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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, by Louisa M. Alcott
+
+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: Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag
+
+Author: Louisa M. Alcott
+
+Release Date: July 12, 2008 [EBook #26041]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Annie McGuire and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+  Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag
+
+
+  Louisa M. Alcott
+
+
+
+
+  AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG.
+
+  PRINTED BY
+  SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE
+  LONDON
+
+
+
+
+  AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG
+
+  BY
+
+  LOUISA M. ALCOTT,
+
+
+  AUTHOR OF
+
+  'LITTLE WOMEN,' 'AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL,' 'LITTLE MEN,'
+  'HOSPITAL SKETCHES.'
+
+
+  _NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION_
+
+  LONDON
+  SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY
+  (_LIMITED_)
+  St. Dunstan's House
+  FETTER LANE, FLEET STREET, E.C.
+  1892
+
+  _All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+As grandmothers rummage their piece-bags and bundles in search of gay
+odds and ends to make gifts with which to fill the little stockings that
+hang all in a row on Christmas Eve, so I have gathered together some
+stories, old and new, to amuse the large family that has so rapidly and
+beautifully grown up about me.
+
+I hope that when they promenade in night-caps and gowns to rifle the
+plump stockings, the little 'dears' will utter an 'Oh!' of pleasure, and
+give a prance of satisfaction, as they pull out this small gift from
+Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag.
+
+CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS,
+1871-72.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                  PAGE
+
+  MY BOYS.                                           1
+
+  TESSA'S SURPRISES.                                45
+
+  BUZZ.                                             75
+
+  THE CHILDREN'S JOKE.                              85
+
+  DANDELION.                                       116
+
+  MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY.                      127
+
+  A CURIOUS CALL.                                  141
+
+  TILLY'S CHRISTMAS.                               156
+
+  MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN.                             170
+
+  BACK WINDOWS.                                    188
+
+  LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON.                           200
+
+  MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS.       222
+
+  OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY.                              235
+
+  PATTY'S PATCHWORK.                               244
+
+
+
+
+_MY BOYS._
+
+
+Feeling that I have been unusually fortunate in my knowledge of a choice
+and pleasing variety of this least appreciated portion of the human
+race, I have a fancy to record some of my experiences, hoping that it
+may awaken an interest in other minds, and cause other people to
+cultivate the delightful, but too often neglected boys, who now run to
+waste, so to speak.
+
+I have often wondered what they thought of the peculiar treatment they
+receive, even at the hands of their nearest friends. While they are
+rosy, roly-poly little fellows they are petted and praised, adorned and
+adored, till it is a miracle that they are not utterly ruined. But the
+moment they outgrow their babyhood their trials begin, and they are
+regarded as nuisances till they are twenty-one, when they are again
+received into favor.
+
+Yet that very time of neglect is the period when they most need all
+manner of helps, and ought to have them. I like boys and oysters raw;
+so, though good manners are always pleasing, I don't mind the rough
+outside burr which repels most people, and perhaps that is the reason
+why the burrs open and let me see the soft lining and taste the sweet
+nut hidden inside.
+
+My first well-beloved boy was a certain Frank, to whom I clung at the
+age of seven with a devotion which I fear he did not appreciate. There
+were six girls in the house, but I would have nothing to say to them,
+preferring to tag after Frank, and perfectly happy when he allowed me to
+play with him. I regret to say that the small youth was something of a
+tyrant, and one of his favorite amusements was trying to make me cry by
+slapping my hands with books, hoop-sticks, shoes, anything that came
+along capable of giving a good stinging blow. I believe I endured these
+marks of friendship with the fortitude of a young Indian, and felt fully
+repaid for a blistered palm by hearing Frank tell the other boys, 'She's
+a brave little thing, and you can't make her cry.'
+
+My chief joy was in romping with him in the long galleries of a piano
+manufactory behind our house. What bliss it was to mount one of the cars
+on which the workmen rolled heavy loads from room to room, and to go
+thundering down the inclined plains, regardless of the crash that
+usually awaited us at the bottom! If I could have played foot-ball on
+the Common with my Frank and Billy Babcock, life could have offered me
+no greater joy at that period. As the prejudices of society forbid this
+sport, I revenged myself by driving hoop all around the mall without
+stopping, which the boys could _not_ do.
+
+I can remember certain happy evenings, when we snuggled in sofa corners
+and planned tricks and ate stolen goodies, and sometimes Frank would put
+his curly head in my lap and let me stroke it when he was tired. What
+the girls did I don't recollect; their domestic plays were not to my
+taste, and the only figure that stands out from the dimness of the past
+is that jolly boy with a twinkling eye. This memory would be quite
+radiant but for one sad thing--a deed that cut me to the soul then, and
+which I have never quite forgiven in all these years.
+
+On one occasion I did something very naughty, and when called up for
+judgment fled to the dining-room, locked the door, and from my
+stronghold defied the whole world. I could have made my own terms, for
+it was near dinner time and the family must eat; but, alas for the
+treachery of the human heart! Frank betrayed me. He climbed in at the
+window, unlocked the door, and delivered me up to the foe. Nay, he even
+defended the base act, and helped bear the struggling culprit to
+imprisonment. That nearly broke my heart, for I believed _he_ would
+stand by me as staunchly as I always stood by him. It was a sad blow,
+and I couldn't love or trust him any more. Peanuts and candy,
+ginger-snaps and car-rides were unavailing; even foot-ball could not
+reunite the broken friendship, and to this day I recollect the pang
+that entered my little heart when I lost my faith in the loyalty of my
+first boy.
+
+The second attachment was of quite a different sort, and had a happier
+ending. At the mature age of ten, I left home for my first visit to a
+family of gay and kindly people in--well why not say right
+out?--Providence. There were no children, and at first I did not mind
+this, as every one petted me, especially one of the young men named
+Christopher. So kind and patient, yet so merry was this good Christy
+that I took him for my private and particular boy, and loved him dearly;
+for he got me out of innumerable scrapes, and never was tired of amusing
+the restless little girl who kept the family in a fever of anxiety by
+her pranks. _He_ never laughed at her mishaps and mistakes, never played
+tricks upon her like a certain William, who composed the most trying
+nicknames, and wickedly goaded the wild visitor into all manner of
+naughtiness. Christy stood up for her through everything; let her ride
+the cows, feed the pigs, bang on the piano, and race all over the spice
+mill, feasting on cinnamon and cloves; brought her down from housetops
+and fished her out of brooks; never scolded, and never seemed tired of
+the troublesome friendship of little Torment.
+
+In a week I had exhausted every amusement and was desperately homesick.
+It has always been my opinion that I should have been speedily restored
+to the bosom of my family but for Christy, and but for him I should
+assuredly have run away before the second week was out. He kept me, and
+in the hour of my disgrace stood by me like a man and a brother.
+
+One afternoon, inspired by a spirit of benevolence, enthusiastic but
+short-sighted, I collected several poor children in the barn, and
+regaled them on cake and figs, helping myself freely to the treasures of
+the pantry without asking leave, meaning to explain afterward. Being
+discovered before the supplies were entirely exhausted, the patience of
+the long-suffering matron gave out, and I was ordered up to the garret
+to reflect upon my sins, and the pleasing prospect of being sent home
+with the character of the worst child ever known.
+
+My sufferings were deep as I sat upon a fuzzy little trunk all alone in
+the dull garret, thinking how hard it was to do right, and wondering why
+I was scolded for feeding the poor when we were expressly bidden to do
+so. I felt myself an outcast, and bewailed the disgrace I had brought
+upon my family. Nobody could possibly love such a bad child; and if the
+mice were to come and eat me then and there--à la Bishop Hatto--it
+would only be a relief to my friends. At this dark moment I heard
+Christy say below, 'She meant it kindly, so I wouldn't mind, Fanny;' and
+then up came my boy full of sympathy and comfort. Seeing the tragic
+expression of my face, he said not a word, but, sitting down in an old
+chair, took me on his knee and held me close and quietly, letting the
+action speak for itself. It did most eloquently; for the kind arm seemed
+to take me back from that dreadful exile, and the friendly face to
+assure me without words that I had not sinned beyond forgiveness.
+
+I had not shed a tear before, but now I cried tempestuously, and clung
+to him like a shipwrecked little mariner in a storm. Neither spoke, but
+he held me fast and let me cry myself to sleep; for, when the shower was
+over, a pensive peace fell upon me, and the dim old garret seemed not a
+prison, but a haven of refuge, since my boy came to share it with me.
+How long I slept I don't know, but it must have been an hour, at least;
+yet my good Christy never stirred, only waited patiently till I woke up
+in the twilight, and was not afraid because he was there. He took me
+down as meek as a mouse, and kept me by him all that trying evening,
+screening me from jokes, rebukes, and sober looks; and when I went to
+bed he came up to kiss me, and to assure me that this awful circumstance
+should not be reported at home. This took a load off my heart, and I
+remember fervently thanking him, and telling him I never would forget
+it.
+
+I never have, though he died long ago, and others have probably
+forgotten all about the naughty prank. I often longed to ask him how he
+knew the surest way to win a child's heart by the patience, sympathy,
+and tender little acts that have kept his memory green for nearly thirty
+years.
+
+Cy was a comrade after my own heart, and for a summer or two we kept the
+neighbourhood in a ferment by our adventures and hair-breadth escapes. I
+think I never knew a boy so full of mischief, and my opportunities of
+judging have been manifold. He did not get into scrapes himself, but
+possessed a splendid talent for deluding others into them, and then
+morally remarking, 'There, I told you so!' His way of saying 'You
+dars'nt do this or that' was like fire to powder; and why I still live
+in the possession of all my limbs and senses is a miracle to those who
+know my youthful friendship with Cy. It was he who incited me to jump
+off of the highest beam in the barn, to be borne home on a board with a
+pair of sprained ankles. It was he who dared me to rub my eyes with red
+peppers, and then sympathisingly led me home blind and roaring with
+pain. It was he who solemnly assured me that all the little pigs would
+die in agony if their tails were not cut off, and won me to hold
+thirteen little squealers while the operation was performed. Those
+thirteen innocent pink tails haunt me yet, and the memory of that deed
+has given me a truly Jewish aversion to pork.
+
+I did not know him long, but he was a kindred soul, and must have a
+place in my list of boys. He is a big, brown man now, and, having done
+his part in the war, is at work on his farm. We meet sometimes, and
+though we try to be dignified and proper, it is quite impossible; there
+is a sly twinkle in Cy's eye that upsets my gravity, and we always burst
+out laughing at the memory of our early frolics.
+
+My Augustus! oh, my Augustus! my first little lover, and the most
+romantic of my boys. At fifteen I met this charming youth, and thought I
+had found my fate. It was at a spelling school in a little country town
+where I, as a stranger and visitor from the city, was an object of
+interest. Painfully conscious of this fact, I sat in a corner trying to
+look easy and elegant, with a large red bow under my chin, and a
+carnelian ring in full view. Among the boys and girls who frolicked
+about me, I saw one lad of seventeen with 'large blue eyes, a noble
+brow, and a beautiful straight nose,' as I described him in a letter to
+my sister. This attractive youth had a certain air of refinement and
+ease of manner that the others lacked; and when I found he was the
+minister's son, I felt that I might admire him without loss of dignity.
+'Imagine my sensations,' as Miss Burney's Evelina says, when this boy
+came and talked to me, a little bashfully at first, but soon quite
+freely, and invited me to a huckleberry party next day. I had observed
+that he was one of the best spellers. I also observed that his language
+was quite elegant; he even quoted Byron, and rolled his eyes in a most
+engaging manner, not to mention that he asked who gave me my ring, and
+said he depended on escorting me to the berry pasture.
+
+'Dear me, how interesting it was! and when I found myself, next day,
+sitting under a tree in the sunny field (full of boys and girls, all
+more or less lovering), with the amiable Augustus at my feet, gallantly
+supplying me with bushes to strip while we talked about books and
+poetry, I really felt as if I had got into a novel, and enjoyed it
+immensely. I believe a dim idea that Gus was sentimental hovered in my
+mind, but I would not encourage it, though I laughed in my sleeve when
+he was spouting Latin for my benefit, and was uncertain whether to box
+his ears or simper later in the day, when he languished over the gate,
+and said he thought chestnut hair the loveliest in the world.
+
+Poor, dear boy! how innocent and soft-hearted and full of splendid
+dreams he was, and what deliciously romantic times we had floating on
+the pond, while the frogs sung to his accordion, as he tried to say
+unutterable things with his honest blue eyes. It makes me shiver now to
+think of the mosquitoes and the damp; but it was Pauline and Claude
+Melnotte then, and when I went home we promised to be true to one
+another, and write every week during the year he was away at school.
+
+We parted--not in tears by any means; that sort of nonsense comes
+later, when the romance is less childish--but quite jolly and
+comfortable, and I hastened to pour forth the thrilling tale to my
+faithful sister, who approved of the match, being a perfect 'mush of
+sentiment' herself.
+
+I fear it was not a very ardent flame, however, for Gus did not write
+every week, and I did not care a bit; nevertheless, I kept his picture
+and gave it a sentimental sigh when I happened to think of it, while he
+sent messages now and then, and devoted himself to his studies like an
+ambitious boy as he was. I hardly expected to see him again, but soon
+after the year was out, to my great surprise, he called. I was so
+fluttered by the appearance of his card that I rather lost my head, and
+did such a silly thing that it makes me laugh even now. He liked
+chestnut hair, and, pulling out my combs, I rushed down, theatrically
+dishevelled, hoping to impress my lover with my ardour and my charms.
+
+I expected to find little Gus; but, to my great confusion, a tall being
+with a beaver in his hand rose to meet me, looking so big and handsome
+and generally imposing that I could not recover myself for several
+minutes, and mentally wailed for my combs, feeling like an untidy
+simpleton.
+
+I don't know whether he thought me a little cracked or not, but he was
+very friendly and pleasant, and told me his plans, and hoped I would
+make another visit, and smoothed his beaver, and let me see his
+tail-coat, and behaved himself like a dear, conceited, clever boy. He
+did not allude to our love-passages, being shy, and I blessed him for
+it; for really, I don't know what rash thing I might have done under
+the exciting circumstances. Just as he was going, however, he forgot
+his cherished hat for a minute, put out both hands, and said heartily,
+with his old boyish laugh,--
+
+'Now you will come, and we'll go boating and berrying, and all the rest
+of it again, won't we?'
+
+The blue eyes were full of fun and feeling, too, I fancied, as I
+blushingly retired behind my locks and gave the promise. But I never
+went, and never saw my little lover any more, for in a few weeks he was
+dead of a fever, brought on by too much study,--and so ended the sad
+history of my fourth boy.
+
+After this, for many years, I was a boyless being; but was so busy I did
+not feel my destitute condition till I went to the hospital during the
+war, and found my little sergeant. His story has been told elsewhere,
+but the sequel to it is a pleasant one, for Baby B. still writes to me
+now and then, asks advice about his future, and gladdens me with good
+news of his success as a business man in Kansas.
+
+As if to atone for the former dearth, a sudden shower of most superior
+boys fell upon me, after I recovered from my campaign. Some of the very
+best sort it was my fortune to know and like--real gentlemen, yet boys
+still--and jolly times they had, stirring up the quiet old town with
+their energetic society.
+
+There was W., a stout, amiable youth, who would stand in the middle of a
+strawberry patch with his hands in his pockets and let us feed him
+luxuriously. B., a delightful scapegrace, who came once a week to
+confess his sins, beat his breast in despair, vow awful vows of
+repentance, and then cheerfully depart to break every one of them in the
+next twenty-four hours. S., the gentle-hearted giant; J., the dandy;
+sober, sensible B.; and E., the young knight without reproach or fear.
+
+But my especial boy of the batch was A.--proud and cold and shy to other
+people, sad and serious sometimes when his good heart and tender
+conscience showed him his short-comings, but so grateful for sympathy
+and a kind word.
+
+I could not get at him as easily as I could the other lads, but, thanks
+to Dickens, I found him out at last.
+
+We played Dolphus and Sophy Tetterby in the 'Haunted Man,' at one of the
+school festivals; and during the rehearsals I discovered that my Dolphus
+was--permit the expression, oh, well-bred readers!--a trump. What fun we
+had to be sure, acting the droll and pathetic scenes together, with a
+swarm of little Tetterbys skirmishing about us! From that time he has
+been my Dolphus and I his Sophy, and my yellow-haired laddie don't
+forget me, though he has a younger Sophy now, and some small Tetterbys
+of his own. He writes just the same affectionate letters as he used to
+do, though I, less faithful, am too busy to answer them.
+
+But the best and dearest of all my flock was my Polish boy, Ladislas
+Wisniewski--two hiccoughs and a sneeze will give you the name perfectly.
+Six years ago, as I went down to my early breakfast at our Pension in
+Vevey, I saw that a stranger had arrived. He was a tall youth, of
+eighteen or twenty, with a thin, intelligent face, and the charmingly
+polite manners of a foreigner. As the other boarders came in, one by
+one, they left the door open, and a draught of cold autumn air blew in
+from the stone corridor, making the new-comer cough, shiver, and cast
+wistful glances towards the warm corner by the stove. My place was
+there, and the heat often oppressed me, so I was glad of an opportunity
+to move.
+
+A word to Madame Vodoz effected the change; and at dinner I was rewarded
+by a grateful smile from the poor fellow, as he nestled into his warm
+seat, after a pause of surprise and a flush of pleasure at the small
+kindness from a stranger. We were too far apart to talk much, but, as he
+filled his glass, the Pole bowed to me, and said low in French--
+
+'I drink the good health to Mademoiselle.'
+
+I returned the wish, but he shook his head with a sudden shadow on his
+face, as if the words meant more than mere compliment to him.
+
+'That boy is sick and needs care. I must see to him,' said I to myself,
+as I met him in the afternoon, and observed the military look of his
+blue and white suit, as he touched his cap and smiled pleasantly. I have
+a weakness for brave boys in blue, and having discovered that he had
+been in the late Polish Revolution, my heart warmed to him at once.
+
+That evening he came to me in the salon, and expressed his thanks in the
+prettiest broken English I ever heard. So simple, frank, and grateful
+was he that a few words of interest won his little story from him, and
+in half an hour we were friends. With his fellow-students he had fought
+through the last outbreak, and suffered imprisonment and hardship rather
+than submit, had lost many friends, his fortune and his health, and at
+twenty, lonely, poor, and ill, was trying bravely to cure the malady
+which seemed fatal.
+
+'If I recover myself of this affair in the chest, I teach the music to
+acquire my bread in this so hospitable country. At Paris, my friends,
+all two, find a refuge, and I go to them in spring if I die not here.
+Yes, it is solitary, and my memories are not gay, but I have my work,
+and the good God remains always to me, so I content myself with much
+hope, and I wait.'
+
+Such genuine piety and courage increased my respect and regard
+immensely, and a few minutes later he added to both by one of the little
+acts that show character better than words.
+
+He told me about the massacre, when five hundred Poles were shot down by
+Cossacks in the market-place, merely because they sung their national
+hymn.
+
+'Play me that forbidden air,' I said, wishing to judge of his skill, for
+I had heard him practising softly in the afternoon.
+
+He rose willingly, then glanced about the room and gave a little shrug
+which made me ask what he wanted.
+
+'I look to see if the Baron is here. He is Russian, and to him my
+national air will not be pleasing.'
+
+'Then play it. He dare not forbid it here, and I should rather enjoy
+that little insult to your bitter enemy,' said I, feeling very indignant
+with everything Russian just then.
+
+'Ah, mademoiselle, it is true we are enemies, but we are also
+gentlemen,' returned the boy, proving that _he_ at least was one.
+
+I thanked him for his lesson in politeness, and as the Baron was not
+there he played the beautiful hymn, singing it enthusiastically in spite
+of the danger to his weak lungs. A true musician evidently, for, as he
+sung his pale face glowed, his eyes shone, and his lost vigor seemed
+restored to him.
+
+From that evening we were fast friends; for the memory of certain dear
+lads at home made my heart open to this lonely boy, who gave me in
+return the most grateful affection and service. He begged me to call him
+'Varjo,' as his mother did. He constituted himself my escort,
+errand-boy, French teacher, and private musician, making those weeks
+indefinitely pleasant by his winning ways, his charming little
+confidences, and faithful friendship.
+
+We had much fun over our lessons, for I helped him about his English.
+With a great interest in free America, and an intense longing to hear
+about our war, the barrier of an unknown tongue did not long stand
+between us.
+
+Beginning with my bad French and his broken English, we got on
+capitally; but he outdid me entirely, making astonishing progress,
+though he often slapped his forehead with the despairing exclamation,--
+
+'I am imbecile! I never can will shall to have learn this beast of
+English!'
+
+But he did, and in a month had added a new language to the five he
+already possessed.
+
+His music was the delight of the house; and he often gave us little
+concerts with the help of Madame Teiblin, a German St. Cecilia, with a
+cropped head and a gentlemanly sack, cravat, and collar. Both were
+enthusiasts, and the longer they played the more inspired they got. The
+piano vibrated, the stools creaked, the candles danced in their sockets,
+and every one sat mute while the four white hands chased one another up
+and down the keys, and the two fine faces beamed with such ecstasy that
+we almost expected to see instrument and performers disappear in a
+musical whirlwind.
+
+Lake Leman will never seem so lovely again as when Laddie and I roamed
+about its shores, floated on its bosom, or laid splendid plans for the
+future in the sunny garden of the old chateau. I tried it again last
+year, but the charm was gone, for I missed my boy with his fun, his
+music, and the frank, fresh affection he gave his 'little mamma,' as he
+insisted on calling the lofty spinster who loved him like half-a-dozen
+grandmothers rolled into one.
+
+December roses blossomed in the gardens then, and Laddie never failed to
+have a posy ready for me at dinner. Few evenings passed without
+'confidences' in my corner of the salon, and I still have a pile of
+merry little notes which I used to find tucked under my door. He called
+them chapters of a great history we were to write together, and being a
+'_polisson_' he illustrated it with droll pictures, and a funny mixture
+of French and English romance.
+
+It was very pleasant, but like all pleasant things in this world of
+change it soon came to an end. When I left for Italy we jokingly agreed
+to meet in Paris the next May, but neither really felt that we should
+ever meet again, for Laddie hardly expected to outlive the winter, and I
+felt sure I should soon be forgotten. As he kissed my hand there were
+tears in my boy's eyes, and a choke in the voice that tried to say
+cheerfully--
+
+'_Bon voyage_, dear and good little mamma. I do not say adieu, but _au
+revoir_.'
+
+Then the carriage rolled away, the wistful face vanished, and nothing
+remained to me but the memory of Laddie, and a little stain on my glove
+where a drop had fallen.
+
+As I drew near Paris six months later, and found myself wishing that I
+might meet Varjo in the great, gay city, and wondering if there was any
+chance of my doing it, I never dreamed of seeing him so soon; but, as I
+made my way among the crowd of passengers that poured through the
+station, feeling tired, bewildered, and homesick, I suddenly saw a blue
+and white cap wave wildly in the air, then Laddie's beaming face
+appeared, and Laddie's eager hands grasped mine so cordially that I
+began to laugh at once, and felt that Paris was almost as good as home.
+
+'Ah, ha! behold the little mamma, who did not think to see again her bad
+son! Yes, I am greatly glad that I make the fine surprise for you as you
+come all weary to this place of noise. Give to me the billets, for I am
+still mademoiselle's servant and go to find the coffers.'
+
+He got my trunks, put me into a carriage, and as we rolled merrily away
+I asked how he chanced to meet me so unexpectedly. Knowing where I
+intended to stay, he had called occasionally till I notified Madame D.
+of the day and hour of my arrival, and then he had come to 'make the
+fine surprise.' He enjoyed the joke like a true boy, and I was glad to
+see how well he looked, and how gay he seemed.
+
+'You are better?' I said.
+
+'I truly hope so. The winter was good to me and I cough less. It is a
+small hope, but I do not enlarge my fear by a sad face. I yet work and
+save a little purse, so that I may not be a heaviness to those who have
+the charity to finish me if I fall back and yet die.'
+
+I would not hear of that, and told him he looked as well and happy as if
+he had found a fortune.
+
+He laughed, and answered with his fine bow, 'I have. Behold, you come
+to make the fête for me. I find also here my friends Joseph and
+Napoleon. Poor as mouses of the church, as you say, but brave boys, and
+we work together with much gaiety.'
+
+When I asked if he had leisure to be my guide about Paris, for my time
+was short and I wanted to see _everything_; he pranced, and told me he
+had promised himself a holiday, and had planned many excursions the most
+wonderful, charming, and gay. Then, having settled me at Madame's, he
+went blithely away to what I afterwards discovered were very poor
+lodgings, across the river.
+
+Next day began the pleasantest fortnight in all my year of travel.
+Laddie appeared early, elegant to behold, in a new hat and buff gloves,
+and was immensely amused because the servant informed me that my big son
+had arrived.
+
+I believe the first thing a woman does in Paris is to buy a new bonnet.
+I did, or rather stood by and let 'my son' do it in the best of French,
+only whispering when he proposed gorgeous _chapeaus_ full of flowers and
+feathers, that I could not afford it.
+
+'Ah! we must make our economies, must we? See, then, this modest,
+pearl-colored one, with the crape rose. Yes, we will have that, and be
+most elegant for the Sunday promenade.'
+
+I fear I should have bought a pea-green hat with a yellow plume if he
+had urged it, so wheedlesome and droll were his ways and words. His good
+taste saved me, however, and the modest one was sent home for the
+morrow, when we were to meet Joseph and Napoleon and go to the concert
+in the Tuileries garden.
+
+Then we set off on our day of sight-seeing, and Laddie proved himself
+an excellent guide. We had a charming trip about the enchanted city, a
+gay lunch at a café, and a first brief glimpse of the Louvre. At
+dinner-time I found a posy at my place; and afterward Laddie came and
+spent the evening in my little salon, playing to me, and having what he
+called 'babblings and pleasantries.' I found that he was translating
+'Vanity Fair' into Polish, and intended to sell it at home. He convulsed
+me with his struggles to put cockney English and slang into good Polish,
+for he had saved up a list of words for me to explain to him. Hay-stack
+and bean-pot were among them, I remember; and when he had mastered the
+meanings he fell upon the sofa exhausted.
+
+Other days like this followed, and we led a happy life together: for my
+twelve years' seniority made our adventures quite proper, and I
+fearlessly went anywhere on the arm of my big son. Not to theatres or
+balls, however, for heated rooms were bad for Laddie, but pleasant trips
+out of the city in the bright spring weather, quiet strolls in the
+gardens, moonlight concerts in the Champs Elysées; or, best of all, long
+talks with music in the little red salon, with the gas turned low, and
+the ever-changing scenes of the Rue de Rivoli under the balcony.
+
+Never were pleasures more cheaply purchased or more thoroughly enjoyed,
+for our hearts were as light as our purses, and our 'little economies'
+gave zest to our amusements.
+
+Joseph and Napoleon sometimes joined us, and I felt in my element with
+the three invalid soldier boys, for Napoleon still limped with a wound
+received in the war, Joseph had never recovered from his two years'
+imprisonment in an Austrian dungeon, and Laddie's loyalty might yet
+cost him his life.
+
+Thanks to them, I discovered a joke played upon me by my '_polisson_'.
+He told me to call him 'ma drogha,' saying it meant 'my friend,' in
+Polish. I innocently did so, and he seemed to find great pleasure in it,
+for his eyes always laughed when I said it. Using it one day before the
+other lads, I saw a queer twinkle in their eyes, and suspecting
+mischief, demanded the real meaning of the words. Laddie tried to
+silence them, but the joke was too good to keep, and I found to my
+dismay that I had been calling him 'my darling' in the tenderest manner.
+
+How the three rascals shouted, and what a vain struggle it was to try
+and preserve my dignity when Laddie clasped his hands and begged pardon,
+explaining that jokes were necessary to his health, and he never meant
+me to know the full baseness of this 'pleasantrie!' I revenged myself by
+giving him some bad English for his translation, and telling him of it
+just as I left Paris.
+
+It was not all fun with my boy, however; he had his troubles, and in
+spite of his cheerfulness he knew what heartache was. Walking in the
+quaint garden of the Luxembourg one day, he confided to me the little
+romance of his life. A very touching little romance as he told it, with
+eloquent eyes and voice and frequent pauses for breath. I cannot give
+his words, but the simple facts were these:--
+
+He had grown up with a pretty cousin, and at eighteen was desperately in
+love with her. She returned his affection, but they could not be happy,
+for her father wished her to marry a richer man. In Poland, to marry
+without the consent of parents is to incur lasting disgrace; so Leonore
+obeyed, and the young pair parted. This had been a heavy sorrow to
+Laddie, and he rushed into the war, hoping to end his trouble.
+
+'Do you ever hear from your cousin?' I asked, as he walked beside me,
+looking sadly down the green aisles where kings and queens had loved and
+parted years ago.
+
+'I only know that she suffers still, for she remembers. Her husband
+submits to the Russians, and I despise him as I have no English to
+tell;' and he clenched his hands with the flash of the eye and sudden
+kindling of the whole face that made him handsome.
+
+He showed me a faded little picture, and when I tried to comfort him, he
+laid his head down on the pedestal of one of the marble queens who
+guard the walk, as if he never cared to lift it up again.
+
+But he was all right in a minute, and bravely put away his sorrow with
+the little picture. He never spoke of it again, and I saw no more
+shadows on his face till we came to say good-bye.
+
+'You have been so kind to me, I wish I had something beautiful to give
+you, Laddie,' I said, feeling that it would be hard to get on without my
+boy.
+
+'This time it is for always; so, as a parting souvenir, give to me the
+sweet English good-bye.'
+
+As he said this, with a despairing sort of look, as if he could not
+spare even so humble a friend as myself, my heart was quite rent within
+me, and, regardless of several prim English ladies, I drew down his tall
+head and kissed him tenderly, feeling that in this world there were no
+more meetings for us. Then I ran away and buried myself in an empty
+railway carriage, hugging the little cologne bottle he had given me.
+
+He promised to write, and for five years he has kept his word, sending
+me from Paris and Poland cheery, bright letters in English, at my
+desire, so that he might not forget. Here is one as a specimen.
+
+     'MY DEAR AND GOOD FRIEND,--What do you think of me that I do not
+     write so long time? Excuse me, my good mamma, for I was so busy in
+     these days I could not do this pleasant thing. I write English
+     without the fear that you laugh at it, because I know it is more
+     agreeable to read the own language, and I think you are not
+     excepted of this rule. It is good of me, for the expressions of
+     love and regard, made with faults, take the funny appearance; they
+     are _ridicule_, and instead to go to the heart, they make the
+     laugh. Never mind, I do it.
+
+     'You cannot imagine yourself how _stupide_ is Paris when you are
+     gone. I fly to my work, and make no more fêtes,--it is too sad
+     alone. I tie myself to my table and my Vanity (not of mine, for I
+     am not vain, am I?). I wish some chapters to finish themselfs
+     _vite_, that I send them to Pologne and know the end. I have a
+     little question to ask you (of Vanity as always). I cannot
+     translate this, no one of _dictionnaires_ makes me the words, and I
+     think it is _jargon de prison_, this little period. Behold:--
+
+       Mopy, is that your snum?
+       Nubble your dad and gully the dog, &c.
+
+     'So funny things I cannot explain myself, so I send to you, and
+     you reply sooner than without it, for you have so kind interest in
+     my work you do not stay to wait. So this is a little hook for you
+     to make you write some words to your son who likes it so much and
+     is fond of you.
+
+     'My doctor tells me my lungs are soon to be re-established; so you
+     may imagine yourself how glad I am, and of more courage in my
+     future. You may one day see your Varjo in Amerique, if I study
+     commerce as I wish. So then the last time of seeing ourselves is
+     _not_ the last. Is that to please you? I suppose the grand
+     _histoire_ is finished, _n'est ce pas_? You will then send it to me
+     care of M. Gryhomski Austriche, and he will give to me in
+     clandestine way at Varsovie, otherwise it will be confiscated at
+     the frontier by the stupide Russians.
+
+     'Now we are dispersed in two sides of world far apart, for soon I
+     go home to Pologne and am no more "_juif errant_." It is now time I
+     work at my life in some useful way, and I do it.
+
+     'As I am your _grand fils_, it is proper that I make you my
+     compliment of happy Christmas and New Year, is it not? I wish for
+     you so many as they may fulfil long human life. May this year bring
+     you more and more good hearts to love you (the only real happiness
+     in the hard life), and may I be as now, yours for always,
+
+    'VARJO.'
+
+
+A year ago he sent me his photograph and a few lines. I acknowledged the
+receipt of it, but since then not a word has come, and I begin to fear
+that my boy is dead. Others have appeared to take his place, but they
+don't suit, and I keep his corner always ready for him if he lives. If
+he is dead, I am glad to have known so sweet and brave a character, for
+it does one good to see even as short-lived and obscure a hero as my
+Polish boy, whose dead December rose embalms for me the memory of Varjo,
+the last and dearest of my boys.
+
+It is hardly necessary to add, for the satisfaction of inquisitive
+little women, that Laddie was the original of Laurie, as far as a pale
+pen-and-ink sketch could embody a living, loving boy.
+
+
+
+
+_TESSA'S SURPRISES._
+
+
+I.
+
+Little Tessa sat alone by the fire, waiting for her father to come home
+from work. The children were fast asleep, all four in the big bed behind
+the curtain; the wind blew hard outside, and the snow beat on the
+window-panes; the room was large, and the fire so small and feeble that
+it didn't half warm the little bare toes peeping out of the old shoes on
+the hearth.
+
+Tessa's father was an Italian plaster-worker, very poor, but kind and
+honest. The mother had died not long ago, and left twelve-year old
+Tessa to take care of the little children. She tried to be very wise and
+motherly, and worked for them like any little woman; but it was so hard
+to keep the small bodies warm and fed, and the small souls good and
+happy, that poor Tessa was often at her wits' end. She always waited for
+her father, no matter how tired she was, so that he might find his
+supper warm, a bit of fire, and a loving little face to welcome him.
+Tessa thought over her troubles at these quiet times, and made her
+plans; for her father left things to her a good deal, and she had no
+friends but Tommo, the harp-boy upstairs, and the lively cricket who
+lived in the chimney. To-night her face was very sober, and her pretty
+brown eyes very thoughtful as she stared at the fire and knit her brows,
+as if perplexed. She was not thinking of her old shoes, nor the empty
+closet, nor the boys' ragged clothes just then. No; she had a fine plan
+in her good little head, and was trying to discover how she could carry
+it out.
+
+You see, Christmas was coming in a week; and she had set her heart on
+putting something in the children's stockings, as the mother used to do,
+for while she lived things were comfortable. Now Tessa had not a penny
+in the world, and didn't know how to get one, for all the father's
+earnings had to go for food, fire, and rent.
+
+'If there were only fairies, ah! how heavenly that would be; for then I
+should tell them all I wish, and, pop! behold the fine things in my
+lap!' said Tessa to herself. 'I must earn the money; there is no one to
+give it to me, and I cannot beg. But what can I do, so small and stupid
+and shy as I am? I _must_ find some way to give the little ones a nice
+Christmas. I _must_! I _must_!' and Tessa pulled her long hair, as if
+that would help her think.
+
+But it didn't, and her heart got heavier and heavier; for it did seem
+hard that in a great city full of fine things, there should be none for
+poor Nono, Sep, and little Speranza. Just as Tessa's tears began to
+tumble off her eyelashes on to her brown cheeks, the cricket began to
+chirp. Of course, he didn't say a word; but it really did seem as if he
+had answered her question almost as well as a fairy; for, before he had
+piped a dozen shrill notes, an idea popped into Tessa's head--such a
+truly splendid idea that she clapped her hands and burst out laughing.
+'I'll do it! I'll do it! if father will let me,' she said to herself,
+smiling and nodding at the fire. 'Tommo will like to have me go with him
+and sing, while he plays his harp in the streets. I know many songs, and
+may get money if I am not frightened; for people throw pennies to other
+little girls who only play the tambourine. Yes, I will try; and then, if
+I do well, the little ones shall have a Merry Christmas.'
+
+So full of her plan was Tessa that she ran upstairs at once, and asked
+Tommo if he would take her with him on the morrow. Her friend was
+delighted, for he thought Tessa's songs very sweet, and was sure she
+would get money if she tried.
+
+'But see, then, it is cold in the streets; the wind bites, and the snow
+freezes one's fingers. The day is very long, people are cross, and at
+night one is ready to die with weariness. Thou art so small, Tessa, I am
+afraid it will go badly with thee,' said Tommo, who was a merry,
+black-eyed boy of fourteen, with the kindest heart in the world under
+his old jacket.
+
+'I do not mind cold and wet, and cross people, if I can get the
+pennies,' answered Tessa, feeling very brave with such a friend to help
+her. She thanked Tommo, and ran away to get ready, for she felt sure her
+father would not refuse her anything. She sewed up the holes in her
+shoes as well as she could, for she had much of that sort of cobbling to
+do; she mended her only gown, and laid ready the old hood and shawl
+which had been her mother's. Then she washed out little Ranza's frock
+and put it to dry, because she would not be able to do it the next day.
+She set the table and got things ready for breakfast, for Tommo went out
+early, and must not be kept waiting for her. She longed to make the beds
+and dress the children over night, she was in such a hurry to have all
+in order; but, as that could not be, she sat down again, and tried over
+all the songs she knew. Six pretty ones were chosen; and she sang away
+with all her heart in a fresh little voice so sweetly that the children
+smiled in their sleep, and her father's tired face brightened as he
+entered, for Tessa was his cheery cricket on the hearth. When she had
+told her plan, Peter Benari shook his head, and thought it would never
+do; but Tessa begged so hard, he consented at last that she should try
+it for one week, and sent her to bed the happiest little girl in New
+York.
+
+Next morning the sun shone, but the cold wind blew, and the snow lay
+thick in the streets. As soon as her father was gone, Tessa flew about
+and put everything in nice order, telling the children she was going out
+for the day, and they were to mind Tommo's mother, who would see about
+the fire and the dinner; for the good woman loved Tessa, and entered
+into her little plans with all her heart. Nono and Giuseppe, or Sep, as
+they called him, wondered what she was going away for, and little Ranza
+cried at being left; but Tessa told them they would know all about it in
+a week, and have a fine time if they were good; so they kissed her all
+round and let her go.
+
+Poor Tessa's heart beat fast as she trudged away with Tommo, who slung
+his harp over his shoulder, and gave her his hand. It was rather a dirty
+hand, but so kind that Tessa clung to it, and kept looking up at the
+friendly brown face for encouragement.
+
+'We go first to the _café_, where many French and Italians eat the
+breakfast. They like my music, and often give me sips of hot coffee,
+which I like much. You too shall have the sips, and perhaps the pennies,
+for these people are greatly kind,' said Tommo, leading her into a large
+smoky place where many people sat at little tables, eating and drinking.
+'See, now, have no fear; give them "Bella Monica;" that is merry and
+will make the laugh,' whispered Tommo, tuning his harp.
+
+For a moment Tessa felt so frightened that she wanted to run away; but
+she remembered the empty stockings at home, and the fine plan, and she
+resolved _not_ to give it up. One fat old Frenchman nodded to her, and
+it seemed to help her very much; for she began to sing before she
+thought, and that was the hardest part of it. Her voice trembled, and
+her cheeks grew redder and redder as she went on; but she kept her eyes
+fixed on her old shoes, and so got through without breaking down, which
+was very nice. The people laughed, for the song _was_ merry; and the fat
+man smiled and nodded again. This gave her courage to try another, and
+she sung better and better each time; for Tommo played his best, and
+kept whispering to her, 'Yes; we go well; this is fine. They will give
+the money and the blessed coffee.'
+
+So they did; for, when the little concert was over, several men put
+pennies in the cap Tessa offered, and the fat man took her on his knee,
+and ordered a mug of coffee, and some bread and butter for them both.
+This quite won her heart; and when they left the _café_, she kissed her
+hand to the old Frenchman, and said to her friend, 'How kind they are! I
+like this very much; and now it is not hard.'
+
+But Tommo shook his curly head, and answered, soberly, 'Yes, I took you
+there first, for they love music, and are of our country; but up among
+the great houses we shall not always do well. The people there are busy
+or hard or idle, and care nothing for harps and songs. Do not skip and
+laugh too soon; for the day is long, and we have but twelve pennies
+yet.'
+
+Tessa walked more quietly, and rubbed her cold hands, feeling that the
+world was a very big place, and wondering how the children got on at
+home without the little mother. Till noon they did not earn much, for
+every one seemed in a hurry, and the noise of many sleigh-bells drowned
+the music. Slowly they made their way up to the great squares where the
+big houses were, with fine ladies and pretty children at the windows.
+Here Tessa sung all her best songs, and Tommo played as fast as his
+fingers could fly; but it was too cold to have the windows open, so the
+pretty children could not listen long, and the ladies tossed out a
+little money, and soon went back to their own affairs.
+
+All the afternoon the two friends wandered about, singing and playing,
+and gathering up their small harvest. At dusk they went home, Tessa so
+hoarse she could hardly speak, and so tired she fell asleep over her
+supper. But she had made half a dollar, for Tommo divided the money
+fairly, and she felt rich with her share. The other days were very much
+like this; sometimes they made more, sometimes less, but Tommo always
+'went halves;' and Tessa kept on, in spite of cold and weariness, for
+her plans grew as her earnings increased, and now she hoped to get
+useful things, instead of candy and toys alone.
+
+On the day before Christmas she made herself as tidy as she could, for
+she hoped to earn a good deal. She tied a bright scarlet handkerchief
+over the old hood, and the brilliant color set off her brown cheeks and
+bright eyes, as well as the pretty black braids of her hair. Tommo's
+mother lent her a pair of boots so big that they turned up at the toes,
+but there were no holes in them, and Tessa felt quite elegant in whole
+boots. Her hands were covered with chilblains, for she had no mittens;
+but she put them under her shawl, and scuffled merrily away in her big
+boots, feeling so glad that the week was over, and nearly three dollars
+safe in her pocket. How gay the streets were that day! how brisk every
+one was, and how bright the faces looked, as people trotted about with
+big baskets, holly-wreaths, and young evergreens going to blossom into
+splendid Christmas trees!
+
+'If I could have a tree for the children, I'd never want anything again.
+But I can't; so I'll fill the socks all full, and be happy,' said Tessa,
+as she looked wistfully into the gay stores, and saw the heavy baskets
+go by.
+
+'Who knows what may happen if we do well?' returned Tommo, nodding
+wisely, for he had a plan as well as Tessa, and kept chuckling over it
+as he trudged through the mud. They did _not_ do well somehow, for every
+one seemed so full of their own affairs they could not stop to listen,
+even to 'Bella Monica,' but bustled away to spend their money in
+turkeys, toys, and trees. In the afternoon it began to rain, and poor
+Tessa's heart to fail her; for the big boots tired her feet, the cold
+wind made her hands ache, and the rain spoilt the fine red handkerchief.
+Even Tommo looked sober, and didn't whistle as he walked, for he also
+was disappointed, and his plan looked rather doubtful, the pennies came
+in so slowly.
+
+'We'll try one more street, and then go home, thou art so tired, little
+one. Come; let me wipe thy face, and give me thy hand here in my jacket
+pocket; there it will be as warm as any kitten;' and kind Tommo brushed
+away the drops which were not _all_ rain from Tessa's cheeks, tucked
+the poor hand into his ragged pocket, and led her carefully along the
+slippery streets, for the boots nearly tripped her up.
+
+
+II.
+
+At the first house, a cross old gentleman flapped his newspaper at them;
+at the second, a young gentleman and lady were so busy talking that they
+never turned their heads, and at the third, a servant came out and told
+them to go away, because some one was sick. At the fourth, some people
+let them sing all their songs and gave nothing. The next three houses
+were empty; and the last of all showed not a single face as they looked
+up anxiously. It was so cold, so dark and discouraging, that Tessa
+couldn't help one sob; and, as he glanced down at the little red nose
+and wet figure beside him, Tommo gave his harp an angry thump, and said
+something very fierce in Italian. They were just going to turn away; but
+they didn't, for that angry thump happened to be the best thing they
+could have done. All of a sudden a little head appeared at the window,
+as if the sound had brought it; then another and another, till there
+were five, of all heights and colors, and five eager faces peeped out,
+smiling and nodding to the two below.
+
+'Sing, Tessa; sing! Quick! quick!' cried Tommo, twanging away with all
+his might, and showing his white teeth, as he smiled back at the little
+gentle-folk.
+
+Bless us! How Tessa did tune up at that! She chirped away like a real
+bird, forgetting all about the tears on her cheeks, the ache in her
+hands, and the heaviness at her heart. The children laughed, and clapped
+their hands, and cried 'More! more! Sing another, little girl! Please
+do!' And away they went again, piping and playing, till Tessa's breath
+was gone, and Tommo's stout fingers tingled well.
+
+'Mamma says, come to the door; it's too muddy to throw the money into
+the street!' cried out a kindly child's voice as Tessa held up the old
+cap, with beseeching eyes.
+
+Up the wide stone steps went the street musicians, and the whole flock
+came running down to give a handful of silver, and ask all sorts of
+questions. Tessa felt so grateful that, without waiting for Tommo, she
+sang her sweetest little song all alone. It was about a lost lamb, and
+her heart was in the song; therefore she sang it well, so well that a
+pretty young lady came down to listen, and stood watching the
+bright-eyed girl, who looked about her as she sang, evidently enjoying
+the light and warmth of the fine hall, and the sight of the lovely
+children with their gay dresses, shining hair, and dainty little shoes.
+
+'You have a charming voice, child. Who taught you to sing?' asked the
+young lady kindly.
+
+'My mother. She is dead now; but I do not forget,' answered Tessa, in
+her pretty broken English.
+
+'I wish she could sing at our tree, since Bella is ill,' cried one of
+the children peeping through the banisters.
+
+'She is not fair enough for the angel, and too large to go up in the
+tree. But she sings sweetly, and looks as if she would like to see a
+tree,' said the young lady.
+
+'Oh, so much!' exclaimed Tessa; adding eagerly, 'my sister Ranza is
+small and pretty as a baby-angel. She could sit up in the fine tree, and
+I could sing for her from under the table.'
+
+'Sit down and warm yourself, and tell me about Ranza,' said the kind
+elder sister, who liked the confiding little girl, in spite of her
+shabby clothes.
+
+So Tessa sat down and dried the big boots over the furnace, and told her
+story, while Tommo stood modestly in the background, and the children
+listened with faces full of interest.
+
+'O Rose! let us see the little girl; and if she will do, let us have
+her, and Tessa can learn our song, and it will be splendid!' cried the
+biggest boy, who sat astride of a chair, and stared at the harp with
+round eyes.
+
+'I'll ask mamma,' said Rose; and away she went into the dining-room
+close by. As the door opened, Tessa saw what looked to her like a fairy
+feast,--all silver mugs and flowery plates and oranges and nuts and rosy
+wine in tall glass pitchers, and smoking dishes that smelt so
+deliciously she could not restrain a little sniff of satisfaction.
+
+'Are you hungry?' asked the boy, in a grand tone.
+
+'Yes, sir,' meekly answered Tessa.
+
+'I say, mamma; she wants something to eat. Can I give her an orange?'
+called the boy, prancing away into the splendid room, quite like a fairy
+prince, Tessa thought.
+
+A plump motherly lady came out and looked at Tessa, asked a few
+questions, and then told her to come to-morrow with Ranza, and they
+would see what could be done. Tessa clapped her hands for joy,--she
+didn't mind the chilblains now,--and Tommo played a lively march, he
+was so pleased.
+
+'Will you come, too, and bring your harp? You shall be paid, and shall
+have something from the tree, likewise,' said the motherly lady, who
+liked what Tessa gratefully told about his kindness to her.
+
+'Ah, yes; I shall come with much gladness, and play as never in my life
+before,' cried Tommo, with a flourish of the old cap that made the
+children laugh.
+
+'Give these to your brothers,' said the fairy prince, stuffing nuts and
+oranges into Tessa's hands.
+
+'And these to the little girl,' added one of the young princesses,
+flying out of the dining-room with cakes and rosy apples for Ranza.
+
+Tessa didn't know what to say; but her eyes were full, and she just took
+the mother's white hand in both her little grimy ones, and kissed it
+many times in her pretty Italian fashion. The lady understood her, and
+stroked her cheek softly, saying to her elder daughter, 'We must take
+care of this good little creature. Freddy, bring me your mittens; these
+poor hands must be covered. Alice, get your play-hood; this handkerchief
+is all wet; and, Maud, bring the old chinchilla tippet.'
+
+The children ran, and in a minute there were lovely blue mittens on the
+red hands, a warm hood over the black braids, and a soft 'pussy' round
+the sore throat.
+
+'Ah! so kind, so very kind! I have no way to say "thank you;" but Ranza
+shall be for you a heavenly angel, and I will sing my heart out for your
+tree!' cried Tessa, folding the mittens as if she would say a prayer of
+thankfulness if she knew how.
+
+Then they went away, and the pretty children called after them, 'Come
+again, Tessa! come again, Tommo!' Now the rain didn't seem dismal, the
+wind cold, nor the way long, as they bought their gifts and hurried
+home, for kind words and the sweet magic of charity had changed all the
+world to them.
+
+I think the good spirits who fly about on Christmas Eve, to help the
+loving fillers of little stockings, smiled very kindly on Tessa as she
+brooded joyfully over the small store of presents that seemed so
+magnificent to her. All the goodies were divided evenly into three parts
+and stowed away in father's three big socks, which hung against the
+curtain. With her three dollars, she had got a pair of shoes for Nono, a
+knit cap for Sep, and a pair of white stockings for Ranza; to her she
+also gave the new hood; to Nono the mittens; and to Sep the tippet.
+
+'Now the dear boys can go out, and my Ranza will be ready for the lady
+to see, in her nice new things,' said Tessa, quite sighing with pleasure
+to see how well the gifts looked pinned up beside the bulging socks,
+which wouldn't hold them all. The little mother kept nothing for herself
+but the pleasure of giving everything away; yet, I think, she was both
+richer and happier than if she had kept them all. Her father laughed as
+he had not done since the mother died, when he saw how comically the old
+curtain had broken out into boots and hoods, stockings and tippets.
+
+'I wish I had a gold gown and a silver hat for thee, my Tessa, thou art
+so good. May the saints bless and keep thee always!' said Peter Benari
+tenderly, as he held his little daughter close, and gave her the
+good-night kiss.
+
+Tessa felt very rich as she crept under the faded counterpane, feeling
+as if she had received a lovely gift, and fell happily asleep with
+chubby Ranza in her arms, and the two rough black heads peeping out at
+the foot of the bed. She dreamed wonderful dreams that night, and woke
+in the morning to find real wonders before her eyes. She got up early,
+to see if the socks were all right, and there she found the most
+astonishing sight. Four socks, instead of three; and by the fourth,
+pinned out quite elegantly was a little dress, evidently meant for
+her--a warm, woollen dress, all made, and actually with bright buttons
+on it. It nearly took her breath away; so did the new boots on the
+floor, and the funny long stocking like a grey sausage, with a wooden
+doll staring out at the top, as if she said, politely, 'A Merry
+Christmas, ma'am!' Tessa screamed and danced in her delight, and up
+tumbled all the children to scream and dance with her, making a regular
+carnival on a small scale. Everybody hugged and kissed everybody else,
+offered sucks of orange, bites of cake, and exchanges of candy; every
+one tried on the new things, and pranced about in them like a flock of
+peacocks. Ranza skipped to and fro airily, dressed in her white socks
+and the red hood; the boys promenaded in their little shirts, one with
+his creaking new shoes and mittens, the other in his gay cap and fine
+tippet; and Tessa put her dress straight on, feeling that her father's
+'gold gown' was not all a joke. In her long stocking she found all sorts
+of treasures; for Tommo had stuffed it full of queer things, and his
+mother had made gingerbread into every imaginable shape, from fat pigs
+to full omnibuses.
+
+Dear me! What happy little souls they were that morning; and when they
+were quiet again, how like a fairy tale did Tessa's story sound to them.
+Ranza was quite ready to be an angel; and the boys promised to be
+marvellously good, if they were only allowed to see the tree at the
+'palace,' as they called the great house.
+
+Little Ranza was accepted with delight by the kind lady and her
+children, and Tessa learned the song quite easily. The boys _were_
+asked; and, after a happy day, the young Italians all returned, to play
+their parts at the fine Christmas party. Mamma and Miss Rose drilled
+them all; and when the folding-doors flew open, one rapturous 'Oh!'
+arose from the crowd of children gathered to the festival. I assure
+you, it was splendid; the great tree glittering with lights and gifts;
+and, on her invisible perch, up among the green boughs, sat the little
+golden-haired angel, all in white, with downy wings, a shining crown on
+her head, and the most serene satisfaction in her blue eyes, as she
+stretched her chubby arms to those below, and smiled her baby smile at
+them. Before any one could speak, a voice, as fresh and sweet as a
+lark's, sang the Christmas Carol so blithely that every one stood still
+to hear, and then clapped till the little angel shook on her perch, and
+cried out, 'Be 'till, or me'll fall!' How they laughed at that; and what
+fun they had talking to Ranza, while Miss Rose stripped the tree, for
+the angel could not resist temptation, and amused herself by eating all
+the bonbons she could reach, till she was taken down, to dance about
+like a fairy in a white frock and red shoes. Tessa and her friends had
+many presents; the boys were perfect lambs, Tommo played for the little
+folks to dance, and every one said something friendly to the strangers,
+so that they did not feel shy, in spite of shabby clothes. It was a
+happy night: and all their lives they remembered it as something too
+beautiful and bright to be quite true. Before they went home, the kind
+mamma told Tessa she should be her friend, and gave her a motherly kiss,
+which warmed the child's heart and seemed to set a seal upon that
+promise. It was faithfully kept, for the rich lady had been touched by
+Tessa's patient struggles and sacrifices; and for many years, thanks to
+her benevolence, there was no end to Tessa's Surprises.
+
+
+
+
+_BUZZ._
+
+
+I live high up in a city house all alone. My room is a cosy little
+place, though there is nothing very splendid in it,--only my pictures
+and books, my flowers and my little friend. When I began to live there,
+I was very busy and therefore very happy; but by-and-by, when my hurry
+was over and I had more time to myself, I often felt lonely. When I ate
+my meals I used to wish for a pleasant companion to eat with me; and
+when I sat by the fire of evenings, I thought how much more social it
+would be if some one sat opposite. I had many friends and callers
+through the day, but the evenings were often rather dull; for I
+couldn't read much, and didn't care to go out in the stormy weather.
+
+I was wishing for a cheerful friend one night, when all of a sudden I
+found one; for, sitting on my hand, I saw a plump, jolly-looking fly. He
+sat quietly staring at me, with a mild little hum, as if to say,--
+
+'How are you? You wanted a friend, and here I am. Will you have me?'
+
+Of course I would, for I liked him directly, he was so cheery and
+confiding, and seemed as glad to see me as I was to see him. All his
+mates were dead and gone, and he was alone, like myself. So I waggled
+one finger, by way of welcome, fearing to shake my hand, lest he should
+tumble off and feel hurt at my reception. He seemed to understand me,
+and buzzed again, evidently saying,--
+
+'Thank you, ma'am. I should like to stay in your warm room, and amuse
+you for my board. I won't disturb you, but do my best to be a good
+little friend.'
+
+So the bargain was struck, and he stopped to tea. I found that his
+manners had been neglected; for he was inclined to walk over the butter,
+drink out of the cream-pot, and put his fingers in the jelly. A few taps
+with my spoon taught him to behave with more propriety, and he sipped a
+drop of milk from the waiter with a crumb of sugar, as a well-bred fly
+should do.
+
+On account of his fine voice, I named him Buzz, and we soon got on
+excellently together. He seemed to like his new quarters, and, after
+exploring every corner of the room, he chose his favourite haunts and
+began to enjoy himself. I always knew where he was, for he kept up a
+constant song, humming and buzzing, like a little kettle getting ready
+to boil.
+
+On sunny days, he amused himself by bumping his head against the window,
+and watching what went on outside. It would have given me a headache,
+but he seemed to enjoy it immensely. Up in my hanging basket of ivy he
+made his bower, and sat there on the moss basking in the sunshine, as
+luxuriously as any gentleman in his conservatory. He was interested in
+the plants, and examined them daily with great care, walking over the
+ivy leaves, grubbing under the moss, and poking his head into the
+unfolding hyacinth buds to see how they got on.
+
+The pictures, also, seemed to attract his attention, for he spent much
+time skating over the glasses and studying the designs. Sometimes I
+would find him staring at my Madonna, as if he said, 'What in the world
+are all those topsy-turvy children about?' Then he'd sit in the middle
+of a brook, in a water-color sketch by Vautin, as if bathing his feet,
+or seem to be eating the cherry which one little duck politely offers
+another little duck, in Oscar Pletch's Summer Party. He frequently
+kissed my mother's portrait, and sat on my father's bald head, as if
+trying to get out some of the wisdom stored up there, like honey in an
+ill-thatched bee-hive. My bronze Mercury rather puzzled him, for he
+could not understand why the young gentleman didn't fly off when he had
+four wings and seemed in such a hurry.
+
+I'm afraid he was a trifle vain, for he sat before the glass a great
+deal, and I often saw him cleaning his proboscis, and twiddling his
+feelers, and I know he was 'prinking,' as we say. The books pleased him,
+too, and he used to run them over, as if trying to choose which he
+would read, and never seemed able to decide. He would have nothing to
+say to the fat French Dictionary, or my English Plays, but liked Goethe
+and Schiller, Emerson and Browning, as well as I did. Carlyle didn't
+suit him, and Richter evidently made his head ache. But Jean Ingelow's
+Poems delighted him, and so did her 'Stories told to a Child.' 'Fairy
+Bells' he often listened to, and was very fond of the pictures in a
+photograph book of foreign places and great people.
+
+He frequently promenaded on the piazza of a little Swiss chalet,
+standing on the mantel-piece, and thought it a charming residence for a
+single gentleman like himself. The closet delighted him extremely, and
+he buzzed in the most joyful manner when he got among the
+provisions,--for we kept house together. Such revels as he had in the
+sugar-bowl; such feasts of gingerbread and grapes; such long sips of
+milk, and sly peeps into every uncovered box and dish! Once I'm afraid
+he took too much cider, for I found him lying on his back, kicking and
+humming like a crazy top, and he was very queer all the rest of that
+day; so I kept the bottle corked after that. But his favorite nook was
+among the ferns in the vase which a Parian dancing-girl carried. She
+stood just over the stove on one little toe, rattling some castanets,
+which made no sound, and never getting a step farther for all her
+prancing. This was a warm and pretty retreat for Buzz, and there he
+spent much of his time, swinging on the ferns, sleeping snugly in the
+vase, or warming his feet in the hot air that blew up, like a south
+wind, from the stove.
+
+I don't believe there was a happier fly in Boston than my friend Buzz,
+and I grew fonder and fonder of him every day; for he never got into
+mischief, but sung his cheery song, no matter what the weather was, and
+made himself agreeable. Then he was so interested in all I did, it was
+delightful to have him round. When I wrote he came and walked about over
+my paper to see that it was right, peeped into my ink-stand, and ran
+after my pen. He never made silly or sharp criticisms on my stories, but
+appeared to admire them very much; so I am sure he was a good judge.
+When I sewed, he sat in my basket, or played hide-and-seek in the folds
+of my work, talking away all the while in the most sociable manner. He
+often flew up all of a sudden, and danced about in the air, as if he was
+in such a jolly mood he couldn't keep still, and wanted me to come and
+play with him. But, alas! I had no wings, and could only sit stupidly
+still, and laugh at his pranks. That was his exercise, for he never went
+out, and only took a sniff of air now and then when I opened the
+windows.
+
+Well, little Buzz and I lived together many weeks, and never got tired
+of one another, which is saying a good deal. At Christmas I went home
+for a week and left my room to take care of itself. I put the hyacinths
+into the closet to be warm, and dropped the curtain, so the frost should
+not nip my ivy; but I forgot Buzz. I really would have taken him with
+me, or carried him down to a neighbour's room to be taken care of while
+I was away, but I never thought of him in the hurry of getting my
+presents and myself ready. Off I went without even saying 'good-bye,'
+and never thought of my little friend till Freddy, my small nephew, said
+to me one evening at dusk,--
+
+'Aunt Jo, tell me a story.'
+
+So I began to tell him about Buzz, and all of a sudden I cried out,--
+
+'Mercy on me! I'm afraid he'll die of cold while I'm gone.'
+
+It troubled me a good deal, and I wanted to know how the poor little
+fellow was so much that I would have gone to see if I had not been so
+far away. But it would be rather silly to hurry away twenty miles to
+look after one fly: so I finished my visit, and then went back to my
+room, hoping to find Buzz alive and well in spite of the cold.
+
+Alas, no! my little friend was gone. There he lay on his back on the
+mantel-piece, his legs meekly folded, and his wings stiff and still. He
+had evidently gone to the warm place, and been surprised when the heat
+died out and left him to freeze. My poor little Buzz had sung his last
+song, danced his last dance, and gone where the good flies go. I was
+very sorry and buried him among the ivy roots, where the moss lay green
+above him, the sun shone warmly on him, and the bitter cold could never
+come. I miss him very much; when I sit writing, I miss his cheerful
+voice and busy wings; at meals there is no tiny little body to drink up
+spilt drops and eat the crumbs: in the evenings, when I sit alone, I
+want him more than ever, and every day, as I water my plants, I say,
+softly,--
+
+'Grow green, ivy, lie lightly, moss, shine warmly, sun, and make his
+last bed pleasant to my little friend.'
+
+
+
+
+_THE CHILDREN'S JOKE._
+
+
+'"You can't do this" and "you mustn't do that," from morning to night.
+Try it yourself and see how you'd like it,' muttered Harry, as he flung
+down his hat in sulky obedience to his father's command to give up a
+swim in the river and keep himself cool with a book that warm summer
+evening.
+
+'Of course I should like to mind my parents. Good children always do,'
+began Mr. Fairbairn, entirely forgetting the pranks of his boyhood, as
+people are apt to.
+
+'Glad I didn't know you then. Must have been a regular prig,' growled
+Harry under his breath.
+
+'Silence, sir! go to your room, and don't let me see you till tea-time.
+You must be taught respect as well as obedience,' and Mr. Fairbairn gave
+the table a rap that caused his son to retire precipitately.
+
+On the stairs he met his sister Kitty looking as cross as himself.
+
+'What's the matter with you?' he asked, pausing a minute, for misery
+loves company.
+
+'Mamma will make me dress up in a stiff clean frock, and have my hair
+curled over again just because some one _may_ come. I want to play in
+the garden, and I can't all fussed up this way. I do hate company and
+clothes and manners, don't you?' answered Kitty, with a spiteful pull at
+her sash.
+
+'I hate being ordered round everlastingly, and badgered from morning
+till night. I'd just like to be let alone,' and Harry went on his way
+to captivity with a grim shake of the head and a very strong desire to
+run away from home altogether.
+
+'So would I, mamma is so fussy. I never have any peace of my life,'
+sighed Kitty, feeling that her lot was a hard one.
+
+The martyr in brown linen went up, and the other martyr in white cambric
+went down, both looking as they felt, rebellious and unhappy. Yet a
+stranger seeing them and their home would have thought they had
+everything heart could desire. All the comforts that money could buy,
+and all the beauty that taste could give seemed gathered round them.
+Papa and mamma loved the two little people dearly, and no real care or
+sorrow came to trouble the lives that would have been all sunshine but
+for one thing. With the best intentions in the world, Mr. and Mrs.
+Fairbairn were spoiling their children by constant fault-finding, too
+many rules and too little sympathy with the active young souls and
+bodies under their care. As Harry said, they were ordered about,
+corrected and fussed over from morning till night, and were getting so
+tired of it that the most desperate ideas began to enter their heads.
+
+Now, in the house was a quiet old maiden aunt, who saw the mischief
+brewing, and tried to cure it by suggesting more liberty and less
+'nagging,' as the boys call it. But Mr. and Mrs. F. always silenced her
+by saying,--
+
+'My dear Betsey, you never had a family, so how _can_ you know anything
+about the proper management of children?'
+
+They quite forgot that sister Betsey had brought up a flock of
+motherless brothers and sisters, and done it wisely and well, though she
+never got any thanks or praise for it, and never expected any for doing
+her duty faithfully. If it had not been for aunty, Harry and Kitty would
+have long ago carried out their favorite plan, and have run away
+together, like Roland and Maybird. She kept them from this foolish prank
+by all sorts of unsuspected means, and was their refuge in troublous
+times. For all her quiet ways, aunty was full of fun as well as sympathy
+and patience, and she smoothed the thorny road to virtue with the
+innocent and kindly little arts that make some people as useful and
+beloved as good fairy godmothers were once upon a time.
+
+As they sat at tea that evening papa and mamma were most affable and
+lively; but the children's spirits were depressed by a long day of
+restraint, and they sat like well-bred mutes, languidly eating their
+supper.
+
+'It's the warm weather. They need something bracing. I'll give them a
+dose of iron mixture to-morrow,' said mamma.
+
+'I've taken enough now to make a cooking-stove,' groaned Kitty, who
+hated being dosed.
+
+'If you'd let me go swimming every night I'd be all right,' added Harry.
+
+'Not another word on that point. I will _not_ let you do it, for you
+will get drowned as sure as you try,' said mamma, who was so timid she
+had panics the minute her boy was out of sight.
+
+'Aunt Betsey let her boys go, and they never came to grief,' began
+Harry.
+
+'Aunt Betsey's ideas and mine differ. Children are not brought up now as
+they were in her day,' answered mamma with a superior air.
+
+'I just wish they were. Jolly good times _her_ boys had.'
+
+'Yes, and girls too, playing anything they liked, and not rigged up and
+plagued with company,' cried Kitty, with sudden interest.
+
+'What do you mean by that?' asked papa good-naturedly; for somehow his
+youth returned to him for a minute, and seemed very pleasant.
+
+The children could not explain very well, but Harry said slowly,--
+
+'If you were to be in our places for a day you'd see what we mean.'
+
+'Wouldn't it be worth your while to try the experiment?' said Aunt
+Betsey, with a smile.
+
+Papa and mamma laughed at the idea, but looked sober when aunty added,--
+
+'Why not put yourselves in their places for a day and see how you like
+it? I think you would understand the case better than any one could
+describe it, and perhaps do both yourselves and the children a lasting
+service.'
+
+'Upon my word, that's a droll idea! What do you say to it, mamma?' and
+papa looked much amused.
+
+'I am willing to try it if you are, just for the fun of the thing, but I
+don't think it will do any good;' and mamma shook her head as if Aunt
+Betsey's plan was a wild one.
+
+The children sat quiet, speechless with surprise at this singular
+proposal, but as its full richness dawned upon them, they skipped in
+their chairs and clapped their hands delightedly.
+
+'How do you propose to carry out this new educational frolic?' asked
+papa, beginning to feel some curiosity as to the part he was to play.
+
+'Merely let the children do as they like for one day and have full power
+over you. Let them plan your duties and pleasures, order your food, fix
+your hours, and punish or reward you as they think proper. You must
+promise entire obedience, and keep the agreement till night.'
+
+'Good! good! Oh, won't it be fun!' cried Harry and Kitty, applauding
+enthusiastically; while papa and mamma looked rather sober as the plan
+was developed before them.
+
+'To-morrow is a holiday for us all, and we might celebrate it by this
+funny experiment. It will amuse us and do no harm, at any rate,' added
+aunty, quite in love with her new scheme.
+
+'Very well, we will. Come, mamma, let us promise, and see what these
+rogues will do for us. Playing father and mother is no joke, mind you;
+but you will have an easier time of it than we do, for _we_ shall behave
+ourselves,' said papa, with a virtuous expression.
+
+Mamma agreed, and the supper ended merrily, for every one was full of
+curiosity as to the success of the new play. Harry and Kitty went to
+bed early, that they might be ready for the exciting labors of the next
+day. Aunt Betsey paid each a short visit before they slept, and it is
+supposed that she laid out the order of performances, and told each what
+to do; for the little people would never have thought of so many sly
+things if left to themselves.
+
+At seven the next morning, as mamma was in her dressing-room, just
+putting on her cool, easy wrapper, in came Kitty with a solemn face,
+though her eyes danced with fun, as she said,--
+
+'Careless, untidy girl! Put on a clean dress, do up your hair properly,
+and go and practise half an hour before breakfast.'
+
+At first mamma looked as if inclined to refuse, but Kitty was firm; and,
+with a sigh, mamma rustled into a stiff, scratchy, French print, took
+her hair out of the comfortable net, and braided it carefully up; then,
+instead of reading in her arm-chair, she was led to the parlor and set
+to learning a hard piece of music.
+
+'Can't I have my early cup of tea and my roll?' she asked.
+
+'Eating between meals is a very bad habit, and I can't allow it,' said
+Kitty, in the tone her mother often used to her. 'I shall have a mug of
+new milk and a roll, because grown people need more nourishment than
+children;' and sitting down, she ate her early lunch with a relish,
+while poor mamma played away, feeling quite out of tune herself.
+
+Harry found papa enjoying the last delightful doze that makes bed so
+fascinating of a morning. As if half afraid to try the experiment, the
+boy slowly approached and gave the sleeper a sudden, hard shake, saying
+briskly,--
+
+'Come, come, come, lazy-bones! Get up, get up!'
+
+Papa started as if an earthquake had roused him, and stared at Harry,
+astonished for a minute, then he remembered, and upset Harry's gravity
+by whining out,--
+
+'Come, you let me alone. It isn't time yet, and I am _so_ tired.'
+
+Harry took the joke, and assuming the stern air of his father on such
+occasions, said impressively,--
+
+'You have been called, and now if you are not down in fifteen minutes
+you won't have any breakfast. Not a morsel, sir, not a morsel;' and,
+coolly pocketing his father's watch, he retired, to giggle all the way
+downstairs.
+
+When the breakfast bell rang, mamma hurried into the dining-room,
+longing for her tea. But Kitty sat behind the urn, and said gravely,--
+
+'Go back, and enter the room properly. Will you never learn to behave
+like a lady?'
+
+Mamma looked impatient at the delay, and having re-entered in her most
+elegant manner, sat down, and passed her plate for fresh trout and
+muffins.
+
+'No fish or hot bread for you, my dear. Eat your good oatmeal porridge
+and milk; that is the proper food for children.'
+
+'Can't I have some tea?' cried mamma, in despair, for without it she
+felt quite lost.
+
+'Certainly not. _I_ never was allowed tea when a little girl, and
+couldn't think of giving it to you,' said Kitty, filling a large cup for
+herself, and sipping the forbidden draught with a relish.
+
+Poor mamma quite groaned at this hard fate, but meekly obeyed, and ate
+the detested porridge, understanding Kitty's dislike to it at last.
+
+Harry, sitting in his father's chair, read the paper, and ate everything
+he could lay his hands on, with a funny assumption of his father's
+morning manner. Aunt Betsey looked on much amused, and now and then
+nodded to the children as if she thought things were going nicely.
+
+Breakfast was half over when papa came in, and was about to take Harry's
+place when his son said, trying vainly to look grave as he showed the
+watch,--
+
+'What did I tell you, sir? You are late again, sir. No breakfast, sir.
+I'm sorry, but this habit _must_ be broken up. Not a word; it's your own
+fault, and you must bear the penalty.'
+
+'Come, now, that's hard on a fellow! I'm awful hungry. Can't I have just
+a bite of something?' asked papa, quite taken aback at this stern
+decree.
+
+'I said not a morsel, and I shall keep my word. Go to your morning
+duties and let this be a lesson to you.'
+
+Papa cast a look at Aunt Betsey, that was both comic and pathetic, and
+departed without a word; but he felt a sudden sympathy with his son, who
+had often been sent fasting from the table for some small offence.
+
+Now it was that he appreciated aunty's kind heart, and felt quite fond
+of her, for in a few minutes she came to him, as he raked the gravel
+walk (Harry's duty every day), and slipping a nice, warm, well-buttered
+muffin into his hand, said, in her motherly way,--
+
+'My dear, do try and please your father. He is right about late rising,
+but I can't bear to see you starve.'
+
+'Betsey, you are an angel!' and turning his back to the house, papa
+bolted the muffin with grateful rapidity, inquiring with a laugh, 'Do
+you think those rogues will keep it up in this vigorous style all day?'
+
+'I trust so; it isn't a bit overdone. Hope you like it!' and Aunt Betsey
+walked away, looking as if _she_ enjoyed it extremely.
+
+'Now put on your hat and draw baby up and down the avenue for half an
+hour. Don't go on the grass, or you will wet your feet; and don't play
+with baby, I want her to go to sleep; and don't talk to papa, or he will
+neglect his work,' said Kitty, as they rose from table.
+
+Now, it was a warm morning and baby was heavy and the avenue was dull,
+and mamma much preferred to stay in the house and sew the trimming on to
+a new and pretty dress.
+
+'Must I really? Kitty you are a hard-hearted mamma to make me do it,'
+and Mrs. Fairbairn hoped her play-parent would relent.
+
+But she did not, and only answered with a meaning look.
+
+'_I_ have to do it every day, and _you_ don't let me off.'
+
+Mamma said no more, but put on her hat and trundled away with fretful
+baby, thinking to find her fellow-sufferer and have a laugh over the
+joke. She was disappointed, however, for Harry called papa away to weed
+the lettuce-bed, and then shut him up in the study to get his lessons,
+while he mounted the pony and trotted away to town to buy a new
+fishing-rod and otherwise enjoy himself.
+
+When mamma came in, hot and tired, she was met by Kitty with a bottle in
+one hand and a spoon in the other.
+
+'Here is your iron mixture, dear. Now take it like a good girl.'
+
+'I won't!' and mamma looked quite stubborn.
+
+'Then aunty will hold your hands and I shall make you.'
+
+'But I don't like it; I don't need it,' cried mamma.
+
+'Neither do I, but you give it to me all the same. I'm sure you need
+strengthening more than I do, you have so many "trials,"' and Kitty
+looked very sly as she quoted one of the words often on her mother's
+lips.
+
+'You'd better mind, Carrie; it can't hurt you, and you know you promised
+entire obedience. Set a good example,' said aunty.
+
+'But I never thought these little chits would do so well. Ugh, how
+disagreeable it is!' And mamma took her dose with a wry face, feeling
+that Aunt Betsey was siding with the wrong party.
+
+'Now sit down and hem these towels till dinner-time. I have so much to
+do I don't know which way to turn,' continued Kitty, much elated with
+her success.
+
+Rest of any sort was welcome, so mamma sewed busily till callers came.
+They happened to be some little friends of Kitty's, and she went to them
+in the parlor, telling mamma to go up to nurse and have her hair brushed
+and her dress changed, and then come and see the guests. While she was
+away Kitty told the girls the joke they were having, and begged them to
+help her carry it out. They agreed, being ready for fun and not at all
+afraid of Mrs. Fairbairn. So when she came in they all began to kiss and
+cuddle and praise and pass her round as if she was a doll, to her great
+discomfort and the great amusement of the little girls.
+
+While this was going on in the drawing-room, Harry was tutoring his
+father in the study, and putting that poor gentleman through a course of
+questions that nearly drove him distracted; for Harry got out the
+hardest books he could find, and selected the most puzzling subjects. A
+dusty old history was rummaged out also, and classical researches
+followed, in which papa's memory played him false more than once,
+calling forth rebukes from his severe young tutor. But he came to open
+disgrace over his mathematics, for he had no head for figures, and, not
+being a business man, had not troubled himself about the matter; so
+Harry, who was in fine practice, utterly routed him in mental arithmetic
+by giving him regular puzzlers, and when he got stuck offered no help,
+but shook his head and called him a stupid fellow.
+
+The dinner-bell released the exhausted student, and he gladly took his
+son's place, looking as if he had been hard at work. He was faint with
+hunger, but was helped last, being 'only a boy,' and then checked every
+five minutes for eating too fast. Mamma was very meek, and only looked
+wistfully at the pie when told in her own words that pastry was bad for
+children.
+
+Any attempts at conversation were promptly quenched by the worn-out old
+saying, 'Children should be seen, not heard,' while Harry and Kitty
+chattered all dinner-time, and enjoyed it to their hearts' content,
+especially the frequent pecks at their great children, who, to be even
+with them, imitated all their tricks as well as they could.
+
+'Don't whistle at table, papa;' 'keep your hands still mamma;' 'wait
+till you are helped, sir;' 'tuck your napkin well in, and don't spill
+your soup, Caroline.'
+
+Aunt Betsey laughed till her eyes were full, and they had a jolly time,
+though the little people had the best of it, for the others obeyed them
+in spite of their dislike to the new rules.
+
+'Now you may play for two hours,' was the gracious order issued as they
+rose from table.
+
+Mamma fell upon a sofa exhausted, and papa hurried to read his paper in
+the shady garden.
+
+Usually these hours of apparent freedom were spoilt by constant
+calls,--not to run, not to play this or that, or frequent calls to do
+errands. The children had mercy, however, and left them in peace; which
+was a wise move on the whole, for the poor souls found rest so agreeable
+they privately resolved to let the children alone in their play-hours.
+
+'Can I go over and see Mr. Hammond?' asked papa, wishing to use up the
+last half-hour of his time by a neighbourly call.
+
+'No; I don't like Tommy Hammond, so I don't wish you to play with his
+father,' said Harry, with a sly twinkle of the eye, as he turned the
+tables on his papa.
+
+Mr. Fairbairn gave a low whistle and retired to the barn, where Harry
+followed him, and ordered the man to harness up old Bill.
+
+'Going to drive, sir?' asked papa, respectfully.
+
+'Don't ask questions,' was all the answer he got.
+
+Old Bill was put into the best buggy and driven to the hall door. Papa
+followed, and mamma sprang up from her nap, ready for her afternoon
+drive.
+
+'Can't I go?' she asked, as Kitty came down in her new hat and gloves.
+
+'No; there isn't room.'
+
+'Why not have the carryall, and let us go, too, we like it so much,'
+said papa, in the pleading tone Harry often used.
+
+Kitty was about to consent, for she loved mamma, and found it hard to
+cross her so. But Harry was made of sterner stuff; his wrongs still
+burned within him, and he said impatiently--
+
+'We can't be troubled with you. The buggy is nicest and lightest, and we
+want to talk over our affairs. You, my son, can help John turn the hay
+on the lawn, and Caroline can amuse baby, or help Jane with the
+preserves. Little girls should be domestic.'
+
+'Oh, thunder!' growled papa.
+
+'Aunt Betsey taught you that speech, you saucy boy,' cried mamma, as the
+children drove off in high glee, leaving their parents to the
+distasteful tasks set them.
+
+Mrs. Fairbairn wanted to read, but baby was fretful, and there was no
+Kitty to turn him over to, so she spent her afternoon amusing the small
+tyrant, while papa made hay in the sun and didn't like it.
+
+Just at tea-time the children came home, full of the charms of their
+drive, but did not take the trouble to tell much about it to the
+stay-at-home people. Bread and milk was all they allowed their victims,
+while they revelled in marmalade and cake, fruit and tea.
+
+'I expect company this evening, but I don't wish you to sit up,
+Caroline; you are too young, and late hours are bad for your eyes. Go to
+bed, and don't forget to brush your hair and teeth well, five minutes
+for each; cold cream your hands, fold your ribbons, hang up your
+clothes, put out your boots to be cleaned, and put in the mosquito bars;
+I will come and take away the light when I am dressed.'
+
+Kitty delivered this dread command with effect, for she had heard and
+cried over it too often not to have it quite by heart.
+
+'But I can't go to bed at half-past seven o'clock of a summer night! I'm
+not sleepy, and this is just the pleasantest time of the whole day,'
+said mamma, thinking her bargain a hard one.
+
+'Go up directly, my daughter, and don't discuss the matter; I know what
+is best for you,' and Kitty sent social, wide-awake mamma to bed, there
+to lie thinking soberly till Mrs. Kit came for the lamp.
+
+'Have you had a happy day, love?' she asked, bending over the pillow, as
+her mother used to do.
+
+'No, ma'am.'
+
+'Then it was your own fault, my child. Obey your parents in all things,
+and you will be both good and happy.'
+
+'That depends'--began mamma, but stopped short, remembering that
+to-morrow she would be on the other side, and anything she might say now
+would be quoted against her.
+
+But Kitty understood, and her heart melted as she hugged her mother and
+said in her own caressing way--
+
+'Poor little mamma! did she have a hard time? and didn't she like being
+a good girl and minding her parents?'
+
+Mamma laughed also, and held Kitty close, but all she said was--
+
+'Good-night, dear; don't be troubled: it will be all right to-morrow.'
+
+'I hope so,' and with a hearty kiss, Kitty went thoughtfully downstairs
+to meet several little friends whom she had asked to spend the evening
+with her.
+
+As the ladies left the room, papa leaned back and prepared to smoke a
+cigar, feeling that he needed the comfort of it after this trying day.
+But Harry was down upon him at once.
+
+'A very bad habit--can't allow it. Throw that dirty thing away, and go
+and get your Latin lesson for to-morrow. The study is quiet, and we want
+this room.'
+
+'But I am tired. I can't study at night. Let me off till to-morrow,
+please, sir!' begged papa, who had not looked at Latin since he left
+school.
+
+'Not a word, sir! I shall listen to no excuses, and shall _not_ let you
+neglect your education on any account,' and Harry slapped the table _à
+la_ papa in the most impressive manner.
+
+Mr. Fairbairn went away into the dull study and made believe do his
+lesson, but he really smoked and meditated.
+
+The young folks had a grand revel, and kept it up till ten o'clock,
+while mamma lay awake, longing to go down and see what they were about,
+and papa shortly fell asleep, quite exhausted by the society of a Latin
+Grammar.
+
+'Idle boy, is this the way you study?' said Harry, audaciously tweaking
+him by the ear.
+
+'No, it's the way you do;' and feeling that his day of bondage was over,
+papa cast off his allegiance, tucked a child under each arm, and marched
+upstairs with them, kicking and screaming. Setting them down at the
+nursery door, he said, shaking his finger at them in an awful manner,--
+
+'Wait a bit, you rascals, and see what you will get to-morrow.'
+
+With this dark threat he vanished into his own room, and a minute after
+a great burst of laughter set their fears at rest.
+
+'It was a fair bargain, so I'm not afraid,' said Harry stoutly.
+
+'He kissed us good-night though he did glower at us, so I guess it was
+only fun,' added Kitty.
+
+'Hasn't it been a funny day?' asked Harry.
+
+'Don't think I quite like it, everything is so turned round,' said
+Kitty.
+
+'Guess _they_ didn't like it very well. Hear 'em talking in there;' and
+Harry held up his finger, for a steady murmur of conversation had
+followed the laughter in papa and mamma's room.
+
+'I wonder if our joke will do any good?' said Kitty thoughtfully.
+
+'Wait and see,' answered Aunt Betsey, popping her night-capped head out
+of her room with a nod and a smile that sent them to bed full of hope
+for the future.
+
+
+
+
+_DANDELION._
+
+
+Down by the sea lived Ben the fisherman, with his wife, and little son,
+who was called Dandelion, because he wore yellow pinafores, and had
+curly, yellow hair, that covered his head with a golden fuzz. A very
+happy family, for Ben was kind and industrious, Hetty, his wife, a
+cheerful, busy creature, and Dandelion the jolliest three-year-old baby
+who ever made sand-pies and paddled on the beach.
+
+But one day a great trouble came to them. Ben and his fellow-fishermen
+sailed blithely away as usual, and Hetty watched the fleet of
+white-winged boats out of the bay, thinking how pretty they looked with
+the sunshine on them; while Dandelion stood clapping his chubby hands,
+and saying, as he always did, 'Daddy tummin' soon.' But Daddy did not
+come soon that time; for a great storm arose, and when some of the boats
+came scudding home at nightfall, Ben's was not among them. All night the
+gale raged, and in the morning, Ben's boat lay empty and broken on the
+shore. His mates shook their heads when they saw the wreck, and drew
+their rough hands over their eyes; for Ben was a good seaman, and they
+knew he never would desert his boat alive. They looked for him far and
+wide, but could hear nothing of him, and felt sure that he had perished
+in the storm. They tried to comfort poor Hetty, but she would not be
+comforted. Her heart seemed broken; and if it had not been for her baby,
+her neighbours feared that she would have gone to join Ben in his grave
+under the sea. Dandelion didn't understand why every one was so sad, and
+why his father stayed away so long; but he never lost his cheerfulness,
+never gave up hoping, or stopped saying, with a contented smile, 'Daddy
+tummin' soon.' The sunshiny little face was Hetty's only comfort. The
+sight of the fuzzy yellow head, bobbing round the house, alone made it
+endurable; and the touch of the loving baby hands kept her from the
+despair which made her long to end her sorrow in the sea.
+
+People don't believe in fairies now-a-days; nevertheless, good spirits
+still exist, and help us in our times of trouble, better even than the
+little people we used to read about. One of these household spirits is
+called Love, and it took the shape of Dandelion to comfort poor Hetty.
+Another is called Labor: a beautiful, happy spirit this is, and it did
+its part so well that there was little time for bitter thoughts or vain
+regrets; for Hetty's spinning-wheel must go, in order to earn bread for
+Dandelion, whose mouth was always ready for food, like a hungry bird's.
+Busily hummed the wheel: and, as it flew, it seemed to catch an echo of
+the baby's cheerful song, saying, over and over, 'Daddy tummin' soon,'
+till Hetty stopped crying as she worked, and listened to the cheerful
+whirr. 'Yes, I shall see my good Ben again, if I wait patiently. Baby
+takes comfort in saying that, and I will, too; though the poor dear will
+get tired of it soon,' she said.
+
+But Dandelion didn't get tired. He firmly believed what he said, and
+nothing could change his mind. He had been much troubled at seeing the
+boat laid up on the beach all broken and dismantled, but his little
+mind couldn't take in the idea of shipwreck and death; so, after
+thinking it over, he decided that Daddy was waiting somewhere for a new
+boat to be sent to bring him home. This idea was so strong that the
+child gathered together his store of toy-boats,--for he had many, as
+they were his favourite plaything,--and launched them, one after
+another, telling them to find his father, and bring him home.
+
+As Dandelion was not allowed to play on the beach, except at low tide,
+the little boats sailed safely away on the receding waves, and the child
+was sure that some of them would get safely into the distant port where
+Daddy was waiting. All the boats were launched at last, all sailed
+bravely away; but none came back, and little Dandy was much
+disappointed. He babbled about it to himself; told the peeps and the
+horse-shoes, the snails and the lobsters, of his trouble; begged the
+gulls to fly away and find Daddy; and every windy night when the sea
+dashed on the shore and the shutters rattled, he would want the lamp put
+in the window, as it used to be when they expected Ben, and tried to
+make home look cheerful, even before he got there.
+
+Hetty used to humour the child, though it made her heart ache to know
+that the light shone in vain. At such times Dandy would prance about the
+room in his little shirt, and talk about Daddy as happily as if long
+months had not passed without bringing him back. When fairly in his big,
+old-fashioned cradle, the boy would lie, looking more like a dandelion
+than ever, in his yellow flannel night-gown, playing with his toes, or
+rocking himself to and fro, calling the cradle his boat, and blithely
+telling his mother that he was sailing 'far way to find Daddy.' When
+tired of play, he lay still and asked her to sing to him. She had no
+heart for the gay old sea-songs she used to sing for lullabies; so she
+sung hymns in her soft, motherly voice, till the blue eyes closed and
+the golden head lay still, looking so pretty, with the circle of bright
+hair above the rosy face. 'My little saint,' Hetty called him; and
+though she often wept sadly as she watched him, the bitterness of her
+grief passed away, and a patient hope came to her; for the child's firm
+faith impressed her deeply, the pious music of the sweet old hymns
+comforted her sore heart, and daily labor kept her cheerful in spite of
+herself. The neighbours wondered at the change that came over her, but
+she could not explain it; and no one knew that the three good spirits
+called Love, Labor, and Hope, were working their pleasant miracles.
+
+Six long months went by, and no one ever thought of seeing Ben
+again,--no one but his little son, who still watched for him here, and
+his wife, who waited to meet him hereafter.
+
+One bright spring day something happened. The house was as tidy as ever;
+the wheel hummed briskly as Hetty sung softly to herself with a cheerful
+face, though there were white hairs among the brown, and her eyes had a
+thoughtful, absent look at times. Dandelion, more chubby and cheery than
+ever, sat at her feet, with the sunshine making a golden glory of his
+yellow hair, as he tried his new boat in the tub of water his mother
+kept for her little sailor, or tugged away with his fat fingers at a big
+needle which he was trying to pull through a bit of cloth intended for a
+sail. The faithful little soul had not forgotten his father, but had
+come to the conclusion that the reason his boats never prospered was
+because they hadn't large enough sails; so he was intent on rigging a
+new boat lately given him, with a sail that could not fail to waft Ben
+safely home. With his mouth puckered up, his downy eyebrows knit, and
+both hands pulling at the big needle, he was so wrapped in his work that
+he did not mind the stopping of the wheel when Hetty fell into a
+reverie, thinking of the happy time when she and Ben should meet again.
+Sitting so, neither heard a step come softly over the sand; neither saw
+an eager, brown face peer in at the door; and neither knew for a minute,
+that Ben was watching them, with a love and longing in his heart that
+made him tremble like a woman.
+
+Dandelion saw him first; for, as he pulled the thread through with a
+triumphant jerk, the small sailmaker lost his balance, tumbled over,
+and lay staring up at the tall man with his blue eyes so wide open, they
+looked as if they would never shut again. All of a sudden, he shouted,
+with a joyful shout, 'Daddy's tummin'!' and the next instant, vanished,
+ship and all, in the arms of the man who wore the rough jacket. Over
+went the spinning-wheel, as Hetty vanished likewise; and for a time
+there was nothing but sobbing and kissing, clinging, and thanking Heaven
+for its kindness to them. When they grew quieter, and Ben got into his
+old chair, with his wife on one knee and his boy on the other, he told
+them how he was wrecked in the gale, picked up by an outward-bound ship,
+and only able to get back after months of sickness and delay.
+
+'My boaty fetched him,' said Dandelion, feeling that every thing had
+turned out just as he expected.
+
+'So it did, my precious; leastways, your faith helped, I haven't a
+doubt,' cried Hetty, hugging the curly headed prophet close, as she told
+Ben all that had happened.
+
+Ben didn't say much, but a few great tears rolled down the rough blue
+jacket, as he looked from the queer sail with its two big stitches to
+the little son, whose love, he firmly believed, had kept him safe
+through many dangers and brought him home at last.
+
+When the fine new boat was built, no one thought it strange that Ben
+named it 'Dandelion;' no one laughed at the little sail which always
+hung over the fire-place in the small house: and long years after, when
+Ben was an old man, and sat by the door with his grand-children on his
+knee, the story which always pleased them best was that which ended with
+the funny words, 'Daddy tummin' soon.'
+
+
+
+
+_MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY._
+
+
+There never was a prouder mamma than Madam Cluck when she led forth her
+family of eight downy little chicks. Chanticleer, Strut, Snowball,
+Speckle, Peep, Peck, Downy, and Blot were their names; and no sooner
+were they out of the shell than they began to chirp and scratch as gaily
+as if the big world in which they suddenly found themselves was made for
+their especial benefit. It was a fine brood; but poor Madam Cluck had
+bad luck with her chicks, for they were her first, and she didn't know
+how to manage them. Old Aunt Cockletop told her that she didn't, and
+predicted that 'those poor dears would come to bad ends.'
+
+Aunt Cockletop was right, as you will see, when I have told the sad
+history of this unfortunate family. The tragedy began with Chanty, who
+was the boldest little cockadoodle who ever tried to crow. Before he had
+a feather to his bit of a tail, Chanty began to fight, and soon was
+known as the most quarrelsome chick in the farm-yard. Having pecked his
+brothers and sisters, he tried to do the same to his playmates, the
+ducklings, goslings, and young turkeys, and was so disagreeable that all
+the fowls hated him. One day, a pair of bantams arrived,--pretty little
+white birds, with red crests and nice yellow feet. Chanty thought he
+could beat Mr. Bantam easily, he was so small, and invited him to fight.
+Mr. B. declined. Then Chanty called him a coward, and gave Mrs. B. a
+peck, which so enraged her spouse that he flew at Chanty like a
+gamecock, and a dreadful fight followed, which ended in Chanty's utter
+defeat, for he died from his wounds.
+
+Downy and Snowball soon followed; for the two sweet little things would
+swing on the burdock-leaves that grew over the brook. Sitting side by
+side, the plump sisters were placidly swaying up and down over the clear
+brown water rippling below, when--ah! sad to relate--the stem broke, and
+down went leaf, chickens and all, to a watery death.
+
+'I'm the most unlucky hen ever hatched!' groaned poor Madam Cluck; and
+it did seem so, for the very next week, Speckle, the best and prettiest
+of the brood, went to walk with Aunt Cockletop, 'grasshoppering' they
+called it, in the great field across the road. What a nice time Speckle
+did have, to be sure; for the grasshoppers were lively and fat, and aunt
+was in an unusually amiable mood.
+
+'Never run away from anything, but face danger and conquer it, like a
+brave chick,' said the old biddy, as she went clucking through the
+grass, with her gray turban wagging in the wind. Speckle had hopped away
+from a toad with a startled chirp, which caused aunt to utter that
+remark. The words had hardly left her beak, when a shadow above made her
+look up, give one loud croak of alarm, and then scuttle away, as fast as
+legs and wings could carry her.
+
+Little Speckle, remembering the advice, and unconscious of the danger,
+stood her ground as a great hawk came circling nearer and nearer, till,
+with a sudden dart he pounced on the poor chicken, and bore it away
+chirping dismally,
+
+'Aunty told me not to run. Oh, dear! oh, dear! What shall I do?'
+
+It was a dreadful blow to Mrs. Cluck; and Aunt Cockletop didn't show
+herself for a whole day after that story was known, for every fowl in
+the yard twitted her with the difference between her preaching and her
+practice.
+
+Strut, the other son, was the vainest chick ever seen; and the great aim
+of his life was to crow louder than any other cock in the neighbourhood.
+He was at it from morning till night, and everyone was tired to death of
+hearing his shrill, small voice making funny attempts to produce hoarse
+little crows, as he sat on the wall and stretched his yellow neck, till
+his throat quite ached with the effort.
+
+'Ah! if I could only fly to the highest beam in the barn, and give a
+splendid crow that everyone could hear, I should be perfectly happy,'
+said this silly little fowl, as he stared up at the loft where the old
+cock often sat.
+
+So he tried every day to fly and crow, and at last managed to get up;
+then how he did strut and rustle his feathers, while his playmates sat
+below and watched him.
+
+'You'll fall and get hurt,' said his sister Blot.
+
+'Hold your tongue, you ugly little thing, and don't talk to me. I'm
+going to crow, and can't be interrupted by any silly bit of a hen. Be
+quiet, down there, and hear if I can't do it as well as daddy.'
+
+The chicks stopped scratching and peeping, and sat in a row to hear
+Strut crow. Perching himself on the beam, he tried his best, but only a
+droll 'cock-a-doodle-doo' came of it, and all the chicks laughed. That
+made Strut mad, and he resolved to crow, even if he killed himself doing
+it. He gave an angry cluck, flapped his wings, and tried again. Alas,
+alas, for poor Strut! he leaned so far forward in his frantic effort to
+get a big crow out, that he toppled over and fell bump on the hard
+barn-floor, killing himself instantly.
+
+For some time after this, Mrs. Cluck kept her three remaining little
+ones close to her side, watching over them with maternal care, till they
+were heartily tired of her anxious cluckings. Peep and Peck were always
+together, being very fond of one another. Peep was a most inquisitive
+chicken, poking her head into every nook and corner, and never satisfied
+till she had seen all there was to see. Peck was a glutton, eating
+everything she could find, and often making herself ill by gobbling too
+fast, and forgetting to eat a little gravel to help digest her food.
+
+'Don't go out of the barn, children. I'm going to lay an egg, and can't
+look after you just now,' said their mother one day.
+
+'Yes, ma'am,' chirped the chickens; and then as she went rustling into
+the hay-mow, they began to run about and enjoy themselves with all their
+might. Peep found a little hole into the meal-room, and slipped in, full
+of joy at the sight of the bags, boxes, and bins. 'I'll eat all I want,
+and then I'll call Peck,' she said; and having taken a taste of every
+thing, she was about to leave, when she heard the stableman coming, and
+in her fright couldn't find the hole, so flew into the meal-bin and hid
+herself. Sam never saw her, but shut down the cover of the bin as he
+passed, and left poor Peep to die. No one knew what had become of her
+till some days later, when she was found dead in the meal, with her poor
+little claws sticking straight up as if imploring help. Peck meanwhile
+got into mischief also; for, in her hunt for something good to eat, she
+strayed into the sheep-shed, and finding some salt, ate as much as she
+liked, not knowing that salt is bad for hens. Having taken all she
+wanted, she ran back to the barn, and was innocently catching gnats when
+her mamma came out of the hay-mow with a loud. 'Cut-cut-cut-ca-dar-cut!'
+
+'Where is Peep?' asked Mrs. Cluck.
+
+'Don't know, ma. She'--there Peck stopped suddenly, rolled up her eyes,
+and began to stagger about as if she was tipsy.
+
+'Mercy on us! What's the matter with the chick?' cried Mrs. Cluck, in
+great alarm.
+
+'Fits, ma'am,' answered Doctor Drake, who just then waddled by.
+
+'Oh! what can I do?' screamed the distracted hen.
+
+'Nothing, ma'am; it's fatal.' And the doctor waddled on to visit Dame
+Partlet's son, who was ill of the pip.
+
+'My child, my child! don't flap and stagger so! Let me hold you! Taste
+this mint-leaf! Have a drop of water! What shall I do?'
+
+As poor Mrs. Cluck sighed and sobbed, her unhappy child went scuffling
+about on her back, gasping and rolling up her eyes in great anguish, for
+she had eaten too much of the fatal salt, and there was no help for her.
+When all was over they buried the dead chicken under a currant bush,
+covered the little grave with chickweed, and the bereaved parent wore a
+black string round her leg for a month.
+
+Blot, 'the last of that bright band,' needed no mourning for she was as
+black as a crow. This was the reason why her mother never had loved her
+as much as she did the others, who were all white, gray, or yellow.
+Poor little Blot had been much neglected by every one; but now her
+lonely mamma discovered how good and affectionate a chicken she was, for
+Blot was a great comfort to her, never running away or disobeying in any
+way, but always close to her side, ready to creep under her wing, or
+bring her a plump bug when the poor biddy's appetite failed her. They
+were very happy together till Thanksgiving drew near, when a dreadful
+pestilence seemed to sweep through the farm-yard; for turkeys, hens,
+ducks, and geese fell a prey to it, and were seen by their surviving
+relatives featherless, pale, and stiff, borne away to some unknown place
+whence no fowl returned. Blot was waked one night by a great cackling
+and fluttering in the hen-house, and peeping down from her perch saw a
+great hand glide along the roost, clutch her beloved mother by the leg,
+and pull her off, screaming dolefully, 'Good-by, good-by, my darling
+child!'
+
+Aunt Cockletop pecked and croaked fiercely; but, tough as she was, the
+old biddy did not escape, and many another amiable hen and gallant
+cockadoodle fell a victim to that mysterious hand. In the morning few
+remained, and Blot felt that she was a forlorn orphan, a thought which
+caused her to sit with her head under her wing for several hours,
+brooding over her sad lot, and longing to join her family in some safe
+and happy land, where fowls live in peace. She had her wish very soon,
+for one day, when the first snowflakes began to flutter out of the cold
+gray sky, Blot saw a little kitten mewing pitifully as it sat under the
+fence.
+
+'What is the matter, dear?' asked kind Blot.
+
+'I'm lost, and I can't find my way home,' answered the kitten, shivering
+with cold. 'I live at the red farm-house over the hill, only I don't
+know which road to take.'
+
+'I'll show you. Come at once, for night is coming on, and the snow will
+soon be too deep for us,' said Blot.
+
+So away they went, as fast as their small legs could carry them; but it
+was a long way, and dusk came on before the red farm-house appeared.
+
+'Now I'm safe; thank you very much. Won't you come in, and stay all
+night? My mother will be glad to see you,' said the kit rubbing her soft
+white face against Blot's little black breast.
+
+'It's against the rule to stay out all night, and I promised to be in
+early; so, good-by, dear.' And off trotted Blot along the snowy road,
+hoping to get home before the hen-house door was shut. Faster and faster
+fell the snow darker and darker grew the night, and colder and colder
+became poor Blot's little feet as she waded through the drifts. The
+firelight was shining out into the gloom, as the half-frozen chicken
+came into the yard, to find all doors shut, and no shelter left for her
+but the bough of a leafless tree. Too stiff and weak to fly up, she
+crept as close as possible to the bright glow which shone across the
+door-step, and with a shiver put her little head under her wing, trying
+to forget hunger, weariness, and the bitter cold, and wait patiently for
+morning. But when morning came, little Blot lay frozen stiff under a
+coverlet of snow: and the tender-hearted children sighed as they dug a
+grave for the last of the unfortunate family of the Clucks.
+
+
+
+
+_A CURIOUS CALL._
+
+
+I have often wondered what the various statues standing about the city
+think of all day, and what criticisms they would make upon us and our
+doings, if they could speak. I frequently stop and stare at them,
+wondering if they don't feel lonely; if they wouldn't be glad of a nod
+as we go by; and I always long to offer my umbrella to shield their
+uncovered heads on a rainy day, especially to good Ben Franklin, when
+the snow lies white on his benevolent forehead. I was always fond of
+this old gentleman; and one of my favourite stories when a little girl,
+was that of his early life, and the time when he was so poor he walked
+about Philadelphia with a roll of bread under each arm, eating a third
+as he went. I never pass without giving him a respectful look, and
+wishing he could know how grateful I am for all he had done in the
+printing line; for, without types and presses, where would the books be?
+
+Well, I never imagined that he understood why the tall woman in the big
+bonnet stared at him; but he did, and he liked it, and managed to let me
+know it in a very curious manner, as you shall hear.
+
+As I look out, the first thing I see is the great gilt eagle on the
+City-Hall dome. There he sits, with open wings, all day long, looking
+down on the people, who must appear like ants scampering busily to and
+fro about an ant-hill. The sun shines on him splendidly in the morning;
+the gay flag waves and rustles in the wind above him sometimes; and the
+moonlight turns him to silver when she comes glittering up the sky.
+When it rains he never shakes his feathers; snow beats on him without
+disturbing his stately repose; and he never puts his head under his wing
+at night, but keeps guard in darkness as in day, like a faithful
+sentinel. I like the big, lonely bird, call him my particular fowl, and
+often wish he'd turn his head and speak to me. One night he did actually
+do it, or seemed to; for I've never been able to decide whether I
+dreamed what I'm going to tell you, or whether it really happened.
+
+It was a stormy night! and, as I drew down my curtain, I said to myself,
+after peering through the driving snow to catch a glimpse of my
+neighbour, 'Poor Goldy! he'll have a rough time of it. I hope this
+northeaster won't blow him off his perch.' Then I sat down by my fire,
+took my knitting, and began to meditate. I'm sure I didn't fall asleep;
+but I can't prove it, so we'll say no more about it. All at once there
+came a tap at my door, as I thought; and I said 'Come in,' just as Mr.
+Poe did when that unpleasant raven paid him a call. No one came, so I
+went to see who it was. Not a sign of a human soul in the long hall,
+only little Jessie, the poodle, asleep on her mat. Down I sat; but in a
+minute the tap came again; this time so loud that I knew it was at the
+window, and went to open it, thinking that one of my doves wanted to
+come in perhaps. Up went the sash, and in bounced something so big and
+so bright that it dazzled and scared me.
+
+'Don't be frightened, ma'am; it's only me,' said a hoarse voice. So I
+collected my wits, rubbed my eyes, and looked at my visitor. It was the
+gold eagle off the City Hall! I don't expect to be believed; but I wish
+you'd been here to see, for I give you my word, it was a sight to
+behold. How he ever got in at such a small window I can't tell; but
+there he was, strutting majestically up and down the room, his golden
+plumage rustling, and his keen eyes flashing as he walked. I really
+didn't know what to do. I couldn't imagine what he came for; I had my
+doubts about the propriety of offering him a chair; and he was so much
+bigger than I expected that I was afraid he might fly away with me, as
+the roc did with Sindbad: so I did nothing but sidle to the door, ready
+to whisk out, if my strange guest appeared to be peckishly inclined. My
+respectful silence seemed to suit him; for, after a turn or two, he
+paused, nodded gravely, and said affably, 'Good-evening, ma'am. I
+stepped over to bring you old Ben's respects, and to see how you were
+getting on.'
+
+'I'm very much obliged, sir. May I inquire who Mr. Old-Ben is? I'm
+afraid I haven't the honour of his acquaintance.'
+
+'Yes, you have; it's Ben Franklin, of City-Hall yard. You know him; and
+he wished me to thank you for your interest in him.'
+
+'Dear me! how very odd! Will you sit down, sir?'
+
+'Never sit! I'll perch here;' and the great fowl took his accustomed
+attitude just in front of the fire, looking so very splendid that I
+couldn't keep my eyes off of him.
+
+'Ah! you often do that. Never mind; I rather like it,' said the eagle,
+graciously, as he turned his brilliant eye upon me. I was rather
+abashed; but being very curious, I ventured to ask a few questions, as
+he seemed in a friendly mood.
+
+'Being a woman, sir, I'm naturally of an inquiring turn; and I must
+confess that I have a strong desire to know how it happens that you
+take your walks abroad, when you are supposed to be permanently engaged
+at home?'
+
+He shrugged his shoulders, and actually winked at me, as he replied,
+'That's all people know of what goes on under, or rather over, their
+noses. Bless you, ma'am! I leave my roost every night, and enjoy myself
+in all sorts of larks. Excuse the expression; but, being ornithological,
+it is more proper for me than for some people who use it.'
+
+'What a gay old bird!' thought I, feeling quite at home after that.
+'Please tell me what you do, when the shades of evening prevail, and you
+go out for a frolic?'
+
+'I am a gentleman; therefore I behave myself,' returned the eagle; with
+a stately air. 'I must confess, I smoke a great deal: but that's not my
+fault, it's the fault of the chimneys. They keep it up all day, and I
+have to take it; just as you poor ladies have to take cigar smoke,
+whether you like it or not. My amusements are of a wholesome kind. I
+usually begin by taking a long flight down the harbour, for a look at
+the lighthouses, the islands, the shipping, and the sea. My friends, the
+gulls, bring their reports to me; for they are the harbour-police, and I
+take notes of their doings. The school-ship is an object of interest to
+me, and I often perch on the mast-head, to see how the lads are getting
+on. Then I take a turn over the city, gossip with the weathercocks, pay
+my compliments to the bells, inspect the fire-alarm, and pick up
+information by listening at the telegraph wires. People often talk about
+"a little bird" who spreads news; but they don't know how that figure of
+speech originated. It is the sparrows sitting on the wires, who receive
+the electric shock, and, being hollow-boned, the news go straight to
+their heads; they then fly about, chirping it on the housetops, and the
+air carries it everywhere. That's the way rumours rise and news spread.'
+
+'If you'll allow, I'll make a note of that interesting fact,' said I,
+wondering if I might believe him. He appeared to fall into a reverie
+while I jotted down the sparrow story, and it occurred to me that
+perhaps I ought to offer my distinguished guest some refreshment; but,
+when I modestly alluded to it, he said, with an aldermanic air, 'No,
+thank you; I've just dined at the Parker House.'
+
+Now, I really could _not_ swallow that; and so plainly betrayed my
+incredulity, that the eagle explained. 'The savoury smells which rise to
+my nostrils from that excellent hotel, with an occasional sniff from the
+Tremont, are quite sufficient to satisfy my appetite; for, having no
+stomach, I don't need much food, and I drink nothing but water.'
+
+'I wish others would follow your example in that latter habit,' said I,
+respectfully, for I was beginning to see that there was something in my
+bird, though he _was_ hollow. 'Will you allow me to ask if the other
+statues in the city fly by night?'
+
+'They promenade in the parks; and occasionally have social gatherings,
+when they discuss politics, education, medicine, or any of the subjects
+in which they are interested. Ah! we have grand times when you are all
+asleep. It quite repays me for being obliged to make an owl of myself.'
+
+'Do the statues come from the shops to these parties?' I asked,
+resolving to take a late walk the next moonlight night.
+
+'Sometimes; but they get lazy and delicate, living in close, warm
+places. We laugh at cold and bad weather, and are so strong and hearty
+that I shouldn't be surprised if I saw Webster and Everett flying round
+the Common on the new-fashioned velocipedes, for they believed in
+exercise. Goethe and Schiller often step over from De Vries's window, to
+flirt with the goddesses, who come down from their niches on
+Horticultural Hall. Nice, robust young women are Pomona and Flora. If
+your niminy-piminy girls could see them run, they would stop tilting
+through the streets, and learn that the true Grecian Bend is the line of
+beauty always found in straight shoulders, well-opened chest, and an
+upright figure, firmly planted on active feet.'
+
+'In your rambles don't you find a great deal of misery?' said I, to
+change the subject, for he was evidently old-fashioned in his notions.
+
+'Many sad sights!' And he shook his head with a sigh; then added,
+briskly, 'But there is a deal of charity in our city, and it does its
+work beautifully. By the by, I heard of a very sweet charity the other
+day,--a church whose Sunday school is open to all the poor children who
+will come; and there, in pleasant rooms, with books, pictures, kindly
+teachers, and a fatherly minister to welcome them, the poor little
+creatures find refreshment for their hungry souls. I like that; it's a
+lovely illustration of the text, "Suffer little children to come unto
+me;" and _I_ call it practical Christianity.'
+
+He did like it, my benevolent old bird; for he rustled his great wings,
+as if he wanted to clap them, if there had only been room; and every
+feather shone as if a clearer light than that of my little fire had
+fallen on it as he spoke.
+
+'You are a literary woman, hey?' he said suddenly, as if he'd got a new
+idea, and was going to pounce upon me with it.
+
+'Ahem! I do a little in that line,' I answered, with a modest cough.
+
+'Then tell people about that place; write some stories for the children;
+go and help teach them; do something, and make others do what they can
+to increase the sabbath sunshine that brightens one day in the week for
+the poor babies who live in shady places.'
+
+'I should be glad to do my best; and, if I'd known before'--I began.
+
+'You might have known, if you'd looked about you. People are so wrapt up
+in their own affairs they don't do half they might. Now, then, hand me a
+bit of paper, and I'll give you the address, so you won't have any
+excuse for forgetting what I tell you.'
+
+'Mercy on us; what will he do next?' thought I, as he tweaked a feather
+out of his breast, gave the nib a peck, and then coolly wrote these
+words on the card I handed him: '_Church of the Disciples. Knock and it
+shall be opened!_' There it was, in letters of gold; and, while I looked
+at it, feeling reproached that I hadn't known it sooner, my friend,--he
+didn't seem a stranger any more,--said in a business-like tone, as he
+put back his pen, 'Now I must be off. Old Ben reads an article on the
+"Abuses of the Press at the present day," and I must be there to
+report.'
+
+'It must be very interesting. I suppose you don't allow mortals at your
+meetings?' said I, burning to go, in spite of the storm.
+
+'No, ma'am. We meet on the Common; and, in the present state of the
+weather, I don't think flesh and blood would stand it. Bronze, marble,
+and wood are sterner stuff, and can defy the elements.'
+
+'Good evening; pray, call again,' I said, hospitably.
+
+'I will; your eyrie suits me: but don't expect me to call in the
+daytime. I'm on duty then, and can't take my eye off my charge. The city
+needs a deal of watching, my dear. Bless me! it's striking eight. Your
+watch is seven minutes slow by the Old South. Good-night, good-night!'
+
+And as I opened the window, the great bird soared away like a flash of
+light through the storm, leaving me so astonished at the whole
+performance that I haven't got over it yet.
+
+
+
+
+_TILLY'S CHRISTMAS._
+
+
+'I'm so glad to-morrow is Christmas, because I'm going to have lots of
+presents.'
+
+'So am I glad, though I don't expect any presents but a pair of
+mittens.'
+
+'And so am I; but I shan't have any presents at all.'
+
+As the three little girls trudged home from school they said these
+things, and as Tilly spoke, both the others looked at her with pity and
+some surprise, for she spoke cheerfully, and they wondered how she could
+be happy when she was so poor she could have no presents on Christmas.
+
+'Don't you wish you could find a purse full of money right here in the
+path?' said Kate, the child who was going to have 'lots of presents.'
+
+'Oh, don't I, if I could keep it honestly!' and Tilly's eyes shone at
+the very thought.
+
+'What would you buy?' asked Bessy, rubbing her cold hands, and longing
+for her mittens.
+
+'I'd buy a pair of large, warm blankets, a load of wood, a shawl for
+mother, and a pair of shoes for me; and if there was enough left, I'd
+give Bessy a new hat, and then she needn't wear Ben's old felt one,'
+answered Tilly.
+
+The girls laughed at that; but Bessy pulled the funny hat over her ears,
+and said she was much obliged but she'd rather have candy.
+
+'Let's look, and maybe we _can_ find a purse. People are always going
+about with money at Christmas time, and some one may lose it here,' said
+Kate.
+
+So, as they went along the snowy road, they looked about them, half in
+earnest, half in fun. Suddenly Tilly sprang forward, exclaiming,--
+
+'I see it! I've found it!'
+
+The others followed, but all stopped disappointed; for it wasn't a
+purse, it was only a little bird. It lay upon the snow with its wings
+spread and feebly fluttering, as if too weak to fly. Its little feet
+were benumbed with cold; its once bright eyes were dull with pain, and
+instead of a blithe song, it could only utter a faint chirp, now and
+then, as if crying for help.
+
+'Nothing but a stupid old robin; how provoking!' cried Kate, sitting
+down to rest.
+
+'I shan't touch it. I found one once, and took care of it, and the
+ungrateful thing flew away the minute it was well,' said Bessy, creeping
+under Kate's shawl, and putting her hands under her chin to warm them.
+
+'Poor little birdie! How pitiful he looks, and how glad he must be to
+see some one coming to help him! I'll take him up gently, and carry him
+home to mother. Don't be frightened, dear, I'm your friend;' and Tilly
+knelt down in the snow, stretching her hand to the bird, with the
+tenderest pity in her face.
+
+Kate and Bessy laughed.
+
+'Don't stop for that thing; it's getting late and cold: let's go on and
+look for the purse,' they said moving away.
+
+'You wouldn't leave it to die!' cried Tilly. 'I'd rather have the bird
+than the money, so I shan't look any more. The purse wouldn't be mine,
+and I should only be tempted to keep it; but this poor thing will thank
+and love me, and I'm _so_ glad I came in time.'
+
+Gently lifting the bird, Tilly felt its tiny cold claws cling to her
+hand, and saw its dim eyes brighten as it nestled down with a grateful
+chirp.
+
+'Now I've got a Christmas present after all,' she said, smiling, as they
+walked on. 'I always wanted a bird, and this one will be such a pretty
+pet for me.'
+
+'He'll fly away the first chance he gets, and die anyhow; so you'd
+better not waste your time over him,' said Bessy.
+
+'He can't pay you for taking care of him, and my mother says it isn't
+worth while to help folks that can't help us,' added Kate.
+
+'My mother says, "Do as you'd be done by;" and I'm sure I'd like any one
+to help me if I was dying of cold and hunger. "Love your neighbour as
+yourself," is another of her sayings. This bird is my little neighbour,
+and I'll love him and care for him, as I often wish our rich neighbour
+would love and care for us,' answered Tilly, breathing her warm breath
+over the benumbed bird, who looked up at her with confiding eyes, quick
+to feel and know a friend.
+
+'What a funny girl you are,' said Kate; 'caring for that silly bird, and
+talking about loving your neighbour in that sober way. Mr. King don't
+care a bit for you, and never will, though he knows how poor you are; so
+I don't think your plan amounts to much.'
+
+'I believe it, though; and shall do my part, any way. Good-night. I hope
+you'll have a merry Christmas, and lots of pretty things,' answered
+Tilly, as they parted.
+
+Her eyes were full, and she felt so poor as she went on alone toward the
+little old house where she lived. It would have been so pleasant to know
+that she was going to have some of the pretty things all children love
+to find in their full stockings on Christmas morning. And pleasanter
+still to have been able to give her mother something nice. So many
+comforts were needed, and there was no hope of getting them; for they
+could barely get food and fire.
+
+'Never mind, birdie, we'll make the best of what we have, and be merry
+in spite of every thing. _You_ shall have a happy Christmas, any way;
+and I know God won't forget us if every one else does.'
+
+She stopped a minute to wipe her eyes, and lean her cheek against the
+bird's soft breast, finding great comfort in the little creature, though
+it could only love her, nothing more.
+
+'See, mother, what a nice present I've found,' she cried, going in with
+a cheery face that was like sunshine in the dark room.
+
+'I'm glad of that, dearie; for I haven't been able to get my little girl
+anything but a rosy apple. Poor bird! Give it some of your warm bread
+and milk.'
+
+'Why, mother, what a big bowlful! I'm afraid you gave me all the milk,'
+said Tilly, smiling over the nice, steaming supper that stood ready for
+her.
+
+'I've had plenty, dear. Sit down and dry your wet feet, and put the bird
+in my basket on this warm flannel.'
+
+Tilly peeped into the closet and saw nothing there but dry bread.
+
+'Mother's given me all the milk, and is going without her tea, 'cause
+she knows I'm hungry. Now I'll surprise her, and she shall have a good
+supper too. She is going to split wood, and I'll fix it while she's
+gone.'
+
+So Tilly put down the old tea-pot, carefully poured out a part of the
+milk, and from her pocket produced a great, plummy bun, that one of the
+school-children had given her, and she had saved for her mother. A slice
+of the dry bread was nicely toasted, and the bit of butter set by for
+her put on it. When her mother came in there was the table drawn up in a
+warm place, a hot cup of tea ready, and Tilly and birdie waiting for
+her.
+
+Such a poor little supper, and yet such a happy one; for love, charity,
+and contentment were guests there, and that Christmas eve was a blither
+one than that up at the great house, where lights shone, fires blazed, a
+great tree glittered, and music sounded, as the children danced and
+played.
+
+'We must go to bed early, for we've only wood enough to last over
+to-morrow. I shall be paid for my work the day after, and then we can
+get some,' said Tilly's mother, as they sat by the fire.
+
+'If my bird was only a fairy bird, and would give us three wishes, how
+nice it would be! Poor dear, he can't give me any thing; but it's no
+matter,' answered Tilly, looking at the robin, who lay in the basket
+with his head under his wing, a mere little feathery bunch.
+
+'He can give you one thing, Tilly,--the pleasure of doing good. That is
+one of the sweetest things in life; and the poor can enjoy it as well as
+the rich.'
+
+As her mother spoke, with her tired hand softly stroking her little
+daughter's hair, Tilly suddenly started and pointed to the window,
+saying, in a frightened whisper,--
+
+'I saw a face,--a man's face, looking in! It's gone now; but I truly saw
+it.'
+
+'Some traveller attracted by the light perhaps. I'll go and see.' And
+Tilly's mother went to the door.
+
+No one was there. The wind blew cold, the stars shone, the snow lay
+white on field and wood, and the Christmas moon was glittering in the
+sky.
+
+'What sort of a face was it?' asked Tilly's mother, coming back.
+
+'A pleasant sort of face, I think; but I was so startled I don't quite
+know what it was like. I wish we had a curtain there,' said Tilly.
+
+'I like to have our light shine out in the evening, for the road is dark
+and lonely just here, and the twinkle of our lamp is pleasant to
+people's eyes as they go by. We can do so little for our neighbours, I
+am glad to cheer the way for them. Now put these poor old shoes to dry,
+and go to bed, dearie; I'll come soon.'
+
+Tilly went, taking her bird with her to sleep in his basket near by,
+lest he should be lonely in the night.
+
+Soon the little house was dark and still, and no one saw the Christmas
+spirits at their work that night.
+
+When Tilly opened the door next morning, she gave a loud cry, clapped
+her hands, and then stood still; quite speechless with wonder and
+delight. There, before the door, lay a great pile of wood, all ready to
+burn, a big bundle and a basket, with a lovely nosegay of winter roses,
+holly, and evergreen tied to the handle.
+
+'Oh, mother! did the fairies do it?' cried Tilly, pale with her
+happiness, as she seized the basket, while her mother took in the
+bundle.
+
+'Yes, dear, the best and dearest fairy in the world, called "Charity."
+She walks abroad at Christmas time, does beautiful deeds like this, and
+does not stay to be thanked,' answered her mother with full eyes, as she
+undid the parcel.
+
+There they were,--the warm, thick blankets, the comfortable shawls, the
+new shoes, and, best of all, a pretty winter hat for Bessy. The basket
+was full of good things to eat, and on the flowers lay a paper,
+saying,--
+
+'For the little girl who loves her neighbour as herself.'
+
+'Mother, I really think my bird is a fairy bird, and all these splendid
+things come from him,' said Tilly, laughing and crying with joy.
+
+It really did seem so, for as she spoke, the robin flew to the table,
+hopped to the nosegay, and perching among the roses, began to chirp with
+all his little might. The sun streamed in on flowers, bird, and happy
+child, and no one saw a shadow glide away from the window; no one ever
+knew that Mr. King had seen and heard the little girls the night before,
+or dreamed that the rich neighbour had learned a lesson from the poor
+neighbour.
+
+And Tilly's bird _was_ a fairy bird; for by her love and tenderness to
+the helpless thing, she brought good gifts to herself, happiness to the
+unknown giver of them, and a faithful little friend who did not fly
+away, but stayed with her till the snow was gone, making summer for her
+in the winter-time.
+
+
+
+
+_MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN._
+
+
+No one would have thought of calling him so, this ragged, barefooted,
+freckle-faced Jack, who spent his days carrying market-baskets for the
+butcher, or clean clothes for Mrs. Quinn, selling chips, or grubbing in
+the ash-heaps for cinders. But he was honestly earning his living, doing
+his duty as well as he knew how, and serving those poorer and more
+helpless than himself, and that is being a gentleman in the best sense
+of that fine old word. He had no home but Mrs. Quinn's garret; and for
+this he paid by carrying the bundles and getting the cinders for her
+fire. Food and clothes he picked up as he could; and his only friend was
+little Nanny. Her mother had been kind to him when the death of his
+father left him all alone in the world; and when she, too, passed away,
+the boy tried to show his gratitude by comforting the little girl, who
+thought there was no one in the world like her Jack.
+
+Old Mrs. Quinn took care of her, waiting till she was strong enough to
+work for herself; but Nanny had been sick, and still sat about, a pale,
+little shadow of her former self, with a white film slowly coming over
+her pretty blue eyes. This was Jack's great trouble, and he couldn't
+whistle it away as he did his own worries; for he was a cheery lad, and
+when the baskets were heavy, the way long, the weather bitter cold, his
+poor clothes in rags, or his stomach empty, he just whistled, and
+somehow things seemed to get right. But the day he carried Nanny the
+first dandelions, and she felt of them, instead of looking at them, as
+she said, with such pathetic patience in her little face, 'I don't see
+'em; but I know they're pretty, and I like 'em lots,' Jack felt as if
+the blithe spring sunshine was all spoiled; and when he tried to cheer
+himself up with a good whistle, his lips trembled so they wouldn't
+pucker.
+
+'The poor dear's eyes could be cured, I ain't a doubt; but it would take
+a sight of money, and who's agoing to pay it?' said Mrs. Quinn,
+scrubbing away at her tub.
+
+'How much money?' asked Jack.
+
+'A hundred dollars, I dare say. Dr. Wilkinson's cook told me once that
+he done something to a lady's eyes, and asked a thousand dollars for
+it.'
+
+Jack sighed a long, hopeless sigh, and went away to fill the
+water-pails; but he remembered the doctor's name, and began to wonder
+how many years it would take to earn a hundred dollars.
+
+Nanny was very patient; but, by and by, Mrs. Quinn began to talk about
+sending her to some almshouse, for she was too poor to be burdened with
+a helpless child. The fear of this nearly broke Jack's heart; and he
+went about with such an anxious face that it was a mercy Nanny did not
+see it. Jack was only twelve, but he had a hard load to carry just then;
+for the thought of his little friend, doomed to lifelong darkness for
+want of a little money, tempted him to steal more than once, and gave
+him the first fierce, bitter feeling against those better off than he.
+When he carried nice dinners to the great houses and saw the plenty that
+prevailed there, he couldn't help feeling that it wasn't fair for some
+to have so much, and others so little. When he saw pretty children
+playing in the park, or driving with their mothers, so gay, so well
+cared for, so tenderly loved, the poor boy's eyes would fill to think of
+poor little Nanny, with no friend in the world but himself, and he so
+powerless to help her.
+
+When he one day mustered courage to ring at the great doctor's bell,
+begging to see him a minute, and the servant answered, gruffly, as he
+shut the door, 'Go along! he can't be bothered with the like of you!'
+Jack clenched his hands hard as he went down the steps, and said to
+himself, with a most unboyish tone, 'I'll get the money somehow, and
+_make_ him let me in!'
+
+He did get it, and in a most unexpected way; but he never forgot the
+desperate feeling that came to him that day, and all his life long he
+was very tender to people who were tempted in their times of trouble,
+and yielded, as he was saved from doing, by what seemed an accident.
+
+Some days after his attempt at the doctor's, as he was grubbing in a
+newly-deposited ash-heap, with the bitter feeling very bad, and the
+trouble very heavy, he found a dirty old pocket-book, and put it in his
+bosom without stopping to examine it; for many boys and girls were
+scratching, like a brood of chickens, all round him, and the pickings
+were unusually good, so no time must be lost. 'Findings is havings' was
+one of the laws of the ash-heap haunters; and no one thought of
+disputing another's right to the spoons and knives that occasionally
+found their way into the ash-barrels; while bottles, old shoes, rags,
+and paper, were regular articles of traffic among them. Jack got a good
+basketful that day; and when the hurry was over sat down to rest and
+clear the dirt off his face with an old silk duster which he had picked
+out of the rubbish, thinking Mrs. Quinn might wash it up for a
+handkerchief. But he didn't wipe his dirty face that day; for, with the
+rag, out tumbled a pocket-book; and on opening it he saw--money. Yes; a
+roll of bills with two figures on all of them,--three tens and one
+twenty. It took his breath away for a minute; then he hugged the old
+book tight in both his grimy hands, and rocked to and fro all in a heap
+among the oyster-shells and rusty tin kettles, saying to himself, with
+tears running down his cheeks, 'O Nanny! O Nanny! now I can do it!'
+
+I don't think a basket of cinders ever travelled at such a rate before
+as Mrs. Quinn's did that day; for Jack tore home at a great pace, and
+burst into the room, waving the old duster, and shouting, 'Hooray! I've
+got it! I've got it!'
+
+It is no wonder Mrs. Quinn thought he had lost his wits; for he looked
+like a wild boy, with his face all streaked with tears and red ashes,
+as he danced a double-shuffle till he was breathless, then showered the
+money into Nanny's lap, and hugged her with another 'Hooray!' which
+ended in a choke. When they got him quiet and heard the story, Mrs.
+Quinn rather damped his joy, by telling him the money wasn't his, and he
+ought to advertise it.
+
+'But I want it for Nanny!' cried Jack; 'and how can I ever find who owns
+it, when there was ever so many barrels emptied in that heap, and no one
+knows where they came from?'
+
+'It's very like you won't find the owner, and you can do as you please;
+but it's honest to try, I'm thinking, for some poor girl may have lost
+her earnin's this way, and we wouldn't like that ourselves,' said Mrs.
+Quinn, turning over the shabby pocket-book, and carefully searching for
+some clue to its owner.
+
+Nanny looked very sober, and Jack grabbed up the money as if it were too
+precious to lose. But he wasn't comfortable about it; and after a hard
+fight with himself he consented to let Mrs. Quinn ask their policeman
+what they should do. He was a kindly man; and when he heard the story,
+said he'd do what was right, and if he couldn't find an owner, Jack
+should have the fifty dollars back.
+
+How hard it was to wait! how Jack thought and dreamed of his money, day
+and night! How Nanny ran to the door to listen when a heavy step came up
+the stairs! and how wistfully the poor darkened eyes turned to the light
+which they longed to see again.
+
+Honest John Floyd did his duty, but he didn't find the owner; so the old
+purse came back at last, and now Jack could keep it with a clear
+conscience. Nanny was asleep when it happened; and as they sat counting
+the dingy bills, Mrs. Quinn said to the boy, 'Jack, you'd better keep
+this for yourself. I doubt if it's enough to do the child any good; and
+you need clothes and shoes, and a heap of things, let alone the books
+you hanker after so much. It ain't likely you'll ever find another
+wallet. It's all luck about Nanny's eyes; and maybe you are only
+throwing away a chance you'll never have again.'
+
+Jack leaned his head on his arms and stared at the money, all spread out
+there, and looking so magnificent to him that it seemed as if it could
+buy half the world. He did need clothes; his hearty boy's appetite did
+long for better food; and, oh! how splendid it would be to go and buy
+the books he had wanted so long,--the books that would give him a taste
+of the knowledge which was more enticing to his wide-awake young mind
+than clothes and food to his poor little body. It wasn't an easy thing
+to do; but he was so used to making small sacrifices that the great one
+was less hard; and when he had brooded over the money a few minutes in
+thoughtful silence, his eye went from the precious bits of paper to the
+dear little face in the trundle-bed, and he said, with a decided nod,
+'I'll give Nanny the chance, and work for my things, or go without 'em.'
+
+Mrs. Quinn was a matter-of-fact body; but her hard old face softened
+when he said that, and she kissed him good-night almost as gently as if
+she'd been his mother.
+
+Next day, Jack presented himself at Dr. Wilkinson's door, with the money
+in one hand and Nanny in the other, saying boldly to the gruff servant,
+'I want to see the doctor. I can pay; so you'd better let me in.'
+
+I'm afraid cross Thomas would have shut the door in the boy's face
+again, if it had not been for the little blind girl, who looked up at
+him so imploringly that he couldn't resist the mute appeal.
+
+'The doctor's going out; but maybe he'll see you a minute;' and with
+that he led them into a room where stood a tall man putting on his
+gloves.
+
+Jack was a modest boy; but he was so afraid that Nanny would lose her
+chance, that he forgot himself, and told the little story as fast as he
+could--told it well, too, I fancy; for the doctor listened attentively,
+his eye going from the boy's eager, flushed face, to the pale patient
+one beside him, as if the two little figures, shabby though they were,
+illustrated the story better than the finest artist could have done.
+When Jack ended, the doctor sat Nanny on his knee, gently lifted up the
+half-shut eyelids, and after examining the film a minute, stroked her
+pretty hair, and said so kindly that she nestled her little hand
+confidingly into his, 'I think I can help you, my dear. Tell me where
+you live, and I'll attend to it at once, for it's high time something
+was done.'
+
+Jack told him, adding, with a manly air, as he showed the money, 'I can
+pay you, sir, if fifty dollars is enough.'
+
+'Quite enough,' said the doctor, with a droll smile.
+
+'If it isn't, I'll work for the rest, if you'll trust me. Please save
+Nanny's eyes, and I'll do any thing to pay you!' cried Jack, getting red
+and choky in his earnestness.
+
+The doctor stopped smiling, and held out his hand in a grave,
+respectful way, as he said, 'I'll trust you, my boy. We'll cure Nanny
+first; and you and I will settle the bill afterward.'
+
+Jack liked that; it was a gentlemanly way of doing things, and he showed
+his satisfaction by smiling all over his face, and giving the big, white
+hand a hearty shake with both his rough ones.
+
+The doctor was a busy man; but he kept them some time, for there were no
+children in the fine house, and it seemed pleasant to have a little girl
+sit on his knee and a bright boy stand beside his chair; and when, at
+last, they went away, they looked as if he had given them some magic
+medicine, which made them forget every trouble they had ever known.
+
+Next day the kind man came to give Nanny her chance. She had no doubt,
+and very little fear, but looked up at him so confidingly when all was
+ready, that he stooped down and kissed her softly before he touched her
+eyes.
+
+'Let Jack hold my hands; then I'll be still, and not mind if it hurts
+me,' she said. So Jack, pale with anxiety, knelt down before her, and
+kept the little hands steadily in his all through the minutes that
+seemed so long to him.
+
+'What do you see, my child?' asked the doctor, when he had done
+something to both eyes with a quick, skilful hand.
+
+Nanny leaned forward, with the film all gone, and answered, with a
+little cry of joy, that went to the hearts of those who heard it,
+'Jack's face! I see it! oh, I see it!'
+
+Only a freckled, round face, with wet eyes and tightly-set lips; but to
+Nanny it was as beautiful as the face of an angel; and when she was laid
+away with bandaged eyes to rest, it haunted all her dreams, for it was
+the face of the little friend who loved her best.
+
+Nanny's chance was _not_ a failure; and when she saw the next dandelions
+he brought her, all the sunshine came back into the world brighter than
+ever for Jack. Well might it seem so; for his fifty dollars bought him
+many things that money seldom buys. The doctor wouldn't take it at
+first; but when Jack said, in the manful tone the doctor liked although
+it made him smile, 'It was a bargain, sir. I wish to pay my debts; and I
+shan't feel happy if Nanny don't have it _all_ for her eyes. Please do!
+I'd rather,'--then he took it; and Nanny did have it, not only for her
+eyes, but in clothes and food and care, many times over; for it was
+invested in a bank that pays good interest on every mite so given.
+
+Jack discovered that fifty dollars was far less than most people would
+have had to pay, and begged earnestly to be allowed to work for the
+rest. The doctor agreed to this, and Jack became his errand-boy, serving
+with a willingness that made a pleasure of duty; soon finding that many
+comforts quietly got into his life; that much help was given without
+words; and that the days of hunger and rags, heavy burdens and dusty
+ash-heaps, were gone by for ever.
+
+The happiest hours of Jack's day were spent in the doctor's chaise, when
+he made his round of visits; for while he waited, the boy studied or
+read, and while they drove hither and thither, the doctor talked with
+him, finding an eager mind as well as a tender heart and a brave spirit
+under the rough jacket of his little serving-man. But he never called
+him that; for remembering the cheerfulness, self-denial, honesty, and
+loyalty to those he loved, shown by the boy, the good doctor proved his
+respect for the virtues all men should covet, wherever they are found,
+and always spoke of Jack with a smile, as 'My Little Gentleman.'
+
+
+
+
+_BACK WINDOWS._
+
+
+As I sit working at my back window, I look out on a long row of other
+people's back windows; and it is quite impossible for me to help seeing
+and being interested in my neighbours. There are a good many children in
+those houses; and though I don't know one of their names, I know them a
+great deal better than they think I do. I never spoke a word to any of
+them, and never expect to do so; yet I have my likes and dislikes among
+them, and could tell them things that they have said and done, which
+would astonish them very much, I assure you.
+
+First, the babies,--for there are three: the aristocratic baby, the
+happy-go-lucky baby, and the forlorn baby. The aristocratic baby lives
+in a fine, well-furnished room, has a pretty little mamma, who wears
+white gowns, and pink ribbons in her cap; likewise, a fond young papa,
+who evidently thinks _this_ the most wonderful baby in Boston. There is
+a stout, motherly lady, who is the grandma, I fancy, for she is always
+hovering about 'the dear' with cups, blankets, or a gorgeous red worsted
+bird to amuse it. Baby is a plump, rosy, sweet-faced little creature,
+always smiling and kissing its hand to the world in general. In its
+pretty white frocks, with its own little pink or blue ribbons, and its
+young mamma proudly holding it up to see and be seen, my aristocratic
+neighbour has an easy life of it, and is evidently one of the little
+lilies who do nothing but blossom in the sunshine.
+
+The happy-go-lucky baby is just able to toddle; and I seldom pull up my
+curtain in the morning without seeing him at his window in his yellow
+flannel night-gown, taking a look at the weather. No matter whether it
+rains or shines, there he is, smiling and nodding, and looking so merry,
+that it is evident he has plenty of sunshine bottled up in his own
+little heart for private use. I depend on seeing him, and feel as if the
+world was not right until this golden little sun rises to shine upon me.
+He don't seem to have any one to take care of him, but trots about all
+day, and takes care of himself. Sometimes he is up in the chambers with
+the girl, while she makes beds, and he helps; then he takes a stroll
+into the parlour, and spins the gay curtain-tassels to his heart's
+content; next, he dives into the kitchen (I hope he does not tumble
+downstairs, but I dare say he wouldn't mind if he did), and he gets
+pushed about by all the busy women, as they 'fly round.' I rather think
+it gets too hot for him there about dinner-time; for he often comes out
+into the yard for a walk at noon, and seems to find endless wonders and
+delights in the ash barrel, the water-but, two old flower-pots, and a
+little grass plat, in which he plants a choice variety of articles, in
+the firm faith they will come up in full bloom. I hope the big spoon and
+his own red shoe _will_ sprout and appear before any trouble is made
+about their mysterious disappearance. At night I see a little shadow
+bobbing about on the curtain, and watch it, till with a parting glimpse
+at a sleepy face at the window, my small sun sets, and I leave him to
+his dreams.
+
+The forlorn baby roars all day, and I don't blame him; for he is
+trotted, shaken, spanked, and scolded by a very cross nurse, who treats
+him like a meal bag. I pity that little neighbour, and don't believe he
+will stand it long; for I see him double up his tiny fists, and spar
+away at nothing, as if getting ready for a good tussle with the world by
+and by, if he lives to try it.
+
+Then the boys,--bless their buttons!--how amusing they are. One young
+man, aged about ten, keeps hens; and the trials of that boy are really
+pathetic. The biddies get out every day or two, and fly away all over
+the neighbourhood, like feathers when you shake a pillow. They cackle
+and crow, and get up on sheds and fences, and trot down the streets, all
+at once, and that poor fellow spins round after them like a distracted
+top. One by one he gets them and comes lugging them back, upside down,
+in the most undignified attitude, and shuts them up, and hammers away,
+and thinks they are all safe, and sits down to rest, when a triumphant
+crow from some neighbouring shed tells him that that rascally black
+rooster is out again for another promenade. I'm not blood-thirsty; but I
+really do long for Thanksgiving that my neighbour Henry may find rest
+for the sole of his foot; for, not till his poultry are safely eaten
+will he ever know where they are.
+
+Another boy has a circus about once a week, and tries to break his neck
+jumping through hoops, hanging to a rope by his heels, turning
+somersaults in the air, and frightening his mother out of her wits by
+his pranks. I suspect that he has been to see Leotard, and I admire his
+energy, for he is never discouraged; and, after tumbling flat,
+half-a-dozen times, he merely rubs his elbows and knees, and then up and
+takes another.
+
+There is a good, domestic boy, who brushes and curls his three little
+sisters' hair every morning, and must do it very gently, for they seem
+to like it; and I often see them watch at the back gate for him, and
+clap their hands, and run to meet him, sure of being welcomed as little
+sisters like to be met by the big brothers whom they love. I respect
+that virtuous boy.
+
+The naughty boy is very funny; and the running fight he keeps up with
+the cross cook is as good as a farce. He _is_ a torment, but I think she
+could tame him, if she took the right way. The other day she wouldn't
+let him in because she had washed up her kitchen and his boots were
+muddy. He wiped them on the grass, but that wouldn't do; and, after
+going at her with his head down, like a battering ram, he gave it up, or
+seemed to; for, the minute she locked the door behind her and came out
+to take in her clothes, that sly dog whipped up one of the low windows,
+scrambled in, and danced a hornpipe all over the kitchen, while the fat
+cook scolded and fumbled for her key, for _she_ couldn't follow through
+the window. Of course he was off upstairs by the time she got in; but
+I'm afraid he had a shaking, for I saw him glowering fiercely as he came
+out later with a basket, going some 'confounded errand.' Occasionally
+his father brings him out and whips him for some extra bad offence,
+during which performance he howls dismally; but when he is left sitting
+despondently and miraculously on an old chair without any seat, he soon
+cheers up, boos at a strange cat, whistles to his dog,--who is just like
+him,--or falls back on that standing cure for all the ills that boys are
+heir to, and whittles vigorously. I know I ought to frown upon this
+reprehensible young person, and morally close my eyes to his pranks;
+but I really can't do it, and am afraid I find this little black sheep
+the most interesting of the flock.
+
+The girls have tea-parties, make calls, and play mother, of course; and
+the sisters of the good boy have capital times up in a big nursery, with
+such large dollies that I can hardly tell which are the babies and which
+the mammas. One little girl plays about at home with a dirty face,
+tumbled hair, and an old pinafore on. She won't be made tidy, and I see
+her kick and cry when they try to make her neat. Now and then there is a
+great dressing and curling; and then I see her prancing away in her
+light boots, smart hat, and pretty dress, looking as fresh as a daisy.
+But I don't admire her; for I've been behind the scenes, you see, and I
+know that she likes to be fine rather than neat.
+
+So is the girl who torments her kitty, slaps her sister, and runs away
+when her mother tells her not to go out of the yard. But the
+house-wifely little girl who tends the baby, washes the cups, and goes
+to school early with a sunshiny face and kiss all round, _she_, now, is
+a neighbour worth having, and I'd put a good mark against her name if I
+knew it.
+
+I don't know as it would be proper for me to mention the grown-up people
+over the way. They go on very much as the children do; for there is the
+lazy, dandified man, who gets up late, and drinks; the cross man, who
+swears at the shed-door when it won't shut; the fatherly man, who sits
+among his children every evening, and the cheery old man up in the
+attic, who has a flower in his window, and looks out at the world with
+very much the same serene smile as my orange-coloured baby.
+
+The women, too, keep house, make calls, and play mother; and some don't
+do it well either. The forlorn baby's mamma never seems to cuddle and
+comfort him; and some day, when the little fist lies cold and quiet, I'm
+afraid she'll wish she had. Then the naughty boy's mother. I'm very
+sure, if she put her arms round him sometimes, and smoothed that rough
+head of his, and spoke to him as only mothers can speak, that it would
+tame him far better than the scoldings and thrashings: for I know there
+is a true boy's heart, warm and tender, somewhere under the jacket that
+gets dusted so often. As for the fine lady who lets her children do as
+they can, while she trims her bonnet, or makes panniers, I wouldn't be
+introduced to her on any account. But as some might think it was
+unjustifiable curiosity on my part to see these things, and an
+actionable offence to speak of them, I won't mention them.
+
+I sometimes wonder if the kind spirits who feel an interest in mortals
+ever take a look at us on the shady side which we don't show the world,
+seeing the trouble, vanities, and sins which we think no one knows. If
+they love, pity, or condemn us? What records they keep, and what rewards
+they prepare for those who are so busy with their work and play that
+they forget who may be watching their back windows with clearer eyes and
+truer charity than any inquisitive old lady with a pen in her hand?
+
+
+
+
+_LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON._
+
+
+'Here comes our pretty little girl,' I said to Kate, as we sat resting
+on the seat beside the footpath that leads from Dinan on the hill to
+Lehon in the valley.
+
+Yes, there she was, trotting toward us in her round cap, blue woollen
+gown, white apron, and wooden shoes. On her head was a loaf of buckwheat
+bread as big as a small wheel, in one hand a basket full of green stuff,
+while the other led an old goat, who seemed in no hurry to get home. We
+had often seen this rosy, bright-eyed child, had nodded to her, but
+never spoken, for she looked rather shy, and always seemed in haste. Now
+the sight of the goat reminded us of an excuse for addressing her, and
+as she was about to pass with the respectful little curtsey of the
+country, my friend said in French:--
+
+'Stay please. I want to speak to you.' She stopped at once and stood
+looking at us under her long eyelashes in a timid yet confiding way,
+very pretty to see.
+
+'We want to drink goat's milk every morning: can you let us have it,
+little one?'
+
+'Oh, yes, mademoiselle! Nannette gives fine milk, and no one has yet
+engaged her,' answered the child, her whole face brightening at the
+prospect.
+
+'What name have you?'
+
+'Marie Rosier, mademoiselle.'
+
+'And you live at Lehon?'
+
+'Yes, mademoiselle.'
+
+'Have you parents?'
+
+'Truly, yes, of the best. My father has a loom, my mother works in the
+field and mill with brother Yvon, and I go to school and care for
+Nannette and nurse little Bebe.'
+
+'What school?'
+
+'At the convent, mademoiselle. The good sisters teach us the catechism,
+also to write and read and sew. I like it much,' and Marie glanced at
+the little prayer in her apron pocket, as if proud to show she could
+read it.
+
+'What age have you?'
+
+'Ten years, mademoiselle.'
+
+'You are young to do so much, for we often see you in the market buying
+and selling, and sometimes digging in your garden there below, and
+bringing water from the river. Do you love work as well as school?'
+
+'Ah, no; but mademoiselle knows it is necessary to work: every one does,
+and I'm glad to do my part. Yvon works much harder than I, and the
+father sits all day at his loom, yet he is sick and suffers much. Yes, I
+am truly glad to help,' and little Marie settled the big loaf as if
+quite ready to bear her share of the burdens.
+
+'Shall we go and see your father about the goat? and if he agrees will
+you bring the milk fresh and warm every morning?' I asked, thinking that
+a sight of that blooming face would brighten our days for us.
+
+'Oh, yes! I always do it for the ladies, and you will find the milk
+quite fresh and warm, hey, Nannette?' and Marie laughed as she pulled
+the goat from the hedge where she was nibbling the young leaves.
+
+We followed the child as she went clattering down the stony path, and
+soon came into the narrow street bounded on one side by the row of low,
+stone houses, and on the other by the green wet meadow full of willows,
+and the rapid mill-stream. All along this side of the road sat women and
+children, stripping the bark from willow twigs to be used in
+basket-making. A busy sight and a cheerful one; for the women gossiped
+in their high, clear voices, the children sang and laughed, and the
+babies crept about as freely as young lambs.
+
+We found Marie's home a very poor one. Only two rooms in the little hut,
+the lower one with its earthen floor, beds in the wall, smoky fire, and
+single window where the loom stood. At it sat a pale, dark man who
+stopped work as we entered, and seemed glad to rest while we talked to
+him, or rather while Kate did, for I could not understand his odd
+French, and preferred to watch Marie during the making of the bargain.
+
+Yvon, a stout lad of twelve, was cutting up brush with an old sickle,
+and little Bebe, looking like a Dutch doll in her tiny round cap, tight
+blue gown, and bits of sabots, clung to Marie as she got the supper.
+
+I wondered what the children at home would have said to such a supper. A
+few cabbage leaves made the soup, and this, with the dry black bread and
+a sip of sour wine, was all they had. There were no plates or bowls, but
+little hollow places in the heavy wooden table near the edge, and into
+these fixed cups Marie ladled the soup, giving each a wooden spoon from
+a queer rack in the middle; the kettle stood at one end, the big loaf
+lay at the other, and all stood round eating out of their little
+troughs, with Nannette and a rough dog close by to receive any crusts
+that might be left.
+
+Presently the mother came in, a true Breton woman; rosy and robust,
+neat and cheery, though her poor clothes were patched all over, her
+hands more rough and worn with hard work than any I ever saw, and the
+fine hair under her picturesque cap gray at thirty with much care.
+
+I saw then where Marie got the brightness that seemed to shine in every
+feature of her little face, for the mother's coming was like a ray of
+sunshine in that dark place, and she had a friendly word and look for
+every one.
+
+Our little arrangement was soon made, and we left them all smiling and
+nodding as if the few francs we were to pay would be a fortune to them.
+
+Early next morning we were wakened by Françoise, the maid, who came up
+to announce that the goat's milk had arrived. Then we heard a queer,
+quick, tapping sound on the stairs, and to our great amusement,
+Nannette walked into the room, straight up to my bedside, and stood
+there looking at me with her mild yellow eyes as if she was quite used
+to seeing night-caps. Marie followed with a pretty little bowl in her
+hand, and said, laughing at our surprise, 'See, dear mademoiselle; in
+this way I make sure that the milk is quite fresh and warm;' and
+kneeling down, she milked the bowl full in a twinkling, while Nannette
+quietly chewed her cud and sniffed at a plate of rolls on the table.
+
+The warm draught was delicious, and we drank each our portion with much
+merriment.
+
+'It is our custom,' said Françoise; who stood by with her arms folded,
+and looked on in a lofty manner.
+
+'What had you for your own breakfast?' I asked, as I caught Marie's eye
+hungrily fixed on the rolls and some tempting little cakes of chocolate
+left from our lunch the day before.
+
+'My good bread, as usual, mademoiselle, also sorrel salad and--and
+water,' answered Marie, as if trying to make the most of her scanty
+meal.
+
+'Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble
+at school? You must be tired with this long walk so early.'
+
+She hesitated, but could not resist; and said in a low tone, as she held
+the bread in her hand without eating it,--
+
+'Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe? She has never tasted
+the beautiful white bread, and it would please her much.'
+
+I emptied the plate into her basket, tucked in the chocolate, and added
+a gay picture for baby, which unexpected treasures caused Marie to clasp
+her hands and turn quite red with delight.
+
+After that she came daily, and we had merry times with old Nannette and
+her little mistress, whom we soon learned to love, so busy, blithe, and
+grateful was she.
+
+We soon found a new way to employ her, for the boy who drove our donkey
+did not suit us, and we got the donkey-woman to let us have Marie in the
+afternoon when her lessons were done. She liked that, and so did we; for
+she seemed to understand the nature of donkeys, and could manage them
+without so much beating and shouting as the boy thought necessary. Such
+pleasant drives as we had, we two big women in the droll wagon, drawn by
+the little gray donkey that looked as if made of an old trunk, so rusty
+and rough was he as he went trotting along, his long ears wagging, and
+his small hoofs clattering over the fine hard road, while Marie sat on
+the shaft with a long whip, talking and laughing, and giving Andrè a
+poke now and then, crying 'E! E! houp la!' to make him go.
+
+We found her a capital little guide and story-teller, for her
+grandmother had told her all the tales and legends of the neighbourhood,
+and it was very pleasant to hear her repeat them in pretty peasant
+French, as we sat among the ruins, while Kate sketched, I took notes,
+and Marie held the big parasol over us.
+
+Some of these stones were charming; at least as _she_ told them, with
+her little face changing from gay to sad as she gesticulated most
+dramatically.
+
+The romance of 'Gilles de Bretagne' was one of her favourites. How he
+carried off his child-wife when she was only twelve, how he was
+imprisoned and poisoned, and at last left to starve in a dungeon, and
+would stand at his window crying, 'Bread, bread; for the love of God!'
+yet no one dared to give him any, till a poor peasant woman went in the
+night and gave him half her black loaf. Not once, but every night for
+six months, though she robbed her children to do it. And when he was
+dying, it was she who took a priest to him, that he might confess
+through the bars of his cell.
+
+'So good, ah, so good, this poor woman! It is beautiful to hear of that,
+mademoiselle!' little Marie would say, with her black eyes full and her
+lips trembling.
+
+But the story she liked best of all was about the peasant girl and her
+grandmother.
+
+'See then, dear ladies, it was in this way. In the time of the great war
+many poor people were shot because it was feared they would burn the
+chateaus. In one of these so sad parties being driven to St. Malo to be
+shot, was this young girl. Only fifteen, dear ladies, behold how young
+is this! and see the brave thing she did! With her went the old
+grandmother whom she loved next the good God. They went slowly, she was
+so old, and one of the officers who guarded them had pity on the pretty
+girl, and said to her as they were a little apart from the rest, "Come,
+you are young, and can run. I will save you; it is a pity so fine a
+little girl should be shot."
+
+'Then she was glad and thanked him much, saying, "And the grandmother
+also? You will save her with me?" "It is impossible," says the officer.
+"She is too old to run. I can save but one, and her life is nearly over;
+let her go, and do you fly into the next wood. I will not betray you,
+and when we come up with the gang it will be too late to find you."
+
+'Then the great temptation of Satan came to this girl. She had no wish
+to suffer, but she could not leave the good old grandmere to die alone.
+She wept, she prayed, and the saints gave her courage.
+
+'"No, I will not go," she said; and in the morning at St. Malo she was
+shot with the old mother in her arms.'
+
+'Could you do that for your grandmere?' I once asked, as she stopped for
+breath, because this tale always excited her. She crossed herself
+devoutly, and answered with fire in her eyes, and a resolute gesture of
+her little brown hands,--
+
+'I should try, mademoiselle.'
+
+I think she would, and succeed, too, for she was a brave and
+tender-hearted child, as she soon after proved.
+
+A long drought parched the whole country that summer, and the gardens
+suffered much, especially the little plats in Lehon, for most of them
+were on the steep hillside behind the huts; and unless it rained, water
+had to be carried up from the stream below. The cabbages and onions on
+which these poor people depend, when fresh salads are gone, were dying
+in the baked earth, and a hard winter was before them if this little
+store failed.
+
+The priests prayed for rain in the churches, and long processions
+streamed out of the gates to visit the old stone cross called the 'Croix
+de Saint Esprit,' and, kneeling there in crowds, the people implored the
+blessing of rain to save their harvest. We felt great pity for them, but
+liked little Marie's way of praying best.
+
+She did not come one morning, but sent her brother, who only laughed,
+and said Marie had hurt her foot, when we inquired for her. Anxious to
+know if she was really ill, we went to see her in the afternoon, and
+heard a pretty little story of practical Christianity.
+
+Marie lay asleep on her mother's bed in the wall, and her father,
+sitting by her, told the tale in a low voice, pausing now and then to
+look at her, as if his little daughter had done something to be proud
+of.
+
+It seems that in the village there was an old woman frightfully
+disfigured by fire, and not quite sane as the people thought. She was
+harmless, but never showed herself by day, and only came out at night to
+work in her garden or take the air. Many of the ignorant peasants feared
+her, however; for the country abounds in fairy legends, and strange
+tales of ghosts and goblins. But the more charitable left bread at her
+door, and took in return the hose she knit or the thread she spun.
+
+During the drought it was observed that _her_ garden, though the
+steepest and stoniest, was never dry; _her_ cabbages flourished when her
+neighbours' withered, and _her_ onions stood up green and tall as if
+some special rain-spirit watched over them. People wondered and shook
+their heads, but could not explain it, for Mother Lobineau was too
+infirm to carry much water up the steep path, and who would help her
+unless some of her own goblin friends did it?
+
+This idea was suggested by the story of a peasant returning late at
+night, who had seen something white flitting to and fro in the
+garden-patch, and when he called to it saw it vanish most mysteriously.
+This made quite a stir in the town; others watched also, saw the white
+phantom in the starlight, and could not tell where it went when it
+vanished behind the chestnut trees on the hill, till one man, braver
+than the rest, hid himself behind these trees and discovered the
+mystery. The sprite was Marie, in her little shift, who stepped out of
+the window of the loft where she slept on to a bough of the tree, and
+thence to the hill, for the house was built so close against the bank
+that it was 'but a step from garret to garden,' as they say in Morlaix.
+
+In trying to escape from this inquisitive neighbour, Marie hurt her
+foot, but was caught, and confessed that it was she who went at night to
+water poor Mother Lobineau's cabbages; because if they failed the old
+woman might starve, and no one else remembered her destitute and
+helpless state.
+
+The good-hearted people were much touched by this silent sermon on
+loving one's neighbour as one's self, and Marie was called the 'little
+saint,' and tended carefully by all the good women. Just as the story
+ended, she woke up, and at first seemed inclined to hide under the
+bedclothes. But we had her out in a minute, and presently she was
+laughing over her good deed, with a true child's enjoyment of a bit of
+roguery, saying in her simple way,--
+
+'Yes; it was so droll to go running about _en chemise_, like the girl in
+the tale of the 'Midsummer Eve,' where she pulls the Saint Johns-wort
+flower, and has her wish to hear all the creatures talk. I liked it
+much, and Yvon slept so like the dormouse that he never heard me creep
+in and out. It was hard to bring much water, but the poor cabbages were
+_so_ glad, and Mother Lobineau felt that all had not forgotten her.
+
+We took care that little Saint Marie was not forgotten, but quite well,
+and all ready for her confirmation when the day came. This is a pretty
+sight, and for her sake we went to the old church of St. Sauveur to see
+it. It was a bright spring day, and the gardens were full of early
+flowers, the quaint streets gay with proud fathers and mothers in
+holiday dress, and flocks of strangers pausing to see the long
+procession of little girls with white caps and veils, gloves and gowns,
+prayer-books and rosaries, winding through the sunny square into the
+shadowy church with chanting and candles, garlands and crosses.
+
+The old priest was too ill to perform the service, but the young one who
+took his place announced, after it was over, that if they would pass the
+house the good old man would bless them from his balcony. That was the
+best of all, and a sweet sight, as the feeble fatherly old priest leaned
+from his easy-chair to stretch his trembling hands over the little flock
+so like a bed of snowdrops, while the bright eyes and rosy faces looked
+reverently up at him, and the fresh voices chanted the responses as the
+curly heads under the long veils bowed and passed by.
+
+We learned afterwards that our Marie had been called in and praised for
+her secret charity--a great honour, because the good priest was much
+beloved by all his flock, and took a most paternal interest in the
+little ones.
+
+That was almost the last we saw of our little friend, for we left Dinan
+soon after, bidding the Lehon family good-bye, and leaving certain warm
+souvenirs for winter-time. Marie cried and clung to us at parting, then
+smiled like an April day, and waved her hand as we went away, never
+expecting to see her any more.
+
+But the next morning, just as we were stepping on board the steamer to
+go down the Rance to St. Malo, we saw a little white cap come bobbing
+through the market-place, down the steep street, and presently Marie
+appeared with two great bunches of pale yellow primroses and wild blue
+hyacinths in one hand, while the other held her sabots, that she might
+run the faster. Rosy and smiling and breathless with haste she came
+racing up to us, crying,--
+
+'Behold my souvenir for the dear ladies. I do not cry now. No; I am glad
+the day is so fine. _Bon voyage! bon voyage!_'
+
+We thanked and kissed and left her on the shore, bravely trying not to
+cry, as she waved her wooden shoes and kissed her hand till we were out
+of sight, and had nothing but the soft colours and sweet breath of our
+nosegays to remind us of Little Marie of Lehon.
+
+
+
+
+_MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS._
+
+
+Being alone in London, yet wishing to celebrate the day, I decided to
+pay my respects to the lions at the Zoological Gardens. A lovely place
+it was, and I enjoyed myself immensely; for May-day in England is just
+what it should be, mild, sunny, flowery, and spring-like. As I walked
+along the well-kept paths, between white and rosy hawthorn hedges, I
+kept coming upon new and curious sights; for the birds and beasts are so
+skilfully arranged that it is more like travelling through a strange and
+pleasant country than visiting a menagerie.
+
+The first thing I saw was a great American bison; and I was so glad to
+meet with any one from home, that I'd have patted him with pleasure if
+he had shown any cordiality toward me. He didn't, however, but stared
+savagely with his fiery eyes, and put down his immense head with a
+sullen snort, as if he'd have tossed me with great satisfaction. I did
+not blame him, for the poor fellow was homesick, doubtless, for his own
+wide prairies and the free life he had lost. So I threw him some fresh
+clover, and went on to the pelicans.
+
+I never knew before what handsome birds they were; not graceful, but
+with such snowy plumage, tinged with pale pink and faint yellow. They
+had just had their bath, and stood arranging their feathers with their
+great bills, uttering a queer cry now and then, and nodding to one
+another sociably. When fed, they gobbled up the fish, never stopping to
+swallow it till the pouches under their bills were full; then they
+leisurely emptied them, and seemed to enjoy their lunch with the grave
+deliberation of regular Englishmen.
+
+Being in a hurry to see the lions, I went on to the long row of cages,
+and there found a splendid sight. Six lions and lionesses, in three or
+four different cages, sitting or standing in dignified attitudes, and
+eyeing the spectators with a mild expression in their fine eyes. One
+lioness was ill, and lay on her bed, looking very pensive, while her
+mate moved restlessly about her, evidently anxious to do something for
+her, and much afflicted by her suffering. I liked this lion very much,
+for, though the biggest, he was very gentle, and had a noble face.
+
+The tigers were rushing about, as tigers usually are; some creeping
+noiselessly to and fro, some leaping up and down, and some washing
+their faces with their velvet paws. All looked and acted so like cats
+that I wasn't at all surprised to hear one of them purr when the keeper
+scratched her head. It was a very loud and large purr, but no fireside
+pussy could have done it better, and every one laughed at the sound.
+
+There were pretty spotted leopards, panthers, and smaller varieties of
+the same species. I sat watching them a long time, longing to let some
+of the wild things out for a good run, they seemed so unhappy barred in
+those small dens.
+
+Suddenly the lions began to roar, the tigers to snarl, and all to get
+very much excited about something, sniffing at the openings, thrusting
+their paws through the bars, and lashing their tails impatiently. I
+couldn't imagine what the trouble was, till, far down the line, I saw a
+man with a barrowful of lumps of raw meat. This was their dinner, and
+as they were fed but once a day they were ravenous. Such roars and howls
+and cries as arose while the man went slowly down the line, gave one a
+good idea of the sounds to be heard in Indian forests and jungles. The
+lions behaved best, for they only paced up and down, with an occasional
+cry; but the tigers were quite frantic; for they tumbled one over the
+other, shook the cages, and tried to reach the bystanders, just out of
+reach behind the bar that kept us at a safe distance. One lady had a
+fright, for the wind blew the end of her shawl within reach of a tiger's
+great claw, and he clutched it, trying to drag her nearer. The shawl
+came off, and the poor lady ran away screaming, as if a whole family of
+wild beasts were after her.
+
+When the lumps of meat were thrown in, it was curious to see how
+differently the animals behaved. The tigers snarled and fought and tore
+and got so savage I was very grateful that they were safely shut up. In
+a few minutes, nothing but white bones remained, and then they howled
+for more. One little leopard was better bred than the others, for he
+went up on a shelf in the cage, and ate his dinner in a quiet, proper
+manner, which was an example to the rest. The lions ate in dignified
+silence, all but my favourite, who carried his share to his sick mate,
+and by every gentle means in his power tried to make her eat. She was
+too ill, however, and turned away with a plaintive moan which seemed to
+grieve him sadly. He wouldn't touch his dinner, but lay down near her,
+with the lump between his paws, as if guarding it for her; and there I
+left him patiently waiting, in spite of his hunger, till his mate could
+share it with him. As I took a last look at his fine old face, I named
+him Douglas, and walked away, humming to myself the lines of the
+ballad,--
+
+  Douglas, Douglas,
+  Tender and true.
+
+As a contrast to the wild beasts, I went to see the monkeys, who lived
+in a fine large house all to themselves. Here was every variety, from
+the great ugly chimpanzee to the funny little fellows who played like
+boys, and cut up all sorts of capers. A mamma sat tending her baby, and
+looking so like a little old woman that I laughed till the gray monkey
+with the blue nose scolded at me. He was a cross old party, and sat
+huddled up in the straw, scowling at every one, like an ill-tempered old
+bachelor. Half-a-dozen little ones teased him capitally by dropping bits
+of bread, nut-shells, and straws down on him from above, as they climbed
+about the perches, or swung by their tails. One poor little chap had
+lost the curly end of his tail,--I'm afraid the gray one bit it
+off,--and kept trying to swing like the others, forgetting that the
+strong, curly end was what he held on with. He would run up the bare
+boughs, and give a jump, expecting to catch and swing, but the lame tail
+wouldn't hold him, and down he'd go, bounce on to the straw. At first
+he'd sit and stare about him, as if much amazed to find himself there;
+then he'd scratch his little round head and begin to scold violently,
+which seemed to delight the other monkeys; and, finally, he'd examine
+his poor little tail, and appear to understand the misfortune which had
+befallen him. The funny expression of his face was irresistible, and I
+enjoyed seeing him very much, and gave him a bun to comfort him when I
+went away.
+
+The snake-house came next, and I went in, on my way to visit the
+rhinoceros family. I rather like snakes, since I had a tame green one,
+who lived under the door-step, and would come out and play with me on
+sunny days. These snakes I found very interesting, only they got under
+their blankets and wouldn't come out, and I wasn't allowed to poke them;
+so I missed seeing several of the most curious. An ugly cobra laid and
+blinked at me through the glass, looking quite as dangerous as he was.
+There were big and little snakes,--black, brown, and speckled, lively
+and lazy, pretty and plain ones,--but I liked the great boa best.
+
+When I came to his cage, I didn't see anything but the branch of a tree,
+such as I had seen in other cages, for the snakes to wind up and down.
+'Where is he, I wonder? I hope he hasn't got out,' I said to myself,
+thinking of a story I read once of a person in a menagerie, who turned
+suddenly and saw a great boa gliding towards him. As I stood wondering
+if the big worm could be under the little flat blanket before me, the
+branch began to move all at once, and with a start, I saw a limb swing
+down to stare at me with the boa's glittering eyes. He was so exactly
+the colour of the bare bough, and lay so still, I had not seen him till
+he came to take a look at me. A very villainous-looking reptile he was,
+and I felt grateful that I didn't live in a country where such
+unpleasant neighbours might pop in upon you unexpectedly. He was kind
+enough to take a promenade and show me his size, which seemed immense,
+as he stretched himself, and then knotted his rough grayish body into a
+great loop, with the fiery-eyed head in the middle. He was not one of
+the largest kind, but I was quite satisfied, and left him to his dinner
+of rabbits, which I hadn't the heart to stay and see him devour alive.
+
+I was walking toward the camel's pagoda, when, all of a sudden, a long,
+dark, curling thing came over my shoulder, and I felt warm breath in my
+face. 'It's the boa;' I thought, and gave a skip which carried me into
+the hedge, where I stuck, much to the amusement of some children riding
+on the elephant whose trunk had frightened me. He had politely tried to
+tell me to clear the way, which I certainly had done with all speed.
+Picking myself out of the hedge I walked beside him, examining his
+clumsy feet and peering up at his small, intelligent eye. I'm very sure
+he winked at me, as if enjoying the joke, and kept poking his trunk into
+my pocket, hoping to find something eatable.
+
+I felt as if I had got into a foreign country as I looked about me and
+saw elephants and camels walking among the trees; flocks of snow-white
+cranes stalking over the grass, on their long scarlet legs; striped
+Zebras racing in their paddock; queer kangaroos hopping about, with
+little ones in their pouches; pretty antelopes chasing one another; and,
+in an immense wire-covered aviary, all sorts of brilliant birds were
+flying about as gaily as if at home.
+
+One of the curiosities was a sea-cow, who lived in a tank of salt water,
+and came at the keeper's call to kiss him, and flounder on its flippers
+along the margin of the tank after a fish. It was very like a seal, only
+much larger, and had four fins instead of two. Its eyes were lovely, so
+dark and soft and liquid; but its mouth was not pretty, and I declined
+one of the damp kisses which it was ready to dispense at word of
+command.
+
+The great polar bear lived next door, and spent his time splashing in
+and out of a pool of water, or sitting on a block of ice, panting, as if
+the mild spring day was blazing midsummer. He looked very unhappy, and I
+thought it a pity that they didn't invent a big refrigerator for him.
+
+These are not half of the wonderful creatures I saw, but I have not room
+to tell more; only I advise all who can to pay a visit to the Zoological
+Gardens when they go to London, for it is one of the most interesting
+sights in that fine old city.
+
+
+
+
+_OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY._
+
+
+Hurrying to catch a certain car at a certain corner late one stormy
+night, I was suddenly arrested by the sight of a queer-looking bundle
+lying in a door-way.
+
+'Bless my heart, it's a child! O John! I'm afraid he's frozen!' I
+exclaimed to my brother, as we both bent over the bundle.
+
+Such a little fellow as he was, in the big, ragged coat; such a tired,
+baby face, under the fuzzy cap; such a purple, little hand, still
+holding fast a few papers; such a pathetic sight altogether was the boy,
+lying on the stone step, with the snow drifting over him, that it was
+impossible to go by.
+
+'He is asleep; but he'll freeze, if left so long. Here! wake up, my boy,
+and go home, as fast as you can,' cried John, with a gentle shake, and a
+very gentle voice; for the memory of a dear little lad, safely tucked up
+at home, made him fatherly kind to the small vagabond.
+
+The moment he was touched, the boy tumbled up, and, before he was half
+awake, began his usual cry, with an eye to business.
+
+'Paper, sir? "Herald!" "Transkip!" Last'--a great gape swallowed up the
+'last edition,' and he stood blinking at us like a very chilly young
+owl.
+
+'I'll buy 'em all if you'll go home, my little chap; it's high time you
+were abed,' said John, whisking the damp papers into one pocket, and his
+purse out of another, as he spoke.
+
+'All of 'em?--why there's six!' croaked the boy, for he was as hoarse as
+a raven.
+
+'Never mind, I can kindle the fire with 'em. Put that in your pocket;
+and trot home, my man, as fast as possible.'
+
+'Where do you live?' I asked, picking up the fifty cents that fell from
+the little fingers, too benumbed to hold it.
+
+'Mills Court, out of Hanover. Cold, ain't it?' said the boy, blowing on
+his purple hands, and hopping feebly from one leg to the other, to take
+the stiffness out.
+
+'He can't go all that way in this storm--such a mite, and so used up
+with cold and sleep, John.'
+
+'Of course he can't; we'll put him in a car,' began John; when the boy
+wheezed out,--
+
+'No; I've got ter wait for Sam. He'll be along as soon's the theatre's
+done. He said he would; and so I'm waitin'.'
+
+'Who is Sam?' I asked.
+
+'He's the feller I lives with. I ain't got any folks, and he takes care
+o' me.'
+
+'Nice care, indeed; leaving a baby like you to wait for him here such a
+night as this,' I said crossly.
+
+'Oh, he's good to me Sam is, though he does knock me round sometimes,
+when I ain't spry. The big feller shoves me back, you see; and I gets
+cold, and can't sing out loud; so I don't sell my papers, and has to
+work 'em off late.'
+
+'Hear the child talk! One would think he was sixteen, instead of six,' I
+said, half laughing.
+
+'I'm most ten. Hi! ain't that a oner?' cried the boy, as a gust of sleet
+slapped him in the face, when he peeped to see if Sam was coming.
+'Hullo! the lights is out! Why, the play's done, and the folks gone, and
+Sam's forgot me.'
+
+It was very evident that Sam _had_ forgotten his little _protégé_; and
+a strong desire to shake Sam possessed me.
+
+'No use waitin' any longer; and now my papers is sold, I ain't afraid to
+go home,' said the boy, stepping down like a little old man with the
+rheumatism, and preparing to trudge away through the storm.
+
+'Stop a bit, my little Casabianca; a car will be along in fifteen
+minutes; and while waiting you can warm yourself over there,' said John,
+with the purple hand in his.
+
+'My name's Jack Hill, not Cassy Banks, please, sir,' said the little
+party, with dignity.
+
+'Have you had your supper, Mr. Hill?' asked John, laughing.
+
+'I had some peanuts, and two sucks of Joe's orange; but it warn't very
+fillin',' he said, gravely.
+
+'I should think not. Here! one stew; and be quick, please,' cried John,
+as we sat down in a warm corner of the confectioner's opposite.
+
+While little Jack shovelled in the hot oysters, with his eyes shutting
+up now and then in spite of himself, we looked at him and thought again
+of little Rosy-face at home safe in his warm nest, with mother-love
+watching over him. Nodding towards the ragged, grimy, forlorn, little
+creature, dropping asleep over his supper like a tired baby, I said,--
+
+'Can you imagine our Freddy out alone at this hour, trying to 'work off'
+his papers, because afraid to go home till he has?'
+
+'I'd rather not try,' answered brother John, winking hard, as he stroked
+the little head beside him, which, by the bye, looked very like a
+ragged, yellow door-mat. I _think_ brother John winked hard, but I can't
+be sure, for I know I did; and for a minute there seemed to be a dozen
+little newsboys dancing before my eyes.
+
+'There goes our car; and it's the last,' said John, looking at me.
+
+'Let it go, but don't leave the boy;' and I frowned at John for hinting
+at such a thing.
+
+'Here is his car. Now, my lad, bolt your last oyster, and come on.'
+
+'Good-night, ma'am! thankee, sir!' croaked the grateful little voice, as
+the child was caught up in John's strong hands and set down on the
+car-step.
+
+With a word to the conductor, and a small business transaction, we left
+Jack coiled up in a corner to finish his nap as tranquilly as if it
+wasn't midnight, and a 'knocking-round' might not await him at his
+journey's end.
+
+We didn't mind the storm much as we plodded home; and when I told the
+story to Rosy-face, next day, his interest quite reconciled me to the
+sniffs and sneezes of a bad cold.
+
+'If I saw that poor little boy, Aunt Jo, I'd love him lots!' said
+Freddy, with a world of pity in his beautiful child's eyes.
+
+And, believing that others also would be kind to little Jack, and such
+as he, I tell the story.
+
+When busy fathers hurry home at night, I hope they'll buy their papers
+of the small boys, who get 'shoved back;' the feeble ones, who grow
+hoarse, and can't 'sing out;' the shabby ones, who evidently have only
+forgetful Sams to care for them; and the hungry-looking ones, who don't
+get what is 'fillin'.' For love of the little sons and daughters safe at
+home, say a kind word, buy a paper, even if you don't want it; and never
+pass by, leaving them to sleep forgotten in the streets at midnight,
+with no pillow but a stone, no coverlet but the pitiless snow, and not
+even a tender-hearted robin to drop leaves over them.
+
+
+
+
+_PATTY'S PATCHWORK._
+
+
+'I perfectly hate it! and something dreadful ought to be done to the
+woman who invented it,' said Patty, in a pet, sending a shower of gay
+pieces flying over the carpet as if a small whirlwind and a rainbow had
+got into a quarrel.
+
+Puss did not agree with Patty, for, after a surprised hop when the
+flurry came, she calmly laid herself down on a red square, purring
+comfortably and winking her yellow eyes, as if she thanked the little
+girl for the bright bed that set off her white fur so prettily. This
+cool performance made Patty laugh, and say more pleasantly--
+
+'Well, it _is_ tiresome, isn't it, Aunt Pen?'
+
+'Sometimes; but we all have to make patchwork, my dear, and do the best
+we can with the pieces given us.'
+
+'Do we?' and Patty opened her eyes in great astonishment at this new
+idea.
+
+'Our lives are patchwork, and it depends on us a good deal how the
+bright and dark bits get put together so that the whole is neat, pretty,
+and useful when it is done,' said Aunt Pen soberly.
+
+'Deary me, now she is going to preach,' thought Patty; but she rather
+liked Aunt Pen's preachments, for a good deal of fun got mixed up with
+the moralising; and she was so good herself that children could never
+say in their naughty little minds, 'You are just as bad as we, so you
+needn't talk to us, ma'am.'
+
+'I gave you that patchwork to see what you would make of it, and it is
+as good as a diary to me, for I can tell by the different squares how
+you felt when you made them,' continued Aunt Pen, with a twinkle in her
+eye as she glanced at the many-coloured bits on the carpet.
+
+'Can you truly? just try and see,' and Patty looked interested at once.
+
+Pointing with the yard-measure, Aunt Pen said, tapping a certain dingy,
+puckered, brown and purple square--
+
+'That is a bad day; don't it look so?'
+
+'Well, it was, I do declare! for that was the Monday piece, when
+everything went wrong and I didn't care how my work looked,' cried
+Patty, surprised at Aunt Pen's skill in reading the calico diary.
+
+'This pretty pink and white one so neatly sewed is a good day; this
+funny mixture of red, blue, and yellow with the big stitches is a merry
+day; that one with spots on it is one that got cried over; this with the
+gay flowers is a day full of good little plans and resolutions; and that
+one made of dainty bits, all stars and dots and tiny leaves, is the one
+you made when you were thinking about the dear new baby there at home.'
+
+'Why, Aunt Pen, you are a fairy! How _did_ you know? they truly are just
+as you say, as near as I can remember. I rather like that sort of
+patchwork,' and Patty sat down upon the floor to collect, examine, and
+arrange her discarded work with a new interest in it.
+
+'I see what is going on, and I have queer plays in my mind just as you
+little folks do. Suppose you make this a moral bed-quilt, as some people
+make album quilts. See how much patience, perseverance, good nature, and
+industry you can put into it. Every bit will have a lesson or a story,
+and when you lie under it you will find it a real comforter,' said Aunt
+Pen, who wanted to amuse the child and teach her something better even
+than the good old-fashioned accomplishment of needlework.
+
+'I don't see how I can put that sort of thing into it,' answered Patty,
+as she gently lifted puss into her lap, instead of twitching the red bit
+roughly from under her.
+
+'There goes a nice little piece of kindness this very minute,' laughed
+Aunt Pen, pointing to the cat and the red square.
+
+Patty laughed also, and looked pleased as she stroked Mother Bunch,
+while she said thoughtfully--
+
+'I see what you mean now. I am making two kinds of patchwork at the same
+time; and this that I see is to remind me of the other kind that I don't
+see.'
+
+'Every task, no matter how small or homely, that gets well and
+cheerfully done, is a fine thing; and the sooner we learn to use up the
+dark and bright bits (the pleasures and pains, the cares and duties)
+into a cheerful, useful life, the sooner we become real comforters, and
+every one likes to cuddle about us. Don't you see, deary?'
+
+'That's what you are, Aunt Pen;' and Patty put up her hand to hold fast
+by that other strong, kind, helpful hand that did so much, yet never was
+tired, cold, or empty.
+
+Aunt Pen took the chubby little one in both her own, and said, smiling,
+yet with meaning in her eyes, as she tapped the small fore-finger, rough
+with impatient and unskilful sewing--
+
+'Shall we try and see what a nice little comforter we can make this
+month, while you wait to be called home to see mamma and the dear new
+baby?'
+
+'Yes, I'd like to try;' and Patty gave Aunt Pen's hand a hearty shake,
+for she wanted to be good, and rather thought the new fancy would lend a
+charm to the task which we all find rather tiresome and hard.
+
+So the bargain was made, and the patch Patty sewed that day was
+beautiful to behold; for she was in a delightfully moral state of mind,
+and felt quite sure that she was going to become a model for all
+children to follow, if they could. The next day her ardour had cooled a
+little, and being in a hurry to go out to play, she slighted her work,
+thinking no one would know. But the third day she got so angry with her
+patch that she tore it in two, and declared it was all nonsense to fuss
+about being good and thorough and all the rest of it.
+
+Aunt Pen did not say much, but made her mend and finish her patch and
+add it to the pile. After she went to bed that night Patty thought of
+it, and wished she could do it over, it looked so badly. But as it could
+not be, she had a penitent fit, and resolved to keep her temper while
+she sewed, at any rate, for mamma was to see the little quilt when it
+was done, and would want to know all about it.
+
+Of course she did not devote herself to being good _all_ the time, but
+spent her days in lessons, play, mischief, and fun, like any other
+lively, ten-year-older. But somehow, whenever the sewing-hour came, she
+remembered that talk; and as she worked she fell into the way of
+wondering whether Aunt Pen could guess from the patches what sort of
+days she had passed. She wanted to try and see, but Aunt Pen refused to
+read any more calico till the quilt was done: then, she said in a
+queer, solemn way, she should make the good and bad days appear in a
+remarkable manner.
+
+This puzzled Patty very much, and she quite ached to know what the joke
+would be; meantime the pile grew steadily, and every day, good or bad,
+added to that other work called Patty's life. She did not think much
+about that part of it, but unconsciously the quiet sewing-time had its
+influence on her, and that little 'conscience hour,' as she sometimes
+called it, helped her very much.
+
+One day she said to herself as she took up her work, 'Now I'll puzzle
+Aunt Pen. She thinks my naughty tricks get into the patches; but I'll
+make this very nicely and have it gay, and then I don't see how she will
+ever guess what I did this morning.'
+
+Now you must know that Tweedle-dee, the canary, was let out every day
+to fly about the room and enjoy himself. Mother Bunch never tried to
+catch him, though he often hopped temptingly near her. He was a droll
+little bird, and Patty liked to watch his promenades, for he did funny
+things. That day he made her laugh by trying to fly away with a shawl,
+picking up the fringe with which to line the nest he was always trying
+to build. It was so heavy he tumbled on his back and lay kicking and
+pulling, but had to give it up and content himself with a bit of thread.
+
+Patty was forbidden to chase or touch him at these times, but always
+felt a strong desire to have just one grab at him and see how he felt.
+That day, being alone in the dining-room, she found it impossible to
+resist; and when Tweedle-dee came tripping pertly over the table-cloth,
+cocking his head on one side with shrill chirps and little prancings,
+she caught him, and for a minute held him fast in spite of his wrathful
+pecking.
+
+She put her thimble on his head, laughing to see how funny he looked,
+and just then he slipped out of her hand. She clutched at him, missed
+him, but alas, alas! he left his little tail behind him. Every feather
+in his blessed little tail, I do assure you; and there sat Patty with
+the yellow plumes in her hand and dismay in her face. Poor Tweedle-dee
+retired to his cage much afflicted, and sung no more that day, but Patty
+hid the lost tail and never said a word about it.
+
+'Aunt Pen is so near-sighted she won't mind, and maybe he will have
+another tail pretty soon, or she will think he is moulting. If she asks
+of course I shall tell her.'
+
+Patty settled it in that way, forgetting that the slide was open and
+Aunt Pen in the kitchen. So she made a neat blue and buff patch, and put
+it away, meaning to puzzle aunty when the reading-time came. But Patty
+got the worst of it, as you will see by-and-bye.
+
+Another day she strolled into the store-room and saw a large tray of
+fresh buns standing there. Now, it was against the rule to eat between
+meals, and new hot bread or cake was especially forbidden. Patty
+remembered both these things, but could not resist temptation. One
+plump, brown bun, with a lovely plum right in the middle, was so
+fascinating it was impossible to let it alone; so Patty whipped it into
+her pocket, ran to the garden, and hiding behind the big lilac-bush, ate
+it in a great hurry. It was just out of the oven, and so hot it burned
+her throat, and lay like a live coal in her little stomach after it was
+down, making her very uncomfortable for several hours.
+
+'Why do you keep sighing?' asked Aunt Pen, as Patty sat down to her
+work.
+
+'I don't feel very well.'
+
+'You have eaten something that disagrees with you. Did you eat hot
+biscuits for breakfast?'
+
+'No, ma'am, I never do,' and Patty gave another little gasp, for the bun
+lay very heavily on both stomach and conscience just then.
+
+'A drop or two of ammonia will set you right,' and Aunt Pen gave her
+some. It did set the stomach right, but the conscience still worried
+her, for she could not make up her mind to 'fess' the sly, greedy thing
+she had done.
+
+'Put a white patch in the middle of those green ones,' said Aunt Pen, as
+Patty sat soberly sewing her daily square.
+
+'Why?' asked the little girl, for aunty seldom interfered in her
+arrangement of the quilt.
+
+'It will look pretty, and match the other three squares that are going
+at the corners of that middle piece.'
+
+'Well, I will,' and Patty sewed away, wondering at this sudden interest
+in her work, and why Aunt Pen laughed to herself as she put away the
+ammonia bottle.
+
+These are two of the naughty little things that got worked into the
+quilt; but there were good ones also, and Aunt Pen's sharp eyes saw them
+all.
+
+At the window of a house opposite, Patty often saw a little girl who sat
+there playing with an old doll or a torn book. She never seemed to run
+about or go out, and Patty often wondered if she was sick, she looked so
+thin and sober, and was so quiet. Patty began by making faces at her
+for fun, but the little girl only smiled back, and nodded so
+good-naturedly that Patty was ashamed of herself.
+
+'Is that girl over there poor?' she asked suddenly as she watched her
+one day.
+
+'Very poor: her mother takes in sewing, and the child is lame,' answered
+Aunt Pen, without looking up from the letter she was writing.
+
+'Her doll is nothing but an old shawl tied round with a string, and she
+don't seem to have but one book. Wonder if she'd like to have me come
+and play with her,' said Patty to herself, as she stood her own big doll
+in the window, and nodded back at the girl, who bobbed up and down in
+her chair with delight at this agreeable prospect.
+
+'You can go and see her some day if you like,' said Aunt Pen, scribbling
+away.
+
+Patty said no more then, but later in the afternoon she remembered this
+permission, and resolved to try if aunty would find out her good doings
+as well as her bad ones. So, tucking Blanch Augusta Arabella Maud under
+one arm, her best picture-book under the other, and gathering a little
+nosegay of her own flowers, she slipped across the road, knocked, and
+marched boldly upstairs.
+
+Mrs. Brown, the sewing-woman, was out, and no one there but Lizzie in
+her chair at the window, looking lonely and forlorn.
+
+'How do you do? My name is Patty, and I live over there, and I've come
+to play with you,' said one child in a friendly tone.
+
+'How do you do? My name is Lizzie, and I'm very glad to see you. What a
+lovely doll!' returned the other child gratefully; and then the ceremony
+of introduction was over, and they began to play as if they had known
+each other for ever so long.
+
+To poor Lizzie it seemed as if a little fairy had suddenly appeared to
+brighten the dismal room with flowers and smiles and pretty things;
+while Patty felt her pity and good-will increase as she saw Lizzie's
+crippled feet, and watched her thin face brighten and glow with interest
+and delight over book and doll and posy. 'It felt good,' as Patty said
+afterwards; 'sort of warm and comfortable in my heart, and I liked it
+ever so much.' She stayed an hour, making sunshine in a shady place, and
+then ran home, wondering if Aunt Pen would find that out.
+
+She found her sitting with her hands before her, and such a sad look in
+her face that Patty ran to her, saying anxiously--
+
+'What's the matter, aunty? Are you sick?'
+
+'No dear; but I have sorrowful news for you. Come, sit in my lap and
+let me tell you as gently as I can.'
+
+'Mamma is dead!' Cried Patty with a look of terror in her rosy face.
+
+'No, thank God! but the dear, new baby only stayed a week, and we shall
+never see her in this world.'
+
+With a cry of sorrow Patty threw herself into the arms outstretched to
+her, and on Aunt Pen's loving bosom sobbed away the first bitterness of
+her grief and disappointment.
+
+'Oh, I wanted a little sister so much, and I was going to be so fond of
+her, and was so glad she came, and now I can't see or have her even for
+a day! I'm _so_ disappointed I don't think I _can_ bear it,' sobbed
+Patty.
+
+'Think of poor mamma, and bear it bravely for her sake,' whispered Aunt
+Pen, wiping away her own and Patty's tears.
+
+'Oh, dear me! there's the pretty quilt I was going to make for baby, and
+now it isn't any use, and I can't bear to finish it;' and Patty broke
+out afresh at the thought of so much love's labour lost.
+
+'Mamma will love to see it, so I wouldn't give it up. Work is the best
+cure for sorrow; and I think you never will be sorry you tried it. Let
+us put a bright bit of submission with this dark trouble, and work both
+into your little life as patiently as we can, deary.'
+
+Patty put up her trembling lips, and kissed Aunt Pen, grateful for the
+tender sympathy and the helpful words. 'I'll try,' was all she said; and
+then they sat talking quietly together about the dear, dead baby, who
+only stayed long enough to make a place in every one's heart, and leave
+them aching when she went.
+
+Patty did try to bear her first trouble bravely, and got on very well
+after the first day or two, except when the sewing-hour came. Then the
+sight of the pretty patchwork recalled the memory of the cradle it was
+meant to cover, and reminded her that it was empty now. Many quiet tears
+dropped on Patty's work; and sometimes she had to put it down and sob,
+for she had longed so for a little sister, it was very hard to give her
+up, and put away all the loving plans she had made for the happy time
+when baby came. A great many tender little thoughts and feelings got
+sewed into the gay squares; and if a small stain showed here and there,
+I think they only added to its beauty in the eyes of those who knew what
+made them. Aunt Pen never suggested picking out certain puckered bits
+and grimy stitches, for she knew that just there the little fingers
+trembled, and the blue eyes got dim as they touched and saw the
+delicate, flowery bits left from baby's gowns.
+
+Lizzie was full of sympathy, and came hopping over on her crutches with
+her only treasure, a black rabbit, to console her friend. But of all the
+comfort given, Mother Bunch's share was the greatest and best; for that
+very first sad day, as Patty wandered about the house disconsolately,
+puss came hurrying to meet her, and in her dumb way begged her mistress
+to follow and see the fine surprise prepared for her--four plump kits as
+white as snow, with four gray tails all wagging in a row, as they laid
+on their proud mamma's downy breast, while she purred over them, with
+her yellow eyes full of supreme content.
+
+It was in the barn, and Patty lay for an hour with her head close to
+Mother Bunch, and her hands softly touching the charming little
+Bunches, who squeaked and tumbled and sprawled about with their dim eyes
+blinking, their tiny pink paws fumbling, and their dear gray tails
+waggling in the sweetest way. Such a comfort as they were to Patty no
+words could tell, and nothing will ever convince me that Mrs. Bunch did
+not know all about baby, and so lay herself out to cheer up her little
+mistress like a motherly loving old puss, as she was.
+
+As Patty lay on the rug that evening while Aunt Pen sung softly in the
+twilight, a small, white figure came pattering over the straw carpet,
+and dropped a soft, warm ball down by Patty's cheek, saying, as plainly
+as a loud, confiding purr could say it--
+
+'There, my dear, this is a lonely time for you, I know, so I've brought
+my best and prettiest darling to comfort you;' and with that Mother
+Bunch sat down and washed her face, while Patty cuddled little
+Snowdrop, and forgot to cry about baby.
+
+Soon after this came a great happiness to Patty in the shape of a letter
+from mamma, saying she must have her little girl back a week earlier
+than they had planned.
+
+'I'm sorry to leave you, aunty, but it is _so_ nice to be wanted, and
+I'm all mamma has now, you know, so I must hurry and finish my work to
+surprise her with. How shall we finish it off? There ought to be
+something regularly splendid to go all round,' said Patty, in a great
+bustle, as she laid out her pieces, and found that only a few more were
+needed to complete the 'moral bed-quilt.'
+
+'I must try and find something. We will put this white star, with the
+blue round it, in the middle, for it is the neatest and prettiest piece,
+in spite of the stains. I will sew in this part, and you may finish
+putting the long strips together,' said Aunt Pen, rummaging her bags and
+bundles for something fine to end off with.
+
+'I know! I've got something!' and away hurried Lizzie, who was there,
+and much interested in the work.
+
+She came hopping back again, presently, with a roll in her hand, which
+she proudly spread out, saying--
+
+'There! mother gave me that ever so long ago, but I never had any quilt
+to use it for, and now it's just what you want. You can't buy such
+chintz now-a-days, and I'm _so_ glad I had it for you.'
+
+'It's regularly splendid!' cried Patty, in a rapture; and so it was, for
+the pink and white was all covered with animals, and the blue was full
+of birds and butterflies and bees flying about as naturally as possible.
+Really lovely were the little figures and the clear, soft colours, and
+Aunt Pen clapped her hands, while Patty hugged her friend, and declared
+that the quilt was perfect now.
+
+Mrs. Brown begged to be allowed to quilt it when the patches were all
+nicely put together, and Patty was glad to have her, for that part of
+the work was beyond her skill. It did not come home till the morning
+Patty left, and Aunt Pen packed it up without ever unrolling it.
+
+'We will look at it together when we show it to mamma,' she said: and
+Patty was in such a hurry to be off that she made no objection.
+
+A pleasant journey, a great deal of hugging and kissing, some tears and
+tender laments for baby, and then it was time to show the quilt, which
+mamma said was just what she wanted to throw over her feet as she lay on
+the sofa.
+
+If there _were_ any fairies, Patty would have been sure they had done
+something to her bed-cover, for when she proudly unrolled it, what do
+you think she saw?
+
+Right in the middle of the white star, which was the centre-piece,
+delicately drawn with indelible ink, was a smiling little cherub, all
+head and wings, and under it these lines--
+
+  'While sister dear lies asleep,
+  Baby careful watch will keep.'
+
+Then in each of the four gay squares that were at the corners of the
+strip that framed the star, was a white bit bearing other pictures and
+couplets that both pleased and abashed Patty as she saw and read them.
+
+In one was seen a remarkably fine bun, with the lines--
+
+  'Who stole the hot bun
+    And got burnt well?
+  Go ask the lilac bush,
+    Guess it can tell.'
+
+In the next was a plump, tailless bird, who seemed to be saying
+mournfully--
+
+  'My little tail, my little tail!
+  This bitter loss I still bewail;
+  But rather ne'er have tail again
+  Than Patty should deceive Aunt Pen.'
+
+The third was less embarrassing, for it was a pretty bunch of flowers so
+daintily drawn one could almost think they smelt them, and these lines
+were underneath--
+
+  'Every flower to others given,
+  Blossoms fair and sweet in heaven.'
+
+The fourth was a picture of a curly-haired child sewing, with some very
+large tears rolling down her cheeks and tumbling off her lap like
+marbles, while some tiny sprites were catching and flying away with them
+as if they were very precious--
+
+  'Every tender drop that fell,
+    Loving spirits caught and kept;
+  And Patty's sorrows lighter grew,
+    For the gentle tears she wept.'
+
+'Oh, aunty! what does it all mean?' cried Patty, who had looked both
+pleased and ashamed as she glanced from one picture to the other.
+
+'It means, dear, that the goods and bads got into the bed-quilt in spite
+of you, and there they are to tell their own story. The bun and the lost
+tail, the posy you took to poor Lizzie, and the trouble you bore so
+sweetly. It is just so with our lives, though we don't see it quite as
+clearly as this. Invisible hands paint our faults and virtues, and
+by-and-bye we have to see them, so we must be careful that they are good
+and lovely, and we are not ashamed to let the eyes that love us best
+read there the history of our lives.'
+
+As Aunt Pen spoke, and Patty listened with a thoughtful face, mamma
+softly drew the pictured coverlet over her, and whispered, as she held
+her little daughter close--
+
+'My Patty will remember this; and if all her years tell as good a story
+as this month, I shall not fear to read the record, and she will be in
+truth my little comforter.'
+
+
+(FOR SECOND SERIES, SEE 'SHAWL-STRAPS.')
+
+
+  PRINTED BY
+  SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE
+  LONDON
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, by Louisa M. Alcott
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, by Louisa M. Alcott
+
+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: Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag
+
+Author: Louisa M. Alcott
+
+Release Date: July 12, 2008 [EBook #26041]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Annie McGuire and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<h1>  Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag</h1>
+
+<h2>Louisa M. Alcott</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag.</h2>
+
+<h5>PRINTED BY</h5>
+<h5>SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE</h5>
+<h5>LONDON</h5>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag</h2>
+
+<h4>BY</h4>
+
+<h3>LOUISA M. ALCOTT,</h3>
+
+<h4>AUTHOR OF</h4>
+
+<h4>'LITTLE WOMEN,' 'AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL,' 'LITTLE MEN,'</h4>
+<h4>'HOSPITAL SKETCHES.'<br /></h4>
+
+<h4><i>NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION</i><br /></h4>
+
+<h3>LONDON</h3>
+<h3>SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON &amp; COMPANY</h3>
+<h4>(<i>LIMITED</i>)</h4>
+<h4>St. Dunstan's House</h4>
+<h3>FETTER LANE, FLEET STREET, E.C.</h3>
+<h3>1892</h3>
+
+<h4><i>All rights reserved</i></h4>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2>
+
+<p>As grandmothers rummage their piece-bags and bundles in search of gay
+odds and ends to make gifts with which to fill the little stockings that
+hang all in a row on Christmas Eve, so I have gathered together some
+stories, old and new, to amuse the large family that has so rapidly and
+beautifully grown up about me.</p>
+
+<p>I hope that when they promenade in night-caps and gowns to rifle the
+plump stockings, the little 'dears' will utter an 'Oh!' of pleasure, and
+give a prance of satisfaction, as they pull out this small gift from
+Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Christmas Holidays</span>,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1871-72.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<p>
+<a href="#MY_BOYS"><b>MY BOYS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#TESSAS_SURPRISES"><b>TESSA'S SURPRISES.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#BUZZ"><b>BUZZ.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#THE_CHILDRENS_JOKE"><b>THE CHILDREN'S JOKE.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#DANDELION"><b>DANDELION.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#MADAM_CLUCK_AND_HER_FAMILY"><b>MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#A_CURIOUS_CALL"><b>A CURIOUS CALL.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#TILLYS_CHRISTMAS"><b>TILLY'S CHRISTMAS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#MY_LITTLE_GENTLEMAN"><b>MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#BACK_WINDOWS"><b>BACK WINDOWS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#LITTLE_MARIE_OF_LEHON"><b>LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#MY_MAY-DAY_AMONG_CURIOUS_BIRDS_AND_BEASTS"><b>MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#OUR_LITTLE_NEWSBOY"><b>OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#PATTYS_PATCHWORK"><b>PATTY'S PATCHWORK.</b></a><br />
+</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="MY_BOYS" id="MY_BOYS"></a><i>MY BOYS.</i></h2>
+
+<p>Feeling that I have been unusually fortunate in my knowledge of a choice
+and pleasing variety of this least appreciated portion of the human
+race, I have a fancy to record some of my experiences, hoping that it
+may awaken an interest in other minds, and cause other people to
+cultivate the delightful, but too often neglected boys, who now run to
+waste, so to speak.</p>
+
+<p>I have often wondered what they thought of the peculiar treatment they
+receive, even at the hands of their nearest friends. While they are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>
+rosy, roly-poly little fellows they are petted and praised, adorned and
+adored, till it is a miracle that they are not utterly ruined. But the
+moment they outgrow their babyhood their trials begin, and they are
+regarded as nuisances till they are twenty-one, when they are again
+received into favor.</p>
+
+<p>Yet that very time of neglect is the period when they most need all
+manner of helps, and ought to have them. I like boys and oysters raw;
+so, though good manners are always pleasing, I don't mind the rough
+outside burr which repels most people, and perhaps that is the reason
+why the burrs open and let me see the soft lining and taste the sweet
+nut hidden inside.</p>
+
+<p>My first well-beloved boy was a certain Frank, to whom I clung at the
+age of seven with a devotion which I fear he did not appreciate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> There
+were six girls in the house, but I would have nothing to say to them,
+preferring to tag after Frank, and perfectly happy when he allowed me to
+play with him. I regret to say that the small youth was something of a
+tyrant, and one of his favorite amusements was trying to make me cry by
+slapping my hands with books, hoop-sticks, shoes, anything that came
+along capable of giving a good stinging blow. I believe I endured these
+marks of friendship with the fortitude of a young Indian, and felt fully
+repaid for a blistered palm by hearing Frank tell the other boys, 'She's
+a brave little thing, and you can't make her cry.'</p>
+
+<p>My chief joy was in romping with him in the long galleries of a piano
+manufactory behind our house. What bliss it was to mount one of the cars
+on which the workmen rolled heavy loads from room to room, and to go
+thundering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> down the inclined plains, regardless of the crash that
+usually awaited us at the bottom! If I could have played foot-ball on
+the Common with my Frank and Billy Babcock, life could have offered me
+no greater joy at that period. As the prejudices of society forbid this
+sport, I revenged myself by driving hoop all around the mall without
+stopping, which the boys could <i>not</i> do.</p>
+
+<p>I can remember certain happy evenings, when we snuggled in sofa corners
+and planned tricks and ate stolen goodies, and sometimes Frank would put
+his curly head in my lap and let me stroke it when he was tired. What
+the girls did I don't recollect; their domestic plays were not to my
+taste, and the only figure that stands out from the dimness of the past
+is that jolly boy with a twinkling eye. This memory would be quite
+radiant but for one sad thing&mdash;a deed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> that cut me to the soul then, and
+which I have never quite forgiven in all these years.</p>
+
+<p>On one occasion I did something very naughty, and when called up for
+judgment fled to the dining-room, locked the door, and from my
+stronghold defied the whole world. I could have made my own terms, for
+it was near dinner time and the family must eat; but, alas for the
+treachery of the human heart! Frank betrayed me. He climbed in at the
+window, unlocked the door, and delivered me up to the foe. Nay, he even
+defended the base act, and helped bear the struggling culprit to
+imprisonment. That nearly broke my heart, for I believed <i>he</i> would
+stand by me as staunchly as I always stood by him. It was a sad blow,
+and I couldn't love or trust him any more. Peanuts and candy,
+ginger-snaps and car-rides were unavailing; even foot-ball could not
+reunite the broken friendship, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> to this day I recollect the pang
+that entered my little heart when I lost my faith in the loyalty of my
+first boy.</p>
+
+<p>The second attachment was of quite a different sort, and had a happier
+ending. At the mature age of ten, I left home for my first visit to a
+family of gay and kindly people in&mdash;well why not say right
+out?&mdash;Providence. There were no children, and at first I did not mind
+this, as every one petted me, especially one of the young men named
+Christopher. So kind and patient, yet so merry was this good Christy
+that I took him for my private and particular boy, and loved him dearly;
+for he got me out of innumerable scrapes, and never was tired of amusing
+the restless little girl who kept the family in a fever of anxiety by
+her pranks. <i>He</i> never laughed at her mishaps and mistakes, never played
+tricks upon her like a certain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> William, who composed the most trying
+nicknames, and wickedly goaded the wild visitor into all manner of
+naughtiness. Christy stood up for her through everything; let her ride
+the cows, feed the pigs, bang on the piano, and race all over the spice
+mill, feasting on cinnamon and cloves; brought her down from housetops
+and fished her out of brooks; never scolded, and never seemed tired of
+the troublesome friendship of little Torment.</p>
+
+<p>In a week I had exhausted every amusement and was desperately homesick.
+It has always been my opinion that I should have been speedily restored
+to the bosom of my family but for Christy, and but for him I should
+assuredly have run away before the second week was out. He kept me, and
+in the hour of my disgrace stood by me like a man and a brother.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon, inspired by a spirit of benevolence,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> enthusiastic but
+short-sighted, I collected several poor children in the barn, and
+regaled them on cake and figs, helping myself freely to the treasures of
+the pantry without asking leave, meaning to explain afterward. Being
+discovered before the supplies were entirely exhausted, the patience of
+the long-suffering matron gave out, and I was ordered up to the garret
+to reflect upon my sins, and the pleasing prospect of being sent home
+with the character of the worst child ever known.</p>
+
+<p>My sufferings were deep as I sat upon a fuzzy little trunk all alone in
+the dull garret, thinking how hard it was to do right, and wondering why
+I was scolded for feeding the poor when we were expressly bidden to do
+so. I felt myself an outcast, and bewailed the disgrace I had brought
+upon my family. Nobody could possibly love such a bad child; and if the
+mice were to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> come and eat me then and there&mdash;&agrave; la Bishop Hatto&mdash;it
+would only be a relief to my friends. At this dark moment I heard
+Christy say below, 'She meant it kindly, so I wouldn't mind, Fanny;' and
+then up came my boy full of sympathy and comfort. Seeing the tragic
+expression of my face, he said not a word, but, sitting down in an old
+chair, took me on his knee and held me close and quietly, letting the
+action speak for itself. It did most eloquently; for the kind arm seemed
+to take me back from that dreadful exile, and the friendly face to
+assure me without words that I had not sinned beyond forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>I had not shed a tear before, but now I cried tempestuously, and clung
+to him like a shipwrecked little mariner in a storm. Neither spoke, but
+he held me fast and let me cry myself to sleep; for, when the shower was
+over, a pensive peace fell upon me, and the dim old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> garret seemed not a
+prison, but a haven of refuge, since my boy came to share it with me.
+How long I slept I don't know, but it must have been an hour, at least;
+yet my good Christy never stirred, only waited patiently till I woke up
+in the twilight, and was not afraid because he was there. He took me
+down as meek as a mouse, and kept me by him all that trying evening,
+screening me from jokes, rebukes, and sober looks; and when I went to
+bed he came up to kiss me, and to assure me that this awful circumstance
+should not be reported at home. This took a load off my heart, and I
+remember fervently thanking him, and telling him I never would forget
+it.</p>
+
+<p>I never have, though he died long ago, and others have probably
+forgotten all about the naughty prank. I often longed to ask him how he
+knew the surest way to win a child's heart by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> the patience, sympathy,
+and tender little acts that have kept his memory green for nearly thirty
+years.</p>
+
+<p>Cy was a comrade after my own heart, and for a summer or two we kept the
+neighbourhood in a ferment by our adventures and hair-breadth escapes. I
+think I never knew a boy so full of mischief, and my opportunities of
+judging have been manifold. He did not get into scrapes himself, but
+possessed a splendid talent for deluding others into them, and then
+morally remarking, 'There, I told you so!' His way of saying 'You
+dars'nt do this or that' was like fire to powder; and why I still live
+in the possession of all my limbs and senses is a miracle to those who
+know my youthful friendship with Cy. It was he who incited me to jump
+off of the highest beam in the barn, to be borne home on a board with a
+pair of sprained ankles. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> he who dared me to rub my eyes with red
+peppers, and then sympathisingly led me home blind and roaring with
+pain. It was he who solemnly assured me that all the little pigs would
+die in agony if their tails were not cut off, and won me to hold
+thirteen little squealers while the operation was performed. Those
+thirteen innocent pink tails haunt me yet, and the memory of that deed
+has given me a truly Jewish aversion to pork.</p>
+
+<p>I did not know him long, but he was a kindred soul, and must have a
+place in my list of boys. He is a big, brown man now, and, having done
+his part in the war, is at work on his farm. We meet sometimes, and
+though we try to be dignified and proper, it is quite impossible; there
+is a sly twinkle in Cy's eye that upsets my gravity, and we always burst
+out laughing at the memory of our early frolics.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>My Augustus! oh, my Augustus! my first little lover, and the most
+romantic of my boys. At fifteen I met this charming youth, and thought I
+had found my fate. It was at a spelling school in a little country town
+where I, as a stranger and visitor from the city, was an object of
+interest. Painfully conscious of this fact, I sat in a corner trying to
+look easy and elegant, with a large red bow under my chin, and a
+carnelian ring in full view. Among the boys and girls who frolicked
+about me, I saw one lad of seventeen with 'large blue eyes, a noble
+brow, and a beautiful straight nose,' as I described him in a letter to
+my sister. This attractive youth had a certain air of refinement and
+ease of manner that the others lacked; and when I found he was the
+minister's son, I felt that I might admire him without loss of dignity.
+'Imagine my sensations,' as Miss Burney's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> Evelina says, when this boy
+came and talked to me, a little bashfully at first, but soon quite
+freely, and invited me to a huckleberry party next day. I had observed
+that he was one of the best spellers. I also observed that his language
+was quite elegant; he even quoted Byron, and rolled his eyes in a most
+engaging manner, not to mention that he asked who gave me my ring, and
+said he depended on escorting me to the berry pasture.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear me, how interesting it was! and when I found myself, next day,
+sitting under a tree in the sunny field (full of boys and girls, all
+more or less lovering), with the amiable Augustus at my feet, gallantly
+supplying me with bushes to strip while we talked about books and
+poetry, I really felt as if I had got into a novel, and enjoyed it
+immensely. I believe a dim idea that Gus was sentimental<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> hovered in my
+mind, but I would not encourage it, though I laughed in my sleeve when
+he was spouting Latin for my benefit, and was uncertain whether to box
+his ears or simper later in the day, when he languished over the gate,
+and said he thought chestnut hair the loveliest in the world.</p>
+
+<p>Poor, dear boy! how innocent and soft-hearted and full of splendid
+dreams he was, and what deliciously romantic times we had floating on
+the pond, while the frogs sung to his accordion, as he tried to say
+unutterable things with his honest blue eyes. It makes me shiver now to
+think of the mosquitoes and the damp; but it was Pauline and Claude
+Melnotte then, and when I went home we promised to be true to one
+another, and write every week during the year he was away at school.</p>
+
+<p>We parted&mdash;not in tears by any means; that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> sort of nonsense comes
+later, when the romance is less childish&mdash;but quite jolly and
+comfortable, and I hastened to pour forth the thrilling tale to my
+faithful sister, who approved of the match, being a perfect 'mush of
+sentiment' herself.</p>
+
+<p>I fear it was not a very ardent flame, however, for Gus did not write
+every week, and I did not care a bit; nevertheless, I kept his picture
+and gave it a sentimental sigh when I happened to think of it, while he
+sent messages now and then, and devoted himself to his studies like an
+ambitious boy as he was. I hardly expected to see him again, but soon
+after the year was out, to my great surprise, he called. I was so
+fluttered by the appearance of his card that I rather lost my head, and
+did such a silly thing that it makes me laugh even now. He liked
+chestnut hair, and, pulling out my combs, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> rushed down, theatrically
+dishevelled, hoping to impress my lover with my ardour and my charms.</p>
+
+<p>I expected to find little Gus; but, to my great confusion, a tall being
+with a beaver in his hand rose to meet me, looking so big and handsome
+and generally imposing that I could not recover myself for several
+minutes, and mentally wailed for my combs, feeling like an untidy
+simpleton.</p>
+
+<p>I don't know whether he thought me a little cracked or not, but he was
+very friendly and pleasant, and told me his plans, and hoped I would
+make another visit, and smoothed his beaver, and let me see his
+tail-coat, and behaved himself like a dear, conceited, clever boy. He
+did not allude to our love-passages, being shy, and I blessed him for
+it; for really, I don't know what rash thing I might have done under
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> exciting circumstances. Just as he was going, however, he forgot
+his cherished hat for a minute, put out both hands, and said heartily,
+with his old boyish laugh,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Now you will come, and we'll go boating and berrying, and all the rest
+of it again, won't we?'</p>
+
+<p>The blue eyes were full of fun and feeling, too, I fancied, as I
+blushingly retired behind my locks and gave the promise. But I never
+went, and never saw my little lover any more, for in a few weeks he was
+dead of a fever, brought on by too much study,&mdash;and so ended the sad
+history of my fourth boy.</p>
+
+<p>After this, for many years, I was a boyless being; but was so busy I did
+not feel my destitute condition till I went to the hospital during the
+war, and found my little sergeant. His story has been told elsewhere,
+but the sequel to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> it is a pleasant one, for Baby B. still writes to me
+now and then, asks advice about his future, and gladdens me with good
+news of his success as a business man in Kansas.</p>
+
+<p>As if to atone for the former dearth, a sudden shower of most superior
+boys fell upon me, after I recovered from my campaign. Some of the very
+best sort it was my fortune to know and like&mdash;real gentlemen, yet boys
+still&mdash;and jolly times they had, stirring up the quiet old town with
+their energetic society.</p>
+
+<p>There was W., a stout, amiable youth, who would stand in the middle of a
+strawberry patch with his hands in his pockets and let us feed him
+luxuriously. B., a delightful scapegrace, who came once a week to
+confess his sins, beat his breast in despair, vow awful vows of
+repentance, and then cheerfully depart to break every one of them in the
+next twenty-four hours. S.,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> the gentle-hearted giant; J., the dandy;
+sober, sensible B.; and E., the young knight without reproach or fear.</p>
+
+<p>But my especial boy of the batch was A.&mdash;proud and cold and shy to other
+people, sad and serious sometimes when his good heart and tender
+conscience showed him his short-comings, but so grateful for sympathy
+and a kind word.</p>
+
+<p>I could not get at him as easily as I could the other lads, but, thanks
+to Dickens, I found him out at last.</p>
+
+<p>We played Dolphus and Sophy Tetterby in the 'Haunted Man,' at one of the
+school festivals; and during the rehearsals I discovered that my Dolphus
+was&mdash;permit the expression, oh, well-bred readers!&mdash;a trump. What fun we
+had to be sure, acting the droll and pathetic scenes together, with a
+swarm of little Tetterbys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> skirmishing about us! From that time he has
+been my Dolphus and I his Sophy, and my yellow-haired laddie don't
+forget me, though he has a younger Sophy now, and some small Tetterbys
+of his own. He writes just the same affectionate letters as he used to
+do, though I, less faithful, am too busy to answer them.</p>
+
+<p>But the best and dearest of all my flock was my Polish boy, Ladislas
+Wisniewski&mdash;two hiccoughs and a sneeze will give you the name perfectly.
+Six years ago, as I went down to my early breakfast at our Pension in
+Vevey, I saw that a stranger had arrived. He was a tall youth, of
+eighteen or twenty, with a thin, intelligent face, and the charmingly
+polite manners of a foreigner. As the other boarders came in, one by
+one, they left the door open, and a draught of cold autumn air blew in
+from the stone corridor, making the new-comer cough, shiver, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> cast
+wistful glances towards the warm corner by the stove. My place was
+there, and the heat often oppressed me, so I was glad of an opportunity
+to move.</p>
+
+<p>A word to Madame Vodoz effected the change; and at dinner I was rewarded
+by a grateful smile from the poor fellow, as he nestled into his warm
+seat, after a pause of surprise and a flush of pleasure at the small
+kindness from a stranger. We were too far apart to talk much, but, as he
+filled his glass, the Pole bowed to me, and said low in French&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I drink the good health to Mademoiselle.'</p>
+
+<p>I returned the wish, but he shook his head with a sudden shadow on his
+face, as if the words meant more than mere compliment to him.</p>
+
+<p>'That boy is sick and needs care. I must see to him,' said I to myself,
+as I met him in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> the afternoon, and observed the military look of his
+blue and white suit, as he touched his cap and smiled pleasantly. I have
+a weakness for brave boys in blue, and having discovered that he had
+been in the late Polish Revolution, my heart warmed to him at once.</p>
+
+<p>That evening he came to me in the salon, and expressed his thanks in the
+prettiest broken English I ever heard. So simple, frank, and grateful
+was he that a few words of interest won his little story from him, and
+in half an hour we were friends. With his fellow-students he had fought
+through the last outbreak, and suffered imprisonment and hardship rather
+than submit, had lost many friends, his fortune and his health, and at
+twenty, lonely, poor, and ill, was trying bravely to cure the malady
+which seemed fatal.</p>
+
+<p>'If I recover myself of this affair in the chest,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> I teach the music to
+acquire my bread in this so hospitable country. At Paris, my friends,
+all two, find a refuge, and I go to them in spring if I die not here.
+Yes, it is solitary, and my memories are not gay, but I have my work,
+and the good God remains always to me, so I content myself with much
+hope, and I wait.'</p>
+
+<p>Such genuine piety and courage increased my respect and regard
+immensely, and a few minutes later he added to both by one of the little
+acts that show character better than words.</p>
+
+<p>He told me about the massacre, when five hundred Poles were shot down by
+Cossacks in the market-place, merely because they sung their national
+hymn.</p>
+
+<p>'Play me that forbidden air,' I said, wishing to judge of his skill, for
+I had heard him practising softly in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>He rose willingly, then glanced about the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> room and gave a little shrug
+which made me ask what he wanted.</p>
+
+<p>'I look to see if the Baron is here. He is Russian, and to him my
+national air will not be pleasing.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then play it. He dare not forbid it here, and I should rather enjoy
+that little insult to your bitter enemy,' said I, feeling very indignant
+with everything Russian just then.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, mademoiselle, it is true we are enemies, but we are also
+gentlemen,' returned the boy, proving that <i>he</i> at least was one.</p>
+
+<p>I thanked him for his lesson in politeness, and as the Baron was not
+there he played the beautiful hymn, singing it enthusiastically in spite
+of the danger to his weak lungs. A true musician evidently, for, as he
+sung his pale face glowed, his eyes shone, and his lost vigor seemed
+restored to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>From that evening we were fast friends; for the memory of certain dear
+lads at home made my heart open to this lonely boy, who gave me in
+return the most grateful affection and service. He begged me to call him
+'Varjo,' as his mother did. He constituted himself my escort,
+errand-boy, French teacher, and private musician, making those weeks
+indefinitely pleasant by his winning ways, his charming little
+confidences, and faithful friendship.</p>
+
+<p>We had much fun over our lessons, for I helped him about his English.
+With a great interest in free America, and an intense longing to hear
+about our war, the barrier of an unknown tongue did not long stand
+between us.</p>
+
+<p>Beginning with my bad French and his broken English, we got on
+capitally; but he outdid me entirely, making astonishing progress,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>
+though he often slapped his forehead with the despairing exclamation,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I am imbecile! I never can will shall to have learn this beast of
+English!'</p>
+
+<p>But he did, and in a month had added a new language to the five he
+already possessed.</p>
+
+<p>His music was the delight of the house; and he often gave us little
+concerts with the help of Madame Teiblin, a German St. Cecilia, with a
+cropped head and a gentlemanly sack, cravat, and collar. Both were
+enthusiasts, and the longer they played the more inspired they got. The
+piano vibrated, the stools creaked, the candles danced in their sockets,
+and every one sat mute while the four white hands chased one another up
+and down the keys, and the two fine faces beamed with such ecstasy that
+we almost expected to see instrument and performers disappear in a
+musical whirlwind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lake Leman will never seem so lovely again as when Laddie and I roamed
+about its shores, floated on its bosom, or laid splendid plans for the
+future in the sunny garden of the old chateau. I tried it again last
+year, but the charm was gone, for I missed my boy with his fun, his
+music, and the frank, fresh affection he gave his 'little mamma,' as he
+insisted on calling the lofty spinster who loved him like half-a-dozen
+grandmothers rolled into one.</p>
+
+<p>December roses blossomed in the gardens then, and Laddie never failed to
+have a posy ready for me at dinner. Few evenings passed without
+'confidences' in my corner of the salon, and I still have a pile of
+merry little notes which I used to find tucked under my door. He called
+them chapters of a great history we were to write together, and being a
+'<i>polisson</i>' he illustrated it with droll pictures,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> and a funny mixture
+of French and English romance.</p>
+
+<p>It was very pleasant, but like all pleasant things in this world of
+change it soon came to an end. When I left for Italy we jokingly agreed
+to meet in Paris the next May, but neither really felt that we should
+ever meet again, for Laddie hardly expected to outlive the winter, and I
+felt sure I should soon be forgotten. As he kissed my hand there were
+tears in my boy's eyes, and a choke in the voice that tried to say
+cheerfully&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Bon voyage</i>, dear and good little mamma. I do not say adieu, but <i>au
+revoir</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>Then the carriage rolled away, the wistful face vanished, and nothing
+remained to me but the memory of Laddie, and a little stain on my glove
+where a drop had fallen.</p>
+
+<p>As I drew near Paris six months later, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> found myself wishing that I
+might meet Varjo in the great, gay city, and wondering if there was any
+chance of my doing it, I never dreamed of seeing him so soon; but, as I
+made my way among the crowd of passengers that poured through the
+station, feeling tired, bewildered, and homesick, I suddenly saw a blue
+and white cap wave wildly in the air, then Laddie's beaming face
+appeared, and Laddie's eager hands grasped mine so cordially that I
+began to laugh at once, and felt that Paris was almost as good as home.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, ha! behold the little mamma, who did not think to see again her bad
+son! Yes, I am greatly glad that I make the fine surprise for you as you
+come all weary to this place of noise. Give to me the billets, for I am
+still mademoiselle's servant and go to find the coffers.'</p>
+
+<p>He got my trunks, put me into a carriage,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> and as we rolled merrily away
+I asked how he chanced to meet me so unexpectedly. Knowing where I
+intended to stay, he had called occasionally till I notified Madame D.
+of the day and hour of my arrival, and then he had come to 'make the
+fine surprise.' He enjoyed the joke like a true boy, and I was glad to
+see how well he looked, and how gay he seemed.</p>
+
+<p>'You are better?' I said.</p>
+
+<p>'I truly hope so. The winter was good to me and I cough less. It is a
+small hope, but I do not enlarge my fear by a sad face. I yet work and
+save a little purse, so that I may not be a heaviness to those who have
+the charity to finish me if I fall back and yet die.'</p>
+
+<p>I would not hear of that, and told him he looked as well and happy as if
+he had found a fortune.</p>
+
+<p>He laughed, and answered with his fine bow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> 'I have. Behold, you come
+to make the f&ecirc;te for me. I find also here my friends Joseph and
+Napoleon. Poor as mouses of the church, as you say, but brave boys, and
+we work together with much gaiety.'</p>
+
+<p>When I asked if he had leisure to be my guide about Paris, for my time
+was short and I wanted to see <i>everything</i>; he pranced, and told me he
+had promised himself a holiday, and had planned many excursions the most
+wonderful, charming, and gay. Then, having settled me at Madame's, he
+went blithely away to what I afterwards discovered were very poor
+lodgings, across the river.</p>
+
+<p>Next day began the pleasantest fortnight in all my year of travel.
+Laddie appeared early, elegant to behold, in a new hat and buff gloves,
+and was immensely amused because the servant informed me that my big son
+had arrived.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I believe the first thing a woman does in Paris is to buy a new bonnet.
+I did, or rather stood by and let 'my son' do it in the best of French,
+only whispering when he proposed gorgeous <i>chapeaus</i> full of flowers and
+feathers, that I could not afford it.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! we must make our economies, must we? See, then, this modest,
+pearl-colored one, with the crape rose. Yes, we will have that, and be
+most elegant for the Sunday promenade.'</p>
+
+<p>I fear I should have bought a pea-green hat with a yellow plume if he
+had urged it, so wheedlesome and droll were his ways and words. His good
+taste saved me, however, and the modest one was sent home for the
+morrow, when we were to meet Joseph and Napoleon and go to the concert
+in the Tuileries garden.</p>
+
+<p>Then we set off on our day of sight-seeing,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> and Laddie proved himself
+an excellent guide. We had a charming trip about the enchanted city, a
+gay lunch at a caf&eacute;, and a first brief glimpse of the Louvre. At
+dinner-time I found a posy at my place; and afterward Laddie came and
+spent the evening in my little salon, playing to me, and having what he
+called 'babblings and pleasantries.' I found that he was translating
+'Vanity Fair' into Polish, and intended to sell it at home. He convulsed
+me with his struggles to put cockney English and slang into good Polish,
+for he had saved up a list of words for me to explain to him. Hay-stack
+and bean-pot were among them, I remember; and when he had mastered the
+meanings he fell upon the sofa exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>Other days like this followed, and we led a happy life together: for my
+twelve years' seniority made our adventures quite proper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> and I
+fearlessly went anywhere on the arm of my big son. Not to theatres or
+balls, however, for heated rooms were bad for Laddie, but pleasant trips
+out of the city in the bright spring weather, quiet strolls in the
+gardens, moonlight concerts in the Champs Elys&eacute;es; or, best of all, long
+talks with music in the little red salon, with the gas turned low, and
+the ever-changing scenes of the Rue de Rivoli under the balcony.</p>
+
+<p>Never were pleasures more cheaply purchased or more thoroughly enjoyed,
+for our hearts were as light as our purses, and our 'little economies'
+gave zest to our amusements.</p>
+
+<p>Joseph and Napoleon sometimes joined us, and I felt in my element with
+the three invalid soldier boys, for Napoleon still limped with a wound
+received in the war, Joseph had never recovered from his two years'
+imprisonment in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> an Austrian dungeon, and Laddie's loyalty might yet
+cost him his life.</p>
+
+<p>Thanks to them, I discovered a joke played upon me by my '<i>polisson</i>'.
+He told me to call him 'ma drogha,' saying it meant 'my friend,' in
+Polish. I innocently did so, and he seemed to find great pleasure in it,
+for his eyes always laughed when I said it. Using it one day before the
+other lads, I saw a queer twinkle in their eyes, and suspecting
+mischief, demanded the real meaning of the words. Laddie tried to
+silence them, but the joke was too good to keep, and I found to my
+dismay that I had been calling him 'my darling' in the tenderest manner.</p>
+
+<p>How the three rascals shouted, and what a vain struggle it was to try
+and preserve my dignity when Laddie clasped his hands and begged pardon,
+explaining that jokes were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> necessary to his health, and he never meant
+me to know the full baseness of this 'pleasantrie!' I revenged myself by
+giving him some bad English for his translation, and telling him of it
+just as I left Paris.</p>
+
+<p>It was not all fun with my boy, however; he had his troubles, and in
+spite of his cheerfulness he knew what heartache was. Walking in the
+quaint garden of the Luxembourg one day, he confided to me the little
+romance of his life. A very touching little romance as he told it, with
+eloquent eyes and voice and frequent pauses for breath. I cannot give
+his words, but the simple facts were these:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>He had grown up with a pretty cousin, and at eighteen was desperately in
+love with her. She returned his affection, but they could not be happy,
+for her father wished her to marry a richer man. In Poland, to marry
+without the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> consent of parents is to incur lasting disgrace; so Leonore
+obeyed, and the young pair parted. This had been a heavy sorrow to
+Laddie, and he rushed into the war, hoping to end his trouble.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you ever hear from your cousin?' I asked, as he walked beside me,
+looking sadly down the green aisles where kings and queens had loved and
+parted years ago.</p>
+
+<p>'I only know that she suffers still, for she remembers. Her husband
+submits to the Russians, and I despise him as I have no English to
+tell;' and he clenched his hands with the flash of the eye and sudden
+kindling of the whole face that made him handsome.</p>
+
+<p>He showed me a faded little picture, and when I tried to comfort him, he
+laid his head down on the pedestal of one of the marble<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> queens who
+guard the walk, as if he never cared to lift it up again.</p>
+
+<p>But he was all right in a minute, and bravely put away his sorrow with
+the little picture. He never spoke of it again, and I saw no more
+shadows on his face till we came to say good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>'You have been so kind to me, I wish I had something beautiful to give
+you, Laddie,' I said, feeling that it would be hard to get on without my
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>'This time it is for always; so, as a parting souvenir, give to me the
+sweet English good-bye.'</p>
+
+<p>As he said this, with a despairing sort of look, as if he could not
+spare even so humble a friend as myself, my heart was quite rent within
+me, and, regardless of several prim English ladies, I drew down his tall
+head and kissed him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> tenderly, feeling that in this world there were no
+more meetings for us. Then I ran away and buried myself in an empty
+railway carriage, hugging the little cologne bottle he had given me.</p>
+
+<p>He promised to write, and for five years he has kept his word, sending
+me from Paris and Poland cheery, bright letters in English, at my
+desire, so that he might not forget. Here is one as a specimen.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>'<span class="smcap">My Dear and Good Friend</span>,&mdash;What do you think of me that I do not
+write so long time? Excuse me, my good mamma, for I was so busy in
+these days I could not do this pleasant thing. I write English
+without the fear that you laugh at it, because I know it is more
+agreeable to read the own language, and I think you are not
+excepted of this rule. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> is good of me, for the expressions of
+love and regard, made with faults, take the funny appearance; they
+are <i>ridicule</i>, and instead to go to the heart, they make the
+laugh. Never mind, I do it.</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot imagine yourself how <i>stupide</i> is Paris when you are
+gone. I fly to my work, and make no more f&ecirc;tes,&mdash;it is too sad
+alone. I tie myself to my table and my Vanity (not of mine, for I
+am not vain, am I?). I wish some chapters to finish themselfs
+<i>vite</i>, that I send them to Pologne and know the end. I have a
+little question to ask you (of Vanity as always). I cannot
+translate this, no one of <i>dictionnaires</i> makes me the words, and I
+think it is <i>jargon de prison</i>, this little period. Behold:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Mopy, is that your snum?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Nubble your dad and gully the dog, &amp;c.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>'So funny things I cannot explain myself, so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> I send to you, and
+you reply sooner than without it, for you have so kind interest in
+my work you do not stay to wait. So this is a little hook for you
+to make you write some words to your son who likes it so much and
+is fond of you.</p>
+
+<p>'My doctor tells me my lungs are soon to be re-established; so you
+may imagine yourself how glad I am, and of more courage in my
+future. You may one day see your Varjo in Amerique, if I study
+commerce as I wish. So then the last time of seeing ourselves is
+<i>not</i> the last. Is that to please you? I suppose the grand
+<i>histoire</i> is finished, <i>n'est ce pas</i>? You will then send it to me
+care of M. Gryhomski Austriche, and he will give to me in
+clandestine way at Varsovie, otherwise it will be confiscated at
+the frontier by the stupide Russians.</p>
+
+<p>'Now we are dispersed in two sides of world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> far apart, for soon I
+go home to Pologne and am no more "<i>juif errant</i>." It is now time I
+work at my life in some useful way, and I do it.</p>
+
+<p>'As I am your <i>grand fils</i>, it is proper that I make you my
+compliment of happy Christmas and New Year, is it not? I wish for
+you so many as they may fulfil long human life. May this year bring
+you more and more good hearts to love you (the only real happiness
+in the hard life), and may I be as now, yours for always,</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 35em;">'<span class="smcap">Varjo</span>.'</span><br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>A year ago he sent me his photograph and a few lines. I acknowledged the
+receipt of it, but since then not a word has come, and I begin to fear
+that my boy is dead. Others have appeared to take his place, but they
+don't suit, and I keep his corner always ready for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> him if he lives. If
+he is dead, I am glad to have known so sweet and brave a character, for
+it does one good to see even as short-lived and obscure a hero as my
+Polish boy, whose dead December rose embalms for me the memory of Varjo,
+the last and dearest of my boys.</p>
+
+<p>It is hardly necessary to add, for the satisfaction of inquisitive
+little women, that Laddie was the original of Laurie, as far as a pale
+pen-and-ink sketch could embody a living, loving boy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="TESSAS_SURPRISES" id="TESSAS_SURPRISES"></a><i>TESSA'S SURPRISES.</i></h2>
+
+<p>I.</p>
+
+<p>Little Tessa sat alone by the fire, waiting for her father to come home
+from work. The children were fast asleep, all four in the big bed behind
+the curtain; the wind blew hard outside, and the snow beat on the
+window-panes; the room was large, and the fire so small and feeble that
+it didn't half warm the little bare toes peeping out of the old shoes on
+the hearth.</p>
+
+<p>Tessa's father was an Italian plaster-worker, very poor, but kind and
+honest. The mother had died not long ago, and left twelve-year old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>
+Tessa to take care of the little children. She tried to be very wise and
+motherly, and worked for them like any little woman; but it was so hard
+to keep the small bodies warm and fed, and the small souls good and
+happy, that poor Tessa was often at her wits' end. She always waited for
+her father, no matter how tired she was, so that he might find his
+supper warm, a bit of fire, and a loving little face to welcome him.
+Tessa thought over her troubles at these quiet times, and made her
+plans; for her father left things to her a good deal, and she had no
+friends but Tommo, the harp-boy upstairs, and the lively cricket who
+lived in the chimney. To-night her face was very sober, and her pretty
+brown eyes very thoughtful as she stared at the fire and knit her brows,
+as if perplexed. She was not thinking of her old shoes, nor the empty
+closet, nor the boys' ragged clothes just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> then. No; she had a fine plan
+in her good little head, and was trying to discover how she could carry
+it out.</p>
+
+<p>You see, Christmas was coming in a week; and she had set her heart on
+putting something in the children's stockings, as the mother used to do,
+for while she lived things were comfortable. Now Tessa had not a penny
+in the world, and didn't know how to get one, for all the father's
+earnings had to go for food, fire, and rent.</p>
+
+<p>'If there were only fairies, ah! how heavenly that would be; for then I
+should tell them all I wish, and, pop! behold the fine things in my
+lap!' said Tessa to herself. 'I must earn the money; there is no one to
+give it to me, and I cannot beg. But what can I do, so small and stupid
+and shy as I am? I <i>must</i> find some way to give the little ones a nice
+Christmas. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> <i>must</i>! I <i>must</i>!' and Tessa pulled her long hair, as if
+that would help her think.</p>
+
+<p>But it didn't, and her heart got heavier and heavier; for it did seem
+hard that in a great city full of fine things, there should be none for
+poor Nono, Sep, and little Speranza. Just as Tessa's tears began to
+tumble off her eyelashes on to her brown cheeks, the cricket began to
+chirp. Of course, he didn't say a word; but it really did seem as if he
+had answered her question almost as well as a fairy; for, before he had
+piped a dozen shrill notes, an idea popped into Tessa's head&mdash;such a
+truly splendid idea that she clapped her hands and burst out laughing.
+'I'll do it! I'll do it! if father will let me,' she said to herself,
+smiling and nodding at the fire. 'Tommo will like to have me go with him
+and sing, while he plays his harp in the streets. I know many songs, and
+may get money if I am<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> not frightened; for people throw pennies to other
+little girls who only play the tambourine. Yes, I will try; and then, if
+I do well, the little ones shall have a Merry Christmas.'</p>
+
+<p>So full of her plan was Tessa that she ran upstairs at once, and asked
+Tommo if he would take her with him on the morrow. Her friend was
+delighted, for he thought Tessa's songs very sweet, and was sure she
+would get money if she tried.</p>
+
+<p>'But see, then, it is cold in the streets; the wind bites, and the snow
+freezes one's fingers. The day is very long, people are cross, and at
+night one is ready to die with weariness. Thou art so small, Tessa, I am
+afraid it will go badly with thee,' said Tommo, who was a merry,
+black-eyed boy of fourteen, with the kindest heart in the world under
+his old jacket.</p>
+
+<p>'I do not mind cold and wet, and cross people,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> if I can get the
+pennies,' answered Tessa, feeling very brave with such a friend to help
+her. She thanked Tommo, and ran away to get ready, for she felt sure her
+father would not refuse her anything. She sewed up the holes in her
+shoes as well as she could, for she had much of that sort of cobbling to
+do; she mended her only gown, and laid ready the old hood and shawl
+which had been her mother's. Then she washed out little Ranza's frock
+and put it to dry, because she would not be able to do it the next day.
+She set the table and got things ready for breakfast, for Tommo went out
+early, and must not be kept waiting for her. She longed to make the beds
+and dress the children over night, she was in such a hurry to have all
+in order; but, as that could not be, she sat down again, and tried over
+all the songs she knew. Six pretty ones were chosen; and she sang away
+with all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> her heart in a fresh little voice so sweetly that the children
+smiled in their sleep, and her father's tired face brightened as he
+entered, for Tessa was his cheery cricket on the hearth. When she had
+told her plan, Peter Benari shook his head, and thought it would never
+do; but Tessa begged so hard, he consented at last that she should try
+it for one week, and sent her to bed the happiest little girl in New
+York.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning the sun shone, but the cold wind blew, and the snow lay
+thick in the streets. As soon as her father was gone, Tessa flew about
+and put everything in nice order, telling the children she was going out
+for the day, and they were to mind Tommo's mother, who would see about
+the fire and the dinner; for the good woman loved Tessa, and entered
+into her little plans with all her heart. Nono and Giuseppe, or Sep, as
+they called him, wondered what she was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> going away for, and little Ranza
+cried at being left; but Tessa told them they would know all about it in
+a week, and have a fine time if they were good; so they kissed her all
+round and let her go.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Tessa's heart beat fast as she trudged away with Tommo, who slung
+his harp over his shoulder, and gave her his hand. It was rather a dirty
+hand, but so kind that Tessa clung to it, and kept looking up at the
+friendly brown face for encouragement.</p>
+
+<p>'We go first to the <i>caf&eacute;</i>, where many French and Italians eat the
+breakfast. They like my music, and often give me sips of hot coffee,
+which I like much. You too shall have the sips, and perhaps the pennies,
+for these people are greatly kind,' said Tommo, leading her into a large
+smoky place where many people sat at little tables, eating and drinking.
+'See, now,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> have no fear; give them "Bella Monica;" that is merry and
+will make the laugh,' whispered Tommo, tuning his harp.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Tessa felt so frightened that she wanted to run away; but
+she remembered the empty stockings at home, and the fine plan, and she
+resolved <i>not</i> to give it up. One fat old Frenchman nodded to her, and
+it seemed to help her very much; for she began to sing before she
+thought, and that was the hardest part of it. Her voice trembled, and
+her cheeks grew redder and redder as she went on; but she kept her eyes
+fixed on her old shoes, and so got through without breaking down, which
+was very nice. The people laughed, for the song <i>was</i> merry; and the fat
+man smiled and nodded again. This gave her courage to try another, and
+she sung better and better each time; for Tommo played his best, and
+kept whispering to her,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> 'Yes; we go well; this is fine. They will give
+the money and the blessed coffee.'</p>
+
+<p>So they did; for, when the little concert was over, several men put
+pennies in the cap Tessa offered, and the fat man took her on his knee,
+and ordered a mug of coffee, and some bread and butter for them both.
+This quite won her heart; and when they left the <i>caf&eacute;</i>, she kissed her
+hand to the old Frenchman, and said to her friend, 'How kind they are! I
+like this very much; and now it is not hard.'</p>
+
+<p>But Tommo shook his curly head, and answered, soberly, 'Yes, I took you
+there first, for they love music, and are of our country; but up among
+the great houses we shall not always do well. The people there are busy
+or hard or idle, and care nothing for harps and songs. Do not skip and
+laugh too soon; for the day is long, and we have but twelve pennies
+yet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>'</p>
+
+<p>Tessa walked more quietly, and rubbed her cold hands, feeling that the
+world was a very big place, and wondering how the children got on at
+home without the little mother. Till noon they did not earn much, for
+every one seemed in a hurry, and the noise of many sleigh-bells drowned
+the music. Slowly they made their way up to the great squares where the
+big houses were, with fine ladies and pretty children at the windows.
+Here Tessa sung all her best songs, and Tommo played as fast as his
+fingers could fly; but it was too cold to have the windows open, so the
+pretty children could not listen long, and the ladies tossed out a
+little money, and soon went back to their own affairs.</p>
+
+<p>All the afternoon the two friends wandered about, singing and playing,
+and gathering up their small harvest. At dusk they went home,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> Tessa so
+hoarse she could hardly speak, and so tired she fell asleep over her
+supper. But she had made half a dollar, for Tommo divided the money
+fairly, and she felt rich with her share. The other days were very much
+like this; sometimes they made more, sometimes less, but Tommo always
+'went halves;' and Tessa kept on, in spite of cold and weariness, for
+her plans grew as her earnings increased, and now she hoped to get
+useful things, instead of candy and toys alone.</p>
+
+<p>On the day before Christmas she made herself as tidy as she could, for
+she hoped to earn a good deal. She tied a bright scarlet handkerchief
+over the old hood, and the brilliant color set off her brown cheeks and
+bright eyes, as well as the pretty black braids of her hair. Tommo's
+mother lent her a pair of boots so big that they turned up at the toes,
+but there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> were no holes in them, and Tessa felt quite elegant in whole
+boots. Her hands were covered with chilblains, for she had no mittens;
+but she put them under her shawl, and scuffled merrily away in her big
+boots, feeling so glad that the week was over, and nearly three dollars
+safe in her pocket. How gay the streets were that day! how brisk every
+one was, and how bright the faces looked, as people trotted about with
+big baskets, holly-wreaths, and young evergreens going to blossom into
+splendid Christmas trees!</p>
+
+<p>'If I could have a tree for the children, I'd never want anything again.
+But I can't; so I'll fill the socks all full, and be happy,' said Tessa,
+as she looked wistfully into the gay stores, and saw the heavy baskets
+go by.</p>
+
+<p>'Who knows what may happen if we do well?' returned Tommo, nodding
+wisely, for he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> had a plan as well as Tessa, and kept chuckling over it
+as he trudged through the mud. They did <i>not</i> do well somehow, for every
+one seemed so full of their own affairs they could not stop to listen,
+even to 'Bella Monica,' but bustled away to spend their money in
+turkeys, toys, and trees. In the afternoon it began to rain, and poor
+Tessa's heart to fail her; for the big boots tired her feet, the cold
+wind made her hands ache, and the rain spoilt the fine red handkerchief.
+Even Tommo looked sober, and didn't whistle as he walked, for he also
+was disappointed, and his plan looked rather doubtful, the pennies came
+in so slowly.</p>
+
+<p>'We'll try one more street, and then go home, thou art so tired, little
+one. Come; let me wipe thy face, and give me thy hand here in my jacket
+pocket; there it will be as warm as any kitten;' and kind Tommo brushed
+away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> the drops which were not <i>all</i> rain from Tessa's cheeks, tucked
+the poor hand into his ragged pocket, and led her carefully along the
+slippery streets, for the boots nearly tripped her up.</p>
+
+<h3>II.</h3>
+
+<p>At the first house, a cross old gentleman flapped his newspaper at them;
+at the second, a young gentleman and lady were so busy talking that they
+never turned their heads, and at the third, a servant came out and told
+them to go away, because some one was sick. At the fourth, some people
+let them sing all their songs and gave nothing. The next three houses
+were empty; and the last of all showed not a single face as they looked
+up anxiously. It was so cold, so dark and discouraging, that Tessa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>
+couldn't help one sob; and, as he glanced down at the little red nose
+and wet figure beside him, Tommo gave his harp an angry thump, and said
+something very fierce in Italian. They were just going to turn away; but
+they didn't, for that angry thump happened to be the best thing they
+could have done. All of a sudden a little head appeared at the window,
+as if the sound had brought it; then another and another, till there
+were five, of all heights and colors, and five eager faces peeped out,
+smiling and nodding to the two below.</p>
+
+<p>'Sing, Tessa; sing! Quick! quick!' cried Tommo, twanging away with all
+his might, and showing his white teeth, as he smiled back at the little
+gentle-folk.</p>
+
+<p>Bless us! How Tessa did tune up at that! She chirped away like a real
+bird, forgetting all about the tears on her cheeks, the ache in her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>
+hands, and the heaviness at her heart. The children laughed, and clapped
+their hands, and cried 'More! more! Sing another, little girl! Please
+do!' And away they went again, piping and playing, till Tessa's breath
+was gone, and Tommo's stout fingers tingled well.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma says, come to the door; it's too muddy to throw the money into
+the street!' cried out a kindly child's voice as Tessa held up the old
+cap, with beseeching eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Up the wide stone steps went the street musicians, and the whole flock
+came running down to give a handful of silver, and ask all sorts of
+questions. Tessa felt so grateful that, without waiting for Tommo, she
+sang her sweetest little song all alone. It was about a lost lamb, and
+her heart was in the song; therefore she sang it well, so well that a
+pretty young lady came down to listen, and stood watching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> the
+bright-eyed girl, who looked about her as she sang, evidently enjoying
+the light and warmth of the fine hall, and the sight of the lovely
+children with their gay dresses, shining hair, and dainty little shoes.</p>
+
+<p>'You have a charming voice, child. Who taught you to sing?' asked the
+young lady kindly.</p>
+
+<p>'My mother. She is dead now; but I do not forget,' answered Tessa, in
+her pretty broken English.</p>
+
+<p>'I wish she could sing at our tree, since Bella is ill,' cried one of
+the children peeping through the banisters.</p>
+
+<p>'She is not fair enough for the angel, and too large to go up in the
+tree. But she sings sweetly, and looks as if she would like to see a
+tree,' said the young lady.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, so much!' exclaimed Tessa; adding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> eagerly, 'my sister Ranza is
+small and pretty as a baby-angel. She could sit up in the fine tree, and
+I could sing for her from under the table.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sit down and warm yourself, and tell me about Ranza,' said the kind
+elder sister, who liked the confiding little girl, in spite of her
+shabby clothes.</p>
+
+<p>So Tessa sat down and dried the big boots over the furnace, and told her
+story, while Tommo stood modestly in the background, and the children
+listened with faces full of interest.</p>
+
+<p>'O Rose! let us see the little girl; and if she will do, let us have
+her, and Tessa can learn our song, and it will be splendid!' cried the
+biggest boy, who sat astride of a chair, and stared at the harp with
+round eyes.</p>
+
+<p>'I'll ask mamma,' said Rose; and away she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> went into the dining-room
+close by. As the door opened, Tessa saw what looked to her like a fairy
+feast,&mdash;all silver mugs and flowery plates and oranges and nuts and rosy
+wine in tall glass pitchers, and smoking dishes that smelt so
+deliciously she could not restrain a little sniff of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>'Are you hungry?' asked the boy, in a grand tone.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, sir,' meekly answered Tessa.</p>
+
+<p>'I say, mamma; she wants something to eat. Can I give her an orange?'
+called the boy, prancing away into the splendid room, quite like a fairy
+prince, Tessa thought.</p>
+
+<p>A plump motherly lady came out and looked at Tessa, asked a few
+questions, and then told her to come to-morrow with Ranza, and they
+would see what could be done. Tessa clapped her hands for joy,&mdash;she
+didn't mind the chilblains<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> now,&mdash;and Tommo played a lively march, he
+was so pleased.</p>
+
+<p>'Will you come, too, and bring your harp? You shall be paid, and shall
+have something from the tree, likewise,' said the motherly lady, who
+liked what Tessa gratefully told about his kindness to her.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, yes; I shall come with much gladness, and play as never in my life
+before,' cried Tommo, with a flourish of the old cap that made the
+children laugh.</p>
+
+<p>'Give these to your brothers,' said the fairy prince, stuffing nuts and
+oranges into Tessa's hands.</p>
+
+<p>'And these to the little girl,' added one of the young princesses,
+flying out of the dining-room with cakes and rosy apples for Ranza.</p>
+
+<p>Tessa didn't know what to say; but her eyes were full, and she just took
+the mother's white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> hand in both her little grimy ones, and kissed it
+many times in her pretty Italian fashion. The lady understood her, and
+stroked her cheek softly, saying to her elder daughter, 'We must take
+care of this good little creature. Freddy, bring me your mittens; these
+poor hands must be covered. Alice, get your play-hood; this handkerchief
+is all wet; and, Maud, bring the old chinchilla tippet.'</p>
+
+<p>The children ran, and in a minute there were lovely blue mittens on the
+red hands, a warm hood over the black braids, and a soft 'pussy' round
+the sore throat.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! so kind, so very kind! I have no way to say "thank you;" but Ranza
+shall be for you a heavenly angel, and I will sing my heart out for your
+tree!' cried Tessa, folding the mittens as if she would say a prayer of
+thankfulness if she knew how.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then they went away, and the pretty children called after them, 'Come
+again, Tessa! come again, Tommo!' Now the rain didn't seem dismal, the
+wind cold, nor the way long, as they bought their gifts and hurried
+home, for kind words and the sweet magic of charity had changed all the
+world to them.</p>
+
+<p>I think the good spirits who fly about on Christmas Eve, to help the
+loving fillers of little stockings, smiled very kindly on Tessa as she
+brooded joyfully over the small store of presents that seemed so
+magnificent to her. All the goodies were divided evenly into three parts
+and stowed away in father's three big socks, which hung against the
+curtain. With her three dollars, she had got a pair of shoes for Nono, a
+knit cap for Sep, and a pair of white stockings for Ranza; to her she
+also gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> the new hood; to Nono the mittens; and to Sep the tippet.</p>
+
+<p>'Now the dear boys can go out, and my Ranza will be ready for the lady
+to see, in her nice new things,' said Tessa, quite sighing with pleasure
+to see how well the gifts looked pinned up beside the bulging socks,
+which wouldn't hold them all. The little mother kept nothing for herself
+but the pleasure of giving everything away; yet, I think, she was both
+richer and happier than if she had kept them all. Her father laughed as
+he had not done since the mother died, when he saw how comically the old
+curtain had broken out into boots and hoods, stockings and tippets.</p>
+
+<p>'I wish I had a gold gown and a silver hat for thee, my Tessa, thou art
+so good. May the saints bless and keep thee always!' said Peter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> Benari
+tenderly, as he held his little daughter close, and gave her the
+good-night kiss.</p>
+
+<p>Tessa felt very rich as she crept under the faded counterpane, feeling
+as if she had received a lovely gift, and fell happily asleep with
+chubby Ranza in her arms, and the two rough black heads peeping out at
+the foot of the bed. She dreamed wonderful dreams that night, and woke
+in the morning to find real wonders before her eyes. She got up early,
+to see if the socks were all right, and there she found the most
+astonishing sight. Four socks, instead of three; and by the fourth,
+pinned out quite elegantly was a little dress, evidently meant for
+her&mdash;a warm, woollen dress, all made, and actually with bright buttons
+on it. It nearly took her breath away; so did the new boots on the
+floor, and the funny long stocking like a grey sausage,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> with a wooden
+doll staring out at the top, as if she said, politely, 'A Merry
+Christmas, ma'am!' Tessa screamed and danced in her delight, and up
+tumbled all the children to scream and dance with her, making a regular
+carnival on a small scale. Everybody hugged and kissed everybody else,
+offered sucks of orange, bites of cake, and exchanges of candy; every
+one tried on the new things, and pranced about in them like a flock of
+peacocks. Ranza skipped to and fro airily, dressed in her white socks
+and the red hood; the boys promenaded in their little shirts, one with
+his creaking new shoes and mittens, the other in his gay cap and fine
+tippet; and Tessa put her dress straight on, feeling that her father's
+'gold gown' was not all a joke. In her long stocking she found all sorts
+of treasures; for Tommo had stuffed it full of queer things, and his
+mother had made gingerbread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> into every imaginable shape, from fat pigs
+to full omnibuses.</p>
+
+<p>Dear me! What happy little souls they were that morning; and when they
+were quiet again, how like a fairy tale did Tessa's story sound to them.
+Ranza was quite ready to be an angel; and the boys promised to be
+marvellously good, if they were only allowed to see the tree at the
+'palace,' as they called the great house.</p>
+
+<p>Little Ranza was accepted with delight by the kind lady and her
+children, and Tessa learned the song quite easily. The boys <i>were</i>
+asked; and, after a happy day, the young Italians all returned, to play
+their parts at the fine Christmas party. Mamma and Miss Rose drilled
+them all; and when the folding-doors flew open, one rapturous 'Oh!'
+arose from the crowd of children gathered to the festival. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> assure
+you, it was splendid; the great tree glittering with lights and gifts;
+and, on her invisible perch, up among the green boughs, sat the little
+golden-haired angel, all in white, with downy wings, a shining crown on
+her head, and the most serene satisfaction in her blue eyes, as she
+stretched her chubby arms to those below, and smiled her baby smile at
+them. Before any one could speak, a voice, as fresh and sweet as a
+lark's, sang the Christmas Carol so blithely that every one stood still
+to hear, and then clapped till the little angel shook on her perch, and
+cried out, 'Be 'till, or me'll fall!' How they laughed at that; and what
+fun they had talking to Ranza, while Miss Rose stripped the tree, for
+the angel could not resist temptation, and amused herself by eating all
+the bonbons she could reach, till she was taken down, to dance about
+like a fairy in a white frock and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> red shoes. Tessa and her friends had
+many presents; the boys were perfect lambs, Tommo played for the little
+folks to dance, and every one said something friendly to the strangers,
+so that they did not feel shy, in spite of shabby clothes. It was a
+happy night: and all their lives they remembered it as something too
+beautiful and bright to be quite true. Before they went home, the kind
+mamma told Tessa she should be her friend, and gave her a motherly kiss,
+which warmed the child's heart and seemed to set a seal upon that
+promise. It was faithfully kept, for the rich lady had been touched by
+Tessa's patient struggles and sacrifices; and for many years, thanks to
+her benevolence, there was no end to Tessa's Surprises.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="BUZZ" id="BUZZ"></a><i>BUZZ.</i></h2>
+
+<p>I live high up in a city house all alone. My room is a cosy little
+place, though there is nothing very splendid in it,&mdash;only my pictures
+and books, my flowers and my little friend. When I began to live there,
+I was very busy and therefore very happy; but by-and-by, when my hurry
+was over and I had more time to myself, I often felt lonely. When I ate
+my meals I used to wish for a pleasant companion to eat with me; and
+when I sat by the fire of evenings, I thought how much more social it
+would be if some one sat opposite. I had many friends and callers
+through the day, but the evenings were often rather dull; for I
+couldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> read much, and didn't care to go out in the stormy weather.</p>
+
+<p>I was wishing for a cheerful friend one night, when all of a sudden I
+found one; for, sitting on my hand, I saw a plump, jolly-looking fly. He
+sat quietly staring at me, with a mild little hum, as if to say,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'How are you? You wanted a friend, and here I am. Will you have me?'</p>
+
+<p>Of course I would, for I liked him directly, he was so cheery and
+confiding, and seemed as glad to see me as I was to see him. All his
+mates were dead and gone, and he was alone, like myself. So I waggled
+one finger, by way of welcome, fearing to shake my hand, lest he should
+tumble off and feel hurt at my reception. He seemed to understand me,
+and buzzed again, evidently saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you, ma'am. I should like to stay in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> your warm room, and amuse
+you for my board. I won't disturb you, but do my best to be a good
+little friend.'</p>
+
+<p>So the bargain was struck, and he stopped to tea. I found that his
+manners had been neglected; for he was inclined to walk over the butter,
+drink out of the cream-pot, and put his fingers in the jelly. A few taps
+with my spoon taught him to behave with more propriety, and he sipped a
+drop of milk from the waiter with a crumb of sugar, as a well-bred fly
+should do.</p>
+
+<p>On account of his fine voice, I named him Buzz, and we soon got on
+excellently together. He seemed to like his new quarters, and, after
+exploring every corner of the room, he chose his favourite haunts and
+began to enjoy himself. I always knew where he was, for he kept up a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>
+constant song, humming and buzzing, like a little kettle getting ready
+to boil.</p>
+
+<p>On sunny days, he amused himself by bumping his head against the window,
+and watching what went on outside. It would have given me a headache,
+but he seemed to enjoy it immensely. Up in my hanging basket of ivy he
+made his bower, and sat there on the moss basking in the sunshine, as
+luxuriously as any gentleman in his conservatory. He was interested in
+the plants, and examined them daily with great care, walking over the
+ivy leaves, grubbing under the moss, and poking his head into the
+unfolding hyacinth buds to see how they got on.</p>
+
+<p>The pictures, also, seemed to attract his attention, for he spent much
+time skating over the glasses and studying the designs. Sometimes I
+would find him staring at my Madonna,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> as if he said, 'What in the world
+are all those topsy-turvy children about?' Then he'd sit in the middle
+of a brook, in a water-color sketch by Vautin, as if bathing his feet,
+or seem to be eating the cherry which one little duck politely offers
+another little duck, in Oscar Pletch's Summer Party. He frequently
+kissed my mother's portrait, and sat on my father's bald head, as if
+trying to get out some of the wisdom stored up there, like honey in an
+ill-thatched bee-hive. My bronze Mercury rather puzzled him, for he
+could not understand why the young gentleman didn't fly off when he had
+four wings and seemed in such a hurry.</p>
+
+<p>I'm afraid he was a trifle vain, for he sat before the glass a great
+deal, and I often saw him cleaning his proboscis, and twiddling his
+feelers, and I know he was 'prinking,' as we say. The books pleased him,
+too, and he used<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> to run them over, as if trying to choose which he
+would read, and never seemed able to decide. He would have nothing to
+say to the fat French Dictionary, or my English Plays, but liked Goethe
+and Schiller, Emerson and Browning, as well as I did. Carlyle didn't
+suit him, and Richter evidently made his head ache. But Jean Ingelow's
+Poems delighted him, and so did her 'Stories told to a Child.' 'Fairy
+Bells' he often listened to, and was very fond of the pictures in a
+photograph book of foreign places and great people.</p>
+
+<p>He frequently promenaded on the piazza of a little Swiss chalet,
+standing on the mantel-piece, and thought it a charming residence for a
+single gentleman like himself. The closet delighted him extremely, and
+he buzzed in the most joyful manner when he got among the
+provisions,&mdash;for we kept house together. Such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> revels as he had in the
+sugar-bowl; such feasts of gingerbread and grapes; such long sips of
+milk, and sly peeps into every uncovered box and dish! Once I'm afraid
+he took too much cider, for I found him lying on his back, kicking and
+humming like a crazy top, and he was very queer all the rest of that
+day; so I kept the bottle corked after that. But his favorite nook was
+among the ferns in the vase which a Parian dancing-girl carried. She
+stood just over the stove on one little toe, rattling some castanets,
+which made no sound, and never getting a step farther for all her
+prancing. This was a warm and pretty retreat for Buzz, and there he
+spent much of his time, swinging on the ferns, sleeping snugly in the
+vase, or warming his feet in the hot air that blew up, like a south
+wind, from the stove.</p>
+
+<p>I don't believe there was a happier fly in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> Boston than my friend Buzz,
+and I grew fonder and fonder of him every day; for he never got into
+mischief, but sung his cheery song, no matter what the weather was, and
+made himself agreeable. Then he was so interested in all I did, it was
+delightful to have him round. When I wrote he came and walked about over
+my paper to see that it was right, peeped into my ink-stand, and ran
+after my pen. He never made silly or sharp criticisms on my stories, but
+appeared to admire them very much; so I am sure he was a good judge.
+When I sewed, he sat in my basket, or played hide-and-seek in the folds
+of my work, talking away all the while in the most sociable manner. He
+often flew up all of a sudden, and danced about in the air, as if he was
+in such a jolly mood he couldn't keep still, and wanted me to come and
+play with him. But, alas! I had no wings, and could only sit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> stupidly
+still, and laugh at his pranks. That was his exercise, for he never went
+out, and only took a sniff of air now and then when I opened the
+windows.</p>
+
+<p>Well, little Buzz and I lived together many weeks, and never got tired
+of one another, which is saying a good deal. At Christmas I went home
+for a week and left my room to take care of itself. I put the hyacinths
+into the closet to be warm, and dropped the curtain, so the frost should
+not nip my ivy; but I forgot Buzz. I really would have taken him with
+me, or carried him down to a neighbour's room to be taken care of while
+I was away, but I never thought of him in the hurry of getting my
+presents and myself ready. Off I went without even saying 'good-bye,'
+and never thought of my little friend till Freddy, my small nephew, said
+to me one evening at dusk,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Jo, tell me a story.'</p>
+
+<p>So I began to tell him about Buzz, and all of a sudden I cried out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Mercy on me! I'm afraid he'll die of cold while I'm gone.'</p>
+
+<p>It troubled me a good deal, and I wanted to know how the poor little
+fellow was so much that I would have gone to see if I had not been so
+far away. But it would be rather silly to hurry away twenty miles to
+look after one fly: so I finished my visit, and then went back to my
+room, hoping to find Buzz alive and well in spite of the cold.</p>
+
+<p>Alas, no! my little friend was gone. There he lay on his back on the
+mantel-piece, his legs meekly folded, and his wings stiff and still. He
+had evidently gone to the warm place, and been surprised when the heat
+died out and left him to freeze. My poor little Buzz had sung his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> last
+song, danced his last dance, and gone where the good flies go. I was
+very sorry and buried him among the ivy roots, where the moss lay green
+above him, the sun shone warmly on him, and the bitter cold could never
+come. I miss him very much; when I sit writing, I miss his cheerful
+voice and busy wings; at meals there is no tiny little body to drink up
+spilt drops and eat the crumbs: in the evenings, when I sit alone, I
+want him more than ever, and every day, as I water my plants, I say,
+softly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Grow green, ivy, lie lightly, moss, shine warmly, sun, and make his
+last bed pleasant to my little friend.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="THE_CHILDRENS_JOKE" id="THE_CHILDRENS_JOKE"></a><i>THE CHILDREN'S JOKE.</i></h2>
+
+<p>'"You can't do this" and "you mustn't do that," from morning to night.
+Try it yourself and see how you'd like it,' muttered Harry, as he flung
+down his hat in sulky obedience to his father's command to give up a
+swim in the river and keep himself cool with a book that warm summer
+evening.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course I should like to mind my parents. Good children always do,'
+began Mr. Fairbairn, entirely forgetting the pranks of his boyhood, as
+people are apt to.</p>
+
+<p>'Glad I didn't know you then. Must have been a regular prig,' growled
+Harry under his breath.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Silence, sir! go to your room, and don't let me see you till tea-time.
+You must be taught respect as well as obedience,' and Mr. Fairbairn gave
+the table a rap that caused his son to retire precipitately.</p>
+
+<p>On the stairs he met his sister Kitty looking as cross as himself.</p>
+
+<p>'What's the matter with you?' he asked, pausing a minute, for misery
+loves company.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma will make me dress up in a stiff clean frock, and have my hair
+curled over again just because some one <i>may</i> come. I want to play in
+the garden, and I can't all fussed up this way. I do hate company and
+clothes and manners, don't you?' answered Kitty, with a spiteful pull at
+her sash.</p>
+
+<p>'I hate being ordered round everlastingly, and badgered from morning
+till night. I'd just like to be let alone,' and Harry went on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> way
+to captivity with a grim shake of the head and a very strong desire to
+run away from home altogether.</p>
+
+<p>'So would I, mamma is so fussy. I never have any peace of my life,'
+sighed Kitty, feeling that her lot was a hard one.</p>
+
+<p>The martyr in brown linen went up, and the other martyr in white cambric
+went down, both looking as they felt, rebellious and unhappy. Yet a
+stranger seeing them and their home would have thought they had
+everything heart could desire. All the comforts that money could buy,
+and all the beauty that taste could give seemed gathered round them.
+Papa and mamma loved the two little people dearly, and no real care or
+sorrow came to trouble the lives that would have been all sunshine but
+for one thing. With the best intentions in the world, Mr. and Mrs.
+Fairbairn were spoiling their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> children by constant fault-finding, too
+many rules and too little sympathy with the active young souls and
+bodies under their care. As Harry said, they were ordered about,
+corrected and fussed over from morning till night, and were getting so
+tired of it that the most desperate ideas began to enter their heads.</p>
+
+<p>Now, in the house was a quiet old maiden aunt, who saw the mischief
+brewing, and tried to cure it by suggesting more liberty and less
+'nagging,' as the boys call it. But Mr. and Mrs. F. always silenced her
+by saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'My dear Betsey, you never had a family, so how <i>can</i> you know anything
+about the proper management of children?'</p>
+
+<p>They quite forgot that sister Betsey had brought up a flock of
+motherless brothers and sisters, and done it wisely and well, though she
+never got any thanks or praise for it, and never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> expected any for doing
+her duty faithfully. If it had not been for aunty, Harry and Kitty would
+have long ago carried out their favorite plan, and have run away
+together, like Roland and Maybird. She kept them from this foolish prank
+by all sorts of unsuspected means, and was their refuge in troublous
+times. For all her quiet ways, aunty was full of fun as well as sympathy
+and patience, and she smoothed the thorny road to virtue with the
+innocent and kindly little arts that make some people as useful and
+beloved as good fairy godmothers were once upon a time.</p>
+
+<p>As they sat at tea that evening papa and mamma were most affable and
+lively; but the children's spirits were depressed by a long day of
+restraint, and they sat like well-bred mutes, languidly eating their
+supper.</p>
+
+<p>'It's the warm weather. They need something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> bracing. I'll give them a
+dose of iron mixture to-morrow,' said mamma.</p>
+
+<p>'I've taken enough now to make a cooking-stove,' groaned Kitty, who
+hated being dosed.</p>
+
+<p>'If you'd let me go swimming every night I'd be all right,' added Harry.</p>
+
+<p>'Not another word on that point. I will <i>not</i> let you do it, for you
+will get drowned as sure as you try,' said mamma, who was so timid she
+had panics the minute her boy was out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Betsey let her boys go, and they never came to grief,' began
+Harry.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Betsey's ideas and mine differ. Children are not brought up now as
+they were in her day,' answered mamma with a superior air.</p>
+
+<p>'I just wish they were. Jolly good times <i>her</i> boys had.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, and girls too, playing anything they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> liked, and not rigged up and
+plagued with company,' cried Kitty, with sudden interest.</p>
+
+<p>'What do you mean by that?' asked papa good-naturedly; for somehow his
+youth returned to him for a minute, and seemed very pleasant.</p>
+
+<p>The children could not explain very well, but Harry said slowly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'If you were to be in our places for a day you'd see what we mean.'</p>
+
+<p>'Wouldn't it be worth your while to try the experiment?' said Aunt
+Betsey, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>Papa and mamma laughed at the idea, but looked sober when aunty added,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Why not put yourselves in their places for a day and see how you like
+it? I think you would understand the case better than any one could
+describe it, and perhaps do both yourselves and the children a lasting
+service.'</p>
+
+<p>'Upon my word, that's a droll idea! What<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> do you say to it, mamma?' and
+papa looked much amused.</p>
+
+<p>'I am willing to try it if you are, just for the fun of the thing, but I
+don't think it will do any good;' and mamma shook her head as if Aunt
+Betsey's plan was a wild one.</p>
+
+<p>The children sat quiet, speechless with surprise at this singular
+proposal, but as its full richness dawned upon them, they skipped in
+their chairs and clapped their hands delightedly.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you propose to carry out this new educational frolic?' asked
+papa, beginning to feel some curiosity as to the part he was to play.</p>
+
+<p>'Merely let the children do as they like for one day and have full power
+over you. Let them plan your duties and pleasures, order your food, fix
+your hours, and punish or reward you as they think proper. You must
+promise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> entire obedience, and keep the agreement till night.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good! good! Oh, won't it be fun!' cried Harry and Kitty, applauding
+enthusiastically; while papa and mamma looked rather sober as the plan
+was developed before them.</p>
+
+<p>'To-morrow is a holiday for us all, and we might celebrate it by this
+funny experiment. It will amuse us and do no harm, at any rate,' added
+aunty, quite in love with her new scheme.</p>
+
+<p>'Very well, we will. Come, mamma, let us promise, and see what these
+rogues will do for us. Playing father and mother is no joke, mind you;
+but you will have an easier time of it than we do, for <i>we</i> shall behave
+ourselves,' said papa, with a virtuous expression.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma agreed, and the supper ended merrily, for every one was full of
+curiosity as to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> the success of the new play. Harry and Kitty went to
+bed early, that they might be ready for the exciting labors of the next
+day. Aunt Betsey paid each a short visit before they slept, and it is
+supposed that she laid out the order of performances, and told each what
+to do; for the little people would never have thought of so many sly
+things if left to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>At seven the next morning, as mamma was in her dressing-room, just
+putting on her cool, easy wrapper, in came Kitty with a solemn face,
+though her eyes danced with fun, as she said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Careless, untidy girl! Put on a clean dress, do up your hair properly,
+and go and practise half an hour before breakfast.'</p>
+
+<p>At first mamma looked as if inclined to refuse, but Kitty was firm; and,
+with a sigh, mamma rustled into a stiff, scratchy, French print, took
+her hair out of the comfortable net,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> and braided it carefully up; then,
+instead of reading in her arm-chair, she was led to the parlor and set
+to learning a hard piece of music.</p>
+
+<p>'Can't I have my early cup of tea and my roll?' she asked.</p>
+
+<p>'Eating between meals is a very bad habit, and I can't allow it,' said
+Kitty, in the tone her mother often used to her. 'I shall have a mug of
+new milk and a roll, because grown people need more nourishment than
+children;' and sitting down, she ate her early lunch with a relish,
+while poor mamma played away, feeling quite out of tune herself.</p>
+
+<p>Harry found papa enjoying the last delightful doze that makes bed so
+fascinating of a morning. As if half afraid to try the experiment, the
+boy slowly approached and gave the sleeper a sudden, hard shake, saying
+briskly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Come, come, come, lazy-bones! Get up, get up!'</p>
+
+<p>Papa started as if an earthquake had roused him, and stared at Harry,
+astonished for a minute, then he remembered, and upset Harry's gravity
+by whining out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Come, you let me alone. It isn't time yet, and I am <i>so</i> tired.'</p>
+
+<p>Harry took the joke, and assuming the stern air of his father on such
+occasions, said impressively,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'You have been called, and now if you are not down in fifteen minutes
+you won't have any breakfast. Not a morsel, sir, not a morsel;' and,
+coolly pocketing his father's watch, he retired, to giggle all the way
+downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>When the breakfast bell rang, mamma hurried into the dining-room,
+longing for her tea. But Kitty sat behind the urn, and said gravely,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Go back, and enter the room properly. Will you never learn to behave
+like a lady?'</p>
+
+<p>Mamma looked impatient at the delay, and having re-entered in her most
+elegant manner, sat down, and passed her plate for fresh trout and
+muffins.</p>
+
+<p>'No fish or hot bread for you, my dear. Eat your good oatmeal porridge
+and milk; that is the proper food for children.'</p>
+
+<p>'Can't I have some tea?' cried mamma, in despair, for without it she
+felt quite lost.</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly not. <i>I</i> never was allowed tea when a little girl, and
+couldn't think of giving it to you,' said Kitty, filling a large cup for
+herself, and sipping the forbidden draught with a relish.</p>
+
+<p>Poor mamma quite groaned at this hard fate, but meekly obeyed, and ate
+the detested porridge, understanding Kitty's dislike to it at last.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Harry, sitting in his father's chair, read the paper, and ate everything
+he could lay his hands on, with a funny assumption of his father's
+morning manner. Aunt Betsey looked on much amused, and now and then
+nodded to the children as if she thought things were going nicely.</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast was half over when papa came in, and was about to take Harry's
+place when his son said, trying vainly to look grave as he showed the
+watch,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'What did I tell you, sir? You are late again, sir. No breakfast, sir.
+I'm sorry, but this habit <i>must</i> be broken up. Not a word; it's your own
+fault, and you must bear the penalty.'</p>
+
+<p>'Come, now, that's hard on a fellow! I'm awful hungry. Can't I have just
+a bite of something?' asked papa, quite taken aback at this stern
+decree.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I said not a morsel, and I shall keep my word. Go to your morning
+duties and let this be a lesson to you.'</p>
+
+<p>Papa cast a look at Aunt Betsey, that was both comic and pathetic, and
+departed without a word; but he felt a sudden sympathy with his son, who
+had often been sent fasting from the table for some small offence.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that he appreciated aunty's kind heart, and felt quite fond
+of her, for in a few minutes she came to him, as he raked the gravel
+walk (Harry's duty every day), and slipping a nice, warm, well-buttered
+muffin into his hand, said, in her motherly way,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'My dear, do try and please your father. He is right about late rising,
+but I can't bear to see you starve.'</p>
+
+<p>'Betsey, you are an angel!' and turning his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> back to the house, papa
+bolted the muffin with grateful rapidity, inquiring with a laugh, 'Do
+you think those rogues will keep it up in this vigorous style all day?'</p>
+
+<p>'I trust so; it isn't a bit overdone. Hope you like it!' and Aunt Betsey
+walked away, looking as if <i>she</i> enjoyed it extremely.</p>
+
+<p>'Now put on your hat and draw baby up and down the avenue for half an
+hour. Don't go on the grass, or you will wet your feet; and don't play
+with baby, I want her to go to sleep; and don't talk to papa, or he will
+neglect his work,' said Kitty, as they rose from table.</p>
+
+<p>Now, it was a warm morning and baby was heavy and the avenue was dull,
+and mamma much preferred to stay in the house and sew the trimming on to
+a new and pretty dress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Must I really? Kitty you are a hard-hearted mamma to make me do it,'
+and Mrs. Fairbairn hoped her play-parent would relent.</p>
+
+<p>But she did not, and only answered with a meaning look.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>I</i> have to do it every day, and <i>you</i> don't let me off.'</p>
+
+<p>Mamma said no more, but put on her hat and trundled away with fretful
+baby, thinking to find her fellow-sufferer and have a laugh over the
+joke. She was disappointed, however, for Harry called papa away to weed
+the lettuce-bed, and then shut him up in the study to get his lessons,
+while he mounted the pony and trotted away to town to buy a new
+fishing-rod and otherwise enjoy himself.</p>
+
+<p>When mamma came in, hot and tired, she was met by Kitty with a bottle in
+one hand and a spoon in the other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Here is your iron mixture, dear. Now take it like a good girl.'</p>
+
+<p>'I won't!' and mamma looked quite stubborn.</p>
+
+<p>'Then aunty will hold your hands and I shall make you.'</p>
+
+<p>'But I don't like it; I don't need it,' cried mamma.</p>
+
+<p>'Neither do I, but you give it to me all the same. I'm sure you need
+strengthening more than I do, you have so many "trials,"' and Kitty
+looked very sly as she quoted one of the words often on her mother's
+lips.</p>
+
+<p>'You'd better mind, Carrie; it can't hurt you, and you know you promised
+entire obedience. Set a good example,' said aunty.</p>
+
+<p>'But I never thought these little chits would do so well. Ugh, how
+disagreeable it is!' And mamma took her dose with a wry face,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> feeling
+that Aunt Betsey was siding with the wrong party.</p>
+
+<p>'Now sit down and hem these towels till dinner-time. I have so much to
+do I don't know which way to turn,' continued Kitty, much elated with
+her success.</p>
+
+<p>Rest of any sort was welcome, so mamma sewed busily till callers came.
+They happened to be some little friends of Kitty's, and she went to them
+in the parlor, telling mamma to go up to nurse and have her hair brushed
+and her dress changed, and then come and see the guests. While she was
+away Kitty told the girls the joke they were having, and begged them to
+help her carry it out. They agreed, being ready for fun and not at all
+afraid of Mrs. Fairbairn. So when she came in they all began to kiss and
+cuddle and praise and pass her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> round as if she was a doll, to her great
+discomfort and the great amusement of the little girls.</p>
+
+<p>While this was going on in the drawing-room, Harry was tutoring his
+father in the study, and putting that poor gentleman through a course of
+questions that nearly drove him distracted; for Harry got out the
+hardest books he could find, and selected the most puzzling subjects. A
+dusty old history was rummaged out also, and classical researches
+followed, in which papa's memory played him false more than once,
+calling forth rebukes from his severe young tutor. But he came to open
+disgrace over his mathematics, for he had no head for figures, and, not
+being a business man, had not troubled himself about the matter; so
+Harry, who was in fine practice, utterly routed him in mental arithmetic
+by giving him regular puzzlers, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> he got stuck offered no help,
+but shook his head and called him a stupid fellow.</p>
+
+<p>The dinner-bell released the exhausted student, and he gladly took his
+son's place, looking as if he had been hard at work. He was faint with
+hunger, but was helped last, being 'only a boy,' and then checked every
+five minutes for eating too fast. Mamma was very meek, and only looked
+wistfully at the pie when told in her own words that pastry was bad for
+children.</p>
+
+<p>Any attempts at conversation were promptly quenched by the worn-out old
+saying, 'Children should be seen, not heard,' while Harry and Kitty
+chattered all dinner-time, and enjoyed it to their hearts' content,
+especially the frequent pecks at their great children, who, to be even
+with them, imitated all their tricks as well as they could.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't whistle at table, papa;' 'keep your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> hands still mamma;' 'wait
+till you are helped, sir;' 'tuck your napkin well in, and don't spill
+your soup, Caroline.'</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Betsey laughed till her eyes were full, and they had a jolly time,
+though the little people had the best of it, for the others obeyed them
+in spite of their dislike to the new rules.</p>
+
+<p>'Now you may play for two hours,' was the gracious order issued as they
+rose from table.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma fell upon a sofa exhausted, and papa hurried to read his paper in
+the shady garden.</p>
+
+<p>Usually these hours of apparent freedom were spoilt by constant
+calls,&mdash;not to run, not to play this or that, or frequent calls to do
+errands. The children had mercy, however, and left them in peace; which
+was a wise move on the whole, for the poor souls found rest so agreeable
+they privately resolved to let the children alone in their play-hours.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Can I go over and see Mr. Hammond?' asked papa, wishing to use up the
+last half-hour of his time by a neighbourly call.</p>
+
+<p>'No; I don't like Tommy Hammond, so I don't wish you to play with his
+father,' said Harry, with a sly twinkle of the eye, as he turned the
+tables on his papa.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairbairn gave a low whistle and retired to the barn, where Harry
+followed him, and ordered the man to harness up old Bill.</p>
+
+<p>'Going to drive, sir?' asked papa, respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't ask questions,' was all the answer he got.</p>
+
+<p>Old Bill was put into the best buggy and driven to the hall door. Papa
+followed, and mamma sprang up from her nap, ready for her afternoon
+drive.</p>
+
+<p>'Can't I go?' she asked, as Kitty came down in her new hat and gloves.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'No; there isn't room.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why not have the carryall, and let us go, too, we like it so much,'
+said papa, in the pleading tone Harry often used.</p>
+
+<p>Kitty was about to consent, for she loved mamma, and found it hard to
+cross her so. But Harry was made of sterner stuff; his wrongs still
+burned within him, and he said impatiently&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'We can't be troubled with you. The buggy is nicest and lightest, and we
+want to talk over our affairs. You, my son, can help John turn the hay
+on the lawn, and Caroline can amuse baby, or help Jane with the
+preserves. Little girls should be domestic.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, thunder!' growled papa.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Betsey taught you that speech, you saucy boy,' cried mamma, as the
+children drove<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> off in high glee, leaving their parents to the
+distasteful tasks set them.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Fairbairn wanted to read, but baby was fretful, and there was no
+Kitty to turn him over to, so she spent her afternoon amusing the small
+tyrant, while papa made hay in the sun and didn't like it.</p>
+
+<p>Just at tea-time the children came home, full of the charms of their
+drive, but did not take the trouble to tell much about it to the
+stay-at-home people. Bread and milk was all they allowed their victims,
+while they revelled in marmalade and cake, fruit and tea.</p>
+
+<p>'I expect company this evening, but I don't wish you to sit up,
+Caroline; you are too young, and late hours are bad for your eyes. Go to
+bed, and don't forget to brush your hair and teeth well, five minutes
+for each; cold cream your hands, fold your ribbons, hang up your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>
+clothes, put out your boots to be cleaned, and put in the mosquito bars;
+I will come and take away the light when I am dressed.'</p>
+
+<p>Kitty delivered this dread command with effect, for she had heard and
+cried over it too often not to have it quite by heart.</p>
+
+<p>'But I can't go to bed at half-past seven o'clock of a summer night! I'm
+not sleepy, and this is just the pleasantest time of the whole day,'
+said mamma, thinking her bargain a hard one.</p>
+
+<p>'Go up directly, my daughter, and don't discuss the matter; I know what
+is best for you,' and Kitty sent social, wide-awake mamma to bed, there
+to lie thinking soberly till Mrs. Kit came for the lamp.</p>
+
+<p>'Have you had a happy day, love?' she asked, bending over the pillow, as
+her mother used to do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'No, ma'am.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then it was your own fault, my child. Obey your parents in all things,
+and you will be both good and happy.'</p>
+
+<p>'That depends'&mdash;began mamma, but stopped short, remembering that
+to-morrow she would be on the other side, and anything she might say now
+would be quoted against her.</p>
+
+<p>But Kitty understood, and her heart melted as she hugged her mother and
+said in her own caressing way&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Poor little mamma! did she have a hard time? and didn't she like being
+a good girl and minding her parents?'</p>
+
+<p>Mamma laughed also, and held Kitty close, but all she said was&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Good-night, dear; don't be troubled: it will be all right to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hope so,' and with a hearty kiss, Kitty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> went thoughtfully downstairs
+to meet several little friends whom she had asked to spend the evening
+with her.</p>
+
+<p>As the ladies left the room, papa leaned back and prepared to smoke a
+cigar, feeling that he needed the comfort of it after this trying day.
+But Harry was down upon him at once.</p>
+
+<p>'A very bad habit&mdash;can't allow it. Throw that dirty thing away, and go
+and get your Latin lesson for to-morrow. The study is quiet, and we want
+this room.'</p>
+
+<p>'But I am tired. I can't study at night. Let me off till to-morrow,
+please, sir!' begged papa, who had not looked at Latin since he left
+school.</p>
+
+<p>'Not a word, sir! I shall listen to no excuses, and shall <i>not</i> let you
+neglect your education on any account,' and Harry slapped the table <i>&agrave;
+la</i> papa in the most impressive manner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairbairn went away into the dull study and made believe do his
+lesson, but he really smoked and meditated.</p>
+
+<p>The young folks had a grand revel, and kept it up till ten o'clock,
+while mamma lay awake, longing to go down and see what they were about,
+and papa shortly fell asleep, quite exhausted by the society of a Latin
+Grammar.</p>
+
+<p>'Idle boy, is this the way you study?' said Harry, audaciously tweaking
+him by the ear.</p>
+
+<p>'No, it's the way you do;' and feeling that his day of bondage was over,
+papa cast off his allegiance, tucked a child under each arm, and marched
+upstairs with them, kicking and screaming. Setting them down at the
+nursery door, he said, shaking his finger at them in an awful manner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Wait a bit, you rascals, and see what you will get to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>With this dark threat he vanished into his own room, and a minute after
+a great burst of laughter set their fears at rest.</p>
+
+<p>'It was a fair bargain, so I'm not afraid,' said Harry stoutly.</p>
+
+<p>'He kissed us good-night though he did glower at us, so I guess it was
+only fun,' added Kitty.</p>
+
+<p>'Hasn't it been a funny day?' asked Harry.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't think I quite like it, everything is so turned round,' said
+Kitty.</p>
+
+<p>'Guess <i>they</i> didn't like it very well. Hear 'em talking in there;' and
+Harry held up his finger, for a steady murmur of conversation had
+followed the laughter in papa and mamma's room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I wonder if our joke will do any good?' said Kitty thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>'Wait and see,' answered Aunt Betsey, popping her night-capped head out
+of her room with a nod and a smile that sent them to bed full of hope
+for the future.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="DANDELION" id="DANDELION"></a><i>DANDELION.</i></h2>
+
+<p>Down by the sea lived Ben the fisherman, with his wife, and little son,
+who was called Dandelion, because he wore yellow pinafores, and had
+curly, yellow hair, that covered his head with a golden fuzz. A very
+happy family, for Ben was kind and industrious, Hetty, his wife, a
+cheerful, busy creature, and Dandelion the jolliest three-year-old baby
+who ever made sand-pies and paddled on the beach.</p>
+
+<p>But one day a great trouble came to them. Ben and his fellow-fishermen
+sailed blithely away as usual, and Hetty watched the fleet of
+white-winged boats out of the bay, thinking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> how pretty they looked with
+the sunshine on them; while Dandelion stood clapping his chubby hands,
+and saying, as he always did, 'Daddy tummin' soon.' But Daddy did not
+come soon that time; for a great storm arose, and when some of the boats
+came scudding home at nightfall, Ben's was not among them. All night the
+gale raged, and in the morning, Ben's boat lay empty and broken on the
+shore. His mates shook their heads when they saw the wreck, and drew
+their rough hands over their eyes; for Ben was a good seaman, and they
+knew he never would desert his boat alive. They looked for him far and
+wide, but could hear nothing of him, and felt sure that he had perished
+in the storm. They tried to comfort poor Hetty, but she would not be
+comforted. Her heart seemed broken; and if it had not been for her baby,
+her neighbours feared that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> she would have gone to join Ben in his grave
+under the sea. Dandelion didn't understand why every one was so sad, and
+why his father stayed away so long; but he never lost his cheerfulness,
+never gave up hoping, or stopped saying, with a contented smile, 'Daddy
+tummin' soon.' The sunshiny little face was Hetty's only comfort. The
+sight of the fuzzy yellow head, bobbing round the house, alone made it
+endurable; and the touch of the loving baby hands kept her from the
+despair which made her long to end her sorrow in the sea.</p>
+
+<p>People don't believe in fairies now-a-days; nevertheless, good spirits
+still exist, and help us in our times of trouble, better even than the
+little people we used to read about. One of these household spirits is
+called Love, and it took the shape of Dandelion to comfort poor Hetty.
+Another is called Labor: a beautiful,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> happy spirit this is, and it did
+its part so well that there was little time for bitter thoughts or vain
+regrets; for Hetty's spinning-wheel must go, in order to earn bread for
+Dandelion, whose mouth was always ready for food, like a hungry bird's.
+Busily hummed the wheel: and, as it flew, it seemed to catch an echo of
+the baby's cheerful song, saying, over and over, 'Daddy tummin' soon,'
+till Hetty stopped crying as she worked, and listened to the cheerful
+whirr. 'Yes, I shall see my good Ben again, if I wait patiently. Baby
+takes comfort in saying that, and I will, too; though the poor dear will
+get tired of it soon,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>But Dandelion didn't get tired. He firmly believed what he said, and
+nothing could change his mind. He had been much troubled at seeing the
+boat laid up on the beach all broken and dismantled, but his little
+mind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> couldn't take in the idea of shipwreck and death; so, after
+thinking it over, he decided that Daddy was waiting somewhere for a new
+boat to be sent to bring him home. This idea was so strong that the
+child gathered together his store of toy-boats,&mdash;for he had many, as
+they were his favourite plaything,&mdash;and launched them, one after
+another, telling them to find his father, and bring him home.</p>
+
+<p>As Dandelion was not allowed to play on the beach, except at low tide,
+the little boats sailed safely away on the receding waves, and the child
+was sure that some of them would get safely into the distant port where
+Daddy was waiting. All the boats were launched at last, all sailed
+bravely away; but none came back, and little Dandy was much
+disappointed. He babbled about it to himself; told the peeps and the
+horse-shoes, the snails and the lobsters, of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> his trouble; begged the
+gulls to fly away and find Daddy; and every windy night when the sea
+dashed on the shore and the shutters rattled, he would want the lamp put
+in the window, as it used to be when they expected Ben, and tried to
+make home look cheerful, even before he got there.</p>
+
+<p>Hetty used to humour the child, though it made her heart ache to know
+that the light shone in vain. At such times Dandy would prance about the
+room in his little shirt, and talk about Daddy as happily as if long
+months had not passed without bringing him back. When fairly in his big,
+old-fashioned cradle, the boy would lie, looking more like a dandelion
+than ever, in his yellow flannel night-gown, playing with his toes, or
+rocking himself to and fro, calling the cradle his boat, and blithely
+telling his mother that he was sailing 'far way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> to find Daddy.' When
+tired of play, he lay still and asked her to sing to him. She had no
+heart for the gay old sea-songs she used to sing for lullabies; so she
+sung hymns in her soft, motherly voice, till the blue eyes closed and
+the golden head lay still, looking so pretty, with the circle of bright
+hair above the rosy face. 'My little saint,' Hetty called him; and
+though she often wept sadly as she watched him, the bitterness of her
+grief passed away, and a patient hope came to her; for the child's firm
+faith impressed her deeply, the pious music of the sweet old hymns
+comforted her sore heart, and daily labor kept her cheerful in spite of
+herself. The neighbours wondered at the change that came over her, but
+she could not explain it; and no one knew that the three good spirits
+called Love, Labor, and Hope, were working their pleasant miracles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Six long months went by, and no one ever thought of seeing Ben
+again,&mdash;no one but his little son, who still watched for him here, and
+his wife, who waited to meet him hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>One bright spring day something happened. The house was as tidy as ever;
+the wheel hummed briskly as Hetty sung softly to herself with a cheerful
+face, though there were white hairs among the brown, and her eyes had a
+thoughtful, absent look at times. Dandelion, more chubby and cheery than
+ever, sat at her feet, with the sunshine making a golden glory of his
+yellow hair, as he tried his new boat in the tub of water his mother
+kept for her little sailor, or tugged away with his fat fingers at a big
+needle which he was trying to pull through a bit of cloth intended for a
+sail. The faithful little soul had not forgotten his father, but had
+come to the conclusion that the reason his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> boats never prospered was
+because they hadn't large enough sails; so he was intent on rigging a
+new boat lately given him, with a sail that could not fail to waft Ben
+safely home. With his mouth puckered up, his downy eyebrows knit, and
+both hands pulling at the big needle, he was so wrapped in his work that
+he did not mind the stopping of the wheel when Hetty fell into a
+reverie, thinking of the happy time when she and Ben should meet again.
+Sitting so, neither heard a step come softly over the sand; neither saw
+an eager, brown face peer in at the door; and neither knew for a minute,
+that Ben was watching them, with a love and longing in his heart that
+made him tremble like a woman.</p>
+
+<p>Dandelion saw him first; for, as he pulled the thread through with a
+triumphant jerk, the small sailmaker lost his balance, tumbled over,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>
+and lay staring up at the tall man with his blue eyes so wide open, they
+looked as if they would never shut again. All of a sudden, he shouted,
+with a joyful shout, 'Daddy's tummin'!' and the next instant, vanished,
+ship and all, in the arms of the man who wore the rough jacket. Over
+went the spinning-wheel, as Hetty vanished likewise; and for a time
+there was nothing but sobbing and kissing, clinging, and thanking Heaven
+for its kindness to them. When they grew quieter, and Ben got into his
+old chair, with his wife on one knee and his boy on the other, he told
+them how he was wrecked in the gale, picked up by an outward-bound ship,
+and only able to get back after months of sickness and delay.</p>
+
+<p>'My boaty fetched him,' said Dandelion, feeling that every thing had
+turned out just as he expected.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'So it did, my precious; leastways, your faith helped, I haven't a
+doubt,' cried Hetty, hugging the curly headed prophet close, as she told
+Ben all that had happened.</p>
+
+<p>Ben didn't say much, but a few great tears rolled down the rough blue
+jacket, as he looked from the queer sail with its two big stitches to
+the little son, whose love, he firmly believed, had kept him safe
+through many dangers and brought him home at last.</p>
+
+<p>When the fine new boat was built, no one thought it strange that Ben
+named it 'Dandelion;' no one laughed at the little sail which always
+hung over the fire-place in the small house: and long years after, when
+Ben was an old man, and sat by the door with his grand-children on his
+knee, the story which always pleased them best was that which ended with
+the funny words, 'Daddy tummin' soon.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="MADAM_CLUCK_AND_HER_FAMILY" id="MADAM_CLUCK_AND_HER_FAMILY"></a><i>MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY.</i></h2>
+
+<p>There never was a prouder mamma than Madam Cluck when she led forth her
+family of eight downy little chicks. Chanticleer, Strut, Snowball,
+Speckle, Peep, Peck, Downy, and Blot were their names; and no sooner
+were they out of the shell than they began to chirp and scratch as gaily
+as if the big world in which they suddenly found themselves was made for
+their especial benefit. It was a fine brood; but poor Madam Cluck had
+bad luck with her chicks, for they were her first, and she didn't know
+how to manage them. Old Aunt Cockletop told her that she didn't, and
+predicted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> that 'those poor dears would come to bad ends.'</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Cockletop was right, as you will see, when I have told the sad
+history of this unfortunate family. The tragedy began with Chanty, who
+was the boldest little cockadoodle who ever tried to crow. Before he had
+a feather to his bit of a tail, Chanty began to fight, and soon was
+known as the most quarrelsome chick in the farm-yard. Having pecked his
+brothers and sisters, he tried to do the same to his playmates, the
+ducklings, goslings, and young turkeys, and was so disagreeable that all
+the fowls hated him. One day, a pair of bantams arrived,&mdash;pretty little
+white birds, with red crests and nice yellow feet. Chanty thought he
+could beat Mr. Bantam easily, he was so small, and invited him to fight.
+Mr. B. declined. Then Chanty called him a coward, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> gave Mrs. B. a
+peck, which so enraged her spouse that he flew at Chanty like a
+gamecock, and a dreadful fight followed, which ended in Chanty's utter
+defeat, for he died from his wounds.</p>
+
+<p>Downy and Snowball soon followed; for the two sweet little things would
+swing on the burdock-leaves that grew over the brook. Sitting side by
+side, the plump sisters were placidly swaying up and down over the clear
+brown water rippling below, when&mdash;ah! sad to relate&mdash;the stem broke, and
+down went leaf, chickens and all, to a watery death.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm the most unlucky hen ever hatched!' groaned poor Madam Cluck; and
+it did seem so, for the very next week, Speckle, the best and prettiest
+of the brood, went to walk with Aunt Cockletop, 'grasshoppering' they
+called it, in the great field across the road. What a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> nice time Speckle
+did have, to be sure; for the grasshoppers were lively and fat, and aunt
+was in an unusually amiable mood.</p>
+
+<p>'Never run away from anything, but face danger and conquer it, like a
+brave chick,' said the old biddy, as she went clucking through the
+grass, with her gray turban wagging in the wind. Speckle had hopped away
+from a toad with a startled chirp, which caused aunt to utter that
+remark. The words had hardly left her beak, when a shadow above made her
+look up, give one loud croak of alarm, and then scuttle away, as fast as
+legs and wings could carry her.</p>
+
+<p>Little Speckle, remembering the advice, and unconscious of the danger,
+stood her ground as a great hawk came circling nearer and nearer, till,
+with a sudden dart he pounced on the poor chicken, and bore it away
+chirping dismally,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Aunty told me not to run. Oh, dear! oh, dear! What shall I do?'</p>
+
+<p>It was a dreadful blow to Mrs. Cluck; and Aunt Cockletop didn't show
+herself for a whole day after that story was known, for every fowl in
+the yard twitted her with the difference between her preaching and her
+practice.</p>
+
+<p>Strut, the other son, was the vainest chick ever seen; and the great aim
+of his life was to crow louder than any other cock in the neighbourhood.
+He was at it from morning till night, and everyone was tired to death of
+hearing his shrill, small voice making funny attempts to produce hoarse
+little crows, as he sat on the wall and stretched his yellow neck, till
+his throat quite ached with the effort.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! if I could only fly to the highest beam in the barn, and give a
+splendid crow that everyone could hear, I should be perfectly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> happy,'
+said this silly little fowl, as he stared up at the loft where the old
+cock often sat.</p>
+
+<p>So he tried every day to fly and crow, and at last managed to get up;
+then how he did strut and rustle his feathers, while his playmates sat
+below and watched him.</p>
+
+<p>'You'll fall and get hurt,' said his sister Blot.</p>
+
+<p>'Hold your tongue, you ugly little thing, and don't talk to me. I'm
+going to crow, and can't be interrupted by any silly bit of a hen. Be
+quiet, down there, and hear if I can't do it as well as daddy.'</p>
+
+<p>The chicks stopped scratching and peeping, and sat in a row to hear
+Strut crow. Perching himself on the beam, he tried his best, but only a
+droll 'cock-a-doodle-doo' came of it, and all the chicks laughed. That
+made Strut mad, and he resolved to crow, even if he killed himself doing
+it. He gave an angry cluck, flapped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> his wings, and tried again. Alas,
+alas, for poor Strut! he leaned so far forward in his frantic effort to
+get a big crow out, that he toppled over and fell bump on the hard
+barn-floor, killing himself instantly.</p>
+
+<p>For some time after this, Mrs. Cluck kept her three remaining little
+ones close to her side, watching over them with maternal care, till they
+were heartily tired of her anxious cluckings. Peep and Peck were always
+together, being very fond of one another. Peep was a most inquisitive
+chicken, poking her head into every nook and corner, and never satisfied
+till she had seen all there was to see. Peck was a glutton, eating
+everything she could find, and often making herself ill by gobbling too
+fast, and forgetting to eat a little gravel to help digest her food.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't go out of the barn, children. I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> going to lay an egg, and can't
+look after you just now,' said their mother one day.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, ma'am,' chirped the chickens; and then as she went rustling into
+the hay-mow, they began to run about and enjoy themselves with all their
+might. Peep found a little hole into the meal-room, and slipped in, full
+of joy at the sight of the bags, boxes, and bins. 'I'll eat all I want,
+and then I'll call Peck,' she said; and having taken a taste of every
+thing, she was about to leave, when she heard the stableman coming, and
+in her fright couldn't find the hole, so flew into the meal-bin and hid
+herself. Sam never saw her, but shut down the cover of the bin as he
+passed, and left poor Peep to die. No one knew what had become of her
+till some days later, when she was found dead in the meal, with her poor
+little claws sticking straight up as if imploring help. Peck meanwhile
+got into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> mischief also; for, in her hunt for something good to eat, she
+strayed into the sheep-shed, and finding some salt, ate as much as she
+liked, not knowing that salt is bad for hens. Having taken all she
+wanted, she ran back to the barn, and was innocently catching gnats when
+her mamma came out of the hay-mow with a loud. 'Cut-cut-cut-ca-dar-cut!'</p>
+
+<p>'Where is Peep?' asked Mrs. Cluck.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't know, ma. She'&mdash;there Peck stopped suddenly, rolled up her eyes,
+and began to stagger about as if she was tipsy.</p>
+
+<p>'Mercy on us! What's the matter with the chick?' cried Mrs. Cluck, in
+great alarm.</p>
+
+<p>'Fits, ma'am,' answered Doctor Drake, who just then waddled by.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh! what can I do?' screamed the distracted hen.</p>
+
+<p>'Nothing, ma'am; it's fatal.' And the doctor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> waddled on to visit Dame
+Partlet's son, who was ill of the pip.</p>
+
+<p>'My child, my child! don't flap and stagger so! Let me hold you! Taste
+this mint-leaf! Have a drop of water! What shall I do?'</p>
+
+<p>As poor Mrs. Cluck sighed and sobbed, her unhappy child went scuffling
+about on her back, gasping and rolling up her eyes in great anguish, for
+she had eaten too much of the fatal salt, and there was no help for her.
+When all was over they buried the dead chicken under a currant bush,
+covered the little grave with chickweed, and the bereaved parent wore a
+black string round her leg for a month.</p>
+
+<p>Blot, 'the last of that bright band,' needed no mourning for she was as
+black as a crow. This was the reason why her mother never had loved her
+as much as she did the others, who were all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> white, gray, or yellow.
+Poor little Blot had been much neglected by every one; but now her
+lonely mamma discovered how good and affectionate a chicken she was, for
+Blot was a great comfort to her, never running away or disobeying in any
+way, but always close to her side, ready to creep under her wing, or
+bring her a plump bug when the poor biddy's appetite failed her. They
+were very happy together till Thanksgiving drew near, when a dreadful
+pestilence seemed to sweep through the farm-yard; for turkeys, hens,
+ducks, and geese fell a prey to it, and were seen by their surviving
+relatives featherless, pale, and stiff, borne away to some unknown place
+whence no fowl returned. Blot was waked one night by a great cackling
+and fluttering in the hen-house, and peeping down from her perch saw a
+great hand glide along the roost, clutch her beloved mother by the leg,
+and pull her off,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> screaming dolefully, 'Good-by, good-by, my darling
+child!'</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Cockletop pecked and croaked fiercely; but, tough as she was, the
+old biddy did not escape, and many another amiable hen and gallant
+cockadoodle fell a victim to that mysterious hand. In the morning few
+remained, and Blot felt that she was a forlorn orphan, a thought which
+caused her to sit with her head under her wing for several hours,
+brooding over her sad lot, and longing to join her family in some safe
+and happy land, where fowls live in peace. She had her wish very soon,
+for one day, when the first snowflakes began to flutter out of the cold
+gray sky, Blot saw a little kitten mewing pitifully as it sat under the
+fence.</p>
+
+<p>'What is the matter, dear?' asked kind Blot.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm lost, and I can't find my way home,' answered the kitten, shivering
+with cold. 'I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> live at the red farm-house over the hill, only I don't
+know which road to take.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'll show you. Come at once, for night is coming on, and the snow will
+soon be too deep for us,' said Blot.</p>
+
+<p>So away they went, as fast as their small legs could carry them; but it
+was a long way, and dusk came on before the red farm-house appeared.</p>
+
+<p>'Now I'm safe; thank you very much. Won't you come in, and stay all
+night? My mother will be glad to see you,' said the kit rubbing her soft
+white face against Blot's little black breast.</p>
+
+<p>'It's against the rule to stay out all night, and I promised to be in
+early; so, good-by, dear.' And off trotted Blot along the snowy road,
+hoping to get home before the hen-house door was shut. Faster and faster
+fell the snow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> darker and darker grew the night, and colder and colder
+became poor Blot's little feet as she waded through the drifts. The
+firelight was shining out into the gloom, as the half-frozen chicken
+came into the yard, to find all doors shut, and no shelter left for her
+but the bough of a leafless tree. Too stiff and weak to fly up, she
+crept as close as possible to the bright glow which shone across the
+door-step, and with a shiver put her little head under her wing, trying
+to forget hunger, weariness, and the bitter cold, and wait patiently for
+morning. But when morning came, little Blot lay frozen stiff under a
+coverlet of snow: and the tender-hearted children sighed as they dug a
+grave for the last of the unfortunate family of the Clucks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="A_CURIOUS_CALL" id="A_CURIOUS_CALL"></a><i>A CURIOUS CALL.</i></h2>
+
+<p>I have often wondered what the various statues standing about the city
+think of all day, and what criticisms they would make upon us and our
+doings, if they could speak. I frequently stop and stare at them,
+wondering if they don't feel lonely; if they wouldn't be glad of a nod
+as we go by; and I always long to offer my umbrella to shield their
+uncovered heads on a rainy day, especially to good Ben Franklin, when
+the snow lies white on his benevolent forehead. I was always fond of
+this old gentleman; and one of my favourite stories when a little girl,
+was that of his early life, and the time when he was so poor he walked
+about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> Philadelphia with a roll of bread under each arm, eating a third
+as he went. I never pass without giving him a respectful look, and
+wishing he could know how grateful I am for all he had done in the
+printing line; for, without types and presses, where would the books be?</p>
+
+<p>Well, I never imagined that he understood why the tall woman in the big
+bonnet stared at him; but he did, and he liked it, and managed to let me
+know it in a very curious manner, as you shall hear.</p>
+
+<p>As I look out, the first thing I see is the great gilt eagle on the
+City-Hall dome. There he sits, with open wings, all day long, looking
+down on the people, who must appear like ants scampering busily to and
+fro about an ant-hill. The sun shines on him splendidly in the morning;
+the gay flag waves and rustles in the wind above him sometimes; and the
+moonlight turns<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> him to silver when she comes glittering up the sky.
+When it rains he never shakes his feathers; snow beats on him without
+disturbing his stately repose; and he never puts his head under his wing
+at night, but keeps guard in darkness as in day, like a faithful
+sentinel. I like the big, lonely bird, call him my particular fowl, and
+often wish he'd turn his head and speak to me. One night he did actually
+do it, or seemed to; for I've never been able to decide whether I
+dreamed what I'm going to tell you, or whether it really happened.</p>
+
+<p>It was a stormy night! and, as I drew down my curtain, I said to myself,
+after peering through the driving snow to catch a glimpse of my
+neighbour, 'Poor Goldy! he'll have a rough time of it. I hope this
+northeaster won't blow him off his perch.' Then I sat down by my fire,
+took my knitting, and began to meditate. I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> sure I didn't fall asleep;
+but I can't prove it, so we'll say no more about it. All at once there
+came a tap at my door, as I thought; and I said 'Come in,' just as Mr.
+Poe did when that unpleasant raven paid him a call. No one came, so I
+went to see who it was. Not a sign of a human soul in the long hall,
+only little Jessie, the poodle, asleep on her mat. Down I sat; but in a
+minute the tap came again; this time so loud that I knew it was at the
+window, and went to open it, thinking that one of my doves wanted to
+come in perhaps. Up went the sash, and in bounced something so big and
+so bright that it dazzled and scared me.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't be frightened, ma'am; it's only me,' said a hoarse voice. So I
+collected my wits, rubbed my eyes, and looked at my visitor. It was the
+gold eagle off the City Hall! I don't expect to be believed; but I wish
+you'd been here to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> see, for I give you my word, it was a sight to
+behold. How he ever got in at such a small window I can't tell; but
+there he was, strutting majestically up and down the room, his golden
+plumage rustling, and his keen eyes flashing as he walked. I really
+didn't know what to do. I couldn't imagine what he came for; I had my
+doubts about the propriety of offering him a chair; and he was so much
+bigger than I expected that I was afraid he might fly away with me, as
+the roc did with Sindbad: so I did nothing but sidle to the door, ready
+to whisk out, if my strange guest appeared to be peckishly inclined. My
+respectful silence seemed to suit him; for, after a turn or two, he
+paused, nodded gravely, and said affably, 'Good-evening, ma'am. I
+stepped over to bring you old Ben's respects, and to see how you were
+getting on.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm very much obliged, sir. May I inquire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> who Mr. Old-Ben is? I'm
+afraid I haven't the honour of his acquaintance.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, you have; it's Ben Franklin, of City-Hall yard. You know him; and
+he wished me to thank you for your interest in him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Dear me! how very odd! Will you sit down, sir?'</p>
+
+<p>'Never sit! I'll perch here;' and the great fowl took his accustomed
+attitude just in front of the fire, looking so very splendid that I
+couldn't keep my eyes off of him.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! you often do that. Never mind; I rather like it,' said the eagle,
+graciously, as he turned his brilliant eye upon me. I was rather
+abashed; but being very curious, I ventured to ask a few questions, as
+he seemed in a friendly mood.</p>
+
+<p>'Being a woman, sir, I'm naturally of an inquiring turn; and I must
+confess that I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> a strong desire to know how it happens that you
+take your walks abroad, when you are supposed to be permanently engaged
+at home?'</p>
+
+<p>He shrugged his shoulders, and actually winked at me, as he replied,
+'That's all people know of what goes on under, or rather over, their
+noses. Bless you, ma'am! I leave my roost every night, and enjoy myself
+in all sorts of larks. Excuse the expression; but, being ornithological,
+it is more proper for me than for some people who use it.'</p>
+
+<p>'What a gay old bird!' thought I, feeling quite at home after that.
+'Please tell me what you do, when the shades of evening prevail, and you
+go out for a frolic?'</p>
+
+<p>'I am a gentleman; therefore I behave myself,' returned the eagle; with
+a stately air. 'I must confess, I smoke a great deal: but that's not my
+fault, it's the fault of the chimneys.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> They keep it up all day, and I
+have to take it; just as you poor ladies have to take cigar smoke,
+whether you like it or not. My amusements are of a wholesome kind. I
+usually begin by taking a long flight down the harbour, for a look at
+the lighthouses, the islands, the shipping, and the sea. My friends, the
+gulls, bring their reports to me; for they are the harbour-police, and I
+take notes of their doings. The school-ship is an object of interest to
+me, and I often perch on the mast-head, to see how the lads are getting
+on. Then I take a turn over the city, gossip with the weathercocks, pay
+my compliments to the bells, inspect the fire-alarm, and pick up
+information by listening at the telegraph wires. People often talk about
+"a little bird" who spreads news; but they don't know how that figure of
+speech originated. It is the sparrows sitting on the wires, who receive
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> electric shock, and, being hollow-boned, the news go straight to
+their heads; they then fly about, chirping it on the housetops, and the
+air carries it everywhere. That's the way rumours rise and news spread.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you'll allow, I'll make a note of that interesting fact,' said I,
+wondering if I might believe him. He appeared to fall into a reverie
+while I jotted down the sparrow story, and it occurred to me that
+perhaps I ought to offer my distinguished guest some refreshment; but,
+when I modestly alluded to it, he said, with an aldermanic air, 'No,
+thank you; I've just dined at the Parker House.'</p>
+
+<p>Now, I really could <i>not</i> swallow that; and so plainly betrayed my
+incredulity, that the eagle explained. 'The savoury smells which rise to
+my nostrils from that excellent hotel, with an occasional sniff from the
+Tremont, are quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> sufficient to satisfy my appetite; for, having no
+stomach, I don't need much food, and I drink nothing but water.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wish others would follow your example in that latter habit,' said I,
+respectfully, for I was beginning to see that there was something in my
+bird, though he <i>was</i> hollow. 'Will you allow me to ask if the other
+statues in the city fly by night?'</p>
+
+<p>'They promenade in the parks; and occasionally have social gatherings,
+when they discuss politics, education, medicine, or any of the subjects
+in which they are interested. Ah! we have grand times when you are all
+asleep. It quite repays me for being obliged to make an owl of myself.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do the statues come from the shops to these parties?' I asked,
+resolving to take a late walk the next moonlight night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Sometimes; but they get lazy and delicate, living in close, warm
+places. We laugh at cold and bad weather, and are so strong and hearty
+that I shouldn't be surprised if I saw Webster and Everett flying round
+the Common on the new-fashioned velocipedes, for they believed in
+exercise. Goethe and Schiller often step over from De Vries's window, to
+flirt with the goddesses, who come down from their niches on
+Horticultural Hall. Nice, robust young women are Pomona and Flora. If
+your niminy-piminy girls could see them run, they would stop tilting
+through the streets, and learn that the true Grecian Bend is the line of
+beauty always found in straight shoulders, well-opened chest, and an
+upright figure, firmly planted on active feet.'</p>
+
+<p>'In your rambles don't you find a great deal of misery?' said I, to
+change the subject, for he was evidently old-fashioned in his notions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Many sad sights!' And he shook his head with a sigh; then added,
+briskly, 'But there is a deal of charity in our city, and it does its
+work beautifully. By the by, I heard of a very sweet charity the other
+day,&mdash;a church whose Sunday school is open to all the poor children who
+will come; and there, in pleasant rooms, with books, pictures, kindly
+teachers, and a fatherly minister to welcome them, the poor little
+creatures find refreshment for their hungry souls. I like that; it's a
+lovely illustration of the text, "Suffer little children to come unto
+me;" and <i>I</i> call it practical Christianity.'</p>
+
+<p>He did like it, my benevolent old bird; for he rustled his great wings,
+as if he wanted to clap them, if there had only been room; and every
+feather shone as if a clearer light than that of my little fire had
+fallen on it as he spoke.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'You are a literary woman, hey?' he said suddenly, as if he'd got a new
+idea, and was going to pounce upon me with it.</p>
+
+<p>'Ahem! I do a little in that line,' I answered, with a modest cough.</p>
+
+<p>'Then tell people about that place; write some stories for the children;
+go and help teach them; do something, and make others do what they can
+to increase the sabbath sunshine that brightens one day in the week for
+the poor babies who live in shady places.'</p>
+
+<p>'I should be glad to do my best; and, if I'd known before'&mdash;I began.</p>
+
+<p>'You might have known, if you'd looked about you. People are so wrapt up
+in their own affairs they don't do half they might. Now, then, hand me a
+bit of paper, and I'll give you the address, so you won't have any
+excuse for forgetting what I tell you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Mercy on us; what will he do next?' thought I, as he tweaked a feather
+out of his breast, gave the nib a peck, and then coolly wrote these
+words on the card I handed him: '<i>Church of the Disciples. Knock and it
+shall be opened!</i>' There it was, in letters of gold; and, while I looked
+at it, feeling reproached that I hadn't known it sooner, my friend,&mdash;he
+didn't seem a stranger any more,&mdash;said in a business-like tone, as he
+put back his pen, 'Now I must be off. Old Ben reads an article on the
+"Abuses of the Press at the present day," and I must be there to
+report.'</p>
+
+<p>'It must be very interesting. I suppose you don't allow mortals at your
+meetings?' said I, burning to go, in spite of the storm.</p>
+
+<p>'No, ma'am. We meet on the Common; and, in the present state of the
+weather, I don't think flesh and blood would stand it. Bronze, marble,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>
+and wood are sterner stuff, and can defy the elements.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good evening; pray, call again,' I said, hospitably.</p>
+
+<p>'I will; your eyrie suits me: but don't expect me to call in the
+daytime. I'm on duty then, and can't take my eye off my charge. The city
+needs a deal of watching, my dear. Bless me! it's striking eight. Your
+watch is seven minutes slow by the Old South. Good-night, good-night!'</p>
+
+<p>And as I opened the window, the great bird soared away like a flash of
+light through the storm, leaving me so astonished at the whole
+performance that I haven't got over it yet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="TILLYS_CHRISTMAS" id="TILLYS_CHRISTMAS"></a><i>TILLY'S CHRISTMAS.</i></h2>
+
+<p>'I'm so glad to-morrow is Christmas, because I'm going to have lots of
+presents.'</p>
+
+<p>'So am I glad, though I don't expect any presents but a pair of
+mittens.'</p>
+
+<p>'And so am I; but I shan't have any presents at all.'</p>
+
+<p>As the three little girls trudged home from school they said these
+things, and as Tilly spoke, both the others looked at her with pity and
+some surprise, for she spoke cheerfully, and they wondered how she could
+be happy when she was so poor she could have no presents on Christmas.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't you wish you could find a purse full<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> of money right here in the
+path?' said Kate, the child who was going to have 'lots of presents.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, don't I, if I could keep it honestly!' and Tilly's eyes shone at
+the very thought.</p>
+
+<p>'What would you buy?' asked Bessy, rubbing her cold hands, and longing
+for her mittens.</p>
+
+<p>'I'd buy a pair of large, warm blankets, a load of wood, a shawl for
+mother, and a pair of shoes for me; and if there was enough left, I'd
+give Bessy a new hat, and then she needn't wear Ben's old felt one,'
+answered Tilly.</p>
+
+<p>The girls laughed at that; but Bessy pulled the funny hat over her ears,
+and said she was much obliged but she'd rather have candy.</p>
+
+<p>'Let's look, and maybe we <i>can</i> find a purse. People are always going
+about with money at Christmas time, and some one may lose it here,' said
+Kate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So, as they went along the snowy road, they looked about them, half in
+earnest, half in fun. Suddenly Tilly sprang forward, exclaiming,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I see it! I've found it!'</p>
+
+<p>The others followed, but all stopped disappointed; for it wasn't a
+purse, it was only a little bird. It lay upon the snow with its wings
+spread and feebly fluttering, as if too weak to fly. Its little feet
+were benumbed with cold; its once bright eyes were dull with pain, and
+instead of a blithe song, it could only utter a faint chirp, now and
+then, as if crying for help.</p>
+
+<p>'Nothing but a stupid old robin; how provoking!' cried Kate, sitting
+down to rest.</p>
+
+<p>'I shan't touch it. I found one once, and took care of it, and the
+ungrateful thing flew away the minute it was well,' said Bessy, creeping
+under Kate's shawl, and putting her hands under her chin to warm them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Poor little birdie! How pitiful he looks, and how glad he must be to
+see some one coming to help him! I'll take him up gently, and carry him
+home to mother. Don't be frightened, dear, I'm your friend;' and Tilly
+knelt down in the snow, stretching her hand to the bird, with the
+tenderest pity in her face.</p>
+
+<p>Kate and Bessy laughed.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't stop for that thing; it's getting late and cold: let's go on and
+look for the purse,' they said moving away.</p>
+
+<p>'You wouldn't leave it to die!' cried Tilly. 'I'd rather have the bird
+than the money, so I shan't look any more. The purse wouldn't be mine,
+and I should only be tempted to keep it; but this poor thing will thank
+and love me, and I'm <i>so</i> glad I came in time.'</p>
+
+<p>Gently lifting the bird, Tilly felt its tiny cold claws cling to her
+hand, and saw its dim<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> eyes brighten as it nestled down with a grateful
+chirp.</p>
+
+<p>'Now I've got a Christmas present after all,' she said, smiling, as they
+walked on. 'I always wanted a bird, and this one will be such a pretty
+pet for me.'</p>
+
+<p>'He'll fly away the first chance he gets, and die anyhow; so you'd
+better not waste your time over him,' said Bessy.</p>
+
+<p>'He can't pay you for taking care of him, and my mother says it isn't
+worth while to help folks that can't help us,' added Kate.</p>
+
+<p>'My mother says, "Do as you'd be done by;" and I'm sure I'd like any one
+to help me if I was dying of cold and hunger. "Love your neighbour as
+yourself," is another of her sayings. This bird is my little neighbour,
+and I'll love him and care for him, as I often wish our rich neighbour
+would love and care for us,' answered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> Tilly, breathing her warm breath
+over the benumbed bird, who looked up at her with confiding eyes, quick
+to feel and know a friend.</p>
+
+<p>'What a funny girl you are,' said Kate; 'caring for that silly bird, and
+talking about loving your neighbour in that sober way. Mr. King don't
+care a bit for you, and never will, though he knows how poor you are; so
+I don't think your plan amounts to much.'</p>
+
+<p>'I believe it, though; and shall do my part, any way. Good-night. I hope
+you'll have a merry Christmas, and lots of pretty things,' answered
+Tilly, as they parted.</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes were full, and she felt so poor as she went on alone toward the
+little old house where she lived. It would have been so pleasant to know
+that she was going to have some of the pretty things all children love
+to find in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> full stockings on Christmas morning. And pleasanter
+still to have been able to give her mother something nice. So many
+comforts were needed, and there was no hope of getting them; for they
+could barely get food and fire.</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind, birdie, we'll make the best of what we have, and be merry
+in spite of every thing. <i>You</i> shall have a happy Christmas, any way;
+and I know God won't forget us if every one else does.'</p>
+
+<p>She stopped a minute to wipe her eyes, and lean her cheek against the
+bird's soft breast, finding great comfort in the little creature, though
+it could only love her, nothing more.</p>
+
+<p>'See, mother, what a nice present I've found,' she cried, going in with
+a cheery face that was like sunshine in the dark room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I'm glad of that, dearie; for I haven't been able to get my little girl
+anything but a rosy apple. Poor bird! Give it some of your warm bread
+and milk.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why, mother, what a big bowlful! I'm afraid you gave me all the milk,'
+said Tilly, smiling over the nice, steaming supper that stood ready for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>'I've had plenty, dear. Sit down and dry your wet feet, and put the bird
+in my basket on this warm flannel.'</p>
+
+<p>Tilly peeped into the closet and saw nothing there but dry bread.</p>
+
+<p>'Mother's given me all the milk, and is going without her tea, 'cause
+she knows I'm hungry. Now I'll surprise her, and she shall have a good
+supper too. She is going to split wood, and I'll fix it while she's
+gone.'</p>
+
+<p>So Tilly put down the old tea-pot, carefully<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> poured out a part of the
+milk, and from her pocket produced a great, plummy bun, that one of the
+school-children had given her, and she had saved for her mother. A slice
+of the dry bread was nicely toasted, and the bit of butter set by for
+her put on it. When her mother came in there was the table drawn up in a
+warm place, a hot cup of tea ready, and Tilly and birdie waiting for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Such a poor little supper, and yet such a happy one; for love, charity,
+and contentment were guests there, and that Christmas eve was a blither
+one than that up at the great house, where lights shone, fires blazed, a
+great tree glittered, and music sounded, as the children danced and
+played.</p>
+
+<p>'We must go to bed early, for we've only wood enough to last over
+to-morrow. I shall be paid for my work the day after, and then we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> can
+get some,' said Tilly's mother, as they sat by the fire.</p>
+
+<p>'If my bird was only a fairy bird, and would give us three wishes, how
+nice it would be! Poor dear, he can't give me any thing; but it's no
+matter,' answered Tilly, looking at the robin, who lay in the basket
+with his head under his wing, a mere little feathery bunch.</p>
+
+<p>'He can give you one thing, Tilly,&mdash;the pleasure of doing good. That is
+one of the sweetest things in life; and the poor can enjoy it as well as
+the rich.'</p>
+
+<p>As her mother spoke, with her tired hand softly stroking her little
+daughter's hair, Tilly suddenly started and pointed to the window,
+saying, in a frightened whisper,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I saw a face,&mdash;a man's face, looking in! It's gone now; but I truly saw
+it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Some traveller attracted by the light perhaps.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> I'll go and see.' And
+Tilly's mother went to the door.</p>
+
+<p>No one was there. The wind blew cold, the stars shone, the snow lay
+white on field and wood, and the Christmas moon was glittering in the
+sky.</p>
+
+<p>'What sort of a face was it?' asked Tilly's mother, coming back.</p>
+
+<p>'A pleasant sort of face, I think; but I was so startled I don't quite
+know what it was like. I wish we had a curtain there,' said Tilly.</p>
+
+<p>'I like to have our light shine out in the evening, for the road is dark
+and lonely just here, and the twinkle of our lamp is pleasant to
+people's eyes as they go by. We can do so little for our neighbours, I
+am glad to cheer the way for them. Now put these poor old shoes to dry,
+and go to bed, dearie; I'll come soon.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Tilly went, taking her bird with her to sleep in his basket near by,
+lest he should be lonely in the night.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the little house was dark and still, and no one saw the Christmas
+spirits at their work that night.</p>
+
+<p>When Tilly opened the door next morning, she gave a loud cry, clapped
+her hands, and then stood still; quite speechless with wonder and
+delight. There, before the door, lay a great pile of wood, all ready to
+burn, a big bundle and a basket, with a lovely nosegay of winter roses,
+holly, and evergreen tied to the handle.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, mother! did the fairies do it?' cried Tilly, pale with her
+happiness, as she seized the basket, while her mother took in the
+bundle.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, dear, the best and dearest fairy in the world, called "Charity."
+She walks abroad at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> Christmas time, does beautiful deeds like this, and
+does not stay to be thanked,' answered her mother with full eyes, as she
+undid the parcel.</p>
+
+<p>There they were,&mdash;the warm, thick blankets, the comfortable shawls, the
+new shoes, and, best of all, a pretty winter hat for Bessy. The basket
+was full of good things to eat, and on the flowers lay a paper,
+saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'For the little girl who loves her neighbour as herself.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mother, I really think my bird is a fairy bird, and all these splendid
+things come from him,' said Tilly, laughing and crying with joy.</p>
+
+<p>It really did seem so, for as she spoke, the robin flew to the table,
+hopped to the nosegay, and perching among the roses, began to chirp with
+all his little might. The sun streamed in on flowers, bird, and happy
+child, and no one saw a shadow glide away from the window; no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> one ever
+knew that Mr. King had seen and heard the little girls the night before,
+or dreamed that the rich neighbour had learned a lesson from the poor
+neighbour.</p>
+
+<p>And Tilly's bird <i>was</i> a fairy bird; for by her love and tenderness to
+the helpless thing, she brought good gifts to herself, happiness to the
+unknown giver of them, and a faithful little friend who did not fly
+away, but stayed with her till the snow was gone, making summer for her
+in the winter-time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="MY_LITTLE_GENTLEMAN" id="MY_LITTLE_GENTLEMAN"></a><i>MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN.</i></h2>
+
+<p>No one would have thought of calling him so, this ragged, barefooted,
+freckle-faced Jack, who spent his days carrying market-baskets for the
+butcher, or clean clothes for Mrs. Quinn, selling chips, or grubbing in
+the ash-heaps for cinders. But he was honestly earning his living, doing
+his duty as well as he knew how, and serving those poorer and more
+helpless than himself, and that is being a gentleman in the best sense
+of that fine old word. He had no home but Mrs. Quinn's garret; and for
+this he paid by carrying the bundles and getting the cinders for her
+fire. Food and clothes he picked up as he could; and his only friend was
+little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> Nanny. Her mother had been kind to him when the death of his
+father left him all alone in the world; and when she, too, passed away,
+the boy tried to show his gratitude by comforting the little girl, who
+thought there was no one in the world like her Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Old Mrs. Quinn took care of her, waiting till she was strong enough to
+work for herself; but Nanny had been sick, and still sat about, a pale,
+little shadow of her former self, with a white film slowly coming over
+her pretty blue eyes. This was Jack's great trouble, and he couldn't
+whistle it away as he did his own worries; for he was a cheery lad, and
+when the baskets were heavy, the way long, the weather bitter cold, his
+poor clothes in rags, or his stomach empty, he just whistled, and
+somehow things seemed to get right. But the day he carried Nanny the
+first dandelions, and she felt of them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> instead of looking at them, as
+she said, with such pathetic patience in her little face, 'I don't see
+'em; but I know they're pretty, and I like 'em lots,' Jack felt as if
+the blithe spring sunshine was all spoiled; and when he tried to cheer
+himself up with a good whistle, his lips trembled so they wouldn't
+pucker.</p>
+
+<p>'The poor dear's eyes could be cured, I ain't a doubt; but it would take
+a sight of money, and who's agoing to pay it?' said Mrs. Quinn,
+scrubbing away at her tub.</p>
+
+<p>'How much money?' asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>'A hundred dollars, I dare say. Dr. Wilkinson's cook told me once that
+he done something to a lady's eyes, and asked a thousand dollars for
+it.'</p>
+
+<p>Jack sighed a long, hopeless sigh, and went away to fill the
+water-pails; but he remembered the doctor's name, and began to wonder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>
+how many years it would take to earn a hundred dollars.</p>
+
+<p>Nanny was very patient; but, by and by, Mrs. Quinn began to talk about
+sending her to some almshouse, for she was too poor to be burdened with
+a helpless child. The fear of this nearly broke Jack's heart; and he
+went about with such an anxious face that it was a mercy Nanny did not
+see it. Jack was only twelve, but he had a hard load to carry just then;
+for the thought of his little friend, doomed to lifelong darkness for
+want of a little money, tempted him to steal more than once, and gave
+him the first fierce, bitter feeling against those better off than he.
+When he carried nice dinners to the great houses and saw the plenty that
+prevailed there, he couldn't help feeling that it wasn't fair for some
+to have so much, and others so little. When he saw pretty children
+playing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> in the park, or driving with their mothers, so gay, so well
+cared for, so tenderly loved, the poor boy's eyes would fill to think of
+poor little Nanny, with no friend in the world but himself, and he so
+powerless to help her.</p>
+
+<p>When he one day mustered courage to ring at the great doctor's bell,
+begging to see him a minute, and the servant answered, gruffly, as he
+shut the door, 'Go along! he can't be bothered with the like of you!'
+Jack clenched his hands hard as he went down the steps, and said to
+himself, with a most unboyish tone, 'I'll get the money somehow, and
+<i>make</i> him let me in!'</p>
+
+<p>He did get it, and in a most unexpected way; but he never forgot the
+desperate feeling that came to him that day, and all his life long he
+was very tender to people who were tempted in their times of trouble,
+and yielded, as he was saved from doing, by what seemed an accident.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Some days after his attempt at the doctor's, as he was grubbing in a
+newly-deposited ash-heap, with the bitter feeling very bad, and the
+trouble very heavy, he found a dirty old pocket-book, and put it in his
+bosom without stopping to examine it; for many boys and girls were
+scratching, like a brood of chickens, all round him, and the pickings
+were unusually good, so no time must be lost. 'Findings is havings' was
+one of the laws of the ash-heap haunters; and no one thought of
+disputing another's right to the spoons and knives that occasionally
+found their way into the ash-barrels; while bottles, old shoes, rags,
+and paper, were regular articles of traffic among them. Jack got a good
+basketful that day; and when the hurry was over sat down to rest and
+clear the dirt off his face with an old silk duster which he had picked
+out of the rubbish, thinking Mrs. Quinn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> might wash it up for a
+handkerchief. But he didn't wipe his dirty face that day; for, with the
+rag, out tumbled a pocket-book; and on opening it he saw&mdash;money. Yes; a
+roll of bills with two figures on all of them,&mdash;three tens and one
+twenty. It took his breath away for a minute; then he hugged the old
+book tight in both his grimy hands, and rocked to and fro all in a heap
+among the oyster-shells and rusty tin kettles, saying to himself, with
+tears running down his cheeks, 'O Nanny! O Nanny! now I can do it!'</p>
+
+<p>I don't think a basket of cinders ever travelled at such a rate before
+as Mrs. Quinn's did that day; for Jack tore home at a great pace, and
+burst into the room, waving the old duster, and shouting, 'Hooray! I've
+got it! I've got it!'</p>
+
+<p>It is no wonder Mrs. Quinn thought he had lost his wits; for he looked
+like a wild boy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> with his face all streaked with tears and red ashes,
+as he danced a double-shuffle till he was breathless, then showered the
+money into Nanny's lap, and hugged her with another 'Hooray!' which
+ended in a choke. When they got him quiet and heard the story, Mrs.
+Quinn rather damped his joy, by telling him the money wasn't his, and he
+ought to advertise it.</p>
+
+<p>'But I want it for Nanny!' cried Jack; 'and how can I ever find who owns
+it, when there was ever so many barrels emptied in that heap, and no one
+knows where they came from?'</p>
+
+<p>'It's very like you won't find the owner, and you can do as you please;
+but it's honest to try, I'm thinking, for some poor girl may have lost
+her earnin's this way, and we wouldn't like that ourselves,' said Mrs.
+Quinn, turning over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> the shabby pocket-book, and carefully searching for
+some clue to its owner.</p>
+
+<p>Nanny looked very sober, and Jack grabbed up the money as if it were too
+precious to lose. But he wasn't comfortable about it; and after a hard
+fight with himself he consented to let Mrs. Quinn ask their policeman
+what they should do. He was a kindly man; and when he heard the story,
+said he'd do what was right, and if he couldn't find an owner, Jack
+should have the fifty dollars back.</p>
+
+<p>How hard it was to wait! how Jack thought and dreamed of his money, day
+and night! How Nanny ran to the door to listen when a heavy step came up
+the stairs! and how wistfully the poor darkened eyes turned to the light
+which they longed to see again.</p>
+
+<p>Honest John Floyd did his duty, but he didn't find the owner; so the old
+purse came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> back at last, and now Jack could keep it with a clear
+conscience. Nanny was asleep when it happened; and as they sat counting
+the dingy bills, Mrs. Quinn said to the boy, 'Jack, you'd better keep
+this for yourself. I doubt if it's enough to do the child any good; and
+you need clothes and shoes, and a heap of things, let alone the books
+you hanker after so much. It ain't likely you'll ever find another
+wallet. It's all luck about Nanny's eyes; and maybe you are only
+throwing away a chance you'll never have again.'</p>
+
+<p>Jack leaned his head on his arms and stared at the money, all spread out
+there, and looking so magnificent to him that it seemed as if it could
+buy half the world. He did need clothes; his hearty boy's appetite did
+long for better food; and, oh! how splendid it would be to go and buy
+the books he had wanted so long,&mdash;the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> books that would give him a taste
+of the knowledge which was more enticing to his wide-awake young mind
+than clothes and food to his poor little body. It wasn't an easy thing
+to do; but he was so used to making small sacrifices that the great one
+was less hard; and when he had brooded over the money a few minutes in
+thoughtful silence, his eye went from the precious bits of paper to the
+dear little face in the trundle-bed, and he said, with a decided nod,
+'I'll give Nanny the chance, and work for my things, or go without 'em.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Quinn was a matter-of-fact body; but her hard old face softened
+when he said that, and she kissed him good-night almost as gently as if
+she'd been his mother.</p>
+
+<p>Next day, Jack presented himself at Dr. Wilkinson's door, with the money
+in one hand and Nanny in the other, saying boldly to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> gruff servant,
+'I want to see the doctor. I can pay; so you'd better let me in.'</p>
+
+<p>I'm afraid cross Thomas would have shut the door in the boy's face
+again, if it had not been for the little blind girl, who looked up at
+him so imploringly that he couldn't resist the mute appeal.</p>
+
+<p>'The doctor's going out; but maybe he'll see you a minute;' and with
+that he led them into a room where stood a tall man putting on his
+gloves.</p>
+
+<p>Jack was a modest boy; but he was so afraid that Nanny would lose her
+chance, that he forgot himself, and told the little story as fast as he
+could&mdash;told it well, too, I fancy; for the doctor listened attentively,
+his eye going from the boy's eager, flushed face, to the pale patient
+one beside him, as if the two little figures, shabby though they were,
+illustrated the story better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> than the finest artist could have done.
+When Jack ended, the doctor sat Nanny on his knee, gently lifted up the
+half-shut eyelids, and after examining the film a minute, stroked her
+pretty hair, and said so kindly that she nestled her little hand
+confidingly into his, 'I think I can help you, my dear. Tell me where
+you live, and I'll attend to it at once, for it's high time something
+was done.'</p>
+
+<p>Jack told him, adding, with a manly air, as he showed the money, 'I can
+pay you, sir, if fifty dollars is enough.'</p>
+
+<p>'Quite enough,' said the doctor, with a droll smile.</p>
+
+<p>'If it isn't, I'll work for the rest, if you'll trust me. Please save
+Nanny's eyes, and I'll do any thing to pay you!' cried Jack, getting red
+and choky in his earnestness.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor stopped smiling, and held out his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> hand in a grave,
+respectful way, as he said, 'I'll trust you, my boy. We'll cure Nanny
+first; and you and I will settle the bill afterward.'</p>
+
+<p>Jack liked that; it was a gentlemanly way of doing things, and he showed
+his satisfaction by smiling all over his face, and giving the big, white
+hand a hearty shake with both his rough ones.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor was a busy man; but he kept them some time, for there were no
+children in the fine house, and it seemed pleasant to have a little girl
+sit on his knee and a bright boy stand beside his chair; and when, at
+last, they went away, they looked as if he had given them some magic
+medicine, which made them forget every trouble they had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>Next day the kind man came to give Nanny her chance. She had no doubt,
+and very little fear, but looked up at him so confidingly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> when all was
+ready, that he stooped down and kissed her softly before he touched her
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>'Let Jack hold my hands; then I'll be still, and not mind if it hurts
+me,' she said. So Jack, pale with anxiety, knelt down before her, and
+kept the little hands steadily in his all through the minutes that
+seemed so long to him.</p>
+
+<p>'What do you see, my child?' asked the doctor, when he had done
+something to both eyes with a quick, skilful hand.</p>
+
+<p>Nanny leaned forward, with the film all gone, and answered, with a
+little cry of joy, that went to the hearts of those who heard it,
+'Jack's face! I see it! oh, I see it!'</p>
+
+<p>Only a freckled, round face, with wet eyes and tightly-set lips; but to
+Nanny it was as beautiful as the face of an angel; and when she was laid
+away with bandaged eyes to rest, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> haunted all her dreams, for it was
+the face of the little friend who loved her best.</p>
+
+<p>Nanny's chance was <i>not</i> a failure; and when she saw the next dandelions
+he brought her, all the sunshine came back into the world brighter than
+ever for Jack. Well might it seem so; for his fifty dollars bought him
+many things that money seldom buys. The doctor wouldn't take it at
+first; but when Jack said, in the manful tone the doctor liked although
+it made him smile, 'It was a bargain, sir. I wish to pay my debts; and I
+shan't feel happy if Nanny don't have it <i>all</i> for her eyes. Please do!
+I'd rather,'&mdash;then he took it; and Nanny did have it, not only for her
+eyes, but in clothes and food and care, many times over; for it was
+invested in a bank that pays good interest on every mite so given.</p>
+
+<p>Jack discovered that fifty dollars was far less<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> than most people would
+have had to pay, and begged earnestly to be allowed to work for the
+rest. The doctor agreed to this, and Jack became his errand-boy, serving
+with a willingness that made a pleasure of duty; soon finding that many
+comforts quietly got into his life; that much help was given without
+words; and that the days of hunger and rags, heavy burdens and dusty
+ash-heaps, were gone by for ever.</p>
+
+<p>The happiest hours of Jack's day were spent in the doctor's chaise, when
+he made his round of visits; for while he waited, the boy studied or
+read, and while they drove hither and thither, the doctor talked with
+him, finding an eager mind as well as a tender heart and a brave spirit
+under the rough jacket of his little serving-man. But he never called
+him that; for remembering the cheerfulness, self-denial, honesty, and
+loyalty to those he loved, shown by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> boy, the good doctor proved his
+respect for the virtues all men should covet, wherever they are found,
+and always spoke of Jack with a smile, as 'My Little Gentleman.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="BACK_WINDOWS" id="BACK_WINDOWS"></a><i>BACK WINDOWS.</i></h2>
+
+<p>As I sit working at my back window, I look out on a long row of other
+people's back windows; and it is quite impossible for me to help seeing
+and being interested in my neighbours. There are a good many children in
+those houses; and though I don't know one of their names, I know them a
+great deal better than they think I do. I never spoke a word to any of
+them, and never expect to do so; yet I have my likes and dislikes among
+them, and could tell them things that they have said and done, which
+would astonish them very much, I assure you.</p>
+
+<p>First, the babies,&mdash;for there are three: the aristocratic baby, the
+happy-go-lucky baby, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> the forlorn baby. The aristocratic baby lives
+in a fine, well-furnished room, has a pretty little mamma, who wears
+white gowns, and pink ribbons in her cap; likewise, a fond young papa,
+who evidently thinks <i>this</i> the most wonderful baby in Boston. There is
+a stout, motherly lady, who is the grandma, I fancy, for she is always
+hovering about 'the dear' with cups, blankets, or a gorgeous red worsted
+bird to amuse it. Baby is a plump, rosy, sweet-faced little creature,
+always smiling and kissing its hand to the world in general. In its
+pretty white frocks, with its own little pink or blue ribbons, and its
+young mamma proudly holding it up to see and be seen, my aristocratic
+neighbour has an easy life of it, and is evidently one of the little
+lilies who do nothing but blossom in the sunshine.</p>
+
+<p>The happy-go-lucky baby is just able to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> toddle; and I seldom pull up my
+curtain in the morning without seeing him at his window in his yellow
+flannel night-gown, taking a look at the weather. No matter whether it
+rains or shines, there he is, smiling and nodding, and looking so merry,
+that it is evident he has plenty of sunshine bottled up in his own
+little heart for private use. I depend on seeing him, and feel as if the
+world was not right until this golden little sun rises to shine upon me.
+He don't seem to have any one to take care of him, but trots about all
+day, and takes care of himself. Sometimes he is up in the chambers with
+the girl, while she makes beds, and he helps; then he takes a stroll
+into the parlour, and spins the gay curtain-tassels to his heart's
+content; next, he dives into the kitchen (I hope he does not tumble
+downstairs, but I dare say he wouldn't mind if he did), and he gets
+pushed about by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> all the busy women, as they 'fly round.' I rather think
+it gets too hot for him there about dinner-time; for he often comes out
+into the yard for a walk at noon, and seems to find endless wonders and
+delights in the ash barrel, the water-but, two old flower-pots, and a
+little grass plat, in which he plants a choice variety of articles, in
+the firm faith they will come up in full bloom. I hope the big spoon and
+his own red shoe <i>will</i> sprout and appear before any trouble is made
+about their mysterious disappearance. At night I see a little shadow
+bobbing about on the curtain, and watch it, till with a parting glimpse
+at a sleepy face at the window, my small sun sets, and I leave him to
+his dreams.</p>
+
+<p>The forlorn baby roars all day, and I don't blame him; for he is
+trotted, shaken, spanked, and scolded by a very cross nurse, who treats<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>
+him like a meal bag. I pity that little neighbour, and don't believe he
+will stand it long; for I see him double up his tiny fists, and spar
+away at nothing, as if getting ready for a good tussle with the world by
+and by, if he lives to try it.</p>
+
+<p>Then the boys,&mdash;bless their buttons!&mdash;how amusing they are. One young
+man, aged about ten, keeps hens; and the trials of that boy are really
+pathetic. The biddies get out every day or two, and fly away all over
+the neighbourhood, like feathers when you shake a pillow. They cackle
+and crow, and get up on sheds and fences, and trot down the streets, all
+at once, and that poor fellow spins round after them like a distracted
+top. One by one he gets them and comes lugging them back, upside down,
+in the most undignified attitude, and shuts them up, and hammers away,
+and thinks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> they are all safe, and sits down to rest, when a triumphant
+crow from some neighbouring shed tells him that that rascally black
+rooster is out again for another promenade. I'm not blood-thirsty; but I
+really do long for Thanksgiving that my neighbour Henry may find rest
+for the sole of his foot; for, not till his poultry are safely eaten
+will he ever know where they are.</p>
+
+<p>Another boy has a circus about once a week, and tries to break his neck
+jumping through hoops, hanging to a rope by his heels, turning
+somersaults in the air, and frightening his mother out of her wits by
+his pranks. I suspect that he has been to see Leotard, and I admire his
+energy, for he is never discouraged; and, after tumbling flat,
+half-a-dozen times, he merely rubs his elbows and knees, and then up and
+takes another.</p>
+
+<p>There is a good, domestic boy, who brushes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> and curls his three little
+sisters' hair every morning, and must do it very gently, for they seem
+to like it; and I often see them watch at the back gate for him, and
+clap their hands, and run to meet him, sure of being welcomed as little
+sisters like to be met by the big brothers whom they love. I respect
+that virtuous boy.</p>
+
+<p>The naughty boy is very funny; and the running fight he keeps up with
+the cross cook is as good as a farce. He <i>is</i> a torment, but I think she
+could tame him, if she took the right way. The other day she wouldn't
+let him in because she had washed up her kitchen and his boots were
+muddy. He wiped them on the grass, but that wouldn't do; and, after
+going at her with his head down, like a battering ram, he gave it up, or
+seemed to; for, the minute she locked the door behind her and came out
+to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> take in her clothes, that sly dog whipped up one of the low windows,
+scrambled in, and danced a hornpipe all over the kitchen, while the fat
+cook scolded and fumbled for her key, for <i>she</i> couldn't follow through
+the window. Of course he was off upstairs by the time she got in; but
+I'm afraid he had a shaking, for I saw him glowering fiercely as he came
+out later with a basket, going some 'confounded errand.' Occasionally
+his father brings him out and whips him for some extra bad offence,
+during which performance he howls dismally; but when he is left sitting
+despondently and miraculously on an old chair without any seat, he soon
+cheers up, boos at a strange cat, whistles to his dog,&mdash;who is just like
+him,&mdash;or falls back on that standing cure for all the ills that boys are
+heir to, and whittles vigorously. I know I ought to frown upon this
+reprehensible young person,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> and morally close my eyes to his pranks;
+but I really can't do it, and am afraid I find this little black sheep
+the most interesting of the flock.</p>
+
+<p>The girls have tea-parties, make calls, and play mother, of course; and
+the sisters of the good boy have capital times up in a big nursery, with
+such large dollies that I can hardly tell which are the babies and which
+the mammas. One little girl plays about at home with a dirty face,
+tumbled hair, and an old pinafore on. She won't be made tidy, and I see
+her kick and cry when they try to make her neat. Now and then there is a
+great dressing and curling; and then I see her prancing away in her
+light boots, smart hat, and pretty dress, looking as fresh as a daisy.
+But I don't admire her; for I've been behind the scenes, you see, and I
+know that she likes to be fine rather than neat.</p>
+
+<p>So is the girl who torments her kitty, slaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> her sister, and runs away
+when her mother tells her not to go out of the yard. But the
+house-wifely little girl who tends the baby, washes the cups, and goes
+to school early with a sunshiny face and kiss all round, <i>she</i>, now, is
+a neighbour worth having, and I'd put a good mark against her name if I
+knew it.</p>
+
+<p>I don't know as it would be proper for me to mention the grown-up people
+over the way. They go on very much as the children do; for there is the
+lazy, dandified man, who gets up late, and drinks; the cross man, who
+swears at the shed-door when it won't shut; the fatherly man, who sits
+among his children every evening, and the cheery old man up in the
+attic, who has a flower in his window, and looks out at the world with
+very much the same serene smile as my orange-coloured baby.</p>
+
+<p>The women, too, keep house, make calls, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> play mother; and some don't
+do it well either. The forlorn baby's mamma never seems to cuddle and
+comfort him; and some day, when the little fist lies cold and quiet, I'm
+afraid she'll wish she had. Then the naughty boy's mother. I'm very
+sure, if she put her arms round him sometimes, and smoothed that rough
+head of his, and spoke to him as only mothers can speak, that it would
+tame him far better than the scoldings and thrashings: for I know there
+is a true boy's heart, warm and tender, somewhere under the jacket that
+gets dusted so often. As for the fine lady who lets her children do as
+they can, while she trims her bonnet, or makes panniers, I wouldn't be
+introduced to her on any account. But as some might think it was
+unjustifiable curiosity on my part to see these things, and an
+actionable offence to speak of them, I won't mention them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I sometimes wonder if the kind spirits who feel an interest in mortals
+ever take a look at us on the shady side which we don't show the world,
+seeing the trouble, vanities, and sins which we think no one knows. If
+they love, pity, or condemn us? What records they keep, and what rewards
+they prepare for those who are so busy with their work and play that
+they forget who may be watching their back windows with clearer eyes and
+truer charity than any inquisitive old lady with a pen in her hand?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="LITTLE_MARIE_OF_LEHON" id="LITTLE_MARIE_OF_LEHON"></a><i>LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON.</i></h2>
+
+<p>'Here comes our pretty little girl,' I said to Kate, as we sat resting
+on the seat beside the footpath that leads from Dinan on the hill to
+Lehon in the valley.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there she was, trotting toward us in her round cap, blue woollen
+gown, white apron, and wooden shoes. On her head was a loaf of buckwheat
+bread as big as a small wheel, in one hand a basket full of green stuff,
+while the other led an old goat, who seemed in no hurry to get home. We
+had often seen this rosy, bright-eyed child, had nodded to her, but
+never spoken, for she looked rather shy, and always seemed in haste. Now
+the sight of the goat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> reminded us of an excuse for addressing her, and
+as she was about to pass with the respectful little curtsey of the
+country, my friend said in French:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Stay please. I want to speak to you.' She stopped at once and stood
+looking at us under her long eyelashes in a timid yet confiding way,
+very pretty to see.</p>
+
+<p>'We want to drink goat's milk every morning: can you let us have it,
+little one?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, yes, mademoiselle! Nannette gives fine milk, and no one has yet
+engaged her,' answered the child, her whole face brightening at the
+prospect.</p>
+
+<p>'What name have you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Marie Rosier, mademoiselle.'</p>
+
+<p>'And you live at Lehon?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, mademoiselle.'</p>
+
+<p>'Have you parents?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Truly, yes, of the best. My father has a loom, my mother works in the
+field and mill with brother Yvon, and I go to school and care for
+Nannette and nurse little Bebe.'</p>
+
+<p>'What school?'</p>
+
+<p>'At the convent, mademoiselle. The good sisters teach us the catechism,
+also to write and read and sew. I like it much,' and Marie glanced at
+the little prayer in her apron pocket, as if proud to show she could
+read it.</p>
+
+<p>'What age have you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ten years, mademoiselle.'</p>
+
+<p>'You are young to do so much, for we often see you in the market buying
+and selling, and sometimes digging in your garden there below, and
+bringing water from the river. Do you love work as well as school?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, no; but mademoiselle knows it is necessary to work: every one does,
+and I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> glad to do my part. Yvon works much harder than I, and the
+father sits all day at his loom, yet he is sick and suffers much. Yes, I
+am truly glad to help,' and little Marie settled the big loaf as if
+quite ready to bear her share of the burdens.</p>
+
+<p>'Shall we go and see your father about the goat? and if he agrees will
+you bring the milk fresh and warm every morning?' I asked, thinking that
+a sight of that blooming face would brighten our days for us.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, yes! I always do it for the ladies, and you will find the milk
+quite fresh and warm, hey, Nannette?' and Marie laughed as she pulled
+the goat from the hedge where she was nibbling the young leaves.</p>
+
+<p>We followed the child as she went clattering down the stony path, and
+soon came into the narrow street bounded on one side by the row of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> low,
+stone houses, and on the other by the green wet meadow full of willows,
+and the rapid mill-stream. All along this side of the road sat women and
+children, stripping the bark from willow twigs to be used in
+basket-making. A busy sight and a cheerful one; for the women gossiped
+in their high, clear voices, the children sang and laughed, and the
+babies crept about as freely as young lambs.</p>
+
+<p>We found Marie's home a very poor one. Only two rooms in the little hut,
+the lower one with its earthen floor, beds in the wall, smoky fire, and
+single window where the loom stood. At it sat a pale, dark man who
+stopped work as we entered, and seemed glad to rest while we talked to
+him, or rather while Kate did, for I could not understand his odd
+French, and preferred to watch Marie during the making of the bargain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Yvon, a stout lad of twelve, was cutting up brush with an old sickle,
+and little Bebe, looking like a Dutch doll in her tiny round cap, tight
+blue gown, and bits of sabots, clung to Marie as she got the supper.</p>
+
+<p>I wondered what the children at home would have said to such a supper. A
+few cabbage leaves made the soup, and this, with the dry black bread and
+a sip of sour wine, was all they had. There were no plates or bowls, but
+little hollow places in the heavy wooden table near the edge, and into
+these fixed cups Marie ladled the soup, giving each a wooden spoon from
+a queer rack in the middle; the kettle stood at one end, the big loaf
+lay at the other, and all stood round eating out of their little
+troughs, with Nannette and a rough dog close by to receive any crusts
+that might be left.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the mother came in, a true Breton<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> woman; rosy and robust,
+neat and cheery, though her poor clothes were patched all over, her
+hands more rough and worn with hard work than any I ever saw, and the
+fine hair under her picturesque cap gray at thirty with much care.</p>
+
+<p>I saw then where Marie got the brightness that seemed to shine in every
+feature of her little face, for the mother's coming was like a ray of
+sunshine in that dark place, and she had a friendly word and look for
+every one.</p>
+
+<p>Our little arrangement was soon made, and we left them all smiling and
+nodding as if the few francs we were to pay would be a fortune to them.</p>
+
+<p>Early next morning we were wakened by Fran&ccedil;oise, the maid, who came up
+to announce that the goat's milk had arrived. Then we heard a queer,
+quick, tapping sound on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> stairs, and to our great amusement,
+Nannette walked into the room, straight up to my bedside, and stood
+there looking at me with her mild yellow eyes as if she was quite used
+to seeing night-caps. Marie followed with a pretty little bowl in her
+hand, and said, laughing at our surprise, 'See, dear mademoiselle; in
+this way I make sure that the milk is quite fresh and warm;' and
+kneeling down, she milked the bowl full in a twinkling, while Nannette
+quietly chewed her cud and sniffed at a plate of rolls on the table.</p>
+
+<p>The warm draught was delicious, and we drank each our portion with much
+merriment.</p>
+
+<p>'It is our custom,' said Fran&ccedil;oise; who stood by with her arms folded,
+and looked on in a lofty manner.</p>
+
+<p>'What had you for your own breakfast?' I asked, as I caught Marie's eye
+hungrily fixed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> on the rolls and some tempting little cakes of chocolate
+left from our lunch the day before.</p>
+
+<p>'My good bread, as usual, mademoiselle, also sorrel salad and&mdash;and
+water,' answered Marie, as if trying to make the most of her scanty
+meal.</p>
+
+<p>'Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble
+at school? You must be tired with this long walk so early.'</p>
+
+<p>She hesitated, but could not resist; and said in a low tone, as she held
+the bread in her hand without eating it,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe? She has never tasted
+the beautiful white bread, and it would please her much.'</p>
+
+<p>I emptied the plate into her basket, tucked in the chocolate, and added
+a gay picture for baby, which unexpected treasures caused Marie to clasp
+her hands and turn quite red with delight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After that she came daily, and we had merry times with old Nannette and
+her little mistress, whom we soon learned to love, so busy, blithe, and
+grateful was she.</p>
+
+<p>We soon found a new way to employ her, for the boy who drove our donkey
+did not suit us, and we got the donkey-woman to let us have Marie in the
+afternoon when her lessons were done. She liked that, and so did we; for
+she seemed to understand the nature of donkeys, and could manage them
+without so much beating and shouting as the boy thought necessary. Such
+pleasant drives as we had, we two big women in the droll wagon, drawn by
+the little gray donkey that looked as if made of an old trunk, so rusty
+and rough was he as he went trotting along, his long ears wagging, and
+his small hoofs clattering over the fine hard road, while Marie sat on
+the shaft with a long whip,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> talking and laughing, and giving Andr&egrave; a
+poke now and then, crying 'E! E! houp la!' to make him go.</p>
+
+<p>We found her a capital little guide and story-teller, for her
+grandmother had told her all the tales and legends of the neighbourhood,
+and it was very pleasant to hear her repeat them in pretty peasant
+French, as we sat among the ruins, while Kate sketched, I took notes,
+and Marie held the big parasol over us.</p>
+
+<p>Some of these stones were charming; at least as <i>she</i> told them, with
+her little face changing from gay to sad as she gesticulated most
+dramatically.</p>
+
+<p>The romance of 'Gilles de Bretagne' was one of her favourites. How he
+carried off his child-wife when she was only twelve, how he was
+imprisoned and poisoned, and at last left to starve in a dungeon, and
+would stand at his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> window crying, 'Bread, bread; for the love of God!'
+yet no one dared to give him any, till a poor peasant woman went in the
+night and gave him half her black loaf. Not once, but every night for
+six months, though she robbed her children to do it. And when he was
+dying, it was she who took a priest to him, that he might confess
+through the bars of his cell.</p>
+
+<p>'So good, ah, so good, this poor woman! It is beautiful to hear of that,
+mademoiselle!' little Marie would say, with her black eyes full and her
+lips trembling.</p>
+
+<p>But the story she liked best of all was about the peasant girl and her
+grandmother.</p>
+
+<p>'See then, dear ladies, it was in this way. In the time of the great war
+many poor people were shot because it was feared they would burn the
+chateaus. In one of these so sad parties being driven to St. Malo to be
+shot,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> was this young girl. Only fifteen, dear ladies, behold how young
+is this! and see the brave thing she did! With her went the old
+grandmother whom she loved next the good God. They went slowly, she was
+so old, and one of the officers who guarded them had pity on the pretty
+girl, and said to her as they were a little apart from the rest, "Come,
+you are young, and can run. I will save you; it is a pity so fine a
+little girl should be shot."</p>
+
+<p>'Then she was glad and thanked him much, saying, "And the grandmother
+also? You will save her with me?" "It is impossible," says the officer.
+"She is too old to run. I can save but one, and her life is nearly over;
+let her go, and do you fly into the next wood. I will not betray you,
+and when we come up with the gang it will be too late to find you."</p>
+
+<p>'Then the great temptation of Satan came to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> this girl. She had no wish
+to suffer, but she could not leave the good old grandmere to die alone.
+She wept, she prayed, and the saints gave her courage.</p>
+
+<p>'"No, I will not go," she said; and in the morning at St. Malo she was
+shot with the old mother in her arms.'</p>
+
+<p>'Could you do that for your grandmere?' I once asked, as she stopped for
+breath, because this tale always excited her. She crossed herself
+devoutly, and answered with fire in her eyes, and a resolute gesture of
+her little brown hands,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I should try, mademoiselle.'</p>
+
+<p>I think she would, and succeed, too, for she was a brave and
+tender-hearted child, as she soon after proved.</p>
+
+<p>A long drought parched the whole country that summer, and the gardens
+suffered much,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> especially the little plats in Lehon, for most of them
+were on the steep hillside behind the huts; and unless it rained, water
+had to be carried up from the stream below. The cabbages and onions on
+which these poor people depend, when fresh salads are gone, were dying
+in the baked earth, and a hard winter was before them if this little
+store failed.</p>
+
+<p>The priests prayed for rain in the churches, and long processions
+streamed out of the gates to visit the old stone cross called the 'Croix
+de Saint Esprit,' and, kneeling there in crowds, the people implored the
+blessing of rain to save their harvest. We felt great pity for them, but
+liked little Marie's way of praying best.</p>
+
+<p>She did not come one morning, but sent her brother, who only laughed,
+and said Marie had hurt her foot, when we inquired for her. Anxious to
+know if she was really ill, we went to see her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> in the afternoon, and
+heard a pretty little story of practical Christianity.</p>
+
+<p>Marie lay asleep on her mother's bed in the wall, and her father,
+sitting by her, told the tale in a low voice, pausing now and then to
+look at her, as if his little daughter had done something to be proud
+of.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that in the village there was an old woman frightfully
+disfigured by fire, and not quite sane as the people thought. She was
+harmless, but never showed herself by day, and only came out at night to
+work in her garden or take the air. Many of the ignorant peasants feared
+her, however; for the country abounds in fairy legends, and strange
+tales of ghosts and goblins. But the more charitable left bread at her
+door, and took in return the hose she knit or the thread she spun.</p>
+
+<p>During the drought it was observed that <i>her</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> garden, though the
+steepest and stoniest, was never dry; <i>her</i> cabbages flourished when her
+neighbours' withered, and <i>her</i> onions stood up green and tall as if
+some special rain-spirit watched over them. People wondered and shook
+their heads, but could not explain it, for Mother Lobineau was too
+infirm to carry much water up the steep path, and who would help her
+unless some of her own goblin friends did it?</p>
+
+<p>This idea was suggested by the story of a peasant returning late at
+night, who had seen something white flitting to and fro in the
+garden-patch, and when he called to it saw it vanish most mysteriously.
+This made quite a stir in the town; others watched also, saw the white
+phantom in the starlight, and could not tell where it went when it
+vanished behind the chestnut trees on the hill, till one man, braver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>
+than the rest, hid himself behind these trees and discovered the
+mystery. The sprite was Marie, in her little shift, who stepped out of
+the window of the loft where she slept on to a bough of the tree, and
+thence to the hill, for the house was built so close against the bank
+that it was 'but a step from garret to garden,' as they say in Morlaix.</p>
+
+<p>In trying to escape from this inquisitive neighbour, Marie hurt her
+foot, but was caught, and confessed that it was she who went at night to
+water poor Mother Lobineau's cabbages; because if they failed the old
+woman might starve, and no one else remembered her destitute and
+helpless state.</p>
+
+<p>The good-hearted people were much touched by this silent sermon on
+loving one's neighbour as one's self, and Marie was called the 'little
+saint,' and tended carefully by all the good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> women. Just as the story
+ended, she woke up, and at first seemed inclined to hide under the
+bedclothes. But we had her out in a minute, and presently she was
+laughing over her good deed, with a true child's enjoyment of a bit of
+roguery, saying in her simple way,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; it was so droll to go running about <i>en chemise</i>, like the girl in
+the tale of the 'Midsummer Eve,' where she pulls the Saint Johns-wort
+flower, and has her wish to hear all the creatures talk. I liked it
+much, and Yvon slept so like the dormouse that he never heard me creep
+in and out. It was hard to bring much water, but the poor cabbages were
+<i>so</i> glad, and Mother Lobineau felt that all had not forgotten her.</p>
+
+<p>We took care that little Saint Marie was not forgotten, but quite well,
+and all ready for her confirmation when the day came. This is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> pretty
+sight, and for her sake we went to the old church of St. Sauveur to see
+it. It was a bright spring day, and the gardens were full of early
+flowers, the quaint streets gay with proud fathers and mothers in
+holiday dress, and flocks of strangers pausing to see the long
+procession of little girls with white caps and veils, gloves and gowns,
+prayer-books and rosaries, winding through the sunny square into the
+shadowy church with chanting and candles, garlands and crosses.</p>
+
+<p>The old priest was too ill to perform the service, but the young one who
+took his place announced, after it was over, that if they would pass the
+house the good old man would bless them from his balcony. That was the
+best of all, and a sweet sight, as the feeble fatherly old priest leaned
+from his easy-chair to stretch his trembling hands over the little flock
+so like a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> bed of snowdrops, while the bright eyes and rosy faces looked
+reverently up at him, and the fresh voices chanted the responses as the
+curly heads under the long veils bowed and passed by.</p>
+
+<p>We learned afterwards that our Marie had been called in and praised for
+her secret charity&mdash;a great honour, because the good priest was much
+beloved by all his flock, and took a most paternal interest in the
+little ones.</p>
+
+<p>That was almost the last we saw of our little friend, for we left Dinan
+soon after, bidding the Lehon family good-bye, and leaving certain warm
+souvenirs for winter-time. Marie cried and clung to us at parting, then
+smiled like an April day, and waved her hand as we went away, never
+expecting to see her any more.</p>
+
+<p>But the next morning, just as we were stepping on board the steamer to
+go down the Rance to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> St. Malo, we saw a little white cap come bobbing
+through the market-place, down the steep street, and presently Marie
+appeared with two great bunches of pale yellow primroses and wild blue
+hyacinths in one hand, while the other held her sabots, that she might
+run the faster. Rosy and smiling and breathless with haste she came
+racing up to us, crying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Behold my souvenir for the dear ladies. I do not cry now. No; I am glad
+the day is so fine. <i>Bon voyage! bon voyage!</i>'</p>
+
+<p>We thanked and kissed and left her on the shore, bravely trying not to
+cry, as she waved her wooden shoes and kissed her hand till we were out
+of sight, and had nothing but the soft colours and sweet breath of our
+nosegays to remind us of Little Marie of Lehon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="MY_MAY-DAY_AMONG_CURIOUS_BIRDS_AND_BEASTS" id="MY_MAY-DAY_AMONG_CURIOUS_BIRDS_AND_BEASTS"></a><i>MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS.</i></h2>
+
+<p>Being alone in London, yet wishing to celebrate the day, I decided to
+pay my respects to the lions at the Zoological Gardens. A lovely place
+it was, and I enjoyed myself immensely; for May-day in England is just
+what it should be, mild, sunny, flowery, and spring-like. As I walked
+along the well-kept paths, between white and rosy hawthorn hedges, I
+kept coming upon new and curious sights; for the birds and beasts are so
+skilfully arranged that it is more like travelling through a strange and
+pleasant country than visiting a menagerie.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing I saw was a great American<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> bison; and I was so glad to
+meet with any one from home, that I'd have patted him with pleasure if
+he had shown any cordiality toward me. He didn't, however, but stared
+savagely with his fiery eyes, and put down his immense head with a
+sullen snort, as if he'd have tossed me with great satisfaction. I did
+not blame him, for the poor fellow was homesick, doubtless, for his own
+wide prairies and the free life he had lost. So I threw him some fresh
+clover, and went on to the pelicans.</p>
+
+<p>I never knew before what handsome birds they were; not graceful, but
+with such snowy plumage, tinged with pale pink and faint yellow. They
+had just had their bath, and stood arranging their feathers with their
+great bills, uttering a queer cry now and then, and nodding to one
+another sociably. When fed, they gobbled up the fish, never stopping to
+swallow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> it till the pouches under their bills were full; then they
+leisurely emptied them, and seemed to enjoy their lunch with the grave
+deliberation of regular Englishmen.</p>
+
+<p>Being in a hurry to see the lions, I went on to the long row of cages,
+and there found a splendid sight. Six lions and lionesses, in three or
+four different cages, sitting or standing in dignified attitudes, and
+eyeing the spectators with a mild expression in their fine eyes. One
+lioness was ill, and lay on her bed, looking very pensive, while her
+mate moved restlessly about her, evidently anxious to do something for
+her, and much afflicted by her suffering. I liked this lion very much,
+for, though the biggest, he was very gentle, and had a noble face.</p>
+
+<p>The tigers were rushing about, as tigers usually are; some creeping
+noiselessly to and fro, some leaping up and down, and some washing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>
+their faces with their velvet paws. All looked and acted so like cats
+that I wasn't at all surprised to hear one of them purr when the keeper
+scratched her head. It was a very loud and large purr, but no fireside
+pussy could have done it better, and every one laughed at the sound.</p>
+
+<p>There were pretty spotted leopards, panthers, and smaller varieties of
+the same species. I sat watching them a long time, longing to let some
+of the wild things out for a good run, they seemed so unhappy barred in
+those small dens.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the lions began to roar, the tigers to snarl, and all to get
+very much excited about something, sniffing at the openings, thrusting
+their paws through the bars, and lashing their tails impatiently. I
+couldn't imagine what the trouble was, till, far down the line, I saw a
+man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> with a barrowful of lumps of raw meat. This was their dinner, and
+as they were fed but once a day they were ravenous. Such roars and howls
+and cries as arose while the man went slowly down the line, gave one a
+good idea of the sounds to be heard in Indian forests and jungles. The
+lions behaved best, for they only paced up and down, with an occasional
+cry; but the tigers were quite frantic; for they tumbled one over the
+other, shook the cages, and tried to reach the bystanders, just out of
+reach behind the bar that kept us at a safe distance. One lady had a
+fright, for the wind blew the end of her shawl within reach of a tiger's
+great claw, and he clutched it, trying to drag her nearer. The shawl
+came off, and the poor lady ran away screaming, as if a whole family of
+wild beasts were after her.</p>
+
+<p>When the lumps of meat were thrown in, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> was curious to see how
+differently the animals behaved. The tigers snarled and fought and tore
+and got so savage I was very grateful that they were safely shut up. In
+a few minutes, nothing but white bones remained, and then they howled
+for more. One little leopard was better bred than the others, for he
+went up on a shelf in the cage, and ate his dinner in a quiet, proper
+manner, which was an example to the rest. The lions ate in dignified
+silence, all but my favourite, who carried his share to his sick mate,
+and by every gentle means in his power tried to make her eat. She was
+too ill, however, and turned away with a plaintive moan which seemed to
+grieve him sadly. He wouldn't touch his dinner, but lay down near her,
+with the lump between his paws, as if guarding it for her; and there I
+left him patiently waiting, in spite of his hunger, till his mate could
+share it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> with him. As I took a last look at his fine old face, I named
+him Douglas, and walked away, humming to myself the lines of the
+ballad,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 18em;">Douglas, Douglas,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 18em;">Tender and true.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>As a contrast to the wild beasts, I went to see the monkeys, who lived
+in a fine large house all to themselves. Here was every variety, from
+the great ugly chimpanzee to the funny little fellows who played like
+boys, and cut up all sorts of capers. A mamma sat tending her baby, and
+looking so like a little old woman that I laughed till the gray monkey
+with the blue nose scolded at me. He was a cross old party, and sat
+huddled up in the straw, scowling at every one, like an ill-tempered old
+bachelor. Half-a-dozen little ones teased him capitally by dropping bits
+of bread, nut-shells, and straws down on him from above, as they climbed
+about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> the perches, or swung by their tails. One poor little chap had
+lost the curly end of his tail,&mdash;I'm afraid the gray one bit it
+off,&mdash;and kept trying to swing like the others, forgetting that the
+strong, curly end was what he held on with. He would run up the bare
+boughs, and give a jump, expecting to catch and swing, but the lame tail
+wouldn't hold him, and down he'd go, bounce on to the straw. At first
+he'd sit and stare about him, as if much amazed to find himself there;
+then he'd scratch his little round head and begin to scold violently,
+which seemed to delight the other monkeys; and, finally, he'd examine
+his poor little tail, and appear to understand the misfortune which had
+befallen him. The funny expression of his face was irresistible, and I
+enjoyed seeing him very much, and gave him a bun to comfort him when I
+went away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The snake-house came next, and I went in, on my way to visit the
+rhinoceros family. I rather like snakes, since I had a tame green one,
+who lived under the door-step, and would come out and play with me on
+sunny days. These snakes I found very interesting, only they got under
+their blankets and wouldn't come out, and I wasn't allowed to poke them;
+so I missed seeing several of the most curious. An ugly cobra laid and
+blinked at me through the glass, looking quite as dangerous as he was.
+There were big and little snakes,&mdash;black, brown, and speckled, lively
+and lazy, pretty and plain ones,&mdash;but I liked the great boa best.</p>
+
+<p>When I came to his cage, I didn't see anything but the branch of a tree,
+such as I had seen in other cages, for the snakes to wind up and down.
+'Where is he, I wonder? I hope he hasn't got out,' I said to myself,
+thinking of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> a story I read once of a person in a menagerie, who turned
+suddenly and saw a great boa gliding towards him. As I stood wondering
+if the big worm could be under the little flat blanket before me, the
+branch began to move all at once, and with a start, I saw a limb swing
+down to stare at me with the boa's glittering eyes. He was so exactly
+the colour of the bare bough, and lay so still, I had not seen him till
+he came to take a look at me. A very villainous-looking reptile he was,
+and I felt grateful that I didn't live in a country where such
+unpleasant neighbours might pop in upon you unexpectedly. He was kind
+enough to take a promenade and show me his size, which seemed immense,
+as he stretched himself, and then knotted his rough grayish body into a
+great loop, with the fiery-eyed head in the middle. He was not one of
+the largest kind, but I was quite satisfied, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> left him to his dinner
+of rabbits, which I hadn't the heart to stay and see him devour alive.</p>
+
+<p>I was walking toward the camel's pagoda, when, all of a sudden, a long,
+dark, curling thing came over my shoulder, and I felt warm breath in my
+face. 'It's the boa;' I thought, and gave a skip which carried me into
+the hedge, where I stuck, much to the amusement of some children riding
+on the elephant whose trunk had frightened me. He had politely tried to
+tell me to clear the way, which I certainly had done with all speed.
+Picking myself out of the hedge I walked beside him, examining his
+clumsy feet and peering up at his small, intelligent eye. I'm very sure
+he winked at me, as if enjoying the joke, and kept poking his trunk into
+my pocket, hoping to find something eatable.</p>
+
+<p>I felt as if I had got into a foreign country as I looked about me and
+saw elephants and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> camels walking among the trees; flocks of snow-white
+cranes stalking over the grass, on their long scarlet legs; striped
+Zebras racing in their paddock; queer kangaroos hopping about, with
+little ones in their pouches; pretty antelopes chasing one another; and,
+in an immense wire-covered aviary, all sorts of brilliant birds were
+flying about as gaily as if at home.</p>
+
+<p>One of the curiosities was a sea-cow, who lived in a tank of salt water,
+and came at the keeper's call to kiss him, and flounder on its flippers
+along the margin of the tank after a fish. It was very like a seal, only
+much larger, and had four fins instead of two. Its eyes were lovely, so
+dark and soft and liquid; but its mouth was not pretty, and I declined
+one of the damp kisses which it was ready to dispense at word of
+command.</p>
+
+<p>The great polar bear lived next door, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> spent his time splashing in
+and out of a pool of water, or sitting on a block of ice, panting, as if
+the mild spring day was blazing midsummer. He looked very unhappy, and I
+thought it a pity that they didn't invent a big refrigerator for him.</p>
+
+<p>These are not half of the wonderful creatures I saw, but I have not room
+to tell more; only I advise all who can to pay a visit to the Zoological
+Gardens when they go to London, for it is one of the most interesting
+sights in that fine old city.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="OUR_LITTLE_NEWSBOY" id="OUR_LITTLE_NEWSBOY"></a><i>OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY.</i></h2>
+
+<p>Hurrying to catch a certain car at a certain corner late one stormy
+night, I was suddenly arrested by the sight of a queer-looking bundle
+lying in a door-way.</p>
+
+<p>'Bless my heart, it's a child! O John! I'm afraid he's frozen!' I
+exclaimed to my brother, as we both bent over the bundle.</p>
+
+<p>Such a little fellow as he was, in the big, ragged coat; such a tired,
+baby face, under the fuzzy cap; such a purple, little hand, still
+holding fast a few papers; such a pathetic sight altogether was the boy,
+lying on the stone step, with the snow drifting over him, that it was
+impossible to go by.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'He is asleep; but he'll freeze, if left so long. Here! wake up, my boy,
+and go home, as fast as you can,' cried John, with a gentle shake, and a
+very gentle voice; for the memory of a dear little lad, safely tucked up
+at home, made him fatherly kind to the small vagabond.</p>
+
+<p>The moment he was touched, the boy tumbled up, and, before he was half
+awake, began his usual cry, with an eye to business.</p>
+
+<p>'Paper, sir? "Herald!" "Transkip!" Last'&mdash;a great gape swallowed up the
+'last edition,' and he stood blinking at us like a very chilly young
+owl.</p>
+
+<p>'I'll buy 'em all if you'll go home, my little chap; it's high time you
+were abed,' said John, whisking the damp papers into one pocket, and his
+purse out of another, as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>'All of 'em?&mdash;why there's six!' croaked the boy, for he was as hoarse as
+a raven.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Never mind, I can kindle the fire with 'em. Put that in your pocket;
+and trot home, my man, as fast as possible.'</p>
+
+<p>'Where do you live?' I asked, picking up the fifty cents that fell from
+the little fingers, too benumbed to hold it.</p>
+
+<p>'Mills Court, out of Hanover. Cold, ain't it?' said the boy, blowing on
+his purple hands, and hopping feebly from one leg to the other, to take
+the stiffness out.</p>
+
+<p>'He can't go all that way in this storm&mdash;such a mite, and so used up
+with cold and sleep, John.'</p>
+
+<p>'Of course he can't; we'll put him in a car,' began John; when the boy
+wheezed out,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'No; I've got ter wait for Sam. He'll be along as soon's the theatre's
+done. He said he would; and so I'm waitin'.'</p>
+
+<p>'Who is Sam?' I asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'He's the feller I lives with. I ain't got any folks, and he takes care
+o' me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Nice care, indeed; leaving a baby like you to wait for him here such a
+night as this,' I said crossly.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, he's good to me Sam is, though he does knock me round sometimes,
+when I ain't spry. The big feller shoves me back, you see; and I gets
+cold, and can't sing out loud; so I don't sell my papers, and has to
+work 'em off late.'</p>
+
+<p>'Hear the child talk! One would think he was sixteen, instead of six,' I
+said, half laughing.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm most ten. Hi! ain't that a oner?' cried the boy, as a gust of sleet
+slapped him in the face, when he peeped to see if Sam was coming.
+'Hullo! the lights is out! Why, the play's done, and the folks gone, and
+Sam's forgot me.'</p>
+
+<p>It was very evident that Sam <i>had</i> forgotten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> his little <i>prot&eacute;g&eacute;</i>; and
+a strong desire to shake Sam possessed me.</p>
+
+<p>'No use waitin' any longer; and now my papers is sold, I ain't afraid to
+go home,' said the boy, stepping down like a little old man with the
+rheumatism, and preparing to trudge away through the storm.</p>
+
+<p>'Stop a bit, my little Casabianca; a car will be along in fifteen
+minutes; and while waiting you can warm yourself over there,' said John,
+with the purple hand in his.</p>
+
+<p>'My name's Jack Hill, not Cassy Banks, please, sir,' said the little
+party, with dignity.</p>
+
+<p>'Have you had your supper, Mr. Hill?' asked John, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>'I had some peanuts, and two sucks of Joe's orange; but it warn't very
+fillin',' he said, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>'I should think not. Here! one stew; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> be quick, please,' cried John,
+as we sat down in a warm corner of the confectioner's opposite.</p>
+
+<p>While little Jack shovelled in the hot oysters, with his eyes shutting
+up now and then in spite of himself, we looked at him and thought again
+of little Rosy-face at home safe in his warm nest, with mother-love
+watching over him. Nodding towards the ragged, grimy, forlorn, little
+creature, dropping asleep over his supper like a tired baby, I said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Can you imagine our Freddy out alone at this hour, trying to 'work off'
+his papers, because afraid to go home till he has?'</p>
+
+<p>'I'd rather not try,' answered brother John, winking hard, as he stroked
+the little head beside him, which, by the bye, looked very like a
+ragged, yellow door-mat. I <i>think</i> brother John winked hard, but I can't
+be sure, for I know I did; and for a minute there seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> to be a dozen
+little newsboys dancing before my eyes.</p>
+
+<p>'There goes our car; and it's the last,' said John, looking at me.</p>
+
+<p>'Let it go, but don't leave the boy;' and I frowned at John for hinting
+at such a thing.</p>
+
+<p>'Here is his car. Now, my lad, bolt your last oyster, and come on.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good-night, ma'am! thankee, sir!' croaked the grateful little voice, as
+the child was caught up in John's strong hands and set down on the
+car-step.</p>
+
+<p>With a word to the conductor, and a small business transaction, we left
+Jack coiled up in a corner to finish his nap as tranquilly as if it
+wasn't midnight, and a 'knocking-round' might not await him at his
+journey's end.</p>
+
+<p>We didn't mind the storm much as we plodded home; and when I told the
+story to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> Rosy-face, next day, his interest quite reconciled me to the
+sniffs and sneezes of a bad cold.</p>
+
+<p>'If I saw that poor little boy, Aunt Jo, I'd love him lots!' said
+Freddy, with a world of pity in his beautiful child's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>And, believing that others also would be kind to little Jack, and such
+as he, I tell the story.</p>
+
+<p>When busy fathers hurry home at night, I hope they'll buy their papers
+of the small boys, who get 'shoved back;' the feeble ones, who grow
+hoarse, and can't 'sing out;' the shabby ones, who evidently have only
+forgetful Sams to care for them; and the hungry-looking ones, who don't
+get what is 'fillin'.' For love of the little sons and daughters safe at
+home, say a kind word, buy a paper, even if you don't want it; and never
+pass by, leaving them to sleep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> forgotten in the streets at midnight,
+with no pillow but a stone, no coverlet but the pitiless snow, and not
+even a tender-hearted robin to drop leaves over them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="PATTYS_PATCHWORK" id="PATTYS_PATCHWORK"></a><i>PATTY'S PATCHWORK.</i></h2>
+
+<p>'I perfectly hate it! and something dreadful ought to be done to the
+woman who invented it,' said Patty, in a pet, sending a shower of gay
+pieces flying over the carpet as if a small whirlwind and a rainbow had
+got into a quarrel.</p>
+
+<p>Puss did not agree with Patty, for, after a surprised hop when the
+flurry came, she calmly laid herself down on a red square, purring
+comfortably and winking her yellow eyes, as if she thanked the little
+girl for the bright bed that set off her white fur so prettily. This
+cool performance made Patty laugh, and say more pleasantly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Well, it <i>is</i> tiresome, isn't it, Aunt Pen?'</p>
+
+<p>'Sometimes; but we all have to make patchwork, my dear, and do the best
+we can with the pieces given us.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do we?' and Patty opened her eyes in great astonishment at this new
+idea.</p>
+
+<p>'Our lives are patchwork, and it depends on us a good deal how the
+bright and dark bits get put together so that the whole is neat, pretty,
+and useful when it is done,' said Aunt Pen soberly.</p>
+
+<p>'Deary me, now she is going to preach,' thought Patty; but she rather
+liked Aunt Pen's preachments, for a good deal of fun got mixed up with
+the moralising; and she was so good herself that children could never
+say in their naughty little minds, 'You are just as bad as we, so you
+needn't talk to us, ma'am.'</p>
+
+<p>'I gave you that patchwork to see what you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> would make of it, and it is
+as good as a diary to me, for I can tell by the different squares how
+you felt when you made them,' continued Aunt Pen, with a twinkle in her
+eye as she glanced at the many-coloured bits on the carpet.</p>
+
+<p>'Can you truly? just try and see,' and Patty looked interested at once.</p>
+
+<p>Pointing with the yard-measure, Aunt Pen said, tapping a certain dingy,
+puckered, brown and purple square&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'That is a bad day; don't it look so?'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, it was, I do declare! for that was the Monday piece, when
+everything went wrong and I didn't care how my work looked,' cried
+Patty, surprised at Aunt Pen's skill in reading the calico diary.</p>
+
+<p>'This pretty pink and white one so neatly sewed is a good day; this
+funny mixture of red, blue, and yellow with the big stitches is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> merry
+day; that one with spots on it is one that got cried over; this with the
+gay flowers is a day full of good little plans and resolutions; and that
+one made of dainty bits, all stars and dots and tiny leaves, is the one
+you made when you were thinking about the dear new baby there at home.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why, Aunt Pen, you are a fairy! How <i>did</i> you know? they truly are just
+as you say, as near as I can remember. I rather like that sort of
+patchwork,' and Patty sat down upon the floor to collect, examine, and
+arrange her discarded work with a new interest in it.</p>
+
+<p>'I see what is going on, and I have queer plays in my mind just as you
+little folks do. Suppose you make this a moral bed-quilt, as some people
+make album quilts. See how much patience, perseverance, good nature, and
+industry you can put into it. Every bit will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> have a lesson or a story,
+and when you lie under it you will find it a real comforter,' said Aunt
+Pen, who wanted to amuse the child and teach her something better even
+than the good old-fashioned accomplishment of needlework.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't see how I can put that sort of thing into it,' answered Patty,
+as she gently lifted puss into her lap, instead of twitching the red bit
+roughly from under her.</p>
+
+<p>'There goes a nice little piece of kindness this very minute,' laughed
+Aunt Pen, pointing to the cat and the red square.</p>
+
+<p>Patty laughed also, and looked pleased as she stroked Mother Bunch,
+while she said thoughtfully&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I see what you mean now. I am making two kinds of patchwork at the same
+time; and this that I see is to remind me of the other kind that I don't
+see.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Every task, no matter how small or homely, that gets well and
+cheerfully done, is a fine thing; and the sooner we learn to use up the
+dark and bright bits (the pleasures and pains, the cares and duties)
+into a cheerful, useful life, the sooner we become real comforters, and
+every one likes to cuddle about us. Don't you see, deary?'</p>
+
+<p>'That's what you are, Aunt Pen;' and Patty put up her hand to hold fast
+by that other strong, kind, helpful hand that did so much, yet never was
+tired, cold, or empty.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Pen took the chubby little one in both her own, and said, smiling,
+yet with meaning in her eyes, as she tapped the small fore-finger, rough
+with impatient and unskilful sewing&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Shall we try and see what a nice little comforter we can make this
+month, while you wait<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> to be called home to see mamma and the dear new
+baby?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I'd like to try;' and Patty gave Aunt Pen's hand a hearty shake,
+for she wanted to be good, and rather thought the new fancy would lend a
+charm to the task which we all find rather tiresome and hard.</p>
+
+<p>So the bargain was made, and the patch Patty sewed that day was
+beautiful to behold; for she was in a delightfully moral state of mind,
+and felt quite sure that she was going to become a model for all
+children to follow, if they could. The next day her ardour had cooled a
+little, and being in a hurry to go out to play, she slighted her work,
+thinking no one would know. But the third day she got so angry with her
+patch that she tore it in two, and declared it was all nonsense to fuss
+about being good and thorough and all the rest of it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Aunt Pen did not say much, but made her mend and finish her patch and
+add it to the pile. After she went to bed that night Patty thought of
+it, and wished she could do it over, it looked so badly. But as it could
+not be, she had a penitent fit, and resolved to keep her temper while
+she sewed, at any rate, for mamma was to see the little quilt when it
+was done, and would want to know all about it.</p>
+
+<p>Of course she did not devote herself to being good <i>all</i> the time, but
+spent her days in lessons, play, mischief, and fun, like any other
+lively, ten-year-older. But somehow, whenever the sewing-hour came, she
+remembered that talk; and as she worked she fell into the way of
+wondering whether Aunt Pen could guess from the patches what sort of
+days she had passed. She wanted to try and see, but Aunt Pen refused to
+read any more calico till the quilt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> was done: then, she said in a
+queer, solemn way, she should make the good and bad days appear in a
+remarkable manner.</p>
+
+<p>This puzzled Patty very much, and she quite ached to know what the joke
+would be; meantime the pile grew steadily, and every day, good or bad,
+added to that other work called Patty's life. She did not think much
+about that part of it, but unconsciously the quiet sewing-time had its
+influence on her, and that little 'conscience hour,' as she sometimes
+called it, helped her very much.</p>
+
+<p>One day she said to herself as she took up her work, 'Now I'll puzzle
+Aunt Pen. She thinks my naughty tricks get into the patches; but I'll
+make this very nicely and have it gay, and then I don't see how she will
+ever guess what I did this morning.'</p>
+
+<p>Now you must know that Tweedle-dee, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> canary, was let out every day
+to fly about the room and enjoy himself. Mother Bunch never tried to
+catch him, though he often hopped temptingly near her. He was a droll
+little bird, and Patty liked to watch his promenades, for he did funny
+things. That day he made her laugh by trying to fly away with a shawl,
+picking up the fringe with which to line the nest he was always trying
+to build. It was so heavy he tumbled on his back and lay kicking and
+pulling, but had to give it up and content himself with a bit of thread.</p>
+
+<p>Patty was forbidden to chase or touch him at these times, but always
+felt a strong desire to have just one grab at him and see how he felt.
+That day, being alone in the dining-room, she found it impossible to
+resist; and when Tweedle-dee came tripping pertly over the table-cloth,
+cocking his head on one side with shrill chirps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> and little prancings,
+she caught him, and for a minute held him fast in spite of his wrathful
+pecking.</p>
+
+<p>She put her thimble on his head, laughing to see how funny he looked,
+and just then he slipped out of her hand. She clutched at him, missed
+him, but alas, alas! he left his little tail behind him. Every feather
+in his blessed little tail, I do assure you; and there sat Patty with
+the yellow plumes in her hand and dismay in her face. Poor Tweedle-dee
+retired to his cage much afflicted, and sung no more that day, but Patty
+hid the lost tail and never said a word about it.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Pen is so near-sighted she won't mind, and maybe he will have
+another tail pretty soon, or she will think he is moulting. If she asks
+of course I shall tell her.'</p>
+
+<p>Patty settled it in that way, forgetting that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> the slide was open and
+Aunt Pen in the kitchen. So she made a neat blue and buff patch, and put
+it away, meaning to puzzle aunty when the reading-time came. But Patty
+got the worst of it, as you will see by-and-bye.</p>
+
+<p>Another day she strolled into the store-room and saw a large tray of
+fresh buns standing there. Now, it was against the rule to eat between
+meals, and new hot bread or cake was especially forbidden. Patty
+remembered both these things, but could not resist temptation. One
+plump, brown bun, with a lovely plum right in the middle, was so
+fascinating it was impossible to let it alone; so Patty whipped it into
+her pocket, ran to the garden, and hiding behind the big lilac-bush, ate
+it in a great hurry. It was just out of the oven, and so hot it burned
+her throat, and lay like a live coal in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> her little stomach after it was
+down, making her very uncomfortable for several hours.</p>
+
+<p>'Why do you keep sighing?' asked Aunt Pen, as Patty sat down to her
+work.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't feel very well.'</p>
+
+<p>'You have eaten something that disagrees with you. Did you eat hot
+biscuits for breakfast?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, ma'am, I never do,' and Patty gave another little gasp, for the bun
+lay very heavily on both stomach and conscience just then.</p>
+
+<p>'A drop or two of ammonia will set you right,' and Aunt Pen gave her
+some. It did set the stomach right, but the conscience still worried
+her, for she could not make up her mind to 'fess' the sly, greedy thing
+she had done.</p>
+
+<p>'Put a white patch in the middle of those green ones,' said Aunt Pen, as
+Patty sat soberly sewing her daily square.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Why?' asked the little girl, for aunty seldom interfered in her
+arrangement of the quilt.</p>
+
+<p>'It will look pretty, and match the other three squares that are going
+at the corners of that middle piece.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I will,' and Patty sewed away, wondering at this sudden interest
+in her work, and why Aunt Pen laughed to herself as she put away the
+ammonia bottle.</p>
+
+<p>These are two of the naughty little things that got worked into the
+quilt; but there were good ones also, and Aunt Pen's sharp eyes saw them
+all.</p>
+
+<p>At the window of a house opposite, Patty often saw a little girl who sat
+there playing with an old doll or a torn book. She never seemed to run
+about or go out, and Patty often wondered if she was sick, she looked so
+thin and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> sober, and was so quiet. Patty began by making faces at her
+for fun, but the little girl only smiled back, and nodded so
+good-naturedly that Patty was ashamed of herself.</p>
+
+<p>'Is that girl over there poor?' she asked suddenly as she watched her
+one day.</p>
+
+<p>'Very poor: her mother takes in sewing, and the child is lame,' answered
+Aunt Pen, without looking up from the letter she was writing.</p>
+
+<p>'Her doll is nothing but an old shawl tied round with a string, and she
+don't seem to have but one book. Wonder if she'd like to have me come
+and play with her,' said Patty to herself, as she stood her own big doll
+in the window, and nodded back at the girl, who bobbed up and down in
+her chair with delight at this agreeable prospect.</p>
+
+<p>'You can go and see her some day if you like,' said Aunt Pen, scribbling
+away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Patty said no more then, but later in the afternoon she remembered this
+permission, and resolved to try if aunty would find out her good doings
+as well as her bad ones. So, tucking Blanch Augusta Arabella Maud under
+one arm, her best picture-book under the other, and gathering a little
+nosegay of her own flowers, she slipped across the road, knocked, and
+marched boldly upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brown, the sewing-woman, was out, and no one there but Lizzie in
+her chair at the window, looking lonely and forlorn.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you do? My name is Patty, and I live over there, and I've come
+to play with you,' said one child in a friendly tone.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you do? My name is Lizzie, and I'm very glad to see you. What a
+lovely doll!' returned the other child gratefully; and then the ceremony
+of introduction was over, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> began to play as if they had known
+each other for ever so long.</p>
+
+<p>To poor Lizzie it seemed as if a little fairy had suddenly appeared to
+brighten the dismal room with flowers and smiles and pretty things;
+while Patty felt her pity and good-will increase as she saw Lizzie's
+crippled feet, and watched her thin face brighten and glow with interest
+and delight over book and doll and posy. 'It felt good,' as Patty said
+afterwards; 'sort of warm and comfortable in my heart, and I liked it
+ever so much.' She stayed an hour, making sunshine in a shady place, and
+then ran home, wondering if Aunt Pen would find that out.</p>
+
+<p>She found her sitting with her hands before her, and such a sad look in
+her face that Patty ran to her, saying anxiously&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'What's the matter, aunty? Are you sick?'</p>
+
+<p>'No dear; but I have sorrowful news for you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> Come, sit in my lap and
+let me tell you as gently as I can.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma is dead!' Cried Patty with a look of terror in her rosy face.</p>
+
+<p>'No, thank God! but the dear, new baby only stayed a week, and we shall
+never see her in this world.'</p>
+
+<p>With a cry of sorrow Patty threw herself into the arms outstretched to
+her, and on Aunt Pen's loving bosom sobbed away the first bitterness of
+her grief and disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I wanted a little sister so much, and I was going to be so fond of
+her, and was so glad she came, and now I can't see or have her even for
+a day! I'm <i>so</i> disappointed I don't think I <i>can</i> bear it,' sobbed
+Patty.</p>
+
+<p>'Think of poor mamma, and bear it bravely for her sake,' whispered Aunt
+Pen, wiping away her own and Patty's tears.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh, dear me! there's the pretty quilt I was going to make for baby, and
+now it isn't any use, and I can't bear to finish it;' and Patty broke
+out afresh at the thought of so much love's labour lost.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma will love to see it, so I wouldn't give it up. Work is the best
+cure for sorrow; and I think you never will be sorry you tried it. Let
+us put a bright bit of submission with this dark trouble, and work both
+into your little life as patiently as we can, deary.'</p>
+
+<p>Patty put up her trembling lips, and kissed Aunt Pen, grateful for the
+tender sympathy and the helpful words. 'I'll try,' was all she said; and
+then they sat talking quietly together about the dear, dead baby, who
+only stayed long enough to make a place in every one's heart, and leave
+them aching when she went.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Patty did try to bear her first trouble bravely, and got on very well
+after the first day or two, except when the sewing-hour came. Then the
+sight of the pretty patchwork recalled the memory of the cradle it was
+meant to cover, and reminded her that it was empty now. Many quiet tears
+dropped on Patty's work; and sometimes she had to put it down and sob,
+for she had longed so for a little sister, it was very hard to give her
+up, and put away all the loving plans she had made for the happy time
+when baby came. A great many tender little thoughts and feelings got
+sewed into the gay squares; and if a small stain showed here and there,
+I think they only added to its beauty in the eyes of those who knew what
+made them. Aunt Pen never suggested picking out certain puckered bits
+and grimy stitches, for she knew that just there the little fingers
+trembled, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> blue eyes got dim as they touched and saw the
+delicate, flowery bits left from baby's gowns.</p>
+
+<p>Lizzie was full of sympathy, and came hopping over on her crutches with
+her only treasure, a black rabbit, to console her friend. But of all the
+comfort given, Mother Bunch's share was the greatest and best; for that
+very first sad day, as Patty wandered about the house disconsolately,
+puss came hurrying to meet her, and in her dumb way begged her mistress
+to follow and see the fine surprise prepared for her&mdash;four plump kits as
+white as snow, with four gray tails all wagging in a row, as they laid
+on their proud mamma's downy breast, while she purred over them, with
+her yellow eyes full of supreme content.</p>
+
+<p>It was in the barn, and Patty lay for an hour with her head close to
+Mother Bunch, and her hands softly touching the charming little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>
+Bunches, who squeaked and tumbled and sprawled about with their dim eyes
+blinking, their tiny pink paws fumbling, and their dear gray tails
+waggling in the sweetest way. Such a comfort as they were to Patty no
+words could tell, and nothing will ever convince me that Mrs. Bunch did
+not know all about baby, and so lay herself out to cheer up her little
+mistress like a motherly loving old puss, as she was.</p>
+
+<p>As Patty lay on the rug that evening while Aunt Pen sung softly in the
+twilight, a small, white figure came pattering over the straw carpet,
+and dropped a soft, warm ball down by Patty's cheek, saying, as plainly
+as a loud, confiding purr could say it&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'There, my dear, this is a lonely time for you, I know, so I've brought
+my best and prettiest darling to comfort you;' and with that Mother
+Bunch sat down and washed her face, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> Patty cuddled little
+Snowdrop, and forgot to cry about baby.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this came a great happiness to Patty in the shape of a letter
+from mamma, saying she must have her little girl back a week earlier
+than they had planned.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm sorry to leave you, aunty, but it is <i>so</i> nice to be wanted, and
+I'm all mamma has now, you know, so I must hurry and finish my work to
+surprise her with. How shall we finish it off? There ought to be
+something regularly splendid to go all round,' said Patty, in a great
+bustle, as she laid out her pieces, and found that only a few more were
+needed to complete the 'moral bed-quilt.'</p>
+
+<p>'I must try and find something. We will put this white star, with the
+blue round it, in the middle, for it is the neatest and prettiest piece,
+in spite of the stains. I will sew in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> part, and you may finish
+putting the long strips together,' said Aunt Pen, rummaging her bags and
+bundles for something fine to end off with.</p>
+
+<p>'I know! I've got something!' and away hurried Lizzie, who was there,
+and much interested in the work.</p>
+
+<p>She came hopping back again, presently, with a roll in her hand, which
+she proudly spread out, saying&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'There! mother gave me that ever so long ago, but I never had any quilt
+to use it for, and now it's just what you want. You can't buy such
+chintz now-a-days, and I'm <i>so</i> glad I had it for you.'</p>
+
+<p>'It's regularly splendid!' cried Patty, in a rapture; and so it was, for
+the pink and white was all covered with animals, and the blue was full
+of birds and butterflies and bees flying about as naturally as possible.
+Really lovely were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> the little figures and the clear, soft colours, and
+Aunt Pen clapped her hands, while Patty hugged her friend, and declared
+that the quilt was perfect now.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Brown begged to be allowed to quilt it when the patches were all
+nicely put together, and Patty was glad to have her, for that part of
+the work was beyond her skill. It did not come home till the morning
+Patty left, and Aunt Pen packed it up without ever unrolling it.</p>
+
+<p>'We will look at it together when we show it to mamma,' she said: and
+Patty was in such a hurry to be off that she made no objection.</p>
+
+<p>A pleasant journey, a great deal of hugging and kissing, some tears and
+tender laments for baby, and then it was time to show the quilt, which
+mamma said was just what she wanted to throw over her feet as she lay on
+the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>If there <i>were</i> any fairies, Patty would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> been sure they had done
+something to her bed-cover, for when she proudly unrolled it, what do
+you think she saw?</p>
+
+<p>Right in the middle of the white star, which was the centre-piece,
+delicately drawn with indelible ink, was a smiling little cherub, all
+head and wings, and under it these lines&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">'While sister dear lies asleep,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Baby careful watch will keep.'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Then in each of the four gay squares that were at the corners of the
+strip that framed the star, was a white bit bearing other pictures and
+couplets that both pleased and abashed Patty as she saw and read them.</p>
+
+<p>In one was seen a remarkably fine bun, with the lines&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">'Who stole the hot bun</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 15em;">And got burnt well?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Go ask the lilac bush,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 15em;">Guess it can tell.'</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In the next was a plump, tailless bird, who seemed to be saying
+mournfully&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">'My little tail, my little tail!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">This bitter loss I still bewail;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">But rather ne'er have tail again</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Than Patty should deceive Aunt Pen.'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>The third was less embarrassing, for it was a pretty bunch of flowers so
+daintily drawn one could almost think they smelt them, and these lines
+were underneath&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">'Every flower to others given,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Blossoms fair and sweet in heaven.'</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>The fourth was a picture of a curly-haired child sewing, with some very
+large tears rolling down her cheeks and tumbling off her lap like
+marbles, while some tiny sprites were catching and flying away with them
+as if they were very precious&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">'Every tender drop that fell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 15em;">Loving spirits caught and kept;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">And Patty's sorrows lighter grew,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 15em;">For the gentle tears she wept.'</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh, aunty! what does it all mean?' cried Patty, who had looked both
+pleased and ashamed as she glanced from one picture to the other.</p>
+
+<p>'It means, dear, that the goods and bads got into the bed-quilt in spite
+of you, and there they are to tell their own story. The bun and the lost
+tail, the posy you took to poor Lizzie, and the trouble you bore so
+sweetly. It is just so with our lives, though we don't see it quite as
+clearly as this. Invisible hands paint our faults and virtues, and
+by-and-bye we have to see them, so we must be careful that they are good
+and lovely, and we are not ashamed to let the eyes that love us best
+read there the history of our lives.'</p>
+
+<p>As Aunt Pen spoke, and Patty listened with a thoughtful face, mamma
+softly drew the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> pictured coverlet over her, and whispered, as she held
+her little daughter close&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'My Patty will remember this; and if all her years tell as good a story
+as this month, I shall not fear to read the record, and she will be in
+truth my little comforter.'</p>
+
+<h4>(FOR SECOND SERIES, SEE 'SHAWL-STRAPS.')</h4>
+
+<h5>PRINTED BY</h5>
+<h5>SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE</h5>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p>
+<h5>LONDON</h5>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, by Louisa M. Alcott
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+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,4653 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, by Louisa M. Alcott
+
+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: Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag
+
+Author: Louisa M. Alcott
+
+Release Date: July 12, 2008 [EBook #26041]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Annie McGuire and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from scans of public domain material
+produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+  Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag
+
+
+  Louisa M. Alcott
+
+
+
+
+  AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG.
+
+  PRINTED BY
+  SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE
+  LONDON
+
+
+
+
+  AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG
+
+  BY
+
+  LOUISA M. ALCOTT,
+
+
+  AUTHOR OF
+
+  'LITTLE WOMEN,' 'AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL,' 'LITTLE MEN,'
+  'HOSPITAL SKETCHES.'
+
+
+  _NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION_
+
+  LONDON
+  SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY
+  (_LIMITED_)
+  St. Dunstan's House
+  FETTER LANE, FLEET STREET, E.C.
+  1892
+
+  _All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+As grandmothers rummage their piece-bags and bundles in search of gay
+odds and ends to make gifts with which to fill the little stockings that
+hang all in a row on Christmas Eve, so I have gathered together some
+stories, old and new, to amuse the large family that has so rapidly and
+beautifully grown up about me.
+
+I hope that when they promenade in night-caps and gowns to rifle the
+plump stockings, the little 'dears' will utter an 'Oh!' of pleasure, and
+give a prance of satisfaction, as they pull out this small gift from
+Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag.
+
+CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS,
+1871-72.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                  PAGE
+
+  MY BOYS.                                           1
+
+  TESSA'S SURPRISES.                                45
+
+  BUZZ.                                             75
+
+  THE CHILDREN'S JOKE.                              85
+
+  DANDELION.                                       116
+
+  MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY.                      127
+
+  A CURIOUS CALL.                                  141
+
+  TILLY'S CHRISTMAS.                               156
+
+  MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN.                             170
+
+  BACK WINDOWS.                                    188
+
+  LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON.                           200
+
+  MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS.       222
+
+  OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY.                              235
+
+  PATTY'S PATCHWORK.                               244
+
+
+
+
+_MY BOYS._
+
+
+Feeling that I have been unusually fortunate in my knowledge of a choice
+and pleasing variety of this least appreciated portion of the human
+race, I have a fancy to record some of my experiences, hoping that it
+may awaken an interest in other minds, and cause other people to
+cultivate the delightful, but too often neglected boys, who now run to
+waste, so to speak.
+
+I have often wondered what they thought of the peculiar treatment they
+receive, even at the hands of their nearest friends. While they are
+rosy, roly-poly little fellows they are petted and praised, adorned and
+adored, till it is a miracle that they are not utterly ruined. But the
+moment they outgrow their babyhood their trials begin, and they are
+regarded as nuisances till they are twenty-one, when they are again
+received into favor.
+
+Yet that very time of neglect is the period when they most need all
+manner of helps, and ought to have them. I like boys and oysters raw;
+so, though good manners are always pleasing, I don't mind the rough
+outside burr which repels most people, and perhaps that is the reason
+why the burrs open and let me see the soft lining and taste the sweet
+nut hidden inside.
+
+My first well-beloved boy was a certain Frank, to whom I clung at the
+age of seven with a devotion which I fear he did not appreciate. There
+were six girls in the house, but I would have nothing to say to them,
+preferring to tag after Frank, and perfectly happy when he allowed me to
+play with him. I regret to say that the small youth was something of a
+tyrant, and one of his favorite amusements was trying to make me cry by
+slapping my hands with books, hoop-sticks, shoes, anything that came
+along capable of giving a good stinging blow. I believe I endured these
+marks of friendship with the fortitude of a young Indian, and felt fully
+repaid for a blistered palm by hearing Frank tell the other boys, 'She's
+a brave little thing, and you can't make her cry.'
+
+My chief joy was in romping with him in the long galleries of a piano
+manufactory behind our house. What bliss it was to mount one of the cars
+on which the workmen rolled heavy loads from room to room, and to go
+thundering down the inclined plains, regardless of the crash that
+usually awaited us at the bottom! If I could have played foot-ball on
+the Common with my Frank and Billy Babcock, life could have offered me
+no greater joy at that period. As the prejudices of society forbid this
+sport, I revenged myself by driving hoop all around the mall without
+stopping, which the boys could _not_ do.
+
+I can remember certain happy evenings, when we snuggled in sofa corners
+and planned tricks and ate stolen goodies, and sometimes Frank would put
+his curly head in my lap and let me stroke it when he was tired. What
+the girls did I don't recollect; their domestic plays were not to my
+taste, and the only figure that stands out from the dimness of the past
+is that jolly boy with a twinkling eye. This memory would be quite
+radiant but for one sad thing--a deed that cut me to the soul then, and
+which I have never quite forgiven in all these years.
+
+On one occasion I did something very naughty, and when called up for
+judgment fled to the dining-room, locked the door, and from my
+stronghold defied the whole world. I could have made my own terms, for
+it was near dinner time and the family must eat; but, alas for the
+treachery of the human heart! Frank betrayed me. He climbed in at the
+window, unlocked the door, and delivered me up to the foe. Nay, he even
+defended the base act, and helped bear the struggling culprit to
+imprisonment. That nearly broke my heart, for I believed _he_ would
+stand by me as staunchly as I always stood by him. It was a sad blow,
+and I couldn't love or trust him any more. Peanuts and candy,
+ginger-snaps and car-rides were unavailing; even foot-ball could not
+reunite the broken friendship, and to this day I recollect the pang
+that entered my little heart when I lost my faith in the loyalty of my
+first boy.
+
+The second attachment was of quite a different sort, and had a happier
+ending. At the mature age of ten, I left home for my first visit to a
+family of gay and kindly people in--well why not say right
+out?--Providence. There were no children, and at first I did not mind
+this, as every one petted me, especially one of the young men named
+Christopher. So kind and patient, yet so merry was this good Christy
+that I took him for my private and particular boy, and loved him dearly;
+for he got me out of innumerable scrapes, and never was tired of amusing
+the restless little girl who kept the family in a fever of anxiety by
+her pranks. _He_ never laughed at her mishaps and mistakes, never played
+tricks upon her like a certain William, who composed the most trying
+nicknames, and wickedly goaded the wild visitor into all manner of
+naughtiness. Christy stood up for her through everything; let her ride
+the cows, feed the pigs, bang on the piano, and race all over the spice
+mill, feasting on cinnamon and cloves; brought her down from housetops
+and fished her out of brooks; never scolded, and never seemed tired of
+the troublesome friendship of little Torment.
+
+In a week I had exhausted every amusement and was desperately homesick.
+It has always been my opinion that I should have been speedily restored
+to the bosom of my family but for Christy, and but for him I should
+assuredly have run away before the second week was out. He kept me, and
+in the hour of my disgrace stood by me like a man and a brother.
+
+One afternoon, inspired by a spirit of benevolence, enthusiastic but
+short-sighted, I collected several poor children in the barn, and
+regaled them on cake and figs, helping myself freely to the treasures of
+the pantry without asking leave, meaning to explain afterward. Being
+discovered before the supplies were entirely exhausted, the patience of
+the long-suffering matron gave out, and I was ordered up to the garret
+to reflect upon my sins, and the pleasing prospect of being sent home
+with the character of the worst child ever known.
+
+My sufferings were deep as I sat upon a fuzzy little trunk all alone in
+the dull garret, thinking how hard it was to do right, and wondering why
+I was scolded for feeding the poor when we were expressly bidden to do
+so. I felt myself an outcast, and bewailed the disgrace I had brought
+upon my family. Nobody could possibly love such a bad child; and if the
+mice were to come and eat me then and there--a la Bishop Hatto--it
+would only be a relief to my friends. At this dark moment I heard
+Christy say below, 'She meant it kindly, so I wouldn't mind, Fanny;' and
+then up came my boy full of sympathy and comfort. Seeing the tragic
+expression of my face, he said not a word, but, sitting down in an old
+chair, took me on his knee and held me close and quietly, letting the
+action speak for itself. It did most eloquently; for the kind arm seemed
+to take me back from that dreadful exile, and the friendly face to
+assure me without words that I had not sinned beyond forgiveness.
+
+I had not shed a tear before, but now I cried tempestuously, and clung
+to him like a shipwrecked little mariner in a storm. Neither spoke, but
+he held me fast and let me cry myself to sleep; for, when the shower was
+over, a pensive peace fell upon me, and the dim old garret seemed not a
+prison, but a haven of refuge, since my boy came to share it with me.
+How long I slept I don't know, but it must have been an hour, at least;
+yet my good Christy never stirred, only waited patiently till I woke up
+in the twilight, and was not afraid because he was there. He took me
+down as meek as a mouse, and kept me by him all that trying evening,
+screening me from jokes, rebukes, and sober looks; and when I went to
+bed he came up to kiss me, and to assure me that this awful circumstance
+should not be reported at home. This took a load off my heart, and I
+remember fervently thanking him, and telling him I never would forget
+it.
+
+I never have, though he died long ago, and others have probably
+forgotten all about the naughty prank. I often longed to ask him how he
+knew the surest way to win a child's heart by the patience, sympathy,
+and tender little acts that have kept his memory green for nearly thirty
+years.
+
+Cy was a comrade after my own heart, and for a summer or two we kept the
+neighbourhood in a ferment by our adventures and hair-breadth escapes. I
+think I never knew a boy so full of mischief, and my opportunities of
+judging have been manifold. He did not get into scrapes himself, but
+possessed a splendid talent for deluding others into them, and then
+morally remarking, 'There, I told you so!' His way of saying 'You
+dars'nt do this or that' was like fire to powder; and why I still live
+in the possession of all my limbs and senses is a miracle to those who
+know my youthful friendship with Cy. It was he who incited me to jump
+off of the highest beam in the barn, to be borne home on a board with a
+pair of sprained ankles. It was he who dared me to rub my eyes with red
+peppers, and then sympathisingly led me home blind and roaring with
+pain. It was he who solemnly assured me that all the little pigs would
+die in agony if their tails were not cut off, and won me to hold
+thirteen little squealers while the operation was performed. Those
+thirteen innocent pink tails haunt me yet, and the memory of that deed
+has given me a truly Jewish aversion to pork.
+
+I did not know him long, but he was a kindred soul, and must have a
+place in my list of boys. He is a big, brown man now, and, having done
+his part in the war, is at work on his farm. We meet sometimes, and
+though we try to be dignified and proper, it is quite impossible; there
+is a sly twinkle in Cy's eye that upsets my gravity, and we always burst
+out laughing at the memory of our early frolics.
+
+My Augustus! oh, my Augustus! my first little lover, and the most
+romantic of my boys. At fifteen I met this charming youth, and thought I
+had found my fate. It was at a spelling school in a little country town
+where I, as a stranger and visitor from the city, was an object of
+interest. Painfully conscious of this fact, I sat in a corner trying to
+look easy and elegant, with a large red bow under my chin, and a
+carnelian ring in full view. Among the boys and girls who frolicked
+about me, I saw one lad of seventeen with 'large blue eyes, a noble
+brow, and a beautiful straight nose,' as I described him in a letter to
+my sister. This attractive youth had a certain air of refinement and
+ease of manner that the others lacked; and when I found he was the
+minister's son, I felt that I might admire him without loss of dignity.
+'Imagine my sensations,' as Miss Burney's Evelina says, when this boy
+came and talked to me, a little bashfully at first, but soon quite
+freely, and invited me to a huckleberry party next day. I had observed
+that he was one of the best spellers. I also observed that his language
+was quite elegant; he even quoted Byron, and rolled his eyes in a most
+engaging manner, not to mention that he asked who gave me my ring, and
+said he depended on escorting me to the berry pasture.
+
+'Dear me, how interesting it was! and when I found myself, next day,
+sitting under a tree in the sunny field (full of boys and girls, all
+more or less lovering), with the amiable Augustus at my feet, gallantly
+supplying me with bushes to strip while we talked about books and
+poetry, I really felt as if I had got into a novel, and enjoyed it
+immensely. I believe a dim idea that Gus was sentimental hovered in my
+mind, but I would not encourage it, though I laughed in my sleeve when
+he was spouting Latin for my benefit, and was uncertain whether to box
+his ears or simper later in the day, when he languished over the gate,
+and said he thought chestnut hair the loveliest in the world.
+
+Poor, dear boy! how innocent and soft-hearted and full of splendid
+dreams he was, and what deliciously romantic times we had floating on
+the pond, while the frogs sung to his accordion, as he tried to say
+unutterable things with his honest blue eyes. It makes me shiver now to
+think of the mosquitoes and the damp; but it was Pauline and Claude
+Melnotte then, and when I went home we promised to be true to one
+another, and write every week during the year he was away at school.
+
+We parted--not in tears by any means; that sort of nonsense comes
+later, when the romance is less childish--but quite jolly and
+comfortable, and I hastened to pour forth the thrilling tale to my
+faithful sister, who approved of the match, being a perfect 'mush of
+sentiment' herself.
+
+I fear it was not a very ardent flame, however, for Gus did not write
+every week, and I did not care a bit; nevertheless, I kept his picture
+and gave it a sentimental sigh when I happened to think of it, while he
+sent messages now and then, and devoted himself to his studies like an
+ambitious boy as he was. I hardly expected to see him again, but soon
+after the year was out, to my great surprise, he called. I was so
+fluttered by the appearance of his card that I rather lost my head, and
+did such a silly thing that it makes me laugh even now. He liked
+chestnut hair, and, pulling out my combs, I rushed down, theatrically
+dishevelled, hoping to impress my lover with my ardour and my charms.
+
+I expected to find little Gus; but, to my great confusion, a tall being
+with a beaver in his hand rose to meet me, looking so big and handsome
+and generally imposing that I could not recover myself for several
+minutes, and mentally wailed for my combs, feeling like an untidy
+simpleton.
+
+I don't know whether he thought me a little cracked or not, but he was
+very friendly and pleasant, and told me his plans, and hoped I would
+make another visit, and smoothed his beaver, and let me see his
+tail-coat, and behaved himself like a dear, conceited, clever boy. He
+did not allude to our love-passages, being shy, and I blessed him for
+it; for really, I don't know what rash thing I might have done under
+the exciting circumstances. Just as he was going, however, he forgot
+his cherished hat for a minute, put out both hands, and said heartily,
+with his old boyish laugh,--
+
+'Now you will come, and we'll go boating and berrying, and all the rest
+of it again, won't we?'
+
+The blue eyes were full of fun and feeling, too, I fancied, as I
+blushingly retired behind my locks and gave the promise. But I never
+went, and never saw my little lover any more, for in a few weeks he was
+dead of a fever, brought on by too much study,--and so ended the sad
+history of my fourth boy.
+
+After this, for many years, I was a boyless being; but was so busy I did
+not feel my destitute condition till I went to the hospital during the
+war, and found my little sergeant. His story has been told elsewhere,
+but the sequel to it is a pleasant one, for Baby B. still writes to me
+now and then, asks advice about his future, and gladdens me with good
+news of his success as a business man in Kansas.
+
+As if to atone for the former dearth, a sudden shower of most superior
+boys fell upon me, after I recovered from my campaign. Some of the very
+best sort it was my fortune to know and like--real gentlemen, yet boys
+still--and jolly times they had, stirring up the quiet old town with
+their energetic society.
+
+There was W., a stout, amiable youth, who would stand in the middle of a
+strawberry patch with his hands in his pockets and let us feed him
+luxuriously. B., a delightful scapegrace, who came once a week to
+confess his sins, beat his breast in despair, vow awful vows of
+repentance, and then cheerfully depart to break every one of them in the
+next twenty-four hours. S., the gentle-hearted giant; J., the dandy;
+sober, sensible B.; and E., the young knight without reproach or fear.
+
+But my especial boy of the batch was A.--proud and cold and shy to other
+people, sad and serious sometimes when his good heart and tender
+conscience showed him his short-comings, but so grateful for sympathy
+and a kind word.
+
+I could not get at him as easily as I could the other lads, but, thanks
+to Dickens, I found him out at last.
+
+We played Dolphus and Sophy Tetterby in the 'Haunted Man,' at one of the
+school festivals; and during the rehearsals I discovered that my Dolphus
+was--permit the expression, oh, well-bred readers!--a trump. What fun we
+had to be sure, acting the droll and pathetic scenes together, with a
+swarm of little Tetterbys skirmishing about us! From that time he has
+been my Dolphus and I his Sophy, and my yellow-haired laddie don't
+forget me, though he has a younger Sophy now, and some small Tetterbys
+of his own. He writes just the same affectionate letters as he used to
+do, though I, less faithful, am too busy to answer them.
+
+But the best and dearest of all my flock was my Polish boy, Ladislas
+Wisniewski--two hiccoughs and a sneeze will give you the name perfectly.
+Six years ago, as I went down to my early breakfast at our Pension in
+Vevey, I saw that a stranger had arrived. He was a tall youth, of
+eighteen or twenty, with a thin, intelligent face, and the charmingly
+polite manners of a foreigner. As the other boarders came in, one by
+one, they left the door open, and a draught of cold autumn air blew in
+from the stone corridor, making the new-comer cough, shiver, and cast
+wistful glances towards the warm corner by the stove. My place was
+there, and the heat often oppressed me, so I was glad of an opportunity
+to move.
+
+A word to Madame Vodoz effected the change; and at dinner I was rewarded
+by a grateful smile from the poor fellow, as he nestled into his warm
+seat, after a pause of surprise and a flush of pleasure at the small
+kindness from a stranger. We were too far apart to talk much, but, as he
+filled his glass, the Pole bowed to me, and said low in French--
+
+'I drink the good health to Mademoiselle.'
+
+I returned the wish, but he shook his head with a sudden shadow on his
+face, as if the words meant more than mere compliment to him.
+
+'That boy is sick and needs care. I must see to him,' said I to myself,
+as I met him in the afternoon, and observed the military look of his
+blue and white suit, as he touched his cap and smiled pleasantly. I have
+a weakness for brave boys in blue, and having discovered that he had
+been in the late Polish Revolution, my heart warmed to him at once.
+
+That evening he came to me in the salon, and expressed his thanks in the
+prettiest broken English I ever heard. So simple, frank, and grateful
+was he that a few words of interest won his little story from him, and
+in half an hour we were friends. With his fellow-students he had fought
+through the last outbreak, and suffered imprisonment and hardship rather
+than submit, had lost many friends, his fortune and his health, and at
+twenty, lonely, poor, and ill, was trying bravely to cure the malady
+which seemed fatal.
+
+'If I recover myself of this affair in the chest, I teach the music to
+acquire my bread in this so hospitable country. At Paris, my friends,
+all two, find a refuge, and I go to them in spring if I die not here.
+Yes, it is solitary, and my memories are not gay, but I have my work,
+and the good God remains always to me, so I content myself with much
+hope, and I wait.'
+
+Such genuine piety and courage increased my respect and regard
+immensely, and a few minutes later he added to both by one of the little
+acts that show character better than words.
+
+He told me about the massacre, when five hundred Poles were shot down by
+Cossacks in the market-place, merely because they sung their national
+hymn.
+
+'Play me that forbidden air,' I said, wishing to judge of his skill, for
+I had heard him practising softly in the afternoon.
+
+He rose willingly, then glanced about the room and gave a little shrug
+which made me ask what he wanted.
+
+'I look to see if the Baron is here. He is Russian, and to him my
+national air will not be pleasing.'
+
+'Then play it. He dare not forbid it here, and I should rather enjoy
+that little insult to your bitter enemy,' said I, feeling very indignant
+with everything Russian just then.
+
+'Ah, mademoiselle, it is true we are enemies, but we are also
+gentlemen,' returned the boy, proving that _he_ at least was one.
+
+I thanked him for his lesson in politeness, and as the Baron was not
+there he played the beautiful hymn, singing it enthusiastically in spite
+of the danger to his weak lungs. A true musician evidently, for, as he
+sung his pale face glowed, his eyes shone, and his lost vigor seemed
+restored to him.
+
+From that evening we were fast friends; for the memory of certain dear
+lads at home made my heart open to this lonely boy, who gave me in
+return the most grateful affection and service. He begged me to call him
+'Varjo,' as his mother did. He constituted himself my escort,
+errand-boy, French teacher, and private musician, making those weeks
+indefinitely pleasant by his winning ways, his charming little
+confidences, and faithful friendship.
+
+We had much fun over our lessons, for I helped him about his English.
+With a great interest in free America, and an intense longing to hear
+about our war, the barrier of an unknown tongue did not long stand
+between us.
+
+Beginning with my bad French and his broken English, we got on
+capitally; but he outdid me entirely, making astonishing progress,
+though he often slapped his forehead with the despairing exclamation,--
+
+'I am imbecile! I never can will shall to have learn this beast of
+English!'
+
+But he did, and in a month had added a new language to the five he
+already possessed.
+
+His music was the delight of the house; and he often gave us little
+concerts with the help of Madame Teiblin, a German St. Cecilia, with a
+cropped head and a gentlemanly sack, cravat, and collar. Both were
+enthusiasts, and the longer they played the more inspired they got. The
+piano vibrated, the stools creaked, the candles danced in their sockets,
+and every one sat mute while the four white hands chased one another up
+and down the keys, and the two fine faces beamed with such ecstasy that
+we almost expected to see instrument and performers disappear in a
+musical whirlwind.
+
+Lake Leman will never seem so lovely again as when Laddie and I roamed
+about its shores, floated on its bosom, or laid splendid plans for the
+future in the sunny garden of the old chateau. I tried it again last
+year, but the charm was gone, for I missed my boy with his fun, his
+music, and the frank, fresh affection he gave his 'little mamma,' as he
+insisted on calling the lofty spinster who loved him like half-a-dozen
+grandmothers rolled into one.
+
+December roses blossomed in the gardens then, and Laddie never failed to
+have a posy ready for me at dinner. Few evenings passed without
+'confidences' in my corner of the salon, and I still have a pile of
+merry little notes which I used to find tucked under my door. He called
+them chapters of a great history we were to write together, and being a
+'_polisson_' he illustrated it with droll pictures, and a funny mixture
+of French and English romance.
+
+It was very pleasant, but like all pleasant things in this world of
+change it soon came to an end. When I left for Italy we jokingly agreed
+to meet in Paris the next May, but neither really felt that we should
+ever meet again, for Laddie hardly expected to outlive the winter, and I
+felt sure I should soon be forgotten. As he kissed my hand there were
+tears in my boy's eyes, and a choke in the voice that tried to say
+cheerfully--
+
+'_Bon voyage_, dear and good little mamma. I do not say adieu, but _au
+revoir_.'
+
+Then the carriage rolled away, the wistful face vanished, and nothing
+remained to me but the memory of Laddie, and a little stain on my glove
+where a drop had fallen.
+
+As I drew near Paris six months later, and found myself wishing that I
+might meet Varjo in the great, gay city, and wondering if there was any
+chance of my doing it, I never dreamed of seeing him so soon; but, as I
+made my way among the crowd of passengers that poured through the
+station, feeling tired, bewildered, and homesick, I suddenly saw a blue
+and white cap wave wildly in the air, then Laddie's beaming face
+appeared, and Laddie's eager hands grasped mine so cordially that I
+began to laugh at once, and felt that Paris was almost as good as home.
+
+'Ah, ha! behold the little mamma, who did not think to see again her bad
+son! Yes, I am greatly glad that I make the fine surprise for you as you
+come all weary to this place of noise. Give to me the billets, for I am
+still mademoiselle's servant and go to find the coffers.'
+
+He got my trunks, put me into a carriage, and as we rolled merrily away
+I asked how he chanced to meet me so unexpectedly. Knowing where I
+intended to stay, he had called occasionally till I notified Madame D.
+of the day and hour of my arrival, and then he had come to 'make the
+fine surprise.' He enjoyed the joke like a true boy, and I was glad to
+see how well he looked, and how gay he seemed.
+
+'You are better?' I said.
+
+'I truly hope so. The winter was good to me and I cough less. It is a
+small hope, but I do not enlarge my fear by a sad face. I yet work and
+save a little purse, so that I may not be a heaviness to those who have
+the charity to finish me if I fall back and yet die.'
+
+I would not hear of that, and told him he looked as well and happy as if
+he had found a fortune.
+
+He laughed, and answered with his fine bow, 'I have. Behold, you come
+to make the fete for me. I find also here my friends Joseph and
+Napoleon. Poor as mouses of the church, as you say, but brave boys, and
+we work together with much gaiety.'
+
+When I asked if he had leisure to be my guide about Paris, for my time
+was short and I wanted to see _everything_; he pranced, and told me he
+had promised himself a holiday, and had planned many excursions the most
+wonderful, charming, and gay. Then, having settled me at Madame's, he
+went blithely away to what I afterwards discovered were very poor
+lodgings, across the river.
+
+Next day began the pleasantest fortnight in all my year of travel.
+Laddie appeared early, elegant to behold, in a new hat and buff gloves,
+and was immensely amused because the servant informed me that my big son
+had arrived.
+
+I believe the first thing a woman does in Paris is to buy a new bonnet.
+I did, or rather stood by and let 'my son' do it in the best of French,
+only whispering when he proposed gorgeous _chapeaus_ full of flowers and
+feathers, that I could not afford it.
+
+'Ah! we must make our economies, must we? See, then, this modest,
+pearl-colored one, with the crape rose. Yes, we will have that, and be
+most elegant for the Sunday promenade.'
+
+I fear I should have bought a pea-green hat with a yellow plume if he
+had urged it, so wheedlesome and droll were his ways and words. His good
+taste saved me, however, and the modest one was sent home for the
+morrow, when we were to meet Joseph and Napoleon and go to the concert
+in the Tuileries garden.
+
+Then we set off on our day of sight-seeing, and Laddie proved himself
+an excellent guide. We had a charming trip about the enchanted city, a
+gay lunch at a cafe, and a first brief glimpse of the Louvre. At
+dinner-time I found a posy at my place; and afterward Laddie came and
+spent the evening in my little salon, playing to me, and having what he
+called 'babblings and pleasantries.' I found that he was translating
+'Vanity Fair' into Polish, and intended to sell it at home. He convulsed
+me with his struggles to put cockney English and slang into good Polish,
+for he had saved up a list of words for me to explain to him. Hay-stack
+and bean-pot were among them, I remember; and when he had mastered the
+meanings he fell upon the sofa exhausted.
+
+Other days like this followed, and we led a happy life together: for my
+twelve years' seniority made our adventures quite proper, and I
+fearlessly went anywhere on the arm of my big son. Not to theatres or
+balls, however, for heated rooms were bad for Laddie, but pleasant trips
+out of the city in the bright spring weather, quiet strolls in the
+gardens, moonlight concerts in the Champs Elysees; or, best of all, long
+talks with music in the little red salon, with the gas turned low, and
+the ever-changing scenes of the Rue de Rivoli under the balcony.
+
+Never were pleasures more cheaply purchased or more thoroughly enjoyed,
+for our hearts were as light as our purses, and our 'little economies'
+gave zest to our amusements.
+
+Joseph and Napoleon sometimes joined us, and I felt in my element with
+the three invalid soldier boys, for Napoleon still limped with a wound
+received in the war, Joseph had never recovered from his two years'
+imprisonment in an Austrian dungeon, and Laddie's loyalty might yet
+cost him his life.
+
+Thanks to them, I discovered a joke played upon me by my '_polisson_'.
+He told me to call him 'ma drogha,' saying it meant 'my friend,' in
+Polish. I innocently did so, and he seemed to find great pleasure in it,
+for his eyes always laughed when I said it. Using it one day before the
+other lads, I saw a queer twinkle in their eyes, and suspecting
+mischief, demanded the real meaning of the words. Laddie tried to
+silence them, but the joke was too good to keep, and I found to my
+dismay that I had been calling him 'my darling' in the tenderest manner.
+
+How the three rascals shouted, and what a vain struggle it was to try
+and preserve my dignity when Laddie clasped his hands and begged pardon,
+explaining that jokes were necessary to his health, and he never meant
+me to know the full baseness of this 'pleasantrie!' I revenged myself by
+giving him some bad English for his translation, and telling him of it
+just as I left Paris.
+
+It was not all fun with my boy, however; he had his troubles, and in
+spite of his cheerfulness he knew what heartache was. Walking in the
+quaint garden of the Luxembourg one day, he confided to me the little
+romance of his life. A very touching little romance as he told it, with
+eloquent eyes and voice and frequent pauses for breath. I cannot give
+his words, but the simple facts were these:--
+
+He had grown up with a pretty cousin, and at eighteen was desperately in
+love with her. She returned his affection, but they could not be happy,
+for her father wished her to marry a richer man. In Poland, to marry
+without the consent of parents is to incur lasting disgrace; so Leonore
+obeyed, and the young pair parted. This had been a heavy sorrow to
+Laddie, and he rushed into the war, hoping to end his trouble.
+
+'Do you ever hear from your cousin?' I asked, as he walked beside me,
+looking sadly down the green aisles where kings and queens had loved and
+parted years ago.
+
+'I only know that she suffers still, for she remembers. Her husband
+submits to the Russians, and I despise him as I have no English to
+tell;' and he clenched his hands with the flash of the eye and sudden
+kindling of the whole face that made him handsome.
+
+He showed me a faded little picture, and when I tried to comfort him, he
+laid his head down on the pedestal of one of the marble queens who
+guard the walk, as if he never cared to lift it up again.
+
+But he was all right in a minute, and bravely put away his sorrow with
+the little picture. He never spoke of it again, and I saw no more
+shadows on his face till we came to say good-bye.
+
+'You have been so kind to me, I wish I had something beautiful to give
+you, Laddie,' I said, feeling that it would be hard to get on without my
+boy.
+
+'This time it is for always; so, as a parting souvenir, give to me the
+sweet English good-bye.'
+
+As he said this, with a despairing sort of look, as if he could not
+spare even so humble a friend as myself, my heart was quite rent within
+me, and, regardless of several prim English ladies, I drew down his tall
+head and kissed him tenderly, feeling that in this world there were no
+more meetings for us. Then I ran away and buried myself in an empty
+railway carriage, hugging the little cologne bottle he had given me.
+
+He promised to write, and for five years he has kept his word, sending
+me from Paris and Poland cheery, bright letters in English, at my
+desire, so that he might not forget. Here is one as a specimen.
+
+     'MY DEAR AND GOOD FRIEND,--What do you think of me that I do not
+     write so long time? Excuse me, my good mamma, for I was so busy in
+     these days I could not do this pleasant thing. I write English
+     without the fear that you laugh at it, because I know it is more
+     agreeable to read the own language, and I think you are not
+     excepted of this rule. It is good of me, for the expressions of
+     love and regard, made with faults, take the funny appearance; they
+     are _ridicule_, and instead to go to the heart, they make the
+     laugh. Never mind, I do it.
+
+     'You cannot imagine yourself how _stupide_ is Paris when you are
+     gone. I fly to my work, and make no more fetes,--it is too sad
+     alone. I tie myself to my table and my Vanity (not of mine, for I
+     am not vain, am I?). I wish some chapters to finish themselfs
+     _vite_, that I send them to Pologne and know the end. I have a
+     little question to ask you (of Vanity as always). I cannot
+     translate this, no one of _dictionnaires_ makes me the words, and I
+     think it is _jargon de prison_, this little period. Behold:--
+
+       Mopy, is that your snum?
+       Nubble your dad and gully the dog, &c.
+
+     'So funny things I cannot explain myself, so I send to you, and
+     you reply sooner than without it, for you have so kind interest in
+     my work you do not stay to wait. So this is a little hook for you
+     to make you write some words to your son who likes it so much and
+     is fond of you.
+
+     'My doctor tells me my lungs are soon to be re-established; so you
+     may imagine yourself how glad I am, and of more courage in my
+     future. You may one day see your Varjo in Amerique, if I study
+     commerce as I wish. So then the last time of seeing ourselves is
+     _not_ the last. Is that to please you? I suppose the grand
+     _histoire_ is finished, _n'est ce pas_? You will then send it to me
+     care of M. Gryhomski Austriche, and he will give to me in
+     clandestine way at Varsovie, otherwise it will be confiscated at
+     the frontier by the stupide Russians.
+
+     'Now we are dispersed in two sides of world far apart, for soon I
+     go home to Pologne and am no more "_juif errant_." It is now time I
+     work at my life in some useful way, and I do it.
+
+     'As I am your _grand fils_, it is proper that I make you my
+     compliment of happy Christmas and New Year, is it not? I wish for
+     you so many as they may fulfil long human life. May this year bring
+     you more and more good hearts to love you (the only real happiness
+     in the hard life), and may I be as now, yours for always,
+
+    'VARJO.'
+
+
+A year ago he sent me his photograph and a few lines. I acknowledged the
+receipt of it, but since then not a word has come, and I begin to fear
+that my boy is dead. Others have appeared to take his place, but they
+don't suit, and I keep his corner always ready for him if he lives. If
+he is dead, I am glad to have known so sweet and brave a character, for
+it does one good to see even as short-lived and obscure a hero as my
+Polish boy, whose dead December rose embalms for me the memory of Varjo,
+the last and dearest of my boys.
+
+It is hardly necessary to add, for the satisfaction of inquisitive
+little women, that Laddie was the original of Laurie, as far as a pale
+pen-and-ink sketch could embody a living, loving boy.
+
+
+
+
+_TESSA'S SURPRISES._
+
+
+I.
+
+Little Tessa sat alone by the fire, waiting for her father to come home
+from work. The children were fast asleep, all four in the big bed behind
+the curtain; the wind blew hard outside, and the snow beat on the
+window-panes; the room was large, and the fire so small and feeble that
+it didn't half warm the little bare toes peeping out of the old shoes on
+the hearth.
+
+Tessa's father was an Italian plaster-worker, very poor, but kind and
+honest. The mother had died not long ago, and left twelve-year old
+Tessa to take care of the little children. She tried to be very wise and
+motherly, and worked for them like any little woman; but it was so hard
+to keep the small bodies warm and fed, and the small souls good and
+happy, that poor Tessa was often at her wits' end. She always waited for
+her father, no matter how tired she was, so that he might find his
+supper warm, a bit of fire, and a loving little face to welcome him.
+Tessa thought over her troubles at these quiet times, and made her
+plans; for her father left things to her a good deal, and she had no
+friends but Tommo, the harp-boy upstairs, and the lively cricket who
+lived in the chimney. To-night her face was very sober, and her pretty
+brown eyes very thoughtful as she stared at the fire and knit her brows,
+as if perplexed. She was not thinking of her old shoes, nor the empty
+closet, nor the boys' ragged clothes just then. No; she had a fine plan
+in her good little head, and was trying to discover how she could carry
+it out.
+
+You see, Christmas was coming in a week; and she had set her heart on
+putting something in the children's stockings, as the mother used to do,
+for while she lived things were comfortable. Now Tessa had not a penny
+in the world, and didn't know how to get one, for all the father's
+earnings had to go for food, fire, and rent.
+
+'If there were only fairies, ah! how heavenly that would be; for then I
+should tell them all I wish, and, pop! behold the fine things in my
+lap!' said Tessa to herself. 'I must earn the money; there is no one to
+give it to me, and I cannot beg. But what can I do, so small and stupid
+and shy as I am? I _must_ find some way to give the little ones a nice
+Christmas. I _must_! I _must_!' and Tessa pulled her long hair, as if
+that would help her think.
+
+But it didn't, and her heart got heavier and heavier; for it did seem
+hard that in a great city full of fine things, there should be none for
+poor Nono, Sep, and little Speranza. Just as Tessa's tears began to
+tumble off her eyelashes on to her brown cheeks, the cricket began to
+chirp. Of course, he didn't say a word; but it really did seem as if he
+had answered her question almost as well as a fairy; for, before he had
+piped a dozen shrill notes, an idea popped into Tessa's head--such a
+truly splendid idea that she clapped her hands and burst out laughing.
+'I'll do it! I'll do it! if father will let me,' she said to herself,
+smiling and nodding at the fire. 'Tommo will like to have me go with him
+and sing, while he plays his harp in the streets. I know many songs, and
+may get money if I am not frightened; for people throw pennies to other
+little girls who only play the tambourine. Yes, I will try; and then, if
+I do well, the little ones shall have a Merry Christmas.'
+
+So full of her plan was Tessa that she ran upstairs at once, and asked
+Tommo if he would take her with him on the morrow. Her friend was
+delighted, for he thought Tessa's songs very sweet, and was sure she
+would get money if she tried.
+
+'But see, then, it is cold in the streets; the wind bites, and the snow
+freezes one's fingers. The day is very long, people are cross, and at
+night one is ready to die with weariness. Thou art so small, Tessa, I am
+afraid it will go badly with thee,' said Tommo, who was a merry,
+black-eyed boy of fourteen, with the kindest heart in the world under
+his old jacket.
+
+'I do not mind cold and wet, and cross people, if I can get the
+pennies,' answered Tessa, feeling very brave with such a friend to help
+her. She thanked Tommo, and ran away to get ready, for she felt sure her
+father would not refuse her anything. She sewed up the holes in her
+shoes as well as she could, for she had much of that sort of cobbling to
+do; she mended her only gown, and laid ready the old hood and shawl
+which had been her mother's. Then she washed out little Ranza's frock
+and put it to dry, because she would not be able to do it the next day.
+She set the table and got things ready for breakfast, for Tommo went out
+early, and must not be kept waiting for her. She longed to make the beds
+and dress the children over night, she was in such a hurry to have all
+in order; but, as that could not be, she sat down again, and tried over
+all the songs she knew. Six pretty ones were chosen; and she sang away
+with all her heart in a fresh little voice so sweetly that the children
+smiled in their sleep, and her father's tired face brightened as he
+entered, for Tessa was his cheery cricket on the hearth. When she had
+told her plan, Peter Benari shook his head, and thought it would never
+do; but Tessa begged so hard, he consented at last that she should try
+it for one week, and sent her to bed the happiest little girl in New
+York.
+
+Next morning the sun shone, but the cold wind blew, and the snow lay
+thick in the streets. As soon as her father was gone, Tessa flew about
+and put everything in nice order, telling the children she was going out
+for the day, and they were to mind Tommo's mother, who would see about
+the fire and the dinner; for the good woman loved Tessa, and entered
+into her little plans with all her heart. Nono and Giuseppe, or Sep, as
+they called him, wondered what she was going away for, and little Ranza
+cried at being left; but Tessa told them they would know all about it in
+a week, and have a fine time if they were good; so they kissed her all
+round and let her go.
+
+Poor Tessa's heart beat fast as she trudged away with Tommo, who slung
+his harp over his shoulder, and gave her his hand. It was rather a dirty
+hand, but so kind that Tessa clung to it, and kept looking up at the
+friendly brown face for encouragement.
+
+'We go first to the _cafe_, where many French and Italians eat the
+breakfast. They like my music, and often give me sips of hot coffee,
+which I like much. You too shall have the sips, and perhaps the pennies,
+for these people are greatly kind,' said Tommo, leading her into a large
+smoky place where many people sat at little tables, eating and drinking.
+'See, now, have no fear; give them "Bella Monica;" that is merry and
+will make the laugh,' whispered Tommo, tuning his harp.
+
+For a moment Tessa felt so frightened that she wanted to run away; but
+she remembered the empty stockings at home, and the fine plan, and she
+resolved _not_ to give it up. One fat old Frenchman nodded to her, and
+it seemed to help her very much; for she began to sing before she
+thought, and that was the hardest part of it. Her voice trembled, and
+her cheeks grew redder and redder as she went on; but she kept her eyes
+fixed on her old shoes, and so got through without breaking down, which
+was very nice. The people laughed, for the song _was_ merry; and the fat
+man smiled and nodded again. This gave her courage to try another, and
+she sung better and better each time; for Tommo played his best, and
+kept whispering to her, 'Yes; we go well; this is fine. They will give
+the money and the blessed coffee.'
+
+So they did; for, when the little concert was over, several men put
+pennies in the cap Tessa offered, and the fat man took her on his knee,
+and ordered a mug of coffee, and some bread and butter for them both.
+This quite won her heart; and when they left the _cafe_, she kissed her
+hand to the old Frenchman, and said to her friend, 'How kind they are! I
+like this very much; and now it is not hard.'
+
+But Tommo shook his curly head, and answered, soberly, 'Yes, I took you
+there first, for they love music, and are of our country; but up among
+the great houses we shall not always do well. The people there are busy
+or hard or idle, and care nothing for harps and songs. Do not skip and
+laugh too soon; for the day is long, and we have but twelve pennies
+yet.'
+
+Tessa walked more quietly, and rubbed her cold hands, feeling that the
+world was a very big place, and wondering how the children got on at
+home without the little mother. Till noon they did not earn much, for
+every one seemed in a hurry, and the noise of many sleigh-bells drowned
+the music. Slowly they made their way up to the great squares where the
+big houses were, with fine ladies and pretty children at the windows.
+Here Tessa sung all her best songs, and Tommo played as fast as his
+fingers could fly; but it was too cold to have the windows open, so the
+pretty children could not listen long, and the ladies tossed out a
+little money, and soon went back to their own affairs.
+
+All the afternoon the two friends wandered about, singing and playing,
+and gathering up their small harvest. At dusk they went home, Tessa so
+hoarse she could hardly speak, and so tired she fell asleep over her
+supper. But she had made half a dollar, for Tommo divided the money
+fairly, and she felt rich with her share. The other days were very much
+like this; sometimes they made more, sometimes less, but Tommo always
+'went halves;' and Tessa kept on, in spite of cold and weariness, for
+her plans grew as her earnings increased, and now she hoped to get
+useful things, instead of candy and toys alone.
+
+On the day before Christmas she made herself as tidy as she could, for
+she hoped to earn a good deal. She tied a bright scarlet handkerchief
+over the old hood, and the brilliant color set off her brown cheeks and
+bright eyes, as well as the pretty black braids of her hair. Tommo's
+mother lent her a pair of boots so big that they turned up at the toes,
+but there were no holes in them, and Tessa felt quite elegant in whole
+boots. Her hands were covered with chilblains, for she had no mittens;
+but she put them under her shawl, and scuffled merrily away in her big
+boots, feeling so glad that the week was over, and nearly three dollars
+safe in her pocket. How gay the streets were that day! how brisk every
+one was, and how bright the faces looked, as people trotted about with
+big baskets, holly-wreaths, and young evergreens going to blossom into
+splendid Christmas trees!
+
+'If I could have a tree for the children, I'd never want anything again.
+But I can't; so I'll fill the socks all full, and be happy,' said Tessa,
+as she looked wistfully into the gay stores, and saw the heavy baskets
+go by.
+
+'Who knows what may happen if we do well?' returned Tommo, nodding
+wisely, for he had a plan as well as Tessa, and kept chuckling over it
+as he trudged through the mud. They did _not_ do well somehow, for every
+one seemed so full of their own affairs they could not stop to listen,
+even to 'Bella Monica,' but bustled away to spend their money in
+turkeys, toys, and trees. In the afternoon it began to rain, and poor
+Tessa's heart to fail her; for the big boots tired her feet, the cold
+wind made her hands ache, and the rain spoilt the fine red handkerchief.
+Even Tommo looked sober, and didn't whistle as he walked, for he also
+was disappointed, and his plan looked rather doubtful, the pennies came
+in so slowly.
+
+'We'll try one more street, and then go home, thou art so tired, little
+one. Come; let me wipe thy face, and give me thy hand here in my jacket
+pocket; there it will be as warm as any kitten;' and kind Tommo brushed
+away the drops which were not _all_ rain from Tessa's cheeks, tucked
+the poor hand into his ragged pocket, and led her carefully along the
+slippery streets, for the boots nearly tripped her up.
+
+
+II.
+
+At the first house, a cross old gentleman flapped his newspaper at them;
+at the second, a young gentleman and lady were so busy talking that they
+never turned their heads, and at the third, a servant came out and told
+them to go away, because some one was sick. At the fourth, some people
+let them sing all their songs and gave nothing. The next three houses
+were empty; and the last of all showed not a single face as they looked
+up anxiously. It was so cold, so dark and discouraging, that Tessa
+couldn't help one sob; and, as he glanced down at the little red nose
+and wet figure beside him, Tommo gave his harp an angry thump, and said
+something very fierce in Italian. They were just going to turn away; but
+they didn't, for that angry thump happened to be the best thing they
+could have done. All of a sudden a little head appeared at the window,
+as if the sound had brought it; then another and another, till there
+were five, of all heights and colors, and five eager faces peeped out,
+smiling and nodding to the two below.
+
+'Sing, Tessa; sing! Quick! quick!' cried Tommo, twanging away with all
+his might, and showing his white teeth, as he smiled back at the little
+gentle-folk.
+
+Bless us! How Tessa did tune up at that! She chirped away like a real
+bird, forgetting all about the tears on her cheeks, the ache in her
+hands, and the heaviness at her heart. The children laughed, and clapped
+their hands, and cried 'More! more! Sing another, little girl! Please
+do!' And away they went again, piping and playing, till Tessa's breath
+was gone, and Tommo's stout fingers tingled well.
+
+'Mamma says, come to the door; it's too muddy to throw the money into
+the street!' cried out a kindly child's voice as Tessa held up the old
+cap, with beseeching eyes.
+
+Up the wide stone steps went the street musicians, and the whole flock
+came running down to give a handful of silver, and ask all sorts of
+questions. Tessa felt so grateful that, without waiting for Tommo, she
+sang her sweetest little song all alone. It was about a lost lamb, and
+her heart was in the song; therefore she sang it well, so well that a
+pretty young lady came down to listen, and stood watching the
+bright-eyed girl, who looked about her as she sang, evidently enjoying
+the light and warmth of the fine hall, and the sight of the lovely
+children with their gay dresses, shining hair, and dainty little shoes.
+
+'You have a charming voice, child. Who taught you to sing?' asked the
+young lady kindly.
+
+'My mother. She is dead now; but I do not forget,' answered Tessa, in
+her pretty broken English.
+
+'I wish she could sing at our tree, since Bella is ill,' cried one of
+the children peeping through the banisters.
+
+'She is not fair enough for the angel, and too large to go up in the
+tree. But she sings sweetly, and looks as if she would like to see a
+tree,' said the young lady.
+
+'Oh, so much!' exclaimed Tessa; adding eagerly, 'my sister Ranza is
+small and pretty as a baby-angel. She could sit up in the fine tree, and
+I could sing for her from under the table.'
+
+'Sit down and warm yourself, and tell me about Ranza,' said the kind
+elder sister, who liked the confiding little girl, in spite of her
+shabby clothes.
+
+So Tessa sat down and dried the big boots over the furnace, and told her
+story, while Tommo stood modestly in the background, and the children
+listened with faces full of interest.
+
+'O Rose! let us see the little girl; and if she will do, let us have
+her, and Tessa can learn our song, and it will be splendid!' cried the
+biggest boy, who sat astride of a chair, and stared at the harp with
+round eyes.
+
+'I'll ask mamma,' said Rose; and away she went into the dining-room
+close by. As the door opened, Tessa saw what looked to her like a fairy
+feast,--all silver mugs and flowery plates and oranges and nuts and rosy
+wine in tall glass pitchers, and smoking dishes that smelt so
+deliciously she could not restrain a little sniff of satisfaction.
+
+'Are you hungry?' asked the boy, in a grand tone.
+
+'Yes, sir,' meekly answered Tessa.
+
+'I say, mamma; she wants something to eat. Can I give her an orange?'
+called the boy, prancing away into the splendid room, quite like a fairy
+prince, Tessa thought.
+
+A plump motherly lady came out and looked at Tessa, asked a few
+questions, and then told her to come to-morrow with Ranza, and they
+would see what could be done. Tessa clapped her hands for joy,--she
+didn't mind the chilblains now,--and Tommo played a lively march, he
+was so pleased.
+
+'Will you come, too, and bring your harp? You shall be paid, and shall
+have something from the tree, likewise,' said the motherly lady, who
+liked what Tessa gratefully told about his kindness to her.
+
+'Ah, yes; I shall come with much gladness, and play as never in my life
+before,' cried Tommo, with a flourish of the old cap that made the
+children laugh.
+
+'Give these to your brothers,' said the fairy prince, stuffing nuts and
+oranges into Tessa's hands.
+
+'And these to the little girl,' added one of the young princesses,
+flying out of the dining-room with cakes and rosy apples for Ranza.
+
+Tessa didn't know what to say; but her eyes were full, and she just took
+the mother's white hand in both her little grimy ones, and kissed it
+many times in her pretty Italian fashion. The lady understood her, and
+stroked her cheek softly, saying to her elder daughter, 'We must take
+care of this good little creature. Freddy, bring me your mittens; these
+poor hands must be covered. Alice, get your play-hood; this handkerchief
+is all wet; and, Maud, bring the old chinchilla tippet.'
+
+The children ran, and in a minute there were lovely blue mittens on the
+red hands, a warm hood over the black braids, and a soft 'pussy' round
+the sore throat.
+
+'Ah! so kind, so very kind! I have no way to say "thank you;" but Ranza
+shall be for you a heavenly angel, and I will sing my heart out for your
+tree!' cried Tessa, folding the mittens as if she would say a prayer of
+thankfulness if she knew how.
+
+Then they went away, and the pretty children called after them, 'Come
+again, Tessa! come again, Tommo!' Now the rain didn't seem dismal, the
+wind cold, nor the way long, as they bought their gifts and hurried
+home, for kind words and the sweet magic of charity had changed all the
+world to them.
+
+I think the good spirits who fly about on Christmas Eve, to help the
+loving fillers of little stockings, smiled very kindly on Tessa as she
+brooded joyfully over the small store of presents that seemed so
+magnificent to her. All the goodies were divided evenly into three parts
+and stowed away in father's three big socks, which hung against the
+curtain. With her three dollars, she had got a pair of shoes for Nono, a
+knit cap for Sep, and a pair of white stockings for Ranza; to her she
+also gave the new hood; to Nono the mittens; and to Sep the tippet.
+
+'Now the dear boys can go out, and my Ranza will be ready for the lady
+to see, in her nice new things,' said Tessa, quite sighing with pleasure
+to see how well the gifts looked pinned up beside the bulging socks,
+which wouldn't hold them all. The little mother kept nothing for herself
+but the pleasure of giving everything away; yet, I think, she was both
+richer and happier than if she had kept them all. Her father laughed as
+he had not done since the mother died, when he saw how comically the old
+curtain had broken out into boots and hoods, stockings and tippets.
+
+'I wish I had a gold gown and a silver hat for thee, my Tessa, thou art
+so good. May the saints bless and keep thee always!' said Peter Benari
+tenderly, as he held his little daughter close, and gave her the
+good-night kiss.
+
+Tessa felt very rich as she crept under the faded counterpane, feeling
+as if she had received a lovely gift, and fell happily asleep with
+chubby Ranza in her arms, and the two rough black heads peeping out at
+the foot of the bed. She dreamed wonderful dreams that night, and woke
+in the morning to find real wonders before her eyes. She got up early,
+to see if the socks were all right, and there she found the most
+astonishing sight. Four socks, instead of three; and by the fourth,
+pinned out quite elegantly was a little dress, evidently meant for
+her--a warm, woollen dress, all made, and actually with bright buttons
+on it. It nearly took her breath away; so did the new boots on the
+floor, and the funny long stocking like a grey sausage, with a wooden
+doll staring out at the top, as if she said, politely, 'A Merry
+Christmas, ma'am!' Tessa screamed and danced in her delight, and up
+tumbled all the children to scream and dance with her, making a regular
+carnival on a small scale. Everybody hugged and kissed everybody else,
+offered sucks of orange, bites of cake, and exchanges of candy; every
+one tried on the new things, and pranced about in them like a flock of
+peacocks. Ranza skipped to and fro airily, dressed in her white socks
+and the red hood; the boys promenaded in their little shirts, one with
+his creaking new shoes and mittens, the other in his gay cap and fine
+tippet; and Tessa put her dress straight on, feeling that her father's
+'gold gown' was not all a joke. In her long stocking she found all sorts
+of treasures; for Tommo had stuffed it full of queer things, and his
+mother had made gingerbread into every imaginable shape, from fat pigs
+to full omnibuses.
+
+Dear me! What happy little souls they were that morning; and when they
+were quiet again, how like a fairy tale did Tessa's story sound to them.
+Ranza was quite ready to be an angel; and the boys promised to be
+marvellously good, if they were only allowed to see the tree at the
+'palace,' as they called the great house.
+
+Little Ranza was accepted with delight by the kind lady and her
+children, and Tessa learned the song quite easily. The boys _were_
+asked; and, after a happy day, the young Italians all returned, to play
+their parts at the fine Christmas party. Mamma and Miss Rose drilled
+them all; and when the folding-doors flew open, one rapturous 'Oh!'
+arose from the crowd of children gathered to the festival. I assure
+you, it was splendid; the great tree glittering with lights and gifts;
+and, on her invisible perch, up among the green boughs, sat the little
+golden-haired angel, all in white, with downy wings, a shining crown on
+her head, and the most serene satisfaction in her blue eyes, as she
+stretched her chubby arms to those below, and smiled her baby smile at
+them. Before any one could speak, a voice, as fresh and sweet as a
+lark's, sang the Christmas Carol so blithely that every one stood still
+to hear, and then clapped till the little angel shook on her perch, and
+cried out, 'Be 'till, or me'll fall!' How they laughed at that; and what
+fun they had talking to Ranza, while Miss Rose stripped the tree, for
+the angel could not resist temptation, and amused herself by eating all
+the bonbons she could reach, till she was taken down, to dance about
+like a fairy in a white frock and red shoes. Tessa and her friends had
+many presents; the boys were perfect lambs, Tommo played for the little
+folks to dance, and every one said something friendly to the strangers,
+so that they did not feel shy, in spite of shabby clothes. It was a
+happy night: and all their lives they remembered it as something too
+beautiful and bright to be quite true. Before they went home, the kind
+mamma told Tessa she should be her friend, and gave her a motherly kiss,
+which warmed the child's heart and seemed to set a seal upon that
+promise. It was faithfully kept, for the rich lady had been touched by
+Tessa's patient struggles and sacrifices; and for many years, thanks to
+her benevolence, there was no end to Tessa's Surprises.
+
+
+
+
+_BUZZ._
+
+
+I live high up in a city house all alone. My room is a cosy little
+place, though there is nothing very splendid in it,--only my pictures
+and books, my flowers and my little friend. When I began to live there,
+I was very busy and therefore very happy; but by-and-by, when my hurry
+was over and I had more time to myself, I often felt lonely. When I ate
+my meals I used to wish for a pleasant companion to eat with me; and
+when I sat by the fire of evenings, I thought how much more social it
+would be if some one sat opposite. I had many friends and callers
+through the day, but the evenings were often rather dull; for I
+couldn't read much, and didn't care to go out in the stormy weather.
+
+I was wishing for a cheerful friend one night, when all of a sudden I
+found one; for, sitting on my hand, I saw a plump, jolly-looking fly. He
+sat quietly staring at me, with a mild little hum, as if to say,--
+
+'How are you? You wanted a friend, and here I am. Will you have me?'
+
+Of course I would, for I liked him directly, he was so cheery and
+confiding, and seemed as glad to see me as I was to see him. All his
+mates were dead and gone, and he was alone, like myself. So I waggled
+one finger, by way of welcome, fearing to shake my hand, lest he should
+tumble off and feel hurt at my reception. He seemed to understand me,
+and buzzed again, evidently saying,--
+
+'Thank you, ma'am. I should like to stay in your warm room, and amuse
+you for my board. I won't disturb you, but do my best to be a good
+little friend.'
+
+So the bargain was struck, and he stopped to tea. I found that his
+manners had been neglected; for he was inclined to walk over the butter,
+drink out of the cream-pot, and put his fingers in the jelly. A few taps
+with my spoon taught him to behave with more propriety, and he sipped a
+drop of milk from the waiter with a crumb of sugar, as a well-bred fly
+should do.
+
+On account of his fine voice, I named him Buzz, and we soon got on
+excellently together. He seemed to like his new quarters, and, after
+exploring every corner of the room, he chose his favourite haunts and
+began to enjoy himself. I always knew where he was, for he kept up a
+constant song, humming and buzzing, like a little kettle getting ready
+to boil.
+
+On sunny days, he amused himself by bumping his head against the window,
+and watching what went on outside. It would have given me a headache,
+but he seemed to enjoy it immensely. Up in my hanging basket of ivy he
+made his bower, and sat there on the moss basking in the sunshine, as
+luxuriously as any gentleman in his conservatory. He was interested in
+the plants, and examined them daily with great care, walking over the
+ivy leaves, grubbing under the moss, and poking his head into the
+unfolding hyacinth buds to see how they got on.
+
+The pictures, also, seemed to attract his attention, for he spent much
+time skating over the glasses and studying the designs. Sometimes I
+would find him staring at my Madonna, as if he said, 'What in the world
+are all those topsy-turvy children about?' Then he'd sit in the middle
+of a brook, in a water-color sketch by Vautin, as if bathing his feet,
+or seem to be eating the cherry which one little duck politely offers
+another little duck, in Oscar Pletch's Summer Party. He frequently
+kissed my mother's portrait, and sat on my father's bald head, as if
+trying to get out some of the wisdom stored up there, like honey in an
+ill-thatched bee-hive. My bronze Mercury rather puzzled him, for he
+could not understand why the young gentleman didn't fly off when he had
+four wings and seemed in such a hurry.
+
+I'm afraid he was a trifle vain, for he sat before the glass a great
+deal, and I often saw him cleaning his proboscis, and twiddling his
+feelers, and I know he was 'prinking,' as we say. The books pleased him,
+too, and he used to run them over, as if trying to choose which he
+would read, and never seemed able to decide. He would have nothing to
+say to the fat French Dictionary, or my English Plays, but liked Goethe
+and Schiller, Emerson and Browning, as well as I did. Carlyle didn't
+suit him, and Richter evidently made his head ache. But Jean Ingelow's
+Poems delighted him, and so did her 'Stories told to a Child.' 'Fairy
+Bells' he often listened to, and was very fond of the pictures in a
+photograph book of foreign places and great people.
+
+He frequently promenaded on the piazza of a little Swiss chalet,
+standing on the mantel-piece, and thought it a charming residence for a
+single gentleman like himself. The closet delighted him extremely, and
+he buzzed in the most joyful manner when he got among the
+provisions,--for we kept house together. Such revels as he had in the
+sugar-bowl; such feasts of gingerbread and grapes; such long sips of
+milk, and sly peeps into every uncovered box and dish! Once I'm afraid
+he took too much cider, for I found him lying on his back, kicking and
+humming like a crazy top, and he was very queer all the rest of that
+day; so I kept the bottle corked after that. But his favorite nook was
+among the ferns in the vase which a Parian dancing-girl carried. She
+stood just over the stove on one little toe, rattling some castanets,
+which made no sound, and never getting a step farther for all her
+prancing. This was a warm and pretty retreat for Buzz, and there he
+spent much of his time, swinging on the ferns, sleeping snugly in the
+vase, or warming his feet in the hot air that blew up, like a south
+wind, from the stove.
+
+I don't believe there was a happier fly in Boston than my friend Buzz,
+and I grew fonder and fonder of him every day; for he never got into
+mischief, but sung his cheery song, no matter what the weather was, and
+made himself agreeable. Then he was so interested in all I did, it was
+delightful to have him round. When I wrote he came and walked about over
+my paper to see that it was right, peeped into my ink-stand, and ran
+after my pen. He never made silly or sharp criticisms on my stories, but
+appeared to admire them very much; so I am sure he was a good judge.
+When I sewed, he sat in my basket, or played hide-and-seek in the folds
+of my work, talking away all the while in the most sociable manner. He
+often flew up all of a sudden, and danced about in the air, as if he was
+in such a jolly mood he couldn't keep still, and wanted me to come and
+play with him. But, alas! I had no wings, and could only sit stupidly
+still, and laugh at his pranks. That was his exercise, for he never went
+out, and only took a sniff of air now and then when I opened the
+windows.
+
+Well, little Buzz and I lived together many weeks, and never got tired
+of one another, which is saying a good deal. At Christmas I went home
+for a week and left my room to take care of itself. I put the hyacinths
+into the closet to be warm, and dropped the curtain, so the frost should
+not nip my ivy; but I forgot Buzz. I really would have taken him with
+me, or carried him down to a neighbour's room to be taken care of while
+I was away, but I never thought of him in the hurry of getting my
+presents and myself ready. Off I went without even saying 'good-bye,'
+and never thought of my little friend till Freddy, my small nephew, said
+to me one evening at dusk,--
+
+'Aunt Jo, tell me a story.'
+
+So I began to tell him about Buzz, and all of a sudden I cried out,--
+
+'Mercy on me! I'm afraid he'll die of cold while I'm gone.'
+
+It troubled me a good deal, and I wanted to know how the poor little
+fellow was so much that I would have gone to see if I had not been so
+far away. But it would be rather silly to hurry away twenty miles to
+look after one fly: so I finished my visit, and then went back to my
+room, hoping to find Buzz alive and well in spite of the cold.
+
+Alas, no! my little friend was gone. There he lay on his back on the
+mantel-piece, his legs meekly folded, and his wings stiff and still. He
+had evidently gone to the warm place, and been surprised when the heat
+died out and left him to freeze. My poor little Buzz had sung his last
+song, danced his last dance, and gone where the good flies go. I was
+very sorry and buried him among the ivy roots, where the moss lay green
+above him, the sun shone warmly on him, and the bitter cold could never
+come. I miss him very much; when I sit writing, I miss his cheerful
+voice and busy wings; at meals there is no tiny little body to drink up
+spilt drops and eat the crumbs: in the evenings, when I sit alone, I
+want him more than ever, and every day, as I water my plants, I say,
+softly,--
+
+'Grow green, ivy, lie lightly, moss, shine warmly, sun, and make his
+last bed pleasant to my little friend.'
+
+
+
+
+_THE CHILDREN'S JOKE._
+
+
+'"You can't do this" and "you mustn't do that," from morning to night.
+Try it yourself and see how you'd like it,' muttered Harry, as he flung
+down his hat in sulky obedience to his father's command to give up a
+swim in the river and keep himself cool with a book that warm summer
+evening.
+
+'Of course I should like to mind my parents. Good children always do,'
+began Mr. Fairbairn, entirely forgetting the pranks of his boyhood, as
+people are apt to.
+
+'Glad I didn't know you then. Must have been a regular prig,' growled
+Harry under his breath.
+
+'Silence, sir! go to your room, and don't let me see you till tea-time.
+You must be taught respect as well as obedience,' and Mr. Fairbairn gave
+the table a rap that caused his son to retire precipitately.
+
+On the stairs he met his sister Kitty looking as cross as himself.
+
+'What's the matter with you?' he asked, pausing a minute, for misery
+loves company.
+
+'Mamma will make me dress up in a stiff clean frock, and have my hair
+curled over again just because some one _may_ come. I want to play in
+the garden, and I can't all fussed up this way. I do hate company and
+clothes and manners, don't you?' answered Kitty, with a spiteful pull at
+her sash.
+
+'I hate being ordered round everlastingly, and badgered from morning
+till night. I'd just like to be let alone,' and Harry went on his way
+to captivity with a grim shake of the head and a very strong desire to
+run away from home altogether.
+
+'So would I, mamma is so fussy. I never have any peace of my life,'
+sighed Kitty, feeling that her lot was a hard one.
+
+The martyr in brown linen went up, and the other martyr in white cambric
+went down, both looking as they felt, rebellious and unhappy. Yet a
+stranger seeing them and their home would have thought they had
+everything heart could desire. All the comforts that money could buy,
+and all the beauty that taste could give seemed gathered round them.
+Papa and mamma loved the two little people dearly, and no real care or
+sorrow came to trouble the lives that would have been all sunshine but
+for one thing. With the best intentions in the world, Mr. and Mrs.
+Fairbairn were spoiling their children by constant fault-finding, too
+many rules and too little sympathy with the active young souls and
+bodies under their care. As Harry said, they were ordered about,
+corrected and fussed over from morning till night, and were getting so
+tired of it that the most desperate ideas began to enter their heads.
+
+Now, in the house was a quiet old maiden aunt, who saw the mischief
+brewing, and tried to cure it by suggesting more liberty and less
+'nagging,' as the boys call it. But Mr. and Mrs. F. always silenced her
+by saying,--
+
+'My dear Betsey, you never had a family, so how _can_ you know anything
+about the proper management of children?'
+
+They quite forgot that sister Betsey had brought up a flock of
+motherless brothers and sisters, and done it wisely and well, though she
+never got any thanks or praise for it, and never expected any for doing
+her duty faithfully. If it had not been for aunty, Harry and Kitty would
+have long ago carried out their favorite plan, and have run away
+together, like Roland and Maybird. She kept them from this foolish prank
+by all sorts of unsuspected means, and was their refuge in troublous
+times. For all her quiet ways, aunty was full of fun as well as sympathy
+and patience, and she smoothed the thorny road to virtue with the
+innocent and kindly little arts that make some people as useful and
+beloved as good fairy godmothers were once upon a time.
+
+As they sat at tea that evening papa and mamma were most affable and
+lively; but the children's spirits were depressed by a long day of
+restraint, and they sat like well-bred mutes, languidly eating their
+supper.
+
+'It's the warm weather. They need something bracing. I'll give them a
+dose of iron mixture to-morrow,' said mamma.
+
+'I've taken enough now to make a cooking-stove,' groaned Kitty, who
+hated being dosed.
+
+'If you'd let me go swimming every night I'd be all right,' added Harry.
+
+'Not another word on that point. I will _not_ let you do it, for you
+will get drowned as sure as you try,' said mamma, who was so timid she
+had panics the minute her boy was out of sight.
+
+'Aunt Betsey let her boys go, and they never came to grief,' began
+Harry.
+
+'Aunt Betsey's ideas and mine differ. Children are not brought up now as
+they were in her day,' answered mamma with a superior air.
+
+'I just wish they were. Jolly good times _her_ boys had.'
+
+'Yes, and girls too, playing anything they liked, and not rigged up and
+plagued with company,' cried Kitty, with sudden interest.
+
+'What do you mean by that?' asked papa good-naturedly; for somehow his
+youth returned to him for a minute, and seemed very pleasant.
+
+The children could not explain very well, but Harry said slowly,--
+
+'If you were to be in our places for a day you'd see what we mean.'
+
+'Wouldn't it be worth your while to try the experiment?' said Aunt
+Betsey, with a smile.
+
+Papa and mamma laughed at the idea, but looked sober when aunty added,--
+
+'Why not put yourselves in their places for a day and see how you like
+it? I think you would understand the case better than any one could
+describe it, and perhaps do both yourselves and the children a lasting
+service.'
+
+'Upon my word, that's a droll idea! What do you say to it, mamma?' and
+papa looked much amused.
+
+'I am willing to try it if you are, just for the fun of the thing, but I
+don't think it will do any good;' and mamma shook her head as if Aunt
+Betsey's plan was a wild one.
+
+The children sat quiet, speechless with surprise at this singular
+proposal, but as its full richness dawned upon them, they skipped in
+their chairs and clapped their hands delightedly.
+
+'How do you propose to carry out this new educational frolic?' asked
+papa, beginning to feel some curiosity as to the part he was to play.
+
+'Merely let the children do as they like for one day and have full power
+over you. Let them plan your duties and pleasures, order your food, fix
+your hours, and punish or reward you as they think proper. You must
+promise entire obedience, and keep the agreement till night.'
+
+'Good! good! Oh, won't it be fun!' cried Harry and Kitty, applauding
+enthusiastically; while papa and mamma looked rather sober as the plan
+was developed before them.
+
+'To-morrow is a holiday for us all, and we might celebrate it by this
+funny experiment. It will amuse us and do no harm, at any rate,' added
+aunty, quite in love with her new scheme.
+
+'Very well, we will. Come, mamma, let us promise, and see what these
+rogues will do for us. Playing father and mother is no joke, mind you;
+but you will have an easier time of it than we do, for _we_ shall behave
+ourselves,' said papa, with a virtuous expression.
+
+Mamma agreed, and the supper ended merrily, for every one was full of
+curiosity as to the success of the new play. Harry and Kitty went to
+bed early, that they might be ready for the exciting labors of the next
+day. Aunt Betsey paid each a short visit before they slept, and it is
+supposed that she laid out the order of performances, and told each what
+to do; for the little people would never have thought of so many sly
+things if left to themselves.
+
+At seven the next morning, as mamma was in her dressing-room, just
+putting on her cool, easy wrapper, in came Kitty with a solemn face,
+though her eyes danced with fun, as she said,--
+
+'Careless, untidy girl! Put on a clean dress, do up your hair properly,
+and go and practise half an hour before breakfast.'
+
+At first mamma looked as if inclined to refuse, but Kitty was firm; and,
+with a sigh, mamma rustled into a stiff, scratchy, French print, took
+her hair out of the comfortable net, and braided it carefully up; then,
+instead of reading in her arm-chair, she was led to the parlor and set
+to learning a hard piece of music.
+
+'Can't I have my early cup of tea and my roll?' she asked.
+
+'Eating between meals is a very bad habit, and I can't allow it,' said
+Kitty, in the tone her mother often used to her. 'I shall have a mug of
+new milk and a roll, because grown people need more nourishment than
+children;' and sitting down, she ate her early lunch with a relish,
+while poor mamma played away, feeling quite out of tune herself.
+
+Harry found papa enjoying the last delightful doze that makes bed so
+fascinating of a morning. As if half afraid to try the experiment, the
+boy slowly approached and gave the sleeper a sudden, hard shake, saying
+briskly,--
+
+'Come, come, come, lazy-bones! Get up, get up!'
+
+Papa started as if an earthquake had roused him, and stared at Harry,
+astonished for a minute, then he remembered, and upset Harry's gravity
+by whining out,--
+
+'Come, you let me alone. It isn't time yet, and I am _so_ tired.'
+
+Harry took the joke, and assuming the stern air of his father on such
+occasions, said impressively,--
+
+'You have been called, and now if you are not down in fifteen minutes
+you won't have any breakfast. Not a morsel, sir, not a morsel;' and,
+coolly pocketing his father's watch, he retired, to giggle all the way
+downstairs.
+
+When the breakfast bell rang, mamma hurried into the dining-room,
+longing for her tea. But Kitty sat behind the urn, and said gravely,--
+
+'Go back, and enter the room properly. Will you never learn to behave
+like a lady?'
+
+Mamma looked impatient at the delay, and having re-entered in her most
+elegant manner, sat down, and passed her plate for fresh trout and
+muffins.
+
+'No fish or hot bread for you, my dear. Eat your good oatmeal porridge
+and milk; that is the proper food for children.'
+
+'Can't I have some tea?' cried mamma, in despair, for without it she
+felt quite lost.
+
+'Certainly not. _I_ never was allowed tea when a little girl, and
+couldn't think of giving it to you,' said Kitty, filling a large cup for
+herself, and sipping the forbidden draught with a relish.
+
+Poor mamma quite groaned at this hard fate, but meekly obeyed, and ate
+the detested porridge, understanding Kitty's dislike to it at last.
+
+Harry, sitting in his father's chair, read the paper, and ate everything
+he could lay his hands on, with a funny assumption of his father's
+morning manner. Aunt Betsey looked on much amused, and now and then
+nodded to the children as if she thought things were going nicely.
+
+Breakfast was half over when papa came in, and was about to take Harry's
+place when his son said, trying vainly to look grave as he showed the
+watch,--
+
+'What did I tell you, sir? You are late again, sir. No breakfast, sir.
+I'm sorry, but this habit _must_ be broken up. Not a word; it's your own
+fault, and you must bear the penalty.'
+
+'Come, now, that's hard on a fellow! I'm awful hungry. Can't I have just
+a bite of something?' asked papa, quite taken aback at this stern
+decree.
+
+'I said not a morsel, and I shall keep my word. Go to your morning
+duties and let this be a lesson to you.'
+
+Papa cast a look at Aunt Betsey, that was both comic and pathetic, and
+departed without a word; but he felt a sudden sympathy with his son, who
+had often been sent fasting from the table for some small offence.
+
+Now it was that he appreciated aunty's kind heart, and felt quite fond
+of her, for in a few minutes she came to him, as he raked the gravel
+walk (Harry's duty every day), and slipping a nice, warm, well-buttered
+muffin into his hand, said, in her motherly way,--
+
+'My dear, do try and please your father. He is right about late rising,
+but I can't bear to see you starve.'
+
+'Betsey, you are an angel!' and turning his back to the house, papa
+bolted the muffin with grateful rapidity, inquiring with a laugh, 'Do
+you think those rogues will keep it up in this vigorous style all day?'
+
+'I trust so; it isn't a bit overdone. Hope you like it!' and Aunt Betsey
+walked away, looking as if _she_ enjoyed it extremely.
+
+'Now put on your hat and draw baby up and down the avenue for half an
+hour. Don't go on the grass, or you will wet your feet; and don't play
+with baby, I want her to go to sleep; and don't talk to papa, or he will
+neglect his work,' said Kitty, as they rose from table.
+
+Now, it was a warm morning and baby was heavy and the avenue was dull,
+and mamma much preferred to stay in the house and sew the trimming on to
+a new and pretty dress.
+
+'Must I really? Kitty you are a hard-hearted mamma to make me do it,'
+and Mrs. Fairbairn hoped her play-parent would relent.
+
+But she did not, and only answered with a meaning look.
+
+'_I_ have to do it every day, and _you_ don't let me off.'
+
+Mamma said no more, but put on her hat and trundled away with fretful
+baby, thinking to find her fellow-sufferer and have a laugh over the
+joke. She was disappointed, however, for Harry called papa away to weed
+the lettuce-bed, and then shut him up in the study to get his lessons,
+while he mounted the pony and trotted away to town to buy a new
+fishing-rod and otherwise enjoy himself.
+
+When mamma came in, hot and tired, she was met by Kitty with a bottle in
+one hand and a spoon in the other.
+
+'Here is your iron mixture, dear. Now take it like a good girl.'
+
+'I won't!' and mamma looked quite stubborn.
+
+'Then aunty will hold your hands and I shall make you.'
+
+'But I don't like it; I don't need it,' cried mamma.
+
+'Neither do I, but you give it to me all the same. I'm sure you need
+strengthening more than I do, you have so many "trials,"' and Kitty
+looked very sly as she quoted one of the words often on her mother's
+lips.
+
+'You'd better mind, Carrie; it can't hurt you, and you know you promised
+entire obedience. Set a good example,' said aunty.
+
+'But I never thought these little chits would do so well. Ugh, how
+disagreeable it is!' And mamma took her dose with a wry face, feeling
+that Aunt Betsey was siding with the wrong party.
+
+'Now sit down and hem these towels till dinner-time. I have so much to
+do I don't know which way to turn,' continued Kitty, much elated with
+her success.
+
+Rest of any sort was welcome, so mamma sewed busily till callers came.
+They happened to be some little friends of Kitty's, and she went to them
+in the parlor, telling mamma to go up to nurse and have her hair brushed
+and her dress changed, and then come and see the guests. While she was
+away Kitty told the girls the joke they were having, and begged them to
+help her carry it out. They agreed, being ready for fun and not at all
+afraid of Mrs. Fairbairn. So when she came in they all began to kiss and
+cuddle and praise and pass her round as if she was a doll, to her great
+discomfort and the great amusement of the little girls.
+
+While this was going on in the drawing-room, Harry was tutoring his
+father in the study, and putting that poor gentleman through a course of
+questions that nearly drove him distracted; for Harry got out the
+hardest books he could find, and selected the most puzzling subjects. A
+dusty old history was rummaged out also, and classical researches
+followed, in which papa's memory played him false more than once,
+calling forth rebukes from his severe young tutor. But he came to open
+disgrace over his mathematics, for he had no head for figures, and, not
+being a business man, had not troubled himself about the matter; so
+Harry, who was in fine practice, utterly routed him in mental arithmetic
+by giving him regular puzzlers, and when he got stuck offered no help,
+but shook his head and called him a stupid fellow.
+
+The dinner-bell released the exhausted student, and he gladly took his
+son's place, looking as if he had been hard at work. He was faint with
+hunger, but was helped last, being 'only a boy,' and then checked every
+five minutes for eating too fast. Mamma was very meek, and only looked
+wistfully at the pie when told in her own words that pastry was bad for
+children.
+
+Any attempts at conversation were promptly quenched by the worn-out old
+saying, 'Children should be seen, not heard,' while Harry and Kitty
+chattered all dinner-time, and enjoyed it to their hearts' content,
+especially the frequent pecks at their great children, who, to be even
+with them, imitated all their tricks as well as they could.
+
+'Don't whistle at table, papa;' 'keep your hands still mamma;' 'wait
+till you are helped, sir;' 'tuck your napkin well in, and don't spill
+your soup, Caroline.'
+
+Aunt Betsey laughed till her eyes were full, and they had a jolly time,
+though the little people had the best of it, for the others obeyed them
+in spite of their dislike to the new rules.
+
+'Now you may play for two hours,' was the gracious order issued as they
+rose from table.
+
+Mamma fell upon a sofa exhausted, and papa hurried to read his paper in
+the shady garden.
+
+Usually these hours of apparent freedom were spoilt by constant
+calls,--not to run, not to play this or that, or frequent calls to do
+errands. The children had mercy, however, and left them in peace; which
+was a wise move on the whole, for the poor souls found rest so agreeable
+they privately resolved to let the children alone in their play-hours.
+
+'Can I go over and see Mr. Hammond?' asked papa, wishing to use up the
+last half-hour of his time by a neighbourly call.
+
+'No; I don't like Tommy Hammond, so I don't wish you to play with his
+father,' said Harry, with a sly twinkle of the eye, as he turned the
+tables on his papa.
+
+Mr. Fairbairn gave a low whistle and retired to the barn, where Harry
+followed him, and ordered the man to harness up old Bill.
+
+'Going to drive, sir?' asked papa, respectfully.
+
+'Don't ask questions,' was all the answer he got.
+
+Old Bill was put into the best buggy and driven to the hall door. Papa
+followed, and mamma sprang up from her nap, ready for her afternoon
+drive.
+
+'Can't I go?' she asked, as Kitty came down in her new hat and gloves.
+
+'No; there isn't room.'
+
+'Why not have the carryall, and let us go, too, we like it so much,'
+said papa, in the pleading tone Harry often used.
+
+Kitty was about to consent, for she loved mamma, and found it hard to
+cross her so. But Harry was made of sterner stuff; his wrongs still
+burned within him, and he said impatiently--
+
+'We can't be troubled with you. The buggy is nicest and lightest, and we
+want to talk over our affairs. You, my son, can help John turn the hay
+on the lawn, and Caroline can amuse baby, or help Jane with the
+preserves. Little girls should be domestic.'
+
+'Oh, thunder!' growled papa.
+
+'Aunt Betsey taught you that speech, you saucy boy,' cried mamma, as the
+children drove off in high glee, leaving their parents to the
+distasteful tasks set them.
+
+Mrs. Fairbairn wanted to read, but baby was fretful, and there was no
+Kitty to turn him over to, so she spent her afternoon amusing the small
+tyrant, while papa made hay in the sun and didn't like it.
+
+Just at tea-time the children came home, full of the charms of their
+drive, but did not take the trouble to tell much about it to the
+stay-at-home people. Bread and milk was all they allowed their victims,
+while they revelled in marmalade and cake, fruit and tea.
+
+'I expect company this evening, but I don't wish you to sit up,
+Caroline; you are too young, and late hours are bad for your eyes. Go to
+bed, and don't forget to brush your hair and teeth well, five minutes
+for each; cold cream your hands, fold your ribbons, hang up your
+clothes, put out your boots to be cleaned, and put in the mosquito bars;
+I will come and take away the light when I am dressed.'
+
+Kitty delivered this dread command with effect, for she had heard and
+cried over it too often not to have it quite by heart.
+
+'But I can't go to bed at half-past seven o'clock of a summer night! I'm
+not sleepy, and this is just the pleasantest time of the whole day,'
+said mamma, thinking her bargain a hard one.
+
+'Go up directly, my daughter, and don't discuss the matter; I know what
+is best for you,' and Kitty sent social, wide-awake mamma to bed, there
+to lie thinking soberly till Mrs. Kit came for the lamp.
+
+'Have you had a happy day, love?' she asked, bending over the pillow, as
+her mother used to do.
+
+'No, ma'am.'
+
+'Then it was your own fault, my child. Obey your parents in all things,
+and you will be both good and happy.'
+
+'That depends'--began mamma, but stopped short, remembering that
+to-morrow she would be on the other side, and anything she might say now
+would be quoted against her.
+
+But Kitty understood, and her heart melted as she hugged her mother and
+said in her own caressing way--
+
+'Poor little mamma! did she have a hard time? and didn't she like being
+a good girl and minding her parents?'
+
+Mamma laughed also, and held Kitty close, but all she said was--
+
+'Good-night, dear; don't be troubled: it will be all right to-morrow.'
+
+'I hope so,' and with a hearty kiss, Kitty went thoughtfully downstairs
+to meet several little friends whom she had asked to spend the evening
+with her.
+
+As the ladies left the room, papa leaned back and prepared to smoke a
+cigar, feeling that he needed the comfort of it after this trying day.
+But Harry was down upon him at once.
+
+'A very bad habit--can't allow it. Throw that dirty thing away, and go
+and get your Latin lesson for to-morrow. The study is quiet, and we want
+this room.'
+
+'But I am tired. I can't study at night. Let me off till to-morrow,
+please, sir!' begged papa, who had not looked at Latin since he left
+school.
+
+'Not a word, sir! I shall listen to no excuses, and shall _not_ let you
+neglect your education on any account,' and Harry slapped the table _a
+la_ papa in the most impressive manner.
+
+Mr. Fairbairn went away into the dull study and made believe do his
+lesson, but he really smoked and meditated.
+
+The young folks had a grand revel, and kept it up till ten o'clock,
+while mamma lay awake, longing to go down and see what they were about,
+and papa shortly fell asleep, quite exhausted by the society of a Latin
+Grammar.
+
+'Idle boy, is this the way you study?' said Harry, audaciously tweaking
+him by the ear.
+
+'No, it's the way you do;' and feeling that his day of bondage was over,
+papa cast off his allegiance, tucked a child under each arm, and marched
+upstairs with them, kicking and screaming. Setting them down at the
+nursery door, he said, shaking his finger at them in an awful manner,--
+
+'Wait a bit, you rascals, and see what you will get to-morrow.'
+
+With this dark threat he vanished into his own room, and a minute after
+a great burst of laughter set their fears at rest.
+
+'It was a fair bargain, so I'm not afraid,' said Harry stoutly.
+
+'He kissed us good-night though he did glower at us, so I guess it was
+only fun,' added Kitty.
+
+'Hasn't it been a funny day?' asked Harry.
+
+'Don't think I quite like it, everything is so turned round,' said
+Kitty.
+
+'Guess _they_ didn't like it very well. Hear 'em talking in there;' and
+Harry held up his finger, for a steady murmur of conversation had
+followed the laughter in papa and mamma's room.
+
+'I wonder if our joke will do any good?' said Kitty thoughtfully.
+
+'Wait and see,' answered Aunt Betsey, popping her night-capped head out
+of her room with a nod and a smile that sent them to bed full of hope
+for the future.
+
+
+
+
+_DANDELION._
+
+
+Down by the sea lived Ben the fisherman, with his wife, and little son,
+who was called Dandelion, because he wore yellow pinafores, and had
+curly, yellow hair, that covered his head with a golden fuzz. A very
+happy family, for Ben was kind and industrious, Hetty, his wife, a
+cheerful, busy creature, and Dandelion the jolliest three-year-old baby
+who ever made sand-pies and paddled on the beach.
+
+But one day a great trouble came to them. Ben and his fellow-fishermen
+sailed blithely away as usual, and Hetty watched the fleet of
+white-winged boats out of the bay, thinking how pretty they looked with
+the sunshine on them; while Dandelion stood clapping his chubby hands,
+and saying, as he always did, 'Daddy tummin' soon.' But Daddy did not
+come soon that time; for a great storm arose, and when some of the boats
+came scudding home at nightfall, Ben's was not among them. All night the
+gale raged, and in the morning, Ben's boat lay empty and broken on the
+shore. His mates shook their heads when they saw the wreck, and drew
+their rough hands over their eyes; for Ben was a good seaman, and they
+knew he never would desert his boat alive. They looked for him far and
+wide, but could hear nothing of him, and felt sure that he had perished
+in the storm. They tried to comfort poor Hetty, but she would not be
+comforted. Her heart seemed broken; and if it had not been for her baby,
+her neighbours feared that she would have gone to join Ben in his grave
+under the sea. Dandelion didn't understand why every one was so sad, and
+why his father stayed away so long; but he never lost his cheerfulness,
+never gave up hoping, or stopped saying, with a contented smile, 'Daddy
+tummin' soon.' The sunshiny little face was Hetty's only comfort. The
+sight of the fuzzy yellow head, bobbing round the house, alone made it
+endurable; and the touch of the loving baby hands kept her from the
+despair which made her long to end her sorrow in the sea.
+
+People don't believe in fairies now-a-days; nevertheless, good spirits
+still exist, and help us in our times of trouble, better even than the
+little people we used to read about. One of these household spirits is
+called Love, and it took the shape of Dandelion to comfort poor Hetty.
+Another is called Labor: a beautiful, happy spirit this is, and it did
+its part so well that there was little time for bitter thoughts or vain
+regrets; for Hetty's spinning-wheel must go, in order to earn bread for
+Dandelion, whose mouth was always ready for food, like a hungry bird's.
+Busily hummed the wheel: and, as it flew, it seemed to catch an echo of
+the baby's cheerful song, saying, over and over, 'Daddy tummin' soon,'
+till Hetty stopped crying as she worked, and listened to the cheerful
+whirr. 'Yes, I shall see my good Ben again, if I wait patiently. Baby
+takes comfort in saying that, and I will, too; though the poor dear will
+get tired of it soon,' she said.
+
+But Dandelion didn't get tired. He firmly believed what he said, and
+nothing could change his mind. He had been much troubled at seeing the
+boat laid up on the beach all broken and dismantled, but his little
+mind couldn't take in the idea of shipwreck and death; so, after
+thinking it over, he decided that Daddy was waiting somewhere for a new
+boat to be sent to bring him home. This idea was so strong that the
+child gathered together his store of toy-boats,--for he had many, as
+they were his favourite plaything,--and launched them, one after
+another, telling them to find his father, and bring him home.
+
+As Dandelion was not allowed to play on the beach, except at low tide,
+the little boats sailed safely away on the receding waves, and the child
+was sure that some of them would get safely into the distant port where
+Daddy was waiting. All the boats were launched at last, all sailed
+bravely away; but none came back, and little Dandy was much
+disappointed. He babbled about it to himself; told the peeps and the
+horse-shoes, the snails and the lobsters, of his trouble; begged the
+gulls to fly away and find Daddy; and every windy night when the sea
+dashed on the shore and the shutters rattled, he would want the lamp put
+in the window, as it used to be when they expected Ben, and tried to
+make home look cheerful, even before he got there.
+
+Hetty used to humour the child, though it made her heart ache to know
+that the light shone in vain. At such times Dandy would prance about the
+room in his little shirt, and talk about Daddy as happily as if long
+months had not passed without bringing him back. When fairly in his big,
+old-fashioned cradle, the boy would lie, looking more like a dandelion
+than ever, in his yellow flannel night-gown, playing with his toes, or
+rocking himself to and fro, calling the cradle his boat, and blithely
+telling his mother that he was sailing 'far way to find Daddy.' When
+tired of play, he lay still and asked her to sing to him. She had no
+heart for the gay old sea-songs she used to sing for lullabies; so she
+sung hymns in her soft, motherly voice, till the blue eyes closed and
+the golden head lay still, looking so pretty, with the circle of bright
+hair above the rosy face. 'My little saint,' Hetty called him; and
+though she often wept sadly as she watched him, the bitterness of her
+grief passed away, and a patient hope came to her; for the child's firm
+faith impressed her deeply, the pious music of the sweet old hymns
+comforted her sore heart, and daily labor kept her cheerful in spite of
+herself. The neighbours wondered at the change that came over her, but
+she could not explain it; and no one knew that the three good spirits
+called Love, Labor, and Hope, were working their pleasant miracles.
+
+Six long months went by, and no one ever thought of seeing Ben
+again,--no one but his little son, who still watched for him here, and
+his wife, who waited to meet him hereafter.
+
+One bright spring day something happened. The house was as tidy as ever;
+the wheel hummed briskly as Hetty sung softly to herself with a cheerful
+face, though there were white hairs among the brown, and her eyes had a
+thoughtful, absent look at times. Dandelion, more chubby and cheery than
+ever, sat at her feet, with the sunshine making a golden glory of his
+yellow hair, as he tried his new boat in the tub of water his mother
+kept for her little sailor, or tugged away with his fat fingers at a big
+needle which he was trying to pull through a bit of cloth intended for a
+sail. The faithful little soul had not forgotten his father, but had
+come to the conclusion that the reason his boats never prospered was
+because they hadn't large enough sails; so he was intent on rigging a
+new boat lately given him, with a sail that could not fail to waft Ben
+safely home. With his mouth puckered up, his downy eyebrows knit, and
+both hands pulling at the big needle, he was so wrapped in his work that
+he did not mind the stopping of the wheel when Hetty fell into a
+reverie, thinking of the happy time when she and Ben should meet again.
+Sitting so, neither heard a step come softly over the sand; neither saw
+an eager, brown face peer in at the door; and neither knew for a minute,
+that Ben was watching them, with a love and longing in his heart that
+made him tremble like a woman.
+
+Dandelion saw him first; for, as he pulled the thread through with a
+triumphant jerk, the small sailmaker lost his balance, tumbled over,
+and lay staring up at the tall man with his blue eyes so wide open, they
+looked as if they would never shut again. All of a sudden, he shouted,
+with a joyful shout, 'Daddy's tummin'!' and the next instant, vanished,
+ship and all, in the arms of the man who wore the rough jacket. Over
+went the spinning-wheel, as Hetty vanished likewise; and for a time
+there was nothing but sobbing and kissing, clinging, and thanking Heaven
+for its kindness to them. When they grew quieter, and Ben got into his
+old chair, with his wife on one knee and his boy on the other, he told
+them how he was wrecked in the gale, picked up by an outward-bound ship,
+and only able to get back after months of sickness and delay.
+
+'My boaty fetched him,' said Dandelion, feeling that every thing had
+turned out just as he expected.
+
+'So it did, my precious; leastways, your faith helped, I haven't a
+doubt,' cried Hetty, hugging the curly headed prophet close, as she told
+Ben all that had happened.
+
+Ben didn't say much, but a few great tears rolled down the rough blue
+jacket, as he looked from the queer sail with its two big stitches to
+the little son, whose love, he firmly believed, had kept him safe
+through many dangers and brought him home at last.
+
+When the fine new boat was built, no one thought it strange that Ben
+named it 'Dandelion;' no one laughed at the little sail which always
+hung over the fire-place in the small house: and long years after, when
+Ben was an old man, and sat by the door with his grand-children on his
+knee, the story which always pleased them best was that which ended with
+the funny words, 'Daddy tummin' soon.'
+
+
+
+
+_MADAM CLUCK AND HER FAMILY._
+
+
+There never was a prouder mamma than Madam Cluck when she led forth her
+family of eight downy little chicks. Chanticleer, Strut, Snowball,
+Speckle, Peep, Peck, Downy, and Blot were their names; and no sooner
+were they out of the shell than they began to chirp and scratch as gaily
+as if the big world in which they suddenly found themselves was made for
+their especial benefit. It was a fine brood; but poor Madam Cluck had
+bad luck with her chicks, for they were her first, and she didn't know
+how to manage them. Old Aunt Cockletop told her that she didn't, and
+predicted that 'those poor dears would come to bad ends.'
+
+Aunt Cockletop was right, as you will see, when I have told the sad
+history of this unfortunate family. The tragedy began with Chanty, who
+was the boldest little cockadoodle who ever tried to crow. Before he had
+a feather to his bit of a tail, Chanty began to fight, and soon was
+known as the most quarrelsome chick in the farm-yard. Having pecked his
+brothers and sisters, he tried to do the same to his playmates, the
+ducklings, goslings, and young turkeys, and was so disagreeable that all
+the fowls hated him. One day, a pair of bantams arrived,--pretty little
+white birds, with red crests and nice yellow feet. Chanty thought he
+could beat Mr. Bantam easily, he was so small, and invited him to fight.
+Mr. B. declined. Then Chanty called him a coward, and gave Mrs. B. a
+peck, which so enraged her spouse that he flew at Chanty like a
+gamecock, and a dreadful fight followed, which ended in Chanty's utter
+defeat, for he died from his wounds.
+
+Downy and Snowball soon followed; for the two sweet little things would
+swing on the burdock-leaves that grew over the brook. Sitting side by
+side, the plump sisters were placidly swaying up and down over the clear
+brown water rippling below, when--ah! sad to relate--the stem broke, and
+down went leaf, chickens and all, to a watery death.
+
+'I'm the most unlucky hen ever hatched!' groaned poor Madam Cluck; and
+it did seem so, for the very next week, Speckle, the best and prettiest
+of the brood, went to walk with Aunt Cockletop, 'grasshoppering' they
+called it, in the great field across the road. What a nice time Speckle
+did have, to be sure; for the grasshoppers were lively and fat, and aunt
+was in an unusually amiable mood.
+
+'Never run away from anything, but face danger and conquer it, like a
+brave chick,' said the old biddy, as she went clucking through the
+grass, with her gray turban wagging in the wind. Speckle had hopped away
+from a toad with a startled chirp, which caused aunt to utter that
+remark. The words had hardly left her beak, when a shadow above made her
+look up, give one loud croak of alarm, and then scuttle away, as fast as
+legs and wings could carry her.
+
+Little Speckle, remembering the advice, and unconscious of the danger,
+stood her ground as a great hawk came circling nearer and nearer, till,
+with a sudden dart he pounced on the poor chicken, and bore it away
+chirping dismally,
+
+'Aunty told me not to run. Oh, dear! oh, dear! What shall I do?'
+
+It was a dreadful blow to Mrs. Cluck; and Aunt Cockletop didn't show
+herself for a whole day after that story was known, for every fowl in
+the yard twitted her with the difference between her preaching and her
+practice.
+
+Strut, the other son, was the vainest chick ever seen; and the great aim
+of his life was to crow louder than any other cock in the neighbourhood.
+He was at it from morning till night, and everyone was tired to death of
+hearing his shrill, small voice making funny attempts to produce hoarse
+little crows, as he sat on the wall and stretched his yellow neck, till
+his throat quite ached with the effort.
+
+'Ah! if I could only fly to the highest beam in the barn, and give a
+splendid crow that everyone could hear, I should be perfectly happy,'
+said this silly little fowl, as he stared up at the loft where the old
+cock often sat.
+
+So he tried every day to fly and crow, and at last managed to get up;
+then how he did strut and rustle his feathers, while his playmates sat
+below and watched him.
+
+'You'll fall and get hurt,' said his sister Blot.
+
+'Hold your tongue, you ugly little thing, and don't talk to me. I'm
+going to crow, and can't be interrupted by any silly bit of a hen. Be
+quiet, down there, and hear if I can't do it as well as daddy.'
+
+The chicks stopped scratching and peeping, and sat in a row to hear
+Strut crow. Perching himself on the beam, he tried his best, but only a
+droll 'cock-a-doodle-doo' came of it, and all the chicks laughed. That
+made Strut mad, and he resolved to crow, even if he killed himself doing
+it. He gave an angry cluck, flapped his wings, and tried again. Alas,
+alas, for poor Strut! he leaned so far forward in his frantic effort to
+get a big crow out, that he toppled over and fell bump on the hard
+barn-floor, killing himself instantly.
+
+For some time after this, Mrs. Cluck kept her three remaining little
+ones close to her side, watching over them with maternal care, till they
+were heartily tired of her anxious cluckings. Peep and Peck were always
+together, being very fond of one another. Peep was a most inquisitive
+chicken, poking her head into every nook and corner, and never satisfied
+till she had seen all there was to see. Peck was a glutton, eating
+everything she could find, and often making herself ill by gobbling too
+fast, and forgetting to eat a little gravel to help digest her food.
+
+'Don't go out of the barn, children. I'm going to lay an egg, and can't
+look after you just now,' said their mother one day.
+
+'Yes, ma'am,' chirped the chickens; and then as she went rustling into
+the hay-mow, they began to run about and enjoy themselves with all their
+might. Peep found a little hole into the meal-room, and slipped in, full
+of joy at the sight of the bags, boxes, and bins. 'I'll eat all I want,
+and then I'll call Peck,' she said; and having taken a taste of every
+thing, she was about to leave, when she heard the stableman coming, and
+in her fright couldn't find the hole, so flew into the meal-bin and hid
+herself. Sam never saw her, but shut down the cover of the bin as he
+passed, and left poor Peep to die. No one knew what had become of her
+till some days later, when she was found dead in the meal, with her poor
+little claws sticking straight up as if imploring help. Peck meanwhile
+got into mischief also; for, in her hunt for something good to eat, she
+strayed into the sheep-shed, and finding some salt, ate as much as she
+liked, not knowing that salt is bad for hens. Having taken all she
+wanted, she ran back to the barn, and was innocently catching gnats when
+her mamma came out of the hay-mow with a loud. 'Cut-cut-cut-ca-dar-cut!'
+
+'Where is Peep?' asked Mrs. Cluck.
+
+'Don't know, ma. She'--there Peck stopped suddenly, rolled up her eyes,
+and began to stagger about as if she was tipsy.
+
+'Mercy on us! What's the matter with the chick?' cried Mrs. Cluck, in
+great alarm.
+
+'Fits, ma'am,' answered Doctor Drake, who just then waddled by.
+
+'Oh! what can I do?' screamed the distracted hen.
+
+'Nothing, ma'am; it's fatal.' And the doctor waddled on to visit Dame
+Partlet's son, who was ill of the pip.
+
+'My child, my child! don't flap and stagger so! Let me hold you! Taste
+this mint-leaf! Have a drop of water! What shall I do?'
+
+As poor Mrs. Cluck sighed and sobbed, her unhappy child went scuffling
+about on her back, gasping and rolling up her eyes in great anguish, for
+she had eaten too much of the fatal salt, and there was no help for her.
+When all was over they buried the dead chicken under a currant bush,
+covered the little grave with chickweed, and the bereaved parent wore a
+black string round her leg for a month.
+
+Blot, 'the last of that bright band,' needed no mourning for she was as
+black as a crow. This was the reason why her mother never had loved her
+as much as she did the others, who were all white, gray, or yellow.
+Poor little Blot had been much neglected by every one; but now her
+lonely mamma discovered how good and affectionate a chicken she was, for
+Blot was a great comfort to her, never running away or disobeying in any
+way, but always close to her side, ready to creep under her wing, or
+bring her a plump bug when the poor biddy's appetite failed her. They
+were very happy together till Thanksgiving drew near, when a dreadful
+pestilence seemed to sweep through the farm-yard; for turkeys, hens,
+ducks, and geese fell a prey to it, and were seen by their surviving
+relatives featherless, pale, and stiff, borne away to some unknown place
+whence no fowl returned. Blot was waked one night by a great cackling
+and fluttering in the hen-house, and peeping down from her perch saw a
+great hand glide along the roost, clutch her beloved mother by the leg,
+and pull her off, screaming dolefully, 'Good-by, good-by, my darling
+child!'
+
+Aunt Cockletop pecked and croaked fiercely; but, tough as she was, the
+old biddy did not escape, and many another amiable hen and gallant
+cockadoodle fell a victim to that mysterious hand. In the morning few
+remained, and Blot felt that she was a forlorn orphan, a thought which
+caused her to sit with her head under her wing for several hours,
+brooding over her sad lot, and longing to join her family in some safe
+and happy land, where fowls live in peace. She had her wish very soon,
+for one day, when the first snowflakes began to flutter out of the cold
+gray sky, Blot saw a little kitten mewing pitifully as it sat under the
+fence.
+
+'What is the matter, dear?' asked kind Blot.
+
+'I'm lost, and I can't find my way home,' answered the kitten, shivering
+with cold. 'I live at the red farm-house over the hill, only I don't
+know which road to take.'
+
+'I'll show you. Come at once, for night is coming on, and the snow will
+soon be too deep for us,' said Blot.
+
+So away they went, as fast as their small legs could carry them; but it
+was a long way, and dusk came on before the red farm-house appeared.
+
+'Now I'm safe; thank you very much. Won't you come in, and stay all
+night? My mother will be glad to see you,' said the kit rubbing her soft
+white face against Blot's little black breast.
+
+'It's against the rule to stay out all night, and I promised to be in
+early; so, good-by, dear.' And off trotted Blot along the snowy road,
+hoping to get home before the hen-house door was shut. Faster and faster
+fell the snow darker and darker grew the night, and colder and colder
+became poor Blot's little feet as she waded through the drifts. The
+firelight was shining out into the gloom, as the half-frozen chicken
+came into the yard, to find all doors shut, and no shelter left for her
+but the bough of a leafless tree. Too stiff and weak to fly up, she
+crept as close as possible to the bright glow which shone across the
+door-step, and with a shiver put her little head under her wing, trying
+to forget hunger, weariness, and the bitter cold, and wait patiently for
+morning. But when morning came, little Blot lay frozen stiff under a
+coverlet of snow: and the tender-hearted children sighed as they dug a
+grave for the last of the unfortunate family of the Clucks.
+
+
+
+
+_A CURIOUS CALL._
+
+
+I have often wondered what the various statues standing about the city
+think of all day, and what criticisms they would make upon us and our
+doings, if they could speak. I frequently stop and stare at them,
+wondering if they don't feel lonely; if they wouldn't be glad of a nod
+as we go by; and I always long to offer my umbrella to shield their
+uncovered heads on a rainy day, especially to good Ben Franklin, when
+the snow lies white on his benevolent forehead. I was always fond of
+this old gentleman; and one of my favourite stories when a little girl,
+was that of his early life, and the time when he was so poor he walked
+about Philadelphia with a roll of bread under each arm, eating a third
+as he went. I never pass without giving him a respectful look, and
+wishing he could know how grateful I am for all he had done in the
+printing line; for, without types and presses, where would the books be?
+
+Well, I never imagined that he understood why the tall woman in the big
+bonnet stared at him; but he did, and he liked it, and managed to let me
+know it in a very curious manner, as you shall hear.
+
+As I look out, the first thing I see is the great gilt eagle on the
+City-Hall dome. There he sits, with open wings, all day long, looking
+down on the people, who must appear like ants scampering busily to and
+fro about an ant-hill. The sun shines on him splendidly in the morning;
+the gay flag waves and rustles in the wind above him sometimes; and the
+moonlight turns him to silver when she comes glittering up the sky.
+When it rains he never shakes his feathers; snow beats on him without
+disturbing his stately repose; and he never puts his head under his wing
+at night, but keeps guard in darkness as in day, like a faithful
+sentinel. I like the big, lonely bird, call him my particular fowl, and
+often wish he'd turn his head and speak to me. One night he did actually
+do it, or seemed to; for I've never been able to decide whether I
+dreamed what I'm going to tell you, or whether it really happened.
+
+It was a stormy night! and, as I drew down my curtain, I said to myself,
+after peering through the driving snow to catch a glimpse of my
+neighbour, 'Poor Goldy! he'll have a rough time of it. I hope this
+northeaster won't blow him off his perch.' Then I sat down by my fire,
+took my knitting, and began to meditate. I'm sure I didn't fall asleep;
+but I can't prove it, so we'll say no more about it. All at once there
+came a tap at my door, as I thought; and I said 'Come in,' just as Mr.
+Poe did when that unpleasant raven paid him a call. No one came, so I
+went to see who it was. Not a sign of a human soul in the long hall,
+only little Jessie, the poodle, asleep on her mat. Down I sat; but in a
+minute the tap came again; this time so loud that I knew it was at the
+window, and went to open it, thinking that one of my doves wanted to
+come in perhaps. Up went the sash, and in bounced something so big and
+so bright that it dazzled and scared me.
+
+'Don't be frightened, ma'am; it's only me,' said a hoarse voice. So I
+collected my wits, rubbed my eyes, and looked at my visitor. It was the
+gold eagle off the City Hall! I don't expect to be believed; but I wish
+you'd been here to see, for I give you my word, it was a sight to
+behold. How he ever got in at such a small window I can't tell; but
+there he was, strutting majestically up and down the room, his golden
+plumage rustling, and his keen eyes flashing as he walked. I really
+didn't know what to do. I couldn't imagine what he came for; I had my
+doubts about the propriety of offering him a chair; and he was so much
+bigger than I expected that I was afraid he might fly away with me, as
+the roc did with Sindbad: so I did nothing but sidle to the door, ready
+to whisk out, if my strange guest appeared to be peckishly inclined. My
+respectful silence seemed to suit him; for, after a turn or two, he
+paused, nodded gravely, and said affably, 'Good-evening, ma'am. I
+stepped over to bring you old Ben's respects, and to see how you were
+getting on.'
+
+'I'm very much obliged, sir. May I inquire who Mr. Old-Ben is? I'm
+afraid I haven't the honour of his acquaintance.'
+
+'Yes, you have; it's Ben Franklin, of City-Hall yard. You know him; and
+he wished me to thank you for your interest in him.'
+
+'Dear me! how very odd! Will you sit down, sir?'
+
+'Never sit! I'll perch here;' and the great fowl took his accustomed
+attitude just in front of the fire, looking so very splendid that I
+couldn't keep my eyes off of him.
+
+'Ah! you often do that. Never mind; I rather like it,' said the eagle,
+graciously, as he turned his brilliant eye upon me. I was rather
+abashed; but being very curious, I ventured to ask a few questions, as
+he seemed in a friendly mood.
+
+'Being a woman, sir, I'm naturally of an inquiring turn; and I must
+confess that I have a strong desire to know how it happens that you
+take your walks abroad, when you are supposed to be permanently engaged
+at home?'
+
+He shrugged his shoulders, and actually winked at me, as he replied,
+'That's all people know of what goes on under, or rather over, their
+noses. Bless you, ma'am! I leave my roost every night, and enjoy myself
+in all sorts of larks. Excuse the expression; but, being ornithological,
+it is more proper for me than for some people who use it.'
+
+'What a gay old bird!' thought I, feeling quite at home after that.
+'Please tell me what you do, when the shades of evening prevail, and you
+go out for a frolic?'
+
+'I am a gentleman; therefore I behave myself,' returned the eagle; with
+a stately air. 'I must confess, I smoke a great deal: but that's not my
+fault, it's the fault of the chimneys. They keep it up all day, and I
+have to take it; just as you poor ladies have to take cigar smoke,
+whether you like it or not. My amusements are of a wholesome kind. I
+usually begin by taking a long flight down the harbour, for a look at
+the lighthouses, the islands, the shipping, and the sea. My friends, the
+gulls, bring their reports to me; for they are the harbour-police, and I
+take notes of their doings. The school-ship is an object of interest to
+me, and I often perch on the mast-head, to see how the lads are getting
+on. Then I take a turn over the city, gossip with the weathercocks, pay
+my compliments to the bells, inspect the fire-alarm, and pick up
+information by listening at the telegraph wires. People often talk about
+"a little bird" who spreads news; but they don't know how that figure of
+speech originated. It is the sparrows sitting on the wires, who receive
+the electric shock, and, being hollow-boned, the news go straight to
+their heads; they then fly about, chirping it on the housetops, and the
+air carries it everywhere. That's the way rumours rise and news spread.'
+
+'If you'll allow, I'll make a note of that interesting fact,' said I,
+wondering if I might believe him. He appeared to fall into a reverie
+while I jotted down the sparrow story, and it occurred to me that
+perhaps I ought to offer my distinguished guest some refreshment; but,
+when I modestly alluded to it, he said, with an aldermanic air, 'No,
+thank you; I've just dined at the Parker House.'
+
+Now, I really could _not_ swallow that; and so plainly betrayed my
+incredulity, that the eagle explained. 'The savoury smells which rise to
+my nostrils from that excellent hotel, with an occasional sniff from the
+Tremont, are quite sufficient to satisfy my appetite; for, having no
+stomach, I don't need much food, and I drink nothing but water.'
+
+'I wish others would follow your example in that latter habit,' said I,
+respectfully, for I was beginning to see that there was something in my
+bird, though he _was_ hollow. 'Will you allow me to ask if the other
+statues in the city fly by night?'
+
+'They promenade in the parks; and occasionally have social gatherings,
+when they discuss politics, education, medicine, or any of the subjects
+in which they are interested. Ah! we have grand times when you are all
+asleep. It quite repays me for being obliged to make an owl of myself.'
+
+'Do the statues come from the shops to these parties?' I asked,
+resolving to take a late walk the next moonlight night.
+
+'Sometimes; but they get lazy and delicate, living in close, warm
+places. We laugh at cold and bad weather, and are so strong and hearty
+that I shouldn't be surprised if I saw Webster and Everett flying round
+the Common on the new-fashioned velocipedes, for they believed in
+exercise. Goethe and Schiller often step over from De Vries's window, to
+flirt with the goddesses, who come down from their niches on
+Horticultural Hall. Nice, robust young women are Pomona and Flora. If
+your niminy-piminy girls could see them run, they would stop tilting
+through the streets, and learn that the true Grecian Bend is the line of
+beauty always found in straight shoulders, well-opened chest, and an
+upright figure, firmly planted on active feet.'
+
+'In your rambles don't you find a great deal of misery?' said I, to
+change the subject, for he was evidently old-fashioned in his notions.
+
+'Many sad sights!' And he shook his head with a sigh; then added,
+briskly, 'But there is a deal of charity in our city, and it does its
+work beautifully. By the by, I heard of a very sweet charity the other
+day,--a church whose Sunday school is open to all the poor children who
+will come; and there, in pleasant rooms, with books, pictures, kindly
+teachers, and a fatherly minister to welcome them, the poor little
+creatures find refreshment for their hungry souls. I like that; it's a
+lovely illustration of the text, "Suffer little children to come unto
+me;" and _I_ call it practical Christianity.'
+
+He did like it, my benevolent old bird; for he rustled his great wings,
+as if he wanted to clap them, if there had only been room; and every
+feather shone as if a clearer light than that of my little fire had
+fallen on it as he spoke.
+
+'You are a literary woman, hey?' he said suddenly, as if he'd got a new
+idea, and was going to pounce upon me with it.
+
+'Ahem! I do a little in that line,' I answered, with a modest cough.
+
+'Then tell people about that place; write some stories for the children;
+go and help teach them; do something, and make others do what they can
+to increase the sabbath sunshine that brightens one day in the week for
+the poor babies who live in shady places.'
+
+'I should be glad to do my best; and, if I'd known before'--I began.
+
+'You might have known, if you'd looked about you. People are so wrapt up
+in their own affairs they don't do half they might. Now, then, hand me a
+bit of paper, and I'll give you the address, so you won't have any
+excuse for forgetting what I tell you.'
+
+'Mercy on us; what will he do next?' thought I, as he tweaked a feather
+out of his breast, gave the nib a peck, and then coolly wrote these
+words on the card I handed him: '_Church of the Disciples. Knock and it
+shall be opened!_' There it was, in letters of gold; and, while I looked
+at it, feeling reproached that I hadn't known it sooner, my friend,--he
+didn't seem a stranger any more,--said in a business-like tone, as he
+put back his pen, 'Now I must be off. Old Ben reads an article on the
+"Abuses of the Press at the present day," and I must be there to
+report.'
+
+'It must be very interesting. I suppose you don't allow mortals at your
+meetings?' said I, burning to go, in spite of the storm.
+
+'No, ma'am. We meet on the Common; and, in the present state of the
+weather, I don't think flesh and blood would stand it. Bronze, marble,
+and wood are sterner stuff, and can defy the elements.'
+
+'Good evening; pray, call again,' I said, hospitably.
+
+'I will; your eyrie suits me: but don't expect me to call in the
+daytime. I'm on duty then, and can't take my eye off my charge. The city
+needs a deal of watching, my dear. Bless me! it's striking eight. Your
+watch is seven minutes slow by the Old South. Good-night, good-night!'
+
+And as I opened the window, the great bird soared away like a flash of
+light through the storm, leaving me so astonished at the whole
+performance that I haven't got over it yet.
+
+
+
+
+_TILLY'S CHRISTMAS._
+
+
+'I'm so glad to-morrow is Christmas, because I'm going to have lots of
+presents.'
+
+'So am I glad, though I don't expect any presents but a pair of
+mittens.'
+
+'And so am I; but I shan't have any presents at all.'
+
+As the three little girls trudged home from school they said these
+things, and as Tilly spoke, both the others looked at her with pity and
+some surprise, for she spoke cheerfully, and they wondered how she could
+be happy when she was so poor she could have no presents on Christmas.
+
+'Don't you wish you could find a purse full of money right here in the
+path?' said Kate, the child who was going to have 'lots of presents.'
+
+'Oh, don't I, if I could keep it honestly!' and Tilly's eyes shone at
+the very thought.
+
+'What would you buy?' asked Bessy, rubbing her cold hands, and longing
+for her mittens.
+
+'I'd buy a pair of large, warm blankets, a load of wood, a shawl for
+mother, and a pair of shoes for me; and if there was enough left, I'd
+give Bessy a new hat, and then she needn't wear Ben's old felt one,'
+answered Tilly.
+
+The girls laughed at that; but Bessy pulled the funny hat over her ears,
+and said she was much obliged but she'd rather have candy.
+
+'Let's look, and maybe we _can_ find a purse. People are always going
+about with money at Christmas time, and some one may lose it here,' said
+Kate.
+
+So, as they went along the snowy road, they looked about them, half in
+earnest, half in fun. Suddenly Tilly sprang forward, exclaiming,--
+
+'I see it! I've found it!'
+
+The others followed, but all stopped disappointed; for it wasn't a
+purse, it was only a little bird. It lay upon the snow with its wings
+spread and feebly fluttering, as if too weak to fly. Its little feet
+were benumbed with cold; its once bright eyes were dull with pain, and
+instead of a blithe song, it could only utter a faint chirp, now and
+then, as if crying for help.
+
+'Nothing but a stupid old robin; how provoking!' cried Kate, sitting
+down to rest.
+
+'I shan't touch it. I found one once, and took care of it, and the
+ungrateful thing flew away the minute it was well,' said Bessy, creeping
+under Kate's shawl, and putting her hands under her chin to warm them.
+
+'Poor little birdie! How pitiful he looks, and how glad he must be to
+see some one coming to help him! I'll take him up gently, and carry him
+home to mother. Don't be frightened, dear, I'm your friend;' and Tilly
+knelt down in the snow, stretching her hand to the bird, with the
+tenderest pity in her face.
+
+Kate and Bessy laughed.
+
+'Don't stop for that thing; it's getting late and cold: let's go on and
+look for the purse,' they said moving away.
+
+'You wouldn't leave it to die!' cried Tilly. 'I'd rather have the bird
+than the money, so I shan't look any more. The purse wouldn't be mine,
+and I should only be tempted to keep it; but this poor thing will thank
+and love me, and I'm _so_ glad I came in time.'
+
+Gently lifting the bird, Tilly felt its tiny cold claws cling to her
+hand, and saw its dim eyes brighten as it nestled down with a grateful
+chirp.
+
+'Now I've got a Christmas present after all,' she said, smiling, as they
+walked on. 'I always wanted a bird, and this one will be such a pretty
+pet for me.'
+
+'He'll fly away the first chance he gets, and die anyhow; so you'd
+better not waste your time over him,' said Bessy.
+
+'He can't pay you for taking care of him, and my mother says it isn't
+worth while to help folks that can't help us,' added Kate.
+
+'My mother says, "Do as you'd be done by;" and I'm sure I'd like any one
+to help me if I was dying of cold and hunger. "Love your neighbour as
+yourself," is another of her sayings. This bird is my little neighbour,
+and I'll love him and care for him, as I often wish our rich neighbour
+would love and care for us,' answered Tilly, breathing her warm breath
+over the benumbed bird, who looked up at her with confiding eyes, quick
+to feel and know a friend.
+
+'What a funny girl you are,' said Kate; 'caring for that silly bird, and
+talking about loving your neighbour in that sober way. Mr. King don't
+care a bit for you, and never will, though he knows how poor you are; so
+I don't think your plan amounts to much.'
+
+'I believe it, though; and shall do my part, any way. Good-night. I hope
+you'll have a merry Christmas, and lots of pretty things,' answered
+Tilly, as they parted.
+
+Her eyes were full, and she felt so poor as she went on alone toward the
+little old house where she lived. It would have been so pleasant to know
+that she was going to have some of the pretty things all children love
+to find in their full stockings on Christmas morning. And pleasanter
+still to have been able to give her mother something nice. So many
+comforts were needed, and there was no hope of getting them; for they
+could barely get food and fire.
+
+'Never mind, birdie, we'll make the best of what we have, and be merry
+in spite of every thing. _You_ shall have a happy Christmas, any way;
+and I know God won't forget us if every one else does.'
+
+She stopped a minute to wipe her eyes, and lean her cheek against the
+bird's soft breast, finding great comfort in the little creature, though
+it could only love her, nothing more.
+
+'See, mother, what a nice present I've found,' she cried, going in with
+a cheery face that was like sunshine in the dark room.
+
+'I'm glad of that, dearie; for I haven't been able to get my little girl
+anything but a rosy apple. Poor bird! Give it some of your warm bread
+and milk.'
+
+'Why, mother, what a big bowlful! I'm afraid you gave me all the milk,'
+said Tilly, smiling over the nice, steaming supper that stood ready for
+her.
+
+'I've had plenty, dear. Sit down and dry your wet feet, and put the bird
+in my basket on this warm flannel.'
+
+Tilly peeped into the closet and saw nothing there but dry bread.
+
+'Mother's given me all the milk, and is going without her tea, 'cause
+she knows I'm hungry. Now I'll surprise her, and she shall have a good
+supper too. She is going to split wood, and I'll fix it while she's
+gone.'
+
+So Tilly put down the old tea-pot, carefully poured out a part of the
+milk, and from her pocket produced a great, plummy bun, that one of the
+school-children had given her, and she had saved for her mother. A slice
+of the dry bread was nicely toasted, and the bit of butter set by for
+her put on it. When her mother came in there was the table drawn up in a
+warm place, a hot cup of tea ready, and Tilly and birdie waiting for
+her.
+
+Such a poor little supper, and yet such a happy one; for love, charity,
+and contentment were guests there, and that Christmas eve was a blither
+one than that up at the great house, where lights shone, fires blazed, a
+great tree glittered, and music sounded, as the children danced and
+played.
+
+'We must go to bed early, for we've only wood enough to last over
+to-morrow. I shall be paid for my work the day after, and then we can
+get some,' said Tilly's mother, as they sat by the fire.
+
+'If my bird was only a fairy bird, and would give us three wishes, how
+nice it would be! Poor dear, he can't give me any thing; but it's no
+matter,' answered Tilly, looking at the robin, who lay in the basket
+with his head under his wing, a mere little feathery bunch.
+
+'He can give you one thing, Tilly,--the pleasure of doing good. That is
+one of the sweetest things in life; and the poor can enjoy it as well as
+the rich.'
+
+As her mother spoke, with her tired hand softly stroking her little
+daughter's hair, Tilly suddenly started and pointed to the window,
+saying, in a frightened whisper,--
+
+'I saw a face,--a man's face, looking in! It's gone now; but I truly saw
+it.'
+
+'Some traveller attracted by the light perhaps. I'll go and see.' And
+Tilly's mother went to the door.
+
+No one was there. The wind blew cold, the stars shone, the snow lay
+white on field and wood, and the Christmas moon was glittering in the
+sky.
+
+'What sort of a face was it?' asked Tilly's mother, coming back.
+
+'A pleasant sort of face, I think; but I was so startled I don't quite
+know what it was like. I wish we had a curtain there,' said Tilly.
+
+'I like to have our light shine out in the evening, for the road is dark
+and lonely just here, and the twinkle of our lamp is pleasant to
+people's eyes as they go by. We can do so little for our neighbours, I
+am glad to cheer the way for them. Now put these poor old shoes to dry,
+and go to bed, dearie; I'll come soon.'
+
+Tilly went, taking her bird with her to sleep in his basket near by,
+lest he should be lonely in the night.
+
+Soon the little house was dark and still, and no one saw the Christmas
+spirits at their work that night.
+
+When Tilly opened the door next morning, she gave a loud cry, clapped
+her hands, and then stood still; quite speechless with wonder and
+delight. There, before the door, lay a great pile of wood, all ready to
+burn, a big bundle and a basket, with a lovely nosegay of winter roses,
+holly, and evergreen tied to the handle.
+
+'Oh, mother! did the fairies do it?' cried Tilly, pale with her
+happiness, as she seized the basket, while her mother took in the
+bundle.
+
+'Yes, dear, the best and dearest fairy in the world, called "Charity."
+She walks abroad at Christmas time, does beautiful deeds like this, and
+does not stay to be thanked,' answered her mother with full eyes, as she
+undid the parcel.
+
+There they were,--the warm, thick blankets, the comfortable shawls, the
+new shoes, and, best of all, a pretty winter hat for Bessy. The basket
+was full of good things to eat, and on the flowers lay a paper,
+saying,--
+
+'For the little girl who loves her neighbour as herself.'
+
+'Mother, I really think my bird is a fairy bird, and all these splendid
+things come from him,' said Tilly, laughing and crying with joy.
+
+It really did seem so, for as she spoke, the robin flew to the table,
+hopped to the nosegay, and perching among the roses, began to chirp with
+all his little might. The sun streamed in on flowers, bird, and happy
+child, and no one saw a shadow glide away from the window; no one ever
+knew that Mr. King had seen and heard the little girls the night before,
+or dreamed that the rich neighbour had learned a lesson from the poor
+neighbour.
+
+And Tilly's bird _was_ a fairy bird; for by her love and tenderness to
+the helpless thing, she brought good gifts to herself, happiness to the
+unknown giver of them, and a faithful little friend who did not fly
+away, but stayed with her till the snow was gone, making summer for her
+in the winter-time.
+
+
+
+
+_MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN._
+
+
+No one would have thought of calling him so, this ragged, barefooted,
+freckle-faced Jack, who spent his days carrying market-baskets for the
+butcher, or clean clothes for Mrs. Quinn, selling chips, or grubbing in
+the ash-heaps for cinders. But he was honestly earning his living, doing
+his duty as well as he knew how, and serving those poorer and more
+helpless than himself, and that is being a gentleman in the best sense
+of that fine old word. He had no home but Mrs. Quinn's garret; and for
+this he paid by carrying the bundles and getting the cinders for her
+fire. Food and clothes he picked up as he could; and his only friend was
+little Nanny. Her mother had been kind to him when the death of his
+father left him all alone in the world; and when she, too, passed away,
+the boy tried to show his gratitude by comforting the little girl, who
+thought there was no one in the world like her Jack.
+
+Old Mrs. Quinn took care of her, waiting till she was strong enough to
+work for herself; but Nanny had been sick, and still sat about, a pale,
+little shadow of her former self, with a white film slowly coming over
+her pretty blue eyes. This was Jack's great trouble, and he couldn't
+whistle it away as he did his own worries; for he was a cheery lad, and
+when the baskets were heavy, the way long, the weather bitter cold, his
+poor clothes in rags, or his stomach empty, he just whistled, and
+somehow things seemed to get right. But the day he carried Nanny the
+first dandelions, and she felt of them, instead of looking at them, as
+she said, with such pathetic patience in her little face, 'I don't see
+'em; but I know they're pretty, and I like 'em lots,' Jack felt as if
+the blithe spring sunshine was all spoiled; and when he tried to cheer
+himself up with a good whistle, his lips trembled so they wouldn't
+pucker.
+
+'The poor dear's eyes could be cured, I ain't a doubt; but it would take
+a sight of money, and who's agoing to pay it?' said Mrs. Quinn,
+scrubbing away at her tub.
+
+'How much money?' asked Jack.
+
+'A hundred dollars, I dare say. Dr. Wilkinson's cook told me once that
+he done something to a lady's eyes, and asked a thousand dollars for
+it.'
+
+Jack sighed a long, hopeless sigh, and went away to fill the
+water-pails; but he remembered the doctor's name, and began to wonder
+how many years it would take to earn a hundred dollars.
+
+Nanny was very patient; but, by and by, Mrs. Quinn began to talk about
+sending her to some almshouse, for she was too poor to be burdened with
+a helpless child. The fear of this nearly broke Jack's heart; and he
+went about with such an anxious face that it was a mercy Nanny did not
+see it. Jack was only twelve, but he had a hard load to carry just then;
+for the thought of his little friend, doomed to lifelong darkness for
+want of a little money, tempted him to steal more than once, and gave
+him the first fierce, bitter feeling against those better off than he.
+When he carried nice dinners to the great houses and saw the plenty that
+prevailed there, he couldn't help feeling that it wasn't fair for some
+to have so much, and others so little. When he saw pretty children
+playing in the park, or driving with their mothers, so gay, so well
+cared for, so tenderly loved, the poor boy's eyes would fill to think of
+poor little Nanny, with no friend in the world but himself, and he so
+powerless to help her.
+
+When he one day mustered courage to ring at the great doctor's bell,
+begging to see him a minute, and the servant answered, gruffly, as he
+shut the door, 'Go along! he can't be bothered with the like of you!'
+Jack clenched his hands hard as he went down the steps, and said to
+himself, with a most unboyish tone, 'I'll get the money somehow, and
+_make_ him let me in!'
+
+He did get it, and in a most unexpected way; but he never forgot the
+desperate feeling that came to him that day, and all his life long he
+was very tender to people who were tempted in their times of trouble,
+and yielded, as he was saved from doing, by what seemed an accident.
+
+Some days after his attempt at the doctor's, as he was grubbing in a
+newly-deposited ash-heap, with the bitter feeling very bad, and the
+trouble very heavy, he found a dirty old pocket-book, and put it in his
+bosom without stopping to examine it; for many boys and girls were
+scratching, like a brood of chickens, all round him, and the pickings
+were unusually good, so no time must be lost. 'Findings is havings' was
+one of the laws of the ash-heap haunters; and no one thought of
+disputing another's right to the spoons and knives that occasionally
+found their way into the ash-barrels; while bottles, old shoes, rags,
+and paper, were regular articles of traffic among them. Jack got a good
+basketful that day; and when the hurry was over sat down to rest and
+clear the dirt off his face with an old silk duster which he had picked
+out of the rubbish, thinking Mrs. Quinn might wash it up for a
+handkerchief. But he didn't wipe his dirty face that day; for, with the
+rag, out tumbled a pocket-book; and on opening it he saw--money. Yes; a
+roll of bills with two figures on all of them,--three tens and one
+twenty. It took his breath away for a minute; then he hugged the old
+book tight in both his grimy hands, and rocked to and fro all in a heap
+among the oyster-shells and rusty tin kettles, saying to himself, with
+tears running down his cheeks, 'O Nanny! O Nanny! now I can do it!'
+
+I don't think a basket of cinders ever travelled at such a rate before
+as Mrs. Quinn's did that day; for Jack tore home at a great pace, and
+burst into the room, waving the old duster, and shouting, 'Hooray! I've
+got it! I've got it!'
+
+It is no wonder Mrs. Quinn thought he had lost his wits; for he looked
+like a wild boy, with his face all streaked with tears and red ashes,
+as he danced a double-shuffle till he was breathless, then showered the
+money into Nanny's lap, and hugged her with another 'Hooray!' which
+ended in a choke. When they got him quiet and heard the story, Mrs.
+Quinn rather damped his joy, by telling him the money wasn't his, and he
+ought to advertise it.
+
+'But I want it for Nanny!' cried Jack; 'and how can I ever find who owns
+it, when there was ever so many barrels emptied in that heap, and no one
+knows where they came from?'
+
+'It's very like you won't find the owner, and you can do as you please;
+but it's honest to try, I'm thinking, for some poor girl may have lost
+her earnin's this way, and we wouldn't like that ourselves,' said Mrs.
+Quinn, turning over the shabby pocket-book, and carefully searching for
+some clue to its owner.
+
+Nanny looked very sober, and Jack grabbed up the money as if it were too
+precious to lose. But he wasn't comfortable about it; and after a hard
+fight with himself he consented to let Mrs. Quinn ask their policeman
+what they should do. He was a kindly man; and when he heard the story,
+said he'd do what was right, and if he couldn't find an owner, Jack
+should have the fifty dollars back.
+
+How hard it was to wait! how Jack thought and dreamed of his money, day
+and night! How Nanny ran to the door to listen when a heavy step came up
+the stairs! and how wistfully the poor darkened eyes turned to the light
+which they longed to see again.
+
+Honest John Floyd did his duty, but he didn't find the owner; so the old
+purse came back at last, and now Jack could keep it with a clear
+conscience. Nanny was asleep when it happened; and as they sat counting
+the dingy bills, Mrs. Quinn said to the boy, 'Jack, you'd better keep
+this for yourself. I doubt if it's enough to do the child any good; and
+you need clothes and shoes, and a heap of things, let alone the books
+you hanker after so much. It ain't likely you'll ever find another
+wallet. It's all luck about Nanny's eyes; and maybe you are only
+throwing away a chance you'll never have again.'
+
+Jack leaned his head on his arms and stared at the money, all spread out
+there, and looking so magnificent to him that it seemed as if it could
+buy half the world. He did need clothes; his hearty boy's appetite did
+long for better food; and, oh! how splendid it would be to go and buy
+the books he had wanted so long,--the books that would give him a taste
+of the knowledge which was more enticing to his wide-awake young mind
+than clothes and food to his poor little body. It wasn't an easy thing
+to do; but he was so used to making small sacrifices that the great one
+was less hard; and when he had brooded over the money a few minutes in
+thoughtful silence, his eye went from the precious bits of paper to the
+dear little face in the trundle-bed, and he said, with a decided nod,
+'I'll give Nanny the chance, and work for my things, or go without 'em.'
+
+Mrs. Quinn was a matter-of-fact body; but her hard old face softened
+when he said that, and she kissed him good-night almost as gently as if
+she'd been his mother.
+
+Next day, Jack presented himself at Dr. Wilkinson's door, with the money
+in one hand and Nanny in the other, saying boldly to the gruff servant,
+'I want to see the doctor. I can pay; so you'd better let me in.'
+
+I'm afraid cross Thomas would have shut the door in the boy's face
+again, if it had not been for the little blind girl, who looked up at
+him so imploringly that he couldn't resist the mute appeal.
+
+'The doctor's going out; but maybe he'll see you a minute;' and with
+that he led them into a room where stood a tall man putting on his
+gloves.
+
+Jack was a modest boy; but he was so afraid that Nanny would lose her
+chance, that he forgot himself, and told the little story as fast as he
+could--told it well, too, I fancy; for the doctor listened attentively,
+his eye going from the boy's eager, flushed face, to the pale patient
+one beside him, as if the two little figures, shabby though they were,
+illustrated the story better than the finest artist could have done.
+When Jack ended, the doctor sat Nanny on his knee, gently lifted up the
+half-shut eyelids, and after examining the film a minute, stroked her
+pretty hair, and said so kindly that she nestled her little hand
+confidingly into his, 'I think I can help you, my dear. Tell me where
+you live, and I'll attend to it at once, for it's high time something
+was done.'
+
+Jack told him, adding, with a manly air, as he showed the money, 'I can
+pay you, sir, if fifty dollars is enough.'
+
+'Quite enough,' said the doctor, with a droll smile.
+
+'If it isn't, I'll work for the rest, if you'll trust me. Please save
+Nanny's eyes, and I'll do any thing to pay you!' cried Jack, getting red
+and choky in his earnestness.
+
+The doctor stopped smiling, and held out his hand in a grave,
+respectful way, as he said, 'I'll trust you, my boy. We'll cure Nanny
+first; and you and I will settle the bill afterward.'
+
+Jack liked that; it was a gentlemanly way of doing things, and he showed
+his satisfaction by smiling all over his face, and giving the big, white
+hand a hearty shake with both his rough ones.
+
+The doctor was a busy man; but he kept them some time, for there were no
+children in the fine house, and it seemed pleasant to have a little girl
+sit on his knee and a bright boy stand beside his chair; and when, at
+last, they went away, they looked as if he had given them some magic
+medicine, which made them forget every trouble they had ever known.
+
+Next day the kind man came to give Nanny her chance. She had no doubt,
+and very little fear, but looked up at him so confidingly when all was
+ready, that he stooped down and kissed her softly before he touched her
+eyes.
+
+'Let Jack hold my hands; then I'll be still, and not mind if it hurts
+me,' she said. So Jack, pale with anxiety, knelt down before her, and
+kept the little hands steadily in his all through the minutes that
+seemed so long to him.
+
+'What do you see, my child?' asked the doctor, when he had done
+something to both eyes with a quick, skilful hand.
+
+Nanny leaned forward, with the film all gone, and answered, with a
+little cry of joy, that went to the hearts of those who heard it,
+'Jack's face! I see it! oh, I see it!'
+
+Only a freckled, round face, with wet eyes and tightly-set lips; but to
+Nanny it was as beautiful as the face of an angel; and when she was laid
+away with bandaged eyes to rest, it haunted all her dreams, for it was
+the face of the little friend who loved her best.
+
+Nanny's chance was _not_ a failure; and when she saw the next dandelions
+he brought her, all the sunshine came back into the world brighter than
+ever for Jack. Well might it seem so; for his fifty dollars bought him
+many things that money seldom buys. The doctor wouldn't take it at
+first; but when Jack said, in the manful tone the doctor liked although
+it made him smile, 'It was a bargain, sir. I wish to pay my debts; and I
+shan't feel happy if Nanny don't have it _all_ for her eyes. Please do!
+I'd rather,'--then he took it; and Nanny did have it, not only for her
+eyes, but in clothes and food and care, many times over; for it was
+invested in a bank that pays good interest on every mite so given.
+
+Jack discovered that fifty dollars was far less than most people would
+have had to pay, and begged earnestly to be allowed to work for the
+rest. The doctor agreed to this, and Jack became his errand-boy, serving
+with a willingness that made a pleasure of duty; soon finding that many
+comforts quietly got into his life; that much help was given without
+words; and that the days of hunger and rags, heavy burdens and dusty
+ash-heaps, were gone by for ever.
+
+The happiest hours of Jack's day were spent in the doctor's chaise, when
+he made his round of visits; for while he waited, the boy studied or
+read, and while they drove hither and thither, the doctor talked with
+him, finding an eager mind as well as a tender heart and a brave spirit
+under the rough jacket of his little serving-man. But he never called
+him that; for remembering the cheerfulness, self-denial, honesty, and
+loyalty to those he loved, shown by the boy, the good doctor proved his
+respect for the virtues all men should covet, wherever they are found,
+and always spoke of Jack with a smile, as 'My Little Gentleman.'
+
+
+
+
+_BACK WINDOWS._
+
+
+As I sit working at my back window, I look out on a long row of other
+people's back windows; and it is quite impossible for me to help seeing
+and being interested in my neighbours. There are a good many children in
+those houses; and though I don't know one of their names, I know them a
+great deal better than they think I do. I never spoke a word to any of
+them, and never expect to do so; yet I have my likes and dislikes among
+them, and could tell them things that they have said and done, which
+would astonish them very much, I assure you.
+
+First, the babies,--for there are three: the aristocratic baby, the
+happy-go-lucky baby, and the forlorn baby. The aristocratic baby lives
+in a fine, well-furnished room, has a pretty little mamma, who wears
+white gowns, and pink ribbons in her cap; likewise, a fond young papa,
+who evidently thinks _this_ the most wonderful baby in Boston. There is
+a stout, motherly lady, who is the grandma, I fancy, for she is always
+hovering about 'the dear' with cups, blankets, or a gorgeous red worsted
+bird to amuse it. Baby is a plump, rosy, sweet-faced little creature,
+always smiling and kissing its hand to the world in general. In its
+pretty white frocks, with its own little pink or blue ribbons, and its
+young mamma proudly holding it up to see and be seen, my aristocratic
+neighbour has an easy life of it, and is evidently one of the little
+lilies who do nothing but blossom in the sunshine.
+
+The happy-go-lucky baby is just able to toddle; and I seldom pull up my
+curtain in the morning without seeing him at his window in his yellow
+flannel night-gown, taking a look at the weather. No matter whether it
+rains or shines, there he is, smiling and nodding, and looking so merry,
+that it is evident he has plenty of sunshine bottled up in his own
+little heart for private use. I depend on seeing him, and feel as if the
+world was not right until this golden little sun rises to shine upon me.
+He don't seem to have any one to take care of him, but trots about all
+day, and takes care of himself. Sometimes he is up in the chambers with
+the girl, while she makes beds, and he helps; then he takes a stroll
+into the parlour, and spins the gay curtain-tassels to his heart's
+content; next, he dives into the kitchen (I hope he does not tumble
+downstairs, but I dare say he wouldn't mind if he did), and he gets
+pushed about by all the busy women, as they 'fly round.' I rather think
+it gets too hot for him there about dinner-time; for he often comes out
+into the yard for a walk at noon, and seems to find endless wonders and
+delights in the ash barrel, the water-but, two old flower-pots, and a
+little grass plat, in which he plants a choice variety of articles, in
+the firm faith they will come up in full bloom. I hope the big spoon and
+his own red shoe _will_ sprout and appear before any trouble is made
+about their mysterious disappearance. At night I see a little shadow
+bobbing about on the curtain, and watch it, till with a parting glimpse
+at a sleepy face at the window, my small sun sets, and I leave him to
+his dreams.
+
+The forlorn baby roars all day, and I don't blame him; for he is
+trotted, shaken, spanked, and scolded by a very cross nurse, who treats
+him like a meal bag. I pity that little neighbour, and don't believe he
+will stand it long; for I see him double up his tiny fists, and spar
+away at nothing, as if getting ready for a good tussle with the world by
+and by, if he lives to try it.
+
+Then the boys,--bless their buttons!--how amusing they are. One young
+man, aged about ten, keeps hens; and the trials of that boy are really
+pathetic. The biddies get out every day or two, and fly away all over
+the neighbourhood, like feathers when you shake a pillow. They cackle
+and crow, and get up on sheds and fences, and trot down the streets, all
+at once, and that poor fellow spins round after them like a distracted
+top. One by one he gets them and comes lugging them back, upside down,
+in the most undignified attitude, and shuts them up, and hammers away,
+and thinks they are all safe, and sits down to rest, when a triumphant
+crow from some neighbouring shed tells him that that rascally black
+rooster is out again for another promenade. I'm not blood-thirsty; but I
+really do long for Thanksgiving that my neighbour Henry may find rest
+for the sole of his foot; for, not till his poultry are safely eaten
+will he ever know where they are.
+
+Another boy has a circus about once a week, and tries to break his neck
+jumping through hoops, hanging to a rope by his heels, turning
+somersaults in the air, and frightening his mother out of her wits by
+his pranks. I suspect that he has been to see Leotard, and I admire his
+energy, for he is never discouraged; and, after tumbling flat,
+half-a-dozen times, he merely rubs his elbows and knees, and then up and
+takes another.
+
+There is a good, domestic boy, who brushes and curls his three little
+sisters' hair every morning, and must do it very gently, for they seem
+to like it; and I often see them watch at the back gate for him, and
+clap their hands, and run to meet him, sure of being welcomed as little
+sisters like to be met by the big brothers whom they love. I respect
+that virtuous boy.
+
+The naughty boy is very funny; and the running fight he keeps up with
+the cross cook is as good as a farce. He _is_ a torment, but I think she
+could tame him, if she took the right way. The other day she wouldn't
+let him in because she had washed up her kitchen and his boots were
+muddy. He wiped them on the grass, but that wouldn't do; and, after
+going at her with his head down, like a battering ram, he gave it up, or
+seemed to; for, the minute she locked the door behind her and came out
+to take in her clothes, that sly dog whipped up one of the low windows,
+scrambled in, and danced a hornpipe all over the kitchen, while the fat
+cook scolded and fumbled for her key, for _she_ couldn't follow through
+the window. Of course he was off upstairs by the time she got in; but
+I'm afraid he had a shaking, for I saw him glowering fiercely as he came
+out later with a basket, going some 'confounded errand.' Occasionally
+his father brings him out and whips him for some extra bad offence,
+during which performance he howls dismally; but when he is left sitting
+despondently and miraculously on an old chair without any seat, he soon
+cheers up, boos at a strange cat, whistles to his dog,--who is just like
+him,--or falls back on that standing cure for all the ills that boys are
+heir to, and whittles vigorously. I know I ought to frown upon this
+reprehensible young person, and morally close my eyes to his pranks;
+but I really can't do it, and am afraid I find this little black sheep
+the most interesting of the flock.
+
+The girls have tea-parties, make calls, and play mother, of course; and
+the sisters of the good boy have capital times up in a big nursery, with
+such large dollies that I can hardly tell which are the babies and which
+the mammas. One little girl plays about at home with a dirty face,
+tumbled hair, and an old pinafore on. She won't be made tidy, and I see
+her kick and cry when they try to make her neat. Now and then there is a
+great dressing and curling; and then I see her prancing away in her
+light boots, smart hat, and pretty dress, looking as fresh as a daisy.
+But I don't admire her; for I've been behind the scenes, you see, and I
+know that she likes to be fine rather than neat.
+
+So is the girl who torments her kitty, slaps her sister, and runs away
+when her mother tells her not to go out of the yard. But the
+house-wifely little girl who tends the baby, washes the cups, and goes
+to school early with a sunshiny face and kiss all round, _she_, now, is
+a neighbour worth having, and I'd put a good mark against her name if I
+knew it.
+
+I don't know as it would be proper for me to mention the grown-up people
+over the way. They go on very much as the children do; for there is the
+lazy, dandified man, who gets up late, and drinks; the cross man, who
+swears at the shed-door when it won't shut; the fatherly man, who sits
+among his children every evening, and the cheery old man up in the
+attic, who has a flower in his window, and looks out at the world with
+very much the same serene smile as my orange-coloured baby.
+
+The women, too, keep house, make calls, and play mother; and some don't
+do it well either. The forlorn baby's mamma never seems to cuddle and
+comfort him; and some day, when the little fist lies cold and quiet, I'm
+afraid she'll wish she had. Then the naughty boy's mother. I'm very
+sure, if she put her arms round him sometimes, and smoothed that rough
+head of his, and spoke to him as only mothers can speak, that it would
+tame him far better than the scoldings and thrashings: for I know there
+is a true boy's heart, warm and tender, somewhere under the jacket that
+gets dusted so often. As for the fine lady who lets her children do as
+they can, while she trims her bonnet, or makes panniers, I wouldn't be
+introduced to her on any account. But as some might think it was
+unjustifiable curiosity on my part to see these things, and an
+actionable offence to speak of them, I won't mention them.
+
+I sometimes wonder if the kind spirits who feel an interest in mortals
+ever take a look at us on the shady side which we don't show the world,
+seeing the trouble, vanities, and sins which we think no one knows. If
+they love, pity, or condemn us? What records they keep, and what rewards
+they prepare for those who are so busy with their work and play that
+they forget who may be watching their back windows with clearer eyes and
+truer charity than any inquisitive old lady with a pen in her hand?
+
+
+
+
+_LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON._
+
+
+'Here comes our pretty little girl,' I said to Kate, as we sat resting
+on the seat beside the footpath that leads from Dinan on the hill to
+Lehon in the valley.
+
+Yes, there she was, trotting toward us in her round cap, blue woollen
+gown, white apron, and wooden shoes. On her head was a loaf of buckwheat
+bread as big as a small wheel, in one hand a basket full of green stuff,
+while the other led an old goat, who seemed in no hurry to get home. We
+had often seen this rosy, bright-eyed child, had nodded to her, but
+never spoken, for she looked rather shy, and always seemed in haste. Now
+the sight of the goat reminded us of an excuse for addressing her, and
+as she was about to pass with the respectful little curtsey of the
+country, my friend said in French:--
+
+'Stay please. I want to speak to you.' She stopped at once and stood
+looking at us under her long eyelashes in a timid yet confiding way,
+very pretty to see.
+
+'We want to drink goat's milk every morning: can you let us have it,
+little one?'
+
+'Oh, yes, mademoiselle! Nannette gives fine milk, and no one has yet
+engaged her,' answered the child, her whole face brightening at the
+prospect.
+
+'What name have you?'
+
+'Marie Rosier, mademoiselle.'
+
+'And you live at Lehon?'
+
+'Yes, mademoiselle.'
+
+'Have you parents?'
+
+'Truly, yes, of the best. My father has a loom, my mother works in the
+field and mill with brother Yvon, and I go to school and care for
+Nannette and nurse little Bebe.'
+
+'What school?'
+
+'At the convent, mademoiselle. The good sisters teach us the catechism,
+also to write and read and sew. I like it much,' and Marie glanced at
+the little prayer in her apron pocket, as if proud to show she could
+read it.
+
+'What age have you?'
+
+'Ten years, mademoiselle.'
+
+'You are young to do so much, for we often see you in the market buying
+and selling, and sometimes digging in your garden there below, and
+bringing water from the river. Do you love work as well as school?'
+
+'Ah, no; but mademoiselle knows it is necessary to work: every one does,
+and I'm glad to do my part. Yvon works much harder than I, and the
+father sits all day at his loom, yet he is sick and suffers much. Yes, I
+am truly glad to help,' and little Marie settled the big loaf as if
+quite ready to bear her share of the burdens.
+
+'Shall we go and see your father about the goat? and if he agrees will
+you bring the milk fresh and warm every morning?' I asked, thinking that
+a sight of that blooming face would brighten our days for us.
+
+'Oh, yes! I always do it for the ladies, and you will find the milk
+quite fresh and warm, hey, Nannette?' and Marie laughed as she pulled
+the goat from the hedge where she was nibbling the young leaves.
+
+We followed the child as she went clattering down the stony path, and
+soon came into the narrow street bounded on one side by the row of low,
+stone houses, and on the other by the green wet meadow full of willows,
+and the rapid mill-stream. All along this side of the road sat women and
+children, stripping the bark from willow twigs to be used in
+basket-making. A busy sight and a cheerful one; for the women gossiped
+in their high, clear voices, the children sang and laughed, and the
+babies crept about as freely as young lambs.
+
+We found Marie's home a very poor one. Only two rooms in the little hut,
+the lower one with its earthen floor, beds in the wall, smoky fire, and
+single window where the loom stood. At it sat a pale, dark man who
+stopped work as we entered, and seemed glad to rest while we talked to
+him, or rather while Kate did, for I could not understand his odd
+French, and preferred to watch Marie during the making of the bargain.
+
+Yvon, a stout lad of twelve, was cutting up brush with an old sickle,
+and little Bebe, looking like a Dutch doll in her tiny round cap, tight
+blue gown, and bits of sabots, clung to Marie as she got the supper.
+
+I wondered what the children at home would have said to such a supper. A
+few cabbage leaves made the soup, and this, with the dry black bread and
+a sip of sour wine, was all they had. There were no plates or bowls, but
+little hollow places in the heavy wooden table near the edge, and into
+these fixed cups Marie ladled the soup, giving each a wooden spoon from
+a queer rack in the middle; the kettle stood at one end, the big loaf
+lay at the other, and all stood round eating out of their little
+troughs, with Nannette and a rough dog close by to receive any crusts
+that might be left.
+
+Presently the mother came in, a true Breton woman; rosy and robust,
+neat and cheery, though her poor clothes were patched all over, her
+hands more rough and worn with hard work than any I ever saw, and the
+fine hair under her picturesque cap gray at thirty with much care.
+
+I saw then where Marie got the brightness that seemed to shine in every
+feature of her little face, for the mother's coming was like a ray of
+sunshine in that dark place, and she had a friendly word and look for
+every one.
+
+Our little arrangement was soon made, and we left them all smiling and
+nodding as if the few francs we were to pay would be a fortune to them.
+
+Early next morning we were wakened by Francoise, the maid, who came up
+to announce that the goat's milk had arrived. Then we heard a queer,
+quick, tapping sound on the stairs, and to our great amusement,
+Nannette walked into the room, straight up to my bedside, and stood
+there looking at me with her mild yellow eyes as if she was quite used
+to seeing night-caps. Marie followed with a pretty little bowl in her
+hand, and said, laughing at our surprise, 'See, dear mademoiselle; in
+this way I make sure that the milk is quite fresh and warm;' and
+kneeling down, she milked the bowl full in a twinkling, while Nannette
+quietly chewed her cud and sniffed at a plate of rolls on the table.
+
+The warm draught was delicious, and we drank each our portion with much
+merriment.
+
+'It is our custom,' said Francoise; who stood by with her arms folded,
+and looked on in a lofty manner.
+
+'What had you for your own breakfast?' I asked, as I caught Marie's eye
+hungrily fixed on the rolls and some tempting little cakes of chocolate
+left from our lunch the day before.
+
+'My good bread, as usual, mademoiselle, also sorrel salad and--and
+water,' answered Marie, as if trying to make the most of her scanty
+meal.
+
+'Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble
+at school? You must be tired with this long walk so early.'
+
+She hesitated, but could not resist; and said in a low tone, as she held
+the bread in her hand without eating it,--
+
+'Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe? She has never tasted
+the beautiful white bread, and it would please her much.'
+
+I emptied the plate into her basket, tucked in the chocolate, and added
+a gay picture for baby, which unexpected treasures caused Marie to clasp
+her hands and turn quite red with delight.
+
+After that she came daily, and we had merry times with old Nannette and
+her little mistress, whom we soon learned to love, so busy, blithe, and
+grateful was she.
+
+We soon found a new way to employ her, for the boy who drove our donkey
+did not suit us, and we got the donkey-woman to let us have Marie in the
+afternoon when her lessons were done. She liked that, and so did we; for
+she seemed to understand the nature of donkeys, and could manage them
+without so much beating and shouting as the boy thought necessary. Such
+pleasant drives as we had, we two big women in the droll wagon, drawn by
+the little gray donkey that looked as if made of an old trunk, so rusty
+and rough was he as he went trotting along, his long ears wagging, and
+his small hoofs clattering over the fine hard road, while Marie sat on
+the shaft with a long whip, talking and laughing, and giving Andre a
+poke now and then, crying 'E! E! houp la!' to make him go.
+
+We found her a capital little guide and story-teller, for her
+grandmother had told her all the tales and legends of the neighbourhood,
+and it was very pleasant to hear her repeat them in pretty peasant
+French, as we sat among the ruins, while Kate sketched, I took notes,
+and Marie held the big parasol over us.
+
+Some of these stones were charming; at least as _she_ told them, with
+her little face changing from gay to sad as she gesticulated most
+dramatically.
+
+The romance of 'Gilles de Bretagne' was one of her favourites. How he
+carried off his child-wife when she was only twelve, how he was
+imprisoned and poisoned, and at last left to starve in a dungeon, and
+would stand at his window crying, 'Bread, bread; for the love of God!'
+yet no one dared to give him any, till a poor peasant woman went in the
+night and gave him half her black loaf. Not once, but every night for
+six months, though she robbed her children to do it. And when he was
+dying, it was she who took a priest to him, that he might confess
+through the bars of his cell.
+
+'So good, ah, so good, this poor woman! It is beautiful to hear of that,
+mademoiselle!' little Marie would say, with her black eyes full and her
+lips trembling.
+
+But the story she liked best of all was about the peasant girl and her
+grandmother.
+
+'See then, dear ladies, it was in this way. In the time of the great war
+many poor people were shot because it was feared they would burn the
+chateaus. In one of these so sad parties being driven to St. Malo to be
+shot, was this young girl. Only fifteen, dear ladies, behold how young
+is this! and see the brave thing she did! With her went the old
+grandmother whom she loved next the good God. They went slowly, she was
+so old, and one of the officers who guarded them had pity on the pretty
+girl, and said to her as they were a little apart from the rest, "Come,
+you are young, and can run. I will save you; it is a pity so fine a
+little girl should be shot."
+
+'Then she was glad and thanked him much, saying, "And the grandmother
+also? You will save her with me?" "It is impossible," says the officer.
+"She is too old to run. I can save but one, and her life is nearly over;
+let her go, and do you fly into the next wood. I will not betray you,
+and when we come up with the gang it will be too late to find you."
+
+'Then the great temptation of Satan came to this girl. She had no wish
+to suffer, but she could not leave the good old grandmere to die alone.
+She wept, she prayed, and the saints gave her courage.
+
+'"No, I will not go," she said; and in the morning at St. Malo she was
+shot with the old mother in her arms.'
+
+'Could you do that for your grandmere?' I once asked, as she stopped for
+breath, because this tale always excited her. She crossed herself
+devoutly, and answered with fire in her eyes, and a resolute gesture of
+her little brown hands,--
+
+'I should try, mademoiselle.'
+
+I think she would, and succeed, too, for she was a brave and
+tender-hearted child, as she soon after proved.
+
+A long drought parched the whole country that summer, and the gardens
+suffered much, especially the little plats in Lehon, for most of them
+were on the steep hillside behind the huts; and unless it rained, water
+had to be carried up from the stream below. The cabbages and onions on
+which these poor people depend, when fresh salads are gone, were dying
+in the baked earth, and a hard winter was before them if this little
+store failed.
+
+The priests prayed for rain in the churches, and long processions
+streamed out of the gates to visit the old stone cross called the 'Croix
+de Saint Esprit,' and, kneeling there in crowds, the people implored the
+blessing of rain to save their harvest. We felt great pity for them, but
+liked little Marie's way of praying best.
+
+She did not come one morning, but sent her brother, who only laughed,
+and said Marie had hurt her foot, when we inquired for her. Anxious to
+know if she was really ill, we went to see her in the afternoon, and
+heard a pretty little story of practical Christianity.
+
+Marie lay asleep on her mother's bed in the wall, and her father,
+sitting by her, told the tale in a low voice, pausing now and then to
+look at her, as if his little daughter had done something to be proud
+of.
+
+It seems that in the village there was an old woman frightfully
+disfigured by fire, and not quite sane as the people thought. She was
+harmless, but never showed herself by day, and only came out at night to
+work in her garden or take the air. Many of the ignorant peasants feared
+her, however; for the country abounds in fairy legends, and strange
+tales of ghosts and goblins. But the more charitable left bread at her
+door, and took in return the hose she knit or the thread she spun.
+
+During the drought it was observed that _her_ garden, though the
+steepest and stoniest, was never dry; _her_ cabbages flourished when her
+neighbours' withered, and _her_ onions stood up green and tall as if
+some special rain-spirit watched over them. People wondered and shook
+their heads, but could not explain it, for Mother Lobineau was too
+infirm to carry much water up the steep path, and who would help her
+unless some of her own goblin friends did it?
+
+This idea was suggested by the story of a peasant returning late at
+night, who had seen something white flitting to and fro in the
+garden-patch, and when he called to it saw it vanish most mysteriously.
+This made quite a stir in the town; others watched also, saw the white
+phantom in the starlight, and could not tell where it went when it
+vanished behind the chestnut trees on the hill, till one man, braver
+than the rest, hid himself behind these trees and discovered the
+mystery. The sprite was Marie, in her little shift, who stepped out of
+the window of the loft where she slept on to a bough of the tree, and
+thence to the hill, for the house was built so close against the bank
+that it was 'but a step from garret to garden,' as they say in Morlaix.
+
+In trying to escape from this inquisitive neighbour, Marie hurt her
+foot, but was caught, and confessed that it was she who went at night to
+water poor Mother Lobineau's cabbages; because if they failed the old
+woman might starve, and no one else remembered her destitute and
+helpless state.
+
+The good-hearted people were much touched by this silent sermon on
+loving one's neighbour as one's self, and Marie was called the 'little
+saint,' and tended carefully by all the good women. Just as the story
+ended, she woke up, and at first seemed inclined to hide under the
+bedclothes. But we had her out in a minute, and presently she was
+laughing over her good deed, with a true child's enjoyment of a bit of
+roguery, saying in her simple way,--
+
+'Yes; it was so droll to go running about _en chemise_, like the girl in
+the tale of the 'Midsummer Eve,' where she pulls the Saint Johns-wort
+flower, and has her wish to hear all the creatures talk. I liked it
+much, and Yvon slept so like the dormouse that he never heard me creep
+in and out. It was hard to bring much water, but the poor cabbages were
+_so_ glad, and Mother Lobineau felt that all had not forgotten her.
+
+We took care that little Saint Marie was not forgotten, but quite well,
+and all ready for her confirmation when the day came. This is a pretty
+sight, and for her sake we went to the old church of St. Sauveur to see
+it. It was a bright spring day, and the gardens were full of early
+flowers, the quaint streets gay with proud fathers and mothers in
+holiday dress, and flocks of strangers pausing to see the long
+procession of little girls with white caps and veils, gloves and gowns,
+prayer-books and rosaries, winding through the sunny square into the
+shadowy church with chanting and candles, garlands and crosses.
+
+The old priest was too ill to perform the service, but the young one who
+took his place announced, after it was over, that if they would pass the
+house the good old man would bless them from his balcony. That was the
+best of all, and a sweet sight, as the feeble fatherly old priest leaned
+from his easy-chair to stretch his trembling hands over the little flock
+so like a bed of snowdrops, while the bright eyes and rosy faces looked
+reverently up at him, and the fresh voices chanted the responses as the
+curly heads under the long veils bowed and passed by.
+
+We learned afterwards that our Marie had been called in and praised for
+her secret charity--a great honour, because the good priest was much
+beloved by all his flock, and took a most paternal interest in the
+little ones.
+
+That was almost the last we saw of our little friend, for we left Dinan
+soon after, bidding the Lehon family good-bye, and leaving certain warm
+souvenirs for winter-time. Marie cried and clung to us at parting, then
+smiled like an April day, and waved her hand as we went away, never
+expecting to see her any more.
+
+But the next morning, just as we were stepping on board the steamer to
+go down the Rance to St. Malo, we saw a little white cap come bobbing
+through the market-place, down the steep street, and presently Marie
+appeared with two great bunches of pale yellow primroses and wild blue
+hyacinths in one hand, while the other held her sabots, that she might
+run the faster. Rosy and smiling and breathless with haste she came
+racing up to us, crying,--
+
+'Behold my souvenir for the dear ladies. I do not cry now. No; I am glad
+the day is so fine. _Bon voyage! bon voyage!_'
+
+We thanked and kissed and left her on the shore, bravely trying not to
+cry, as she waved her wooden shoes and kissed her hand till we were out
+of sight, and had nothing but the soft colours and sweet breath of our
+nosegays to remind us of Little Marie of Lehon.
+
+
+
+
+_MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS._
+
+
+Being alone in London, yet wishing to celebrate the day, I decided to
+pay my respects to the lions at the Zoological Gardens. A lovely place
+it was, and I enjoyed myself immensely; for May-day in England is just
+what it should be, mild, sunny, flowery, and spring-like. As I walked
+along the well-kept paths, between white and rosy hawthorn hedges, I
+kept coming upon new and curious sights; for the birds and beasts are so
+skilfully arranged that it is more like travelling through a strange and
+pleasant country than visiting a menagerie.
+
+The first thing I saw was a great American bison; and I was so glad to
+meet with any one from home, that I'd have patted him with pleasure if
+he had shown any cordiality toward me. He didn't, however, but stared
+savagely with his fiery eyes, and put down his immense head with a
+sullen snort, as if he'd have tossed me with great satisfaction. I did
+not blame him, for the poor fellow was homesick, doubtless, for his own
+wide prairies and the free life he had lost. So I threw him some fresh
+clover, and went on to the pelicans.
+
+I never knew before what handsome birds they were; not graceful, but
+with such snowy plumage, tinged with pale pink and faint yellow. They
+had just had their bath, and stood arranging their feathers with their
+great bills, uttering a queer cry now and then, and nodding to one
+another sociably. When fed, they gobbled up the fish, never stopping to
+swallow it till the pouches under their bills were full; then they
+leisurely emptied them, and seemed to enjoy their lunch with the grave
+deliberation of regular Englishmen.
+
+Being in a hurry to see the lions, I went on to the long row of cages,
+and there found a splendid sight. Six lions and lionesses, in three or
+four different cages, sitting or standing in dignified attitudes, and
+eyeing the spectators with a mild expression in their fine eyes. One
+lioness was ill, and lay on her bed, looking very pensive, while her
+mate moved restlessly about her, evidently anxious to do something for
+her, and much afflicted by her suffering. I liked this lion very much,
+for, though the biggest, he was very gentle, and had a noble face.
+
+The tigers were rushing about, as tigers usually are; some creeping
+noiselessly to and fro, some leaping up and down, and some washing
+their faces with their velvet paws. All looked and acted so like cats
+that I wasn't at all surprised to hear one of them purr when the keeper
+scratched her head. It was a very loud and large purr, but no fireside
+pussy could have done it better, and every one laughed at the sound.
+
+There were pretty spotted leopards, panthers, and smaller varieties of
+the same species. I sat watching them a long time, longing to let some
+of the wild things out for a good run, they seemed so unhappy barred in
+those small dens.
+
+Suddenly the lions began to roar, the tigers to snarl, and all to get
+very much excited about something, sniffing at the openings, thrusting
+their paws through the bars, and lashing their tails impatiently. I
+couldn't imagine what the trouble was, till, far down the line, I saw a
+man with a barrowful of lumps of raw meat. This was their dinner, and
+as they were fed but once a day they were ravenous. Such roars and howls
+and cries as arose while the man went slowly down the line, gave one a
+good idea of the sounds to be heard in Indian forests and jungles. The
+lions behaved best, for they only paced up and down, with an occasional
+cry; but the tigers were quite frantic; for they tumbled one over the
+other, shook the cages, and tried to reach the bystanders, just out of
+reach behind the bar that kept us at a safe distance. One lady had a
+fright, for the wind blew the end of her shawl within reach of a tiger's
+great claw, and he clutched it, trying to drag her nearer. The shawl
+came off, and the poor lady ran away screaming, as if a whole family of
+wild beasts were after her.
+
+When the lumps of meat were thrown in, it was curious to see how
+differently the animals behaved. The tigers snarled and fought and tore
+and got so savage I was very grateful that they were safely shut up. In
+a few minutes, nothing but white bones remained, and then they howled
+for more. One little leopard was better bred than the others, for he
+went up on a shelf in the cage, and ate his dinner in a quiet, proper
+manner, which was an example to the rest. The lions ate in dignified
+silence, all but my favourite, who carried his share to his sick mate,
+and by every gentle means in his power tried to make her eat. She was
+too ill, however, and turned away with a plaintive moan which seemed to
+grieve him sadly. He wouldn't touch his dinner, but lay down near her,
+with the lump between his paws, as if guarding it for her; and there I
+left him patiently waiting, in spite of his hunger, till his mate could
+share it with him. As I took a last look at his fine old face, I named
+him Douglas, and walked away, humming to myself the lines of the
+ballad,--
+
+  Douglas, Douglas,
+  Tender and true.
+
+As a contrast to the wild beasts, I went to see the monkeys, who lived
+in a fine large house all to themselves. Here was every variety, from
+the great ugly chimpanzee to the funny little fellows who played like
+boys, and cut up all sorts of capers. A mamma sat tending her baby, and
+looking so like a little old woman that I laughed till the gray monkey
+with the blue nose scolded at me. He was a cross old party, and sat
+huddled up in the straw, scowling at every one, like an ill-tempered old
+bachelor. Half-a-dozen little ones teased him capitally by dropping bits
+of bread, nut-shells, and straws down on him from above, as they climbed
+about the perches, or swung by their tails. One poor little chap had
+lost the curly end of his tail,--I'm afraid the gray one bit it
+off,--and kept trying to swing like the others, forgetting that the
+strong, curly end was what he held on with. He would run up the bare
+boughs, and give a jump, expecting to catch and swing, but the lame tail
+wouldn't hold him, and down he'd go, bounce on to the straw. At first
+he'd sit and stare about him, as if much amazed to find himself there;
+then he'd scratch his little round head and begin to scold violently,
+which seemed to delight the other monkeys; and, finally, he'd examine
+his poor little tail, and appear to understand the misfortune which had
+befallen him. The funny expression of his face was irresistible, and I
+enjoyed seeing him very much, and gave him a bun to comfort him when I
+went away.
+
+The snake-house came next, and I went in, on my way to visit the
+rhinoceros family. I rather like snakes, since I had a tame green one,
+who lived under the door-step, and would come out and play with me on
+sunny days. These snakes I found very interesting, only they got under
+their blankets and wouldn't come out, and I wasn't allowed to poke them;
+so I missed seeing several of the most curious. An ugly cobra laid and
+blinked at me through the glass, looking quite as dangerous as he was.
+There were big and little snakes,--black, brown, and speckled, lively
+and lazy, pretty and plain ones,--but I liked the great boa best.
+
+When I came to his cage, I didn't see anything but the branch of a tree,
+such as I had seen in other cages, for the snakes to wind up and down.
+'Where is he, I wonder? I hope he hasn't got out,' I said to myself,
+thinking of a story I read once of a person in a menagerie, who turned
+suddenly and saw a great boa gliding towards him. As I stood wondering
+if the big worm could be under the little flat blanket before me, the
+branch began to move all at once, and with a start, I saw a limb swing
+down to stare at me with the boa's glittering eyes. He was so exactly
+the colour of the bare bough, and lay so still, I had not seen him till
+he came to take a look at me. A very villainous-looking reptile he was,
+and I felt grateful that I didn't live in a country where such
+unpleasant neighbours might pop in upon you unexpectedly. He was kind
+enough to take a promenade and show me his size, which seemed immense,
+as he stretched himself, and then knotted his rough grayish body into a
+great loop, with the fiery-eyed head in the middle. He was not one of
+the largest kind, but I was quite satisfied, and left him to his dinner
+of rabbits, which I hadn't the heart to stay and see him devour alive.
+
+I was walking toward the camel's pagoda, when, all of a sudden, a long,
+dark, curling thing came over my shoulder, and I felt warm breath in my
+face. 'It's the boa;' I thought, and gave a skip which carried me into
+the hedge, where I stuck, much to the amusement of some children riding
+on the elephant whose trunk had frightened me. He had politely tried to
+tell me to clear the way, which I certainly had done with all speed.
+Picking myself out of the hedge I walked beside him, examining his
+clumsy feet and peering up at his small, intelligent eye. I'm very sure
+he winked at me, as if enjoying the joke, and kept poking his trunk into
+my pocket, hoping to find something eatable.
+
+I felt as if I had got into a foreign country as I looked about me and
+saw elephants and camels walking among the trees; flocks of snow-white
+cranes stalking over the grass, on their long scarlet legs; striped
+Zebras racing in their paddock; queer kangaroos hopping about, with
+little ones in their pouches; pretty antelopes chasing one another; and,
+in an immense wire-covered aviary, all sorts of brilliant birds were
+flying about as gaily as if at home.
+
+One of the curiosities was a sea-cow, who lived in a tank of salt water,
+and came at the keeper's call to kiss him, and flounder on its flippers
+along the margin of the tank after a fish. It was very like a seal, only
+much larger, and had four fins instead of two. Its eyes were lovely, so
+dark and soft and liquid; but its mouth was not pretty, and I declined
+one of the damp kisses which it was ready to dispense at word of
+command.
+
+The great polar bear lived next door, and spent his time splashing in
+and out of a pool of water, or sitting on a block of ice, panting, as if
+the mild spring day was blazing midsummer. He looked very unhappy, and I
+thought it a pity that they didn't invent a big refrigerator for him.
+
+These are not half of the wonderful creatures I saw, but I have not room
+to tell more; only I advise all who can to pay a visit to the Zoological
+Gardens when they go to London, for it is one of the most interesting
+sights in that fine old city.
+
+
+
+
+_OUR LITTLE NEWSBOY._
+
+
+Hurrying to catch a certain car at a certain corner late one stormy
+night, I was suddenly arrested by the sight of a queer-looking bundle
+lying in a door-way.
+
+'Bless my heart, it's a child! O John! I'm afraid he's frozen!' I
+exclaimed to my brother, as we both bent over the bundle.
+
+Such a little fellow as he was, in the big, ragged coat; such a tired,
+baby face, under the fuzzy cap; such a purple, little hand, still
+holding fast a few papers; such a pathetic sight altogether was the boy,
+lying on the stone step, with the snow drifting over him, that it was
+impossible to go by.
+
+'He is asleep; but he'll freeze, if left so long. Here! wake up, my boy,
+and go home, as fast as you can,' cried John, with a gentle shake, and a
+very gentle voice; for the memory of a dear little lad, safely tucked up
+at home, made him fatherly kind to the small vagabond.
+
+The moment he was touched, the boy tumbled up, and, before he was half
+awake, began his usual cry, with an eye to business.
+
+'Paper, sir? "Herald!" "Transkip!" Last'--a great gape swallowed up the
+'last edition,' and he stood blinking at us like a very chilly young
+owl.
+
+'I'll buy 'em all if you'll go home, my little chap; it's high time you
+were abed,' said John, whisking the damp papers into one pocket, and his
+purse out of another, as he spoke.
+
+'All of 'em?--why there's six!' croaked the boy, for he was as hoarse as
+a raven.
+
+'Never mind, I can kindle the fire with 'em. Put that in your pocket;
+and trot home, my man, as fast as possible.'
+
+'Where do you live?' I asked, picking up the fifty cents that fell from
+the little fingers, too benumbed to hold it.
+
+'Mills Court, out of Hanover. Cold, ain't it?' said the boy, blowing on
+his purple hands, and hopping feebly from one leg to the other, to take
+the stiffness out.
+
+'He can't go all that way in this storm--such a mite, and so used up
+with cold and sleep, John.'
+
+'Of course he can't; we'll put him in a car,' began John; when the boy
+wheezed out,--
+
+'No; I've got ter wait for Sam. He'll be along as soon's the theatre's
+done. He said he would; and so I'm waitin'.'
+
+'Who is Sam?' I asked.
+
+'He's the feller I lives with. I ain't got any folks, and he takes care
+o' me.'
+
+'Nice care, indeed; leaving a baby like you to wait for him here such a
+night as this,' I said crossly.
+
+'Oh, he's good to me Sam is, though he does knock me round sometimes,
+when I ain't spry. The big feller shoves me back, you see; and I gets
+cold, and can't sing out loud; so I don't sell my papers, and has to
+work 'em off late.'
+
+'Hear the child talk! One would think he was sixteen, instead of six,' I
+said, half laughing.
+
+'I'm most ten. Hi! ain't that a oner?' cried the boy, as a gust of sleet
+slapped him in the face, when he peeped to see if Sam was coming.
+'Hullo! the lights is out! Why, the play's done, and the folks gone, and
+Sam's forgot me.'
+
+It was very evident that Sam _had_ forgotten his little _protege_; and
+a strong desire to shake Sam possessed me.
+
+'No use waitin' any longer; and now my papers is sold, I ain't afraid to
+go home,' said the boy, stepping down like a little old man with the
+rheumatism, and preparing to trudge away through the storm.
+
+'Stop a bit, my little Casabianca; a car will be along in fifteen
+minutes; and while waiting you can warm yourself over there,' said John,
+with the purple hand in his.
+
+'My name's Jack Hill, not Cassy Banks, please, sir,' said the little
+party, with dignity.
+
+'Have you had your supper, Mr. Hill?' asked John, laughing.
+
+'I had some peanuts, and two sucks of Joe's orange; but it warn't very
+fillin',' he said, gravely.
+
+'I should think not. Here! one stew; and be quick, please,' cried John,
+as we sat down in a warm corner of the confectioner's opposite.
+
+While little Jack shovelled in the hot oysters, with his eyes shutting
+up now and then in spite of himself, we looked at him and thought again
+of little Rosy-face at home safe in his warm nest, with mother-love
+watching over him. Nodding towards the ragged, grimy, forlorn, little
+creature, dropping asleep over his supper like a tired baby, I said,--
+
+'Can you imagine our Freddy out alone at this hour, trying to 'work off'
+his papers, because afraid to go home till he has?'
+
+'I'd rather not try,' answered brother John, winking hard, as he stroked
+the little head beside him, which, by the bye, looked very like a
+ragged, yellow door-mat. I _think_ brother John winked hard, but I can't
+be sure, for I know I did; and for a minute there seemed to be a dozen
+little newsboys dancing before my eyes.
+
+'There goes our car; and it's the last,' said John, looking at me.
+
+'Let it go, but don't leave the boy;' and I frowned at John for hinting
+at such a thing.
+
+'Here is his car. Now, my lad, bolt your last oyster, and come on.'
+
+'Good-night, ma'am! thankee, sir!' croaked the grateful little voice, as
+the child was caught up in John's strong hands and set down on the
+car-step.
+
+With a word to the conductor, and a small business transaction, we left
+Jack coiled up in a corner to finish his nap as tranquilly as if it
+wasn't midnight, and a 'knocking-round' might not await him at his
+journey's end.
+
+We didn't mind the storm much as we plodded home; and when I told the
+story to Rosy-face, next day, his interest quite reconciled me to the
+sniffs and sneezes of a bad cold.
+
+'If I saw that poor little boy, Aunt Jo, I'd love him lots!' said
+Freddy, with a world of pity in his beautiful child's eyes.
+
+And, believing that others also would be kind to little Jack, and such
+as he, I tell the story.
+
+When busy fathers hurry home at night, I hope they'll buy their papers
+of the small boys, who get 'shoved back;' the feeble ones, who grow
+hoarse, and can't 'sing out;' the shabby ones, who evidently have only
+forgetful Sams to care for them; and the hungry-looking ones, who don't
+get what is 'fillin'.' For love of the little sons and daughters safe at
+home, say a kind word, buy a paper, even if you don't want it; and never
+pass by, leaving them to sleep forgotten in the streets at midnight,
+with no pillow but a stone, no coverlet but the pitiless snow, and not
+even a tender-hearted robin to drop leaves over them.
+
+
+
+
+_PATTY'S PATCHWORK._
+
+
+'I perfectly hate it! and something dreadful ought to be done to the
+woman who invented it,' said Patty, in a pet, sending a shower of gay
+pieces flying over the carpet as if a small whirlwind and a rainbow had
+got into a quarrel.
+
+Puss did not agree with Patty, for, after a surprised hop when the
+flurry came, she calmly laid herself down on a red square, purring
+comfortably and winking her yellow eyes, as if she thanked the little
+girl for the bright bed that set off her white fur so prettily. This
+cool performance made Patty laugh, and say more pleasantly--
+
+'Well, it _is_ tiresome, isn't it, Aunt Pen?'
+
+'Sometimes; but we all have to make patchwork, my dear, and do the best
+we can with the pieces given us.'
+
+'Do we?' and Patty opened her eyes in great astonishment at this new
+idea.
+
+'Our lives are patchwork, and it depends on us a good deal how the
+bright and dark bits get put together so that the whole is neat, pretty,
+and useful when it is done,' said Aunt Pen soberly.
+
+'Deary me, now she is going to preach,' thought Patty; but she rather
+liked Aunt Pen's preachments, for a good deal of fun got mixed up with
+the moralising; and she was so good herself that children could never
+say in their naughty little minds, 'You are just as bad as we, so you
+needn't talk to us, ma'am.'
+
+'I gave you that patchwork to see what you would make of it, and it is
+as good as a diary to me, for I can tell by the different squares how
+you felt when you made them,' continued Aunt Pen, with a twinkle in her
+eye as she glanced at the many-coloured bits on the carpet.
+
+'Can you truly? just try and see,' and Patty looked interested at once.
+
+Pointing with the yard-measure, Aunt Pen said, tapping a certain dingy,
+puckered, brown and purple square--
+
+'That is a bad day; don't it look so?'
+
+'Well, it was, I do declare! for that was the Monday piece, when
+everything went wrong and I didn't care how my work looked,' cried
+Patty, surprised at Aunt Pen's skill in reading the calico diary.
+
+'This pretty pink and white one so neatly sewed is a good day; this
+funny mixture of red, blue, and yellow with the big stitches is a merry
+day; that one with spots on it is one that got cried over; this with the
+gay flowers is a day full of good little plans and resolutions; and that
+one made of dainty bits, all stars and dots and tiny leaves, is the one
+you made when you were thinking about the dear new baby there at home.'
+
+'Why, Aunt Pen, you are a fairy! How _did_ you know? they truly are just
+as you say, as near as I can remember. I rather like that sort of
+patchwork,' and Patty sat down upon the floor to collect, examine, and
+arrange her discarded work with a new interest in it.
+
+'I see what is going on, and I have queer plays in my mind just as you
+little folks do. Suppose you make this a moral bed-quilt, as some people
+make album quilts. See how much patience, perseverance, good nature, and
+industry you can put into it. Every bit will have a lesson or a story,
+and when you lie under it you will find it a real comforter,' said Aunt
+Pen, who wanted to amuse the child and teach her something better even
+than the good old-fashioned accomplishment of needlework.
+
+'I don't see how I can put that sort of thing into it,' answered Patty,
+as she gently lifted puss into her lap, instead of twitching the red bit
+roughly from under her.
+
+'There goes a nice little piece of kindness this very minute,' laughed
+Aunt Pen, pointing to the cat and the red square.
+
+Patty laughed also, and looked pleased as she stroked Mother Bunch,
+while she said thoughtfully--
+
+'I see what you mean now. I am making two kinds of patchwork at the same
+time; and this that I see is to remind me of the other kind that I don't
+see.'
+
+'Every task, no matter how small or homely, that gets well and
+cheerfully done, is a fine thing; and the sooner we learn to use up the
+dark and bright bits (the pleasures and pains, the cares and duties)
+into a cheerful, useful life, the sooner we become real comforters, and
+every one likes to cuddle about us. Don't you see, deary?'
+
+'That's what you are, Aunt Pen;' and Patty put up her hand to hold fast
+by that other strong, kind, helpful hand that did so much, yet never was
+tired, cold, or empty.
+
+Aunt Pen took the chubby little one in both her own, and said, smiling,
+yet with meaning in her eyes, as she tapped the small fore-finger, rough
+with impatient and unskilful sewing--
+
+'Shall we try and see what a nice little comforter we can make this
+month, while you wait to be called home to see mamma and the dear new
+baby?'
+
+'Yes, I'd like to try;' and Patty gave Aunt Pen's hand a hearty shake,
+for she wanted to be good, and rather thought the new fancy would lend a
+charm to the task which we all find rather tiresome and hard.
+
+So the bargain was made, and the patch Patty sewed that day was
+beautiful to behold; for she was in a delightfully moral state of mind,
+and felt quite sure that she was going to become a model for all
+children to follow, if they could. The next day her ardour had cooled a
+little, and being in a hurry to go out to play, she slighted her work,
+thinking no one would know. But the third day she got so angry with her
+patch that she tore it in two, and declared it was all nonsense to fuss
+about being good and thorough and all the rest of it.
+
+Aunt Pen did not say much, but made her mend and finish her patch and
+add it to the pile. After she went to bed that night Patty thought of
+it, and wished she could do it over, it looked so badly. But as it could
+not be, she had a penitent fit, and resolved to keep her temper while
+she sewed, at any rate, for mamma was to see the little quilt when it
+was done, and would want to know all about it.
+
+Of course she did not devote herself to being good _all_ the time, but
+spent her days in lessons, play, mischief, and fun, like any other
+lively, ten-year-older. But somehow, whenever the sewing-hour came, she
+remembered that talk; and as she worked she fell into the way of
+wondering whether Aunt Pen could guess from the patches what sort of
+days she had passed. She wanted to try and see, but Aunt Pen refused to
+read any more calico till the quilt was done: then, she said in a
+queer, solemn way, she should make the good and bad days appear in a
+remarkable manner.
+
+This puzzled Patty very much, and she quite ached to know what the joke
+would be; meantime the pile grew steadily, and every day, good or bad,
+added to that other work called Patty's life. She did not think much
+about that part of it, but unconsciously the quiet sewing-time had its
+influence on her, and that little 'conscience hour,' as she sometimes
+called it, helped her very much.
+
+One day she said to herself as she took up her work, 'Now I'll puzzle
+Aunt Pen. She thinks my naughty tricks get into the patches; but I'll
+make this very nicely and have it gay, and then I don't see how she will
+ever guess what I did this morning.'
+
+Now you must know that Tweedle-dee, the canary, was let out every day
+to fly about the room and enjoy himself. Mother Bunch never tried to
+catch him, though he often hopped temptingly near her. He was a droll
+little bird, and Patty liked to watch his promenades, for he did funny
+things. That day he made her laugh by trying to fly away with a shawl,
+picking up the fringe with which to line the nest he was always trying
+to build. It was so heavy he tumbled on his back and lay kicking and
+pulling, but had to give it up and content himself with a bit of thread.
+
+Patty was forbidden to chase or touch him at these times, but always
+felt a strong desire to have just one grab at him and see how he felt.
+That day, being alone in the dining-room, she found it impossible to
+resist; and when Tweedle-dee came tripping pertly over the table-cloth,
+cocking his head on one side with shrill chirps and little prancings,
+she caught him, and for a minute held him fast in spite of his wrathful
+pecking.
+
+She put her thimble on his head, laughing to see how funny he looked,
+and just then he slipped out of her hand. She clutched at him, missed
+him, but alas, alas! he left his little tail behind him. Every feather
+in his blessed little tail, I do assure you; and there sat Patty with
+the yellow plumes in her hand and dismay in her face. Poor Tweedle-dee
+retired to his cage much afflicted, and sung no more that day, but Patty
+hid the lost tail and never said a word about it.
+
+'Aunt Pen is so near-sighted she won't mind, and maybe he will have
+another tail pretty soon, or she will think he is moulting. If she asks
+of course I shall tell her.'
+
+Patty settled it in that way, forgetting that the slide was open and
+Aunt Pen in the kitchen. So she made a neat blue and buff patch, and put
+it away, meaning to puzzle aunty when the reading-time came. But Patty
+got the worst of it, as you will see by-and-bye.
+
+Another day she strolled into the store-room and saw a large tray of
+fresh buns standing there. Now, it was against the rule to eat between
+meals, and new hot bread or cake was especially forbidden. Patty
+remembered both these things, but could not resist temptation. One
+plump, brown bun, with a lovely plum right in the middle, was so
+fascinating it was impossible to let it alone; so Patty whipped it into
+her pocket, ran to the garden, and hiding behind the big lilac-bush, ate
+it in a great hurry. It was just out of the oven, and so hot it burned
+her throat, and lay like a live coal in her little stomach after it was
+down, making her very uncomfortable for several hours.
+
+'Why do you keep sighing?' asked Aunt Pen, as Patty sat down to her
+work.
+
+'I don't feel very well.'
+
+'You have eaten something that disagrees with you. Did you eat hot
+biscuits for breakfast?'
+
+'No, ma'am, I never do,' and Patty gave another little gasp, for the bun
+lay very heavily on both stomach and conscience just then.
+
+'A drop or two of ammonia will set you right,' and Aunt Pen gave her
+some. It did set the stomach right, but the conscience still worried
+her, for she could not make up her mind to 'fess' the sly, greedy thing
+she had done.
+
+'Put a white patch in the middle of those green ones,' said Aunt Pen, as
+Patty sat soberly sewing her daily square.
+
+'Why?' asked the little girl, for aunty seldom interfered in her
+arrangement of the quilt.
+
+'It will look pretty, and match the other three squares that are going
+at the corners of that middle piece.'
+
+'Well, I will,' and Patty sewed away, wondering at this sudden interest
+in her work, and why Aunt Pen laughed to herself as she put away the
+ammonia bottle.
+
+These are two of the naughty little things that got worked into the
+quilt; but there were good ones also, and Aunt Pen's sharp eyes saw them
+all.
+
+At the window of a house opposite, Patty often saw a little girl who sat
+there playing with an old doll or a torn book. She never seemed to run
+about or go out, and Patty often wondered if she was sick, she looked so
+thin and sober, and was so quiet. Patty began by making faces at her
+for fun, but the little girl only smiled back, and nodded so
+good-naturedly that Patty was ashamed of herself.
+
+'Is that girl over there poor?' she asked suddenly as she watched her
+one day.
+
+'Very poor: her mother takes in sewing, and the child is lame,' answered
+Aunt Pen, without looking up from the letter she was writing.
+
+'Her doll is nothing but an old shawl tied round with a string, and she
+don't seem to have but one book. Wonder if she'd like to have me come
+and play with her,' said Patty to herself, as she stood her own big doll
+in the window, and nodded back at the girl, who bobbed up and down in
+her chair with delight at this agreeable prospect.
+
+'You can go and see her some day if you like,' said Aunt Pen, scribbling
+away.
+
+Patty said no more then, but later in the afternoon she remembered this
+permission, and resolved to try if aunty would find out her good doings
+as well as her bad ones. So, tucking Blanch Augusta Arabella Maud under
+one arm, her best picture-book under the other, and gathering a little
+nosegay of her own flowers, she slipped across the road, knocked, and
+marched boldly upstairs.
+
+Mrs. Brown, the sewing-woman, was out, and no one there but Lizzie in
+her chair at the window, looking lonely and forlorn.
+
+'How do you do? My name is Patty, and I live over there, and I've come
+to play with you,' said one child in a friendly tone.
+
+'How do you do? My name is Lizzie, and I'm very glad to see you. What a
+lovely doll!' returned the other child gratefully; and then the ceremony
+of introduction was over, and they began to play as if they had known
+each other for ever so long.
+
+To poor Lizzie it seemed as if a little fairy had suddenly appeared to
+brighten the dismal room with flowers and smiles and pretty things;
+while Patty felt her pity and good-will increase as she saw Lizzie's
+crippled feet, and watched her thin face brighten and glow with interest
+and delight over book and doll and posy. 'It felt good,' as Patty said
+afterwards; 'sort of warm and comfortable in my heart, and I liked it
+ever so much.' She stayed an hour, making sunshine in a shady place, and
+then ran home, wondering if Aunt Pen would find that out.
+
+She found her sitting with her hands before her, and such a sad look in
+her face that Patty ran to her, saying anxiously--
+
+'What's the matter, aunty? Are you sick?'
+
+'No dear; but I have sorrowful news for you. Come, sit in my lap and
+let me tell you as gently as I can.'
+
+'Mamma is dead!' Cried Patty with a look of terror in her rosy face.
+
+'No, thank God! but the dear, new baby only stayed a week, and we shall
+never see her in this world.'
+
+With a cry of sorrow Patty threw herself into the arms outstretched to
+her, and on Aunt Pen's loving bosom sobbed away the first bitterness of
+her grief and disappointment.
+
+'Oh, I wanted a little sister so much, and I was going to be so fond of
+her, and was so glad she came, and now I can't see or have her even for
+a day! I'm _so_ disappointed I don't think I _can_ bear it,' sobbed
+Patty.
+
+'Think of poor mamma, and bear it bravely for her sake,' whispered Aunt
+Pen, wiping away her own and Patty's tears.
+
+'Oh, dear me! there's the pretty quilt I was going to make for baby, and
+now it isn't any use, and I can't bear to finish it;' and Patty broke
+out afresh at the thought of so much love's labour lost.
+
+'Mamma will love to see it, so I wouldn't give it up. Work is the best
+cure for sorrow; and I think you never will be sorry you tried it. Let
+us put a bright bit of submission with this dark trouble, and work both
+into your little life as patiently as we can, deary.'
+
+Patty put up her trembling lips, and kissed Aunt Pen, grateful for the
+tender sympathy and the helpful words. 'I'll try,' was all she said; and
+then they sat talking quietly together about the dear, dead baby, who
+only stayed long enough to make a place in every one's heart, and leave
+them aching when she went.
+
+Patty did try to bear her first trouble bravely, and got on very well
+after the first day or two, except when the sewing-hour came. Then the
+sight of the pretty patchwork recalled the memory of the cradle it was
+meant to cover, and reminded her that it was empty now. Many quiet tears
+dropped on Patty's work; and sometimes she had to put it down and sob,
+for she had longed so for a little sister, it was very hard to give her
+up, and put away all the loving plans she had made for the happy time
+when baby came. A great many tender little thoughts and feelings got
+sewed into the gay squares; and if a small stain showed here and there,
+I think they only added to its beauty in the eyes of those who knew what
+made them. Aunt Pen never suggested picking out certain puckered bits
+and grimy stitches, for she knew that just there the little fingers
+trembled, and the blue eyes got dim as they touched and saw the
+delicate, flowery bits left from baby's gowns.
+
+Lizzie was full of sympathy, and came hopping over on her crutches with
+her only treasure, a black rabbit, to console her friend. But of all the
+comfort given, Mother Bunch's share was the greatest and best; for that
+very first sad day, as Patty wandered about the house disconsolately,
+puss came hurrying to meet her, and in her dumb way begged her mistress
+to follow and see the fine surprise prepared for her--four plump kits as
+white as snow, with four gray tails all wagging in a row, as they laid
+on their proud mamma's downy breast, while she purred over them, with
+her yellow eyes full of supreme content.
+
+It was in the barn, and Patty lay for an hour with her head close to
+Mother Bunch, and her hands softly touching the charming little
+Bunches, who squeaked and tumbled and sprawled about with their dim eyes
+blinking, their tiny pink paws fumbling, and their dear gray tails
+waggling in the sweetest way. Such a comfort as they were to Patty no
+words could tell, and nothing will ever convince me that Mrs. Bunch did
+not know all about baby, and so lay herself out to cheer up her little
+mistress like a motherly loving old puss, as she was.
+
+As Patty lay on the rug that evening while Aunt Pen sung softly in the
+twilight, a small, white figure came pattering over the straw carpet,
+and dropped a soft, warm ball down by Patty's cheek, saying, as plainly
+as a loud, confiding purr could say it--
+
+'There, my dear, this is a lonely time for you, I know, so I've brought
+my best and prettiest darling to comfort you;' and with that Mother
+Bunch sat down and washed her face, while Patty cuddled little
+Snowdrop, and forgot to cry about baby.
+
+Soon after this came a great happiness to Patty in the shape of a letter
+from mamma, saying she must have her little girl back a week earlier
+than they had planned.
+
+'I'm sorry to leave you, aunty, but it is _so_ nice to be wanted, and
+I'm all mamma has now, you know, so I must hurry and finish my work to
+surprise her with. How shall we finish it off? There ought to be
+something regularly splendid to go all round,' said Patty, in a great
+bustle, as she laid out her pieces, and found that only a few more were
+needed to complete the 'moral bed-quilt.'
+
+'I must try and find something. We will put this white star, with the
+blue round it, in the middle, for it is the neatest and prettiest piece,
+in spite of the stains. I will sew in this part, and you may finish
+putting the long strips together,' said Aunt Pen, rummaging her bags and
+bundles for something fine to end off with.
+
+'I know! I've got something!' and away hurried Lizzie, who was there,
+and much interested in the work.
+
+She came hopping back again, presently, with a roll in her hand, which
+she proudly spread out, saying--
+
+'There! mother gave me that ever so long ago, but I never had any quilt
+to use it for, and now it's just what you want. You can't buy such
+chintz now-a-days, and I'm _so_ glad I had it for you.'
+
+'It's regularly splendid!' cried Patty, in a rapture; and so it was, for
+the pink and white was all covered with animals, and the blue was full
+of birds and butterflies and bees flying about as naturally as possible.
+Really lovely were the little figures and the clear, soft colours, and
+Aunt Pen clapped her hands, while Patty hugged her friend, and declared
+that the quilt was perfect now.
+
+Mrs. Brown begged to be allowed to quilt it when the patches were all
+nicely put together, and Patty was glad to have her, for that part of
+the work was beyond her skill. It did not come home till the morning
+Patty left, and Aunt Pen packed it up without ever unrolling it.
+
+'We will look at it together when we show it to mamma,' she said: and
+Patty was in such a hurry to be off that she made no objection.
+
+A pleasant journey, a great deal of hugging and kissing, some tears and
+tender laments for baby, and then it was time to show the quilt, which
+mamma said was just what she wanted to throw over her feet as she lay on
+the sofa.
+
+If there _were_ any fairies, Patty would have been sure they had done
+something to her bed-cover, for when she proudly unrolled it, what do
+you think she saw?
+
+Right in the middle of the white star, which was the centre-piece,
+delicately drawn with indelible ink, was a smiling little cherub, all
+head and wings, and under it these lines--
+
+  'While sister dear lies asleep,
+  Baby careful watch will keep.'
+
+Then in each of the four gay squares that were at the corners of the
+strip that framed the star, was a white bit bearing other pictures and
+couplets that both pleased and abashed Patty as she saw and read them.
+
+In one was seen a remarkably fine bun, with the lines--
+
+  'Who stole the hot bun
+    And got burnt well?
+  Go ask the lilac bush,
+    Guess it can tell.'
+
+In the next was a plump, tailless bird, who seemed to be saying
+mournfully--
+
+  'My little tail, my little tail!
+  This bitter loss I still bewail;
+  But rather ne'er have tail again
+  Than Patty should deceive Aunt Pen.'
+
+The third was less embarrassing, for it was a pretty bunch of flowers so
+daintily drawn one could almost think they smelt them, and these lines
+were underneath--
+
+  'Every flower to others given,
+  Blossoms fair and sweet in heaven.'
+
+The fourth was a picture of a curly-haired child sewing, with some very
+large tears rolling down her cheeks and tumbling off her lap like
+marbles, while some tiny sprites were catching and flying away with them
+as if they were very precious--
+
+  'Every tender drop that fell,
+    Loving spirits caught and kept;
+  And Patty's sorrows lighter grew,
+    For the gentle tears she wept.'
+
+'Oh, aunty! what does it all mean?' cried Patty, who had looked both
+pleased and ashamed as she glanced from one picture to the other.
+
+'It means, dear, that the goods and bads got into the bed-quilt in spite
+of you, and there they are to tell their own story. The bun and the lost
+tail, the posy you took to poor Lizzie, and the trouble you bore so
+sweetly. It is just so with our lives, though we don't see it quite as
+clearly as this. Invisible hands paint our faults and virtues, and
+by-and-bye we have to see them, so we must be careful that they are good
+and lovely, and we are not ashamed to let the eyes that love us best
+read there the history of our lives.'
+
+As Aunt Pen spoke, and Patty listened with a thoughtful face, mamma
+softly drew the pictured coverlet over her, and whispered, as she held
+her little daughter close--
+
+'My Patty will remember this; and if all her years tell as good a story
+as this month, I shall not fear to read the record, and she will be in
+truth my little comforter.'
+
+
+(FOR SECOND SERIES, SEE 'SHAWL-STRAPS.')
+
+
+  PRINTED BY
+  SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE
+  LONDON
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, by Louisa M. Alcott
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26041.txt or 26041.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
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