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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Children's Longfellow, by Doris Hayman
+
+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: The Children's Longfellow
+       Told in Prose
+
+Author: Doris Hayman
+
+Release Date: March 18, 2009 [EBook #28352]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHILDREN'S LONGFELLOW ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, D Alexander, Juliet
+Sutherland, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                             THE CHILDREN'S
+
+                               LONGFELLOW
+
+
+
+                            TOLD IN PROSE BY
+
+                              DORIS HAYMAN
+
+
+
+                             _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+
+
+
+                            GRAHAM & MATLACK
+
+                                NEW YORK.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+                                        PAGE
+
+INTRODUCTION                              1
+
+THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP                  3
+
+HIAWATHA                                 12
+
+KING ROBERT OF SICILY                    26
+
+THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH                   37
+
+THE GOLDEN LEGEND                        42
+
+THE COURTSHIP OF MILES STANDISH          56
+
+LADY WENTWORTH                           67
+
+ELIZABETH                                73
+
+THE MONK AND THE ASS                     82
+
+EVANGELINE                               93
+
+THE FALCON OF SER FEDERIGO              111
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+LONGFELLOW'S POEMS IN PROSE
+
+
+The home of the American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, during the
+greater part of his life was in the picturesque town of Cambridge,
+Massachusetts, and there many of his best known poems were written.
+
+The forge of the Village Blacksmith really stood there beneath the
+shelter of a "spreading chestnut tree," in Cambridge, and when, as the
+town grew larger, the smithy was removed and the tree cut down, all the
+school children in Cambridge subscribed together to buy the wood of the
+famous tree and had a chair made from it which they gave to the poet.
+
+Longfellow was deeply interested in all Indian lore, and in the poem of
+Hiawatha he has embodied many of the old legends of the North American
+Indians. Hiawatha, who was known among the different tribes under
+various names, was supposed to be a person of miraculous birth, sent
+among them by the Great Spirit to clear their rivers and forests and to
+teach them the arts of peace.
+
+In the Golden Legend we find quite a different form of story. This is a
+legend written down by one of the old German Minnesinger and called,
+"Der arme Heinrich" (Unhappy Henry). The American poet has faithfully
+followed the outlines of the story, but has added a good deal to it,
+including the appearance of Lucifer with his train of evil spirits, and
+his attempts to lead Prince Henry astray.
+
+Five of the remaining stories are taken from the "Tales of a Wayside
+Inn"--a series of poems whose plan was evidently suggested by the
+Canterbury Tales.
+
+DORIS HAYMAN.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+_The
+Building
+Of the Ship_
+
+
+It was in bygone days, long before the use of steam was even thought
+about; trains were unknown, and when people wished to get from one part
+of the country to another they were obliged to make the journey on
+horseback or in coaches, and distances, which nowadays we can cover in a
+few hours, used to take our ancestors several days. It was the same
+thing in regard to journeys by sea. To cross the Atlantic, for instance,
+by an old-fashioned sailing vessel was a far more venturesome
+undertaking than it is to step aboard one of the great ocean liners and
+be conveyed swiftly and safely to one's destination. A sailing ship ran
+far greater risks of being wrecked by storms, and, if the winds were
+unfavorable, she would toss about for weeks, perhaps even for months,
+instead of being able to make straight for her port. And yet there was a
+charm about a sailing ship which no steamer with all its complicated
+machinery can replace, and in the good old days we hear of men who have
+weathered storms as violent and sailed on voyages quite as perilous as
+any which have been undertaken since.
+
+Well, it happened in the times of which we are speaking, that a wealthy
+merchant in the New Country came to a great ship-builder, who was known
+to all by the name of the Master, and bade him build a strong and goodly
+ship.
+
+"It must be beautiful to behold," said the merchant, "and yet strong
+enough to wrestle with wind and storm."
+
+The Master was delighted to receive this commission, for his heart was
+in his work and he felt that here was a chance to build a ship worthy of
+his reputation, so he answered joyfully: "Before long we will launch as
+goodly and strong a vessel as ever weathered a wintry gale."
+
+At these words the merchant departed content, because he knew that
+whatever the Master promised he would surely fulfill.
+
+The Master made no delay but set to work at once on a little model of
+the ship, making it perfect in every part, so that when the great ship
+came to be built he would have every detail already clear before him. As
+he labored, his mind was busy recalling all the famous ships which had
+been built before this one. A picture of one of the most renowned, the
+_Great Harry_, was hanging on the wall before him. It was a strange
+sight, with its cumbersome form, its bow and stern raised high and its
+eight round towers like those of some old castle. The Master smiled as
+he looked on it and murmured to himself: "Our ship shall be of another
+form to this." And when the model was finished, it was indeed of a very
+different build. She was a beautiful little vessel built for freight and
+yet for speed; broad in the beam so as to resist storm, but tapering off
+at the bow and stern so that the force of the waves might drive her on
+instead of checking her course. When the model was quite finished, the
+Master carried it down to the ship-yard and looked round searchingly to
+see that all the necessary preparations had been made. Gigantic heaps of
+timber lay piled in the ship-yard; there were beams of chestnut, elm,
+and oak, and, scattered among them, cedar wood brought from regions far
+away. Every country, every soil must send its tribute and help to build
+the wooden walls of each ship that is launched.
+
+The sun was rising when the Master came down to the ship-yard; with him
+was a young man, who stood leaning against an anchor and who listened
+eagerly to every word which fell from the Master's lips. These two were
+alone and the old man's speech flowed on, interrupted by nothing but the
+waves which broke in long ripples on the pebbly shore. This young man
+had for a long time been a pupil and worker of the master; though his
+years were fewer, his brain was as quick, his hands as dexterous as
+those of the elder man, and to him was now entrusted the important task
+of building and launching the ship on the lines that the Master had
+planned.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"We will build the ship thus," said the old man. "Lay the blocks of wood
+on the slip, following my plans closely, and be sure to choose the
+timber with the greatest care; the framework is to be of cedar and pine
+and every inch of wood must be sound. When the ship is finished she
+shall be named _Union_, and the day she is launched my daughter shall
+become your bride."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Joy filled the youth's heart, and, turning his head, he caught sight of
+the maiden standing before her father's door. Young and fair was the
+Master's daughter, with golden hair and sparkling eyes, and, as he
+gazed at her, he felt that no task could be too difficult for him to
+accomplish, since he had the promise of a reward so fair as this. Love
+is a splendid master; no task seems too difficult when love fills the
+heart and guides the hand, and he who is urged by love far outstrips all
+others.
+
+And thus it was with this youth; love of his bride and love of his work
+made him strong and skillful, and, so impatient was he to see the
+completion of the ship, that he summoned his workmen and set about his
+noble task without an instant's delay. Soon the sound of axes and
+mallets plied by sturdy arms was heard on all sides of the ship-yard.
+Before the shadows of evening fell, the oaken keel of a noble ship was
+lying ready stretched along the blocks. The work was well begun and all
+seemed to promise fair for a happy ending.
+
+When the long hot day was over, the young man and his promised bride sat
+before the door of the Master's house while the old man rested within
+the sheltered porch and recounted tales of wrecks which had taken place
+at the time of the great September gales, and of pirates who had made
+the Spanish seas a place of danger for harmless merchant ships; then he
+spoke of ships which had sailed for distant shores but had never
+returned, and of the chances and changes of a sailor's life. The Master
+himself had sailed to many far-off lands and he told his attentive
+listeners of their wondrous charm; of their palms and shining sands, the
+coral reefs and the dark-skinned natives who dwelt there in savage
+freedom. And, as he related these tales of the dark and cruel sea,
+which, like death, unites man to his fellows and yet holds them far
+asunder, the maiden held her breath and clung to her lover, dreading the
+days when perchance they too might be divided by the pitiless ocean. The
+three sat for a while in thoughtful silence as the darkness deepened
+around them, broken only from time to time by the fitful gleam of the
+old man's pipe.
+
+Work was resumed afresh the next morning, and the vessel grew day by day
+till at length a skeleton ship rose to view. Weeks passed on and the
+ship made rapid progress till the whole hulk stood ready. Then a great
+cauldron was heated, and the bubbling tar within was used to smear over
+the planks and thus sheathe the ship.
+
+The rudder of oak banded with copper, which was to control the whole
+vessel, lay ready on the sand, and near it the anchor, whose mighty grip
+was to hold the great ship secure against raging storms. The figure-head
+was in the shape of a maiden clad in white robes which seemed to be
+fluttering in the wind; a great artist had carved it in wood and had
+taken the Master's daughter as his model. In after days many a signal
+light was flashed on to her, and her graceful form became well known to
+those who watched as the ship sped by through the dark and rainy nights.
+
+In the forests near the snow-covered mountains and plains, majestic pine
+trees were hewn down and dragged by oxen along the winding road to the
+shore. Here they were stripped of their branches and bark and used for
+the tall and tapering masts of the noble ship. Only the roar of the wind
+and waves would remind them of their native forests which they would
+never see again. When the masts were swung into place, they were made
+fast with shrouds and stays; and finally a flag of red, white, and blue
+was unfurled at the masthead and displayed its stars and stripes to an
+admiring throng.
+
+At length there came the day of the double bridal--that of the gray old
+sea to the ship, and the wedding of the young master and his bride. The
+_Union_ was decked out with gay flags and streamers, and the bridal
+party came on board. The service was read and the Master, with tears in
+his eyes, shook the brown hand of his son and kissed his daughter's fair
+cheek. The worthy pastor spoke kindly words of warning and cheer to the
+young couple and bade them Godspeed on their journey through life.
+
+Then the Master waved his hand, and, at this signal, there was heard all
+around the noise of hammers knocking away the vessel's supports.
+Suddenly the ship moved, a thrill seemed to run all through her frame,
+and with a sudden leap she bounded into the ocean. Loud shouts and
+cheers uprose from the crowds assembled on the beach, and the staunch
+ship _Union_ sailed gayly forth on her first voyage.
+
+
+
+
+HIAWATHA
+
+
+Long, long ago, in days that are now forgotten, the West-Wind wooed a
+lovely Indian maiden, but soon, cruelly and faithlessly, he deserted her
+and she died of grief, leaving her baby son, Hiawatha, to the care of
+his grandmother, old Nokomis.
+
+Deep in the forest was Hiawatha's home, and Nature herself was his
+schoolmistress. He learned all about the birds, how they built their
+nests in summer, and where they hid themselves in winter, the names and
+habits of all the wild beasts which roamed through the woods, and, best
+of all, he learned their language and all their secrets.
+
+Skilled in the craft of Indian hunters, and all the lore the wise men of
+his tribe could teach him, Hiawatha grew from childhood into manhood,
+and by much questioning learned from old Nokomis the story of his
+mother's cruel desertion. Full of wrath, he determined to be revenged on
+his father, Mudjekeewis, and in spite of his grandmother's warnings, the
+youth set out on his long journey. Wearing his magic moccasins (or
+deerskin shoes), with which he measured a mile every stride, Hiawatha
+journeyed westward, ever westward, until at length he reached the
+kingdom of Mudjekeewis, ruler of all the winds of heaven, who joyfully
+welcomed the handsome youth. But anger rose in the heart of Hiawatha,
+and, rending asunder a huge rock with his magic mittens, he flung the
+fragments full at Mudjekeewis. For three days a terrible fight raged
+between the two warriors, till at last Mudjekeewis cried: "Hold, my son,
+it is impossible to kill me for I am immortal; I did but fight with you
+to test your valor. Go back now to your people; live with them, work
+with them, and free the land from all monsters and giants. And when
+Death at last lays his icy hand upon you, you shall share my kingdom and
+be ruler of the Northwest-Wind." Then all anger departed from Hiawatha
+and he went on his homeward way; only once did he turn aside, to buy
+arrow-heads from the ancient arrow-maker in the land of a neighboring
+Indian tribe. But do you not think that arrow-heads could equally well
+have been bought in his own village? It was to see the arrow-maker's
+dark-eyed daughter, Minnehaha, that Hiawatha halted in the land of the
+Dacotahs, and when he reached home he told Nokomis of the meeting with
+his father and the great fight, but not a word did he say of arrows or
+of the maiden.
+
+Hiawatha had two beloved friends, the sweet-voiced singer, Chibiabos,
+and Kwasind, strongest of all men. Even the birds could not sing so
+sweetly or the brooks murmur so gently as Chibiabos, and all the hearts
+of men were softened by the pathos of his music. But dear as he was to
+Hiawatha, no less dear was Kwasind. Idle and dreamy was Kwasind so that
+even his mother taunted him. "Lazy Kwasind," said she one winter's day,
+"you never help me in my work. The fishing nets are hanging at the door,
+dripping, freezing with the water--go and wring them out for me!" Slowly
+Kwasind rose from his seat, and going to the doorway did as she bade
+him, but, to his mother's dismay, the nets broke beneath his powerful
+fingers as if they were wisps of straw! Sometimes Kwasind used his vast
+strength to good purpose; for instance, when Hiawatha built himself a
+swift canoe, Kwasind dived into the water and cleared the whole
+river-bed of sunken logs and sandbars in order to insure a safe passage
+for his friend.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Shortly after this Hiawatha set out in his canoe to catch the sturgeon
+Nahma, king of fishes. The monster fish lay on the white sand at the
+bottom of the river, and Hiawatha, line in hand, sat in his canoe,
+shouting: "Take my bait, O Nahma; come up and let us see which is the
+stronger!" At length Nahma grew weary of this clamor, and said to the
+pike: "Take the bait of this rude fellow and break his line." The pike
+tugged at the line till the birch canoe stood almost endwise, but
+Hiawatha only pulled the harder, and when the fish rose to the surface
+he cried with scorn: "You are but the pike; you are not the king of
+fishes," and the pike sank down ashamed to the bottom of the river. Then
+Nahma bade the sun-fish break Hiawatha's tackle, but again Hiawatha
+pulled the great fish to the surface of the water and again cast him
+down, crying: "You are not the fish I wanted; you are not the king of
+fishes!" Then Nahma grew angry, and, opening his huge jaws, swallowed
+both canoe and Hiawatha. Finding himself in utter darkness, Hiawatha
+groped about till he felt the monster's heart which he smote so fiercely
+that he killed him. Anxious to escape from his dark prison, Hiawatha
+waited till the giant sturgeon drifted on to the shore, then called for
+aid to his friends the sea-gulls, who worked with their claws and beaks
+till they made a wide rift in Nahma's side and set Hiawatha free.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Proud of her grandson's bravery, old Nokomis now set him a difficult
+task. "In a land lying westward, a land of fever and pestilence, lives
+the mighty magician, Pearl-Feather, who slew my father. Take your canoe
+and smear its sides with the oil I have made from the body of Nahma, so
+that you may pass swiftly through the black pitch-water and avenge my
+father's murder." Thus spoke old Nokomis, and Hiawatha did as she bade
+him, smeared the sides of his boat with oil and passed swiftly through
+the black water, which was guarded by fiery serpents. All these Hiawatha
+slew, and then journeyed on unmolested till he reached the desolate
+realm he sought. Here he shot an arrow at Pearl-Feather's lodge as a
+challenge, and the magician, tall of stature, dark and terrible to
+behold, came forth to meet him. All day long raged the greatest fight
+that ever the sun had looked on, but no weapon could penetrate
+Pearl-Feather's magic shirt of wampum, and at sunset, wounded and weary,
+with three useless arrows in his hand, Hiawatha paused a while to rest
+beneath the shade of a pine tree.
+
+As he stood there, despairing of victory, a wood-pecker sang from the
+branches above him: "Aim your arrows at the roots of his long hair;
+there alone he can be wounded." Well it was for Hiawatha that he
+understood the bird's language! Stringing the first of his arrows to his
+bow he let fly at Pearl-Feather, who was stooping to pick up a heavy
+stone. The arrow struck him full on the crown, and the second and third
+arrows, swiftly following, penetrated deep into the wound, so that the
+mighty magician fell lifeless at Hiawatha's feet. Then Hiawatha stripped
+the magic shirt of wampum off his dead foe and took from his wigwam (or
+tent) all his wealth of furs, belts, and silver-tipped arrows. And our
+hero sailed homeward in triumph and shared his spoils equally among his
+people.
+
+Now there came a time in the life of Hiawatha when he wished to wed, and
+his thoughts turned to Minnehaha, whom they called Laughing Water,
+loveliest maiden in all the land of the Dacotahs. He spoke to Nokomis of
+this, telling her that his wedding with the fair Dacotah should heal all
+strife between the two tribes. So eloquently did he speak of the
+maiden's beauty and skillfulness in household matters, that he overruled
+Nokomis' many objections to his choice of a stranger, and set out in all
+haste to seek his bride. After a long journey he reached the home of the
+arrow-maker, whom he found seated in the doorway of his wigwam making
+arrow-heads, with his daughter at his side, busily engaged in plaiting
+mats of rushes. Hearing a rustling in the woods they looked up and saw
+Hiawatha standing before them, carrying on his shoulders a deer he had
+just slain. This offer he laid at the feet of Laughing Water, and the
+old man and the maiden both bade the young hunter welcome; then
+Minnehaha prepared a meal and set it before the two men. When they had
+finished eating, Hiawatha spoke of his childhood, his friends, and of
+the happiness and plenty in his land. "After many years of strife," said
+he, "there is now peace between your tribe and mine. In order to make
+the peace more lasting and our hearts more united, give me this maiden
+for my wife." And the ancient arrow-maker answered gravely: "Yes, if
+Minnehaha wishes; let your heart speak, Minnehaha!" Then the maiden rose
+up and took the seat beside Hiawatha, saying softly: "I will follow you,
+my husband." Thus was Hiawatha's wooing, and hand in hand the young
+couple went away together, leaving the old arrow-maker in his
+loneliness.
+
+When Hiawatha and his fair bride reached their home, old Nokomis
+prepared a sumptuous wedding-feast to which many guests were bidden.
+Among them was a handsome but idle and mischievous youth named
+Pau-Puk-Keewis, who was renowned for his skill in all sports and
+pastimes. To please the company he rose from his seat and danced his
+merry dances to the music of flutes and drums. Then the sweet singer,
+Chibiabos, sang a melodious love-song, and when this was finished, Iagoo
+the Boaster, jealous of the praise and applause bestowed on the
+musician, told one of his most marvelous stories, and well pleased the
+wedding-guests took their departure.
+
+As the days went on, old Nokomis found that her grumblings about the
+uselessness of a wife from a far-off land had not been justified, for
+Minnehaha was as skilled with her fingers as she was beautiful, and
+Hiawatha loved her more and more dearly.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Once, when all the maize was planted, Hiawatha bade his wife go alone at
+night, clothed only in her dark tresses, and draw a magic circle round
+the cornfield, so that no blight or insect might injure the harvest.
+This Minnehaha did, but the King of Ravens and his band of followers,
+who were perched on the tree-tops overlooking the cornfield, laughed
+with glee to think that Hiawatha had forgotten what mischief they could
+do. So early on the morrow all the black thieves, crows and blackbirds,
+jays and ravens, flew down on the field, and with claws and beak began
+to dig up the buried grain. But the wary Hiawatha had over-heard the
+birds' mocking laughter and, rising before daybreak, had scattered
+snares over the fields. Thus it happened that the birds found their
+claws all entangled in the snares, and Hiawatha, coming out from the
+hiding-place where he had been watching them, killed them without
+mercy; only one was spared, the King of Ravens himself, whom Hiawatha
+pinioned with a strong rope and fastened to the ridge-pole of his wigwam
+as a warning to all other thieves.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Now it chanced one day that the mischievous Pau-Puk-Keewis wandered
+through the village and reaching the farthest wigwam, which was that of
+Hiawatha, found it deserted. The raven perched on the ridge-pole,
+flapped his wings, and screamed at the intruder; but Pau-Puk-Keewis
+twisted the poor bird's neck and left the lifeless body dangling from
+the roof; then he entered the lodge and threw all the household things
+into the wildest disorder as an insult to the careful Nokomis and the
+beautiful Minnehaha. Satisfied with the mischief he had done,
+Pau-Puk-Keewis climbed a rocky headland overlooking the lake and amused
+himself by killing the sea-gulls as they fluttered round him.
+
+When Hiawatha returned, fierce anger rose in his heart. "I will slay
+this mischief-maker," said he, "even if I have to search the world for
+him." Together with other hunters he set out in hot pursuit, but cunning
+Pau-Puk-Keewis outstripped them all and ran, swift as an antelope, till
+he came to a stream in the midst of a forest where the beavers had built
+a dam. "Change me into a beaver," he entreated them, "and make me larger
+than yourselves, so that I may be your ruler and king." "Yes," said one
+of the beavers, "let yourself down into the water, and we will make you
+into a beaver ten times larger than any of ourselves." This they did,
+but not long had Pau-Puk-Keewis sat in state among the beavers when they
+heard a trampling and a crashing above the water, and the watchman
+cried: "Here is Hiawatha with his hunters!" All the other beavers made
+their escape through the doorway of their lodge into deeper water, but
+so large had Pau-Puk-Keewis become that he could not pass through the
+opening. Then Hiawatha, peering through the water, recognized
+Pau-Puk-Keewis, in spite of his disguise, and slew him. Six tall hunters
+bore the dead body of the beaver homeward, but the spirit of
+Pau-Puk-Keewis was still alive within it, and escaping, took its human
+form again and vanished into the forest.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Only the wary Hiawatha saw the figure as it disappeared and followed in
+hot pursuit. Hard pressed, Pau-Puk-Keewis reached the edge of the lake
+and besought a brant (or wild goose) to change him into one of
+themselves, and to make him ten times larger than the others.
+Straightway they changed him into an enormous brant, and, with a whirr
+of wings, the whole flock rose in the air and flew northward. "Take good
+heed and look not downward, lest some great mishap befall you," cried
+the other birds to Pau-Puk-Keewis, and he heeded their words. But on the
+morrow, as they continued their flight, Pau-Puk-Keewis heard a great
+shouting in the village beneath and knew the voices of Hiawatha and
+Iagoo. Forgetful of his warning, he looked downward, and the wind caught
+his plumage and sent him whirling towards the earth. In vain he
+struggled to regain his balance--he fell heavily to the ground and lay
+dead with broken pinions. But his spirit was still alive, and, taking
+its human form, again fled from Hiawatha. This time Hiawatha pursued his
+cunning foe so closely that he could almost touch him, but
+Pau-Puk-Keewis changed himself into a serpent and glided into a tree.
+While Hiawatha was groping in the hollow trunk, the mischief-maker once
+more took his human shape and sped away until he came to the sandstone
+rocks overlooking the Big Lake; and the Old Man of the Mountain opened
+his rocky doorway and gave Pau-Puk-Keewis shelter. Hiawatha stood
+without and battered against the caverns shouting, "Open! I am
+Hiawatha!" But the Old Man of the Mountain neither opened nor made
+answer. Then Hiawatha raised his hands to heaven and called the thunder
+and lightning to his aid. Stronger than any mortal power, the tempest
+smote the rocks till they fell to fragments, and there beneath the crags
+lay Pau-Puk-Keewis dead in his own human form.
+
+This was Hiawatha's last victory--grief and loss were now to be his
+portion. The death of his two friends, Chibiabos and Kwasind, weighed on
+his mind, and, hardest of all, a long and dreary winter, bringing the
+specters of famine and fever in its train, came upon the land and robbed
+Hiawatha of his dearest treasure, his beautiful young wife.
+
+Clad in her richest garments, Minnehaha was laid to rest deep beneath
+the snow, and, as Hiawatha watched the fire which was kindled at night
+on her grave, his heart grew less heavy, for he felt that their parting
+was not for long. The time was soon to come when he too could depart to
+the Islands of the Blessed, where the spirit of his wife awaited him.
+
+
+
+
+KING ROBERT
+OF SICILY
+
+
+There was once a proud and selfish monarch, named King Robert, who ruled
+over the kingdom of Sicily. One of his brothers was the mighty Pope
+Urbane, and the other the rich Emperor Valmond, and King Robert spent as
+lavishly and held even a more magnificent court than either of them. But
+the Sicilian monarch was not beloved by his subjects, for he treated
+them all with disdain, and in fact only looked on them as mere slaves,
+whose duty it was to carry out all his orders, no matter at what
+inconvenience to themselves.
+
+One evening King Robert sat in state in the royal chapel and listened
+idly to the priests chanting the service. Clad in his magnificent robes
+he looked every inch a king, but his handsome face was marred by its
+look of conceit and weariness. He soon grew tired of listening to the
+service and let his thoughts wander, but suddenly his ear was caught by
+some Latin words which were repeated over and over again, and, turning
+to a learned clerk who stood near him, he asked: "What mean these
+words?"
+
+The learned man at once made reply: "He hath put down the mighty from
+their seat, and has exalted them of low degree."
+
+"'Tis well," said King Robert scornfully, "that such treason is only
+uttered by priests and in the Latin tongue. My subjects, whether priests
+or common people, know full well that there is no power which can hurl
+me from my throne." Saying these words he yawned and leaned back in his
+throne, and soon, lulled by the monotonous chanting, he fell fast
+asleep.
+
+When he awoke it was late at night. All the lights in the church had
+been extinguished, except a few flickering candles, which were burning
+before the shrine of some saint. The King started up from his seat and
+gazed with anger and amazement round the empty church. He groped his way
+towards the great door, but it was locked; then he shouted for
+assistance, uttered angry threats, and hammered against the door, but
+all in vain. At length the sexton, who lived hard by, was roused by the
+tumult, and, fearful lest thieves or some drunken revelers had made
+their way into the church, he came to the door, lantern in hand, and
+cried in a quavering voice: "Who is there?"
+
+"Open the door; 'tis I, the King!" shouted King Robert, almost choking
+with rage.
+
+"This is some drunken rogue," muttered the sexton, as, with trembling
+fingers, he fumbled for the key. Pushing open the door, he stood timidly
+aside, and suddenly the disheveled figure of a man without cloak or hat
+rushed wildly past him. He neither turned nor spoke, but passed swiftly
+out into the darkness of the night, and the bewildered sexton soon lost
+sight of him.
+
+Despoiled of his kingly garments, breathless and splashed with mire,
+King Robert rushed on till he came to the palace gates. He strode
+through the courtyard, thrusting aside the men-servants and pages who
+tried to bar his path, and hurried up the broad marble staircase.
+Rapidly he passed through the royal apartments, his face white with
+anger rendered still more ghastly by the glare of the torches; he heeded
+no one, nor stopped in his headlong course till he reached the great
+banqueting-hall.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Here a grand feast was in progress, and the hall blazed with the light
+of thousands of wax candles. And to Robert's utter amazement, on the
+throne sat another king wearing his robes and crown, and, to all outward
+appearance, King Robert himself. None present, not even Robert himself,
+recognized that the supposed king was an angel in disguise. Wearied of
+the King's evil ways he had come down to earth to punish the monarch of
+Sicily and humble his pride, and this was the way he had chosen to carry
+out his purpose.
+
+For a while the throneless King gazed with mingled anger and
+astonishment at the angel, who met his glance with a look of compassion,
+and then said: "Who art thou, and why comest thou hither?" to which the
+King haughtily replied: "I am the King, and come to claim my throne from
+the impostor who usurps it."
+
+At these audacious words the guests sprang up in anger and drew their
+swords to slay the man who dared speak thus to the King, but the angel
+answered calmly: "Thou art not the King, but henceforth thou shalt be
+the king's jester and wear cap and bells and motley. As counselor thou
+shalt lead an ape, and thou shalt obey my servants and wait on my
+hench-men."
+
+No sooner said than done. Deaf to King Robert's cries, prayers, and
+entreaties, the men-at-arms thrust him from the hall. A group of
+tittering pages ran before him and threw wide open the great
+folding-doors. And now the King's heart was filled with alarm, for he
+heard shouts of rude laughter and mocking cries of "Long live the King!"
+and he realized that no one in the kingdom either knew or cared who he
+really was.
+
+Thrust from out his palace, the outcast King was led to some small shed
+adjoining the stables. A door was opened, an armful of straw thrown down
+within, and here he was bidden to sleep. When he awoke the next morning
+he thought to himself it must all have been a dream, but, as he turned
+his head, his couch of straw rustled beneath him, and he heard the
+horses neighing in the stable hard by. Beside his bed lay cap and bells
+and the parti-colored dress of a court-jester and in one corner of the
+bare cell sat a shivering, chattering ape. Then King Robert realized
+that it was not a dream but a dreadful reality, and that the most
+wretched beggar in the kingdom would have scorned to change places with
+the poor jester--the butt and laughing-stock of every underling at
+court.
+
+Days lengthened into months, and, under the angel's wise government, a
+time of prosperity returned to Sicily and the land produced rich
+harvests of corn and wine. The people no longer groaned under the burden
+of taxation, and the King's ministers rejoiced greatly at the welcome
+change which had come over their young master.
+
+Meanwhile the real King Robert yielded sullenly to his fate. Mocked at
+by all, his only friend the ape, his food the scraps left by others, his
+heart was still haughty, his pride unsubdued. And when sometimes the
+angel meeting him would ask, half in jest, half in earnest, "Art thou
+the King?" he would draw himself up and fling back the haughty answer:
+"I am, I am the King!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Almost three years had passed away when there came ambassadors from
+Valmond, Emperor of Allemaine, to the King of Sicily, saying that their
+brother, Pope Urbane, had summoned them both by letter to the city of
+Rome to celebrate Easter week with him there.
+
+The angel received his guests with great joy and gave them rich presents
+of velvet cloaks lined with ermine, rings, and rare jewels. Then he made
+his preparations and set out with his retinue over the sea to the land
+of Italy. Crowds of people came out to watch the progress of the royal
+procession. The horses had gold and silver trappings, jeweled bridles,
+the knights wore velvet cloaks and waving plumes, and their silver
+spurs glittered in the sun. Then came the angel-monarch in rich attire
+surrounded by his counselors and the flower of his knights. The
+men-at-arms and servants brought up the rear of the procession, and
+among them, on a shambling piebald steed, his ape perched behind him and
+his cloak of foxtails flapping in the wind, rode the jester-king--a
+strange sight which caused unbounded merriment in all the country towns
+through which the procession passed.
+
+Arrived in Rome, the Emperor and his supposed brother were received with
+great pomp in the great square before St. Peter's. Little did the Pope
+dream, as he bestowed his blessing and prayers on his younger brother,
+that he was entertaining an angel unawares.
+
+Suddenly a wild, unkempt figure rushed from among the crowd and into the
+royal assembly. Forcing his way to the place where the Pope was seated
+he cried loudly, "I am your brother Robert, King of Sicily. This man who
+stands before you in my semblance is an impostor disguised as the King.
+Do you not know me? Is there no voice within you that says I speak
+truly, and that I am indeed your brother?"
+
+The Pope made no reply, but gazed with troubled look at the angel's
+unruffled face. Then the Emperor Valmond laughed and said:
+
+"Brother, methinks you have strange taste to keep a madman for your
+court-jester!"
+
+It seemed quite evident to the bystanders that what the Emperor said was
+very true, and once more, baffled and disgraced, the poor jester was
+roughly thrust back among the wondering crowd.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The week was spent in prayer and stately rejoicing till at length Easter
+Sunday dawned upon the world. The presence of the angel filled the city
+with gladness and the hearts of men with piety. Even the wretched jester
+felt the influence of some gracious power, and, kneeling on the floor of
+his cell, he humbly bowed his head in prayer. He felt new strength
+rising within him, and new resolves, strangely meek ones for so proud a
+King, were made by him on that glorious Easter morn.
+
+The next day the three royal brothers bade each other farewell. Emperor
+Valmond made his way northward to his kingdom by the Danube, while the
+angel journeyed southward through the towns of Italy. Once more the
+people marveled at the magnificence of his train, and once more the
+jester became the laughing-stock of all the watching crowds, but he rode
+on unheeding. His mad anger was stilled and he began at last to realize
+that he had indeed deserved his dreadful punishment.
+
+When the town of Salerno was reached the journey was continued by sea,
+and soon the royal retinue was safe within the walls of Palermo. Seated
+on his throne in the great hall, the angel listened dreamily to the
+convent bells, which sounded to him like voices from another world.
+
+Presently he roused himself from his meditations, and, with a gesture of
+his hand, bade the rest of the court retire, and beckoned the jester to
+draw near him. When the two were left alone, the angel said: "Art thou
+the King?"
+
+King Robert crossed his hands upon his breast, and, bending his head,
+answered meekly: "Thou knowest best. My sins are very heavy; let me go
+at once and do penance in a cloister. There I will school my spirit to
+humility, and walk barefooted across the stones till my guilty soul is
+shriven."
+
+The angel smiled, and his radiant face seemed to illumine the hall with
+a holy light. Then loud and clear through the open window the monks were
+heard chanting in the chapel hard by: "He has put down the mighty from
+their seat, and has exalted them of low degree."
+
+And through the chant rose a second melody, a single melodious voice,
+and the King seemed to hear the words: "I am an angel, and thou art the
+King."
+
+King Robert, who was standing near the throne, at length ventured to
+lift his eyes, and, behold! he was alone in the hall! Looking round in
+wonderment, his eye was caught by his attire; instead of the sorry garb
+of the jester he was clothed in royal robes of ermine and cloth of gold.
+
+Kneeling at the foot of the throne, King Robert gave heartfelt thanks to
+the Divine Power which had taught him the error of his ways, and, when
+his courtiers came to seek their royal master, they found him still
+kneeling, absorbed in silent prayer.
+
+
+
+
+THE
+VILLAGE
+BLACKSMITH
+
+
+Have you ever peeped into a forge and seen a blacksmith at work? It is
+quite exciting, I assure you, to see the flames being fanned by the
+bellows, and myriads of sparks flying upwards and outwards on all sides,
+while the blacksmith hammers the red-hot metal on the anvil and shapes
+it into horseshoes and other useful things made of iron.
+
+But there is one particular blacksmith whose acquaintance I want you to
+make. He lives in a little village and his forge stands beneath the
+shade of an immense chestnut tree with wide out-spreading branches. The
+smith is a mighty man, and well he needs to be, for his work requires
+great strength. His hands are large and sinewy and his muscles like
+iron; his face is bronzed by the sun and his black hair is long and
+curls crisply. He does not make a great deal of money in spite of all
+his hard work, but he earns quite sufficient for his own modest wants
+and to provide his only daughter with all the necessaries of life, and
+even a pretty gown to wear in church on Sundays. His one modest boast is
+that he is able to look every one honestly in the face, for he is not in
+debt for a single farthing.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The village blacksmith works hard from morning till night; at any time
+in the day you pass by the forge you can hear the bellows being blown by
+one of his boys, while he himself swings his heavy sledge-hammer,
+keeping such regular time with his strokes that it calls to mind the
+tolling of the village bell--a custom which the old sexton never omits
+as the day draws to its close. On their way home from school, all the
+village children love to peep in at the open door of the smithy to see
+the flaming forge and hear the roar of the bellows. They have a fine
+game at pretending to catch the sparks, which fly about as the chaff
+does when the corn is being threshed in the barns at harvest time.
+
+But on Sunday the blacksmith puts aside all his labor and goes with the
+other villagers to church, where he takes his usual seat among his boys.
+He listens attentively to the praying and preaching, and above all to
+the singing, for his daughter is in the village choir and the sound of
+her sweet voice brings joy into his heart. His thoughts go back to the
+time when his young wife sang in tones as clear and pure as these, but
+God thought fit to call her from him years ago to sing in the heavenly
+choir. As he thinks of her lonely grave in the churchyard close by tears
+rise in the blacksmith's eyes, but he wipes them away with his hard
+rough hand and resolves to be grateful for the many blessings still left
+to him.
+
+When the service is over and the congregation leaves the church, after
+greeting his friends, the blacksmith turns aside and, standing by his
+wife's grave, reads once more the simple inscription on the stone which
+he has put up to her memory. But you may be sure that the blacksmith's
+pretty daughter knows where he is to be found, and, taking him gently by
+the arm, leads him homeward, beguiling the way with cheerful words.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+This is how the busy blacksmith spends his life--toiling, rejoicing,
+sorrowing. Every morning he begins some fresh task and he works so hard
+that by evening he has finished it. He has attempted something and he
+has completed something--surely he has well earned his night's rest.
+
+We may all learn a useful lesson from the life of the village
+blacksmith. Let us try to live as honestly, as uprightly, and as
+laboriously as he, so that one day we may deserve to hear the words,
+"Well done, My good and faithful servants!" Let us try so to live that
+each action of our lives shall be a good and shapely thing, a help and a
+benefit to others, like the horseshoes made by the honest blacksmith are
+to our four-footed friends.
+
+
+
+
+GOLDEN LEGEND
+
+
+The land of Germany has always been famous for its store of wonderful
+songs and legends. Its poets of olden days, who were known as the
+Minnesinger, used to wander round the country singing or reciting these
+tales and everywhere they went they were sure of a warm welcome. The
+"Golden Legend" is one of these old stories, and runs as follows:
+
+Lucifer, who was once one of the good angels, had been cast out of
+Heaven for the sin of pride. He gathered all the spirits of evil around
+him and made himself their leader. His one desire now was to do harm to
+all mankind and, by putting wicked thoughts into men's minds, make them
+themselves do evil so that he might grieve the good angels and thus take
+revenge for the punishment which had been inflicted on him.
+
+Among other wicked deeds he sought to tear down the spire of Strasburg
+Cathedral, but was defeated by the good spirits, who kept unceasing
+watch and ward over the holy place. Baffled in this attempt, Lucifer
+betook himself to a castle on the Rhine, the dwelling of young Prince
+Henry of Hoheneck. Prince though he was, his lot was a most unhappy one,
+for he was suffering from a deadly disease which the most famous
+physicians had been unable to cure. Ill and restless, Prince Henry was
+sitting alone at midnight in a tower of his castle, when suddenly there
+came a flash of lightning, and Lucifer, disguised as a doctor, stood
+before him.
+
+"All hail, Prince Henry!" said the stranger.
+
+"Who are you," asked the Prince, "and what may be your purpose in coming
+hither?"
+
+"I am a traveling physician," replied the cunning spirit, "and I can
+cure all diseases."
+
+"But not mine," said Prince Henry, mournfully. "I have consulted almost
+every famous doctor, but the case is quite beyond their science. Even
+the learned doctors of Salerno have sent me back word that they know of
+no cure for a malady like this save one, which from its very nature is
+impossible."
+
+"What is this mysterious remedy?"
+
+"Read, and you shall see," answered the Prince, handing Lucifer a scroll
+on which were these words:
+
+    "Not to be cured, yet not incurable!
+    The only remedy that remains
+    Is the blood that flows from a maiden's veins,
+    Who of her own free will shall die,
+    And give her life as the price of yours!"
+
+"A strange remedy, indeed," said the false physician, "and one which you
+will never be able to try. However, I have with me here a wonderful
+draught which cures all pain--will you not taste it?"
+
+Prince Henry hesitated, but finally drank from the crystal flask which
+Lucifer gave him. The evil spirit disappeared with mocking laughter and
+Prince Henry fell to the ground in a swoon. The magic draught which the
+false doctor had given him was nothing but an enchantment destined to
+work still more harm on the victim. The next morning the unfortunate
+Prince was found by his attendants stretched on the floor of the tower
+chamber and seemingly lifeless. When he began to recover, further
+troubles were in store for him. He was summoned to appear in church
+before a council of priests, who pronounced him to be a leper and an
+outcast, and decreed that henceforth he was to be looked upon as one
+dead. The burial service was read over him and then Prince Henry,
+clothed in a cloak of hodden gray, and carrying a beggar's wallet, was
+thrust from the door of the church into perpetual banishment.
+
+A lonely exile, Prince Henry wandered through the land till he came to
+a farm in the Odenwald, where dwelt the worthy peasant Gottlieb, with
+his wife, Dame Ursula, and his daughter, Elsie, a beautiful maiden of
+fifteen summers. These good people took compassion on their Prince and
+begged him to dwell with them and share all they had. Glad to find a
+resting-place among kindly folk, the Prince stayed for some months at
+the farm, but each day he seemed to become a little weaker. The disease
+from which he was suffering had made such rapid progress that he felt
+his death rapidly drawing near. In these days of weakness and despair
+the Prince tried to console himself by reading the old legends, and
+watching Elsie as she flitted about the garden, gathering flowers to lay
+at the shrine of her favorite saint. He would read aloud to her, and she
+would give him some of her flowers and try in her gentle way to make her
+dear Prince forget his heavy troubles.
+
+Gradually Elsie grew to love the Prince with such devotion that it
+seemed to her that no task could be too difficult, no sacrifice too
+great for her to make, if only she could save his life. And then the
+thought suddenly came to her that she would make the greatest sacrifice
+of all and give her life, so that the cure of which the learned doctors
+of Salerno had written might be carried out.
+
+Filled with this resolve, she told her father and mother, who wept
+bitterly and sought by every means in their power to dissuade her, but
+all in vain. Then Elsie sought the Prince and begged him to allow her to
+do this for him. His life, she said, was valuable to his country and his
+people, for he would be restored to health and rule over them again,
+whereas she was but a poor peasant girl and her place could easily be
+filled.
+
+Prince Henry struggled for some time against the temptation to accept
+the sacrifice of this young life, and finally determined to go to the
+village church and ask the advice of the priest in the matter. But the
+Prince delayed his coming, and the priest had to leave the church at
+sunset and go forth to visit the sick and needy. Lucifer, who was
+watching his opportunity, slipped into the church, disguised this time
+as a priest, and took his seat in the confessional. When the Prince at
+length appeared and besought the priest to tell him whether he might
+justly allow the maiden to give her life for his, instead of showing him
+how wicked such an action would be and that it would be far better in
+God's eyes that he should bear his sufferings uncomplainingly, the evil
+spirit persuaded the wavering youth that the deed was right and
+necessary and had the Church's full approval.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Heedless of the voice of his good angel, which whispered to his
+conscience that he was doing wrong, the Prince returned to the farm
+and announced that he was prepared to accept the divine gift of life
+from Elsie's hands. One request only did the maiden make, that, on their
+pilgrimage to Salerno, neither by word nor deed should Prince Henry
+attempt to dissuade her from her purpose. Elsie had no fear of death
+and, when she had taken a last farewell of her grief-stricken parents,
+the Prince set out with her on their long journey.
+
+Easter Sunday found them in Strasburg, where the Prince tarried with
+Elsie in order that they might witness the Miracle Play, which was acted
+within the cathedral. After that, the next stage of their journey
+brought them to Hirschau, where Prince Henry sought a night's shelter at
+the monastery, after having placed Elsie under the charge of the Abbess
+Irmingard in the nunnery a short distance away.
+
+Lucifer, ever watchful lest the Prince should escape from his evil
+influence, was here too. Disguised as a monk, he mingled with the
+brethren at the convent and stirred up strife among them, so that the
+Abbot grew very wrathful and inflicted severe penances on all the
+offenders.
+
+After vespers had been sung, the monks retired, but one lingered, for he
+was blind and walked slowly, led by a little chorister. As he drew near,
+Prince Henry started back in amazement.
+
+"Do my eyes deceive me in this dim light," he exclaimed, "or can this be
+Count Hugo of the Rhine, my most deadly foe?"
+
+The old monk, who had come so close that he could hear Prince Henry's
+words, replied sadly: "Count Hugo of the Rhine was once my name, but now
+you behold the wreck of my former self. My pride and headstrong will
+have brought me to this plight. Deserted by my friends, defeated by my
+enemies, alone and blind, I heard a voice call me by name and say:
+'Kneel down and pray.' So now you behold me a member of the holy
+brotherhood, ever striving by prayer and repentance to blot out the
+remembrance of my evil deeds. You, who by your voice I know to be Prince
+Henry of Hoheneck, are one of those who have most cause to hate me.
+Curse and revile me if you will; I will bear it patiently."
+
+"We both have erred," sadly answered the Prince, "but the hand of God
+has chastened us both. Let us therefore pray for forgiveness together."
+
+Hand in hand the two former enemies humbly knelt in prayer, and Lucifer,
+himself the spirit of arrogance and pride, slunk away, powerless to do
+evil to those who truly repent of their sins.
+
+Meanwhile, Elsie sat with the Abbess Irmingard in the moonlight, while
+the latter told the sad story of her life to her young companion.
+
+"Years ago, when I was a maiden freshly returned from the convent
+school, wandering Minnesinger used to come to my father's castle where
+they were always made welcome. The noblest and most gallant of all these
+bards was Walter of the Vogelweid; his voice was the sweetest and his
+songs the most beautiful. We looked on each other and loved, but a
+foreign prince sought my hand and my stern father bade me wed him and
+forget the wandering minstrel. I refused to be the bride of any other
+than Walter. 'Either you obey me,' said my father, 'or you shall become
+a nun and die unwed.' That very night I secretly left the castle and
+stole away with my lover. We went swiftly on horseback through the
+forest, but our flight was soon discovered--we were pursued and
+overtaken. I remember nothing more till I awoke in my own room, ill with
+a raging fever. When I recovered, I was sent to this nunnery and the
+convent gates, clanging behind me, seemed to be those of a prison. But
+all this was many years ago and now I am content and have found peace.
+
+"I have told thee this tale," said the Abbess to Elsie, "for I feel
+strangely drawn to thee. In thy young life there is too a tale of
+mystery and pain, and, as my way has been made clear, so shall be
+thine."
+
+The next day Elsie and the Prince bade farewell to their kindly hosts
+and traveled, as swiftly as horses could carry them, through Germany
+and Switzerland. After leaving Lucerne they hired a trusty guide to lead
+them through the mountain passes, which were steep and dangerous. On one
+part of the journey they had to cross a single arch bridge, which
+spanned a terrible abyss, and their guide told them the story of how it
+came to be built.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"For years and years people had tried in vain to make a bridge at this
+point, but all their efforts had been fruitless, for whatever was built
+by day the devil swept away at night. At last a holy abbot built this
+one with a single arch and made a compact with the evil one that it
+should be allowed to stand, on the condition that the first living
+thing which crossed it should be surrendered into his clutches. When the
+bridge was completed, the abbot, standing at one end, threw a loaf of
+bread across, which a hungry dog sprang after, and the rocks re-echoed
+with laughter to see the devil thus defeated."
+
+"Defeated," sneered Lucifer, who was standing beneath the bridge. "It
+was for journeys and crimes like this that I allowed the bridge to
+stand!"
+
+Unconscious that Lucifer was dogging their steps, the princely train
+finished its journey through Italy in safety, took ship at Genoa, and
+reached the town of Salerno, renowned for its learned doctors and its
+schools.
+
+Entering the town, Prince Henry inquired for Friar Angelo, and Lucifer,
+appearing before him in fresh disguise, said: "He stands before you."
+
+"You know, then, on what errand I have come," said the Prince. "I am
+Prince Henry of Hoheneck and this is the maiden I spoke of in my
+letters."
+
+"This is a grave business, and we must not be over-hasty," answered the
+crafty Lucifer. "Does the maiden consent to this of her own free will?"
+
+"No prayers or entreaties can dissuade her."
+
+"Strange, indeed. Have you thought well over it?" asked Lucifer, turning
+to Elsie.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I do not come here to argue, but to die," replied Elsie. "Your
+business is not to question but to kill me, and I am ready."
+
+With a last farewell to Prince Henry and her weeping attendants, Elsie
+followed Lucifer into a gloomy building. The Prince tried to follow
+them, but Lucifer thrust him back and barred the door. Suddenly the
+Prince's better angel prevailed and he realized what a vile thing it was
+that he should purchase health and strength at such a cost. Sooner would
+he himself die a lingering death than that harm should come to Elsie,
+who had grown so dear to him during their long journey together.
+Shouting to his men to aid him, he burst open the door and rushed in to
+save her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A few weeks later, Dame Ursula was sitting in her cottage spinning and
+thinking sadly of her child's untimely death, when a forester stopped at
+the farm and inquired for Gottlieb.
+
+"I am his wife," said the dame.
+
+"Then I have news for you. The Prince is strong and well again."
+
+"Then Elsie, my poor child, is dead," she rejoined, mournfully.
+
+"It is true that your daughter is no longer the humble peasant she once
+was."
+
+"Nay, do not mock a mother's agony, and tell me truly what has befallen
+my child," she implored.
+
+Then the forester told Ursula his wonderful news; how at Salerno the
+Prince's nobler self had prevailed, and the maiden's life had been
+spared, whereupon a miracle had been worked on the Prince and he had
+straightway been healed.
+
+"They call your daughter the Lady Alicia now," continued the messenger,
+"for the Prince made a vow in Salerno that he would wed no one but
+Elsie. At this very moment the Prince and his bride are sailing homeward
+down the Rhine in a splendid barge decked with banners, and all the
+people are gathered on the banks, shouting with joy."
+
+Dame Ursula's raptures can be better imagined than described, and she
+rushed away to tell her husband the glad tidings, while the forester
+calmly sat down and helped himself to Gottlieb's supper.
+
+And so we may leave the Prince and his young bride with the feeling that
+their wedded life proved to be a very happy one, for their love had been
+tried by pain and suffering, and a love which can conquer these is one
+which will endure.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE COURTSHIP OF
+_MILES STANDISH_
+
+
+In olden days, a ship called the _Mayflower_ left the shores of England
+and set sail for a distant and unknown land, carrying a number of
+Puritan pilgrims on board. Among their number were two men who were
+close friends, though they were utterly different both in character and
+looks. Miles Standish was a short, strongly built man with muscles and
+sinews like iron; his reddish beard was already flaked with patches of
+white and his face browned from his out-of-door life. Hasty and
+passionate, Miles Standish was, nevertheless, a born leader of men, and
+was greatly respected by all who knew him. His friend, John Alden, was a
+much younger man, with fair hair and blue eyes. He was no soldier, but
+skilled in all manual labor, and, moreover, a scholar and a scribe.
+
+The two friends settled in the village of Plymouth, and Miles Standish
+soon distinguished himself by his warlike qualities and was made captain
+of the town, while John Alden, who lived with him, acted as his
+secretary and household companion.
+
+One day they were sitting together, Miles reading about Caesar's great
+victories, and John occupied in writing letters to his people at home,
+filled mostly with accounts of the beautiful Puritan maiden, Priscilla.
+Presently Miles Standish looked up from his reading and said to John:
+"When you have finished writing I have something important to tell you."
+
+"I am ready to listen," cheerfully replied the young man.
+
+"Since Rose Standish died years ago," said the Captain, "my life has
+been a very dreary one. In my hours of loneliness I have often thought
+of the maiden, Priscilla, who is as friendless as I am. She is quite
+alone in the world, for her mother, father, and brother all died in the
+winter. I have never dared speak my thoughts to her, but I want you to
+do so for me. Go to Priscilla and tell her that a blunt old captain,
+readier at action than words, loves her dearly. You are a scholar and
+can speak to her in tender words such as are best suited to win the
+heart of a maiden."
+
+Bewildered and dismayed at his friend's request, John replied: "Indeed I
+cannot give such a message as this. If you would have a thing well done
+you must do it yourself, not leave it to others--these are your own
+words."
+
+The Captain gravely shook his head. "I cannot, indeed," said he. "I can
+march up to a fortress and summon the place to surrender, but I dare not
+face a woman with such a proposal. Surely you will not refuse to do what
+I ask in the name of our friendship."
+
+John Alden felt he could no longer withstand the Captain's earnest
+request, so he reluctantly consented and went forth on his errand. His
+way led him through the woods, where he gathered some may-flowers as a
+gift for Priscilla. When he drew near Priscilla's home he found her
+spinning industriously and singing as she worked. As John entered, she
+rose and held out her hand to him, saying: "I knew it was you when I
+heard your step in the passage; I was thinking of you as I sat there
+spinning and singing."
+
+John was so pleased that she should have been thinking of him that he
+could frame no reply, but held out the flowers to her in silent answer.
+Then they sat down and talked of their friends at home and of the
+_Mayflower_, which was to return to England the next day. Priscilla
+confessed she felt so lonely and wretched that she wished she could
+return to England too, and John answered: "I cannot blame you for that
+wish. A woman requires someone stronger than herself to lean on, so I
+have come to you now with an offer of marriage from a good and true
+man, Miles Standish, the Captain of Plymouth."
+
+Not even the Captain himself could have spoken more bluntly than did
+John, and Priscilla looked at him in amazement. At length she exclaimed:
+"If the great Captain of Plymouth is so very eager to wed me, why does
+he not come himself and take the trouble to woo me?"
+
+Poor John tried to smooth matters over. Quite forgetful of himself, he
+pleaded the Captain's cause, said how kindly, generous, and brave he
+was, what a splendid soldier and leader, and added that any woman might
+be proud to be called the wife of Miles Standish. But all his eloquence
+was wasted, for the maiden only looked at him and said smilingly: "Why
+don't you speak for yourself, John?"
+
+Here was a pretty pass for an honest man to be in! Joyful to think that
+Priscilla loved him and yet saddened for his friend's sake, John left
+the house and wandered down to the seashore, undecided what he ought to
+do in the matter. Suddenly he looked up and saw the shadowy form of the
+_Mayflower_ riding at anchor, ready to set sail on the morrow, and he
+made up his mind that it was his duty to return to England on the ship.
+
+Strong in his resolution, he returned home and related to the Captain
+all that had happened. But when he came to the words Priscilla had
+spoken, the Captain stamped on the floor and shouted, angrily: "John
+Alden, you have betrayed me! We are no longer friends, and there can be
+nothing between us henceforth but war and hatred!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+In the midst of his angry words a man came in bringing a message of
+urgent importance. There were rumors of danger, threats of war from
+hostile Indian tribes, and the Captain was summoned to a council
+meeting.
+
+Still enraged, the Captain hastened away to the council and found it
+already assembled and impatiently waiting his coming. A
+ferocious-looking Indian was standing by a table on which lay a
+rattlesnake's skin filled with arrows; this was the Indians' signal of
+warfare. The council was debating whether it would be better to reply to
+the challenge or try peaceful measures, but Miles Standish settled the
+matter without more ado. Advancing to the table, he picked up the
+rattlesnake's skin, and with a gesture of contempt jerked the Indian
+arrows from it. Then he filled the skin to the brim with powder and
+bullets and handed it back to the Indian, saying in a tone of thunder:
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Here, take it! This is your answer!" The savage took the challenge in
+silence, glided from the room, and soon disappeared into the recesses of
+the forest.
+
+Miles Standish returned late from the council and threw himself, dressed
+as he was, on his pallet, so that he might be ready to set out at any
+moment. John Alden was lying awake, but he was resentful at the
+Captain's angry words to him and pretended to be asleep. At earliest
+dawn Standish awoke and, taking his musket, strode from the room. John
+Alden yearned to bid his friend farewell, but his pride would not let
+him, and he beheld the Captain depart in anger and spoke no word.
+
+Then he arose, made his own preparations, and went down to the shore. A
+boat was waiting to convey him to the ship, but, as he was already
+standing with one foot on the gunwale, he caught sight of Priscilla
+looking at him with a sad and reproachful gaze.
+
+At once his purpose changed. He determined that he would not go away,
+but would remain and protect her. The captain of the ship bade farewell
+to his friends and pushed off his boat. Not one of all who had set out
+in the _Mayflower_ returned with her. The pilgrims wished the captain
+and his men Godspeed and went back to their life of toil in the new
+world.
+
+As John turned to depart, Priscilla stood beside him and they spoke
+together long and earnestly. She gently reproached John for pleading the
+cause of another. "I was hurt that you should urge me to marry Captain
+Miles Standish, even though he is your friend. I must tell you the
+truth; your friendship is more to me than all the love he could offer."
+
+Said John: "Of all your friends, let me be the nearest and dearest, and
+I promise that I will be true and faithful to you always."
+
+He would not say more than this, for, although he longed to tell
+Priscilla of his love for her, he had vowed not to do so. Loyalty to his
+absent friend forbade him and he thought to himself: "I will not speak
+to Priscilla of this until there is no longer any anger betwixt Miles
+Standish and myself."
+
+Meanwhile, Miles Standish was marching steadily northward with a small
+troop of soldiers led by their brave Indian guide, Hobomok. After a
+three days' march they reached an Indian encampment and saw the women at
+work by the tents and the warriors sitting round the fire in full
+war-paint.
+
+When the Indians saw the white men approaching, two of the mightiest
+warriors sprang up and came to parley with Standish, offering him a
+present of furs. Then they spoke through the Indian interpreter, begging
+the soldiers for muskets and powder, but when Standish refused and said
+he would give them a Bible instead, they changed their tone and began
+to boast and bluster.
+
+One of the chiefs cried: "Is this the mighty Captain the white men have
+sent to destroy us? He is a little man, let him go and work with the
+women!" Standish looked keenly round him and became aware of shadowy
+forms of Indians creeping round the bushes in ambush, but he feigned not
+to see them and stood his ground undaunted, listening calmly to the
+interpreter's words. But when the Indian chief began to taunt him, his
+hot blood rose within him, and, snatching the boaster's knife from him,
+he stabbed him to the heart. A flight of arrows immediately poured on
+the little band from all sides, but they replied with deadly fire from
+their guns and after a fierce fight the first victory lay with the white
+men.
+
+Month after month passed by and Miles Standish continued to scour the
+land with his forces till his name became a terror to all the hostile
+Indian tribes. In the little village of Plymouth the time passed
+peacefully on. John Alden built himself a new house, dug a well, and
+planted an orchard hard by. As he worked he thought ever of Priscilla
+and knew that his happiness would not be complete until he might venture
+to ask her to share the fruits of his toil.
+
+One day he was sitting with the maiden, awkwardly holding a skein of
+yarn for her to wind, when a messenger arrived in frantic haste
+bringing terrible news from the village. Miles Standish was dead, shot
+down by a poisoned arrow as he was leading his men to battle. Remorseful
+and yet glad that nothing now stood between him and the fulfillment of
+his hopes, John Alden turned to Priscilla and won her ready consent to
+become his bride.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+So one bright summer's day the simple wedding took place according to
+Puritan custom. Just as the service was ending, a somber figure clad in
+steel armor appeared on the threshold. The bridegroom turned pale at the
+sight and the bride hid her face on his shoulder. When the last prayer
+had been said, the figure strode into the room, and with amazement the
+people beheld the Captain of Plymouth whom they had mourned as dead.
+Grasping the bridegroom's hand Miles Standish begged his forgiveness,
+which was gladly granted; he then saluted the bride and a new bond of
+friendship was entered into by all three. Full of eager questions the
+guests then gathered round the Captain, all speaking at once, till the
+poor man declared he had far rather break into an Indian encampment than
+come to a wedding to which he had not been invited.
+
+When the confusion had at length subsided, John led out his snow-white
+steer covered with crimson cloth and with a cushion for a saddle. His
+wife, he declared, should ride to her home like a queen, not plod like a
+peasant. And so the bridal procession set out, Priscilla riding and John
+leading her gentle steed. No sad thoughts marred their homecoming, for
+their friend had been saved from a cruel death and his kindly words
+added a crowning joy to their happiness.
+
+
+
+
+_Lady
+Wentworth_
+
+
+One bright summer morning, rather more than a hundred years ago, comely
+Mistress Stavers stood with folded arms at her tavern door and watched
+her husband drive his stage-coach, four-in-hand, down the long lane and
+out into the country. Above her head hung the tavern sign--a portrait of
+the Earl of Halifax, resplendent in his scarlet coat and flaxen wig.
+Looking down, he was struck afresh with the charms of the
+tavern-keeper's handsome wife, and, though he was in a somewhat battered
+condition owing to his advanced age and the extremes of weather to which
+he had been exposed, he almost made up his mind to fall at her feet and
+declare his love.
+
+At that moment, however, his train of thought was interrupted by the
+vision of a barefooted, ragged little girl hurrying down the street. In
+spite of her shabby, mean attire, you could hardly help noticing how
+pretty she was, with her rough curly hair falling over her shoulders and
+her eyes dancing with laughter; in her hand she carried a brimming pail
+of water which dripped on to her little bare feet as she tripped along.
+Smiles played over the childish face and rippling sun-beams danced in
+her pail. The susceptible Earl of Halifax gazed at this picture with
+feelings of delight, but Dame Stavers evidently did not approve of it,
+for the Earl heard her say, "Fie for shame, Martha Hilton! How dare you
+go about the town half-dressed and looking such a sight!" The little
+gypsy maid laughed and replied saucily, "No matter how I look now. One
+day you will see me riding in my own chariot, ma'am."
+
+Dame Stavers was too amazed at the audacity of these words to make any
+reply, but the Earl of Halifax smiled kindly at the little maid as she
+walked on with her heavy burden. When she reached the corner of the
+street, she looked back for a moment, then turned and passed out of
+sight.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The Earl of Halifax swung for a while on his sign and pondered. His
+attention was next arrested by a magnificent carriage rolling rapidly
+by. Outriders in scarlet liveries bestrode the spirited horses, whose
+silver harness glittered brightly in the sun. Within the chariot a
+dignified gentleman sat in solitary state. He was a stately personage
+with powdered hair, wearing a three-cornered hat and a crimson velvet
+coat; diamond buckles sparkled at his knees, and in his hand he carried
+a gold-headed cane. As the carriage passed the inn, Mistress Stavers
+dropped several low curtseys, for this was General Wentworth driving out
+to his great house, which stood just outside the town overlooking the
+sea.
+
+A stately pile standing near the high road but hidden from it by trees,
+the Governor's house was indeed a pleasant abode. Within, it was
+magnificent to behold with its oak floors and carved chimney-pieces. All
+through the winter immense fires of logs blazed cheerily on the open
+hearths, while portraits of dead and gone Wentworths in heavy gilt
+frames looked placidly down from the tapestry-covered walls. Beneath the
+tapestry were doors which opened unawares and led into mysterious
+passages and up queer little flights of stairs.
+
+Here dwelt the great man, Governor Wentworth, but no one shared its
+comfort with him, for he was a widower and childless, and though no one
+ever heard him complain, sometimes he felt his loneliness very keenly.
+
+At this time Martha Hilton, the pretty little gypsy maid was thirteen
+years old, and soon after the day when we met her tripping down the main
+street of Portsmouth, she went to be a servant at the house of Governor
+Wentworth. For seven long years she worked hard and faithfully.
+
+    "A maid of all work, whether coarse or fine,
+    A servant who made service seem divine."
+
+Under her care the mirrors glistened and the brasses shone; the very
+knocker on the great front entrance looked brighter whenever she passed
+by. And all this time, as Martha grew from childhood into woman-hood,
+there was someone who watched, unknown to her, all her doings.
+
+Time passed on, bringing with it the Governor's sixtieth birthday, and
+at the great house it was determined to give a banquet in honor of the
+occasion. Invitations were sent out to all Governor Wentworth's friends
+in the neighborhood, and when the day arrived, a very noble assemblage
+sat down to the feast. At the commencement of the banquet the Reverend
+Arthur Brown, the rector, who was seated at the host's right hand, said
+grace, and then the feast went on merrily. After the guests had finished
+eating and the King's health had been drunk, the Governor gave a
+whispered message to a man-servant, who disappeared and presently
+returned with a beautiful girl, simply and neatly dressed. The guests
+scarcely noticed her presence, but the Governor stood up in his place
+and, looking down at the rector, said: "This is my birthday; it shall
+also be my wedding-day, and you shall marry me."
+
+The guests were greatly mystified, and the reverend gentleman not less
+so, but he answered politely: "It would indeed be a pleasant task, your
+Excellency, but may I ask to whom I am to marry you?" "To this lady,"
+replied the Governor, and beckoned to Martha Hilton to stand by his
+side. Blushing and confused the maiden timidly obeyed, but the rector
+hesitated and said nothing. Then the Governor cried impatiently: "If you
+hesitate to do as I ask you, then, as chief magistrate, I command you."
+
+Seeing that all objections would be useless the rector obeyed, and read
+the marriage-service in loud, clear tones. The Governor placed a ring on
+the fourth finger of the bride's fair left hand, and Martha Hilton
+became Lady Wentworth of the Hall.
+
+Thus the saucy boast, which the little gypsy had uttered in jest seven
+years before, came true, and when Lady Wentworth drove in her chariot
+through the main street of Portsmouth none dropped a lower curtsey than
+the tavern-keeper's wife. The Earl of Halifax smiled serenely but said
+nothing.
+
+
+
+
+ELIZABETH
+
+
+Elizabeth Haddon, the gentle Quaker maiden, sat one winter evening in
+her farm-house kitchen, which served both for kitchen and parlor, and
+talked to Hannah the housemaid. "How short the days are," she said, "and
+how quickly night overtakes us. In the old country there is a long
+twilight, but here in the forest is hardly a moment between daylight and
+lamplight. Yet how grand winter is with its spotless mantle of snow."
+
+"Oh, yes, winter is beautiful enough," replied Hannah, "and if only we
+could walk with our feet on the ceiling like flies, I should not
+complain. But this great river, the Delaware, is not crowded with tall
+sailing vessels like the Thames. Here we see nothing but pine-trees
+already flecked with snow. There is snow in the air and to-morrow all
+the roads will be blocked. I pity Joseph, who will have to break through
+the snow-drifts with his sled and oxen, and how in all the world shall
+we get to Meeting on First Day (Sunday)?"
+
+Elizabeth gently reproved her talkative servant for grumbling, then rose
+and put her sewing away. Meanwhile, Hannah fastened the shutters, spread
+the cloth, and lighted the lamp. Then she made the tea and placed on the
+table a brown loaf and butter fresh from the dairy. As they partook of
+their simple meal, Elizabeth said: "Joseph is a long time on his errand.
+I sent him to the village with a hamper of food and clothing for the
+poor. He is a good lad, always ready and willing."
+
+Hannah smiled with pleasure at her mistress's praise of her fellow
+servant, and Elizabeth continued: "This house is a long way from the
+village, and we should be lonely if it were not for friends passing by
+who sometimes stay the night here."
+
+Hannah, who resembled John Gilpin's famous wife in that she had "a
+frugal mind," did not altogether approve of what her generous mistress
+said.
+
+"Many people do indeed pay us a visit," she remarked, "and they treat
+this house just as if it were an inn, coming and going exactly as they
+please."
+
+"All I have is the Lord's, not mine," replied Elizabeth gently. "I am
+only left here in trust to distribute His gifts among the poor and those
+who devote their lives to His service. It was for this purpose that my
+father built this house in the clearing, and, though he did not come
+here himself, I came in his stead. So we must not grudge to others the
+crumbs that fall from our table."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+A little ashamed of herself, Hannah was silent for a while, and
+Elizabeth went on to say in her gentle voice: "Dost thou remember,
+Hannah, the great May meeting in London when I was still a child? No
+sound was heard in all that great assembly till at length a young man,
+named John Estaugh, rose in his place and spoke so powerfully that all
+hearts were stirred. I cannot tell why, but to-day there is a strong
+feeling within me that I shall see him again."
+
+As she finished speaking, a sound of sleigh-bells came nearer and nearer
+and a sleigh drew up at the farm-house gate. Joseph had evidently
+returned from his errand but not alone, for the voices of two men were
+heard talking together.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It was very dark in the yard, so Hannah lighted the great tin lantern
+and went out to give it to Joseph. Presently she returned, ushering in a
+tall and youthful stranger, whose cheeks were aglow from the wintry air.
+As he entered, Elizabeth advanced to meet him with outstretched hands,
+as if he were an expected guest, and said: "Thou art welcome, John
+Estaugh."
+
+"Dost thou remember me, Elizabeth?" replied the stranger. "It seems a
+wonderful thing that after so many years have passed I should find thee
+again. It was surely the hand of the Lord which conducted me to thy
+threshold. As I was on my journey, I saw a wayfarer standing at the
+roadside seemingly weary with travel. I greeted the man and offered to
+take him to his home. He mounted the sleigh beside me, and on the way he
+told me of thee and thy homestead. And, as I remembered thy name and thy
+father and mother in England, I have paused on my journey to see thee
+and wish thee strength in the good work thou art doing."
+
+At that moment Joseph came in carrying the lantern, which he carefully
+extinguished and hung on its nail. Then all sat down to supper together,
+for beneath that roof there was no distinction of person--they were one
+family, one household.
+
+When supper was over they drew their chairs to the fire-place and
+talked, that is, all except Hannah, who busied herself in clearing the
+table and making ready the guest-chamber. Then Elizabeth told John
+Estaugh how it was that she had come to live on the farm alone, except
+for her two faithful servants, secure in the belief that her duty lay
+here in the desert.
+
+Thus they talked till bed-time, and at daybreak Joseph cleared a pathway
+through the snow-drifts and made ready to conduct the stranger to his
+destination. Elizabeth and John bade each other farewell at the gate,
+the latter promising to return for the Meeting in May.
+
+Time went on, till at length the cold winter was at an end and balmy
+spring came over the land, bringing the song of birds and covering the
+earth with flowers. One pleasant morning in May a long procession of men
+and women, among them John Estaugh, came riding past on their way to the
+Meeting in the neighboring town. On the way they halted at Elizabeth's
+farm to rest and partake of the rye bread, currant wine, and honey fresh
+from the hives, which were offered to them in generous abundance. Then
+Elizabeth, Hannah, and Joseph mounted their horses and prepared to set
+out with the others, but when they had started, Elizabeth lingered a
+little behind and whispered to John, "Tarry a while, for I have
+something to tell thee which must not be lightly spoken in the presence
+of others since it concerns me and thee only."
+
+Slowly they rode through the woods together, and the morning was so
+bright and fair that it was a pleasure just to be alive. Then Elizabeth
+said slowly, as if it were a secret she felt compelled to reveal, though
+she would fain have kept it hidden: "I will no longer conceal what is
+laid upon me to tell thee; I have received from the Lord a charge to
+love thee, John Estaugh."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Somewhat surprised at the frank words the maiden had spoken, John made
+answer: "All thy ways, thy words and meekness of spirit are indeed
+pleasant to me, but as yet I have no voice to direct me in this
+matter. When the work which the Lord has appointed for me is ended, I
+will commune with my own heart and wait for its guidance."
+
+Then Elizabeth said tranquilly: "It is best so. We will not speak
+further on the matter, but I had to tell thee this, for to-morrow thou
+art going away across the sea and I know not when I shall see thee
+again. But, if God wills, thou wilt return again to seek me and will
+find me still here." And they rode onward in silence to join the others
+and entered the town in their company.
+
+Thus Elizabeth and John met and parted once more like "Ships that pass
+in the night, and speak to each other in passing." The quiet life in the
+homestead went on just as it had done before. Always thoughtful and kind
+to others, Elizabeth lived and worked on her lonely farm, ever patient
+and uncomplaining. And Hannah too, urged by her mistress's example, was
+never idle; early and late she was always to be found at work, washing,
+scouring, or cooking, till her cheeks grew rosy from her exertions.
+
+She amused herself by teasing Joseph and, though at heart she was really
+very fond of him, whenever he attempted to make love to her, she would
+never listen seriously, but always laugh at him and make fun of his
+clumsy devotion. This was quite unlike the way a demure Puritan maiden
+should conduct herself, and at times Elizabeth was obliged to chide her
+housemaid for her light behavior.
+
+Meanwhile John Estaugh had sailed over the sea bearing in his heart a
+precious secret. He pondered over it, till at length it was borne in
+upon him that his duty might go hand-in-hand with his inclination, and
+that even if he accepted this wondrous gift of a true woman's love, he
+could also follow in the way he deemed the right one. So he returned
+from his journey, and on the first Sabbath Day after his arrival he rose
+in the silent assembly and holding Elizabeth's hand, which trembled a
+little in his strong grasp, he promised, in the presence of the whole
+congregation, to be true and kind and faithful in all things to his
+wife. Such were the simple marriage rites of Elizabeth Haddon and John
+Estaugh.
+
+Then honest Joseph, who thus far had not fared over well in his wooing,
+ventured to urge Hannah the housemaid to join her lot with his and
+follow the example of their master and mistress. But although Hannah
+still said "Nay," she added: "Thee may make believe and see what comes
+of it, Joseph." So I am inclined to think that she did give in after
+all.
+
+
+
+
+_The Monk and the Ass_
+
+
+Once upon a time, some centuries ago, two weary Franciscan monks were
+wending their way, in the hot glare of the noonday sun, to their
+convent, whose white walls and spires gleamed like a patch of snow on
+the hillside some distance away.
+
+The first of these monks was named Brother Anthony. He was a spare and
+silent man, much given to fasting and prayer. His monk's habit hung in
+loose folds on his thin body, his hair was thin and gray, and he stooped
+wearily as he walked along. A simple soul was the monk Anthony,
+accustomed only to listen and obey the commands of others.
+
+Of a very different stamp was his companion, Brother Timothy, large and
+robust with rosy cheeks and bristling red hair. He was tall and broad
+shouldered and his robe fitted tightly round his portly form. Brother
+Timothy had ever a jest on his lips, and the more sober monks were
+sometimes scandalized at the noise and uproar he created in the convent
+refectory. Moreover, it was useless to exhort Timothy to cease jesting
+and study his Mass-book, for the simple reason that the jovial monk had
+never learned to read.
+
+It was a very hot day. The monks' dark robes were covered with dust and
+torn by briers, and the two holy men made slow progress owing to the
+heavy wallets full of provisions which they were carrying on their
+backs. Now, as they passed the outskirts of a lonely wood, to their
+surprise they beheld an ass tethered to a tree, and blinking lazily at
+the passers-by. This donkey was the property of a certain Farmer
+Gilbert, who had come thither to gather faggots. He had wandered deep
+into the forest to collect enough wood, leaving his donkey to rest in
+the shade.
+
+No sooner did Brother Timothy catch sight of the patient animal than he
+cried out: "See, brother, what a piece of good fortune has befallen us!
+We will lay our wallets on this creature's back."
+
+This being done, he removed the halter from the ass's neck and proceeded
+to tether himself to the same tree where the donkey had been tied.
+Brother Anthony looked on at these queer doings in great amazement,
+which was not lessened when Brother Timothy broke out into a merry peal
+of laughter and cried: "Drive the ass before you with your staff to the
+convent, and, when you arrive there, tell the brethren that you were
+obliged to leave me at a farm, as I was worn out and ill with fever, and
+that the farmer lent you his ass to carry our heavy wallets, which are
+filled with provisions for their use."
+
+Brother Anthony knew quite well that it would be fruitless to try and
+reason with Brother Timothy when the latter was bent on playing one of
+his mad pranks, so he made no reply but obeyed in silence. Driving the
+ass before him, he arrived safely with the wallets at the convent and
+left his comrade to his fate.
+
+Presently Farmer Gilbert came forth from the wood laden with faggots and
+stood aghast to see the ponderous body of the friar fastened to the tree
+where he had left his ass. Dropping his load of wood, he stood
+open-mouthed and trembling and then hastily crossed himself, for he
+thought that this was the work of the Evil One.
+
+"Be not amazed," quoth Brother Timothy, "that where you left an ass you
+should find a poor, half-starved Franciscan friar. Set me free and you
+shall hear my piteous story."
+
+With shaking fingers the farmer unloosed the rope, and the monk
+continued: "Although I wear the garb of a holy friar, I am a sinful man.
+You imagine you have owned an ass, but it was myself, transformed into
+this shape for the deadly sin of gluttony, and condemned to do penance
+by feeding on grass and being beaten and starved by your household.
+Think of the miserable life I have endured, the windy shed which was my
+home, and the damp and musty straw which formed my bed; my scanty food
+was given me grudgingly and I have patiently endured toil and blows. But
+to-day my penance is at an end and I begin life as a monk again."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Simple Farmer Gilbert was conscience-stricken at hearing such words as
+these, and, falling on his knees before the friar, implored his pardon.
+The deceitful monk, rejoiced to think that his tale had been so readily
+believed, generously forgave the farmer for his past conduct, and even
+consented to be his guest for the night as it was getting late and he
+stood in need of rest.
+
+The farmer led his guest to his humble white-washed cottage, which stood
+on a hillside covered with fruitful olive trees. Drawing near, they
+found the farmer's wife, comely Dame Cicely, his children, and his old
+father waiting the return of the master of the house, and, when the
+monk's wonderful tale was told anew, they were no less penitent and
+amazed than the farmer himself had been. Deeply they grieved over the
+harsh treatment the holy man had endured at their hands, and, poor as
+they were, set about forthwith to prepare a grand supper to satisfy
+Brother Timothy's hunger after such a long and rigid fast. The good wife
+killed her last two fowls, and made them into a salad; then she brought
+out her best wine and begged her honored guest to fall to.
+
+Brother Timothy played his part well. He ate and drank as though he had
+been starving for a twelve-month, and, all the while, he talked and
+laughed without stopping and wagged his red beard, till at length the
+farmer grew angry with his guest and ventured to reprove him in good
+round terms.
+
+"Good father," said he, "it is easy to see that for some persons
+punishment is right and needful. The manner in which you have behaved
+to-night after your long penance clearly proves that you have but little
+strength against temptation and shows in what peril you stand of
+relapsing into your deadly sin of greediness. Take my advice; return to
+your convent at sunrise to-morrow and there repent, fast and scourge
+yourself, for you are in great danger of becoming an ass again. Be wise
+and remain here no longer, or else I may be tempted to use the whip to
+you, and I should not deal so lightly with you as you would with
+yourself."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Brother Timothy had the grace to blush deeply at this well-deserved
+reproof, but wisely made no reply, and soon the whole household sought
+their beds. The next morning they awoke at sunrise, at the hour when the
+cock should have crowed, only, as you know, they had eaten him for
+supper the previous evening. The monk, who had recovered his good
+spirits, rose betimes, and, having breakfasted, set out in haste, for he
+heard the distant matin bell ringing from the convent and so made his
+leave-taking a very brief one.
+
+It was a balmy summer morning, filled with the song of birds and the
+subdued lowing of cattle; the beautiful Italian countryside looked its
+loveliest, but Brother Timothy cared naught for all this. His thoughts
+were concerned only with his own affairs, and it was not till the
+convent walls appeared before him that he quickened his steps and began
+to take an interest in what was going on.
+
+As he entered the convent gate, he saw the ass standing patiently there
+just as he had found him in the wood. Brother Timothy at once hastened
+to the Abbot and, after telling him a plausible tale of sickness and
+weariness which had prevented him from returning to the convent on the
+previous day, he went on to explain that the ass had been sent as a
+present to the Brotherhood; the owner, who was a wealthy man, had
+bestowed it on the convent, so that it might ease the poor monks from
+always carrying such heavy burdens on their journeys to the neighboring
+village.
+
+Now this was a matter which required careful consideration, and for some
+days the Abbot thought over in his mind the difficult question of how he
+should dispose of the gift. On the one hand, it would be pleasant for
+the monks to be spared so much toil, but, on the other, it would make
+them lazy and self-indulgent, and the world would find reason for
+scandal and reproof. So finally he determined to sell the ass, in order
+to save the expense of his keep, and to put by the money which its sale
+would fetch. He would save himself from any annoyance and, in addition,
+gain a substantial sum of money for the Brotherhood.
+
+The ass was forthwith dispatched to the neighboring fair, whither it
+happened by chance that Farmer Gilbert had come. He soon caught sight of
+the ass and, coming up, he whispered in its ear: "Alas, good father, I
+see that my warnings were useless, and that your gluttony has changed
+you into an ass again." The ass, feeling something tickling its ear,
+turned round and shook its head as if to contradict what he had just
+heard.
+
+"I know you well," continued Gilbert, in a loud voice. "You cannot deny
+that you are the Franciscan friar named Timothy," But the ass still
+shook its head, and Gilbert continued to argue with the animal till a
+crowd gathered round them and began to mock and jeer.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"If this ass is Brother Timothy," they cried, "you ought to buy him and
+feed him on the tenderest grass. It would surely be an act of charity to
+show some kindness to a poor unfortunate who has been transformed into
+an ass."
+
+The simple farmer took their advice, bought his own ass and led him
+homeward over hill and dale and, as they went, he exhorted the animal to
+behave well and be content. The children ran to meet their father and,
+when they saw what he was leading, they shouted for joy, for they could
+not understand that this creature was a holy friar, and not their own
+lost donkey.
+
+"Oh, Brother Timothy," they cried, "we are so glad you have come back to
+us; we were afraid that you were dead and that we would never see you
+any more!"
+
+Then they wove green garlands for his neck, patted him and kissed his
+head, and led him back to his stable. Henceforward, the donkey, who was
+always known as Brother Timothy, led a life of luxury; he had little
+work given him to do and so much hay and corn to eat, that he grew
+ungrateful and vicious. At length Farmer Gilbert lost his patience and
+said to the ass: "As our kindness is not repaid by good behavior, I
+shall have to see what a sound thrashing will do."
+
+It would be difficult to tell you of all the vices that this spoiled
+animal had fallen into; among others was a habit of flinging up his
+heels, breaking his halter, and running away through woods and over
+meadows, defying the efforts of everyone to catch him. But his gravest
+offense was breaking out of his shed at night and ravaging the cabbage
+patch. This was too much for even the long-suffering farmer to endure,
+and he determined to take strong measures to curb the donkey's
+wickedness, whether the animal were a holy friar or not. So Brother
+Timothy was sent back again to his old life of toil. He was beaten
+without mercy, and instead of luxuries and caresses he had to work
+harder than he had ever done before. And this was not the worst, for as
+his work grew more his food grew less, till at last the poor creature
+could only take his revenge on his hard taskmaster by dying.
+
+Great was the lamentation which then uprose, and sad was Farmer Gilbert
+to think that the unfortunate monk had died without repenting of his
+sins. Dame Cicely and the children cried for a week, and Farmer Gilbert
+recounted all the virtues of the deceased and added solemnly: "May
+Heaven pardon Brother Timothy and keep us from the deadly sin of
+greed!"
+
+
+
+
+EVANGELINE
+
+
+In the land of Acadia, within a fruitful and secluded valley, lay the
+little village of Grand-Pré. Its inhabitants were a sturdy race of
+French farmers, hard-working, kind, and generous. The land was
+exceedingly fruitful, and so freely did these simple farmers give to
+others that poverty was almost unknown in the village. The pleasant
+farmhouses had neither locks to the doors nor bars to the windows, but
+stood open like the hearts of their owners.
+
+At a short distance from the village dwelt the wealthy farmer, Benedict
+Bellefontaine, an upright and stately man, in spite of his seventy
+years. With him lived his only daughter, Evangeline, a lovely maiden of
+seventeen summers, and the pride and joy of his old age. Her black eyes
+gleamed brightly from beneath the shade of her brown tresses and when,
+on Sunday mornings she walked down the village street to church,
+wearing her Norman cap, blue kirtle and earrings, all eyes turned to
+look at her with admiration, for she was without doubt the most
+beautiful girl in the whole village.
+
+Of suitors she had many, but none found favor in her eyes save young
+Gabriel, the son of Basil the blacksmith. Basil and Benedict were old
+friends, and their children had grown up together almost as brother and
+sister, learning the same lessons and sharing the same sports and
+pastimes. As they grew up, their childish love deepened and
+strengthened, and now, with the warm approval of their respective
+fathers, their marriage was soon to take place.
+
+One evening, Benedict was sitting by his fireside, and near him
+Evangeline was busy spinning, for in those days it was the duty of an
+industrious housewife to make all the linen which would be required for
+her future home. Presently the latch was lifted and in came the stalwart
+blacksmith with his son. The two elders took their usual seats near the
+hearth and smoked their pipes, while the young couple stood apart by the
+window and talked of their future life.
+
+Said Basil: "I do not like the look of things just now. English ships
+with cannon pointed against us are at anchor in our harbor. We do not
+yet know whether their intention be good or ill, but we are all
+summoned to appear in the church to-morrow and hear his Majesty's
+command, which is to be made the law of the land."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Nonsense," replied Benedict, "you look on present circumstances too
+gloomily. After all, since this land now belongs to the English, it is
+only natural that we should have to obey fresh laws. We are an honest
+and law-abiding people and they cannot intend to harm us."
+
+"The English have not forgotten that we helped our kinsmen, the French,
+against them," replied the blacksmith. "Many of the villagers fear they
+mean to harm us, and have already fled to the forest, taking with them
+all the weapons they could lay hands on."
+
+"Fear no evil, my friend," said the jovial farmer. "To-night, at any
+rate, let no shadow of sorrow fall on this house, for we are assembled
+here to draw up our children's marriage contract. Their house is built,
+the barns filled with hay, and all is in readiness for them."
+
+As he spoke a knock was heard at the door and the worthy notary, Pčre
+Leblanc, came in. The disquieting news in the village was discussed
+anew, and the notary said: "Man is unjust, but God is just, and justice
+finally triumphs. When I was taken captive and lay imprisoned in a
+French fort I was often consoled by an old story which ran thus: 'Once
+in an ancient city, whose name I cannot recall, poised on a column,
+stood a brazen statue of Justice. In her right hand she held a sword,
+and in her left a pair of scales. The birds of the air had no fear of
+the sword which flashed and glittered in the sunshine, and some of the
+boldest among them even built their nests in the scales. Now it chanced
+that a necklace of pearls was lost in a nobleman's palace and suspicion
+fell on a young maid-servant. Although her guilt could not be proved,
+she was condemned to death, and her execution took place at the foot of
+the statue of Justice. But as her innocent spirit rose to heaven, lo! a
+terrible storm swept over the city and struck the statue with such force
+that the scales of the balance were hurled down on to the pavement. When
+they were picked up, in the hollow was found a magpie's nest, into the
+clay sides of which the pearl necklace was interwoven.'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The blacksmith was silent, though not convinced by the notary's tale,
+but he said nothing further on the subject. The notary produced his
+papers and ink-horn and drew out in due form the marriage contract
+between Gabriel and Evangeline; then, pocketing the substantial fee
+which the farmer offered him, he drank the young couple's health and
+withdrew. The old men settled down to their customary game of draughts,
+and the lovers sat in the window-seat watching the moon rise and the
+stars come out one by one. At nine the village curfew rang, and the
+guests rose up and departed.
+
+The next morning a betrothal feast was held in Benedict's orchard. The
+young men and maidens danced gayly to the sound of old Michael's
+fiddling, and of them all no maiden was so fair as Evangeline, no youth
+so handsome as Gabriel. Thus was the morning passed, and soon the
+church-bells and the beat of drums summoned the people to the appointed
+meeting-place. The women were bidden to wait in the churchyard, while
+the men thronged into the church. The guard came marching from the
+English ships, and, when they had entered the sacred building, the heavy
+doors were fastened and the crowd waited eagerly to hear what was
+coming. Speaking from the steps of the altar, the Commander said: "You
+are summoned here to-day by his Majesty the King's command, and he has
+given me a painful duty to perform. The will of our monarch is that all
+your lands, dwellings, and cattle be forfeited to the crown, and that
+you yourselves shall be transported to other lands. And now I declare
+you my prisoners."
+
+Loud was the clamor of sorrow and anger which uprose at these words and
+Basil the blacksmith shouted wildly: "Down with the tyrants of England!"
+In the midst of the angry tumult the door of the chancel opened and
+Father Felician entered the church. Ascending the steps of the altar,
+the good priest made a gesture to command silence and all were subdued
+by his noble words: "Even of our enemies let us say, 'O Father, forgive
+them!'" Then he calmly conducted the evening service, and never were
+prayers more earnestly said than on that dreadful night.
+
+For four days the men were imprisoned in the church, while their
+womenfolk, sick with sorrow, waited in their homes. On the fifth day a
+long procession of women and children came, driving in ponderous wagons
+laden with their household goods, down to the seashore. Then the church
+doors were unbarred, and, pale with grief and imprisonment, the Acadian
+peasants marched to the harbor under the escort of soldiers. Evangeline
+was on the watch for her dear ones; to her lover she whispered words of
+encouragement, and strove to cheer her father, though sadly affrighted
+by his dejection and the way he seemed suddenly to have grown much
+older.
+
+At the place of embarking the greatest confusion prevailed. Small boats
+plied between the shore and the ships and thus wives were torn from
+their husbands and mothers, too late, saw their children left behind.
+Half the task was not finished when night came on. Basil and Gabriel
+were among those who were taken to the ships, but Evangeline and her
+father were left standing in despair on the shore.
+
+Fires were kindled on the beach, and Father Felician wandered from group
+to group, consoling and blessing the poor homeless people. As he paused
+where Evangeline and her father were encamped, a sudden flare filled the
+sky behind them. All eyes were turned in that direction, and the whole
+village was seen to be in flames. Overwhelmed with sorrow the priest and
+the maiden gazed at the scene of terror, but Benedict uttered no word,
+and, when at last they turned to look at him, he had fallen to the
+ground and lay there dead. Separated from her lover and now alone in the
+world, the poor girl's courage at length failed her and her grief was
+piteous to behold.
+
+The next morning the old farmer received a hasty burial on the seashore,
+and the remainder of the exiles were carried to the ships and
+transported to far distant lands.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+PART II
+
+Many years had passed away since the burning of the village of
+Grand-Pré, and the exiles had been scattered far asunder. Among them a
+maiden, patient and meek in spirit, waited and wandered. Sometimes she
+lingered in towns, at others she passed through the country and wandered
+into churchyards, gazing sadly at the crosses and tombstones, but never
+did she remain long in the same place. It was Evangeline searching for
+her lover, and, though many sought to dissuade her from her quest, and
+urged her to listen to the wooing of her faithful suitor Baptista
+Leblanc, the notary's son, she only answered sadly: "I cannot, for
+whither my heart has gone, there follows my hand." And in all her doings
+she was upheld and cheered by her faithful friend, the priest Felician.
+Wherever she went she asked for news of Gabriel, and at last she found
+out that he and his father had become famous hunters, and had been met
+with on one of the vast prairies, but she was never able to trace his
+movements.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Still she journeyed onward and onward till, one May, she joined a band
+of Acadian exiles who were sailing in a cumbrous boat down the broad
+river Mississippi. They were seeking for their kinsmen who, it was
+rumored, had settled down as farmers in that fertile district. Day after
+day the exiles glided down the river, and night after night they
+encamped on its banks and slept by the blazing camp-fires which they
+kindled. One night--if only Evangeline had known it--a boat rowed by
+hunters and trappers, Gabriel among them, passed by close to their camp.
+But the exiles' boat was hidden among the willows and they themselves
+screened from sight by thick shrubs, so the hunters sped northward and
+their passing was unheeded. Only when the sound of their oars had died
+away, the maiden awoke and said to the priest: "Father Felician,
+something tells me that Gabriel is near me. Chide me not for this
+foolish fancy."
+
+"Not far to the south," answered the faithful priest, "are the towns of
+St. Maur and St. Martin, where many of our kinsfolk have settled. There
+in that beautiful land, which its inhabitants call the Eden of
+Louisiana, the bride shall surely be restored to her bridegroom."
+
+Full of hope, the travelers continued their journey, and presently
+arrived at a herdsman's house which stood in a lovely garden close to
+the river. The owner himself, mounted on horseback, was watching his
+numerous herds which were grazing in the meadows around him. As he
+turned towards his house, he caught sight of the maiden and the priest
+coming toward him. With a cry of joy he sprang from his saddle and
+hastened towards them, and then the travelers saw that it was none other
+than Basil the blacksmith. You can imagine how cordial were the
+greetings, how numberless the questions and answers that passed between
+them. Only Evangeline grew silent and thoughtful when Gabriel did not
+appear, and at length Basil said, "If you came by way of the lakes, how
+is it that you did not meet my son's boat?"
+
+"Gone, is Gabriel gone?" murmured Evangeline piteously; she could not
+hide her disappointment, and shed bitter tears.
+
+"Be of good cheer, my child," returned honest Basil, "it is only to-day
+he went from here. He grew moody and restless ever thinking of thee,
+till at length he could no longer endure this quiet existence. Therefore
+I let him go among the Indians, hoping thus to divert his mind from his
+troubles. Early to-morrow thou and I will set out after him, and I doubt
+not but we shall overtake him and bring him back to his friends."
+
+A sound of many voices was now heard, and the other travelers came up
+joyously led by Michael the fiddler, who had lived with Basil since
+their exile, having no other task than that of cheering his companions
+by his merry music. Basil invited all the travelers to sup with them,
+and greatly did they marvel at the former blacksmith's wealth and many
+possessions. When they were seated at the table, Basil told his friends
+of the beauty of the country and the fertility of the soil, and, when he
+added that land might be had for the asking, they all resolved to settle
+there and help to form the new Acadian colony.
+
+On the morrow, according to his promise, Basil set out to overtake his
+son, and Evangeline went with him. Day after day they journeyed onward
+through a wild and desolate country, but could hear no tidings of the
+traveler. At length they arrived at the inn of a little Spanish town,
+where they heard that Gabriel had left that very place the previous day
+and had set out with his horses and guides for the prairies.
+
+Basil and Evangeline determined not to give up their search, and, hiring
+some Indian guides, they followed in the direction which Gabriel had
+taken. One evening as they were sitting by their camp-fire, there
+entered an Indian woman whose face bore the marks of heavy grief. She
+was returning from the far distant hunting-grounds, where her husband
+had been cruelly murdered by a hostile tribe. Touched by her sad story,
+the white people offered her food and a night's shelter, which she
+gratefully accepted. After the evening meal was over, Evangeline and the
+stranger sat apart, and the maiden, in her turn, related to the other
+the story of her lost lover and her other misfortunes.
+
+Early the next day the march was resumed, and as they journeyed along,
+the Indian woman said: "On the western slope of these mountains dwells
+the Black Robe, Chief of the Mission. He talks to the people of their
+Heavenly Father and they give heed to his teaching."
+
+Then said Evangeline: "Let us go to the Mission, for there good tidings
+await us."
+
+So they turned their steeds thither, and just as the sun was setting
+they reached a green meadow by the riverside. There the preacher knelt
+in prayer and with him a multitude of people. The travelers joined
+reverently in the prayers, and when the service was over, the priest
+came to welcome the strangers and offered them shelter and a share of
+his frugal meal of wheaten cakes and spring water. Afterwards they told
+the priest their story, and he said: "Only six days ago Gabriel sat by
+my side and told me this same sad tale, then he continued his journey.
+He has gone far to the north, but in autumn when the hunting is over he
+will return to the Mission."
+
+Then Evangeline pleaded: "Let me remain with thee, for my soul is sad
+and afflicted." This seemed to the others a wise thing to do, so thus it
+was arranged. Early on the morrow Basil returned homewards and
+Evangeline stayed on at the Mission.
+
+Slowly and wearily the days passed by, and Evangeline lived and worked
+at the Mission till autumn drew on. But still Gabriel did not come, and
+the maiden lived on there till the following summer. Then a rumor
+reached her ears that Gabriel had encamped in a far distant forest, and
+Evangeline took leave of her friends at the Mission and set forth again
+to seek her lover, but when she reached the hunter's lodge she found it
+deserted and fallen to ruin.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+And now her weary pilgrimage began anew. Her wanderings led her through
+towns and villages, now she tarried a while in mission tents, now she
+tended the sick and wounded in the camp of a battlefield. As the years
+went on, her beauty faded and streaks of gray appeared in her dark hair.
+She was fair and young when she began her long journey, faded and old
+when it ended in disappointment.
+
+At length poor Evangeline grew weary of wandering through strange places
+and resolved to end her days in the city founded by the great preacher,
+Penn. Here other of the Acadian exiles had settled, and Evangeline felt
+that there was something homelike in the pleasant streets of the little
+city and the friendly speech of the Quakers.
+
+There for many years she dwelt as a Sister of Mercy, bringing hope and
+comfort to the poor and suffering ones. Then it came to pass that a
+terrible pestilence fell on the city and thousands perished. The poor
+crept away to die in the almshouse, and thither by night and day came
+the Sister of Mercy to tend them.
+
+One Sabbath morning Evangeline passed through the deserted streets and
+entered the gates of the almshouse. On her way she paused to pluck some
+flowers from the garden, that the dying might be comforted by their
+fragrance. As she mounted the stairs she heard the chime of church-bells
+and the sound of distant psalm-singing, and a deep calm came over her
+soul, for something within her seemed to say, "At length thy trials are
+ended!"
+
+Suddenly, as she was passing down the wards, she stood still and uttered
+a cry of anguish. On the pallet before her lay an old man with long gray
+hair, and, as she gazed, she saw that this was none other than her
+lover, Gabriel. She knelt by his bedside and the dying man opened his
+eyes and tried to whisper her name, but his strength was spent, and with
+one last look he passed away from her.
+
+Evangeline's weary quest was over; sweetly and patiently she took up her
+life again and henceforth lived only for others. And now, in the little
+Catholic churchyard of this far-away city, side by side the lovers are
+sleeping.
+
+
+
+
+_The
+Falcon
+of
+Ser
+Federigo_
+
+
+Not far from the fair town of Florence lived a wondrously beautiful
+maiden named Monna Giovanna. Of lovers she had no lack, but the two whom
+she most favored were gallant Ser Federigo, and his rival, Ser Enrico.
+
+Ser Federigo had inherited a great fortune and large estates from his
+father, and, anxious to win favor in the sight of his lady, he lavished
+his wealth in costly banquets and tournaments, never stopping to
+consider whether she would approve of his extravagance. So reckless was
+Ser Federigo that at last all his fortune was spent, and in order to
+obtain fresh supplies he sold his estates, reserving only one small farm
+for himself, and wasted all that money also.
+
+Monna Giovanna by no means approved of her wooer's extravagance--she
+refused his gifts, and disdained his banquets. "A spendthrift will not
+make a prudent husband," thought she, and so she married the more
+careful Ser Enrico, and for some years lived very happily with him in a
+distant land.
+
+Meanwhile Ser Federigo, become a sadder and wiser man, retired to his
+little farm on the outskirts of the city, taking with him his falcon,
+the only creature which remained true to him, for all his former friends
+shunned him in his poverty.
+
+One hot summer's morning, weary from working in his plot of garden, Ser
+Federigo sat on a wooden bench beneath the shelter of his cottage eaves
+thinking dreamily of the past and of the happiness which might have been
+his, while the falcon by his side was dreaming also. Suddenly he started
+up on his perch, shook his bells, and looked eagerly at his master as if
+to say, "Ser Federigo, shall we not go a-hunting?" But his master's
+thoughts were far away, and he did not stir. Presently he looked up in
+amazement. Peeping through the trellis he saw a lovely child, a boy with
+golden tresses and large wondering eyes. Without a glance at the man,
+the child walked straight up to the bird and said coaxingly, "Beautiful
+falcon, I wish I might hold you on my wrist, or see you fly."
+
+Ser Federigo started, for the child's voice seemed strangely familiar to
+him, and, laying his hand gently on the shining head, he asked, "Who is
+your mother, my fair boy?"
+
+"Monna Giovanna," replied the child. "Will you let me stay a little
+while and play with your falcon?"
+
+"Indeed I will, my child, but first tell me, where do you live?"
+
+"Just beyond your garden wall," was the reply. "In the great house
+hidden behind those tall poplar trees."
+
+So the boy chattered on, and Ser Federigo took him on his knee and told
+him stories of the noble falcon, and soon all three became close
+friends.
+
+As the days went on Ser Federigo set himself to find out why it was that
+his lady had returned to her native land, and he discovered that Monna
+Giovanna had been left a widow after a few years of marriage, and that
+she had come with a friend and her only child to pass the summer quietly
+in her grand villa overlooking the Arno. Rarely, or never, did the widow
+lady go beyond the grounds of her villa. Clad in sable robes she paced
+her stately halls, or read and worked with her friend, her one delight
+to see her boy growing in health and strength and watch over this
+treasure still left to her.
+
+The boy loved his free country life and spent the days racing up and
+down the terraces, chasing the screaming peacocks or climbing the garden
+trellises to pluck the ripe fruit. But his chief pastime was to watch
+the flight of a swift falcon which sometimes soared into sight above the
+tall poplars, and at others swooped down to earth at his master's call.
+The child had often wondered who the bird's master might be, and one
+morning he found out that the pair he sought dwelt in the little
+cottage-farm a short distance from his own home.
+
+The child came several times to see the falcon. Suddenly his visits
+ceased, but Ser Federigo had no inkling of the reason. The widow's only
+child had fallen ill, and was pining away from some unknown malady. His
+mother would not be comforted; she saw her darling already lying dead
+before her distracted gaze, and no physician could give her any hope for
+his cure. Sitting by the invalid's bedside she cried to him, "Is there
+anything I can do to comfort thee, my child?"
+
+At first the child remained silent, but when she besought him again and
+again to tell her if there was anything on earth she could obtain for
+him which might cause him to forget his suffering, he replied, "Yes,
+there is one thing I want. I pray you give me Ser Federigo's falcon for
+my own!"
+
+The astonished mother could make no reply. Even for her darling's sake
+she felt she could not ask such a favor from the lover she had once
+treated with scorn. Besides, though she knew that any request of hers
+would be at once granted by him, she knew also that the falcon was
+renowned as the finest bird throughout the countryside, as well as being
+the joy and pride of his master's heart. But the boy was fretful and
+restless, and, fearing to thwart his whim lest his life should depend on
+it, the poor mother promised to go and ask for the falcon on the very
+next day.
+
+"Will you promise faithfully to go, mother?" asked the boy.
+
+"I will, indeed," replied the distracted lady, and, soothed by her
+words, the child fell into a refreshing sleep.
+
+The morrow was a bright September day, and Monna Giovanna felt hope
+revive within her heart as she gazed on her child still peacefully
+sleeping. The birds were singing sweetly and the dew lay heavy on the
+grass as two lovely ladies, clothed in hoods and cloaks, passed through
+the garden-gate into the woods, where the trees had just donned their
+autumn dress of russet and gold. One of these ladies had her rich dark
+hair closely covered by her hood. Her eyes were wet with tears, but her
+face was only made more beautiful by its look of deep sorrow. Her
+companion was a young girl who walked with light steps, her hood thrown
+back, and her hair shining with its wealth of gold; her cheeks were
+tinted like the apple-blossom, and her heart full of joyous thoughts.
+These were Monna Giovanna and her friend, who, with thoughts intent on
+their errand, hastened towards the little farm.
+
+They found Ser Federigo digging the ground like Adam of old, and when
+he beheld these fair ladies, his garden seemed to become a second Eden
+and the river, flowing by, like the stream which watered Paradise.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Beautiful as was Monna Giovanna's young companion, Ser Federigo had no
+eyes for anyone but his dear lady, who, at first doubtful as to how she
+should begin her errand, soon raised her stately head and addressed him
+in kindly tones.
+
+"Ser Federigo," said she, "I and my companion come hither to see you in
+friendship, trusting by this means to make some amends for my unkindness
+to you in the past. In former days I would not so much as cross the
+threshold of your door; I refused your banquets and rejected your gifts.
+But this morning I am here, self-invited, to put your generous nature to
+the test, and therefore ask if we may breakfast with you beneath your
+vine?"
+
+Humbly Ser Federigo made reply: "Speak not of your unkindness to me, for
+if there is within me any good or generous feeling it is to you I owe
+it, and this gracious favor you do me in seeking me here is sufficient
+to outweigh all my sorrows and regrets of former years."
+
+After a little further talk had passed between them, Ser Federigo asked
+his guests to wait in his garden for a brief space while he went to give
+orders for breakfast. As he entered his cottage his thoughts dwelt
+regretfully on the gold and silver plate and the ruby glass which had
+once been his, and it vexed him sorely that his humble abode was lacking
+in every luxury.
+
+Matters were even worse than the poor host had anticipated; he searched
+every cupboard and ransacked every shelf, but could find nothing. Then
+he summoned the maid and asked why it was that provisions had failed
+them. "The Signor forgets that he did not hunt to-day," replied the
+girl. "We have nothing but bread and wine in the house, and fruit from
+the garden."
+
+Then suddenly the falcon shook its bells and looked knowingly at his
+master as much as to say, "If anything is wanted, I am here!"
+
+"Yes, everything is wanted, my gallant bird," cried his master, and
+without more ado he seized hold of the poor creature and wrung its neck.
+Grieved as he was at being forced to sacrifice his only friend, his
+master had no time to mourn his untimely end. Hastily a snow-white cloth
+was spread on the rough table, and on it was laid a loaf of bread
+flanked by purple grapes and fragrant peaches; in the midst of these a
+flask of wine wreathed with bright autumnal flowers, and finally the
+falcon, stuffed with cloves and spice, was cooked and served to eke out
+the humble banquet.
+
+When all was ready the lady and her companion entered the cottage, and
+to Ser Federigo's dazzled gaze everything seemed transformed. The little
+room became a stately banqueting-hall, the rustic chair on which his
+lady sat was transformed into a throne, and the poor falcon seemed a
+peacock or a bird of paradise.
+
+When the repast was ended they rose and passed into the garden again,
+and then Monna Giovanna spoke in this wise to her host: "Though you are
+too courteous to show surprise that I come to you in this friendly
+manner after we have been parted so many years, I know you must wonder
+at my reason for doing so. You have no children, so you cannot know the
+anguish a mother feels when her child is lying ill, nor how eager she is
+to anticipate his every wish. My only child is dying, Ser Federigo, and
+I have come to beg of you the one thing which may save his life. It is
+your falcon, your only treasure, that I beseech you to give my child,
+though it grieves me to the heart to demand such a precious gift from
+your hands."
+
+Ser Federigo listened with tears of love and pity in his eyes, then
+sadly answered, "Alas, dear lady, how gladly would I have granted what
+you ask had you but expressed this wish one short hour ago. But,
+thinking I could best do honor to my guests by sacrificing what was most
+dear to me, I slew my gallant falcon to provide you with a fitting
+repast."
+
+Slowly the lady turned aside her head, grieved to think that this noble
+knight had slain his cherished falcon for her sake, and yet glad of this
+proof of his devotion. But her mind was now filled with alarm, for she
+must return empty-handed to her sick child; so, taking a hasty farewell
+of their host, the ladies sadly made their way homewards.
+
+The mother's fears were only too well founded. Three days later Ser
+Federigo heard the tolling of the passing-bell from the chapel on the
+hill, and, as he breathed a prayer, "Alas! her child is dead," he
+murmured.
+
+But happier times were in store for the bereaved lady and her faithful
+lover. Touched by his devotion Monna Giovanna plighted her troth with
+Ser Federigo, and by Christmas time the little farm was deserted, and a
+wedding-feast was held in the grand villa on the hill. Once more Monna
+Giovanna sat upon the rustic chair which had been brought from the
+cottage, but something had been added. On the chair-back was perched a
+wooden image of the gallant falcon, and round the cage Ser Federigo had
+caused this inscription to be carved: "All things come round to him who
+will but wait."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE TOMMY TIPTOP SERIES
+
+By RAYMOND STONE
+
+
+A new series for outdoor boys. Every lad who likes Baseball, Football
+and other outdoor sports is going to be a friend of Tommy Tiptop--that
+is, if he reads these stories, and he would if he knew what was in store
+for him.
+
+Never was there a boy like Tommy Tiptop for doing things. Tommy could
+not be still a minute, and although only ten years of age he organized a
+baseball club, a football eleven, went into a winter camp, and did other
+things too numerous to mention.
+
+TOMMY TIPTOP and HIS BASEBALL NINE
+Or, The Boys of Riverdale and Their Good Times
+
+TOMMY TIPTOP and HIS FOOTBALL ELEVEN
+Or, A Great Victory and How It Was Won
+
+TOMMY TIPTOP and HIS WINTER SPORTS
+Or, Jolly Times on the Ice and in Camp
+
+Quarto size, 128 pages, 8 full-page illustrations, beautiful colored
+picture on the cover. _Price 40 cents per copy._
+
+_For sale at all book stores or sent postpaid upon receipt of price by
+the publishers._
+
+GRAHAM & MATLACK
+251 West 19th Street         New York
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+UP AND DOING SERIES
+
+By FREDERICK GORDEN
+
+
+The doings of real, live boys between the ages of 9 and 12.
+
+
+THE YOUNG CRUSOES OF PINE ISLAND
+Or, The Wreck of the Puff
+
+Here is a story full of thrills about three boys that lived on the edge
+of a large lake. They have plenty of fun fishing, swimming and sailing,
+etc., and one day while sailing their boat, "The Puff," she capsized and
+drifted to an island in the lake where they play Robinson Crusoe until
+rescued.
+
+
+SAMMY BROWN'S TREASURE HUNT
+Or, Lost in the Mountains
+
+The great desire of Sammy Brown and his chums to find a treasure leads
+them into many adventures, gets them lost and finally discloses the
+treasure--but not the one for which they were searching.
+
+Adventure-loving boys should not miss this great story.
+
+
+BOB BOUNCER'S SCHOOLDAYS
+Or, The Doings of a Real, Live, Everyday Boy
+
+Primary and Grammar School life affords boys plenty of fun, and Bob
+Bouncer's schooldays are "brimfull" of just such fun, adventures and
+some rivalries.
+
+Bob Bouncer was a boy with red blood in his veins, and you should read
+this story of his doings.
+
+
+Quarto, cloth, 128 pages. Eight full-page illustrations and beautiful
+colored picture on cover. _Price 40 cents per Volume_
+
+_For Sale at all book stores or sent postpaid upon receipt of price by
+the publishers._
+
+GRAHAM & MATLACK
+
+251 West 19th Street New York
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE TRIPPERTROTS SERIES
+
+By HOWARD R. GARIS
+
+Author of the famous "BEDTIME STORIES"
+
+
+These stories have been told over the telephone nightly to thousands of
+children. The urgent demand has led us to publish them in book form for
+the first time.
+
+Get acquainted with the Trippertrots, you will not regret it. Read how
+they ran away and how they got back, the wonderful things they saw and
+the wonderful things they did. They will grip you and hold you
+interested and amazed to the very end.
+
+THE THREE LITTLE TRIPPERTROTS
+How They Ran Away and How They Got Back Again
+
+THE THREE LITTLE TRIPPERTROTS ON THEIR TRAVELS
+The Wonderful Things They Saw and the Wonderful Things They Did
+
+Both volumes uniformly bound in cloth with beautiful colored picture on
+cover. 8vo size, 160 pages, 12 full-page illustrations, four of them in
+color. _Price 60 cents Each._
+
+_For Sale at all book stores or sent postpaid upon receipt of price by
+the publishers._
+
+GRAHAM & MATLACK
+251 West 19th Street         New York
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Children's Longfellow, by Doris Hayman
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