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diff --git a/23523-8.txt b/23523-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c1199dc --- /dev/null +++ b/23523-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4007 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Adventures in Toyland, by Edith King Hall + + +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: Adventures in Toyland + What the Marionette Told Molly + + +Author: Edith King Hall + + + +Release Date: November 17, 2007 [eBook #23523] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND*** + + +E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original 70 illustrations. + See 23523-h.htm or 23523-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523/23523-h/23523-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523/23523-h.zip) + + + + + +ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND + +To my little friends Dorothy & Doris in recollection of +the time we spent in fairyland together. + +Altemus' Young People's Library + +ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND +What the Marionette Told Molly + +by + +EDITH KING HALL + +With Seventy Illustrations + + + + + + + +Copyright 1900 by Henry Altemus Company +Philadelphia +Henry Altemus Company + + + +Contents + Page. + + Chap. I. AFTER THE SHUTTERS WERE UP 13 + " II. THE RABBIT AND THE MOUSE 20 + " III. BELINDA 57 + " IV. THE OFFICER AND THE ELEPHANT 75 + " V. THE LITTLE DANCER 93 + " VI. THE HANSOM-DRIVER 107 + " VII. PROUD CLARIBELLE 121 + " VIII. THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL 139 + " IX. THE LAST PERFORMANCE 156 + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + +Molly and the Marionette, Frontispiece + + Page. + +Unrolling the Adventures v +Three Friends in Fairyland vi +The Farthing Doll gets a Surprise vii +From Noah's Ark vii +Four Merry Ducklings ix +Birds of a Feather xii +A Procession from the Ark 13 +"Molly's astonishment was great" 15 +The two Dancers 19 +The Marionette is waiting 20 +The Rabbit plays and the Mouse dances 21 +The Mouse collects the Money 24 +A Pair of Conspirators 26 +"The Sentry is both brave and wicked" 29 +The Mouse discloses its Plan 31 +The Owl listens behind the Sentry-box 35 +The Owl takes charge of the Drum 37 +On their way to the Sentry-box 39 +The Rabbit bids the Sentry Good-day 41 +The Rabbit spreads the Gum over the Floor 44 +The Mouse tries to look pious 49 +The Rabbit takes Vengeance 52 +Two little Tell-tales 56 +Here the Marionette paused 57 +Belinda shuts her Eyes 59 +"Simplicity and Self" 61 +The Sailor-lad tries to startle Belinda 65 +"Oh, Belinda, how I love you!" 69 +Bedtime in the Ark 74 +The Marionette in a hurry 75 +The Two Enemies 76 +"The Lady Dolls shrieked" 79 +The Officer threatens the Elephant 81 +"He fell under the animal's trunk" 87 +"He grunted and walked slowly away" 92 +Molly sits beside her Friend 93 +"One day she saw the Bicycle-man" 96 +"A very handsome fellow" 97 +"Something within her went--_Snap_!" 103 +"Alas! alack-a-day!" 106 +"Come, this won't do!" 107 +"The Hansom-driver was very plain" 109 +"The Butcher, the Baker, and the Clown" 111 +"My face is my fortune" 113 +"Every time he looked in the Glass" 115 +"Drove off as fast as he could" 120 +"I should like to hear about her" 121 +"Claribelle was a haughty doll" 123 +"The Rag Doll was a pushing person" 125 +The Driver begins to sing 127 +"Then she swept away" 131 +"The Driver got up with dignity" 133 +"He loved but drove away" 135 +Proud Claribelle is penitent 138 +"The two met as usual" 139 +The Grocer meets the Farthing Doll 140 +"They walked away hand in hand" 143 +"She handed him a joint of beef" 147 +"Supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No '" 149 +"They were happy ever after" 152 +"Molly ran away content" 155 +"The little Marionette lay on the ground" 156 +"They had just finished their dance" 160 +"I begin to understand--nerves" 165 +The General rides off to the nearest chemist 167 +The Clown dances a double-shuffle 169 +"You are not crying, dear, are you?" 171 +"She rocked to and fro silently" 175 +The Marionette fell asleep quite happily 177 + + + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +All sorts of toys were to be found in that toy-shop. It was truly a place +to please any child! A little girl, who had come to stay there with her +aunt--the owner of the shop--and her little cousin, was always to be +found amongst the toys; she was forever picking up and admiring this +one, stroking that one, nursing another. All her spare moments were +spent in the shop. + +It so happened one evening that she wandered in after the shutters were +put up, and the place was deserted. She paused before the spot where +she was accustomed to find her favorite doll, a little lady Marionette, +who, when wound up, danced gayly in company with her partner, a very +fine gentleman. + +They were both very prettily dressed. The little lady Marionette wore a +beautiful white silk dress brocaded with pink roses, whilst her partner +had on a blue velvet coat, knee breeches, white silk stockings, and +diamond shoe buckles. Their clothes were really very grand! + +And they danced so gayly, too. + +"Just as if they like dancing with each other!" the little girl once +said to her aunt. + +"You are a fanciful child, Molly," answered the woman, laughing. + +"All the same, I believe I am right," replied the little girl. + +This evening, however, they were not to be found in their accustomed +place. The little platform on which they danced was there, but the dolls +themselves were gone! + +The little girl looked round the shop much bewildered. + +"Where _can_ they be?" she said. + +At last she saw the little lady Marionette sitting on the right hand +counter, with her back against the Noah's Ark. + +"Well, how funny!" exclaimed the little girl aloud. "How have _you_ got +there?" + +"Walked, of course," answered the little Marionette in a sweet little +voice. + +The little girl's astonishment at this reply was very great. So great +that it kept her silent. + +"You seem rather surprised," said the little Marionette. "Why?" + +"Why, I never knew you could talk!" she exclaimed, recovering a little +from her surprise. "Or any other toy, either," she added. + +"Life is full of surprises," remarked the little Marionette; "especially +in the toy-shop." + +"I wish you would tell me all about it," said the little girl, becoming +bolder. "If toys can walk and talk, why don't children know it?" + +"Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant +regarding their habits," she answered. "_That_ is the reason. + +"At the same time," she continued, "as it is, generally speaking, only +when mortals are not present that we _can_ move and speak freely, this +ignorance is, perhaps, partly excusable." + +"But how long will you be able to go on talking to me?" + +"That I can't tell you. I can only say that our power of talking to a +Mortal--a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every +toy--generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks." + +The little girl clapped her hands. + +"You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!" she +exclaimed with pleasure. "I am only going to stay with my aunt and my +cousin for twelve days longer." + +She paused a moment, then added: + +"How I should like you to tell me some stories of toys--a new story +every day, you know. Couldn't you do that?" + +The little Marionette looked doubtful. + +"Before I attempt anything of the sort, I shall have to consult Father +Christmas--the well-known and much-esteemed patriarch. As he is the Head +of our Society, I should like to do nothing without his advice and +sanction." + +The little girl sighed anxiously. + +"I _do_ hope he'll say 'yes'," she said. "I want so much to hear stories +of toys told by a toy." + +"I'll do my best to please you," said the little Marionette. "Come here +at the same time to-morrow,--by yourself, for I can only speak before +one Mortal at a time,--and I will see what I can do." + +"Thank you," she said gratefully. "Please give my best love to Father +Christmas; and tell him if he says 'yes' I will see that Auntie puts him +at the very top of the Christmas tree." + +She turned to go, then paused and came back. + +"I should just like to ask you one thing before I go," she said. "Don't +you and your partner enjoy dancing together?" + +The pink cheeks of the little lady seemed to grow a little pinker. + +"Perhaps we do," she replied. + +"I thought so," remarked her new friend with some satisfaction. "Good +evening! I shall come again to-morrow at this same time." + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +The next evening the little girl returned to the Noah's Ark, where she +found the little Marionette in the same position. + +"Well!" she said eagerly. + +"I have consulted Father Christmas," answered the little Marionette. "He +is of the opinion that I may, without harm, tell you tales of _some_ of +the toys. You shall therefore hear the most interesting stories I can +remember." + +"That will be very nice," said the little girl. "Will you begin at +once?" + +"At once," she agreed, and began the story of "The Rabbit and the +Mouse." + + + + +THE RABBIT & THE MOUSE + + +The white Rabbit and the brown Mouse were both talented, though in +different ways. The Rabbit's talent showed itself in the precision and +vigor with which he could beat a drum as he sat on his hind-legs; the +Mouse in the swiftness and grace with which he could speed to and fro +upon the counter. + +Talking over the matter, they arrived at the conclusion that if they +went up and down the counter together as a traveling-show they might +turn a very pretty penny. The Rabbit was to display his musical talent, +whilst the Mouse was to exhibit his powers of graceful movement. + +The profits were to be equally divided. Such, at least, was the +arrangement as _understood_; but it was not a _written_ agreement, which +was a great mistake. + +The reason, however, that the two partners omitted to be more +business-like was this: the Rabbit trusted the Mouse, and the Mouse +hoped to cheat the Rabbit. Not that anything of the sort was openly +expressed, but each was quite well aware of his own view of the matter. + +The two started off upon the most amiable terms, stopping at such places +as they thought most likely to prove profitable: in front of the dolls' +houses; before the race-courses; by the shops. Then the Rabbit would +announce loudly: + +"I am a rare-bit from Wales, and the Mouse is a tit-bit from Ireland. +We charge no fees for performing, but trust to your kind generosity." + +After this the Rabbit played the drum with great energy, whilst the +Mouse ran up and down in the most nimble manner. + +It was probably owing to a report which got abroad, to the effect that +the performers were noble strangers, working in the cause of charity, +that the success of the pair was so great. It was, indeed, wonderful, +and in a short time the two had gained quite a little fortune. + +It was the Mouse who collected the money. For purposes of his own, he +persuaded the Rabbit to let him always take upon himself this duty. And +his companion, who was rather stiff in the joints after sitting +perfectly still upon his hind-legs for the length of time he was obliged +to, was quite willing to let the Mouse do as he wished. + +Not that he would have been willing to had he known the real facts of +the case. For as you will understand by what I have said, the Mouse was +acting towards him in the most dishonest fashion, in spite of his many +fair words and speeches. + +It was in this way that he plotted against his friend: As soon as a +certain sum of money had been collected, the Mouse always suggested that +he should go and invest it. To this the Rabbit never made any objection, +having great faith in the Mouse as an animal with a good business head. + +When the little rascal returned after a long absence, he had always a +fine story to tell of the cleverness with which he had laid out the +money, and of the fortune which would shortly be coming in. This was +perfectly untrue. The Mouse was not investing a penny. On the contrary, +he was hoarding it all up, and for his own benefit. + +There was a certain Horse who lived some little way off in a luxurious +stable. Here the Mouse was minded to pass his last years, so soon as he +had made a sufficiently large fortune, or unless chance removed him from +the toy-shop. But in order to carry out his plan, he would have to pay +the Horse a large sum for the right of sharehold--since it was his stall +he wished to share,--and also to get the warm, cosy corner he especially +desired. + +The Horse himself was not the noble creature nature had intended him to +be. He was to the full as greedy as the Mouse, and was indeed his +helper in the plot. It was to the Horse the little swindler always ran +when he pretended that he was going to invest the money, and it was in +his stall that it was hidden. By the end of the half-year the Horse and +the Mouse calculated that they would have sufficient money to carry out +their design; when they intended to add further to their wickedness by +causing the Rabbit to be killed, in order to prevent his asking any +tiresome questions. + +Now, as the time drew near when the money, had it been invested, should +have brought in some returns, the Rabbit began to talk of what he +intended doing with _his_ share. + +"I think," said he, "after I have supplied my own wants, I shall found a +drum-scholarship for Musical Rabbits;" for he was a creature of a kind +and generous nature, and truly devoted to the cause of art. + +"A most excellent notion," said the Mouse. "I shall follow your good +example, and found a scholarship for the encouragement of harmonious +squeaking amongst Mice. One cannot do too much to encourage the love of +music amongst all classes." + +"When will our first dividends be paid?" asked the Rabbit. + +"The money ought to have been paid already," answered the little scamp, +"but business is very bad just at present. I would explain the matter to +you, but I doubt you would not understand all the details." + +"Very good; I will not trouble you," answered his companion easily. "I +have perfect faith in your judgment, and will leave all to you." + +Yet from time to time, as was natural, he still made inquiries, which +the Mouse began to find troublesome. He therefore consulted with his +wicked friend the Horse, and they resolved that, as the half-year was +approaching, and they had got sufficient money for what they wanted, it +was better to delay the carrying out of their plot no longer, but to +kill the Rabbit as soon as it could be managed--indeed that very day. + +"To whom shall we intrust the deed?" asked the Horse. "There would be +too great a risk for either of us to undertake it, I fear. If we were +discovered there would at once be an end of all our plans. Our money +would be taken, and possibly our lives also." + +The Mouse considered for a moment, then he said: + +"I think I know the very fellow for the job. There is the Sentry who +always stands in his wooden box. He is a chap who will do anything to +vary the dulness of his life and earn a little money. He told me so the +other day. He is both brave and wicked. Let _him_ him do the deed." + +"Very well," replied the Horse; "I think your idea is good. Will you +arrange the matter so that it be carried out without any mistake?" + +"Leave it to me," replied the other. "You need not disturb yourself. The +days of the Rabbit are numbered." + +"Good!" neighed the Horse; "and the quantity of my corn, oats,--besides +carrots, apples, and other luxuries,--will be _beyond_ number. We'll at +once open an account with the fruiterer and corn-dealer." + +"Also the cheese-monger," said the Mouse. "Well, I must go; there is not +a moment to be lost if we wish to carry out our plan." Then he hurried +off to the Sentry. + +"Sentry," said he, "are you prepared to run some risk for the sake of +money?" + +"For the sake of money I'm prepared to do anything," said the wicked +fellow. + +"Then listen," said the Mouse. "There is a sum of money that, strictly +speaking, ought to be divided between the Rabbit and myself. But the +best way appears to be that I should have it all. But that is a little +difficult so long as he is alive. So I come to you to ask you if you +will kill him, provided I fill your knapsack with gold." + +"Upon that condition, yes," said the ruffian. "But don't attempt to +break it, or I shall put an end to you as well as your friend." + +"Never fear. Rest assured you shall have it," said the Mouse. + +"Now for the details of the plot," he continued. "I am going to propose +to the Rabbit a private performance in front of your sentry-box. I shall +say I have suggested it in order to vary the terrible dulness of your +existence. Having finished our performance I shall lead the way straight +forward, _with our backs towards you_. When we have gone a few steps I +shall remark loudly, 'That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap; _he_ +knows how to handle the bayonet'. This is to be the signal for you to +step quietly out of your box, and, pretending to stumble, stab the +Rabbit in the back with your bayonet. This should be quite easy, for he +is sure to be walking away on his hind-legs. He has fallen into that +habit since he has taken to playing the drum. You and I will, of course, +exhibit much grief, and declare that his death was an unfortunate +accident. You see the plan offers no difficulty." + +"Then if the _plan_ offers no difficulty, _I_ won't," said the Sentry, +with a cold-blooded laugh. "When is it to be carried out?" + +"This very day, in about two hours' time," replied the Mouse. "Well, +good-bye for the present, I think it is all very nicely arranged;" and +he nimbly scurried back to tell the Horse that the Rabbit was to be +killed by the Sentry; which he did with the utmost glee. + +Perhaps, however, his glee would not have been so great had he known +that whilst he was giving his account of what had occurred to the Horse, +_his wicked plan was at the same time being told to the intended +victim_! + +This is how such a strange thing happened. + +Whilst the Mouse and the Sentry were talking, they had forgotten that +the Owl's usual position was just behind the sentry-box. Or, if they +thought of it at all, they gave no heed to the fact, being aware that +the Owl was accustomed to sleep during the whole of the day. + +It so happened, however, that at the very moment the Mouse began his +conversation with the Sentry, the Owl awakened with a start from a bad +daymare, and all but hooted with fright. Growing calm as he became wider +awake, he was going off to sleep again,--when the name of the Rabbit +caught his ear. Being well acquainted with both him and the Mouse, whose +squeaking voice he recognized, the Owl listened to what was being said, +at first with drowsy then with startled attention. + +He only waited until he had learned all the details of the vile plot, +and then, overcoming, in the cause of friendship, every desire to close +his heavy eyes, he stole away, and imparted his startling news to the +astonished Rabbit. + +"_Impossible!_" exclaimed his hearer, letting his drum-stick fall with a +crash upon the instrument he had been industriously practising. "I would +as soon doubt my own honor as that of the little Mouse--my friend and +companion through weal and woe. _Impossible!_ You must have dreamt it, +or invented it." + +"Don't be so hasty in your judgment," remarked the Owl. "I have neither +dreamt nor invented it. If you doubt me go without delay to the brown +Horse's stable, where you will find the Mouse at this present moment +talking with his wicked companion. I will wait here until you return, in +case I may be needed to help you in your difficulty." + +"Many thanks," said the Rabbit, and leaving his drum in charge of the +Owl he hurried away. + +But a short time passed, and then he returned with a look of horror and +dismay. + +"All you have told me is but too true," he exclaimed. "Let me tender you +my most sincere apologies for having doubted your word. Unseen by my +faithless friend, I listened to his conversation with the Horse, and +overheard more than enough to convince me of the truth of your story. + +"Yet who," he continued sorrowfully, "who could have believed it of that +little Mouse? Who would have imagined so great an amount of deceit dwelt +in so small a body?" + +Then he recovered his spirit. "I will baulk him yet!" he exclaimed, his +pink eyes flashing, and his white fur bristling with excitement. + +"How can I help you?" asked the Owl. "I will endeavor to keep awake as +long as I am wanted." + +"Wait a moment," answered the Rabbit, and then he beat a tattoo +thoughtfully on his drum. "I think I have arrived at a conclusion," he +said presently. "I will meet their dastardly plot by a counter-plot. I +do not expect the Mouse back for another half-hour; he told me he should +be busy till half-past twelve putting away our recent earnings. This +will just give us time to do what I wish. + +"Here is _my_ plot," he continued. "Having procured a bottle of gum we +will go to the sentry-box, at the back of which you will take up your +position. I will tell the Sentry you have been telling me a most comical +little dream you have had--the one, indeed, you told me of late. He is a +great fellow for good stories, and will certainly hurry off to hear it. + +"Whilst he is away I will spread the bottom of the sentry-box with gum. +When, on his return, he steps into the box, I shall keep him still, and +give the gum time to take effect, by offering him a bet of a gold piece +that he will not stand perfectly motionless whilst I go home and back. +He is very fond of a bet, and is sure to accept it. Leaving you to see +that he acts fairly, I shall go and meet the Mouse, returning here for +the performance which is to be suggested. + +"That, however, I shall cut short, having no desire to waste my talent +on a villain like the Sentry. I shall turn away with the Mouse, who, on +giving the signal agreed upon, will, to his amazement, find that it is +followed by no result. For by that time the Sentry will be gummed so +tightly to the floor of his sentry-box that he will not be able to move +an inch. + +"Having enjoyed the sight of their confusion I shall punish them, biting +off the head of the Mouse--for whose deceit no punishment can be too +severe,--and beating the Sentry about the head until he can't see out of +his eyes. Nor shall the Horse escape my vengeance. I shall creep into +his stall, and suddenly, and with a precise aim, throw a piece of gold +at the pupils of his wicked eyes. Thus he will be totally blinded by the +gold he has wrongfully helped to keep. A most fit and proper +punishment." + +"Your plans are well and thoughtfully worked out," said the Owl, +blinking his eyes. + +"To business, then," remarked the Rabbit; and the two having first +procured the gum took their way to the sentry-box; the Rabbit strolling +thither on his hind-legs to avoid any appearance of alarm or haste, the +Owl hopping by his side with a certain grave and sleepy dignity. + +Arrived at the sentry-box, the Owl placed himself behind it, whilst the +Rabbit, concealing the bottle of gum under his drum, went to the front +and bid the Sentry "good-day." + +"Good-day," said the Sentry. "What are you grinning at?" For the Rabbit +was smiling from ear to ear. + +"Nothing of much consequence," he replied. "Merely a most comical little +dream that the Owl--who happens for a wonder to be awake--has been +telling me. It made me die of laughter." + +"Pass it on," said the Sentry. + +"I shouldn't think of doing that," replied the Rabbit. "I don't approve +of telling people's own particular little stories; they prefer the fun +of relating them themselves. Look here, you go round for a moment or two +and get him to let you hear it before he drops asleep again. It is an +occasion to seize, for he is hardly ever awake when other people are, +and he tells a story better than anyone else I know." + +"Well, I rather think I will," answered the Sentry. "I'm very fond of a +good story. You take my place whilst I'm away, there's a good fellow. +Here, put down your drum and take my bayonet." + +"Very good," answered the Rabbit, and the Sentry hurried off. + +The moment he had turned the corner the Rabbit set to work and spread +gum all over the floor of the sentry-box. Then, standing outside, he +took up the bayonet and mounted guard, first carefully hiding the +tell-tale bottle behind a box of bricks. By and by the Sentry returned. + +"Well, it was not a very good story after all," he said rudely. "Thank +you for nothing. Why aren't you in the sentry-box? I am inclined to +bayonet you for breaking your word." + +"I should not have been able to move about sufficiently," the Rabbit +answered. "I should have suffered from cramp." + +"Stuff and nonsense!" the Sentry replied. "I stand in it for hours at a +time." + +"But not without moving?" asked the Rabbit, with an air of disbelief. +"Without stirring an eighth of an inch," the Sentry said. + +"I don't believe it," replied the Rabbit. "I challenge you to keep +perfectly still for any length of time. I bet you a gold piece you won't +stand motionless whilst I run home and back again." + +"Done!" said the Sentry, and straightway stepped into his box. + +"This sentry-box gets slimy and dirty," he said, without the least idea +of what the Rabbit had done. "It is quite sticky with dirt. It wouldn't +be a bad thing if you were to clean it out for me some day." + +"I'll see," answered the other carelessly, fearing to be either too +polite or too rude lest he should arouse any suspicions in the Sentry's +mind. "I don't generally care to do other people's dirty work, but I may +do that some day when I am not busy. You serve your country, so you +deserve a little help." + +"If you don't do it willingly, you shall do it unwillingly," he +blustered. "If _I_ serve my country, _you_ must serve me." + +"There's plenty of time to think it over," answered the Rabbit. "In the +meanwhile, you can't stir even to have it cleaned or you lose your bet. +I'm off. But wait, I must call the Owl to be a witness that you keep +strictly to the terms we have agreed upon." + +Then, having called the Owl and stated the terms of the bet, the Rabbit +went home. + +Here he awaited the arrival of the Mouse, who presently returned, full +of pretended sympathy for the dulness of the Sentry's life. + +"He told me to-day," said the little rascal, "that the dulness of his +life was killing him. It struck me that it would be really an act of +charity on our part to give him a little performance, and let him fully +understand we expect no money for it. I hinted at something of the sort +to him, and the poor fellow's face lighted up in a way that was quite +touching. Suppose we go his way now as we have a little spare time." + +"I'm quite willing to," replied the Rabbit. "But I've just come from +him, and he never complained of dulness to me. In fact, he was in quite +good enough spirits to have a bet with me on the subject of his being +able to stand motionless for a certain time." + +"Oh, he did that to try and kill care, no doubt," answered the Mouse. "I +know him well, though he is a reserved chap and opens out his heart to +few. Come on." + +Now by the time the Rabbit and the Mouse returned to the sentry-box, the +gum had had time to get well dried, so that the Sentry was firmly fixed +in his box. Nevertheless, there was still the danger that he might +attempt to move, and so find out too soon the trick that had been played +upon him. To avert this, directly the Rabbit came back again he lost no +time in remarking to the Sentry: + +"Yes, I acknowledge you have won the bet. But you have only just managed +to do so; you are looking quite tired out. Another five minutes or less, +and you would have been unable to stand still a moment longer." + +"Double or quits!" cried the Sentry. "For another gold piece, I'll +engage to keep still for the time you mention. If I fail to do so, of +course you don't pay me anything." + +"Agreed," said the Rabbit. + +"Oh, friends," exclaimed the Mouse, shaking his head, "do not give way +to this habit! It is, indeed, a sad, bad one." + +This he merely said to impress the Owl (on whom he had not counted as a +spectator) with a sense of his moral worth. He hoped by this means to +counteract any after suspicions that might arise in the good bird's +mind. + +"As to that," said the Sentry, who was generally rude whether he was +addressing friend or foe, "it is my own concern whether I bet or not. +You had better not trouble yourself with my affairs, but if you really +mean to give me one of your performances you would do well to begin." + +"Just as you will," the Mouse said. "But I can't help taking an +interest in the welfare of those with whom I have to do." Then +addressing the Rabbit: "Dear friend," he said smoothly, "will you open +with your famous _rêverie_, 'Dreamings of a Drum,' whilst I perform my +_pas de quatre_, 'Twirlings of the Toes?'" + +"Very good," agreed the Rabbit. + +And the two performers began. But in a few moments the Rabbit stopped. + +"I cannot continue," he said. "I am suffering from cramp in the muscles +of my drum-legs." + +"Dear! What a pity!" exclaimed the Mouse. "Come for a walk and brace +yourself up." + +"All right!" answered the Rabbit. "We'll go and fetch the gold pieces +which I must give this fellow." + +"Can't you give me something at once?" asked the Sentry, who did not, in +his greed of gold, wish to lose the chance of getting all he could. + +"I've nothing with me," replied the Rabbit. And so saying he followed +the Mouse, who with his back towards the Sentry had already moved away. + +They had hardly gone more than half a dozen steps when the Mouse said +suddenly and loudly: "That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap; _he_ +knows how to handle the bayonet." + +"You are right," answered the Rabbit, and walked on, the Mouse doing +the same, though with lagging steps. + +Presently a look of anger and wonder crept into his eyes, remarking +which the Rabbit laughed. + +"What are you laughing at?" asked the Mouse uneasily. + +"At nothing particular," answered his companion. "Cheerfulness, you +know, is a habit of the mind." + +At this moment a loud groan burst from the Sentry, who during this time +had been struggling to get free, and in a last frantic effort, had just +succeeded in giving a most painful rick to his back. + +"Our Sentry friend does not look happy," said the Rabbit grimly. + +"He is not well, I suppose," answered the Mouse nervously. "What has +happened, I wonder?" + +"ALL IS DISCOVERED!" exclaimed the Rabbit loudly. + +Then as the Mouse made a desperate effort to run away, the Rabbit dealt +him a blow on the back which injured the clockwork within his body and +quite put a stop to his flight. + +"I know all!" the Rabbit said sternly. "You are a little villain! What +defence can you offer for so grossly deceiving me?" + +But the Mouse made no reply. In a fury of disappointment and fear he was +biting the Rabbit's legs, hoping thus to disable him and prevent his +punishing the treachery that had been brought to light. + +"Desist!" cried the Rabbit, "or I shall end your life without delay. I +repeat, what excuse can you offer for having so wickedly broken the +terms of our agreement? You have tried to rob me of my life and my +money. Make your defence." + +"There was no written agreement," answered the Mouse shamelessly. "Each +was at liberty to understand it in his own way." + +"Most wicked of animals, you are not fit to live," cried the Rabbit with +disgust. "Your moments are numbered." + +Then before the Mouse could offer any protest, the Rabbit bit his head +right off and swallowed it. + +"You will observe," said the Rabbit to the Owl with dignity, "that I +still maintain my proper position in the eyes of the world as a Welsh +rare-bit, but the Mouse, owing to his misdeeds, is now in the +contemptible state of the biter bit. Such is the end of the wicked. + +"As for you," he continued to the Sentry, who, with his boastful spirit +crushed, stood trembling in the Sentry-box; "as for you, you have seen +too much of the world and its ways. It would be better for you to see a +little less of it for a time." + +Then, according to his intention, the Rabbit beat the Sentry about the +head until he could not see out of his eyes. + +"It now only remains to deal with the Horse. I go to give him the due +reward of his deeds," the Rabbit remarked, taking up his drum and +preparing to leave. But pausing a moment he added to the Owl: "With +regard to you, my good friend, if ever an opportunity arises by which I +can show you my gratitude for your kind services, rest assured that I +shall eagerly avail myself of it." + +Now, the next morning the woman who keeps this shop spoke severely to +her own little girl. + +"You have been touching the toys and damaging them," she said with +anger. "See what mischief you have done! You have knocked off the head +of this mouse--and, what is more, I can't find it anywhere,--you have +rubbed all the paint off this sentry's face, and you have broken the +glass eyes of this brown horse. You shall be punished." + +The little girl began to whimper. + +"I have not hurt the toys," she said. "I have never touched them since +you put me to bed for breaking the baby doll." + +The woman looked puzzled: "If you say you haven't, you haven't, I +suppose," she said, "for I know you are a truthful child. Then how has +it happened? I shouldn't think any customer would do it without my +noticing. I can't understand it." + +Nor can she to this day. But we can: you, the Rabbit, the Owl, the +Sentry, the Horse, and myself. But not the Mouse, for he has lost his +head. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +Here the little Marionette paused. + +"That is all," she said. + +"What a good thing that the Mouse had his head bitten off," said the +little girl thoughtfully. + +"It was just as well," the Marionette answered, "since he could use it +to no better purpose." + +"Some of the toys were very wicked in that story, I think; dreadfully +wicked." + +"I think the same. They were bad, wicked toys, with bad, wicked ways." + +"Are many of the toys you know as wicked as that?" asked Molly. + +"Oh, dear no!" said the little Marionette, quite shocked. "Most of my +friends and acquaintances are really wonderfully well-behaved." + +"Do you know, I should like you next time to tell me about one of them." + +"About some one simple, perhaps?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +The little Marionette thought a moment. + +Then she said: "I know of no one more simple than Belinda." + +"Tell me about her, if you please." + +"Very good. You shall hear of Belinda and her simplicity." + +So the next day she told her friend the story of "Belinda." + + + + +BELINDA + + +Belinda was a little wax doll who had a most charming way of opening and +shutting her eyes. When Mortals were about, she could not do it unless +they helped by pulling a wire. But when once the shop was closed, and +the toys, left to themselves, could move at pleasure, _then_ Belinda +pulled her own wires and opened and shut her eyes as she pleased. She +did this in so simple and unaffected a fashion that it delighted +everyone to see her. + +"What simplicity! what delightful simplicity!" said the other toys. +"'Tis really charming!" + +"Singularly simple," repeated the Butcher, who always stood at the door +of his shop, watching for the customers that so seldom came. "She is +like an innocent lamb," he added, his thoughts turning to his trade; "a +simple, harmless lamb." + +"Elle est très gentille, la petite Belinde," remarked Mademoiselle +Cerise, the French doll just arrived from Paris. "Elle est une jeune +fille fort bien élevée; elle ferme les yeux d'une façon vraiment +ravissante." + +"Here we are again, Simplicity and Self!" said the Clown, turning a +somersault and landing by Belinda's side with a broad grin upon his +face. + +She made no reply, but instantly closed her eyes. She was not quite sure +but that he was laughing at her, so she thought it more prudent not to +see him. + +"There! did you notice?" ... "Wasn't it pretty and simple?" said all the +Toys to one another as they looked at Belinda. + +I must, however, make an exception when I say "all" the Toys. There was +one who did not utter a word. This was Jack, the curly-headed +Sailor-Boy, who was deeply in love with Belinda. He was so unhappy about +the matter that he feared to speak of her lest in so doing the thought +of his sorrow should make him shed unmanly tears in public. + +I will tell you the cause of his grief. He could not make her see how +much he loved her. Whenever he came near her she immediately closed her +eyes. So that it did not matter what expression he assumed, it was all +wasted on Belinda. He worried himself about it very much. + +"Is it," said he to himself, "because she doesn't happen to see, or +because she doesn't wish to see? How can I make her open her eyes? Shall +I speak to her coldly or gently, with mirth or with melancholy, in +poetry or in prose?" + +"I will be poetical," he resolved; "I will sing her a song of love. That +may induce her to open her eyes." + +Now Jack was only a simple Sailor-Lad; he knew little music and less +poetry. A few sea-songs and one or two little ballads, these were all he +had to trust to, and he could think of none that seemed suitable to the +occasion. + +He thought long, and finally remembered the beginning of an old song +which, with a little alteration, would, he decided, do very well. So, in +a rough but tender voice, he thus sang to his lady-love:-- + + "Of all the girls I love so well, + There's none I love like 'Linder; + She is the darling of my heart,-- + And Linder rhymes with cinder." + +"This," he said to himself, "will teach her how deep and how true my +love is for her. _This_ should open her eyes." + +But Belinda, quite unmoved, sat with them tightly closed. + +"I will try again," he said to himself. And he sang the verse once more, +though this time his voice shook so greatly with emotion that he was +obliged to stop in the middle in order to steady it. + +After this he sat silent, hoping that Belinda would even now open her +eyes. + +"Then," said he, "she will see how sad I look, and she will surely be +touched." + +But disappointment was again his lot. She never opened even half an eye. + +"Shiver my timbers!" said the luckless Sailor-Lad, "she'll be the death +of me." + +And he went away mournfully whistling "_The Death of Nelson_." + +Then he tried to startle her by suddenly shouting within her hearing a +few seafaring expressions he knew. "Hard-a-port! Lay aft! Yo, heave ho!" + +She half-opened her eyes, but immediately closed them again. "Those +expressions sound a little rough," she remarked. + +He felt sorely tried. + +"None so blind as those who _won't_ see, my lass," he said one day. + +"I should have thought," she answered with unaffected surprise, "it was +those who _can't_ see." + +"Have you looked up through the sky-light this afternoon?" he asked. +"The sunset is glorious." + +"Describe it to me. I love descriptions," she said with simple +enthusiasm. + +"You had better see it for yourself," he said crossly and turned away. +He felt so wretched that really he would have liked to go to sea. + +He sighed again,--and looked back at Belinda. Why, her eyes were open! +He hurried over to her, pinching with great energy his arm as he went, +in order to make himself tearful, and thus, if possible, appear more +miserable than he already did. The tears did come, but just as he got to +Belinda she closed her eyes once more. + +"The sunset is indeed perfect," she said, "I have been watching it till +my eyes ache, and I cannot keep them open any longer." + +"I look just as if I had a cold in my head. You can see that for +yourself, can't you?" he asked, hoping that this question would induce +her to glance at him and observe his tears. + +"Why, no," she answered, "I can't because my eyes are closed. But if you +say so, I suppose you must be correct." + +"Belinda, I love you," said he. + +"Thank you very much," answered she. "Isn't it extraordinary weather for +this time of the year? I can hardly believe that we are in the middle +of summer." + +Poor Jack left in despair, and this time he whistled a funeral march. + +But like a true-hearted sailor, he resolved to try again. So the next +day he said to her: + +"Belinda, I'm afraid we are going to have heavy weather, there are so +many clouds overhead. Look up out of the sky-light and you will see for +yourself." + +"I would rather not," she said, keeping her eyes tightly closed. "I +don't like seeing clouds; it depresses my spirits." + +"You can look out of the sky-light _now_," he said to her later, +"without being afraid of seeing the clouds. They have all cleared away +and it is blue again." + +"Then I can enjoy my afternoon nap," she remarked simply, "without fear +of thunder." + +And on this occasion the poor curly-headed Sailor felt too miserable +even to attempt whistling; he went away in dumb despair! + +It was just about this time that Mademoiselle Cerise was bought by a +lady as a present for her little god-daughter. + +"But the color of the doll's dress has become faded," said the lady. +"She must have a new one before I take her." + +"That can easily be arranged in a day," said the owner of the shop. + +"Very well," answered the lady, "then I will buy her. You need not send +her. I will bring my little friend with me to-morrow afternoon when we +shall be passing your shop. She will like to carry her new doll through +the streets." + +Next morning when Mademoiselle Cerise was brought back to the shop after +having been absent since the previous afternoon, the Sailor-Lad was +struck by something very familiar about the appearance of her new blue +muslin dress. At first he could not think why. Then he understood; the +muslin was--so it seemed to him--of exactly the same pattern and +exactly the same color as Belinda's dress. + +As he realized this a sudden thought struck him, upon which he acted +without delay. + +Coming up to Belinda softly, who was sitting with her eyes closed, he +exclaimed loudly and suddenly in her ear: "Belinda, Belinda! +Mademoiselle Cerise has on a dress precisely like yours!" + +"No!" she said, and opened her eyes in a moment. She gazed around +anxiously for Mademoiselle Cerise, but the Sailor-Boy placed himself +right before her and looked at her as adoringly as he knew how. + +"Oh, Belinda," he said, "how I love you!" + +"Do you?" said she with great surprise. "Well, you don't love me more +than I love you." + +"You make me very happy, my lass," said he. "But why are you astonished +at my saying I love you? Have I not told you so before?" + +"I thought you were quizzing," she answered. + +"The sad expression of my face should have told you I was not quizzing," +he replied. + +"How could I tell what your expression was when I never saw it?" she +asked with some reproach. + +"You did not see it because you always closed your eyes when I spoke to +you," he replied. "What made you do that?" + +Belinda thought a moment + +"It was merely a habit I had fallen into," said she. + +"You should never become a slave to a habit," replied the curly-headed +Sailor-Lad. He spoke reprovingly, as he thought of his many heart-aches. + +She did not like to be reproved, so she changed the subject. + +"You made a mistake," she said. "Mademoiselle Cerise's dress is very +pretty, but it is not _precisely_ like mine; the pattern is larger and a +little louder, and the color is lighter and a little harsher." + +"Well, perhaps," said the Sailor-Lad. He spoke very cheerful now, he +felt in such good spirits. + + * * * * * + +"I am very glad that the Sailor-Boy was happy at last," said the little +girl. "I was afraid Belinda never meant to open her eyes." + +"It certainly looked like it at one time," answered the little +Marionette. "However, it was all right in the end, for she opened them +in time to prevent her Sailor-Boy's heart from breaking." + +"I wonder why she kept them closed so long." + +"I wonder," reflected the little Marionette. And she smiled. + +"Force of habit, I suppose, as she herself said," she remarked after a +pause. "We all have our little ways. Now what sort of story would you +like to-morrow?" + +The little girl thought deeply for a few moments. Then she said: "You +have told me a story about a sailor, so I should like the next one to be +about a soldier." + +"A soldier--a soldier--" the Marionette answered. "I don't think I know +one about a soldier--Yes, stay; there is the story of the Officer and +the Elephant. That is about a soldier." + +"An Officer and an Elephant! How nice!" exclaimed the little girl +eagerly. "I am quite certain it must be very funny." + +"I don't think the Officer found it so," the little lady replied, giving +a sweet, little tinkling laugh. + +"Didn't he?" asked her listener with much interest. + +"I wish you would tell me all about it now," she continued; "I want so +much to hear it." + +"Not now," replied the little Marionette, "it is getting too late; all +the animals in the Noah's Ark are fast asleep. Listen, they are snoring +loudly. Come to-morrow at the same time. Be punctual, for the story is a +long one." + +"Yes, I will," promised the little girl. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +The next day she was as good as her word, arriving to the very minute. It +was the little Marionette who was not in time. It was quite five minutes +before she tripped up the counter and greeted her little friend. The +little girl looked at her with some reproach. + +"It is _you_ who are late, not I," she said. + +"Is it?" replied the little Marionette. "Well, I _am_ ashamed. However, +here I am now, so I will begin at once to tell you my tale." + +And settling herself down, and smoothing out her beautiful brocade +dress, she began without further ado, the story of: "The Officer and +the Elephant." + + + + +THE OFFICER & THE ELEPHANT + + +Amongst all the Toys in the toy-shop, none were so disliked and feared +as the twelve Wooden Soldiers who, with an imposing Officer at their +head, proudly faced the world in double file. + +In the first place, they were intensely proud and vain. They showed this +in everything they did. For example, their drill was of the most simple +description. It merely consisted in their moving backwards and forwards +from one another on a platform of sticks, which could be drawn out or in +at pleasure. + +This, it will easily be believed, required no great skill or knowledge. +Yet, to judge from the pride expressed upon the faces of the Wooden +Soldiers as they went through this simple movement, one would have +certainly imagined it was exceedingly difficult. + +Their foolish pride was also displayed in their manner towards others. +No one ventured to ask them even the most civil of questions for fear of +receiving a rude answer. Father Christmas one afternoon happened to +inquire at the Commanding-officer what time it was. + +"Time," he replied, "for little boys to be in bed." + +"You might," said the patriarch gravely, "have shown a little respect +for the length of my beard and the whiteness of my hairs. 'Tis hardly +the way to speak to a man of my years and standing. One, too, who with +the decline of the year expects to be at the top of the tree." + +But the Officer merely laughed loudly and shrugged his shoulders. + +From this instance, which is only one example of many, you will easily +understand how the Wooden Soldiers came to be disliked in the toy-shop. + +As for the fear they inspired, this was partly owing to the long swords +they wore, and partly owing to the boasting way in which they vowed they +could use them. + +"My men and I really command the whole shop," said the Officer one day. +"Moreover, who faces one, faces all, for we all march in the same +direction. We not only have our good swords, but we know how to use +them. They are sheathed now, but let no one count upon that to offend +us. Let but a foolhardy toy dare insult us, and--" here he gave the word +of command, and instantly a dozen and one swords sprang from their +scabbards. + +The lady Dolls shrieked, the Grocer and the Butcher began to put up +their shutters with trembling hands; the white, furry Rabbit became a +shade whiter; and the corners of the Clown's mouth dropped instead of +going up as usual. It was plain that a general panic was felt. + +The only Toy that did not appear to be affected was the great gray +Elephant lately arrived. He twisted his trunk round thoughtfully, but +never changed countenance. + +The Officer saw the general terror he had inspired, and both he and his +Soldiers were well pleased. + +"Besides," he continued, speaking more loudly than before, "if our +swords fail us we shall have recourse to gunpowder, which will make +short work of our enemies." + +The Elephant looked at the Officer and his men. + +"I don't see it," he said bluntly. + +"I didn't suppose you would," said the Officer scornfully. "Don't speak +in such a hurry. The powder I'm speaking of is felt but not seen. It's +our last improvement, arrived at by slow degrees. Gunpowder,--smokeless +gunpowder,--soundless gunpowder,--invisible gunpowder. Thus we may +surround an enemy with enough gunpowder to blow up a town, but they +neither see it nor hear it. In fact, they know nothing about it until +they are blown up." + +This time all the Toys nearly expired with fright! The Elephant only +remained, as before, unmoved. + +"Invisible gunpowder is more humane in the end," the Officer continued. +"You are quite unaware of what is happening until you find yourself in +pieces." + +"The same thing may happen to yourself, I suppose?" asked the Elephant, +in his heavy and clumsy fashion. + +"Beg pardon; did anyone speak?" inquired the Officer in the most +insulting of voices. For he despised the Elephant and wished to snub +him. + +"I asked you if the same might not happen to yourself?" the Elephant +repeated, regardless of the Officer's attempt to make him appear +foolish. "What if the enemy serves you the same way?" + +"That difficulty, my good beast," he answered in his most overbearing +manner, "is easily disposed of. We have special Soldiers trained to +_smell_ gunpowder. We have merely to send out these scouts, and we can +trace the gunpowder anywhere within gunshot." + +"I don't believe it," said the Elephant. + +The Officer at this laughed a grim laugh, truly awful to hear. + +"Ha, Ha!" he exclaimed; "do not provoke me too far lest I slay you with +my sword. I'm a man of sport, and to do the act would cause me no little +diversion. Beware!" + +The Elephant made no reply, which induced the Officer to think he had +frightened him. + +"A great clumsy beast of no spirit," he said to his Soldiers. + +"Right, sir," answered the Soldiers. + +"Now to drill," he continued sharply. "Attention! Eyes right, eyes +left; right movement, left movement; swords out, swords in! +Mark--_time_!" + +This last command they were obliged to obey with their heads, their feet +being tightly gummed on to the platform. So tightly gummed that they +could not get free even when Mortals were not present, and all the Toys +were at liberty to speak, walk, and talk. Indeed, nothing but a strong +blow could possibly loosen them from their position. + +Therefore, when they marched or even took a simple walk they were +obliged to march or walk in a body, taking the platform with them. +Again, if the Commanding-officer granted leave of absence to one, he was +obliged to grant it to all, even to himself, otherwise no one could have +taken it. + +"Come," said the Officer to the Elephant one day, "you are a bright +beast. Let me propound you a mathematical problem. If a herring and a +half cost three halfpence, how much would six herrings cost?" + +"Just as much as they ought to, if you went to an honest fishmonger," +answered the Elephant. + +The Officer and his men laughed loudly. + +"Capital, capital!" said the bully. "If you distinguish yourself in this +way we shall have to make you Mathematical Instructor-in-General to the +whole army." + +But the Elephant made no reply. + +"That's the thickest-skinned animal I ever met," said the Officer to his +men. + +But herein he made a mistake. The Elephant never forgot an insult, but +paid it back upon the first opportunity. + +The opportunity, in this case, was not long in arriving; it came, +indeed, all too soon for the Officer's taste. + +It occurred in this way. + +One day a little boy came into the shop and asked to look at some +soldiers, upon which the shopwoman showed him the wooden warriors. + +"No, I don't like them," he said; "they have to move all the same way at +once. It is very stupid of them. Have you no others?" + +"Not just at the moment," replied the shopwoman. "We are expecting some +more. They should have been here several days ago." + +"Then I'll take a train," said the boy. "But it is very funny that you +should have such a poor lot of soldiers as these." + +"That silly remark will make the Toys less afraid of us," thought the +Officer to himself with some alarm. "I shall make the men practise +sword-drill in the most open fashion for several hours. This will remind +the world that we are not to be trifled with." + +But it is one thing to make a resolution and quite another thing to +carry it into effect. This the Officer was to experience ere the day was +over. + +For in putting the Soldiers back into their place the shopwoman happened +to hit the Officer with some force against a dolls' house. Being a very +hard blow it knocked him off the platform, and, unnoticed by her, he +fell on his back upon the counter. + +Now came the time for the Elephant's revenge. _The Officer fell just +under the animal's trunk!_ + +It was, as the Officer at once realized, by no means a pleasant +situation. As his men were some yards away from him, and unable to come +in a body to his rescue till perhaps too late, the Officer was +exceedingly uneasy. + +"I had better soothe the monster," he said to himself. Then aloud, and +in a pleasant voice: "What a nice handy trunk that is of yours; you must +be able to carry so much in it? As for me, I have to travel with a +portmanteau, a Gladstone-bag, a hat-box, and a gun-case; it is a +terrible nuisance." + +He paused, but the Elephant made no reply. + +"This is not very pleasant," said the Officer uneasily to himself. "I +fear the beast is of a sulky temper. What _will_ happen to me?" + +And he lay still, trembling and fearful. + +At last the day closed in, the Mortals shut up the shop and left, and +the time of the Toys arrived. + +The Elephant then addressed the Officer in a slow voice and ponderous +manner. + +"I feel inclined to trample on you," he remarked. + +The Officer closed his eyes with terror; then, half-opening them, he +endeavored to look defiantly and speak boldly. + +"Pre-pre-sump-tu-tu-ous b-b-b-beast!" he faltered. + +The Elephant looked at him threateningly. + +"It was on-on-ly my f-f-un!" stammered the Officer, trembling with fear, +and all the crimson fading from his cheeks. + +"Do you wish me to spare your life?" asked the Elephant. + +"It is very valuable," the Officer replied more calmly as he regained +courage, and unable to forget his foolish pride even in that awful +moment. + +"The world can do without it," said the great beast threateningly. + +"Spare me!" cried the coward and bully. + +The Elephant paused. + +"Very good," he answered, "but only upon my own conditions." + +"Certainly, certainly," the Officer said in a fawning voice. "Many +thanks; any conditions that you may think proper." + +After this the Elephant thought for a long while. Then he said: + +"These are my conditions. You must submit to let me carry you up and +down the counter, stopping before such Toys as I shall see fit. And +whenever I stop, you are to announce yourself in these words: +'Good-evening. Have you kicked the coward and the bully? The real +genuine article, no imitation. If you have not kicked him already, kick +him without delay.'" + +"It is too bad of you to require me to say this," the Officer cried, his +anger for the moment overcoming his fear. "But then you are not a +gentleman. You are--" + +"When you have done," interrupted the Elephant, "I will begin." + +So saying, and amidst the intense excitement of the other Toys, the +Elephant, with his trunk, slowly picked up his fallen foe by the back of +the coat and began his ponderous march--so triumphant for himself, so +humiliating for the Officer. + +The programme was carried out exactly as the Elephant had said it should +be, for the great gray beast was a beast of his word. He never made up +his mind in a foolish hurry, but having made it up he rarely altered it. + +And so it was upon this occasion. After every few steps the huge +creature stopped before one or another of the Toys, when the former +tyrant was obliged to announce himself as a coward and a bully, and +invite a kicking, an invitation which was always accepted, and acted +upon with much heartiness. + +Finally the avenger laid the Officer on the platform, from which the +Wooden Soldiers had been watching with amazement and horror the journey +of the Commanding-officer; understanding as they did for the first time +the strength of the great beast and afraid to interfere. + +Having placed his humble foe in his old position, only upon his back +instead of upon his feet, the Elephant with his trunk deliberately +knocked over all the Soldiers one after the other. Then he grunted and +walked slowly away. + +So ended the reign of terror which the Officer and his Soldiers had +established over the toy-shop. And so universal was the relief +experienced after the strain that had been felt, that the Elephant was +everywhere hailed as a Friend to the Public. Indeed, during the +remainder of his stay in the shop, he was treated with greater respect +and deference than any other toy,--Father Christmas only excepted,--and +when he left at Christmas-time, the regret expressed was both loud and +sincere. + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +"I am a little bit sorry for the Officer," said the little girl. "He +must have been a good deal hurt. And he must have felt very silly, too," +she added. + +"Almost worse than being hurt, isn't it?" said the little Marionette. +"Yes, I was a little sorry for him myself; but I think he deserved all +he got." + +"Yes; because he _was_ a horrid bully, wasn't he?" said the little girl. +"And his men, too, were as bad as he. I always used to like +toy-soldiers. I never shall again." + +"I should not like you to judge of all soldiers by the wooden ones I +have told you of," said the Marionette. "We _have_ had in the shop sets +of wooden and tin soldiers of the highest character; gallant fellows, +beloved and esteemed by all. I will tell you of them to-morrow if you +like." + +The little girl considered a moment. + +"I think," she said at length, "I would rather hear something quite +different for a change. If you do not mind," she added politely. + +"Not in the least," replied the little lady. "I shall think of a story +that shall have nothing to do with soldiers, good, bad, or indifferent." + +So on the morrow when they met again the Marionette said: + +"I have thought of quite a different sort of story to the one I told you +yesterday." + +"Thank you," said her little friend. "Please begin." + +"Yes," she said as the little Marionette remained silent. +"Yes--yes--_do_ begin!" + +"Patience, patience! I am just considering for a moment if I have the +story correct in every respect. It is now some time since it happened, +and one's memory is apt to play one tricks when one is telling stories +of other people. But I think I remember it correctly. So I will begin +without further delay the history of: 'The Little Dancer.'" + + + + +THE LITTLE DANCER + + +There never was a prettier dancer than the Little Dancer of the frizzy +dark hair, and the blue tulle dress with silver spangles. + +Forward, backward, forward, backward went her little feet with rapid, +dainty movement, whilst the small musical-box--on the top of which she +gracefully danced--tinkled, tinkled, tinkled out its gay little tune, +and all the Toys watched her with the greatest delight. + +Truly she bewitched all who saw her, and gained much admiration. But she +was very modest, and not at all conceited, so that she was not only +admired but also loved; which, as you will agree, is far better. + +She took life very easily and happily, till it happened one day that she +saw the Bicycle-man, and unfortunately fell in love with him as he went +by. He was a very handsome fellow, and made a good appearance upon his +bicycle. + +Directly the Little Dancer saw him she loved him, and she lost no time +in telling him so. She spoke without any hesitation. + +"Dear heart, I love you," she said as she danced. + +Now the Bicycle-man was very vain, and was therefore not a little +gratified at the impression he had made. But he pretended to be much +displeased. + +"You should not have said that until I had first said something of the +sort," replied the Bicycle-man. "It was not your place to speak first. +You are very forward." + +And he rode on. + +The Little Dancer was much distressed. + +"He is angry," she said to her friend the Little China Doll next to her, +with the two long flaxen pigtails hanging down her back. + +"He is angry." And she danced more slowly and less gaily. + +"What of that?" said her friend, tossing her head. "It is of no +consequence." + +"No; it is of no consequence," repeated the Little Dancer. But she felt +unhappy. + +The next day the Bicycle-man passed that way again, and she danced her +very best, hoping to win his heart. + +"That is really not bad," he said; "not at all bad. You dance quite +nicely, as dancing goes." + +"Oh sweetheart, I love you!" she said, encouraged by his praise. + +"I really cannot stand such remarks," said the Bicycle-man. "They make +me both angry and confused." + +And he went on, leaving her in tears. + +"Why do you trouble about him?" said the Little China Doll. "He is not +worth it. A penny Toy, indeed! You turn his head. Take no more notice of +him." + +"I won't," replied the Little Dancer tearfully. + +So the next time he stopped to watch her dancing she did not speak to +him. + +"You are getting rude now," he said. "I am not sure whether that is not +worse than being forward." + +"What shall I say?" asked the Little Dancer. "My words do not please +you." + +"I should not be displeased if you were to say 'good-day'," he replied. +"It would only be polite, and I never find fault with politeness." + +"Good-day," she said, as she practised her steps. + +"Is that all?" he inquired. + +"That is all," she answered. + +"I have a bit of news for you," he said. "I am thinking of marrying the +doll to whom the Red House belongs. It is a comfortable house, well +built, and well appointed. You shall come and have tea with us." + +The Little Dancer burst into tears, and her feet moved more slowly. + +"Why are you crying?" asked the Bicycle-man, with pretended surprise. + +"Dear heart, Oh dear heart, I love you!" she wept. + +"Well, well, so do many others," he answered. "It isn't my fault" + +And mounting his bicycle he rode away. + +"Don't you see you are making him terribly conceited?" said the Little +China Doll. "It is absurd of you. Try to be more sensible." + +"I love him so, I love him so!" sobbed the Little Dancer. "My heart is +broken." + +On the morrow the Bicycle-man appeared as usual. + +"It is all settled," he said. "I hope to marry the doll to whom the Red +House belongs, before the week is out. I fear my marriage will be a +disappointment to many a lady." + +The Little Dancer made no reply: she was too heart-broken to utter a +sound. + +"Are you not going to wish me happiness?" he asked. + +But the Little Dancer still spoke not. She danced faster and faster as +the tears fell from her eyes. + +The Bicycle-man did not notice how quickly her tears were falling. + +"Your silence is a sad want of manners," he said. "Uncivility is far +from attractive." + +Still the little Dancer made no answer; she could not speak, she was +crying so bitterly. + +"Well, good-day," he said. "It is very evident that you did not pay the +extra twopence for manners." + +Then he left. + +"Stop dancing," said the Little China Doll to the Little Dancer. "You +are not in a fit state to dance. You will kill yourself." + +"I _must_ dance till I forget, or till I die," she answered--sobbing. + +And then she danced faster, _faster_, FASTER, till she went at quite a +furious rate. Her little feet went to and fro so quickly you could +hardly see them. + +The China Doll implored the poor Little Dancer to stop, but she did not +heed her. She continued dancing, dancing, dancing all through the day, +all through the evening, and far into the night. Till, at last, +something within her went--_Snap_! + +And she fell flat on the ground, and the gay little tune stopped +suddenly. The clockwork within her had broken. She had danced herself to +death! + +The next morning the Bicycle-man came again. + +"The wedding is put off--" he began. Then he saw the lifeless form of +the Little Dancer, and he turned pale. + +"You have killed her by your vanity," said the China Doll severely. "If +you had stayed away she would have forgotten you. But you _would_ come +because it pleased your conceit to hear her say she loved you, and to +hear her lament because you did not love her. She has danced herself to +death in her despair. Alas! Alas! My poor friend!" + +"I really believe I loved her after all," said the Bicycle-man in a sad +voice. "What can I say or do to make some slight amends? Tell me." + +"There is nothing to be said or done," said the China Doll. "The poor +Little Dancer is dead. It is too late! Go and marry the Doll of the Red +House." + +"I don't want to _now_," he answered. "Henceforward my life shall be +passed mourning for the Little Dancer who broke her heart because of me. +And from this time I shall ride my bicycle sitting with my back to the +handle, and with my hands behind me. It will be a most absurd position, +but it will serve as a punishment to remind me of the sad end to which +my vanity brought my poor little sweetheart." + +And he strictly kept his resolve. At first the other Toys laughed: then +they wondered; then they inquired into the meaning of so strange a +performance. And when they heard the story, such of them as had heads +shook them, and all said gravely: + +"'Tis well and nobly meant. But it won't mend the poor Little Dancer's +heart. Alas! Alack-a-day!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +When the tale was ended the little girl took out her handkerchief and +wiped her eyes. + +"Come, this won't do," said the little Marionette. "I should not have +told you the story if I had thought you were going to take it so much to +heart." + +"I am very sorry for the poor Little Dancer," she replied sadly; "I wish +that the Bicycle-man had not been so unkind." + +"Well, well, it is all over now. Wipe your eyes; you can't do any good +by crying, and I don't like seeing tears," said her friend. + +"Never mind; I rather like feeling sad," Molly answered politely, though +tearfully. + +"Still, a little sadness goes a long way," remarked the Marionette. +"There is no doubt of that. I think I had better tell you something to +amuse you now." She thought a moment and then she laughed. + +"What are you laughing at?" asked the little girl with curiosity. + +"At the remembrance of the Hansom-driver," she answered. "I never can +think of him without laughing. Shall I tell you his story? I shall have +time to do so this evening, for it is short, like the one I have just +finished." And she began the story of: "The Hansom-driver." + + + + +THE HANSOM DRIVER + + +The Hansom-driver was indeed very plain, but he fancied himself very +beautiful. 'Tis thus that we are liable to make errors of judgment; +especially respecting ourselves. + +His cheeks were crimson and his nose was the same hue, yet he was quite +convinced that all the young lady dolls envied him his complexion. His +eyes were dull as lead, but in his boundless conceit he always compared +them to sparkling diamonds. + +In a word, his appearance was terribly against him, yet his constant +complaint was that he attracted so much attention, and won so much +admiration wherever he went, that he could almost find it in his heart +to wish he had been born ugly. + +His own looks were his constant topic of conversation, till at length +the other Toys quaked when he opened his mouth, knowing very well how +they were going to suffer. + +Amongst those who suffered the most from his talk were the Butcher, the +Baker, and the Clown. They lived at the opposite side of the counter, +where he drove every morning to give his orders for bread and meat. He +never thought of driving away at once when he had done this, but always +stopped to make remarks upon his own appearance; till at length, in +common with the rest of the world, they became wearied to death of the +subject. The Butcher and Baker tried to put a stop to it by making +uncivil remarks, and the clown by making rude jests. But the conceit of +the Hansom-driver still remained. + +One day when he was talking to his three acquaintances, the Butcher +happened to remark on the beauty of the sunset-glow the previous +evening. + +"Some people," said the Hansom-driver at once, "admire the beautiful +glow of the sunset sky, some the beautiful glow of the healthy +countenance. By the by, a chap I met yesterday told me my face was +simply glowing with health." + +"Especially your nose, my pretty fellow," remarked the Clown. + +"From my brow to my chin, I am, I believe, suffused with the glow of a +pretty color," replied the Hansom-driver. "Naturally it does not skip my +nose. And very glad I am it does not; I should not like any feature to +feel neglected or left out in the cold." + +"He becomes quite unbearable," whispered one lady doll to another. + +"Quite," she replied in the same tone. + +The Hansom-driver smiled as he saw them whisper. He did not doubt but +that they were making some flattering remarks about himself. + +"Speak out, ladies," he said. + +But they turned away in silent anger. + +Most people would have been annoyed at this behavior. Not so the +Hansom-driver. In his great vanity he completely misread their silence. + +"A compliment about me," he laughed. "Doubtless too great a one to be +said aloud." + +"You needn't fancy _that_," said the Butcher rudely. "You hear a good +many compliments, I don't deny, but they all come from the same +source--your own block of a head. When you are absent you get few +enough, that I know for a positive fact." + +"Not that there is anything surprising in it," the Baker said to the +Hansom-driver in quite as rude a manner as the Butcher. "I am not yet +aware that you are a subject for compliments." + +"'My face is my fortune, sir, he said'," misquoted the Hansom-driver +with great conceit; "and a very handsome fortune, too," he added. + +"Your face!" exclaimed the Butcher. "Why, a sheep's face is more to be +admired than yours." + +"I beg to differ," the Hansom-driver said, shaking his head. "I've never +yet seen a really good-looking face amongst a flock of sheep." + +"So you actually think yours is good-looking?" sneered the Baker. "Why, +I could make a better-looking one out of a piece of dough." + +"I defy you to," the Hansom-driver replied. "A face like mine is not +easily copied. Nor am I the only person of that opinion. All the ladies +think that I am beautiful. And of course I go by what they think." + +"And who," he asked, with a bow towards a little group of lady dolls, +"who can be better judges of the matter?" + +"Do you think they consider you good-looking?" inquired the Clown. "Get +along, you dreamer!" + +"I do not think it, I know it," he replied. + +"We don't," said the Butcher and the Baker. "Put it to the proof. We +challenge you. Let the ladies vote upon the matter and they will prove +you mistaken." + +"Very well," answered the Hansom-driver. "The result will be favorable +to me. Of that I have no doubt." + +"All right! To business," said the Butcher. "What about the ladies' +decision as to this fellow's claim of beauty?" + +"Ay; when shall it be given?" inquired the Hansom-driver, anxious to +lose no time. + +"In a fortnight at the earliest," said the Clown. "The making up of +ladies' minds, as of Christmas puddings, requires plenty of thought and +preparation." + +"Good!" said the Hansom-driver. Then he got up upon the seat of his +hansom, whipped up his horse, and drove off. + +Now, during the fortnight he was, if possible, more conceited than ever. +He never ceased making vain speeches respecting his looks, and could +indeed be induced to speak of nothing else. + +"I have not the slightest fear as to the ladies' decision," he +boastfully remarked. + +"When I look in the glass I see how impossible it is that they should +have anything but one opinion. By the by, a most curious little incident +occurred last night. I was sauntering about my end of the counter, when +the white Polar Bear walked right up against me. 'Hulloa!' I said, 'look +out where you are going.' 'I beg your pardon, I'm sure,' said he; 'It +was a little mistake. I was trying to find my way home, and catching +sight of your right eye, mistook it for the Polar Star and guided myself +by its light.' 'Very flattering,' I said, 'but I'd prefer you not to +tread on my toes.' Strange, wasn't it?" + +"Most strange!" the Butcher jeered. "The Polar Bear has never been able +to see clearly since the shopwoman's baby poked out both his eyes. Your +story is a little far-fetched, my good chap." + +"Oh, what a surprise!" laughed the Clown, as the Hansom-driver, unable +to avoid looking a little silly, turned his head aside and pretended to +sneeze. + +"I've a piece of news for you," said the Baker; "another surprise. The +ladies have made up their minds already. Instead of a fortnight they +have only taken a week to decide. They have but one opinion, and the +Clown has been instructed to deliver it to you to-morrow morning when +you come to give your orders. I may warn you that you will find a great +crowd of Toys waiting to hear it." + +"Let come who will," vaunted the Hansom-driver. "_I_ fear no crowd. The +more Toys to witness my moment of triumph, the better." + +And it was in this frame of mind that, on the following morning, he +drove to the Butcher's shop, outside of which a large crowd was +gathered. + +"Well," he said with a smile to the Clown who headed the crowd; "well, +and what is the ladies' opinion about my beauty?" + +"The ladies have decided," said the Clown, nodding his head and speaking +very rapidly, "the ladies have all decided--mind you, _all_ +decided--that you _are_ a hansom man. And so say I." + +The Hansom-driver climbed down from his seat. + +"Shake hands," he said. "One doesn't find a fellow of sense like you +every day." + +The Clown shook hands, then turned a somersault and grinned from ear to +ear. + +"Handsome," he said slowly, "but _without_ the _d_ and the _e_. Mark +that, my child. No _beauty, but a hansom man_. Ho-la! What's the time +of day? Time to go away?" + +For the Hansom-driver had mounted to his seat, and, whipping up his +horse, was driving off as fast as he could. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +"That was very funny," said the little girl; "it made me laugh very +much." + +"It made all the Toys laugh," said the Marionette--"except the +Hansom-driver himself. And, perhaps, he might be excused for not doing +so." + +"He _was_ a vain thing," said the little girl. + +"He was," the Marionette agreed. "However, we must not be too severe on +him. He had his good points after all. He was not bad-tempered, for +example, like poor Claribelle, who at one time was quite unbearable, and +made herself disliked by everyone. Though in the end, poor creature, she +became, it is true, an altered character." + +"'Poor Claribelle!' Who was she?" + +"A young lady doll whose bad temper, unfortunately for her, brought her +great sorrow. + +"I should like to hear about her," said the little girl. + +The little Marionette mused a moment. "I should not do wrong to tell +you," she remarked. "The story of this poor, proud creature may perhaps +serve as a lesson and warning to some other haughty and fanciful young +lady. Yes, you shall hear to-morrow evening of Claribelle." And so the +next evening, in a grave voice that befitted the tale, she told the +story of "Proud Claribelle." + + + + +PROUD CLARIBELLE + + +Claribelle was a very haughty doll. She was very beautiful, with great +brown eyes and a mass of dark hair that fell to her waist. She had fine +clothes, too; a pink silk dress, a large straw hat trimmed with lace and +pink roses, pink silk stockings and bronze shoes, and round her neck a +string of pearls, which were the envy of every lady doll in the +toy-shop. + +She held her head very high indeed, and would not speak to this doll +because it was "frumpish," or that doll because it was not in the same +set as herself. The China Doll she really could not be on intimate terms +with, because she had a crack across her cheek. Fancy being seen walking +with a cracky person! Also, she must really decline being introduced to +the Farthing Doll. A very good, worthy person, no doubt, but really she +and a doll worth a farthing could not possibly have many tastes in +common. + +As to the Rag Doll, she was a pushing person. At a tea-party at which +they had both been present, she had asked Claribelle if she didn't think +that skirts were fuller. To think of discussing clothes with a creature +of rags! The idea was really too comical! + +It was thus, and in this proud spirit, that Claribelle talked about the +other and more modest Toys. There were, indeed, very few that she would +take the slightest notice of. As a matter of fact, when she walked down +the counter she held her nose so much in the air that it was very rarely +she saw anyone. She did not care in the least whether she trod on other +people's toes or not. + +From this you will easily understand that she was a Toy who gained more +admiration than love. There was, however, one who was truly devoted to +Claribelle. This was the Driver of the Wagon, who was always of the +opinion that beneath her haughty manner lay a kind heart. They were +engaged to be married, and with true affection he often spoke to her +about her haughty manner to the other Toys. + +On such occasions Claribelle tossed her head and flew into a passion, +often sulking for hours afterwards. Yet, although she so sorely tried +the Driver's patience, he continued to love her. And when all other +means had failed he would often sing her back to good temper, for he had +a beautiful tenor voice. + +He was a little proud of his voice, and used to practise every night, +partly because he loved music, also because he delighted to show his +devotion to Claribelle by singing her little love-songs in a +well-trained manner. + +He was of a kindly, genial nature, so that you would have thought it was +hardly possible to quarrel with him. But Claribelle's pride not seldom +caused a dispute between them, and she would often start a heated +argument without any reason. + +It was thus one day that a quarrel arose which ended in the most serious +manner. + +They were out driving in the Wagon, when the Driver, remembering he owed +a call on the Farthing Doll, proposed that he and Claribelle should go +thither. + +"What!" she exclaimed haughtily. "Pay a call on that Farthing creature! +_Certainly_ not!" + +"I, at least, must go, sooner or later," the Driver replied. + +"Why?" she asked much displeased. + +"Because did I not call," answered he kindly but firmly, "I should be +lacking in courtesy to a lady who has never shown me anything but the +utmost civility. However, since you do not wish it, I will not go +to-day." + +"I do not wish you to go at all," she said. "But I see it is quite +sufficient for me to say that I do not desire you to do a thing, for you +to do it." + +And after this she sulked and said she did not love him. + +Upon this the Driver bethought him a new song he had just learnt, and he +determined to sing it in the hope of winning her back to good temper. So +he began: + + "'Oh, down in Alabama, before I was set free, + I loved a dark-eyed, yaller girl, + And thought--'" + +But he got no further, for here Claribelle interrupted him. + +"Does that apply to _me_?" she said with flashing eyes. + +"Well, you _have_ dark eyes, you know," he said pleasantly, hoping to +make her smile. "Beautiful dark eyes, too." + +"Stop the wagon!" she said furiously. "I will not be so insulted. Dark +eyes, yes; but yaller! yaller! yaller!" + +"Allow me to explain. I only--" began the Driver. + +"_Yaller_, indeed! Stop the Wagon!" + +"I should like to say--" + +"A dark-eyed, _yaller_ girl! Stop the Wagon,--and consider our +engagement at an end." + +"_Will_ you let me--" + +But Claribelle shook her head furiously, and in her rage tried to jump +out of the Wagon. So the Driver, fearing she would break her neck, did +as she requested and pulled up his horse, when she immediately alighted. +Then she swept away, flouncing her pink silk dress, and with her head in +the air. + +The Driver called later and tried to pacify her, but she would not +listen. She only turned her back upon him--which was a very rude thing +to do--and persisted in saying that their engagement was at an end. + +So the Wagoner whipped up his horse and went away sad and sorry. He +looked, indeed, so sad that the haughty Claribelle nearly repented of +her pride and was just about to call him back. + +"But he'll return to-morrow," she said to herself, "and he must be +taught not to make false remarks about my complexion. Fancy calling me +'yaller!'" + +The next day he came as she expected. + +"Do I still look yaller?" Claribelle asked scornfully. + +"Let bygones be bygones," said he. "Besides, I never called you yaller." + +"Our engagement is ended," she said. + +"Claribelle," he said kindly but firmly, "listen to what I say. If you +do not tame your proud temper, you will one day bring sorrow upon +yourself." Then he left, wounded and displeased. + +The next day he came again. + +"I may be going away," he said, "to the other side of the shop, to the +opposite counter." + +"Do I still look yaller?" Claribelle asked, tossing her head. + +"Aren't you sorry I am going?" he replied. + +"I haven't time to think of trifles," she said haughtily. + +"Cruel Claribelle," he said. "I shall not send you a letter, not even a +post-card." + +"Letters are dull," she said coldly, "and post-cards are vulgar." + +"You will repent of this some day," he replied. And he turned and went +away in anger. + +On the morrow he came once more. + +"I have come to say good-bye," he said. + +"Oh!" she replied; but not a word more. + +"Aren't you sorry?" he asked again. + +"Yes," she replied, "because the Farthing Doll put her foot on my dress +this morning in passing me, and tore it. She is a clumsy thing." + +"You are trying my patience too far," he said. "Proud Claribelle, +beware! Beware, proud Claribelle!" + +"You confirm me in my resolution," said she. "I will never marry a Toy +who gives way to his temper over nothing. Once for all, our engagement +is at an end." + +"I cannot believe that," he said. "Do you really mean it?" + +"Certainly," she answered. + +"So be it," he replied. + +Then he got up from his chair with dignity, made a low bow, mounted his +Wagon, and drove away. + +"I almost wish I had not said that," thought the haughty Beauty +uneasily. "I never meant him to go away so soon. If he had stayed I +should, perhaps, have altered my mind. I will tell him so when he comes +to-morrow." + +But next day he did not come. Then a few tears fell from Claribelle's +haughty eyes. Nor did he come on the next, and then she shed more. Nor +on the following day; nor the day after that, nor the day after +_that_,--nor ever again! And each day poor Claribelle wept more and +more, till it was sad to see her. + +At last she heard the Wagoner had left the toy-shop altogether, and she +knew she should never see him again. And she cried, and cried, and +cried, till she cried away every bit of pride in her nature! Indeed, +from being the proudest Toy in the shop she became the meekest and +gentlest--kind and thoughtful to all. + +So the other Toys would often remark one to the other with surprise and +pleasure: + +"Lo! how poor Claribelle hath been chastened by sorrow!" + +"Poor, _poor_ Claribelle! I _am_ sorry for her!" said the little girl. + +"She had, indeed, a severe lesson," answered the little Marionette. + +"And did the Wagoner ever come back?" + +"Never, never. He loved, but drove away." + +"How sad!" sighed the little girl. + +"Sad, indeed," said the Marionette. "Well, as I always say, let all +young ladies take warning by the story of Proud Claribelle, and then it +will not have been told in vain." + +There was a pause. + +Then the little girl said: + +"Next time you tell me a story I should like it to be happy all through. +Happy, you know, from beginning to end." + +The little Marionette thought a few moments, then shook her head. + +"I can't remember such a story," she said. "I think there must be very +few." + +"I am sorry for that," answered the little girl, disappointed. "I wanted +very much to hear one." + +"We must take things as they are," said the little lady cheerfully. "If +I don't know many stories that are happy all the way through, I know +plenty that are so at the beginning, or the middle, or the end; or even +more than that." + +"Which do you like best?" said the little girl. + +"Oh, stories with a happy ending! You can forget that the beginning or +middle has been sad, and you can go away smiling." + +"Then tell me to-morrow a story that ends happily." + +"If you will," said the little Marionette. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +On the morrow, when the two met as usual, the Marionette said to the +little girl: + +"Good evening. I have thought of a story that will please you." + +"Then I suppose it ends most happily, doesn't it?" asked Molly. + +"Quite right," she replied. "I am going to tell you one that ends as +happily as you could wish it to. You will, I am sure, be quite satisfied +with the conclusion of: 'The Grocer and the Farthing Doll.'" + + + + +THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL + + +Never was there a love affair more perplexing than the love affair of +the Grocer and the Farthing Doll. It puzzled the whole toy-shop; it even +puzzled the two lovers themselves. + +The affair was rather difficult to understand, but I will try to explain +it to you as simply as I can. + +Everyone knew that the Grocer and the Farthing Doll loved each other; +the Grocer knew he loved the Farthing Doll, but he did not know that she +loved him; the Farthing Doll knew that she loved the Grocer, but she +didn't know if he loved her. + +So everything was at a stand-still, and none of the other dolls knew how +to bring the matter to a happy end. No one quite liked to interfere. And +for these reasons: The Grocer was very proud and would take no advice, +whilst the Farthing Doll was so sensitive that a single wrong word might +cause her a serious illness. Again, the Grocer wouldn't ask the Farthing +Doll to marry him because, being a proud Toy, he feared the humiliation +of her saying "No." She, on her part, would not say much to help him, +lest it should look as if she were forward. + +It was thus that matters stood, when, walking along the counter one day, +the Farthing Doll met the Grocer sauntering by with a sad face. + +"Well!" she exclaimed, with a start of surprise. "Fancy seeing you +here!" + +"My shop is close by," he answered. "Don't you remember?" + +"To be sure," she said. "How odd of me to forget." + +"I'm very pleased to see you," said the Grocer. + +"I am glad of that, for I have every wish to please you," said the +Farthing Doll. + +"Is that satisfactory?" he asked. + +"It ought to be," she replied. + +"I don't know," the Grocer said. "You may wish to please, without +loving. For instance, you may try to please a turkey by giving him the +best of grain. But that is not because you love him. It is merely +because you wish to fatten him well for your Christmas dinner." + +"Good-morning!" said the Farthing Doll coldly. + +"Stay!" the Grocer cried. "I have an idea. We appear to have some +difficulty in finding out the Truth. Let us go and hunt for it." + +"Where is it to be found?" she asked. + +"At the bottom of a Well, so I've heard." + +"Then I suppose the first thing is to find the Well." + +"Exactly so," he said. "Come, let us start." So they walked away hand in +hand. They hunted all up and down the counter, and asked directions of +many dolls. But never a Well could they find. + +"See!" exclaimed the Farthing Doll at last; "here's a square thing that +looks something like a Well. Go, open it and look down." + +"What may be inside, though?" he said cautiously. + +"Truth, Truth, you silly thing!" she said impatiently. "Go!" + +So he went and opened the lid. + +But it was not a Well at all. It was merely the abode of +Jack-in-the-box, and when the Grocer looked in Jack jumped out. He +jumped up so suddenly that he knocked the Grocer flat on his back. + +The poor fellow got up and rubbed his head. + +"One gets very hard blows sometimes in the search for Truth," he said +ruefully. + +"You shouldn't be in such a hurry," remarked Jack-in-the-box. "Take +things more calmly, and ask the Policeman. Kindly shut up the lid of my +box. I can't very well manage it myself, I'm so springy. Close it +firmly, please, or I shall be jumping out again, and I don't want to do +that. I wish to stay indoors to-day as much as possible, for I have a +heavy cold in my head and am sneezing every two minutes." + +"_That_ didn't do much good," said the Grocer when he had done as he was +asked, and closed the lid of Jack's box. + +"Let us find the Policeman," she said, holding out her hand. + +"An excellent idea," he replied as he took it. "There he is, just +outside that dolls' house. + +"Constable," he said, "can you direct us to the Well with Truth at the +bottom?" + +"First to the right, second to the left, and keep on till you come to +it," the policeman answered, without removing his eyes from the kitchen +window. + +"Not that I ever heard tell of any such Well," he added, putting his +head inside and speaking to the Little China Doll within. + +"Then you're a deceiver," she said severely, as she handed him a joint +of beef tightly gummed on to a wooden platter. + +"You're sure to arrive at anything if you keep on till you get it," he +answered carelessly. "So it doesn't really matter if you take the first +to the right and the second to the left, or the second to the right and +the first to the left. You are bound to get there in time.... This beef +is gummed so tightly to the dish that it is a job to get it off...." + +In the meantime the Grocer and the Farthing Doll were wandering about +trying to find the Well. They sought for a long time, but they could not +see a sign of it. + +"We'll never find it," she said in despair. "And I am growing so tired I +am beginning to lose all my good looks. All the crimson is wearing off +my cheeks." + +"Come, come, my dear, we won't give up yet," he said. "Console +yourself; I believe many others have been in the same plight before us." + +"I don't mind if they have," she said, tired and impatient. + +Now the Grocer was a man of quick intellect. His thoughts were not +solely given to the selling of raisins, currants, flour, rice and other +groceries. As the Farthing Doll spoke, a very clever idea came into his +head. + +"Wait!" he said thoughtfully. "Your last remark has given me a new idea. +You mentioned the word _mind_! Mind,--mind,--mind. Yes,--now why should +we not give up seeking for truth in a Well, and try to find it in our +minds?" + +"Have we got them?" she asked doubtfully. + +"I think so," he replied. + +"Then where are they kept?" + +He pondered. + +"In our heads, I imagine," he said. + +And tapping his forehead to help out his thought he remarked. + +"Let us begin. Here is my first question: Do you approve of marriages +with Grocers?" + +"Before I answer," said the Farthing Doll cautiously, "I should like to +hear if you approve of marriages with Farthing Dolls? Some people +don't." + +"Ladies first. It is your place to reply to me before I reply to you." + +"I prefer the last word; you may have the first." + +"It is all very well to expect me to answer you, but supposing _I_ said +'Yes' and _you_ said 'No,' fancy how my pride would suffer!" + +"But supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No,' picture to yourself what +my feelings would be. I should not recover from the blow." + +"We have got ourselves into a difficult position," said the Grocer. "Let +us start afresh. If I wrote you a letter, how would you answer it?" + +"As I thought best," she said. "But tell me how would you write it?" + +"As I thought fit," he replied. "What would your 'best' be?" + +"That would depend on your 'fit'," she answered. + +The Grocer sighed and knit his brows. + +"It seems very difficult to come to an understanding with you," he said. + +And then they were both silent for a long while. As a matter of fact, +this was because they were both so depressed that they could think of +nothing further to say. + +The Farthing Doll was the first to break the silence. + +"Perhaps," she said sadly, "we had better start looking for that Well +again. The Policeman told us that if we kept on we should come to it." + +"I am not sure that I trust the Policeman," he answered. "It struck me +that he wished, unobserved, to enjoy some food from the dolls' house +kitchen. He wanted to get rid of us." + +"What is to be done then?" she asked. + +The Grocer thought for a long while. Then he spoke again. + +"I have another idea," he remarked. "Let us look for Truth not in the +Well, nor in our Minds, but in our Hearts. Do you agree?" + +"Yes, I do," she said. "But how shall we set about it?" + +"Let our Hearts speak," he replied. + +After this they were silent for a moment or two. Then the Grocer and +the Farthing Doll clasped each other's hands and spoke at the same +moment. + + "My Heart's Dearest, I love you," said he. + "You are my Best Beloved," said she. + +So the matter ended happily, to their own joy and to the joy of the +whole toy-shop. + +And these two lovers found Truth at last: not in the bottom of a Well, +but in the depths of their own Hearts. + +And they married and were happy ever after. + + * * * * * + +"That was a nice ending," remarked the little girl. "I like it." + +"Yes; very satisfactory, wasn't it?" said the little lady. + +"How will the next story end, happily or sadly?" + +"I haven't thought of it yet. You shall know to-morrow." + +"I think I must go now," said the little girl. "I promised my little +cousin to have a game of nine-pins with her before bed-time." + +"Wait," said the Marionette. "I have something to tell you. I think +to-morrow evening will be the last time I shall be able to speak with +you. My power of talking to a Mortal is going; it will not last after +our next meeting." + +"Oh, I _am_ sorry!" exclaimed the little girl. "I do not leave till two +days after to-morrow, and I thought that you would be able to go on +telling me stories up to the very last evening." + +The little Marionette shook her head. + +"It will be impossible," said she. + +"And after to-morrow we shall not be able to talk to each other any +more," exclaimed the little girl. "Oh, how sad!" + +"Never mind, even if we cannot talk we can remain good friends. The +deepest friendship is often the quietest." + +"Then we can be very great friends indeed," said the little girl with +much affection. "I am so glad, dear!" + +"I am going out to-morrow afternoon to see the pantomime, but I shall +come here as early as I can," she added as she went away. "Don't you be +late." + +"No, I won't," answered the Marionette. + +"Remember!" + +"Yes, I'll remember." + +"_How_ will you remember?" + +"I'll tie a knot in my hair, so that when I brush it I shall feel that +there is something to recollect." + +"That's a good idea," said the little girl, and ran away in content. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +The next evening, as soon as the little girl came in, she went to their +meeting-place by the Noah's Ark. + +But the little Marionette was not to be found. + +"This is too bad of her!" said the little girl. "Our last time! And +after she has promised not to be late!" + +Tears rose to her eyes. + +"I am very much disappointed," said she as she walked up and down the +shop looking for her friend. + +"I shall never find her.... Why, _there_ she is!" she exclaimed +suddenly. + +And she hurried up to the little Marionette, who, half-concealed by a +big Drum, lay on the ground beside a Puzzle. + +"You are not very kind," remarked the little girl reproachfully. "I +asked you to be early, and you never came at all." + +"I am very sorry," answered the little Marionette in a tired voice. + +Then she sat up, and the little girl saw with much sorrow and surprise +that she was quite disfigured. Her nose was broken, her eyes were +crooked, and her face was quite knocked about. All the little girl's +annoyance vanished, and her heart was full of pity. + +"Oh, you poor dear little dolly!" she cried; "what _has_ happened to +you?" + +"I have hurt myself," was the answer. "I tripped up over this Puzzle." + +"I am sorry. Are you very badly hurt?" asked her little friend with +pity. + +"Never mind me. I promised to tell you one more story, and I shall do +so," answered the little Marionette. + +She spoke very sadly, and the little girl picked her up and kissed her. + +"Would you not like to put off telling me a story to-day?" she asked. + +"No. I should like to do so," the Marionette answered, "for it is our +last meeting. Put me back on the counter and I will tell it to you." + +"Shall I put you back where I found you?" + +"No, take me back to our old place. I am tired of this Puzzle." + +So the little girl took her to the Noah's Ark, and placed her with her +back to it. + +"What is your story about, dear?" the little girl asked, drawing her +chair close to the counter, and bending her head close to the little +Marionette, the better to hear her small voice--weaker and more tiny +that evening than usual. + +"About a little Marionette like myself, whose best and dearest friend +left her and thought she didn't mind. And all the while she minded so +very much! More than she knew how to say!" + +"Poor little Marionette!" said Molly. + +"It _was_ sad, for it was only a mistake, wasn't it?" said the little +Marionette lady with a sigh. "But you shall hear all about it. Listen +whilst I tell you the story of: 'The Last Performance.'" + + + + +THE LAST PERFORMANCE + + +The two little Marionette dolls had just finished their dance before an +admiring throng of Toys, and the curtain had, that moment, fallen upon +their last performance. + +"So now," sighed the little lady Marionette to her partner; "so now the +play is over. We shall never act together again. I heard the woman who +owned the shop say that she was going to separate us, and sell us as +ordinary Toys. She said there was so little demand for Marionettes +nowadays.... But you heard that as well as I, didn't you?" + +"Yes, I heard," he answered. "And more, too. She said she was going to +send me away with some other Toys to a Christmas-tree. So that it will +be good-bye for a long while." + +The little lady Marionette patted the paniers of her pretty brocade +dress and remained silent. + +"You don't mind that, do you?" her partner said. "I thought you +wouldn't." + +"I do mind," she answered at last. + +"Yes; very much I am sure," he said. + +"You hurt my feelings," she replied. + +"I wouldn't do that for the whole world--not for ten worlds," he +answered. + +She smiled. + +"Oh, you smile!" he said. "Then you do not mind very much after all." + +"I smile because it makes me happy to hear you speak kindly to me +again," she answered. + +But her answer did not please him. + +"You smile at everything," he said "Nothing troubles you much." + +"It troubles me that you should be going away; away from me into the +wide world," she said. + +"It will trouble you for half an hour, not longer," said he. "Only half +an hour, that's all. I must leave you now." + +"Don't," said she. "_Stay._" + +"I can't," said he. "Good-bye." + +And he went straight away without another word. + +"He does not know how dear he is to my heart or he would not leave me +so," said the little Marionette to herself after he had left. + +Then she threw herself down on the counter and cried as if her heart +were breaking. She threw herself down so violently that she broke her +nose and knocked her eyes awry. But she was too miserable to care. She +lay still and cried on. + +At last a friend of hers came along--a friend who was a Doll of common +sense and practical ways. + +"What is all this about?" she asked. "Why are you crying?" + +"Because half an hour may last for so long," wept the little Marionette. + +"You are talking nonsense," she replied contemptuously. "Everybody knows +that half an hour can only last thirty minutes." + +"Not always. It may sometimes last a whole year--many years." + +"Tut, tut!" replied the common-sense Doll; "you have no reasoning power. +That I can see by your face. Still, if I can help you I will. What would +you have me do?" + +"Give me back my dream," said the Marionette. Then she covered her face +with her hands and gave a great sigh. + +The common-sense Doll looked even more practical than before. + +"That is it, is it?" she said. "A morbid longing after a Dream. I begin +to understand. Nerves,--indigestion,--too many sweet things,--I fear I +cannot, then, be of much assistance. However, the General of the Tin +Soldiers has a wonderful turn for doctoring, quite a natural gift. I +will send him to you. He may be able to do you some good." + +So she went on her way, and the little Marionette was once more alone +with her sorrow and regret. + +By and by, however, the General of the Tin Soldiers trotted up on his +handsome black charger, and reined in before her. + +"My dear little lady," he said kindly, if pompously, "in what pitiful +condition do I find you? Come, come, tell an old soldier, who has been +through much himself, all about it." And, as she did not at once answer: +"Well," he continued good-naturedly, "never mind. Do not trouble to +speak, I will prescribe for you. I recognize your complaint, and have +already treated with much success a large number of my Tin Soldiers +suffering in the same way. This, then, is my prescription for your +malady: plenty of fresh air; exercise in moderation; early hours and +plain diet. But don't let your diet become monotonous. For example, a +rice pudding one day, sago the next, tapioca the third. And a little +gentle amusement every now and then to keep up your spirits; Christy +Minstrels; a pleasant, little musical gathering of friends; and so on. +Finally, a powerful tonic to put a little more color into those poor +little cheeks. Kindly permit me to feel your pulse." + +And so saying the General bent from his saddle and courteously took the +little Marionette's hand. Then, looking much alarmed, "_Galloping, +galloping!_" he exclaimed, "I must do likewise, and order you a tonic at +the nearest chemist's without delay." + +And putting spurs into his horse he rode away hurriedly. + +"All that won't do me any good," said the little Marionette aloud. "I +don't want that." + +"What do I want?" she sighed. + +"A jest, my good creature," said a voice near her, and looking up she +saw the Clown with his hands in his pockets dancing a double-shuffle in +front of her. + +"A jest," he repeated. Then as he danced and shook the bells on his cap, +he chanted in time to the movement of his feet-- + + "Broken nose and crooked eyes, + Broken heart and mournful sighs,-- + Life's a jest for a' that." + +"No, it isn't; not to me," answered the little Marionette very sadly. + +"It will be, by and by," he said cheerfully. + +"No; not to me," she repeated. + +The Clown looked at her with sympathy. + +"Shall I tell you a good story?" he asked. "Quite one of my best?" + +"You are very kind," said the little Marionette. "I think, though, I +would rather hear it another time, if you do not mind." + +"Not at all," answered the Clown as he danced away, jingling his bells +as he went. "_I_ don't mind, I'm not easily hurt. But take my advice, if +the situation is not a jest in itself make a jest dove-tail into the +situation. Good-bye, my little friend. Cheer up." + +"Cheer up!" repeated the little lady. "But it is not easy. I shall have +to wait until the half-hour is over before I can do that." + +After this she lay on the counter quietly, without taking notice of +anything or anyone. And the other Toys, seeing she wished to be left to +herself, did not disturb her. + +By and by, the time when the Toys are able to talk and move about passed +by, and they all became still once more: just as you are accustomed to +see them. And people passed in and out, and to and fro, but the little +lady Marionette lay unobserved--alone and unhappy in her corner of the +counter. + +"The half-hour is very long," she said. "Will it ever end? My heart is +very heavy...." + +The little Marionette made a long pause. + +"Go on, if you please," said the little girl. + +But the little lady remained silent. + +"_Do_ go on," repeated her small friend. + +Yet she never answered. + +"What is the matter with you?" asked the little girl impatiently. + +She looked closely at the Marionette as she spoke. + +Why, were those tears she saw, or was it only the light shining upon +the little lady's glass eyes? Glass eyes shine very easily, it is true. +Still, supposing she _were_ crying and wanted to be comforted? She would +ask her. + +"You are not crying, dear, are you?" said the little girl. + +The little Marionette gave a great sigh. + +"Perhaps," she replied gently. + +"What is it about?" asked the little girl with much sympathy. + +Then all at once she understood. + +"I believe," she exclaimed, "you have been telling me a story about +yourself! It all happened to you to-day, while I was away, didn't it?" + +The little lady rubbed two tiny wax hands across her two glass eyes. +"You have guessed rightly," she said in a little faltering voice. + +"Oh, I am sorry!" said her little friend with great sympathy. "I have +been out all the afternoon, so I never heard Auntie say she was going to +send you and your partner away from each other. And fancy his going away +and leaving you as he did! You poor little thing, how I _wish_ I could +do something to make you happier!" + +Molly thought a moment. "I know!" she exclaimed; "you shall belong to +me, my dear. I shall ask Auntie to give you to me, and you shall be my +very own dolly!" + +"Come with me, darling," she continued, hugging the little Marionette +tightly, "and I will sing you to sleep in Auntie's big rocking-chair. I +will make up a nice song all by myself and all about you. You will see +then how much I love you, and you won't cry any more. When you wake up +you will feel happier again." + +And going into the room at the back of the shop, she drew a +rocking-chair near the cheerful blaze of the bright fire and sat down, +still clasping the little Marionette in her arms. + +At first she rocked to and fro silently, and with a thoughtful +expression. Presently she gave a sudden jerk to the rocking-chair, and +sung in a shrill sweet voice, and with some energy-- + + "Lulla_by_, little dolly, lulla_by_, lulla_by_, + Your poor nose is broken, your eyes are awry, + But I'll love you and kiss you, so you must just try + Not to cry, little dolly,--lulla_by_, lulla_by_." + +"Lullaby," she said more gently, and kissed her fondly. Then she began +afresh, but more softly and soothingly-- + + "Lulla_by_, little dolly, lulla_by_, lulla_by_, + You know you are ugly and rather a guy, + But my arms are around you, so why should you sigh? + Just you sleep, little dolly,--lulla_by_, lulla_by_." + +"Lullaby," she whispered, and kissed her again very tenderly. + +"This is not poetry, only rhyme, and not very flattering rhyme either," +murmured the little Marionette. "But if it is not poetry it is love.... +And it brings comfort to my sore heart, which the reasoning, and the +doctoring, and the jesting could not do...." + +She whispered something more, but very weakly. Her power of talking to a +Mortal had all but left her, and the child had to put her head quite +close to the little lady so as to be able to catch what she said. + +"Let me always stay with you," the little Marionette just managed to +whisper. + +"Always, dear," said her little friend. + +And then the little lady fell asleep quite happily. That at least was +what the little girl thought. And if _she_ thought so _we_ might as well +think the same. + + * * * * * + +"You want me to give you that little Marionette?" said the owner of the +toy-shop to the little girl that same evening. "Very well, Molly, you +shall have her." + +"Oh, thank you, Auntie!" replied her little niece with much gratitude. + +"There is not very much to thank me for," remarked her aunt. "She is not +worth anything now. I can't imagine," she added, "how it is that she has +got so knocked about." + +Now the little girl had no need to imagine it, for she knew. But she +kept her knowledge to herself, fearing that if she told her Aunt what +had happened she would be laughed at as a fanciful child. + +But we should not have laughed at her,--should we? There would have been +no fancy at out the matter for us. For _we_ know that the Toy World is a +very real World indeed! + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Altemus' New Illustrated + +YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY + +A new series of choice literature for children, selected from the best +and most popular works. Handsomely printed on fine paper from large +type, with numerous colored illustrations and black and white +engravings, by the most famous artists, making the handsomest and most +attractive series of juvenile classics before the public. + +Fine English cloth, handsome new original designs, 40 cents each. + +THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. 70 illustrations. + +ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. 42 illustrations. + +THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE. 50 illustrations. + +BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 46 illustrations. + +A CHILD'S STORY OF THE BIBLE. 72 illustrations. + +A CHILD'S LIFE OF CHRIST. 49 illustrations. + +ÆSOP'S FABLES. 62 illustrations. + +SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. 50 illustrations. + +EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE IN AFRICA. 80 illustrations. + +GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 50 illustrations. + +MOTHER GOOSE'S RHYMES, JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES. 234 illustrations. + +THE STORY OF THE FROZEN SEAS. 70 illustrations. + +WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 80 illustrations. + +BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell. 50 illustrations. + +ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. 130 illustrations. + +ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES. 75 illustrations. + +GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES. 50 illustrations. + +FLOWER FABLES. By Louisa M. Alcott. 50 illustrations. + +AUNT MARTHA'S CORNER CUPBOARD. By Mary and Elizabeth Kirby. 54 +illustrations. + +WATER BABIES. By Charles Kingsley. 84 illustrations. + +UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. 90 illustrations. + +TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb. 65 illustrations. + +ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND. 70 illustrations. + +ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE. 18 illustrations. + +MIXED PICKLES. 31 illustrations. + +LITTLE LAME PRINCE. By Miss Mulock. 24 illustrations. + +THE SLEEPY KING. 77 illustrations. + +RIP VAN WINKLE. By Washington Irving. 46 illustrations. + +A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES. By Robert Louis Stevenson. 100 +illustrations. + +ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. 50 illustrations. + + * * * * * + +Altemus' + +STORIES FROM HISTORY SERIES + +A series of stories from history which every boy and girl should know. +No library is complete without these valuable contributions to juvenile +literature. + +Profusely illustrated. Bound in cloth with illuminated covers, 40 cents +each. + +ROMULUS, THE FOUNDER OF ROME. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations. + +CYRUS THE GREAT, THE FOUNDER OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. By Jacob Abbott. 40 +illustrations. + +DARIUS THE GREAT, KING OF THE MEDES AND PERSIANS. By Jacob Abbott. 34 +illustrations. + +XERXES THE GREAT, KING OF PERSIA. By Jacob Abbott. 39 illustrations. + +ALEXANDER THE GREAT, KING OF MACEDON. By Jacob Abbott. 51 illustrations. + +PYRRHUS, KING OF EPIRUS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations. + +HANNIBAL, THE CARTHAGINIAN. By Jacob Abbott. 37 illustrations. + +JULIUS CÆSAR, THE ROMAN CONQUEROR. By Jacob Abbott. 44 illustrations. + +DICKENS' CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 80 illustrations. + +ALFRED THE GREAT, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations. + +WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 43 illustrations. + +CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 70 illustrations. + +HERNANDO CORTEZ, THE CONQUEROR OF MEXICO. By Jacob Abbott. 30 +illustrations. + +QUEEN ELIZABETH, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations. + +MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations. + +GRANDFATHER'S CHAIR. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. 68 illustrations. + +KING CHARLES THE FIRST, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 41 illustrations. + +KING CHARLES THE SECOND, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 28 illustrations. + +MADAME ROLAND, A HEROINE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. By Jacob Abbott. 42 +illustrations. + +MARIE ANTOINETTE, QUEEN OF FRANCE. By John S. C. Abbott. 41 +illustrations. + +JOSEPHINE, EMPRESS OF FRANCE. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations. + +BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE. By Prescott Holmes. 70 +illustrations. + +MILITARY HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES. 60 illustrations. + +HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 60 illustrations. + +LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. With portraits and +illustrations. + +BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION. By Prescott Holmes. 80 illustrations. + +YOUNG PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 50 illustrations. + + * * * * * + +Altemus' Illustrated + +MOTHER GOOSE SERIES + +A series of entirely new editions of the most popular books for young +people. Handsomely printed from large, clear type, on choice paper; each +volume containing about one hundred illustrations. Half vellum, with +illuminated sides (6-7/8 x 8-3/4 inches). Price, 50 cents each. + +ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP.--OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS.--BEAUTY AND THE +BEAST.--BIRD STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.--CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE +GLASS SLIPPER.--THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.--JACK AND THE +BEAN-STALK.--JACK THE GIANT-KILLER.--LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.--PUSS IN +BOOTS.--THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.--WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN? + + * * * * * + +Altemus' Illustrated + +LITTLE MEN AND WOMEN SERIES + +A new series for young people, by the best known English and American +authors. Profusely illustrated, and with handsome and appropriate +bindings. Cloth, 12mo. Price, 50 cts. each. + +BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell. + +HIAWATHA. By Henry W. Longfellow. + +ALICE IN WONDERLAND AND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. By Lewis Carroll. + +PAUL AND VIRGINIA. By Sainte Pierre. + +GALOPOFF, THE TALKING PONY. By Tudor Jenks. + +GYPSY, THE TALKING DOG. By Tudor Jenks. + +CAPS AND CAPERS. By Gabrielle E. Jackson. + +DOUGHNUTS AND DIPLOMAS. By Gabrielle E. Jackson. + +FOR PREY AND SPOILS. By Frederick A. Ober. + +TOMMY FOSTER'S ADVENTURES. By Frederick A. Ober. + +TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb. + +A LITTLE ROUGH RIDER. By Tudor Jenks. + +ANOTHER YEAR WITH DENISE AND NED TOODLES. By Gabrielle E. Jackson. + +POOR BOYS' CHANCES. By John Habberton. + +SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. By Hartwell James. + +POLLY PERKINS'S ADVENTURES. By E. Louise Liddell. + +FOLLY IN FAIRYLAND. By Carolyn Wells. + +FOLLY IN THE FOREST. By Carolyn Wells. + +THE BOY GEOLOGIST. By Prof. E. J. Houston. + +HELEN'S BABIES. By John Habberton. + + * * * * * + +Altemus' Illustrated + +WEE BOOKS FOR WEE FOLKS + +Filled with charming stories, beautifully illustrated with pictures in +colors and black and white. Daintily, yet durably bound. Price, 50 cents +each. + +NURSERY TALES.--NURSERY RHYMES.--THE STORY OF PETER RABBIT.--THE FOOLISH +FOX.--THREE LITTLE PIGS.--THE ROBBER KITTEN. + + * * * * * + +CHILDREN'S GIFT SERIES + +A new series of the most famous children's classics, in new and +attractive bindings with full page illustrations in color and black and +white. Cloth, 4to, 75 cents each. + +ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.--THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT +ALICE FOUND THERE.--A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES.--MOTHER GOOSE'S RHYMES, +JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES.--SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.--THE ADVENTURES OF +ROBINSON CRUSOE.--GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES.--ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES.--BIBLE +PICTURES AND STORIES.--ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. + + * * * * * + +ONE-SYLLABLE SERIES + +For Young Readers + +Embracing popular works arranged for the young folks in words of one +syllable. With numerous illustrations by the best artists. Handsomely +bound, with illuminated covers. Price, 50 cents each. + +ÆSOP'S FABLES.--A CHILD'S LIFE OF CHRIST.--THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON +CRUSOE.--BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.--SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.--GULLIVER'S +TRAVELS.--A CHILD'S STORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.--A CHILD'S STORY OF THE +NEW TESTAMENT.--BIBLE STORIES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.--THE STORY OF JESUS. + + * * * * * + +Altemus' Illustrated + +DAINTY SERIES OF CHOICE GIFT BOOKS + +Bound in half-white vellum, illuminated sides, unique designs in gold +and colors, with numerous half-tone illustrations. Price, 50 cents each. + +THE SILVER BUCKLE. By M. Nataline Crumpton. + +CHARLES DICKENS' CHILDREN STORIES. + +THE CHILDREN'S SHAKESPEARE. + +YOUNG ROBIN HOOD. By G. Manville Fenn. + +HONOR BRIGHT. By Mary C. Rowsell. + +THE VOYAGE OF THE MARY ADAIR. By Frances E. Crompton. + +THE KINGFISHER'S EGG. By L. T. Meade. + +TATTINE. By Ruth Ogden. + +THE DOINGS OF A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE. By Mary D. Brine. + +OUR SOLDIER BOY. By G. Manville Fenn. + +THE LITTLE SKIPPER. By G. Manville Fenn. + +LITTLE GERVAISE AND OTHER STORIES. + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY. By John Strange Winter. + +MOLLY THE DRUMMER BOY. By Harriet T. Comstock. + +HOW A "DEAR LITTLE COUPLE" WENT ABROAD. By Mary D. Brine. + +THE ROSE-CARNATION. By Frances E. Crompton. + +MOTHER'S LITTLE MAN. By Mary D. Brine. + +LITTLE SWAN MAIDENS. By Frances E. Crompton. + +LITTLE LADY VAL. By Evelyn Everett Green. + +A YOUNG HERO. By G. Manville Fenn. + +QUEEN OF THE DAY. By L. T. Meade. + +THAT LITTLE FRENCH BABY. By John Strange Winter. + +THE POWDER MONKEY. By G. Manville Fenn. + +THE DOLL THAT TALKED. By Tudor Jenks. + +WHAT CHARLIE FOUND TO DO. By Amanda M. Douglas. + + * * * * * + +Altemus' + +YOUNG FOLKS PUZZLE PICTURES' SERIES + +A new series for young people, including numerous Puzzle Pictures by the +best artists. Full cloth, illuminated cover design. Price, 50 cents +each. + +MOTHER GOOSE'S PUZZLE PICTURES. + +THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES. + +ANIMAL TALES, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES. + +THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES. + +DOG TALES, CAT TALES AND OTHER TALES, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES. + + * * * * * + +Altemus' Illustrated + +MOTHER STORIES SERIES + +An entirely new series, including the best stories that mothers can tell +their children. Handsomely printed and profusely illustrated. Ornamental +cloth. Price, 50 cents each. + +MOTHER STORIES. 89 illustrations. + +MOTHER NURSERY RHYMES AND TALES. 135 illustrations. + +MOTHER FAIRY TALES. 117 illustrations. + +MOTHER NATURE STORIES. 97 illustrations. + +MOTHER STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. 45 illustrations. + +MOTHER STORIES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT. 45 illustrations. + +MOTHER BEDTIME STORIES. 86 illustrations. + +MOTHER ANIMAL STORIES. 92 illustrations. + +MOTHER BIRD STORIES. 131 illustrations. + +MOTHER SANTA CLAUS STORIES. 91 illustrations. + + * * * * * + +THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully +entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy +will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series. + +1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' +Island. + +2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir. + +3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at +Racing Speed. + +4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare +Cruise. + +5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator +Swamp. + +6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the +Great Fog. + +7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the +Big Fresh Water. + +Cloth, Illustrated. Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS + +By Frank Gee Patchin + +Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great +ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this +series, once he has made a start with the first volume. + +1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of +the Great Divide. + +2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their +Wits Against a Packers' Combine. + +3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam +Plows Across the Prairie. + +4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the +Wheat Pit. + +Cloth, Illustrated. Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +SUBMARINE BOYS SERIES + +By Victor G. Durham + +These splendid books for boys and girls deal with life aboard submarine +torpedo boats, and with the adventures of the young crew, and possess, +in addition to the author's surpassing knack of storytelling, a great +educational value for all young readers. + +1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat. + +2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts. + +3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis. + +4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep. + +5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep. + +6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam. + +7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey +Customs Frauds. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +The reading boy will be a voter within a few years; these books are +bound to make him think, and when he casts his vote he will do it more +intelligently for having read these volumes. + +1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise +Steal. + +2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the +Crooked Land Deal. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +BEN LIGHTBODY SERIES + +By Walter Benham + +1 BEN LIGHTBODY, SPECIAL; Or, Seizing His First Chance to Make Good. + +2 BEN LIGHTBODY'S BIGGEST PUZZLE; Or, Running the Double Ghost to Earth. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +PONY RIDER BOYS SERIES + +By Frank Gee Patchin + +These tales may be aptly described as those of a new Cooper. In every +sense they belong to the best class of books for boys and girls. + +1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim. + +2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains. + +3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer +Trail. + +4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain. + +5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert +Maze. + +6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail. + +7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright +Angel Gulch. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE BOYS OF STEEL SERIES + +By James R. Mears + +The author has made of these volumes a series of romances with scenes +laid in the iron and steel world. Each book presents a vivid picture of +some phase of this great industry. The information given is exact and +truthful; above all, each story is full of adventure and fascination. + +1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft. + +2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift. + +3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes. + +4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder +Pits. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +WEST POINT SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans +whose doings will inspire all boy readers. + +1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet +Gray. + +2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of +the Soldier's Life. + +3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag +and Honor. + +4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray +for Shoulder Straps. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +ANNAPOLIS SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in +these volumes. + +1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the +U. S. Naval Academy. + +2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval +Academy "Youngsters." + +3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class +Midshipmen. + +4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and +the Big Cruise. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE YOUNG ENGINEERS SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys +Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of +all the traditions of Dick & Co. + +1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest. + +2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" +Quicksand. + +3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a +Pick. + +4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +BOYS OF THE ARMY SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of +to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen. + +1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States +Army. + +2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons. + +3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands. + +4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against +the Moros. + +(Other volumes to follow rapidly.) + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +BATTLESHIP BOYS SERIES + +By Frank Gee Patchin + +These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's huge +drab Dreadnaughts. + +1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy. + +2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as +Petty Officers. + +3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in +European Seas. + +4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in +a Honduras Revolution. + +(Other volumes to follow rapidly.) + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS SERIES + +By Janet Aldridge + +Real live stories pulsing with the vibrant atmosphere of outdoor life. + +1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS; Or, Fun and Frolic in the Summer +Camp. + +2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY; Or, The Young Pathfinders on a +Summer Hike. + +3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT; Or, The Stormy Cruise of the Red Rover. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck. + +Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating +volumes. + +1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and +Sports. + +2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond. + +3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football +Gridiron. + +4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the +Athletic Vanguard. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school +boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy. + +1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things +Moving. + +2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports. + +3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and +Knowledge. + +4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their +Fame Secure. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +HIGH SCHOOL BOY'S VACATION SERIES + +By H. Irving Hancock + +"Give us more Dick Prescott books!" + +This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country +over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers, +making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and +the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in +the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these +splendid narratives. + +1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake +Pleasant. + +2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six +Training for the Gridley Eleven. + +3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness. + +4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves +"Hard as Nails." + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE CIRCUS BOYS SERIES + +By Edgar B. P. Darlington + +Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely +interesting and exciting life. + +1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the +Sawdust Life. + +2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the +Tanbark. + +3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny +South. + +4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on +the Big River. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SERIES + +By Jessie Graham Flower, A. M. + +These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader +fairly by storm. + +1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the +Oakdale Freshman Girls. + +2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the +Girl Chums in Work and Athletics. + +3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the +Sororities. + +4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the +Ways. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + * * * * * + +THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS SERIES + +By Laura Dent Crane + +No girl's library--no family book-case--can be considered at all complete +unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books. + +1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade. + +2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's +Trail. + +3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy +Hollow. + +4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds. + +5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under +Southern Skies. + +Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND*** + + +******* This file should be named 23523-8.txt or 23523-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523 + + + +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. 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