, her three daughters watching
+over her with tenderest care and solicitude. Scarce a sound was to be
+heard, either within doors or without, save the distant lowing of
+cattle, the twittering of birds, and the gentle sighing of the wind in
+the treetops; family and servants moved with cautious tread, speaking
+seldom, and that with bated breath, lest they should disturb her who was
+so dear to all hearts.
+
+To Walter it seemed very hard to be shut out of mamma's room, and he sat
+on the veranda watching for the coming of Cousin Arthur, to petition for
+admittance, if only for a moment, just to look at her and come away
+again.
+
+Cousin Arthur had been with her through the night, had gone away early
+in the morning and was expected back again soon.
+
+The half hour spent in watching and waiting seemed very long indeed to
+the little lad, but at last, oh joy! there was Cousin Arthur's sulky
+turning in at the great gates; then it came swiftly up the avenue, and
+Walter rose and hastened to meet the doctor as he alighted.
+
+"O Cousin Arthur!" he cried, but in subdued tones, "they've shut me out
+of mamma's room and I just don't know how to stand it any longer. Mayn't
+I go in, if it's only for a minute, to get one look at her dear face? I
+won't speak to her or touch her if you say I must not, but oh, I don't
+know how to endure being kept away from her altogether."
+
+The little fellow's tones were tremulous, and his eyes filled with tears
+as he spoke.
+
+Dr. Conly felt for the child, and laying a hand kindly on his head, said
+cheerfully, "Don't be down-hearted, my boy, your mother will be well
+enough in a few days, I hope, to stand quite an interview with her
+youngest son, and perhaps it may do for you to go in for a moment this
+morning; you may come upstairs with me and wait in the hall till I see
+how she is. If I find her well enough to stand a peep from her boy, you
+shall go in for a minute, provided you will promise to be cheerful and
+not to speak unless you have the doctor's permission."
+
+"Oh, I'll promise to do anything you bid me, if you'll only let me see
+her," returned Walter in eager tones, then followed the doctor with
+noiseless tread through the hall and up the broad stairway.
+
+Reaching his mother's door, he paused and waited outside while the
+doctor went quietly in.
+
+His patient seemed to be asleep, but opened her eyes and smiled up into
+his face as he reached the bedside.
+
+"Dear cousin," he said, low and tenderly, "are you feeling quite easy
+now?"
+
+"Quite so," she answered in low, sweet tones; "all is going right, I
+think. Is it not?"
+
+"Yes, so it would seem. You are the best of patients, and with the
+abundance of good nursing you are sure to have, I think we will soon
+have you about again. But," glancing around upon her three daughters,
+"she must be kept very quiet, neither talking nor being talked to much
+more than is absolutely necessary.
+
+"However, I am going to allow Walter a moment's sight of his mother, and
+as he is your baby boy, you may, if you choose, speak half a dozen words
+to him," he added, addressing himself directly to the patient.
+
+Then stepping to the door, he beckoned to Walter, and led him to the
+side of the bed.
+
+"There, laddie, you may tell her how dearly you love her, but nothing
+more."
+
+"Mamma, dear, darling mamma! I couldn't begin to tell it!" Walter said,
+low and tremulously, just touching his lips to her cheek.
+
+"Mother's darling boy!" was all she said in response, but the eyes
+looking into his spoke volumes of mother-love.
+
+"Don't cry, Walter, my man," his cousin said, as he led him out to the
+hall again; "you have behaved so well that I think you may be allowed
+another interview to-morrow; and I hope you will see your mother up and
+about again in perhaps a fortnight from this. You must pray for her
+healing to the Great Physician, as we all are doing: and pray in faith,
+for you know the Bible tells us he is the hearer and answerer of
+prayer."
+
+"Oh, I will! I do!" sobbed the child, "and I'm so glad there are so many
+others asking for her too, because the Bible says Jesus promised that
+his Father would grant what two or three agreed together to ask for."
+
+"Yes; pray for your mother, believe God's promises, and be happy in the
+expectation that she will get well; and with a mind at rest interest
+yourself in your studies and sports. That's my prescription for you, my
+lad; now go and take it like a good boy," added the doctor, with a
+smile, as he turned and re-entered the sick-room.
+
+"A funny prescription, and not so bad to take," laughed Walter to
+himself, as he wiped away his tears and hastened to the schoolroom to
+attend to his lessons.
+
+"Nobody here but myself," he sighed, as he crossed the threshold. "It's
+rather lonesome, but I'll do the best I can. It's what mamma would
+advise."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Grace had gone over to Fairview with her little brother and sister,
+accompanied by their nurse, Mamma Vi having told her she might learn her
+lessons there, and if Evelyn cared to hear her recite, that would answer
+very well.
+
+Evelyn was entirely willing, and they had just finished a few minutes
+before the carriage from Woodburn came driving up the avenue, bringing
+Grace's father and sister Lulu.
+
+They had already paid a call at Ion, and now had come to make a short
+one at Fairview, and pick up Gracie, little Elsie, and Ned.
+
+"Papa, papa!" shouted the two little ones, running to meet him as he
+came up the steps into the veranda, and holding up their faces for a
+kiss.
+
+"Papa's darlings!" he responded, taking them in his arms to caress and
+fondle them, then letting them go to give Gracie her turn.
+
+"Is my feeble little girl quite well this morning?" he asked, in tender
+tones.
+
+"Yes, papa, thank you," she replied, giving him a vigorous hug, "and oh,
+so glad to see you! Have you come to take us--Elsie and Ned and
+me--home for a while again?"
+
+"I have," he said, returning her hug. "I can't have your mamma at
+present, as her mother needs her, but my dear babies I need not do
+without."
+
+"Am I one of them, papa?" asked Gracie, with a smile. "I'm almost
+eleven; but I don't mind being one of your babies, if you like to call
+me that." His only reply was a smile and a loving pat on her cheek, for
+the two little ones were tugging at his coat and coaxing for a drive.
+
+"Why, Elsie and Ned, you haven't kissed me yet," said Lulu. "Gracie and
+Eva did while you were exchanging hugs and kisses with papa, and I think
+it's my turn now."
+
+"So it is! I love you, Lu," cried Elsie, leaving her father for a moment
+to throw her arms round Lulu's neck in a hearty and loving embrace; Ned
+quickly followed suit, then running to his father again, renewed his
+request for a drive in the carriage.
+
+"Yes, my son, you shall have it presently," said the captain; then he
+proposed to Evelyn that she and her two little cousins should join the
+party for a short drive in another direction, before he would take his
+own children home to Woodburn.
+
+His invitation was joyfully accepted and in a few minutes they had all
+crowded into the captain's carriage and were driving down the avenue.
+
+The little ones were very merry, and the captain did not check their
+mirth. He was, in fact, in very good spirits himself, because thus far
+Grandma Elsie's cure had progressed so favorably. It continued to do so
+from that time till in two weeks she was able to be up and about a part
+of every day, and Violet returned to Woodburn, though daily, when the
+weather permitted, she drove over to Ion and spent an hour or more with
+her mother.
+
+Quite frequently the captain drove her over himself, and leaving her
+there, went on into the village to attend to some business matter,
+calling for her on his return.
+
+On one of these occasions, going into the parlor he found there his
+wife, her mother, eldest sister and grandparents in earnest conversation
+with the doctor.
+
+When the customary greetings had been exchanged, Grandma Elsie said to
+him, with a smile, "Captain, these good people seem to have leagued
+together to send, or to take me, to Viamede to spend the winter, Cousin
+Arthur having given it as his opinion that a warmer climate than this
+would probably be of benefit just at this time."
+
+"In which I presume he is quite right, mother," returned the captain.
+"And surely there is no difficulty in the way?"
+
+"Nothing insurmountable," she replied.
+
+"But we want some one to go on in advance and see that everything is in
+order for mamma's comfort," said Violet, giving her husband a look that
+was half entreating, half one of confident assurance that he would deny
+nothing to her or her loved mother which it was at all in his power to
+bestow.
+
+"That, I think, would certainly be the better plan," he returned
+pleasantly, "and if no one more competent than myself is to be had and
+it suits my wife to accompany me, my services may be considered as
+offered."
+
+Hearty thanks were at once bestowed upon him by all present.
+
+But he disclaimed all title to them, saying, "I now have everything in
+order at Woodburn, so that I may feel quite easy in leaving it for even
+a protracted stay; and to get a view of Viamede will be a new and
+doubtless very pleasant experience to me, with wife and little ones
+along; my daughters can go on with their studies under my tuition, there
+as well as at home, and my intended visit to Max can be paid before
+starting for the far South. I only fear," he added, with a pleasant
+glance at Mrs. Leland, "that I may be offering to take upon myself a
+duty which is much to the taste of one of my brothers-in-law and might
+be better performed by one or both of them.
+
+"No, captain," replied Mrs. Leland, "you need have no such fear, as
+neither of them is just now in a position to leave home, unless it were
+quite necessary for dear mamma's comfort."
+
+"Then we will consider it settled that Violet and I are to go," said the
+captain, turning to her with his pleasant smile. "How soon can you be
+ready, my dear?"
+
+"By the first of next week if my husband wishes to start by that time,"
+returned Violet gayly. "Oh, I am quite delighted at the prospect of
+seeing again that one of our sweet homes, and especially of doing so in
+company with you, Levis."
+
+The captain considered a moment. "I would not like to disappoint Max,"
+he said. "I think I must visit him next Saturday--as I shall not
+probably be able to see him again before next spring. But I will make
+necessary arrangements beforehand and I think we may leave for the South
+by Wednesday morning of next week, if that will suit you, my dear?"
+
+"Entirely," she said; "it will give me just about time enough to get
+everything ready without hurry or confusion."
+
+So it was settled, everybody seeming well satisfied with the
+arrangement.
+
+A little more time was spent in discussing plans, then the captain and
+Violet bade good-by and set out on their return home.
+
+"You are well pleased with the prospect of this visit to Viamede,
+Violet, my dear?" the captain said, as they drove rapidly along the
+familiar road.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed," she answered brightly; "Viamede is so lovely, a sort
+of earthly paradise I have always thought, and I am really delighted at
+the thought of showing it to you. Ah, I am quite sure, having your dear
+society there, I shall enjoy it more than ever!"
+
+"Thank you, dearest," was his smiling response. "I am certainly pleased
+with the prospect of seeing that earthly paradise, particularly with you
+to share my enjoyment. And how pleased Lulu and Gracie will be, for I
+have often heard them speak of Viamede as even lovelier than Woodburn,
+which they evidently esteem a very delightful and lovely home."
+
+"As it assuredly is, my dear," was Violet's smiling rejoinder. "I could
+not ask a lovelier, happier home than that which my husband--the very
+best and dearest of husbands--has provided for me. Oh, I often ask
+myself, 'Is there anybody else in all the wide world who has so much to
+be thankful for as I?'"
+
+"Ah, that fortunate mortal is surely he who sits by your side at this
+moment, my darling," he answered in moved tones, taking her hand in his
+and pressing it affectionately.
+
+But the carriage was turning in at the Woodburn gates and presently the
+glad shout of little voices was borne to their ears on the evening
+breeze. "There it is! Papa and mamma have come home!"
+
+A joyously tumultuous greeting followed, the little flock gathering
+about them as they alighted, talking, laughing, dancing around them,
+claiming their attention and their caresses.
+
+Elsie and Ned pleaded for a ride, and Grace and Lulu seemed not averse
+to sharing it. So there was a hasty bundling up in capes and hoods,
+cloaks and shawls, papa piled them in, followed them, taking Ned on his
+knee, and away they went for a mile or more down the road, then back
+again, and were presently taking off their outdoor garments in the hall,
+mamma helping the little ones.
+
+Then all gathered about the tea-table with appetites that made
+everything taste very good indeed. Elsie and Ned were too busy to talk
+much, but Lulu and Grace were unusually gay and mirthful, and their
+father indulged them in more than usual chat and laughter that were
+neither rude nor boisterous.
+
+Neither he nor Violet said anything of the new plans for the winter till
+the babies had had their evening romp and been taken away to bed.
+Violet, as usual, went with them, and the captain was left alone with
+Lulu and Grace.
+
+They were hanging lovingly about him as was their custom on such
+occasions, and he drew one to each knee, saying in low, tender tones,
+"My darlings! my precious little daughters! How rich I feel in the
+possession of my five dear children!"
+
+"And how rich we feel with our dear, dear father! to say nothing of our
+dear, sweet Mamma Vi and the two darling babies!" responded Lulu,
+putting her arm about his neck and her lips to his.
+
+"Yes; and our dear big brother Maxie," added Grace.
+
+"Yes, I was just going to mention him," said Lulu. "I am both very fond
+and very proud of Max. I wouldn't swap him for any other body's brother
+that ever I saw; no not even for all the nice brothers that Rosie has."
+
+"Neither would I," said Grace, "though I'm fond of them all."
+
+"Papa, when is it that we are going to see Max?" queried Lulu. "Some
+time in January I know you said, but will it be to spend New Year's with
+him?"
+
+"No; wouldn't you like to go sooner than that?" he asked, stroking her
+hair and looking down lovingly, smilingly into her eyes.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! if it suits you to go and to take me," she
+answered eagerly. "It seems now a long, long while that I have been
+separated from Max, and the sooner I may go to see him the better. But
+have you changed your plans about it?"
+
+"Yes," he replied. "I have something to tell you both which will show
+you why, and also prove pleasant news to you, I think."
+
+Then he proceeded to tell them of the plans laid that afternoon at Ion,
+and which made it necessary that, if he went to see Max at all that
+winter, he must do so before the end of the week already begun.
+
+His news that their winter was to be spent at Viamede was hailed with
+delight by both the little girls.
+
+"I am so glad!" cried Grace, clapping her hands and smiling all over her
+face.
+
+"I, too," exclaimed Lulu. "Viamede is so, _so_ beautiful, and to have
+you there with us, you dear papa, will make us--me any way--enjoy it at
+least twice as much as I did before."
+
+"Me too," said Grace; "the happiest place for me is always where my own
+dear father is with me," hugging him tight and kissing him again and
+again.
+
+"My darling! my precious darlings!" the captain said in response and
+caressing them in turn.
+
+"I'm so sorry for poor Maxie," remarked Grace presently, "that he can't
+see you every day, papa, as we do, and be kissed and hugged as we are;
+and that he can't go to Viamede with the rest of us." She finished with
+a heavy sigh.
+
+"Yes," her father said, "I am sorry for him, and for ourselves, that he
+is not to be with us. But my dear boy is happy where he is, and I in the
+thought that he is preparing himself to do good service to our country;
+to be a valuable and useful citizen."
+
+"And we are all ever so proud of him--our dear Maxie; but I'm glad I am
+not a boy. Women can be very useful in the world too, can't they, papa?"
+
+"Yes; yes, indeed, my darlings; the world couldn't go on without women,
+any more than without men; both are necessary, and the one sex to be as
+much honored as the other, and I hope and trust my daughters will all
+grow up to be noble, true-hearted, useful women, always trying to do
+earnestly and faithfully the work God has given them to do."
+
+"I hope so, indeed, papa!" responded Lulu in an earnest, thoughtful
+tone; "if I know my own heart I do want to be a very useful woman when
+I'm grown up--a useful girl now--serving God with all my might; but oh,
+I do so easily forget and go wrong!"
+
+"Yet I can see very plainly that my dear little girl is improving," her
+father said, softly smoothing her hair with his hand, "and I'm sure--for
+the Bible tells us so--that if you fight on, looking to God for help,
+you will come off conqueror and more than conqueror in the end."
+
+"Yes, papa; oh, I am so glad the Bible says that!"
+
+There was a moment's silence; then Grace said, with a sigh and a voice
+full of tears, "Oh, I do so wish I could see Maxie before we go so far
+away from him! Papa, wouldn't they let him come home for just a little
+while?"
+
+"No, daughter; but how would you like to go with Lulu and me to pay him
+a little visit?"
+
+"O papa! so much if--if you think I won't be too tired to go on to
+Viamede so soon afterward."
+
+"I really think you could stand the two journeys, coming so near
+together, now that you are so much stronger than you used to be; and as
+you can lie and rest in the cars, and we go by water from New Orleans.
+Don't you feel as if you could?"
+
+"Oh, yes, papa, I feel almost sure I could!" she cried joyously.
+
+"Then we will try it," he said, fondling her; "you will have no packing
+to do--I am sure Mamma Vi and Lulu will be pleased to attend to all that
+for you--and the journey to Annapolis is not a very long or fatiguing
+one. So, should nothing happen to prevent, you shall make one of our
+little party to visit Max."
+
+Grace's eyes shone with pleasure and Lulu exclaimed delightedly, "Oh, I
+am so glad, Gracie! It will double my pleasure to have you along; and
+you needn't worry one bit about your packing of clothes or playthings,
+for I'm sure I can see to it all with Christine or Alma to help me; or
+even if I should have to do it all myself."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you are just the very best sister
+that ever I saw! Isn't she, papa?"
+
+"I think her a very good and kind sister, and it makes me a proud and
+happy father to be able to give her that commendation," he answered,
+with a loving look down into the eyes of his eldest daughter.
+
+Just then Violet re-entered the room and a merry, happy hour followed,
+while plans and prospects were under discussion.
+
+"Won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons the rest of the time before
+we start for Viamede, papa?" asked Lulu coaxingly.
+
+"No, daughter," replied the captain, in a pleasant tone; "there is very
+little either of you will be called upon to do in regard to the
+preparations for our southward flitting, so no occasion for you to miss
+lessons for so many days. Of course you cannot study on the boats and
+cars, at least I shall not ask it of you, and when we get to Viamede
+you will be glad of a little holiday to rest and run about, seeing
+everything that is to be seen; and all that will cause quite sufficient
+loss of time from your lessons."
+
+"Oh, dear," sighed Lulu, "I think it must be ever so nice to be grown up
+and not have any lessons to learn."
+
+"Ah, Lu," laughed Violet, "I am not so sure that grown up folks have no
+lessons to learn; in fact I begin to have an idea that their lessons are
+not seldom more trying and wearisome than those of the children."
+
+"Yes, Mamma Vi," responded Lulu, with a blush, "and I'm sorry and
+ashamed of my grumbling. Papa, I'm just determined I will be good and do
+cheerfully whatever you bid me; I have always, always found your way the
+very best in the end."
+
+"Why, yes, Lu; of course papa always knows far better than we do what is
+best for us," said Grace, leaning lovingly up against him and smiling up
+into his face.
+
+"Papa is very happy in having such loving, trustful little daughters,"
+he said, passing his hand caressingly over Gracie's golden curls.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+It was a most joyful surprise to Max when, on the following Saturday,
+his father and sisters walked in upon him, as he left the dinner table
+full of life and pleasure at the thought of the half holiday that had
+just begun.
+
+His standing and conduct had been such that he was entitled to leave,
+and to be able to spend it with these dear ones was most delightful.
+
+A carriage had brought the captain and his little girls to the door, and
+they--father and children--took a long drive together, during which the
+tongues of Max and Lulu ran very fast.
+
+She and Gracie thoroughly enjoyed Max's surprise on learning of the
+plans for the winter, so soon to be carried out.
+
+At first he seemed to feel rather badly at the thought that they would
+all be so far away from him; but he presently got over that, as his
+father spoke of the letters he would receive from Viamede every day, and
+how quickly the winter would pass and all be coming home again, some of
+them--certainly himself--making haste to pay a visit to the Academy to
+see their young cadet and learn what progress he was making in
+preparing for future duty in the naval service of his country.
+
+At that Max's face brightened and he said heartily, "And I shall try my
+best to have as good a report as possible ready for you, papa, that you
+may be proud and happy in your first-born son. Ah, the thought of that
+does help me to study hard and try very, very earnestly to keep rules,
+so that I may be an honor, and not a disgrace to the best of fathers."
+
+"Yes, I am sure of it, my dear boy," the captain replied, laying his
+hand on the lad's shoulder, while the light of fatherly love and pride
+shone in his eyes; "I haven't a doubt that it is one of my son's
+greatest pleasures to make himself the joy and pride of his father's
+heart."
+
+They drove back to the Academy just in time for Max to be ready to
+report himself at evening roll-call, according to the rules, with which
+no one was better acquainted than the captain.
+
+He and the little girls were to start on their return journey that
+evening, and good-by was said at the Academy door.
+
+A very hard one it seemed to the little girls, hardly less so to Max and
+his father. The captain and his daughters went by boat, as less
+fatiguing for Grace, and reached home on Monday.
+
+The next day was a busy one to all, and Wednesday noon saw them on the
+cars, bound for New Orleans.
+
+A day and night were spent in the city, then they took the steamer for
+Berwick Bay.
+
+The morning was clear and bright and the captain, Violet, and the
+children all sat upon deck, greatly enjoying the breeze and the dancing
+of the waves in the sunlight, as the vessel cleared its port and steamed
+out into the gulf.
+
+"Oh, it is so pleasant here!" exclaimed Grace; "just like summer. And
+see the beautiful rainbow in the water that the wheel throws up!"
+
+"Oh, yes; so pretty, oh, so pretty!" cried little Elsie, clapping her
+hands in delight.
+
+"Oh, so pitty!" echoed baby Ned.
+
+"Take care, little ones; I fear you may fall overboard," warned the
+captain. "Come and sit on papa's knee, and perhaps mamma will kindly
+tell us of all the lovely things we will see at Viamede."
+
+They obeyed and were charmed with mamma's story of what she had done and
+seen at Viamede when she was a little girl, and of dear grandma being
+once a baby girl in the very same house, and how dearly all the old
+servants loved her, and how they mourned when she was taken away to live
+with her grandpa at Roseland.
+
+The babies and even the older folks, not excepting papa himself, seemed
+deeply interested, and more delighted than before that they were so soon
+to see Viamede.
+
+At length Ned fell asleep, Elsie presently followed his example, and
+older people were left to the quiet enjoyment of the lovely scenes
+through which they were passing; for they had now entered Teche Bayou,
+and from that pressed on, threading the way through lake and lakelet,
+past plantation and swamp, plain and forest, coming upon cool, shady
+dells carpeted with a rich growth of velvety grass, and flowers of
+varied hue, and shaded by magnificent trees, oaks and magnolias; while
+amid groves of orange trees they could see lordly villas, tall white
+sugar-houses and rows of cabins where the negro laborers dwelt.
+
+"A beautiful, beautiful country," remarked the captain, breaking a
+prolonged silence.
+
+"Quite up to your expectations, my dear?" queried Violet, glancing up at
+him, her eyes shining with pleasure.
+
+"I believe it rather exceeds them," he replied, "it is very, very
+lovely! an earthly paradise, so far as beauty can make it such."
+
+"Papa, do you suppose you will know which is Viamede when you see it?"
+queried Lulu.
+
+"I very much doubt it, daughter," he answered.
+
+"Yes, sir; there it is, just coming into sight; the sugar-house, at
+least, and yonder, a little beyond, is the great orange orchard."
+
+"And it's just beautiful!" cried Grace. "See, papa, the orange trees,
+with their beautiful, glossy leaves and ripe and green fruit, and
+flowers all on them at once."
+
+"And presently we will come to the beautiful lawn, with its giant oaks,
+magnolia trees, velvety grass and lovely flowers," exclaimed Lulu. "Oh,
+I am so much obliged to dear Grandma Elsie, for inviting us all to spend
+the winter here again!"
+
+"Yes, it was very kind," her father said, "and I hope my children will
+do nothing to mar the peace of the household, and so distress Mamma Vi's
+dear mother."
+
+"I do intend to be a very good girl, papa, and if I begin to be the
+least bit bad, I do hope you'll stop it at once by punishing me well and
+making me behave myself," Lulu said, in a low, earnest tone, speaking
+close to his ear.
+
+"Dear child," he returned, in the same low key in which she had spoken,
+"I have not the least doubt that you intend to be and do all I could ask
+or wish."
+
+There was no time for anything more just then, for, as they were nearing
+their destination, baggage must be seen to and satchels and parcels
+gathered up.
+
+Presently the boat rounded to at the wharf and in another minute
+greetings and embraces were being exchanged with the cousins, who,
+having been duly informed of the intended arrival, were gathered there
+to give a cordial and delighted welcome to Violet, her husband, and
+children.
+
+There were servants also, some few of the old and some new ones, each
+and all eager for a handshake and a few words of greeting from "Miss
+Wi'let and the cap'en and dere chillens," in which they were not
+disappointed.
+
+In a few moments the baggage had been landed and was being taken to the
+house, while ladies, gentlemen, and children followed, the newly arrived
+gazing, delighted, about upon the beauties of the place, the others
+asking many questions concerning Grandma Elsie and those of her family
+left behind--how they were in health, and when they would come to
+Viamede.
+
+"You will find the house in very tolerable order, I think, Vi," remarked
+Mrs. Keith, "though doubtless many little repairs and improvements
+needed, that Cousin Elsie may find everything in order when she comes.
+It was a good idea to get you and the captain to come a little in
+advance of the older folk and have everything in order for their
+reception."
+
+"I think so," Violet said with a smile, "and that no better person than
+my honored husband could have been found to undertake that task."
+
+"No more trustworthy one, I am sure, judging from his looks," returned
+Isa. "I am delighted with his appearance, Vi; he is as noble-looking a
+man as ever I saw."
+
+Violet flushed with pleasure. "And he is all that he appears to be,
+Isa," she said; "the better he is known the more highly is he esteemed."
+
+A bountiful supper had been prepared for the travelers, and the others
+stayed and partook with them, but soon after leaving the table bade
+good-night and went to their own homes.
+
+Then Violet took her sleepy little ones upstairs to see them to bed,
+leaving the captain, Lulu, and Grace on the veranda.
+
+As usual, the two were hanging lovingly about their father, he seeming
+to enjoy it as much as they.
+
+It was a beautiful moonlight night, warm, and sweet with the breath of
+flowers; away in the distance, beyond the wide-spreading lawn, they
+could see the waters of the bayou glittering in the moonbeams, and the
+soft plash of oars came pleasantly to their ears.
+
+"Oh, isn't it just lovely, here!" exclaimed Lulu, breaking a momentary
+silence. "Papa, did I exaggerate in telling you of the beauties of the
+place?"
+
+"No, I think not," he replied; "it is certainly very lovely, and I hope
+we are going to have a happy winter here."
+
+"I'm sure we will; I'm happy anywhere with you, my dear, dear papa,"
+said Grace, putting an arm round his neck and pressing her lips to his
+cheek.
+
+"So am I," said Lulu, "unless I have been doing wrong, and papa is
+displeased with me. Oh, I do mean to try my very hardest to be good! and
+I'm sure it will be ever so much easier with you for my tutor, dear
+papa, than it was before, going to that horrid school and having to take
+music lessons from that Signor Foresti, who was so ill-tempered and
+struck me, when I was trying as hard as I could to play my piece just
+right."
+
+"Yes, daughter, I think it will be easier for you with the tutor who
+loves you and is loved by you," assented the captain, drawing her into a
+close, loving embrace. "We must see if a music teacher is to be had
+here, but certainly will not try Signor Foresti again."
+
+"Oh, I am glad to hear you say that, papa! though I never thought you
+would send me back to him again. I am, oh, so glad I belong to you
+instead of to--anybody else."
+
+"So am I," he responded, with a happy little laugh.
+
+"And that I do too, papa?" asked Grace, in a half-pleading tone.
+
+"Yes, yes, my own darling," he said, addressing her with great
+tenderness. "You are no less dear than your sister."
+
+"How good in you, papa! for I'm not half so bright or pretty as Lu," she
+said, patting his cheek with her small white hand.
+
+"Why, Gracie!" exclaimed Lulu, "whatever put such a thing as that into
+your head? You are far prettier, and better too, than I am. Isn't she,
+papa?"
+
+"You must not ask me such hard questions," he returned laughingly, and
+hugging them both up in his arms, "I really could not say that either
+one is prettier or dearer to me than the other, or that I love either
+more or less than I do each of the other three. The love differs
+somewhat in kind, but, I think, not in intensity."
+
+"Yes, papa, I suppose so," returned Lulu thoughtfully; "for instance you
+must have quite a different sort of love for Max, who is almost old
+enough to take care of himself, and baby Ned who is so very young and
+helpless."
+
+Violet joined them at that moment, reported the babies as fast asleep in
+the nursery, and consulted her husband as to what rooms they should
+occupy during their stay; saying her mother had kindly bade them please
+themselves in regard to that matter.
+
+"Choose for yourself, my dear," replied the captain, "and I shall be
+entirely satisfied; only I should like to have these children close at
+hand--a door of communication between their room, or rooms, and ours, if
+that can be easily managed. We must be near the babies of course."
+
+"Yes, indeed! Near every one of our four," returned Violet brightly; "I
+could not be easy otherwise, any more than their father.
+
+"But suppose I take you over the house, if you are not too tired.
+To-morrow, you remember, is Sunday, and I could hardly wait till Monday,
+to say nothing of the curiosity that must of course be consuming you."
+
+"Of course," returned the captain laughingly, as he rose and gave her
+his arm; "it will give me great pleasure to accompany you, if you are
+not too weary for such exertion."
+
+"Not a bit," she said; "the trip on the boat was more restful than
+fatiguing; at least so far as concerned myself. May not Lulu and Gracie
+come too?"
+
+"If they wish; though I fear Gracie is too tired," he said, with an
+inquiring glance at her. "If you would like to go, pet, papa will carry
+you up the stairs."
+
+"Oh, then, I would like to, papa; I'm not so very tired," she answered
+eagerly.
+
+"Then of course Lulu is not?" he said with a smiling glance at his
+eldest daughter.
+
+"No, indeed, papa; and I'd dearly love to go along," she answered,
+taking Gracie's hand and with her tripping along in the rear, as he and
+Violet passed on into the wide hall.
+
+They first inspected the rooms on the lower floor, lingering longest in
+the drawing-room, where the many beautiful paintings and pieces of
+statuary were very attractive.
+
+"We cannot give them half enough time to-night," remarked Violet, "but
+fortunately have good reason to hope for many opportunities for future
+inspection."
+
+"Yes," the captain said, glancing at Grace, then at his watch. "Shall we
+not call in the servants and have prayers before going upstairs? It is
+not far from the usual time, and I see Gracie is growing weary."
+
+Violet gave a ready assent and led the way to the family parlor where
+her grandfather had been wont to hold that service.
+
+The servants were summoned and came in looking well pleased. The captain
+made the service short out of consideration for Gracie's weariness,
+though, indeed, he never thought it well to lengthen it so much as to
+risk making it a weariness to either children or servants.
+
+A few directions in regard to securing doors and windows for the night
+and as to what should be done for the comfort of the family in the
+morning, then he, Violet, and the little girls, having exchanged kindly
+good-nights with the servants, went on up the broad stairway, the
+captain, according to promise, carrying Grace in his arms.
+
+Only a hasty survey of the upper rooms was taken that night, for all
+began to feel the need of rest and sleep. Apartments connected with each
+other and the nursery were selected for occupation, and soon all were
+resting peacefully in their beds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+The Sabbath morning dawned bright and clear. Lulu rose with the sun and,
+before he was an hour high, was down on the veranda, gazing with delight
+upon the lovely landscape spread out at her feet.
+
+So absorbed in its beauties was she that she failed to hear an
+approaching footstep, and was aware of her father's presence only when
+he laid a hand gently on her head and, bending down, imprinted a kiss on
+her lips.
+
+"An early bird as usual, my darling!" he said.
+
+"Yes, sir, like my father, my dear, dear father," she returned, twining
+her arms around his neck and holding him fast for a moment.
+
+"Did you sleep well?" he asked, releasing himself and taking her hand in
+his.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! Did not you?"
+
+"I did; I think we all did," he answered. "God has been very good to us.
+And what a lovely, lovely Sunday morning it is!"
+
+"We can all go to church, can't we, papa?" she asked.
+
+"I think so," he said. "And now you would like to walk down across the
+lawn, to the water's edge, with me?"
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, papa," she cried delightedly. "It was just what I was
+wanting to do."
+
+"It might be well for you to have a bit of something to eat first," he
+said. "Ah, here is just the thing!" as a servant approached with a
+waiter on which were some oranges prepared for eating in the way Grandma
+Elsie had enjoyed them in her young days.
+
+"Thank you, Aunt Sally," the captain said, helping Lulu and himself;
+"you could have brought us nothing more tempting and delicious. Will you
+please carry some up to my wife?"
+
+"Ise done it already, sah," replied the woman, smiling all over her
+face, and dropping a courtesy; "yes, sah; an' she say dey's mighty nice,
+jes like she hab when she's heah in dis place yeahs ago."
+
+"Papa," remarked Lulu, as they presently crossed the lawn together, "I'm
+so glad to be here again, and with you. It was a delightful place the
+other time, I thought, but, oh, it seems twice as pleasant now, because
+my dear father is with us!" and she lifted her eyes to his face with a
+look of ardent affection.
+
+"Dear child, it is a great pleasure to me to be with you and the rest,"
+he returned, pressing affectionately the little hand he held in his,
+"and if you do not have a happier time than you had here before, it
+shall not be because your father does not try to make it so.
+
+"But, my dear little daughter, remember you have the same spiritual foes
+to fight here as in other places. If you would be happy you must try to
+live very near to Jesus and to watch and pray lest you enter into
+temptation. Particularly must you be ever on your guard against that
+quick temper which has so often got you into trouble."
+
+"Papa, I do intend to," she said, with a sigh; "and I am very glad I
+shall have you close at hand all the time to help me in the fight; for
+you do help me, oh, so often--so much, dear papa!" and again she lifted
+loving eyes to his face.
+
+"I am very thankful that I can, my darling," he returned. "I feel that
+God has been very good to me in so changing my circumstances that I can
+be with you almost constantly to aid you in the hard task of learning to
+control the fiery temper inherited from me. Yet, as I have often told
+you, dear child, the hardest part of the fight must inevitably be your
+own, and only by the help of him who has all power in heaven and in
+earth can you conquer at last.
+
+"I want you to feel that in your inmost soul, and to beware of
+self-confidence, which was, I think, the cause of your sad failure of a
+few weeks ago."
+
+"Yes, papa," she said humbly, "I believe I had begun to feel that I was
+quite reformed, so did not watch and pray as constantly as I used to,
+and then almost before I knew it I was in a passion with poor Alma."
+
+"'When I am weak, then am I strong!' the apostle says," returned her
+father; "that is when we feel our weakness and trust in the strength of
+our Almighty Saviour; of him who has said, 'In me is thine help.' It is
+help, daughter, which is never refused to those who look humbly to Jesus
+for it."
+
+"I am so glad the Bible tells us that," she said.
+
+They walked on in silence for a little, then Lulu said, "Papa, I asked
+Cousin Molly last night if Professor Manton still had his school at
+Oakdale. She said, 'Yes, is your papa going to send you there?' and I
+was so glad I could answer, 'No, ma'am; he is going to teach me
+himself.' Then Cousin Molly said, 'Oh, is he? I am sure that will be far
+pleasanter for you, dear. The professor is not very popular, and I hear
+that his school grows smaller.'"
+
+"Ah, then, don't you think it would be only kind in me to put my eldest
+daughter there as a pupil?" asked the captain jestingly.
+
+"Not to me, papa, I am sure," she answered, lifting to his smiling eyes
+that said as plainly as any words could have spoken that she had no fear
+that he would do any such thing.
+
+"No; and I do not know what could induce me to do so," he returned. "So
+you need never ask it, but must try to content yourself with the tutor
+who has had charge of your education ever since Woodburn became our
+home."
+
+"I don't need to try, papa," she said with a happy laugh; "for it's just
+as easy as anything. Gracie and I both think there was never such a
+dear, kind teacher as ours. Neither of us wants ever to have any other."
+
+"Ah! then we are mutually pleased. And now I think we should turn and go
+back to the house, for it must be near the breakfast hour." They found
+Violet, Grace, and the little ones on the veranda, awaiting their
+coming, and breakfast ready to be served.
+
+Morning greetings were exchanged and all repaired to the breakfast room.
+
+The meal proved a dainty one, was daintily served and enlivened by
+cheerful chat on such themes as were not unsuited to the sacredness of
+the day.
+
+Family worship followed, and soon after the family carriage was at the
+door ready to convey them to the church of which their Cousin Cyril was
+pastor.
+
+The captain, Violet, and the two little girls, Lulu and Grace, formed
+the deputation from that family, the two babies remaining at home in
+the care of their nurse, whom they had brought with them from Woodburn.
+
+Cyril gave them an excellent sermon, and at the close of the exercises
+conducted a Bible class attended by nearly every one belonging to the
+congregation.
+
+The Viamede family remained to its close, held a little pleasant talk
+with the relatives from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall, then drove back
+to Viamede, reaching there just in time for dinner.
+
+In the afternoon the captain gathered his family and the servants under
+the trees in the lawn, read and expounded a portion of scripture, and
+led them in prayer and the singing of several familiar hymns.
+
+The evening was spent much as it would have been at Woodburn, and all
+retired early to rest.
+
+Monday morning found them all in good health and spirits, entirely
+recovered from the fatigues of the journey and ready for work or play.
+
+"We don't have to learn and recite lessons to-day, papa, do we?" asked
+Lulu, at the breakfast table. "I think you said we could have a day or
+two for play first, didn't you?"
+
+"Yes; but I shall give you your choice of having that playtime now or
+taking it about a week hence, when you will have Rosie and Walter with
+you."
+
+"May I choose too, papa?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then I choose to wait for my holiday till the others are here to share
+it with us; for don't you suppose Grandma Elsie will let them, papa?"
+
+"No doubt of it," he replied. "And what is your choice, Lulu?"
+
+"The same as Gracie's, papa," she answered in bright cheerful tones.
+"Lessons are not bad to take, with you for my teacher," she added
+laughingly, "and will leave us a good deal of time for running about and
+looking at everything."
+
+"Besides an occasional drive or walk with mamma and papa," he
+supplemented, with an approving smile, adding, "the lessons shall not be
+long or hard to-day, so that you will still have some time for roaming
+about the grounds; and perhaps, if my pupils are very deserving, there
+may be a row on the bayou after dinner."
+
+"Oh, how delightful, papa!" they cried, in a breath.
+
+"I am glad you think so," he said, smiling on them; "there is nothing I
+enjoy more than giving pleasure to my wife and children," with an
+affectionate glance at Violet. "I hope such a little excursion will
+afford you pleasure, my dear?"
+
+"Yes," she returned gayly, "I think even the children will hardly enjoy
+it more than I; and," she added laughingly, "I shall endeavor to earn my
+right to it by faithfully attending to housekeeping matters in the
+meantime."
+
+"I don't believe there is any schoolroom here!" exclaimed Grace, as if
+struck with a sudden thought.
+
+"We will have to select one and get it ready before the others come,"
+said Violet.
+
+"And for the present my dressing-room will answer very well," added the
+captain.
+
+So thither the children repaired at the usual hour for beginning their
+studies.
+
+It was at first a little difficult to fix their attention upon them, but
+with an earnest desire to do right, and to please their dear father,
+they made very determined efforts, and had their lessons well prepared
+by the time he came to hear them.
+
+It seemed to afford him pleasure to give the deserved meed of praise,
+and the young faces grew bright and gladsome under it. An hour was then
+given to writing and ciphering, and they were dismissed for the day.
+
+"May we go out into the grounds now, papa?" asked Lulu, as she put up
+her books.
+
+"Yes," he replied, "but keep near the house for the present, for it is
+near dinner-time now."
+
+"We will, papa," both little girls answered and hurried away.
+
+They sported about the lawn till summoned to the house by the
+dinner-bell, whose call they obeyed with alacrity, air and exercise
+having given them good appetites.
+
+"My dear," the captain said to his wife, near the conclusion of the
+meal, "you have had a busy morning, can you not afford to devote the
+afternoon to recreation?"
+
+"Certainly, if you will share it," she replied. "Are we not to have that
+row on the bayou?"
+
+"It is what I had planned, should my wife still feel inclined to go," he
+said.
+
+"Ah! that will be very enjoyable I think; and perhaps there may be time
+afterward for me to drive over to the parsonage. I want a bit of chat
+with Isa about some household matters."
+
+"Yes, I think you may have time for both," he returned. "An hour on the
+bayou will be sufficient for this first time; the carriage can be
+ordered to be in waiting when we return, and you, if the plan suits your
+views, can drive over to the parsonage at once, have your talk, and be
+at home again in season to pour out your husband's tea."
+
+"That will do nicely, thank you, sir," she returned gayly. "I see I am
+not likely to lack for diversion with you at the head of affairs, so I
+think I shall try to keep you there as long as possible."
+
+"I hope you will, Mamma Vi," said Lulu, "And any way I'm glad that when
+papa is about, he is the one that has control of me."
+
+"So I have at least one willing subject," remarked the captain, looking
+not ill-pleased.
+
+"Two, papa," said Grace, "you can always count on me for one."
+
+"I don't doubt it in the least, dear child," he said. "And now, as I see
+you have all finished your dinner, and the boat is at the wharf, let us
+be going."
+
+In a few minutes all were seated in the boat, and it was moving rapidly
+over the water, the children very merry, the parents by no means
+disposed to check the manifestations of their mirth.
+
+They found the carriage in waiting when they landed.
+
+"You are going with us, Levis?" Violet said inquiringly, as the captain
+handed her in.
+
+"I should be pleased to do so, my dear, but have too many business
+letters calling for immediate reply," he said, lifting little Ned, and
+then Elsie, to a place by her side. "Lulu and Gracie, you would like to
+go with your mamma?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if I may," Grace answered with alacrity, but Lulu declined,
+saying: "I would much rather stay with you, papa, if I may."
+
+"Certainly, dear child; I shall be glad to have you," he said with a
+pleased look; "but I fear you will find it dull, as I shall be too busy
+to talk to you, or let you talk to me."
+
+"But I can be with you, and perhaps of some use waiting on you, papa."
+
+"Perhaps so," he said. "You generally contrive to make yourself useful
+to your father in one way or another."
+
+Then the carriage drove on, Lulu slipped her hand into his, and together
+they walked back to the house.
+
+"I do hope I can find something to do that will be a help to you, papa,"
+she said, as they entered the library.
+
+"I verily believe my dear eldest daughter would like to carry all her
+father's burdens if she could," he said, laying his hand caressingly on
+her head, "but it wouldn't be good for me, my darling, to have my life
+made too easy."
+
+"I am sure it wouldn't hurt you, papa, and I only wish I could carry all
+your burdens," she replied, with an ardently affectionate look up into
+his face. "Isn't there something I can do now?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, glancing at the table; "here are papers, magazines,
+and letters, quite a pile. You may cut leaves and open envelopes for me,
+that will save me some time and exertion--be quite a help."
+
+"Yes, sir; I'll be glad to do it all. But, oh, papa," and a bright,
+eager look came into her face.
+
+"Well, daughter, what is it?" as she paused half breathless with her new
+idea.
+
+"Papa, couldn't I write some of the letters for you? Here is my
+typewriter that you so kindly let me bring along. I've learned to write
+pretty fast on it, you know, and wouldn't it be easier for you just to
+tell me the words you want said and let me put them down, than to do it
+all yourself with either it or your pen?"
+
+"That is a bright thought, daughter," he said, patting her cheek, and
+smiling down upon her. "I dare say that plan would shorten my work
+considerably."
+
+"Oh, I shall be so glad if it does, papa!" she exclaimed. "There is
+nothing in the world I'd enjoy more than finding myself a real help and
+comfort to you."
+
+"I have found you both many a time, daughter," he responded, taking up
+and opening a letter as he spoke, while she picked up a paper cutter and
+fell zealously to work opening envelopes, laying each one close to his
+hand as she had it ready.
+
+"Now, you may get your typewriter ready for work," he said presently.
+"Put in a sheet of this paper," taking some from a drawer in the table
+and laying it beside the machine, "date it, and in a moment I will tell
+you what to say."
+
+He had already instructed her carefully in punctuation and paragraphing:
+spelling also; and, with an occasional direction in regard to such
+matters, she did her work well.
+
+She was full of joy when at the close of the business he bestowed upon
+her a judicious amount of praise and said that she had proved a great
+help to him, shortening his labor very considerably.
+
+"I think," he concluded, "that before long my dear eldest daughter will
+prove a valuable amanuensis for me."
+
+"Papa, I am so glad!" she cried, her cheeks flushing and her eyes
+sparkling. "Oh, there is nothing else in the world that I enjoy so much
+as being a help and comfort to my dear, dear father!"
+
+"My precious little daughter," he responded, "words cannot express the
+love your father feels for you. Now there is one letter that I wish to
+write with my own hand, and while I am doing that you may amuse yourself
+in any way you like."
+
+"May I read this, papa?" she asked, taking up a magazine.
+
+"Yes," he said, and she went quietly from the room with it in her hand.
+
+She seated herself on the back veranda, read a short story, then stole
+softly back to the library door to see if her father had finished his
+letter so that she might talk to him.
+
+But some one else was there; a stranger she thought, though she did not
+get a view of his face.
+
+She paused on the threshold, uncertain whether her father would wish her
+to be present at the interview, and at that instant he spoke, apparently
+in reply to something his caller had said, and his words riveted her to
+the spot.
+
+"No," he said, in stern tones, "had I been here my daughter would never
+have been sent back to your school. She was most unjustly and shamefully
+treated by that fiery little Italian, and you, sir, upheld him in it.
+When I am at hand no daughter of mine shall be struck by another man, or
+woman either, with impunity, and Foresti may deem himself fortunate in
+that I was at a distance when he ventured to commit so great an outrage
+upon my child."
+
+Lulu waited to hear no more, but ran back to the veranda, where she
+danced about in a tumult of delight, clapping her hands and saying
+exultingly to herself, "I just knew papa wouldn't have made me go back
+to that horrid school and take lessons of that brute of a man. Oh, I do
+wish he had been here! How much it would have saved me! If my father is
+strict and stern sometimes, he's ever so much better and kinder than
+Grandpa Dinsmore. Yes, yes, indeed, he's such a dear father! I wouldn't
+exchange him for any other, if I could."
+
+Presently she suddenly ceased her jumping and dancing, and stood in an
+intently listening attitude.
+
+"Yes, he's going--that horrid professor! I'm so glad! I don't believe
+he'll ever trouble this house again, while papa is in it any way," she
+said half aloud.
+
+Then running to meet her father as he returned from seeing the professor
+to the door, she threw her arms round him, exclaiming in a voice
+quivering with delight. "Oh, you dear, dear papa, I'm so glad, so glad
+to know that you wouldn't have made me go back to that horrid music
+teacher! I felt sure at the time that you wouldn't, if you were here."
+
+He heard her with a look of astonishment not unmixed with sternness.
+
+"O papa, please don't be angry with me!" she pleaded, tears starting to
+her eyes; "I didn't mean to listen, but I happened to be at the library
+door (I was going back to see if you were done writing that letter and I
+might be with you again) when you told Professor Manton that you
+wouldn't have sent me back to Signor Foresti, nor even to his school. It
+made me so glad, papa, but I didn't stop to hear any more, but ran away
+to the veranda again; because I knew it wouldn't be right for me to
+listen to what wasn't intended for me to hear."
+
+He took her hand, led her into the library again, drew her to a seat
+upon his knee, and softly smoothing back the hair from her forehead,
+said in kind, fatherly tones, "I am not displeased with you, daughter.
+I understand that it was quite accidental, and I am sure my little girl
+is entirely above the meanness of intentionally listening to what is
+evidently not meant for her ear. And in fact, now that I think of it,
+I am not sorry that you know I did not, and do not now, approve of the
+treatment you received at that time. Yet that was the first time I had
+ever mentioned it to any one, and I should be sorry to have your Grandpa
+Dinsmore know, or suspect, how entirely I disapproved of what he thought
+best to do at the time. Can, and will, my little daughter promise to
+keep the secret? never mentioning it to any one but me?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa," she returned, looking up brightly into his face.
+"Oh, it's nice to be trusted by you, and not even threatened with
+punishment if I disobey!"
+
+"I am happy to think that is by no means necessary," he said, drawing
+her into a closer embrace. "I believe my little girl loves her father
+well enough to do of her own free will what she knows he would have her
+do."
+
+"Yes, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly; "and do you know, it seems
+a great pleasure to have a secret along with you. But, papa, why did you
+write--after I had confessed it all to you--as if you were so much
+displeased with me that you couldn't let me stay any longer at Ion
+after you had found another place to put me?"
+
+"My child, as I had put you under Grandpa Dinsmore's care, it was your
+duty to submit to his orders till I could be heard from in regard to the
+matter. You should therefore have gone back, not only to the school, but
+to the music teacher, when he directed you to do so; you were disobeying
+me in refusing, and also showing great ingratitude to the kind friends
+who were doing so much for you without your having the slightest claim
+upon them."
+
+"Papa, I am very sorry and ashamed," she murmured low and tremulously,
+hanging her head and blushing deeply as she spoke; "I almost want you to
+punish me well for it yet."
+
+"No, daughter, that account was settled long ago," he said in kindly,
+reassuring accents, "fully settled, and I have no desire to open it
+again."
+
+"But, oh, papa," she sighed, "sometimes I do feel so afraid I may get
+into a passion with somebody about something while we're here this
+winter, with all the Ion folks, that--that I believe I want you to say
+you will punish me very severely if I do."
+
+"My daughter," he said, "I want you to avoid sin and strive to do right,
+not from fear of punishment, but that you may please and honor him whose
+disciple you hope you are."
+
+"Oh, yes, papa, I do want to for that reason and also to please and
+honor you--the best and dearest father in the world!" she concluded,
+putting her arms round his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to his.
+"But you will watch me and warn me and try to keep me from yielding to
+my dreadful temper?"
+
+"Yes, dear child, I will, as I have promised you again and again, do all
+I can to help you in that way," he replied in tenderest tones.
+
+Then, as the carriage-wheels were heard on the drive without, "Ah, your
+mamma and our little ones have returned," he said, putting her off his
+knee; and taking her hand led her out to the veranda to meet and welcome
+them home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+"Had you a call from Professor Manton, Levis?" asked Violet, as they sat
+together on the veranda that evening. "I thought so because he passed us
+as we were coming home and was looking very glum."
+
+"Yes, he was here this afternoon," replied the captain.
+
+"In search of pupils, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; and was rather disappointed to learn that I had none for him. He
+asked about Rosie and Walter, but I was unable to tell him positively
+whether they would, or would not, be sent to him; though I gave him but
+little encouragement, perhaps I should say none at all, to expect them."
+
+"No; I am nearly certain they will not be willing to go to him, and that
+mamma will not care to send them; indeed she more than hinted that she
+would be delighted to commit them to your care should you show yourself
+willing to undertake the task of instructing them. Are you willing?"
+
+"I am hardly prepared to answer that question, my dear," he replied
+thoughtfully. "They might not be willing to submit to the authority of
+a brother-in-law."
+
+"I am almost sure you would have no trouble in governing them," returned
+Violet.
+
+"I don't believe you would have any at all, papa," remarked Lulu, who
+was leaning on the arm of his chair and listening with much interest to
+the conversation; "neither of them is half so--so wilful and
+quick-tempered as I am."
+
+The captain smiled at that, put an arm about her, and drew her closer to
+him. "But they don't belong to me as you do," he said, touching his lips
+to her cheek. "You are my very own, own little daughter, you know."
+
+"Yes, indeed, and so glad to be," she returned, putting her arm round
+his neck and gazing into his eyes, her own shining with filial love.
+
+The younger ones were already in bed, even Gracie having felt too much
+fatigued with the duties and pleasures of the day to wait for evening
+prayers.
+
+"Yes, I think you may esteem yourself a fortunate child in that respect,
+Lu," said Violet. "I really believe it is the next best thing to being
+his wife," she added, with a pleasant little laugh.
+
+"I think it's the very best thing, Mamma Vi," returned Lulu.
+
+"Well, to go back to the original topic of discourse, Levis--or at
+least to the question whether you are willing to undertake the tuition
+of my young sister and brother," Violet went on. "I feel certain they
+would give you no trouble in governing them; also that your talent for
+teaching is such that they could not fail to greatly improve under your
+tuition."
+
+"But might not your grandpa feel that I was interfering with him?"
+queried the captain.
+
+"Oh, no, indeed! Grandpa feels that he is growing old, and has done
+enough of that kind of work. And you would be glad to please mamma?"
+
+"Most certainly; I could refuse her nothing--the poor, dear woman!"
+
+"Then we may consider it settled? Oh, thank you, my dear."
+
+"Well, yes; I suppose so. Are you willing to share your teacher with
+Rosie and Walter, daughter mine?" he asked, softly stroking Lulu's hair.
+
+"My teacher, but not my father, you dear papa," returned Lulu, patting
+his cheek, then holding up her face for a kiss, which he gave heartily
+and repeated more than once.
+
+"What do you think, Mamma Vi, of your husband having an amanuensis?" he
+continued, affectionately squeezing Lulu's hand, which he had taken in
+his. "My correspondence was disposed of to-day with most unusual and
+unexpected ease. I would read a letter, tell my amanuensis the reply I
+wished to make, and she would write it off on the typewriter while I
+examined the next epistle, asking few directions and making scarcely any
+mistakes."
+
+"Lulu did it?" Violet exclaimed in surprise "Why, Lu, I am both
+astonished and delighted!"
+
+"Thank you, Mamma Vi; and I am very glad that I can help my dear, kind
+father, who does so much for me," Lulu answered, putting her arm round
+his neck, and laying her cheek to his. "Oh, I couldn't possibly do half
+enough for him! but I hope I may be of a great deal of use to him some
+of these days."
+
+"You are that already, dear child," he said; "so useful and so dear that
+your father would not know how to do without you."
+
+"How good in you to say that, dear papa; but I am sure it would be ten
+times worse for me to be without you," she returned. "Oh, I'm glad I'm
+not a boy, to have to go away from you."
+
+"I am glad too," he responded; "glad that my children are neither all
+boys nor all girls. It is quite delightful, I think, to have some of
+each."
+
+"Yes, sir; and I think it's delightful to have both brothers and sisters
+when they are of as good a sort as mine are, though I've seen some I'd
+be sorry to have."
+
+"As I have seen some children that I should be sorry, I think, to call
+my own. Yet if they were mine I would probably love them dearly, and
+perhaps not see their faults; or rather love them in spite of their
+naughtiness."
+
+"Just as you do me, papa," she said, a little sadly. "Haven't you always
+loved me, though I've sometimes been very, very naughty indeed?"
+
+"Yes, always," he said, holding her close, as something very dear and
+precious. "And I believe my little girl has always loved me even when I
+have been quite severe in the punishment of her faults."
+
+"Yes; oh, yes, indeed, papa! because I have always felt that I deserved
+it; often a much more severe punishment than you inflicted; and that you
+didn't do it because you liked to, but because you wanted to make me
+good."
+
+"And happy," he added. "I think you are never happy when disobedient,
+wilful, or ill-tempered."
+
+"No, indeed, papa! and I'm thankful to you that you have never indulged
+me in those things."
+
+"And I think, with Lu, that you are one of the best of fathers, Levis,"
+remarked Violet.
+
+"It is certainly very pleasant to be so highly esteemed by one's wife
+and daughter, whether deserving of it or not," he said, with a pleased
+little laugh; "yet I am not at all sure that such flattery is quite
+good for me."
+
+"I don't believe any amount of praise could ever hurt you, papa," Lulu
+said, with a look into his eyes of ardent love and reverence; "you do
+seem to me to be just perfect; never doing or saying anything wrong."
+
+"I think it must be my little girl's great love for her father that
+makes her so blind to his faults and failings," he replied, in low,
+tender tones.
+
+"A blindness certainly shared by your wife," remarked Violet lightly.
+"We have been married five years and I have yet to hear the first unkind
+word from my husband's lips."
+
+"He would be an exceedingly unreasonable man who could find fault with
+such a wife as mine," was his smiling rejoinder.
+
+"But to change the subject, I suppose we may look for the rest of our
+party about the last of next week?"
+
+"Yes, I think so."
+
+"I shall be ever so glad to see them--especially dear Grandma Elsie and
+Rosie and Walter; but oh, I wish the Fairview folks were coming,
+especially Eva," remarked Lulu, ending with a sigh of regret.
+
+"Ah, well, daughter, perhaps Evelyn may be here before the winter is
+over," the captain said, exchanging a slightly amused glance with
+Violet.
+
+"Oh, I hope so!" exclaimed Lulu; "but of course one can't expect to have
+everything one wants in this world."
+
+"No, certainly not," her father said; "it would be by no means good for
+us if we could."
+
+"Not for me, I know; but oh, I have a great, great many
+blessings--health and strength and such a dear kind father to love me,
+provide for me, teach me, and train me up in the way I should go," she
+concluded, with a smiling look up into his eyes.
+
+"That is what I am trying to do, at all events," he returned, holding
+her close, "though I sometimes fear I may not always have taken the
+wisest way."
+
+"Is it because you have succeeded so poorly that you fear so, papa?" she
+asked. "If so, don't be troubled about it, because I don't believe it's
+from any mistake of yours, but only that I'm so very naughty and
+unmanageable."
+
+"Really, now, Lu, I think your father has succeeded fairly well at the
+business," laughed Violet. "I doubt if anybody else would have done
+better."
+
+"Or half so well," said Lulu; "and I am fully resolved to try to do
+credit to his training."
+
+"I think you had a letter from Max to-day, Levis?" remarked Violet
+inquiringly, "Dear fellow, I hope he was quite well at the time of
+writing?"
+
+"Yes; and apparently in excellent spirits. He seems to be doing well in
+his studies; content with things as they are too, though evidently
+feeling that he would greatly enjoy being here with the rest of us."
+
+"Yes, poor, dear fellow! I wish he could make one of our party;
+especially at Christmas time."
+
+"So do I," said his father. "We must make it up to him with as full an
+account as possible of the Christmas doings here."
+
+"I wonder what they will be," said Lulu.
+
+"We will have to consider and decide that question--to some extent, at
+least--after mamma comes," replied Violet.
+
+"And now we must go in and have prayers; for it is near bedtime for my
+eldest daughter," remarked the captain, rising and taking Lulu's hand in
+his.
+
+The days flew by on swift wings, even to Lulu and Grace, so filled were
+they with duties and pleasures, and at length the time had come when
+Grandma Elsie and the others were expected by the evening boat.
+
+Their arrival was anticipated with great delight by every one on the
+estate, and all possible preparations had been made for their comfort
+and to show how gladly welcome they were. Everything indoors and out was
+in beautiful order, a feast of fat things ready in the kitchen, the
+families from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall were present by
+invitation, and as the hour drew near when the boat might be expected,
+all gathered at the wharf and eagerly watched for its appearance.
+
+At length their patience was rewarded; the little steamer appeared in
+sight far down the bayou, came puffing along past the orange orchard,
+and rounded to at the landing.
+
+In another moment the travelers were on shore: Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore,
+Grandma Elsie, Rosie, Walter, and--could Lulu believe her eyes--yes,
+there was Evelyn! It could be no one else; and with a cry of joy the two
+little girls ran into each other's arms.
+
+"Oh, Eva, Eva, I'm so glad! I hadn't the least idea that you were coming
+too!" cried Lulu, fairly wild with delight.
+
+"Ah, papa, you must have known and kept it a secret from me to give me
+such a glad surprise," she exclaimed, as she caught sight of his face
+and noted the pleased smile with which he was regarding her.
+
+"Yes, daughter, I knew and planned, with Mamma Vi and the others, to
+give you this pleasant surprise," he said, bending down to bestow a
+paternal kiss upon the gentle, fatherless girl who had won so large a
+place in the heart of his own dear child.
+
+"And we were all very glad to have Eva along," Rosie said. "And, O Lu,
+I'm looking for very good times this coming winter here in our lovely
+Viamede, and with your father here I know it will be pleasanter than
+ever for you--pleasanter for all of us; for, Brother Levis, I hear that
+I am to be your pupil instead of Professor Manton's; a change which I
+haven't a doubt I shall enjoy extremely."
+
+"Ah, don't be too sure of that, little sister," he returned laughingly,
+giving a welcoming embrace to her also. "I am a very strict
+disciplinarian, as Lulu here can testify," laying a hand affectionately
+on his daughter's shoulder.
+
+"Yes, Rosie, papa is strict, but if one does exactly as he orders, he's
+kind as kind can be; and maybe he wouldn't be quite so stern and strict
+with other folks' children as he is with me--his very own, you know."
+
+But a reply from Rosie was prevented by Violet catching her in her arms,
+saying, "You dear child, how glad I am to have you here at last! We have
+all been looking forward to your coming as well as to that of dear,
+darling mamma, grandpa, and the others."
+
+At the same time Grandma Elsie was embracing Lulu most affectionately,
+saying how well she looked, and hoping that she and Grace, as well as
+the older people, had been enjoying Viamede.
+
+"Indeed we have, dear Grandma Elsie," replied Lulu. "Oh, it was so good
+and kind in you to invite us all to spend the winter in this loveliest
+of lovely places!"
+
+"Good to myself, dear child, quite as much as to you; for I love to have
+you all about me."
+
+"And I hope you are better? A great deal better?" returned Lulu, with an
+inquiring look into the sweet face.
+
+"Very much better, thank you, dear child. Almost my old self again," was
+the sweet-toned reply.
+
+Some few moments more were spent in the exchange of glad, affectionate
+greetings and inquiries after each other's health and welfare, then all
+took their way to the house; even Grandma Elsie claiming that her
+strength was quite equal to so short a walk, the journey on the boat
+having been restful rather than fatiguing. Yet it was evident to all
+that she was far from strong, and they joined Mr. Dinsmore in an urgent
+entreaty that she would retire at an early hour to her own room and bed;
+which she did, her daughters accompanying her to see that nothing was
+lacking that could in any way add to her comfort.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+A bright, beautiful day succeeded that on which the Ion family had
+arrived at Viamede. The younger members of their party woke early, and
+the sun was hardly more than an hour high when Evelyn and Rosie passed
+down the broad stairway into the lower hall, moving with cautious tread
+lest they might disturb the still sleeping older members of the
+household.
+
+But on reaching the veranda they were surprised to see the captain and
+Lulu already taking a morning promenade along the bank of the bayou.
+
+"Ah, I see there is no getting ahead of Brother Levis," laughed Rosie.
+"Let us run down there and join them, Eva."
+
+"With all my heart," returned Evelyn gayly, and away they went, racing
+down the broad gravelled walk in merry girlish fashion.
+
+"Good-morning, little ladies, I see that you are early birds as well as
+Lulu and myself," the captain said, with his genial smile, as they drew
+near.
+
+"Yes, sir," returned Rosie, catching hold of Lulu and giving her a
+hearty embrace; "on such a morning as this, and in such a lovely place,
+bed has no attractions to compare with those of out of doors."
+
+"That's exactly what papa and I think," said Lulu; "and, oh girls, I'm
+so glad you have come to share this lovely, lovely place with us. Eva, I
+haven't yet got over the glad surprise of your coming. I was just saying
+to papa how very kind it was in Grandma Elsie and the rest of them to
+prepare such an unexpected pleasure for me. Wasn't it good in them?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, good to us both!" Evelyn said, squeezing affectionately
+the hand Lulu had slipped into hers.
+
+"Captain," looking up smilingly into his face, "are you intending to be
+so very, very kind as to take me for one of your pupils?"
+
+"Most assuredly, my dear, if you wish it," he replied.
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed, and I promise to give
+you as little trouble as I possibly can."
+
+"I shall consider it no trouble at all, my dear child," he returned,
+giving her a fatherly smile. "Indeed, I think the favor will be on
+your side, as doubtless Lulu will improve all the faster for your
+companionship in her studies. Rosie, being older than either of you,
+will, I fear, have to be quite alone in most of hers."
+
+"Yes, Brother Levis, and as I am to be such a lonely, forlorn creature
+you ought to be extremely good to me," remarked Rosie demurely. "I hope
+you will remember that and try to have unlimited patience with your
+youngest sister."
+
+"Ah! my little sister would better not try the patience of her big
+brother too far," returned the captain with a twinkle of fun in his eye.
+
+"I dare say; but he needn't think he can make me very much afraid of
+him, big as he is," laughed Rosie.
+
+"Perhaps, though, it might turn out to the advantage of Professor
+Manton, should my youngest sister prove quite beyond the management of
+her biggest and oldest brother," remarked the captain, with assumed
+gravity.
+
+"There!" exclaimed Rosie, "that's the worst threat you could possibly
+have made. I think I'll try to be at least passably good and obedient in
+the schoolroom. You needn't look for it in any other place, Captain
+Raymond," making him a deep courtesy, then dancing gayly away.
+
+"Don't you envy her that it is only in the schoolroom she must be
+obedient to me, whom you have to obey all the time?" asked the captain
+laughingly of Lulu, noticing that she was watching Rosie with a hurt,
+almost indignant look on her expressive features.
+
+"No, indeed, papa! I'm only too glad that I belong to you everywhere
+and all the time," she answered, lifting to his face eyes full of filial
+respect and ardent affection.
+
+"So am I," he returned, pressing tenderly the hand she had again slipped
+into his. "But you must not be vexed with Rosie. Could you not see that
+all she said just now was in sportive jest?"
+
+"I'm glad if she didn't mean it, papa; but I don't like such things said
+to my dear, honored father even in jest."
+
+"But you must excuse Rosie, Lu, dear," said Evelyn. "It was indeed all
+in jest, for I know that she feels the very highest respect for your
+father--her biggest brother; as we all do."
+
+Lulu's brow cleared. "Well, then, I won't mind it, papa, if you don't,"
+she said.
+
+"And I certainly do not, daughter," he returned pleasantly. "Rosie and I
+are the best of friends, and I think will continue to be such."
+
+It was a gay, light-hearted party that met at the Viamede
+breakfast-table that morning. Even their loved invalid, Grandma Elsie,
+was looking wonderfully bright and well; yet, as she laughingly averred,
+everybody seemed determined to consider her as ill and unable to make
+any exertion.
+
+"I shall have to let you continue to take the role of mistress of the
+establishment, Vi," she said, with a pleasant smile, as, resigning to
+her daughter her accustomed seat at the head of the table, she took
+possession of one at the side.
+
+"Not that I am of so humble a spirit as to consider myself unfitted for
+the duties and responsibilities of the position, but because older and
+wiser people do."
+
+"I really think Vi makes as good a substitute as could well be found,
+mother," remarked the captain, with a proudly affectionate glance at his
+lovely young wife.
+
+"In which I entirely agree with you, sir," said Mr. Dinsmore.
+
+The meal was partaken of with appetite, and enlivened by cheery talk; a
+good deal of it in regard to pleasures and amusements attainable in that
+locality; riding, driving, boating, fishing; to say nothing of the
+pleasant rambles that could be taken on and beyond the estate.
+
+There was no lack of carriages for driving, or horses to draw them, or
+for those to ride who might prefer that mode of locomotion.
+
+The final decision was in favor of a drive, for Mrs. Dinsmore, Violet,
+her little ones, and Grace, accompanied by the rest of the party on
+horseback.
+
+Breakfast and family prayers over, the young girls hastened to their
+rooms to prepare for the little excursion, all seemingly in the gayest
+spirits at the pleasing prospect; none more so than merry, excitable
+Lulu.
+
+She and Grace were ready a little sooner than either of the other girls,
+and went down to the veranda to wait there for the rest.
+
+As they did so a servant passed them with the bag containing the morning
+mail, which he had just brought from the nearest post-office.
+
+He carried it to the library, where Mr. Dinsmore and the captain were
+seated, awaiting the appearance of the ladies, carriages, and horses.
+
+As if struck by a sudden thought, Lulu ran after him. She saw her father
+take the bag, open it, hand several letters to Mr. Dinsmore, select
+several others and give them to the servant (with directions to carry
+them up to the ladies), then lay a pretty large pile on the table, take
+up one, and open it.
+
+"There, those are papa's own," she said to herself, "and what a number
+he has!--all to be answered, too. I don't believe he'll take time to
+ride this morning; he's always so prompt about replying to a letter. Oh,
+dear, I don't want to go without him, and I just wish they hadn't come
+till to-morrow."
+
+She walked slowly out to the veranda again.
+
+Rosie and Evelyn had not yet made their appearance, and Grace was
+romping about with little Elsie and Ned.
+
+Just then a servant man came round from the stables, leading the ponies
+the little girls were to ride, and at sight of them Lulu seemed to take
+a sudden resolution.
+
+"Oh, Solon," she said, hurrying toward the man, "you can put my pony
+back into the stable; I'm not going to ride this morning; I've changed
+my mind; and if anybody asks about me, you can tell them so," and with
+that she ran away round the house and seated herself on the back
+veranda, where she had been when Professor Manton made his call upon the
+captain.
+
+Presently she heard the ladies and young girls come down the stairs, her
+father and Mr. Dinsmore come out from the library and assist the older
+ones into the carriage, the younger to mount their ponies; then her
+father's voice asking, "Where is Lulu?" and the servant's reply, "Miss
+Lu, she tole me, sah, to tell you she doan want fo' to ride dis heah
+mornin', sah"; then her father's surprised, "She did, Solon? Why, that
+is a sudden change on her part. I thought she was quite delighted at the
+prospect of going.
+
+"Violet, my dear, I find I have so many letters calling for reply this
+morning, that I, too, must remain at home."
+
+Some exclamations of surprise and regret from the others followed; then
+the sound of hoofs and wheels told that the party had set out on their
+little excursion, and the captain's step was heard in the hall as he
+returned to the library.
+
+But a thought seemed to strike him as he reached its door, and he
+paused, calling aloud, "Lulu! Lulu!"
+
+She ran to him at once, answering, "Here I am, papa."
+
+"Why, daughter, what is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Why did you not
+go with the others?"
+
+"Because I preferred to stay at home with my dear father; and I hope he
+isn't displeased with me for it!" she replied, looking up coaxingly,
+smilingly, into his face.
+
+"Displeased with you, dear child? I am only too glad to have you by my
+side; except that I feel sorry on your own account that you should miss
+the pleasant, healthful trip along with the others," he said, bestowing
+upon her a fond caress.
+
+"But how did you know that I was going to stay at home?" he asked, as he
+led her in and sat down, drawing her to a seat upon his knee.
+
+"Because I'm enough of a Yankee to be good at guessing, I suppose,
+papa," she answered, with a merry laugh, putting an arm round his neck
+and gazing into his eyes with her own full of ardent filial love. "I saw
+that big pile of letters," pointing to them as they lay on the table,
+"and I thought, 'Now, if I stay at home with papa, maybe he will let me
+help him as I did the other day.' So now as I have stayed, won't you be
+so very good as to let me, you dear, dearest papa?"
+
+"I shall be very glad of both your company and your help, darling,
+though I am sorry to have you miss your ride in order to give them to
+me."
+
+"But you needn't be sorry, papa, because I'm ever so glad. I was almost
+afraid you might be displeased with me for taking the liberty of staying
+at home without consulting you; but I don't believe you are a bit,"
+stroking his face with her little soft white hand, then kissing him with
+warmth of affection.
+
+"I am so much displeased, that as a punishment you will have to write
+several letters on your machine at my dictation," he replied, with
+playful look and tone. "We will set to work at once," he added, putting
+her off his knee, taking the cover from her typewriter, and placing a
+chair before it for her to sit upon, then laying a pile of paper and
+envelopes within easy reach of her hand.
+
+"Ah, papa, I don't care how often you punish me in this way!" she
+exclaimed, with a merry laugh, as she took her seat.
+
+"Tut! tut! don't talk as if my punishment were nothing," he replied, in
+pretended displeasure. "You may get more of this kind some of these days
+than you will like."
+
+"Not while it's a help to my dear father," she returned, smiling up at
+him.
+
+"You find that a pleasure, do you?" he asked, with tender look and tone,
+laying a hand caressingly on her head and gazing fondly down into her
+eyes.
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir! O papa, I just long to be a real help and comfort and
+blessing to you; and I do hope that some day I may be."
+
+"My own dear little daughter, you are already all three to me," he said
+with emotion. "Truly, I think no man ever had a more lovable child, or a
+more grateful and appreciative one."
+
+Those words sent a thrill of exquisite delight to Lulu's heart. "Dear
+papa, you are so kind to tell me that!" she said. "Oh, I do want always
+to be all that to you!"
+
+"And it is certainly my ardent desire to be the best of fathers to my
+dear eldest daughter, and all my children," he responded.
+
+"But now let us set to work upon this correspondence."
+
+For the next hour and more they were very busy; then, every letter
+having been replied to, the captain went out to a distant part of the
+plantation to see how work was progressing there, taking Lulu along.
+
+Their way led them through the orange orchard, and both father and
+daughter found it a delightful walk.
+
+They reached the house again just in time to receive the others on their
+return from their little excursion, and presently after, all sat down to
+dinner.
+
+On leaving the table the little girls repaired to the veranda.
+
+"I'm decidedly offended with you, Lu," said Rosie, in jesting tone.
+
+"What for?" asked Lulu.
+
+"For forsaking us as you did this morning; and now the least reparation
+you can make is to confess why you did so. Do you not agree with me,
+Eva?"
+
+"Yes," replied Evelyn, "I think she ought to do so, as the only amends
+she can make. So, Miss Raymond, let us hear your excuse at once--if you
+have any."
+
+"Well, then, I suppose I must," said Lulu. "Please understand that I
+would have enjoyed going with you very much indeed, but I saw that papa
+had a good many letters to answer and I wanted to help him a great deal
+more than I did to take a ride.
+
+"He lets me write some on the typewriter--those, you see, that don't
+require a very particular answer--and he says it shortens his work very
+much. And," she added with a sigh, "I have given my dear father so much
+trouble in past days by my bad temper and wilfulness, that I feel I can
+never do enough to make up to him for it."
+
+"Dear Lu, I just love you for feeling and acting so," said Evelyn
+softly, giving Lulu's hand an affectionate squeeze as she spoke; "and I
+am sure your father must."
+
+"Yes, he does love me dearly, and you can't think how happy that makes
+me," returned Lulu, glad tears shining in her eyes.
+
+"I don't know about that, but I think we can," said Rosie, a slight
+tremble in her voice; for she had not forgotten altogether the dear
+father who had fondled and caressed her in her babyhood, but had so long
+since passed away to the better land.
+
+But just at that moment Violet drew near with a light, quick step.
+
+"The boat is at the landing, little girls," she said, "and we older
+folks want to be off. Please put on your hats, coats too,--or carry some
+kind of wrap,--for the captain says it may be quite cool on the water
+before we return."
+
+"A summons we're delighted to receive," returned Rosie, springing to her
+feet and hurrying toward the hall door, the others following, all of
+them in gay good humor.
+
+No one was missing from that boating excursion, and on their return, a
+little before tea time, all spoke of having had a most enjoyable
+afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+After tea, when all were together upon the front veranda, Grandma Elsie
+in a reclining chair, the others grouped about her, the talk turned upon
+the approaching Christmas and how it should be celebrated--what gifts
+prepared for friends and servants.
+
+Various plans were suggested, various gifts spoken of, but nothing
+settled.
+
+The little girls took a deep interest in the subject, and when they
+separated for the night each one's thoughts were full of it; Lulu's
+perhaps even more so than those of any other, not of what she might
+receive, but what she would like to give.
+
+"Papa," she said, when he came into her room to bid her good-night, "I
+do so want to make some pretty things to give at Christmas time. Please,
+won't you let me?" and look and tone were very coaxing.
+
+"My dear little daughter," he replied, taking possession of an
+easy-chair and drawing her to a seat upon his knee, "it would give me
+much pleasure to indulge you in this, but you have lost a good deal of
+time from your studies of late, and I know very well that to allow you
+to engage in the manufacture of Christmas gifts would have the effect
+of taking your mind off your lessons in a way to prevent you from making
+much, if any, progress with them."
+
+"Then you won't let me, papa?"
+
+"No, my child. If you choose you may use your pocket-money, and some
+more that I will give you, to buy what you please, that will not make
+any work for you. Your studies must be faithfully attended to, and the
+greater part of your remaining time I wish you to spend in out-of-door
+amusements which will, I hope, both give you much pleasure and keep you
+in vigorous health.
+
+"I could not bear to see my dear eldest daughter growing pale and thin,
+or failing to improve her mind and talents so that she may in due time
+become a noble, useful woman, capable of doing with her might whatever
+work her heavenly Father may be pleased to give her."
+
+A wofully ill-used, discontented look had come over Lulu's expressive
+countenance as her father began what he had to say, but before he had
+finished it was replaced by a much sweeter one of contentment with his
+decision, and confiding filial love.
+
+"Papa, dear, I did at first very much want you to say yes to my
+petition, but now I see that you know best and am quite content to do as
+you have said you want me to," she returned, putting her arm about his
+neck and laying her cheek to his in her accustomed fashion when her
+heart was swelling with daughterly affection.
+
+"My dear child, your ready acquiescence in your father's decision makes
+you dearer than ever to him, if that be possible," he said, holding her
+close with many a fond caress.
+
+Meanwhile Rosie and Evelyn, occupying adjoining rooms, were chatting
+gaily of what they should make for one and another of those they loved.
+
+Suddenly Evelyn paused, a very thoughtful look overspreading her
+expressive face.
+
+"Well, what is it?" asked Rosie in a bantering tone; and Evelyn
+answered, "I was just thinking that all this, should we undertake it,
+will be apt to take our minds from our lessons, which are certainly of
+far greater importance."
+
+"And that Captain Raymond may veto it on that account?" asked Rosie,
+with a twinkle of fun in her eye.
+
+"Possibly he may; and if he does, I, for one, shall certainly obey him,"
+replied Evelyn, speaking in a sober, earnest way that said plainly she
+was far from being in jest.
+
+"Well, I make no rash promises," laughed Rosie; "and I'm not very much
+afraid of that brother-in-law of mine, stern as he can look when it
+suits him."
+
+"But you will want to please your dear mother?" returned Evelyn, in a
+tone between assertion and inquiry.
+
+"Yes," replied Rosie, sobering down at once; "I could refuse nothing to
+dear mamma. I would do anything and everything in my power to add to her
+happiness. Oh, how glad and thankful I am that she has been spared to
+us!"
+
+"I, too," said Evelyn. "I think I could hardly love her better if she
+were really my very near relative."
+
+A moment of silence followed, presently broken by Rosie. "Well, I
+suppose," she said with a return to her jesting tone, "it may be our
+wisest plan to consult his lordship--Captain Raymond--in regard to the
+matter just now under discussion--whether we--his prospective
+pupils--may or may not engage in the work of preparing Christmas gifts
+for other folk."
+
+"I, at least, certainly intend doing so," replied Evelyn. "Obedience to
+his wishes--to say nothing of orders--it strikes me will be the very
+least we can do in return for his great kindness in taking the trouble
+to instruct us."
+
+"There, you are right!" said Rosie. "I hadn't thought of that before. It
+is very good in him and I shall really try to show him that I am one of
+the best and most tractable of pupils."
+
+"Suppose we join him and Lu to-morrow in their morning walk, as we did
+to-day, and then and there improve the opportunity to discuss this
+momentous question," suggested Evelyn laughingly.
+
+"I am strongly in favor of so doing, provided I wake in season,"
+returned Rosie, and with that they separated for the night.
+
+They carried out their plan, had a pleasant little morning ramble and
+chat with the captain and Lulu, and finding that such was his wish,
+promised to do but little in the way of making Christmas gifts, in order
+that their time and attention might be the more fully occupied with
+their studies, which they were all to take up again on the following
+Monday.
+
+"And this being Friday, we have only to-day and to-morrow for play. It
+looks like rain, too," sighed Rosie disconsolately, glancing up at the
+sky as she spoke; "so we are not likely to have much out-of-door sport."
+
+"Ah, well, little sister, we must not grumble about the rain, for it is
+needed; and there are the verandas for you young folks to sport upon,"
+returned the captain.
+
+"Besides, your big brother is not intending to be so hard upon you as to
+allow no diversion after lessons are resumed. I hope you will all have
+many an hour for romping, riding, driving, boating, and walking."
+
+"Pleasant chats, too, and interesting books to read; music, and games
+besides," remarked Evelyn. "Oh, we are not likely to suffer from lack
+of diversion when we have been good and industrious enough to deserve
+it," she added, with a smiling look at the captain.
+
+"As I have little doubt that you will be always," he returned, smiling
+kindly upon her.
+
+By the time breakfast and family worship were over a gentle rain was
+falling, and instead of seeking out-of-door amusement, the whole family
+gathered upon the veranda at the front of the house.
+
+Just then a pretty well-filled mail-bag made its appearance, and
+presently nearly everybody had one or more letters in hand.
+
+Noticing that her father had several, Lulu presently drew near him and
+asked, "Mayn't I help you answer those, papa?"
+
+"Thank you, dear child," he returned, smiling fondly upon her, "you may
+if you wish, but I have plenty of time to do the work myself this
+morning, and would be sorry to deprive you of the pleasure you might be
+taking with your mates."
+
+"I'll have time enough for that afterward, papa, and would very much
+rather do a little to help you--if it will be a help, instead of a
+trouble to you to have me use my machine in that way," she said, with a
+look up into his eyes that showed plainly how anxious she was to have
+her offer accepted.
+
+"Then you shall, my darling," he returned, and taking her hand led her
+into the library, seated her before her typewriter, supplied paper and
+envelopes, and began dictating to her as on the two former occasions.
+
+"It grieves me to rob my dear little girl of any of her holiday time,"
+he remarked, as the first letter was completed, laying his hand
+caressingly on her head. "Your father loves to see you enjoying
+yourself."
+
+"Yes, dear papa, I know that," she replied, with a pleased loving look
+up into his face, "but there is nothing I enjoy more than feeling that I
+can be of a little help and comfort to you."
+
+"Well, it will not take us long to answer these letters--there are but
+few to-day--and perhaps you may enjoy your sports all the more
+afterward," he replied, handing her a fresh sheet of paper.
+
+"This, from our dear Max, is the only one left now," he remarked
+presently; "and he, I know, would rather have his reply in papa's own
+handwriting; but, shall I read this to you, daughter?"
+
+"Oh, I should like to hear it, papa!" was her eager response. "Please,
+may I sit on your knee while I listen?"
+
+"Indeed you may," he answered, drawing her to the coveted seat and
+putting his arm about her waist. "Maxie does write such good,
+interesting letters, and I'm so much obliged to you for reading this one
+to me, papa," she said, when he had finished.
+
+"You are very welcome, daughter; and now you may go back to your mates
+while I write my reply."
+
+On the veranda family letters had been read and discussed, meanwhile,
+and when Lulu joined the group they were again talking of the
+approaching Christmas and what gifts should be prepared for relatives,
+near and dear friends, and servants.
+
+Grandma Elsie, seated in their midst, was looking quite her old
+self--very bright, beautiful, and sweet.
+
+"With the housekeeping given in charge to Vi," she was saying, as Lulu
+drew near, "I shall have abundance of spare time and hope to prepare
+many gifts for----"
+
+"No," interrupted her father, "you are to do nothing of the kind; but
+must devote yourself to the business of gaining strength as fast as
+possible."
+
+She laughed pleasantly at that, saying, "My vacation has been a long one
+already, papa, for I have really done nothing worth speaking of since we
+returned home from the North."
+
+"And what of that, daughter?" he responded. "You have never been an
+idler, but it seems to be time now for you to begin. Let your vacation
+go on till next spring. That is my prescription for you."
+
+"Ah, ha, mamma!" laughed Rosie, "the captain forbids Christmas-gift
+making for us younger ones, and I'm mighty glad grandpa forbids it to
+you. 'Misery loves company,' you know."
+
+"I hope my Rosie may never be called upon to share any worse misery,"
+was the smiling rejoinder. "Also that she will show herself as obedient
+to the captain as I intend to be to her kind, loving grandpa--so
+tenderly careful of his daughter," with a fond look up into the face of
+her father, standing by her side.
+
+"As he may well be, for she is a treasure worth guarding," he said,
+returning her look of love. "Rosie, when does the captain propose
+beginning his labors as tutor?"
+
+"Next Monday morning, grandpa; so we want to crowd all the fun and
+diversion we can into to-day and to-morrow."
+
+"Ah, we must select a schoolroom and furnish it with whatever may be
+necessary!" exclaimed Violet.
+
+"Yes," her mother said; "the room used for that purpose when you were a
+very little girl will answer nicely. Its desks were sent to the attic
+when no longer needed. You might order them brought down to-day, the
+room swept and dusted, and whatever else done that is necessary or
+desirable, so that it will be quite ready for occupation on Monday."
+
+"Thank you, mamma; I will have it attended to at once," Violet replied,
+and hastened away, Rosie running after her with a "Come girls, let us go
+and see the room and find out whether it has a closet for the captain to
+shut us up in when we misbehave."
+
+"I don't believe he'll use it if it has," laughed Lulu, rather enjoying
+Rosie's fun, "for he has never punished any of us--his own children--in
+that way."
+
+"Still there is no knowing but he may take a new departure, now, when
+he's going to have so distinguished a pupil as myself," pursued Rosie,
+dancing down the hall with the others close in her rear.
+
+They followed Violet to the room Grandma Elsie had spoken of, and found
+it large and airy, with windows down to the floor,--opening out upon the
+veranda on that side of the house,--the walls prettily papered and
+adorned with good pictures, handsomely framed; the floor covered with
+fine matting, furniture handsome, a pretty clock and vases on the
+mantel. On one side of that was a door to which Rosie flew and, throwing
+it wide open, brought to view a large closet.
+
+"There!" she exclaimed, "didn't I tell you, girls and Walter?" for he
+was in the company by that time, "here's the place of incarceration for
+those who shall dare to disobey Captain Raymond. I for one shall
+certainly try to behave my prettiest, for I wouldn't like to be shut up
+in the dark."
+
+"Well, it appears to me that you are more likely to come to it than any
+of the rest of us," observed Walter quietly, as he turned on his heel
+and walked away.
+
+"Did you ever hear the like?" cried Rosie, opening her eyes very wide in
+pretended astonishment.
+
+"What's all this?" asked a familiar voice at the door, and turning at
+the sound they saw Captain Raymond standing there, looking very grave
+and slightly reproving, but with a perceptible twinkle of fun in his
+eyes.
+
+"We were just looking at the closet you are going to use for the
+incarceration of the naughty ones, for this is to be your schoolroom,
+you see, sir," returned Rosie demurely.
+
+"And you expect to enjoy a sojourn there?" he queried, coming forward
+and himself taking a survey of the interior. "It strikes me it would
+suit better as a receptacle for school-books and the like."
+
+"So it would," she said, with a sigh of pretended relief; "and we, your
+pupils that are to be will venture to hope that you will see best to
+devote it to that use."
+
+"A hope in which you will not be disappointed, I trust," he replied, in
+a kindly tone, and laying a hand lightly upon her shoulder.
+
+"There girls!" she exclaimed, "you may thank me for extracting such a
+promise beforehand. I do really believe his honor intends to treat us
+well if we are reasonably well behaved."
+
+"And the rest of us are quite sure of it," added Evelyn, with a bright
+look up into the captain's face.
+
+"Thank you for your confidence, my dear," he returned. "I have little
+doubt that we will have pleasant times together in this very pleasant
+room."
+
+A little more time was spent in examining the room and commenting upon
+its beauties and conveniences; then they went back to the veranda to
+find that the sun had begun to peep through the clouds.
+
+So carriages were ordered and all took a drive through the beautiful
+woods.
+
+The afternoon was spent in boating and fishing, the evening in the
+veranda, where they were joined by their relatives from Magnolia Hall
+and the parsonage.
+
+The manner in which they would spend the approaching Christmas and New
+Year's Day was the principal subject of conversation, and the young
+folks were particularly interested in listening to the plans made or
+suggested, and well satisfied with the proposed arrangement that the
+cousins should spend the first at Viamede, all gather at Magnolia Hall
+for their New Year's dinner, and pass the evening of that day at the
+parsonage.
+
+Lulu had a talk with her father in her own room at bedtime, that made
+her feel very happy and entirely content with his prohibition of the
+making of gifts.
+
+He told her that she and Grace might each make out a list of the
+articles they would like to buy to present to others, and that some one,
+probably Mr. Embury--Cousin Millie's husband--who was intending to pay a
+visit of a few days to New Orleans, would kindly make the purchases for
+them.
+
+"Oh, that will do nicely, papa!" she exclaimed delightedly, "and Gracie
+and I might make out our lists to-morrow with a little help from our
+dear father," smiling up into his eyes.
+
+"Yes, dear child, I will gladly give you both all the assistance in my
+power," he replied, softly smoothing her hair, for she was--as usual at
+such times--sitting upon his knee; "and not with advice only," he
+continued, "but also by adding something to your means for carrying out
+your wishes."
+
+"Oh, you dear papa, you are just the kindest father that ever was
+made!" she cried, in an ecstasy of delight, and hugging him with all her
+strength.
+
+"Ah, but if you choke me to death," he said laughingly, "I can do
+nothing for you."
+
+"Oh, papa, please excuse me!" she exclaimed, relaxing her hold. "Did I
+hurt you? oh, I am very, very sorry!"
+
+"Not much; I could stand it very well," he returned, giving her a hug
+and kiss. "But now I must leave you to go to bed and to sleep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+There was a decided downpour of rain the next morning, but no one minded
+that very much, as the necessity for staying within doors gave time and
+opportunity for further arrangements in regard to Christmas and the
+gifts to be presented.
+
+The captain kindly devoted an hour or more to helping his little girls
+to decide upon theirs and make out a list; Mr. Embury, and Molly and
+Isadore, who were intending to accompany him to the city, having kindly
+offered to make any purchases desired by the Viamede relatives.
+
+At the same time the others, older and younger, were similarly engaged,
+and there were many little private chats as they gathered in twos and
+threes here and there about the veranda or in the rooms.
+
+In the afternoon Violet invited the whole party to inspect the
+schoolroom, where some of the servants had been busy, under her
+direction, all the morning, giving it a thorough cleaning, draping the
+windows with fresh lace curtains, looped back with blue ribbons, and
+placing a desk for each expected pupil, and a neat table for the
+teacher.
+
+Every one pronounced it a model schoolroom, some of the older people
+adding that it made them almost wish themselves young enough to again be
+busy with lessons and recitations.
+
+"Where's your ferule, Brother Levis?" asked Rosie, facetiously, after a
+close scrutiny of the table, not omitting its drawer.
+
+"I think you have not made a thorough examination of the closet yet,"
+was his noncommittal reply.
+
+"Oh, that's where you keep it? I say girls----" in a loud whisper,
+perfectly audible to everyone in the room, "let's carry it off before he
+has a chance to use it."
+
+"Hardly worth while, since it would be no difficult matter to replace
+it," remarked the captain, with assumed gravity and sternness.
+
+"Ah, then I suppose one may as well be resigned to circumstances,"
+sighed Rosie, following the others from the room.
+
+"Papa, can I help you?" asked Lulu, seeing him seat himself at the table
+in the library, take out writing materials from its drawer, and dip a
+pen into the ink.
+
+"No, thank you, daughter," he replied. "I am going to write to Max."
+
+"Please tell him we are all ever so sorry he can't be here to spend
+Christmas and New Year's with us."
+
+"I will."
+
+"And he can't have the pleasure of giving any gifts I suppose, as they
+allow him so little pocket money!"
+
+"Dear boy! he shall not miss that pleasure entirely," said the captain.
+"I am going now to write to him that I will set apart a certain sum for
+his use in the purchase of gifts for others. That is, he may tell me
+what he would like to give, and I will see that the articles are bought
+and distributed as he wishes."
+
+"Oh, what a nice plan, papa! I am sure Maxie will be very glad."
+
+"Yes, I do it with the hope of giving pleasure to my dear boy. And
+besides that I shall tell him that he may again choose some benevolent
+object to which I will give, in his name, a thousand dollars. You too,
+and Gracie, shall have the same privilege."
+
+"Just as we all had last year. Oh, papa, it is so good and kind in you!"
+
+"That is the opinion of my very partial little daughter," he returned,
+with a smile. "But, daughter, as I have often told you, the money is the
+Lord's, and I am only his steward."
+
+"Yes, sir," she said, and walked thoughtfully away.
+
+By the middle of the afternoon the rain seemed to be over and a row on
+the bayou was enjoyed by the most of the party; all who cared to go.
+
+Music and conversation made the evening pass quickly and pleasantly, and
+all retired to their rooms at an early hour that they might rise
+refreshed for the duties and privileges of the Lord's day.
+
+It was spent, as former ones had been, attending church and the pastor's
+Bible class in the morning, and holding a similar service on the lawn at
+Viamede in the afternoon.
+
+In addressing that little congregation the captain tried to make the way
+of salvation very clear and plain.
+
+"It is just to come to Jesus as you are," he said; "not waiting to make
+yourself any better, for you never can; he alone can do that work; it is
+his blood that cleanses from all sin; his righteousness that is perfect,
+and therefore acceptable to God; while all our righteousnesses are as
+filthy rags, stained and defiled with sin.
+
+"Concerning him--the only begotten and well beloved Son of God--the
+Bible tells us, 'He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come
+unto God by him.'
+
+"'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.'
+
+"And he says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.'
+
+"'This is the will of him that sent me, that every one who seeth the
+Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise
+him up at the last day.'
+
+"Just go to Jesus each one of you, give yourself to him and believe his
+word--that he will not cast you out; he will receive you and make you
+his own; giving you of his spirit, changing you from the poor sinner you
+are, by nature, into his image, his likeness."
+
+At the conclusion of that service Lulu and Grace recited their Bible
+verses and catechism to their father.
+
+The evening was spent in conversation and music suited to the sacredness
+of the day, and all retired to rest.
+
+Nine o'clock of the next morning found the girls and Walter seated in
+the schoolroom. Lulu and Grace busied with their tasks, the others ready
+and waiting to have theirs appointed by the captain.
+
+School that day was a decided success, and Rosie pretended that her
+fears of the new teacher were greatly allayed.
+
+Between that and Christmas-time everything moved along smoothly; studies
+were well attended to, sports and pastimes greatly enjoyed.
+
+The celebration of the holidays--Christmas and New Year's--also proved a
+great success. There were many and beautiful gifts; a handsome brooch
+from the captain delighted each little girl, and there were other lovely
+gifts too numerous to mention.
+
+The distribution was on Christmas Eve. The next day there was a grand
+dinner at Viamede, all the relatives present, and everybody in gayest
+spirits.
+
+The day was bright and beautiful, seeming but little like Christmas to
+those accustomed to frost and snow at that season.
+
+New Year's day was not less lovely, nor were its festivities less
+enjoyable, though the gifts were fewer.
+
+The holidays past, the young folks went back with zest to their studies,
+Rosie saying she was now convinced that Captain Raymond was an excellent
+teacher, and not at all inclined to tyrannize over a well-behaved pupil;
+for which complimentary expression of opinion he gravely thanked her.
+
+"You are very welcome, sir," she said, "and may depend upon a
+recommendation from me whenever it is wanted."
+
+"O Rosie, how ridiculous you are!" exclaimed Walter.
+
+But Rosie was already out of the room, the other girls following. They
+went out on the lawn, ran about for a while, then settled themselves
+under a tree and began cracking and eating nuts.
+
+Lulu, who was very fond of them, presently put one between her teeth and
+cracked it there.
+
+"O Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you forget that papa forbade you to crack nuts
+with your teeth, for fear you might break them."
+
+"Well, I wanted to break the nut," returned Lulu, laughing, and blushing
+because her conscience reproached her.
+
+"I meant break your teeth," said Grace. "I'm sure you wouldn't have done
+it--cracked the nut with them, I mean--if you hadn't forgotten that papa
+forbade you to do it."
+
+"No, Gracie, I'm not so good as you think; I did not forget; I just did
+it because I wanted to," Lulu said with an evident effort, and blushing
+again.
+
+Then she sprang up and ran toward her father, who was seen at some
+little distance, coming from the orange orchard toward the house.
+
+"I do believe she's going to tell on herself!" exclaimed Rosie, in
+astonishment.
+
+"Oh, dear, I wonder what papa will do to her!" exclaimed Grace, just
+ready to burst into tears.
+
+"It is very noble in her to go and confess at once, when he needn't have
+ever known anything about it," cried Eva admiringly.
+
+They were all three watching Lulu and her father with intense interest,
+though too far away to hear anything that either one might say.
+
+Lulu drew near him, hanging her head shamefacedly. "Papa," she said, in
+a low, remorseful tone, "I have just been disobeying you."
+
+"Ah! I am sorry, very sorry, to hear it, daughter," he returned a little
+sadly; then, taking her hand, led her away further from the house and
+seated her and himself on a bench beneath a group of trees that entirely
+hid them from view.
+
+"Tell me the whole story, my child," he said, not unkindly, and still
+keeping her hand in his.
+
+"I cracked a nut with my teeth, papa," she replied, with her eyes upon
+the ground, her cheek hot with blushes.
+
+"You forgot that I had forbidden it?"
+
+"No, papa, I haven't even that poor excuse. I remembered all the time
+that you had forbidden me, but just did it because I wanted to."
+
+"Though I had given you my reason for the prohibition--that you would
+risk serious damage to your teeth, and probably suffer both pain and the
+loss of those useful members in consequence. It gives me pain to find
+that my dear eldest daughter cares so little for her father's wishes or
+commands."
+
+At that Lulu burst into tears and sobs. "Oh, I hope you'll punish me
+well for it, papa!" she said. "I deserve it, and I think it would do me
+good."
+
+"I must indeed punish you for conduct so decidedly rebellious," he
+replied. "I will either forbid nuts for a week, or refrain from giving
+you a caress for the same length of time. Which shall it be?"
+
+"O papa, I'd rather do without nuts for the rest of the winter than a
+whole week without a caress from you!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Very well, then," he said, bending down and touching his lips to her
+cheek. "I forbid the nuts, and I think I can trust my daughter to obey
+me by not touching one till she has her father's permission."
+
+"I feel sure I will, papa," she said; "but if I should be so very bad as
+to disobey you again in this, I will come to you, confess it, and take
+my punishment without a word of objection."
+
+"I have no doubt of it, daughter," he returned, taking her hand again
+and leading her back to the house.
+
+The other girls were awaiting with intense interest the reappearance of
+the captain and Lulu.
+
+"Here they come!" exclaimed Rosie, "and I don't believe he has punished
+her; there has hardly been time, and though she looks very sober--he,
+too--she doesn't look at all frightened; nor does he look angry, and he
+holds her hand in what strikes me as a very affectionate way."
+
+"Yes," said Evelyn, "I think the captain is as good and kind a father as
+anyone could desire; and I'm sure Lulu's opinion of him is the same."
+
+"Yes, indeed," assented Grace heartily, as she wiped the tears from her
+eyes, "there couldn't be a better, kinder father than ours, Lulu and I
+both think; but though he doesn't like to punish us, sometimes he feels
+that it's his duty to do it to make us good."
+
+"I don't believe you get, or need, punishment very often, Gracie,"
+remarked Rosie; "you are as good as gold; at least so it seems to me."
+
+"I'm not perfect, Rosie; oh, no, indeed!" Gracie answered earnestly;
+"but papa almost never does anything more than talk in a grave, kind way
+to me about my faults."
+
+By this time the captain and Lulu had drawn near the house, and, letting
+go her hand, "You may go back to your mates now, daughter," he said in a
+kindly tone. "I have some matters to attend to, and if you have anything
+more to say to me I will hear it at another time."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Lulu, and went slowly toward the little group under
+the tree, while her father passed round to the other side of the house.
+
+"He was not very much vexed with you, Lu, was he?" queried Rosie, in a
+kindly inquiring tone, as Lulu joined them, looking grave and a trifle
+sad, while traces of tears could be discerned on her cheeks and about
+her eyes.
+
+"Papa only seemed sorry that--that I could be so disobedient," faltered
+the little girl, tears starting to her eyes again; "but he always
+punishes disobedience,--which is just what he ought to do, I am
+sure,--and he has forbidden me to eat any more nuts for a week. I chose
+that rather than doing without a caress from him for the same length of
+time. So you see he was not very severe; not half so severe as I
+deserved that he should be."
+
+The others agreed with her that it was but a light punishment; then they
+began talking of something else.
+
+Nuts were a part of the dessert that day, and Lulu, sitting near her
+father, asked in a low aside, "Papa, mayn't I pick out some kernels for
+you?"
+
+"If you wish, daughter," he answered; and she performed the little
+service with evident pleasure.
+
+"Thank you, dear child," he said, with a loving look and smile as she
+handed them to him. Speaking of it to Violet that night in the privacy
+of their own room, "I found it hard to take and eat them without sharing
+with her, the dear, affectionate child!" he said, with feeling, "but I
+knew it gave her pleasure to do her father that little service. Ah, it
+is so much pleasanter to fondle and indulge one's children than to
+reprove or punish them! yet I am sure it is the truest kindness to
+train them to obedience, as the Bible directs."
+
+"Yes," returned Violet, "and I have often noticed that those parents who
+do follow that Bible teaching are more loved and respected by their
+children than the foolishly indulgent ones. And, by the way, how
+devotedly fond of her father Lulu is! It delights me to see it."
+
+"Me also, my dear," he returned, with a pleased little laugh. "I doubt
+if any man ever had better, dearer children--speaking of the whole five
+together--than mine. Nor can I believe that ever a father esteemed his
+greater treasures than I do mine."
+
+The rest of the winter passed quietly and peacefully to our friends at
+Viamede, the young folks making good progress with their studies, the
+older ones finding employment in various ways--the ladies in reading,
+writing letters, overseeing house and servants, and making and receiving
+visits; Mr. Dinsmore in much the same manner, except that he gave
+himself no concern about domestic affairs; while the captain found full
+employment in instructing his pupils and superintending work on the
+plantation; but with time enough to spare for participation in the
+diversions and recreations of the others.
+
+Grandma Elsie had entirely recovered her health, and as spring opened
+they began to talk of returning to their more northern homes, yet
+continued to tarry, looking for a visit to Viamede from the dear ones of
+Ion and Fairview.
+
+And here at beautiful Viamede we will leave them for the present.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS SERIES
+
+
+An attractive and popular edition of books for Girls. Printed from
+large, clear type on a superior quality of paper. Hard bound and stamped
+on back and front with attractive designs.
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS IN THE ALLEGHANY MOUNTAINS; or, a Christmas Success
+Against Odds
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS IN THE COUNTRY; or, The Secret Aunt Hannah Forgot
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS' TRIP UP THE RIVER; or, Ethel Hollister's First Lesson
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS' OUTING; or, Ethel Hollister's Second Summer in Camp
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS ON A HIKE; or, Lost in the Great North Woods
+
+CAMPFIRE GIRLS AT TWIN LAKES; or, the Quest for a Summer Vacation
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+FAIRY LIBRARY SERIES
+
+
+An attractive assortment of popular titles for both boys and girls.
+Printed from large clear type and printed on a superior quality of book
+paper. Hard bound and stamped on back and front.
+
+          MOTHER GOOSE
+          ROBINSON CRUSOE
+          BLACK BEAUTY
+          ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
+          STORIES FROM THE BIBLE
+          WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY
+          ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES
+          ARABIAN NIGHTS
+          ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Price 25c Each, postpaid_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY
+          701-733 South Dearborn Street    ::    CHICAGO
+
+
+
+
+Famous Books in Rebound Editions
+
+
+HEIDI
+
+_By Johanna Spyri._ Three hundred and ninety-five pages, illustrated.
+Printed from new plates, handsomely bound in cloth.
+
+
+LITTLE LAME PRINCE
+
+_By Miss Mulock._ A popular edition of this well known story. Printed
+from large, clear type and attractively bound in cloth.
+
+
+ELSIE DINSMORE
+
+_By Martha Finley._ A beautiful edition of this popular novel. Printed
+on a superior quality of book paper and bound in cloth.
+
+
+HELEN'S BABIES
+
+_By John Habberton._ An amusing and entertaining book for everyone.
+Printed from new plates and attractively bound in cloth.
+
+
+A DOG OF FLANDERS
+
+_By Ouida._ An illustrated edition of this popular and interesting
+story. Printed from new plates and bound in cloth.
+
+
+BLACK BEAUTY
+
+_By Anna Sewell._ Beautiful edition of this popular story. An attractive
+book, printed from large clear type, bound in cloth.
+
+
+HANS BRINKER
+
+_By Mary Mapes Dodge._ This is a well-known story of life in Holland.
+Printed on a superior quality of paper; cloth bound.
+
+
+PINOCCHIO
+
+_By C. Collodi._ A beautiful illustrated edition of this popular story.
+Attractively printed from new plates and bound in cloth.
+
+
+LITTLE WOMEN
+
+_By Louisa May Alcott._ Beautiful edition of this famous story in one
+volume. Attractively printed and bound in cloth.
+
+
+ALICE IN WONDERLAND
+
+_By Lewis Carroll._ An attractive edition of this well-known story.
+Printed from new plates and attractively bound in cloth.
+
+_Price each 75c, postpaid_
+
+          M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY
+          701-733 South Dearborn Street    ::    CHICAGO
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+   Hyphenation retained in "kind-hearted" as it appears once with
+   and once without the hyphen.
+
+   Page 14, "sailer" changed to "sailor" (a splendid sailor)
+
+   Page 147, "honered" changed to "honored" (my dear and honored)
+
+   Page 166, "child" and "in" presumed from remaining letters
+   (child alone, or nearly so, in)
+
+   Page 172, "froward" changed to "forward" (the forward mouth)
+
+   Page 182, "two" changed to "too" (the distance being too great)
+
+   Page 198, "tremuously" changed to "tremulously" (tremulously,
+   just)
+
+   Page 203, "Lelaand" changed to "Leland" (glance at Mrs. Leland)
+
+   Page 216, paragraph break inserted between "queried Lulu." and
+   "I very much doubt".
+
+   Page 273, "beautitiful" changed to "beautiful" (very bright,
+   beautiful)
+
+   Page 253, "fatigueing" changed to "fatiguing" (rather than
+   fatiguing)
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S VACATION AND AFTER EVENTS***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 18058.txt or 18058.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/0/5/18058
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/18058.zip b/18058.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6def1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18058.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bfbfe7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #18058 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18058)