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diff --git a/36221-h/36221-h.htm b/36221-h/36221-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a8dbb7 --- /dev/null +++ b/36221-h/36221-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10596 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Spinning-Wheel Stories, by Louisa M. Alcott. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + margin: 3em auto 3em auto; + height: 0px; + border-width: 1px 0 0 0; + border-style: solid; + border-color: #dcdcdc; + width: 500px; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +table.toc { + margin: auto; + width: 50%; +} + +table.toc1 { + margin: auto; + width: 75%; +} + +td.c1 { + text-align: left; + vertical-align: top; + padding-right: 1em; +} + +td.c2 { + text-align: left; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 4em; + text-indent: -2em; + padding-right: 1em; + vertical-align: top; +} + +td.c3 { + text-align: right; + padding-left: 1em; + vertical-align: bottom; +} + +td { padding: 0em 1em; } +th { padding: 0em 1em; } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + color: #999; +} /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + .blockquot1 { + margin-left: 40%; + margin-right: 20%; +} + + .blockquot2 { + margin-left: 26%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + .center {text-align: center;} + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .gap { margin-top: 1em; } + +/* Images */ + .figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + + .bord img { + padding: 1px; + border: 1px solid black; +} + + +p.caption { + margin-top: 0; + font-size: 70%; + text-align: left; +} + +p.caption2 { + margin-top: 0; + font-size: 70%; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Transcriber Notes */ +div.tn { + background-color: #EEE; + border: dashed 1px; + color: #000; + margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + margin-top: 5em; + margin-bottom: 5em; + padding: 1em; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +div.fn { + background-color: #EEE; + border: dashed 1px; + color: #000; + margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + margin-top: 5em; + margin-bottom: 5em; + padding: 1em; +} + + .footnote { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + + .footnote .label { + position: absolute; + right: 84%; + text-align: right; +} + + .fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none; +} + +/* Poetry */ + .poem { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + text-align: left; +} + + .poem br { display: none; } + + .poem .stanza { margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; } + + .poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + .poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + .poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + .signature { + text-align: right; + margin-right: 5%; +} + + .signature2 { + text-align: right; + margin-right: 15%; +} + + + +li.pad { padding-top: 2.0%; } + +.hanging + {margin-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; +} + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Spinning-Wheel Stories, by Louisa May Alcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Spinning-Wheel Stories + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: May 26, 2011 [EBook #36221] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES *** + + + + +Produced by Heather Clark, Julia Neufeld and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1> +<span class="smcap">Spinning-Wheel Stories.</span></h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>LOUISA M. ALCOTT,</h2> + +<div class='center'>AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," "LITTLE MEN," +"EIGHT COUSINS," "ROSE IN BLOOM," "UNDER THE LILACS," +"JACK AND JILL," "HOSPITAL SKETCHES," "WORK, A +STORY OF EXPERIENCE," "MOODS, A NOVEL," +"PROVERB STORIES," "SILVER PITCHERS," +"AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG."<br /><br /><br /> + +BOSTON: +LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,<br /> +1902.</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class='center'> +<i>Copyright, 1884</i>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By Louisa M. Alcott</span>.<br /> +<br /> +University Press:<br /> +<span class="smcap">John Wilson and Son, Cambridge</span>.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="CONTENTS"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Grandma's Story</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tabby's Table-cloth</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Eli's Education</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_47">47</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Onawandah</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Little Things</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Banner of Beaumanoir</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_115">115</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Jerseys; or, the Girl's Ghost</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Little House in the Garden</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_163">163</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Daisy's Jewel-box, and How She filled it</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_187">187</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Corny's Catamount</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_209">209</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Cooking-Class</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_233">233</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Hare and the Tortoise</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_255">255</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> + +</td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><br /> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i001.png" width="500" height="263" alt="Grandma's Story" title="Grandma's Story" /> + +</div> + +<h2><a name="Grandmas_Story" id="Grandmas_Story"></a>Grandma's Story</h2> + +<p>"It is too bad to have our jolly vacation spoiled by +this provoking storm. Didn't mind it yesterday, because +we could eat all the time; but here we are +cooped up for a week, perhaps, and I'd like to know +what we are to do," growled Geoff, as he stood at the +window looking gloomily at the bleak scene without. +It certainly was discouraging; for the north wind +howled, the air was dark with falling snow, and drifts +were rising over fences, roads, and fields, as if to +barricade the Christmas party in the great country +house.</p> + +<p>"We can bear it pleasantly, since it can't be +helped," said gentle sister Mary, with a kind hand on +his shoulder, and a face full of sympathy for his disappointment. +"I'm sorry for the coasting, skating, and +sleighing frolics we have lost; but if we must be shut +up, I'm sure we couldn't have a pleasanter prison or a +kinder jailer. Don't let grandma hear us complain, +for she has made great exertions to have our visit a +merry one, and it will trouble her if we are not gay +and contented."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's easy for a parcel of girls, who only want to +mull over the fire, and chatter, and drink tea; but it's +rough on us fellows, who come for the outside fun. +House is well enough; but when you've seen it once, +there's an end. Eating is jolly, but you can't stuff +forever. We might dig, or snowball, if it didn't blow a +gale. Never saw such a beast of a storm!"—and Geoff +flattened his nose against the window-pane and scowled +at the elements.</p> + +<p>A laugh made him turn around, and forget his woes +to stare at the quaint little figure that stood curtseying +in the door-way of the keeping-room, where a dozen +young people were penned while the maids cleared up +the remains of yesterday's feast in the kitchen, the +mothers were busy with the babies upstairs, and the +fathers read papers in the best parlor; for this was a +family gathering under the roof of the old homestead.</p> + +<p>A rosy, dark-eyed face looked out from the faded +green calash, a gayly flowered gown was looped up +over a blue quilted petticoat, and a red camlet cloak +hung down behind. A big reticule and a funny +umbrella were held in either hand, and red hose and +very high-heeled, pointed shoes covered a trim pair of +feet.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"God bless you, merry gentlemen!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">May nothing you dismay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here's your ancient granny come<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To call, this Christmas day,"<br /></span> +</div> + +<p>sang Minnie, the lively member of the flock, as she +bobbed little curtseys and smiled so infectiously that +even cross Geoff cheered up.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get that rigging?" "Isn't it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +becoming?" "What queer stuff!" "Did grandma +ever look so, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>These and many other questions rained upon the +wearer of the old costume, and she answered them as +fast as she could.</p> + +<p>"I went rummaging up garret for something to read, +and found two chests of old duds. Thought I'd dress +up and see how you liked me. Grandma said I might, +and told me I looked like her when she was young. +She was a beauty, you know; so I feel as proud as a +peacock." And Min danced away to stand before the +portrait of a blooming girl in a short-waisted, white-satin +gown and a pearl necklace, which hung opposite +the companion portrait of an officer in an old-fashioned +uniform.</p> + +<p>"So you do. Wonder if I should look like +grandpa if I got into his old toggery!" said Geoff, +looking up at the handsome man with the queue and +the high coat-collar.</p> + +<p>"Go and try; the uniform is in the chest, and not +much moth-eaten. Let's have a jolly rummage, and +see what we can find. <i>We</i> didn't eat ourselves sick, +so we will amuse these lazy invalids;" and Min +glanced pityingly at several cousins who lay about on +sofas or in easy chairs, pretending to read, but evidently +suffering from too great devotion to the bountiful +dinner and evening feast of yesterday.</p> + +<p>Away went Min and Lotty, Geoff and Walt, glad of +anything to beguile the stormy afternoon. Grandma +smiled as she heard the tramp of feet overhead, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +peals of laughter, and the bang of chest-lids, well +knowing that a scene of dire confusion awaited her +when the noisy frolic was done, but thankful for the +stores of ancient finery which would keep the restless +children happy for a day.</p> + +<p>It was truly a noble garret, for it extended the +whole length of the great square house, with windows +at either end, and divided in the middle by a solid +chimney. All around stood rows of chests, dilapidated +furniture, and wardrobes full of old relics, while the +walls were hung with many things for which modern +tongues can find no names. In one corner was a book-case +full of musty books and papers; in another, +kitchen utensils and rusty weapons; the third was devoted +to quilts hung on lines, and in the fourth stood a +loom with a spinning-wheel beside it, both seemingly +well cared for, as the dust lay lightly on them, and +flax was still upon the distaff.</p> + +<p>A glorious rummage followed the irruption of the +Goths and Vandals into this quiet spot, and soon Geoff +quite forgot the storm as he pranced about in the buff-and-blue +coat, with a cocked hat on his head, and +grandfather's sword at his side. Lotty arrayed herself +in a pumpkin hood and quilted cloak for warmth, +while Walt, the book-worm, went straight to the ancient +library, and became absorbed in faded souvenirs, +yellow newspapers, and almanacs of a century ago.</p> + +<p>Having displayed themselves below and romped all +over the house, the masqueraders grew tired at last, +and early twilight warned them to leave before ghostly +shadows began to haunt the garret.</p> + +<p>"I mean to take this down and ask grandma to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +show me how it's done. I've heard her tell about +spinning and weaving when she was a girl, and I know +I can learn," said Minnie, who had fallen in love with +the little wheel, and vainly tried to twist the flax into +as smooth a thread as the one hanging from the distaff, +as if shadowy fingers had lately spun it.</p> + +<p>"Queen Victoria set the fashion in England, and we +might do it here. Wouldn't it be fun to have a wheel +in the parlor at home, and really use it; not keep it +tied up with blue ribbons, as the other girls do!" +cried Lotty, charmed with the new idea.</p> + +<p>"Come, Geoff, take it down for us. You ought to +do it out of gratitude for my cheering you up so +nicely," said Min, leading the way.</p> + +<p>"So I will. Here, Walt, give it a hoist, and come +behind to pick up the pieces, for the old machine must +be about a hundred, I guess."</p> + +<p>Shouldering the wheel, Geoff carried it down; but +no bits fell by the way, for the stout little wheel was +all in order, kept so by loving hands that for more +than eighty years had been spinning the mingled +thread of a long and useful life.</p> + +<p>Glorious fires were roaring up the wide chimneys in +parlor and keeping-room, and old and young were +gathering around them, while the storm beat on the +window-panes, and the wintry wind howled as if angry +at being shut out.</p> + +<p>"See what we've stolen, grandma," cried Min, as +the procession came in, rosy, dusty, gay, and eager.</p> + +<p>"Bless the child! What possessed you to lug that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +old thing down?" asked Madam Shirley, much amused +as the prize was placed before her, where she sat in her +high-backed chair,—a right splendid old lady in her +stately cap, black silk gown, and muslin apron, with a +bunch of keys at her side, like a model housekeeper, as +she was.</p> + +<p>"You don't mind our playing with it, do you? And +will you teach me to spin? I think it's such a pretty +little thing, and I want to be like you in all ways, +grandma dear," answered Min, sitting on the arm of +the great chair, with her fresh cheek close to the +wrinkled one where winter roses still bloomed.</p> + +<p>"You wheedling gypsy! I'll teach you with all +my heart, for it is pretty work, and I often wonder +ladies don't keep it up. I did till I was too busy, and +now I often take a turn at it when I'm tired of knitting. +The hum is very soothing, and the thread much +stronger than any we get nowadays."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, the old lady dusted the wheel, and +gave it a skilful turn or two, till the soft whir made +pleasant music in the room.</p> + +<p>"Is it really a hundred years old?" asked Geoff, +drawing nearer with the others to watch the new +work.</p> + +<p>"Just about. It was one of my mother's wedding +presents, and she gave it to me when I was fifteen. +Deary me, how well I remember that day!" and +grandma seemed to fall a-dreaming as her eyes rested +on the letters E. R. M. rudely cut in the wood, and +below these were three others with something meant +for a true lover's knot between.</p> + +<p>"Whose initials are these?" asked Min, scenting a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +romance with girlish quickness, for grandma was +smiling as if her eyes read the title to some little story +in those worn letters.</p> + +<p>"Elizabeth Rachel Morgan, and Joel Manlius +Shirley. Your blessed grandfather cut our names +there the day I was sixteen, and put the flourish +between to show what he wanted," added the old lady, +laughing as she made the wheel hum again.</p> + +<p>"Tell about it, please do," begged Min, remembering +that grandma had been a beauty and a +belle.</p> + +<p>"It's a long tale, my darling, and I couldn't tell it +now. Sometime when I'm teaching you to spin I'll +do it, maybe."</p> + +<p>But the girl was determined to have her story; and +after tea, when the little ones were in bed, the elders +playing whist in the parlor, and the young folks deciding +what game to begin, Minnie sat down and tried +to spin, sure that the familiar sound would lure +grandma to give the lesson and tell the tale.</p> + +<p>She was right, for the wheel had not gone around +many times, when the tap of the cane was heard, and +the old lady came rustling in, quite ready for a chat, +now that three cups of her own good tea and a nap in +the chimney corner had refreshed her.</p> + +<p>"No, dear, that's not the way; you need a dish of +water to wet your fingers in, and you must draw the +flax out slow and steady, else it runs to waste, and +makes a poor thread. Fetch me that chair, and I'll +show you how, since you are bent on learning."</p> + +<p>Establishing herself in the straight-backed seat, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +skilful tap of the foot set the wheel in swift and easy +motion, and the gray thread twisted fine and evenly +from the distaff.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it a pretty picture?" said Min to Lotty, as +they watched the old lady work.</p> + +<p>"Not so pretty as the one I used to see when my +dear mother sat here, and I, a little child, at her knee. +Ah, my dears, she could have told you stories all night +long, and well worth hearing. I was never tired of +them."</p> + +<p>"Please tell one now, grandma. We don't know +what to play, and it would be so nice to sit around the +fire and hear it this stormy night," suggested Min, +artfully seizing the hint.</p> + +<p>"Do! Do! We all love stories, and we'll be as still +as mice," added Geoff, beckoning to the others as he +took the big arm-chair, being the oldest grandson and +leader of the flock.</p> + +<p>Camping on the rug, or nestling in the sofa corner, +the boys and girls all turned expectant faces toward +grandma, who settled her cap-strings and smoothed +her spotless apron, with an indulgent smile at her little +audience.</p> + +<p>"I don't know which one to tell first."</p> + +<p>"The ghost story; that's a splendid one, and most +of the children never heard it," said Walt.</p> + +<p>"Have Indians and fighting in it. I like that +kind," added Geoff.</p> + +<p>"No; tell a love story. They are <i>so</i> interesting," +said Lotty.</p> + +<p>"I want the story about the initials first. I know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +it is very sentimental. So do begin with that, +grandma," begged Min.</p> + +<p>"Well, dears, perhaps I'd better choose that one, +for it has the battle of New Orleans, and wolves, and +spinning, and sweethearts in it; so it will suit you all, +I hope."</p> + +<p>"Oh, lovely! Do begin right away," cried Minnie, +as the clapping of hands showed how satisfactory the +prospect was.</p> + +<p>Grandma gave a loud "hem!" and began at once, +while the little wheel hummed a soft accompaniment +to her words.</p> + +<h4>GRANDMA'S STORY</h4> + +<p>"When I was fifteen, my mother gave me this +wheel, and said: 'Now, daughter Betsey, it is time for +you to begin your wedding outfit, for I mistrust you'll +marry young.' In those days girls spun and wove +webs of fine linen and laid 'em up in chests, with +lavender and rosemary, for sheets and table-linen after +they married. So I spun away, making all manner of +fine plans in my silly head, for I was a pretty piece, +they all said, and young as I was, two or three fine +lads used to come evenings and sit staring at me while +I worked.</p> + +<p>"Among these, was my neighbor Joel Manlius +Shirley, and I was fond of him; but he hadn't much +money, so I put on airs, and tried his patience very +much. One day he came in and said: 'Betsey, I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +going a-soldiering; they need men, and I'm off. Will +you think of poor Joe when I'm gone?'</p> + +<p>"I don't know how I looked, but I felt as if I +couldn't bear it. Only I was too proud to show my +trouble; so I laughed, and gave my wheel a twist, and +said I was glad of it, since anything was better than +hanging round at home.</p> + +<p>"That hurt him; but he was always gentle to saucy +Betsey, and taking out his knife, he cut those letters +under mine, saying, with a look I never could +forget:—</p> + +<p>"'That will remind you of me if you are likely to +forget. Good-by; I'm going right away, and may +never come back.'</p> + +<p>"He kissed me, and was off before I could say a +word, and then I cried till my flax was wet and my +thread tangled, and my heart 'most broken. Deary +me, how well I remember that heavy day!"</p> + +<p>Grandma smiled, but something shone in her old +eyes very like a tear, and sentimental Lotty felt deeply +interested at this point.</p> + +<p>"Where does the fighting come in?" asked Geoff, +who was of a military turn, as became the descendant +of a soldier.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know or care much about the War of +1812, except as far as the safety of one man was concerned. +Joe got on without any harm till the battle of +New Orleans, when he was nearly killed behind the +cotton-bale breastworks General Jackson built."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know all about it. Jackson fought against +twelve thousand, and lost only seven men. That was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +the last battle of the war, January 8, 1815. Three +cheers for grandpa!" shouted Geoff, waving a tidy, as +no hat was at hand.</p> + +<p>The others echoed the hurrah, and grandma beamed +with pride as she went on: "We couldn't get news +from the army very often in those troublous times, and +Joe was gone two years before the war ended. After +the great battle we had no news for a long spell, and +we feared he was one of the seven men killed. Those +were dreadful days for all of us. My honored mother +was a pious soul, and so was Mrs. Shirley; and they +kept up their hearts with hope and prayer; but I, +poor thing, was young and weak, and I cried myself +half blind, remembering how naughty I had been. I +would spin no more, but set the wheel away, saying I +should have no need of wedding gear, as I should +never marry; and I wore black ribbon on my caps, +and one of Joe's buttons strung about my neck, mourning +dismally for my lost dear.</p> + +<p>"So the winter ended, and the summer went, and no +news came of Joe. All said he was dead, and we had +prayers at church, and talked of setting up a stone in +the grave-yard, and I thought my life was done; for I +pined sadly, and felt as if I could never laugh again. +But I did; for the Lord was very good to us, and out +of danger and captivity delivered that dear boy."</p> + +<p>Grandma spoke solemnly, and folded her hands in +thanksgiving as she looked up at the picture of the +handsome officer hanging on the wall before her. The +elder children could just remember grandpa as a very +old and feeble man, and it struck them as funny to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +speak of him as a "dear boy;" but they never smiled, +and dutifully lifted their eyes to the queue and the +high-collared coat, wondering if Joe was as rosy in real +life as in the portrait.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's the sentimental part; now comes the +merry part, and that will suit the boys," said the old +lady, briskly, as she spun away,—and went on in a +lively tone:—</p> + +<p>"One December day, as I sat by that very window, +dreaming sorrowfully at my sewing work, while old +Sally nodded over her knitting by the fire, I saw a +man come creeping along by the fence and dodge behind +the wood-pile. There were many bad folks +'round in those times; for war always leaves a sight of +lazy rascals afloat, as well as poor fellows maimed and +homeless.</p> + +<p>"Mother had gone over to the sewing society at Mrs. +Shirley's, and I was all alone; for Sally was so stiff +with rheumatics she could scarce stir, and that was +why I stayed to take care of her. The old musket +always hung over the kitchen chimney-piece, loaded, +and I knew how to fire it, for Joe had taught me. So +away I went and got it down; for I saw the man popping +up his head now and then to spy the land, and I +felt sure he meant mischief. I knew Sally would only +scream like a scared hen, so I let her sleep; and getting +behind the shutter I pointed my gun, and waited +to blaze away as soon as the enemy showed signs of +attacking.</p> + +<p>"Presently he came creeping up to the back door, +and I heard him try the latch. All was fast, so I just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +slipped into the kitchen and stood behind the settle, +for I was surer than ever he was a rascal since I'd seen +him nearer. He was a tall man, dreadful shabby in an +old coat and boots, a ragged hat over his eyes, and a +great beard hiding the lower part of his face. He had +a little bundle and a big stick in his hands, and +limped as if foot-sore or lame.</p> + +<p>"I was much afeard; but those were times that made +heroes of men, and taught women to be brave for love +of home and country. So I kept steady, with my eye +on the window, and my finger on the trigger of the old +gun, that hadn't been fired for years. Presently the +man looked in, and I saw what a strange roll his great +eyes had, for he was thin-faced and looked half-starved. +If mother had been there, she'd have called him in +and fed him well, but I dared not, and when he tried +the window I aimed, but did not fire; for finding the +button down he went away, and I dropped on the +settle, shaking like a leaf. All was still, and in a +minute I plucked up courage to go to look out a bit; +but just as I reached the middle of the kitchen, the +buttery door opened, and there stood the robber, with +a carving knife in one hand and my best loaf of spice +bread in the other. He said something, and made a +rush at me; but I pulled the trigger, saw a flash, felt +a blow, and fell somewhere, thinking, 'Now I'm +dead!'"</p> + +<p>Here grandma paused for breath, having spoken +rapidly and acted out the scene dramatically, to the +intense delight of the children, who sat like images of +interest, staring at her with round eyes.</p> + +<p>"But you weren't dead? What next?" cried Walt,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Bless you, no! I only fell into Joe's arms, and +when I came to, there the dear fellow was, crying over +me like a baby, while old Sally danced round us like +a bedlamite, in spite of her rheumatics, shouting: +'Hosanna! Thanks and praise! He's come, he's +come!'"</p> + +<p>"Was he shot?" asked Geoff, anxious for a little +bloodshed.</p> + +<p>"No, dear; the old gun burst and hurt my hands, +but not a mite of harm was done to Joe. I don't +think I could tell all that happened for a spell, being +quite dazed with joy and surprise; but by the time +mother came home I was as peart as a wren, and Joe +was at the table eating and drinking every mortal +thing I could find in the house.</p> + +<p>"He'd been kept a prisoner till exchanged, and had +had a hard time getting home, with little money and +a bad wound in the leg, besides being feeble with jail +fever. But we didn't fret over past troubles, being so +glad to get him back. How my blessed mother did +laugh, when we told her the reception I gave the poor +lad! But I said it served him right, since he came +sneaking home like a thief, instead of marching in like +a hero. Then he owned that he came there to get +something to eat, being ashamed to go in upon his +mother with all her company about her. So we fed +and comforted him; and when we'd got our wits +about us, I whipped away to Mrs. Shirley's and told +my news, and every one of those twenty-five women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +went straight over to our house and burst in upon poor +Joe, as he lay resting on the settle. That was my +revenge for the scare he gave me, and a fine one it was; +for the women chattered over him like a flock of magpies, +and I sat in the corner and laughed at him. Ah, +I was a sad puss in those days!"</p> + +<p>The old lady's black eyes twinkled with fun, and the +children laughed with her, till Walt caused a lull by +asking:—</p> + +<p>"Where do the wolves come in, grandma?"</p> + +<p>"Right along, dear; I'm not likely to forget 'em, +for they 'most cost me my life, to say nothing of my +new slippers. There was great rejoicing over Joe, and +every one wanted to do something to honor our hero; +for he had done well, we found out, when the General +heard his story. We had a great dinner, and Judge +Mullikin gave a supper; but Major Belknap was bound +to outshine the rest, so he invited all the young folks +over to his house, nigh ten miles away, to a ball, and +we all went. I made myself fine, you may believe, +and wore a pair of blue kid slippers, with mother's +best buckles to set 'em off. Joe had a new uniform, +and was an elegant figure of a man, I do assure you. +He couldn't dance, poor dear, being still very lame: +but I was a proud girl when I marched into that ball-room, +on the arm of my limping beau. The men +cheered, and the ladies stood up in chairs to see +him, and he was as red as my ribbons, and I could +hardly keep from crying, as I held him up,—the +floor being slippery as glass with the extra waxing it +had got.</p> + +<p>"I declared I wouldn't dance, because Joe couldn't;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +but he made me, saying he could see me better; so I +footed it till two o'clock, soon forgetting all my sorrow +and my good resolutions as well. I wanted to show +Joe that I was as much a favorite as ever, though +I'd lived like a widow for a year. Young folks will +be giddy, and I hope these girls will take warning by +me and behave better when their time comes. There +mayn't be any wolves to sober 'em, but trouble of some +sort always follows foolish actions; so be careful, my +dears, and behave with propriety when you 'come out,' +as you call it nowadays."</p> + +<p>Grandma held up a warning forefinger at the girls, +and shook her head impressively, feeling that the moral +of her tale must be made clear before she went on. +But the lassies blushed a little, and the lads looked all +impatience, so the dear old lady introduced the wolves +as quickly as she could.</p> + +<p>"About half-past two, Joe and I drove off home +with four fine hams in the bottom of the sleigh, sent +by the Major to our mothers. It was a bitter-cold +February night, with just light enough to see the road, +and splendid sleighing; so we went along at a good +pace, till we came to the great woods. They are all +gone now, and the woollen mills stand there, but then +they were a thick forest of pines, and for more than +three miles the road led through them. In former +days Indians had lurked there; bears and foxes were +still shot, and occasionally wolves were seen, when cold +weather drove them to seek food near the sheep-folds +and barn-yards.</p> + +<p>"Well, we were skimming along pleasantly enough,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +I rather sleepy, and Joe very careful of me, when, +just as I was beginning to doze a bit with my head on +his arm I felt him start. Old Buck, the horse, gave a +jump that woke me up, and in a minute I knew what the +trouble was, for from behind us came the howl of a wolf.</p> + +<p>"'Just the night to bring 'em out,' muttered Joe, +using the whip till Buck went at his quickest trot, +with his ears down and every sign of hurry and worry +about him.</p> + +<p>"'Are you afraid of them?' I asked, for I'd never +had a scare of this sort, though I'd heard other people +tell of the fierceness of the brutes when hunger made +them bold.</p> + +<p>"'Not a bit, only I wish I had my gun along,' said +Joe, looking over his shoulder anxiously.</p> + +<p>"'Pity I hadn't brought mine—I do so well with +it,' I said, and I laughed as I remembered how I aimed +at Joe and hurt myself.</p> + +<p>"'Are they chasing us?' I asked, standing up to +look back along the white road, for we were just on +the edge of the woods now.</p> + +<p>"'Shouldn't wonder. If I had a better horse it +would be a lively race; but Buck can't keep this pace +long, and if he founders we are in a fix, for I can't run, +and you can't fight. Betsey, there's more than one; +hold tight and try to count 'em.'</p> + +<p>"Something in Joe's voice told me plainer than +words that we were in danger, and I wished we'd +waited till the rest of our party came; but I was tired, +and so we had started alone.</p> + +<p>"Straining my eyes, I could see <i>three</i> black spots on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +the snow, and hear three howls as the wolves came +galloping after us. I was a brave girl, but I'd never +tried this kind of thing before, and in a minute all the +wolf stories I'd ever heard came flying through my +mind. I <i>was</i> mortally afeard, but I wouldn't show +it, and turned to Joe, trying to laugh as I said: 'Only +three as yet. Tell me just what to do, and I'll do it.'</p> + +<p>"'Brave lass! I must see to Buck or he'll be down, +for he's badly scared. You wait till the rascals are +pretty close, then heave over one of these confounded +hams to amuse 'em, while we make the most of their +halt. They smell this meat, and that's what they are +after,' said Joe, driving his best, for the poor old horse +began to pant, and limp on his stiff legs.</p> + +<p>"'Lucky for us we've got 'em,' says I, bound to be +cool and gay; 'if we hadn't, they'd get fresh meat +instead of smoked.'</p> + +<p>"Joe laughed, but a long howl close by made me +dive for a ham; for in the darkness of the woods the +beasts had got closer, and now all I could see were +several balls of fire not many yards away. Out went +the ham, and a snarling sound showed that the wolves +were busy eating it.</p> + +<p>"'All right!' said Joe. 'Rest a bit, and have +another ready. They'll soon finish that and want +more. We must go easy, for Buck is nearly blown.'</p> + +<p>"I prepared my ammunition, and, in what seemed +five minutes, I heard the patter of feet behind us, and +the fiery eyes were close by. Over went the second +mouthful, and then the third, and the fourth; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +they seemed more ravenous than ever, and each time +were back sooner in greater numbers.</p> + +<p>"We were nearly out of the woods when the last +was gone, and if Buck had only had strength we should +have been safe. But it was plain to see that he couldn't +keep up much longer, for he was very old, though he'd +been a fine horse in his prime.</p> + +<p>"'This looks bad, little Betsey. Cover up in the +robes, and hold fast to me. The beasts will begin to +snatch presently, and I'll have to fight 'em off. Thank +the powers, I've my arms left.'</p> + +<p>"As he spoke, Joe pulled me close, and wrapped +me up, then took the whip, ready to rap the first wolf +that dared come near enough to be hit. We didn't +wait long; up they raced, and began to leap and snarl +in a way that made my heart stand still, at first. Then +my temper rose, and catching up the hot brick I had +for my feet, I fired it with such good aim that one +sharp, black nose disappeared with a yelp of pain.</p> + +<p>"'Hit 'em again, Betsey! Take the demijohn and +bang 'em well. We are nearing Beaman's, and the +brutes will soon drop off.'</p> + +<p>"It was a lively scrimmage for a few minutes, as we +both warmed to our work, Joe thrashing away with +his whip on one side, and I on the other flourishing +the demijohn in which we had carried some cider for +the supper.</p> + +<p>"But it was soon over, for in the fury of the fight +Joe forgot the horse; poor Buck made a sudden bolt, +upset the sleigh down a bank, and, breaking loose, tore +back along the road with the wolves after him.</p> + +<p>"'Run, Betsey! run for your life, and send Beaman's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +folks back! I'm done for—my leg's broken. Never +mind. I'll crawl under the sleigh, and be all right +till you come. The wolves will take a good while to +pick poor Buck's bones.'</p> + +<p>"Just waiting to see Joe safe, I ran as I never ran +before,—and I was always light of foot. How I did it +I don't know, for I'd forgot to put on my moccasins +(we didn't have snow-boots, you know, in my young +days), and there I was, tearing along that snowy road +in my blue kid slippers like a crazy thing. It was nigh +a mile, and my heart was 'most broke before I got there; +but I kept my eye on the light in Hetty's winder and +tugged along, blessing her for the guide and comfort +that candle was. The last bit was down hill, or I +couldn't have done it; for when I fell on the doorstep +my voice was clean gone, and I could only lie and +rap, rap, rap! till they came flying. I just got breath +enough to gasp out and point:—</p> + +<p>"'Joe—wolves—the big woods—go!' when my +senses failed me, and I was carried in."</p> + +<p>Here Madam Shirley leaned back in her chair quite +used up, for she had been acting the scene to a breathless +audience, and laying about her with her handkerchief +so vigorously that her eyes snapped, her cheeks +were red, and her dear old cap all awry.</p> + +<p>"But Joe—did they eat him?" cried the boys in +great excitement, while the girls held to one another, +and the poor little wheel lay flat, upset by the blows of +the imaginary demijohn, dealt to an equally imaginary +wolf.</p> + +<p>"Hardly,—since he lived to be your grandfather,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +laughed the old lady, in high feather at the success of +her story.</p> + +<p>"No, no,—we mean the horse;" shouted Geoff, +while the others roared at the mistake.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they did. Poor old Buck saved us, at the +cost of his own life. His troubles were over, but mine +were not; for when I came to, I saw Mr. Beaman, and +my first thought and word was 'Joe?'"</p> + +<p>"'Too late—they'd got him, so we turned back to +tell you,' said that stupid man.</p> + +<p>"I gave one cry and was going off again, when his +wife shook me, and says, laughing: 'You little goose! +He means the folks from the Major's. A lot came +along and found Joe, and took him home, and soon's +ever you're fit we'll send you along, too.'</p> + +<p>"'I'm ready now,' says I, jumping up in a hurry. +But I had to sit down again, for my feet were all cut +and bleeding, and my slippers just rags. They fixed +me up and off I went, to find mother in a sad taking. +But Joe was all right; he hadn't broken his leg, but +only sprained it badly, and being the wounded one he +was laid up longer than I. We both got well, however, +and the first time Joe went out he hobbled over to our +house. I was spinning again then, and thought I might +need my wedding outfit, after all—On the whole, +I guess we'll end the story here; young folks wouldn't +care for that part."</p> + +<p>As grandma paused, the girls cried out with one +voice: "Yes, we do! we like it best. You said you +would. Tell about the wedding and all."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, it isn't much. Joe came and sat by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +me, and, as we talked over our adventure, he cut that +true lover's knot between the letters. I didn't seem +to mind, and spun away till he pointed to it, saying, +with the look that always made me meek as a lamb, +'May it stand so, my little Betsey?'</p> + +<p>"I said 'Yes, Joe,' and then—well, never mind that +bit;—we were married in June, and I spun and wove +my wedding things afterward. Dreadful slack, my +mother thought, but I didn't care. My wedding gown +was white lutestring, full trimmed with old lace. Hair +over a cushion with white roses, and the pearl necklace, +just as you see up there. Joe wore his uniform, and +I tied up his hair with a white satin ribbon. He looked +beautiful,—and so did I."</p> + +<p>At this artless bit of vanity, the girls smiled, but all +agreed that grandma was right, as they looked at the +portraits with fresh interest.</p> + +<p>"I call that a pretty good story," said Walt, with the +air of an accomplished critic.</p> + +<p>"'Specially the wolf part. I wanted that longer," +added Geoff.</p> + +<p>"It was quite long enough for me, my dear, and I +didn't hear the last of it for years. Why, one of my +wedding presents was four hams done up elegantly in +white paper, with posies on 'em, from the Major. He +loved a joke, and never forgot how well we fought with +the pigs' legs that night. Joe gave me a new sleigh, +the next Christmas, with two wolf-skin robes for it,—shot +the beasts himself, and I kept those rugs till the +moths ate the last bit. He kept the leavings of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +slippers, and I have them still. Fetch 'em, Minnie—you +know where they are."</p> + +<p>Grandma pointed to the tall secretary that stood in a +corner, and Minnie quickly took a box from one of the +many drawers. All the heads clustered around grandma, +and the faded, ragged shoes went from hand to +hand, while questions rained upon the story-teller till +she bade them go to bed.</p> + +<p>Nothing but the promise of more tales would appease +them; then, with thanks and kisses, the young folks +trooped away, leaving the old lady to put the little +wheel to rights, and sit thinking over her girlhood, in +the fire-light. + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i025.png" width="500" height="243" alt="Tabby's Table Cloth" title="Tabby's Table Cloth" /> + +</div> + +<h2><a name="Tabbys_Table_Cloth" id="Tabbys_Table_Cloth"></a>Tabby's Table Cloth</h2> + + +<p>The storm kept on all night, and next morning the +drifts were higher, the wind stronger, and the snow +falling faster than ever. Through the day the children +roved about the great house, amusing themselves as +best they could; and, when evening came, they gathered +around the fire again, eager for the promised story +from grandmamma.</p> + +<p>"I've a little cold," said the old lady, "and am too +hoarse for talking, my dears; but Aunt Elinor has +looked up a parcel of old tales that I've told her at +different times and which she has written down. You +will like to hear her reading better than my dull way +of telling them, and I can help Minnie and Lotty with +their work, for I see they are bent on learning to +spin."</p> + +<p>The young folk were well pleased with grandma's +proposal; for Aunt Nell was a favorite with all, being +lively and kind and fond of children, and the only +maiden aunt in the family. Now, she smilingly produced +a faded old portfolio, and, turning over a little +pile of manuscripts, said in her pleasant way:—</p> + +<p>"Here are all sorts, picked up in my travels at home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +and abroad; and in order to suit all of you, I have put +the names on slips of paper into this basket, and each +can draw one in turn. Does that please my distinguished +audience?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes. Geoff's the oldest, let him draw first," +cried the flock, fluttering like a flight of birds before +they settle.</p> + +<p>"Girls come first," answered the boy, with a nod +toward the eldest girl cousin.</p> + +<p>Lotty put in her hand and, after some fumbling, drew +out a paper on which was written, "<i>Tabby's Table-cloth</i>." +"Is that a good one?" she asked, for Geoff looked disappointed.</p> + +<p>"More fighting, though a girl is still the heroine," +answered Aunt Nell, searching for the manuscript.</p> + +<p>"I think two revolutions will be enough for you, +General," added grandmamma, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Do we beat in both?" asked the boy, brightening +up at once.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"All right, then. I vote for 'Dolly's Dish-cloth,' or +whatever it is; though I don't see what it can possibly +have to do with war," he added.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear, women have their part to play as +well as men at such times, and do it bravely, though +one does not hear so much about their courage. I've +often wished some one would collect all that can be +found about these neglected heroines, and put it in a +book for us to read, admire, and emulate when our +turn comes."</p> + +<p>Grandma looked thoughtfully at the fire as she spoke,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +and Lotty said, with her eye on the portfolio: "Perhaps +Aunt Nell will do it for us. Then history won't be +so dry, and we can glorify our fore-mothers as well as +fathers."</p> + +<p>"I'll see what I can find. Now spin away, Minnie, +and sit still, boys,—if you can."</p> + +<p>Then, having settled grandma's foot-stool, and turned +up the lamp, Aunt Nell read the tale of</p> + + +<h4>TABBY'S TABLE-CLOTH.</h4> + +<p>On the 20th day of March, 1775, a little girl was +trudging along a country road, with a basket of eggs on +her arm. She seemed in a great hurry, and looked +anxiously about her as she went; for those were stirring +times, and Tabitha Tarbell lived in a town that +took a famous part in the Revolution. She was a rosy-faced, +bright-eyed lass of fourteen, full of vigor, courage, +and patriotism, and just then much excited by the frequent +rumors which reached Concord that the British +were coming to destroy the stores sent there for safe +keeping while the enemy occupied Boston. Tabby +glowed with wrath at the idea, and (metaphorically +speaking) shook her fist at august King George, being a +stanch little Rebel, ready to fight and die for her country +rather than submit to tyranny of any kind.</p> + +<p>In nearly every house something valuable was hidden. +Colonel Barrett had six barrels of powder; Ebenezer +Hubbard, sixty-eight barrels of flour; axes, tents, +and spades were at Daniel Cray's; and Captain David<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +Brown had guns, cartridges, and musket balls. Cannon +were hidden in the woods; fire-arms were being +manufactured at Barrett's Mills; cartouch-boxes, belts, +and holsters, at Reuben Brown's; saltpetre at Josiah +Melvin's; and much oatmeal was prepared at Captain +Timothy Wheeler's. A morning gun was fired, a guard +of ten men patrolled the town at night, and the brave +farmers were making ready for what they felt must come.</p> + +<p>There were Tories in the town who gave the enemy +all the information they could gather; therefore much +caution was necessary in making plans, lest these enemies +should betray them. Pass-words were adopted, +secret signals used, and messages sent from house to +house in all sorts of queer ways. Such a message lay +hidden under the eggs in Tabby's basket, and the brave +little girl was going on an important errand from her +uncle, Captain David Brown, to Deacon Cyrus Hosmer, +who lived at the other end of the town, by the South +Bridge. She had been employed several times before +in the same way, and had proved herself quick-witted, +stout-hearted, and light-footed. Now, as she trotted +along in her scarlet cloak and hood, she was wishing +she could still further distinguish herself by some great +act of heroism; for good Parson Emerson had patted her +on the head and said, "Well done, child!" when he +heard how she ran all the way to Captain Barrett's, in +the night, to warn him that Doctor Lee, the Tory, had +been detected sending information of certain secret +plans to the enemy.</p> + +<p>"I would do more than that, though it was a fearsome +run through the dark woods. Wouldn't those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +two like to know all I know about the stores? But I +wouldn't tell 'em, not if they drove a bayonet through +me. I'm not afeard of 'em;" and Tabby tossed her +head defiantly, as she paused to shift her basket from +one arm to the other.</p> + +<p>But she evidently was "afeard" of something, for +her ruddy cheeks turned pale and her heart gave a +thump, as two men came in sight, and stopped suddenly +on seeing her. They were strangers; and though nothing +in their dress indicated it, the girl's quick eye saw +that they were soldiers; step and carriage betrayed it, +and the rapidity with which these martial gentlemen +changed into quiet travellers roused her suspicions at +once. They exchanged a few whispered words; then +they came on, swinging their stout sticks, one whistling, +the other keeping a keen lookout along the lonely +road before and behind them.</p> + +<p>"My pretty lass, can you tell me where Mr. Daniel +Bliss lives?" asked the younger, with a smile and a +salute.</p> + +<p>Tabby was sure now that they were British; for the +voice was deep and full, the face a ruddy English face, +and the man they wanted was a well-known Tory. +But she showed no sign of alarm, beyond the modest +color in her cheeks, and answered civilly: "Yes, sir, +over yonder a piece."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, and a kiss for that," said the young man, +stooping to bestow his gift. But he got a smart box on +the ear, and Tabby ran off in a fury of indignation.</p> + +<p>With a laugh they went on, never dreaming that the +little Rebel was going to turn spy herself, and get the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +better of them. She hurried away to Deacon Hosmer's, +and did her errand, adding thereto the news that +strangers were in town. "We must know more of +them," said the Deacon. "Clap a different suit on +her, wife, and send her with the eggs to Mrs. Bliss. +We have all we want of them, and Tabby can look well +about her, while she rests and gossips over there. Bliss +must be looked after smartly, for he is a knave, and will +do us harm."</p> + +<p>Away went Tabby in a blue cloak and hood, much +pleased with her mission; and, coming to the Tory's +house about noon, smelt afar off a savory odor of roasting +meat and baking pies.</p> + +<p>Stepping softly to the back-door, she peeped through +a small window, and saw Mrs. Bliss and her handmaid +cooking away in the big kitchen, too busy to heed the +little spy, who slipped around to the front of the house, +to take a general survey before she went in. All she +saw confirmed her suspicions; for in the keeping-room +a table was set forth in great style, with the silver tankards, +best china, and the fine damask table-cloth, which +the housewife kept for holidays. Still another peep +through the lilac bushes before the parlor windows +showed her the two strangers closeted with Mr. Bliss, +all talking earnestly, but in too low a tone for a word +to reach even her sharp ears.</p> + +<p>"I <i>will</i> know what they are at. I'm sure it is mischief, +and I won't go back with only my walk for my +pains," thought Tabby; and marching into the kitchen, +she presented her eggs with a civil message from Madam +Hosmer.</p> + +<p>"They are mighty welcome, child. I've used a sight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +for my custards, and need more for the flip. We've +company to dinner unexpected, and I'm much put +about," said Mrs. Bliss, who seemed to be concerned +about something besides the dinner, and in her flurry +forgot to be surprised at the unusual gift; for the neighbors +shunned them, and the poor woman had many +anxieties on her husband's account, the family being +divided,—one brother a Tory, and one a Rebel.</p> + +<p>"Can I help, ma'am? I'm a master hand at beating +eggs, Aunt Hitty says. I'm tired, and wouldn't mind +sitting a bit if I'm not in the way," said Tabby, bound +to discover something more before she left.</p> + +<p>"But you be in the way. We don't want any help, +so you'd better be steppin' along home, else suthin' besides +eggs may git whipped. Tale-bearers ain't welcome +here," said old Puah, the maid, a sour spinster, +who sympathized with her master, and openly declared +she hoped the British would put down the Yankee +Rebels soon and sharply.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bliss was in the pantry, and heard nothing of +this little passage of arms; for Tabby hotly resented +the epithet of "tale-bearer," though she knew that the +men in the parlor were not the only spies on the +premises.</p> + +<p>"When you are all drummed out of town and this +house burnt to the ground, you may be glad of my help, +and I wish you may get it. Good-day, old crab-apple," +answered saucy Tabby; and catching up her basket, +she marched out of the kitchen with her nose in the +air.</p> + +<p>But as she passed the front of the house, she could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +not resist another look at the fine dinner-table; for in +those days few had time or heart for feasting, and the +best napery and china seldom appeared. One window +stood open, and as the girl leaned in, something moved +under the long cloth that swept the floor. It was not +the wind, for the March day was still and sunny, and +in a minute out popped a gray cat's head, and puss came +purring to meet the new-comer whose step had roused +her from a nap.</p> + +<p>"Where one tabby hides, another can. Can I dare +to do it? What would become of me if found out? +How wonderful it would be if I could hear what these +men are plotting. I will!"</p> + +<p>A sound in the next room decided her; and, thrusting +the basket among the bushes, she leaped lightly in +and vanished under the table, leaving puss calmly +washing her face on the window-sill.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was done Tabby's heart began to flutter; +but it was too late to retreat, for at that moment in +bustled Mrs. Bliss, and the poor girl could only make +herself as small as possible, quite hidden under the long +folds that fell on all sides from the wide, old-fashioned +table. She discovered nothing from the women's chat, +for it ran on sage-cheese, egg-nog, roast pork, and lamentations +over a burnt pie. By the time dinner was +served, and the guests called in to eat it, Tabby was +calm enough to have all her wits about her, and pride +gave her courage to be ready for the consequences, +whatever they might be.</p> + +<p>For a time the hungry gentlemen were too busy eating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +to talk much; but when Mrs. Bliss went out, and +the flip came in, they were ready for business. The +window was shut, whereat Tabby exulted that she was +inside; the talkers drew closer together, and spoke so +low that she could only catch a sentence now and then, +which caused her to pull her hair with vexation; and +they swore a good deal, to the great horror of the pious +little maiden curled up at their feet. But she heard +enough to prove that she was right; for these men were +Captain Brown and Ensign De Bernicre, of the British +army, come to learn where the supplies were stored and +how well the town was defended. She heard Mr. Bliss +tell them that some of the "Rebels," as he called his +neighbors, had sent him word that he should not leave +the town alive, and he was in much fear for his life and +property. She heard the Englishmen tell him that if +he came with them they would protect him; for they +were armed, and three of them together could surely +get safely off, as no one knew the strangers had arrived +but the slip of a girl who showed them the way. Here +"the slip of a girl" nodded her head savagely, and hoped +the speaker's ear still tingled with the buffet she gave it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bliss gladly consented to this plan, and told them +he would show them the road to Lexington, which was +a shorter way to Boston than through Weston and Sudbury, +the road they came.</p> + +<p>"These people won't fight, will they?" asked Ensign +De Bernicre.</p> + +<p>"There goes a man who will fight you to the death," +answered Mr. Bliss, pointing to his brother Tom, busy +in a distant field.</p> + +<p>The Ensign swore again, and gave a stamp that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +brought his heavy heel down on poor Tabby's hand, as +she leaned forward to catch every word. The cruel +blow nearly forced a cry from her; but she bit her lips +and never stirred, though faint with pain. When she +could listen again, Mr. Bliss was telling all he knew +about the hiding places of the powder, grain, and cannon +the enemy wished to capture and destroy. He +could not tell much, for the secrets had been well kept; +but if he had known that our young Rebel was taking +notes of his words under his own table, he might have +been less ready to betray his neighbors. No one suspected +a listener, however, and all Tabby could do was +to scowl at three pairs of muddy boots, and wish she +were a man that she might fight the wearers of +them.</p> + +<p>She very nearly had a chance to fight or fly; for +just as they were preparing to leave the table, a sudden +sneeze nearly undid her. She thought she was lost, +and hid her face, expecting to be dragged out—to instant +death, perhaps—by the wrathful men of war.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" exclaimed the Ensign, as a sudden +pause followed that fatal sound.</p> + +<p>"It came from under the table," added Captain +Brown, and a hand lifted a corner of the cloth.</p> + +<p>A shiver went through Tabby, and she held her +breath, with her eye upon that big, brown hand; but +the next moment she could have laughed with joy, for +pussy saved her. The cat had come to doze on her +warm skirts, and when the cloth was raised, fancying +she was to be fed by her master, puss rose and walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +out purring loudly, tail erect, with its white tip waving +like a flag of truce.</p> + +<p>"'Tis but the old cat, gentlemen. A good beast, and, +fortunately for us, unable to report our conference," said +Mr. Bliss, with an air of relief, for he had started guiltily +at the bare idea of an eavesdropper.</p> + +<p>"She sneezed as if she were as great a snuff-taker as +an old woman of whom we asked our way above here," +laughed the Ensign, as they all rose.</p> + +<p>"And there she is now, coming along as if our grenadiers +were after her!" exclaimed the Captain, as the +sound of steps and a wailing voice came nearer and +nearer.</p> + +<p>Tabby took a long breath, and vowed that she would +beg or buy the dear old cat that had saved her from +destruction. Then she forgot her own danger in listening +to the poor woman, who came in crying that her +neighbors said she must leave town at once, or they +would tar and feather her for showing spies the road +to a Tory's house.</p> + +<p>"Well for me I came and heard their plots, or I +might be sent off in like case," thought the girl, feeling +that the more perils she encountered, the greater heroine +she would be.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bliss comforted the old soul, bidding her stay +there till the neighbors forgot her, and the officers gave +her some money to pay for the costly service she had +done them. Then they left the room, and after some +delay the three men set off; but Tabby was compelled +to stay in her hiding-place till the table was cleared, and +the women deep in gossip, as they washed dishes in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +kitchen. Then the little spy crept out softly, and raising +the window with great care, ran away as fast as her +stiff limbs would carry her.</p> + +<p>By the time she reached the Deacon's, however, and +told her tale, the Tories were well on their way, Mr. +Bliss having provided them with horses that his own +flight might be the speedier.</p> + +<p>So they escaped; but the warning was given, and +Tabby received great praise for her hour under the +table. The town's-people hastened their preparations, +and had time to remove the most valuable stores to +neighboring towns; to mount their cannon and drill +their minute-men; for these resolute farmers meant to +resist oppression, and the world knows how well they +did it when the hour came.</p> + +<p>Such an early spring had not been known for years; +and by the 19th of April fruit trees were in bloom, winter +grain was up, and the stately elms that fringed the +river and overarched the village streets were budding +fast. It seemed a pity that such a lovely world should +be disturbed by strife; but liberty was dearer than +prosperity or peace, and the people leaped from their +beds when young Dr. Prescott came, riding for his life, +with the message Paul Revere brought from Boston in +the night:—</p> + +<p>"Arm! arm! the British are coming!"</p> + +<p>Like an electric spark the news ran from house to +house, and men made ready to fight, while the brave +women bade them go, and did their best to guard the +treasure confided to their keeping. A little later, word +came that the British were at Lexington, and blood had +been shed. Then the farmers shouldered their guns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +with few words but stern faces, and by sunrise a hundred +men stood ready, with good Parson Emerson at +their head. More men were coming in from the neighboring +towns, and all felt that the hour had arrived +when patience ceased to be a virtue and rebellion was +just.</p> + +<p>Great was the excitement everywhere; but at Captain +David Brown's one little heart beat high with hope and +fear, as Tabby stood at the door, looking across the river +to the town, where drums were beating, bells ringing, and +people hurrying to and fro.</p> + +<p>"I can't fight, but I <i>must</i> see," she said; and catching +up her cloak, she ran over the North Bridge, promising +her aunt to return and bring her word as soon as the +enemy appeared.</p> + +<p>"What news? Are they coming?" called the people, +from the Manse and the few houses that then stood +along that road. But Tabby could only shake her head +and run the faster, in her eagerness to see what was happening +on that memorable day. When she reached the +middle of the town she found that the little company +had gone along the Lexington road to meet the enemy. +Nothing daunted, she hurried in that direction and, +climbing a high bank, waited to catch a glimpse of the +British grenadiers, of whom she had heard so much.</p> + +<p>About seven o'clock they came, the sun glittering on +the arms of eight hundred English soldiers marching +toward the hundred stout-hearted farmers, who waited +till they were within a few rods of them.</p> + +<p>"Let us stand our ground; and if we die, let us die<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +here," said brave Parson Emerson, still among his people, +ready for anything but surrender.</p> + +<p>"Nay," said a cautious Lincoln man, "it will not do +for us to <i>begin</i> the war."</p> + +<p>So they reluctantly fell back to the town, the British +following slowly, being weary with their seven-mile +march over the hills from Lexington. Coming to a little +brown house perched on the hillside, one of the +thirsty officers spied a well, with the bucket swinging +at the end of the long pole. Running up the bank, he +was about to drink, when a girl, who was crouching behind +the well, sprang up, and with an energetic gesture, +flung the water in his face, crying:—</p> + +<p>"That's the way we serve spies!"</p> + +<p>Before Ensign De Bernicre—for it was he, acting as +guide to the enemy—could clear his eyes and dry his +drenched face, Tabby was gone over the hill with a +laugh and a defiant gesture toward the red-coats below.</p> + +<p>In high feather at this exploit, she darted about the +town, watching the British at their work of destruction. +They cut down and burnt the liberty pole, broke open +sixty barrels of flour, flung five hundred pounds of balls +into the mill-pond and wells, and set the court-house on +fire. Other parties were ordered to different quarters of +the town to ransack houses and destroy all the stores +they found. Captain Parsons was sent to take possession +of the North Bridge, and De Bernicre led the way, +for he had taken notes on his former visit, and was a +good guide. As they marched, a little scarlet figure +went flying on before them, and vanished at the turn of +the road. It was Tabby hastening home to warn her aunt.</p> + +<p>"Quick child, whip on this gown and cap and hurry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +into bed. These prying fellows will surely have pity +on a sick girl, and respect this room if no other," said +Mrs. Brown, briskly helping Tabby into a short night-gown +and round cap, and tucking her well up when she +was laid down, for between the plump feather-beds were +hidden many muskets, the most precious of their stores. +This had been planned beforehand, and Tabby was glad +to rest and tell her tale while Aunty Brown put physic +bottles and glasses on the table, set some evil-smelling +herbs to simmer on the hearth, and, compromising with +her conscience, concocted a nice little story to tell the +invaders.</p> + +<p>Presently they came, and it was well for Tabby that +the ensign remained below to guard the doors while the +men ransacked the house from garret to cellar; for he +might have recognized the saucy girl who had twice +maltreated him.</p> + +<p>"These are feathers; lift the covers carefully or +you'll be half smothered, they fly about so," said Mrs. +Brown, as the men came to some casks of cartridges +and flints, which she had artfully ripped up several +pillows to conceal.</p> + +<p>Quite deceived, the men gladly passed on, leaving the +very things they most wanted to destroy. Coming to +the bed-room, where more treasures of the same valuable +sort were hidden in various nooks and corners, the +dame held up her finger, saying, with an anxious glance +toward Tabby:—</p> + +<p>"Step softly, please. You wouldn't harm a poor, +sick girl. The doctor thinks it is small-pox, and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +fright might kill her. I keep the chamber as fresh as +I can with yarbs, so I guess there isn't much danger +of catching it."</p> + +<p>The men reluctantly looked in, saw a flushed face on +the pillow (for Tabby was red with running, and her +black eyes wild with excitement), took a sniff at the +wormwood and motherwort, and with a hasty glance into +a closet or two where sundry clothes concealed hidden +doors, hastily retired to report the danger and get +away as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>They would have been much disgusted at the trick +played upon them if they had seen the sick girl fly out +of bed and dance a jig of joy as they tramped away to +Barrett's Mills. But soon Tabby had no heart for merriment, +as she watched the minute-men gather by the +bridge, saw the British march down on the other side, +and when their first volley killed brave Isaac Davis +and Abner Hosmer, of Acton, she heard Major Buttrick +give the order, "Fire, fellow-soldiers; for God's sake, +fire!"</p> + +<p>For a little while shots rang, smoke rose, shouts were +heard, and red and blue coats mingled in the struggle +on the bridge. Then the British fell back, leaving two +dead soldiers behind them. These were buried where +they fell; and the bodies of the Acton men were sent +home to their poor wives, Concord's first martyrs for +liberty.</p> + +<p>No need to tell more of the story of that day; all +children know it, and many have made a pilgrimage to +see the old monument set up where the English fell, +and the bronze Minute-Man, standing on his granite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +pedestal to mark the spot where the brave Concord +farmers fired the shot that made the old North Bridge +immortal.</p> + +<p>We must follow Tabby, and tell how she got her table-cloth. +When the fight was over, the dead buried, the +wounded cared for, and the prisoners exchanged, the +Tories were punished. Dr. Lee was confined to his +own farm, on penalty of being shot if he left it, and +the property of Daniel Bliss was confiscated by government. +Some things were sold at auction, and Captain +Brown bought the fine cloth and gave it to Tabby, saying +heartily:—</p> + +<p>"There, my girl, that belongs to you, and you may +well be proud of it; for, thanks to your quick wits and +eyes and ears, we were not taken unawares, but sent the +red-coats back faster than they came."</p> + +<p>And Tabby <i>was</i> proud of it, keeping it carefully, displaying +it with immense satisfaction whenever she told +the story, and spinning busily to make a set of napkins +to go with it. It covered the table when her wedding +supper was spread, was used at the christening of her +first boy, and for many a Thanksgiving and Christmas +dinner through the happy years of her married life.</p> + +<p>Then it was preserved by her daughters, as a relic of +their mother's youth, and long after the old woman was +gone, the well-worn cloth still appeared on great occasions, +till it grew too thin for anything but careful keeping, +to illustrate the story so proudly told by the grandchildren, +who found it hard to believe that the feeble +old lady of ninety could be the lively lass who played +her little part in the Revolution with such spirit.</p> + +<p>In 1861, Tabby's table-cloth saw another war, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +made an honorable end. When men were called for, +Concord responded "Here!" and sent a goodly number, +led by another brave Colonel Prescott. Barretts, +Hosmers, Melvins, Browns, and Wheelers stood shoulder +to shoulder, as their grandfathers stood that day to meet +the British by the bridge. Mothers said, "Go my son," +as bravely as before, and sisters and sweethearts smiled +with wet eyes as the boys in blue marched away again, +cheered on by another noble Emerson. More than one +of Tabby's descendants went, some to fight, some to +nurse; and for four long years the old town worked and +waited, hoped and prayed, burying the dear dead boys +sent home, nursing those who brought back honorable +wounds, and sending more to man the breaches made +by the awful battles that filled both North and South +with a wilderness of graves.</p> + +<p>The women knit and sewed Sundays as well as weekdays, +to supply the call for clothes; the men emptied +their pockets freely, glad to give; and the minister, +after preaching like a Christian soldier, took off his +coat and packed boxes of comforts like a tender father.</p> + +<p>"More lint and bandages called for, and I do believe +we've torn and picked up every old rag in the town," +said one busy lady to another, as several sat together +making comfort-bags in the third year of the long +struggle.</p> + +<p>"I have cleared my garret of nearly everything in it, +and only wish I had more to give," answered one of the +patriotic Barrett mothers.</p> + +<p>"We can't buy anything so soft and good as worn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +out sheets and table-cloths. New ones wont do, or +I'd cut up every one of mine," said a newly married +Wheeler, sewing for dear life, as she remembered the +many cousins gone to the war.</p> + +<p>"I think I shall have to give our Revolutionary +table-cloth. It's old enough, and soft as silk, and +I'm sure my blessed grandmother would think that +it couldn't make a better end," spoke up white-headed +Madam Hubbard; for Tabby Tarbell had married one +of that numerous and worthy race.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you wouldn't cut up that famous cloth, would +you?" cried the younger woman.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will. It's in rags, and when I'm gone no +one will care for it. Folks don't seem to remember +what the women did in those days, so it's no use +keeping relics of 'em," answered the old lady, who +would have owned herself mistaken if she could have +looked forward to 1876, when the town celebrated its +centennial, and proudly exhibited the little scissors +with which Mrs. Barrett cut paper for cartridges, +among other ancient trophies of that earlier day.</p> + +<p>So the ancient cloth was carefully made into a boxful +of the finest lint and softest squares to lay on +wounds, and sent to one of the Concord women who +had gone as a nurse.</p> + +<p>"Here's a treasure!" she said, as she came to it among +other comforts newly arrived from home. "Just what +I want for my brave Rebel and poor little Johnny +Bullard."</p> + +<p>The "brave Rebel" was a Southern man who had +fought well and was badly wounded in many ways,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +yet never complained; and in the midst of great +suffering was always so courteous, patient, and courageous, +that the men called him "our gentleman," and +tried to show how much they respected so gallant a +foe. John Bullard was an English drummer-boy, who +had been through several battles, stoutly drumming +away in spite of bullets and cannon-balls; cheering +many a camp-fire with his voice, for he sang like a +blackbird, and was always merry, always plucky, and +so great a favorite in his regiment, that all mourned +for "little Johnny" when his right arm was shot off +at Gettysburg. It was thought he would die; but +he pulled through the worst of it, and was slowly +struggling back to health, still trying to be gay, and +beginning to chirp feebly now and then, like a convalescent +bird.</p> + +<p>"Here, Johnny, is some splendid lint for this poor +arm, and some of the softest compresses for Carrol's +wound. He is asleep, so I'll begin with you, and +while I work I'll amuse you with the story of the old +table-cloth this lint came from," said Nurse Hunt, as +she stood by the bed where the thin, white face smiled +at her, though the boy dreaded the hard quarter of an +hour he had to endure every day.</p> + +<p>"Thanky, mum. We 'aven't 'ad a story for a good +bit. I'm 'arty this mornin', and think I'll be hup +by this day week, won't I?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so. Now shut your eyes and listen; then +you wont mind the twinges I give you, gentle as I try +to be," answered the nurse, beginning her painful +task.</p> + +<p>Then she told the story of Tabby's table-cloth, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +the boy enjoyed it immensely, laughing out at the +slapping and the throwing water in the ensign's face, +and openly rejoicing when the red-coats got the worst +of it.</p> + +<p>"As we've beaten all the rest of the world, I don't +mind our 'aving bad luck that time. We har' friends +now, and I'll fight for you, mum, like a British bull-dog, +if I hever get the chance," said Johnny, when the +tale and dressing were ended.</p> + +<p>"So you shall. I like to turn a brave enemy into +a faithful friend, as I hope we shall yet be able to do +with our Southern brothers. I admire their courage +and their loyalty to what they believe to be right; +and we are all suffering the punishment we deserve +for waiting till this sad war came, instead of settling +the trouble years ago, as we might have done if we +had loved honesty and honor more than money and +power."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, Miss Hunt turned to her other patient, +and saw by the expression of his face that he had +heard both the tale and the talk. He smiled, and said, +"Good morning," as usual, but when she stooped to +lay a compress of the soft, wet damask on the angry +wound in his breast, he whispered, with a grateful +look:—</p> + +<p>"You <i>have</i> changed one 'Southern brother' from an +enemy into a friend. Whether I live or die, I never +can forget how generous and kind you have all been +to me."</p> + +<p>"Thank you! It is worth months of anxiety and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +care to hear such words. Let us shake hands, and do +our best to make North and South as good friends as +England and America now are," said the nurse, offering +her hand.</p> + +<p>"Me, too! I've got one 'and left, and I give it ye +with all me 'art. God bless ye, sir, and a lively getting +hup for the two of us!" cried Johnny, stretching +across the narrow space that divided the beds, with a +beaming face and true English readiness to forgive +a fallen foe when he had proved a brave one.</p> + +<p>The three hands met in a warm shake, and the act +was a little lesson more eloquent than words to the +lookers-on; for the spirit of brotherhood that should +bind us all together worked the miracle of linking +these three by the frail threads spun a century ago.</p> + +<p>So Tabby's table-cloth did make a beautiful and +useful end at last.<br /></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i047.png" width="500" height="206" alt="Eli's Education" title="Eli's Education" /> +</div> + + +<h2><a name="Elis_Education" id="Elis_Education"></a>Eli's Education</h2> + + +<p>"My turn now," said Walt, as they assembled +again, after a busy day spent in snow-balling, statue-making, +and tumbling in the drifts that still continued +to rise on all sides.</p> + +<p>"Here is just the story for you and Geoff. You +are getting ready for college, after years of the best +schooling, and it will do you good to hear how hard +some boys have had to work to get a little learning," +said Grandma, glancing at the slip that Walt drew +from the basket which Aunt Elinor held out to him, +and from which Lotty had drawn the story of +"Tabby's Table Cloth."</p> + +<p>"This is a true tale, and the man became famous +for his wisdom, as well as much loved and honored +for his virtue, and interest in all good things," added +Aunt Elinor, as she began to read the story of</p> + +<h4>ELI'S EDUCATION.</h4> + +<p>Many years ago, a boy of sixteen sat in a little +room in an old farm-house up among the Connecticut<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +hills, writing busily in a book made of odd bits of +paper stitched together, with a cover formed of two +thin boards. The lid of a blue chest was his desk, the +end of a tallow candle stuck into a potato was his +lamp, a mixture of soot and vinegar his ink, and a +quill from the gray goose his pen. A "Webster's Spelling-book," +"Dilworth's New Guide to the English +Tongue," "Daboll's Arithmetic," and the "American +Preceptor," stood on the chimney-piece over his head, +with the "Assembly Catechism," and New Testament, +in the place of honor. This was his library; and now +and then a borrowed "Pilgrim's Progress," "Fox's +Book of Martyrs," or some stray volume, gladdened his +heart; for he passionately loved books, and scoured the +neighborhood for miles around to feed this steadily increasing +hunger. Every penny he could earn or save +went to buy a song or a story from the peddlers who +occasionally climbed the hill to the solitary farm-house. +When others took a noon-spell, he read under the trees +or by the fire. He carried a book in his pocket, and +studied as he went with the cows to and from the pasture, +and sat late in his little room, ciphering on an old +slate, or puzzling his young brain over some question +which no one could answer for him.</p> + +<p>His father had no patience with him, called him a +shiftless dreamer, and threatened to burn the beloved +books. But his mother defended him, for he was her +youngest and the pride of her heart; so she let him +scribble all over her floors before she scrubbed them +up, dipped extra thick candles for his use, saved every +scrap of paper to swell his little store, and firmly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +believed that he would turn out the great man of the +family. His brothers joked about his queer ways, but +in his sisters he found firm friends and tender comforters +for all his woes. So he struggled along, +working on the farm in summer and in a clock shop +during the winter, with such brief spells of schooling +as he could get between whiles, improving even these +poor opportunities so well that he was letter-writer for +all the young people in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>Now, he was writing in his journal very slowly, but +very well, shaping his letters with unusual grace and +freedom; for the wide snow-banks were his copy-books +in winter, and on their white pages he had learned to +sweep splendid capitals or link syllables handsomely +together. This is what he wrote that night, with a +sparkle in the blue eyes and a firm folding of the lips +that made the boyish face resolute and manly.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I am set in my own mind that I get learning. I see not +how, but my will is strong, and mother hopes for to make a +scholar of me. So, please God, we shall do it."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Then he shut the little book and put it carefully +away in the blue chest, with pen and ink, as if they +were very precious things; piously said his prayers, +and was soon asleep under the homespun coverlet, +dreaming splendid dreams, while a great bright star +looked in at the low window, as if waiting to show +him the road to fortune.</p> + +<p>And God did please to help the patient lad; only +the next evening came an opportunity he had never +imagined. As he sat playing "Over the Hills and Far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +Away" on the fiddle that he had himself made out of +maple-wood, with a bow strung from the tail of the +old farm horse, a neighbor came in to talk over the fall +pork and cider, and tell the news.</p> + +<p>"Ef you want ter go over the hills and far away, Eli, +here's the chance. I see a man down to Woodtick who +was askin' ef I knew any likely young chap who'd like +to git 'scribers for a pious book he wants to sell. He'd +pay for the job when the names is got and the books +give out. That's ruther in your line, boy, so I calk'lated +your daddy would spare you, as you ain't much of a +hand at shuckin' corn nor cartin' pummace."</p> + +<p>"Haw! haw!" laughed the big brothers, Ambrose +Vitruvius and Junius Solomon, as neighbor Terry +spoke with a sly twinkle in his eye.</p> + +<p>But the sisters, Miranda and Pamela, smiled for joy, +while the good mother stopped her busy wheel to listen +eagerly. Eli laid down his fiddle and came to the +hearth where the others sat, with such a wide-awake +expression on his usually thoughtful face that it was +plain that he liked the idea.</p> + +<p>"I'll do it, if father'll let me," he said, looking wistfully +at the industrious man, who was shaving axe-handles +for the winter wood-chopping, after his day's +work was over.</p> + +<p>"Wal, I can spare you for a week, mebby. It's not +time for the clock shop yet, and sence you've heerd o' +this, you won't do your chores right, so you may as +wal see what you can make of peddlin'."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir; I'll give you all I get, to pay for +my time," began Eli, glowing with pleasure at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +prospect of seeing a little of the world; for one of his +most cherished dreams was to cross the blue hills that +hemmed him in, and find what lay beyond.</p> + +<p>"Guess I can afford to give you all you'll make +this trip," answered his father, in a tone that made +the brothers laugh again.</p> + +<p>"Boys, don't pester Eli. Every one hasn't a call +to farmin', and it's wal to foller the leadin's of Providence +when they come along," said the mother, stroking +the smooth, brown head at her knee; for Eli always +went to her footstool with his sorrows and his joys.</p> + +<p>So it was settled, and next day the boy, in his +home-spun and home-made Sunday best, set off to see +his employer and secure the job. He got it, and for +three days trudged up and down the steep roads, calling +at every house with a sample of his book, the Rev. +John Flavel's treatise on "Keeping the Heart." Eli's +winning face, modest manner, and earnest voice served +him well, and he got many names; for books were +scarce in those days, and a pious work was a treasure +to many a good soul who found it difficult to keep the +heart strong and cheerful in troublous times.</p> + +<p>Then the books were to be delivered, and, anxious +to save his small earnings, Eli hired no horse to transport +his load, but borrowed a stout, green shawl from +his mother, and, with his pack on his back, marched +bravely away to finish his task. His wages were +spent in a new prayer-book for his mother, smart +handkerchief-pins for the faithful sisters, and a good +store of paper for himself.</p> + +<p>This trip was so successful that he was seized with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +a strong desire to try a more ambitious and extended +one; for these glimpses of the world showed him how +much he had to learn, and how pleasantly he could +pick up knowledge in these flights.</p> + +<p>"What be you a-brewdin' over now, boy? Gettin' +ready for the clock shop? It's 'most time for winter +work, and Terry says you do pretty wal at puttin' +together," said the farmer, a day or two after the +boy's return, as they sat at dinner, all helping themselves +from the large pewter platter heaped with pork +and vegetables.</p> + +<p>"I was wishin' I could go South with Gad Upson. +He's been twice with clocks and notions, and wants a +mate. Hoadley fits him out and pays him a good +share if he does well. Couldn't I go along? I hate +that old shop, and I know I can do something better +than put together the insides of cheap clocks."</p> + +<p>Eli spoke eagerly, and gave his mother an imploring +look which brought her to second the motion at once, +her consent having been already won.</p> + +<p>The brothers stared as if Eli had proposed to go up +in a balloon, for to them the South seemed farther off +than Africa does nowadays. The father had evidently +been secretly prepared, for he showed no surprise, and +merely paused a moment to look at his ambitious son +with a glance in which amusement and reproach were +mingled.</p> + +<p>"When a hen finds she's hatched a duck's egg, it's +no use for her to cackle; that ducklin' will take to the +water in spite on her, and paddle off, nobody knows +where. Go ahead, boy, and when you get enough of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +junketin' 'round the world, come home and fall to +work."</p> + +<p>"Then I <i>may</i> go?" cried Eli, upsetting his mug of +cider in his excitement.</p> + +<p>His father nodded, being too busy eating cabbage +with a wide-bladed green-handled knife to speak just +then. Eli, red and speechless with delight and gratitude, +could only sit and beam at his family till a sob +drew his attention to sister Pamela, whose pet he was.</p> + +<p>"Don't, Pam, don't! I'll come back all right, and +bring you news and all the pretty things I can. I +<i>must</i> go; I feel as if I couldn't breathe, shut up here +winters. I s'pose it's wicked, but I can't help it," +whispered Eli, with his arm around his buxom eighteen-year +old sister, who laid her head on his shoulder +and held him tight.</p> + +<p>"Daughter, it's sinful to repine at the ways of +Providence. I see a leadin' plain in this, and ef <i>I</i> can +be chirk when my dear boy is goin', 'pears to me you +ought to keep a taut rein on your feelin's, and not +spile his pleasure."</p> + +<p>The good mother's eyes were full of tears as she +spoke, but she caught up the end of her short gown +and wiped them quickly away to smile on Eli, who +thanked her with a loving look.</p> + +<p>"It's so lonesome when he's not here. What will +we do evenings without the fiddle, or Eli to read a +piece in some of his books while we spin?" said poor +Pam, ashamed of her grief, yet glad to hide her tears +by affecting to settle the long wooden bodkin that +held up her coils of brown hair.</p> + +<p>"Obed Finch will be comin' along, I guess likely,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +and he'll read to you out uv Eli's book about keepin' +the heart, and you'll find your'n gone 'fore you know +it," said Junius Solomon, in a tone that made pretty +Pam blush and run away, while the rest laughed at +her confusion.</p> + +<p>So it was settled, and when all was ready, the boy +came home to show his equipment before he started. +A very modest outfit,—only two tin trunks slung +across the shoulders, filled with jewelry, combs, lace, +essences, and small wares.</p> + +<p>"I hate to have ye go, son, but it's better than to +be mopin' to hum, gettin' desperut for books and rilin' +father. We'll all be workin' for ye, so be chipper and +do wal. Keep steddy, and don't disgrace your folks. +The Lord bless ye, my dear boy, and hold ye in the +holler of his hand!"</p> + +<p>Her own rough hand was on his head as his +mother spoke, with wet eyes, and the tall lad +kissed her tenderly, whispering, with a choke in his +throat:—</p> + +<p>"Good-by, mammy dear; I'll remember."</p> + +<p>Then he tramped away to join his mate, turning +now and then to nod and smile and show a ruddy +face full of happiness, while the family watched +him out of sight with mingled hopes and doubts and +fears.</p> + +<p>Mails were slow in those days, but at length a +letter came; and here it is,—a true copy of one +written by a boy in 1820:— +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="signature"><span class="smcap">Norfolk, Va.</span>, December 4th.<br /></div> + + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Honored Parents</span>: I write to inform you I am +safe here and to work. Our business is profitable, and +I am fast learning the Quirks and Turns of trade. +We are going to the eastern shore of Va., calculating +to be gone six weeks. The inhabitants are sociable +and hospitable, and you need not fear I shall suffer, +for I find many almost fathers and mothers among +these good folks.</p> + +<p>"Taking our trunks, we travel through the country, +entering the houses of the rich and poor, offering +our goods, and earning our wages by the sweat of our +brows. How do you think we look? Like two Awkward, +Homespun, Tugging Yankee peddlers? No, +that is not the case. By people of breeding we are +treated with politeness and gentility, and the low and +vulgar we do not seek. For my part, I enjoy travelling +more than I expected. Conversation with new +folks, observing manners and customs, and seeing the +world, does me great good.</p> + +<p>"I never met a real gentleman till I came here. +Their hospitality allows me to see and copy their fine +ways of acting and speaking, and they put the most +Bashful at ease. Gad likes the maids and stays in the +kitchen most times. I get into the libraries and read +when we put up nights, and the ladies are most kind +to me everywhere.</p> + +<p>"I'm so tall they can't believe I'm only sixteen. +They aren't as pretty as our rosy-faced girls, but +their ways are elegant, and so are their clothes, tell +Pam.</p> + +<p>"When I think how kind you were to let me come,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +I am full of gratitude. I made some verses, one day, +as I waited in a hovel for the rain to hold up.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"To conduce to my own and parents' good,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Was why I left my home;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To make their cares and burdens less,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And try to help them some.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twas my own choice to earn them cash,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And get them free from debt;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Before that I am twenty-one<br /></span> +<span class="i2">It shall be done, I bet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My parents they have done for me<br /></span> +<span class="i2">What I for them can never do,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So if I serve them all I may,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Sure God will help me through.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My chief delight, therefore, shall be<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To earn them all I can,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Not only now, but when that I<br /></span> +<span class="i2">At last am my own man.<br /></span> + +</div></div> + +<p>"These are the genuine Sentiments of your son, +who returns thanks for the many favors you have +heaped upon him, and hopes to repay you by his best +Endeavors. Accept this letter and the inclosed small +sum as a token of his love and respect.</p> + +<div class="signature2">"Your dutiful son,</div> +<p>"Tell the girls to write.</p> +<div class="signature2"><span class="smcap">Eli</span>."</div> +</blockquote> + +<p>In reply to this, came a letter from the anxious +mother, which shows not only the tender, pious nature +of the good woman, but also how much need of +education the boy had, and how well he was doing for +himself:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Affectionate Son</span>: We was very glad to receave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +your letter. I feal very anctious about you this winter, +and how you are a doing. You cannot know a +mother's concern for her boy wen he is fur away. Do +not git into bad habbits. Take the Bible for your rule +and guide to vartue. I pray for your prosperity in all +spiritall and temporrall things, and leave you in the care +of Him who gave you breath and will keep you safe.</p> + +<p>"We are all well, and your father enjoys his helth +better than last year. I visited Uncle Medad a spell +last week. I am provided with a horse and shay to +ride to meatin. Mr. Eben Welton took our cow and +give us his old horse. Captain Stephen Harrington +was excommunicated last Sabbath. Pamely goes away +to learn dressmakin soon. I mistrust Mirandy will +take up with Pennel Haskell; he is likely, and comes +frequent. I wish you had been here a Christmas. +We had a large company to dinner, and I got some +wheat flower and made a fine chicken pye. Eli, I +hope you attend meatin when you can. Do not trifle +away the holy day in vane pleasures, but live to the +glory of God, and in the fear of your parents. Father +sold the white colt. He was too spirity, and upsat +Ambrose and nigh broke his head. His nose is still +black. Dear son: I miss you every time I set a platter +in your place. Is your close warm and suffitient? +Put your stockin round your throat if sore. Do you +git good cyder to drink? Take the Pennyryal if you feal +wimbly after a long spell of travil. The girls send +love. No more now. Wright soon.</p> + + +<div class="signature2">Your mother,<span class="smcap"> Hannah Gardener</span>."<br /> +</div> + + +<p>"P. S.—Liddy Finch is married. Our pigs give us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +nine hunderd pound of prime pork."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Many such letters went to and fro that winter, and +Eli faithfully reported all his adventures. For he had +many, and once or twice was in danger of losing his +life.</p> + +<p>On one occasion, having parted from his mate for a +day or two, wishing to try his luck alone, our young +peddler found himself, late in the afternoon, approaching +the Dismal Swamp. A tempest arose, adding to +the loneliness and terror of the hour. The cypresses +uprooted by the blast fell now and then across the +road, endangering the poor boy's head. A sluggish +stream rolled through tangled junipers and beds of +reeds, and the fen on either side was full of ugly +creatures, lizards, snakes, and toads; while owls, scared +by the storm, flew wildly about and hooted dismally. +Just at the height of the tumult, Eli saw three men +coming toward him, and gladly hastened to meet them, +hoping to have their company or learn of them where +he could find a shelter. But their bad faces daunted +him, and he would have hurried by without speaking +if they had not stopped him, roughly demanding his +name and business.</p> + +<p>The tall stripling was brave, but his youthful face +showed him to be but a boy, and the consciousness of +a well-filled purse in his pocket made him anxious to +escape. So he answered briefly, and tried to go on. +But two men held him, in spite of his struggles, while +the third rifled his pockets, broke open his trunks, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +took all that was of any value in the way of watches +and jewelry. Then they left him, with a cruel joke +about a good journey, and made off with their booty. +It was the first time poor Eli had met with such a +mishap, and as he stood in the rain looking at his +wares scattered about the road, he felt inclined to +throw himself into the creek, and forget his woes there +among the frogs and snakes. But he had a stout +heart, and soon decided to make the best of it, since +nothing could be done to mend the matter. Gathering +up his bedraggled laces, scattered scent-bottles, and +dirty buttons, pins, and needles, he trudged sadly +on, feeling that for him this was indeed a Dismal +Swamp.</p> + +<p>"I told you we'd better stick together, but you +wanted to be so dre'dful smart, and go travellin' off +alone in them out'n the way places. Might 'a' known +you'd get overhauled somers. I always did think you +was a gump, Eli, and now I'm sure on't," was all the +comfort Gad gave him when they met, and the direful +tale was told.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do now?" asked the poor lad. "My +notions aren't worth selling, and my money's gone. +I'll have to pay Hoadley somehow."</p> + +<p>"You'd better foot it home and go to choppin' punkins +for the cows, or help your marm spin. I vow I +never did see such a chap for gettin' into a mess," +scolded Gad, who was a true Yankee, and made a successful +trader, even in a small way.</p> + +<p>"We'll sleep on it," said Eli, gently, and went to +bed very low in his mind.</p> + +<p>Perhaps a few tears wet his pillow as he lay awake,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +and the prayers his mother taught him were whispered +in the silence of the night; for hope revived, comfort +came, and in the morning his serene face and sensible +plan proved to his irate friend that the "gump" had +a wise head and a manly heart, after all.</p> + +<p>"Gad, it is just the time for the new almanacs, and +Allen wants men to sell 'em. I thought it was small +business before, but beggars mustn't be choosers, so +I'm going right off to offer for the job 'round here. +It will do for a start, and if I'm smart, Allen will give +me a better chance maybe."</p> + +<p>"That's a fust-rate plan. Go ahead, and I'll say a +good word for you. Allen knows me, and books is in +your line, so I guess you'll do wal if you keep out'n +the mashes," answered Gad, with great good will, having +slept off his vexation.</p> + +<p>The plan did go well, and for weeks the rosy-faced, +gentle-voiced youth might have been seen mildly offering +the new almanacs at doors and shops, and at street +corners, with a wistful look in his blue eyes, and a +courtesy of manner that attracted many customers and +earned many a dollar. Several mates, envying his +fine handwriting and pitying his hard luck, took lessons +in penmanship of him and paid him fairly, whereat he +rejoiced over the hours spent at home, flat on the +kitchen floor, or flourishing splendid capitals on the +snow-banks, when his nose was blue with cold and his +hands half-frozen.</p> + +<p>When the season for the yellow-covered almanacs +was over, Eli, having won the confidence of his employer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +was fitted out with more notions, and again set +forth on his travels, armed, this time, and in company +with his townsman. He prospered well, and all winter +trudged to and fro, seemingly a common peddler, but +really a student, making the world his book, and bent +on learning all he could. Travel taught him geography +and history, for he soon knew every corner of Virginia; +looked longingly at the ancient walls of William and +Mary College, where Jefferson and Monroe studied; +where young George Washington received his surveyor's +commission, and in his later years served as Chancellor. +In Yorktown, he heard all about the siege of +1781; saw Lord Cornwallis's lodgings and the cave +named for him; met pleasant people, whose fine speech +and manners he carefully copied; read excellent books +wherever he could find them, and observed, remembered, +and stored away all that he saw, heard, and +learned, to help and adorn his later life.</p> + +<p>By spring he set out for home, having slowly saved +enough to repay Hoadley for the lost goods. But as if +Providence meant to teach him another lesson, and +make him still more prudent, humble, and manly, a +sad adventure befell him on his way.</p> + +<p>While waiting for the coaster that was to take them +home, he one day went in swimming with Gad; for +this was one of the favorite pastimes of the Connecticut +boys, who on Saturday nights congregated by the +score at a pond called Benson's Pot, and leaped from +the spring-board like circus tumblers, turning somersaults +into the deep water below.</p> + +<p>It was too early for such sport now; the water was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +very cold, and poor Gad, taken with cramp, nearly +drowned Eli by clinging to his legs as he went down. +Freeing himself with difficulty, Eli tried to save his +friend; but the current swept the helpless man away, +and he was lost. Hurriedly dressing, Eli ran for aid, +but found himself regarded with suspicion by those to +whom he told his story; for he was a stranger in the +place and certain peddlers who had gone before had +left a bad name behind them.</p> + +<p>To his horror, he was arrested, accused of murder, +and would have been tried for his life, if Mr. Allen of +Norfolk had not come to testify to his good character, +and set him free. Poor Gad's body was found and +buried, and after a month's delay, Eli set out again, +alone, heavy-hearted, and very poor, for all his own +little savings had been consumed by various expenses. +Mr. Hoadley's money was untouched, but not increased, +as he hoped to have it; and rather than borrow a +penny of it, Eli landed barefooted. His boots were so +old he threw them overboard, and spent his last dollar +for a cheap pair of shoes to wear when he appeared +at home, for they were not stout enough to stand +travel. So, like Franklin with his rolls, the lad ate +crackers and cheese as he trudged through the city, +and set out for the far-away farm-house among the +hills.</p> + +<p>A long journey, but a pleasant one, in spite of his +troubles; for spring made the world lovely, habit +made walking no hardship, and all he had seen in his +wanderings passed before him at will, like a panorama +full of color and variety.</p> + +<p>Letters had gone before, but it was a sad homecoming,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +and when all was told, Eli said:—</p> + +<p>"Now, father, I'll go to work. I've had my wish +and enjoyed it a sight; and would go again, but I +feel as if I ought to work, as long as I can't pay for +my time."</p> + +<p>"That's hearty, son, and I'm obleeged to ye. Hear +what mother's got to say, and then do whichever you +prefer," answered the farmer, with a nod toward his +wife, who, with the girls, seemed full of some pleasant +news which they longed to tell.</p> + +<p>"I've sold all the cloth we made last winter for a +good sum, and father says you may hev the spendin' +on't. It will be enough to pay your board down +to Uncle Tillotson's while you study with him, so +'s 't you kin be gettin' ready for college next year. +I've sot my heart on't, and you musn't disapp'int +me and the girls," said the good woman, with a face +full of faith and pride in her boy, in spite of all +mishaps.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mammy, how good you be! It don't seem +as if I ought to take it. But I <i>do</i> want to go!" cried +Eli, catching her round the neck in an ecstasy of +boyish delight and gratitude.</p> + +<p>Here Miranda and Pamela appeared, bringing their +homely gifts of warm hose, and new shirts made from +wool and flax grown by the father, and spun and woven +by the accomplished housewife.</p> + +<p>A very happy youth was Eli when he again set off +to the city, with his humble outfit and slender purse, +though father still looked doubtful, and the brothers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +were more sure than ever that Eli was a fool to prefer +dry books to country work and fun.</p> + +<p>A busy year followed, Eli studying, as never boy +studied before, with the excellent minister, who soon +grew proud of his best pupil. Less preparation was +needed in those days, and perhaps more love and +industry went to the work; for necessity is a stern +master, and poor boys often work wonders if the spark +of greatness is there.</p> + +<p>Eli had his wish in time, and went to college, +mother and sisters making it possible by the sale of +their handiwork; for the girls were famous spinners, +and the mother the best weaver in the country around. +How willingly they toiled for Eli!—rising early and +sitting late, cheering their labor with loving talk of +the dear lad's progress, and an unfailing faith in his +future success. Many a long ride did that good +mother take to the city, miles away, with a great roll +of cloth on the pillion behind her to sell, that she +might pay her son's college bills. Many a coveted +pleasure did the faithful sisters give up that they +might keep Eli well clothed, or send him some country +dainty to cheer the studies which seemed to them +painfully hard and mysteriously precious. Father +began to take pride in the ugly duckling now, and +brothers to brag of his great learning. Neighbors +came in to hear his letters, and when vacation brought +him home, the lads and lasses regarded him with a +certain awe; for his manners were better, his language +purer, than theirs, and the new life he led refined the +country boy till he seemed a gentleman.</p> + +<p>The second year he yielded to temptation, and got<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +into debt. Being anxious to do credit to his family, +of whom he was secretly a little ashamed about this +time, he spent money on his clothes, conscious that +he was a comely youth with a great love of beauty, +and a longing for all that cultivates and embellishes +character and life. An elegant gentleman astonished +the hill folk that season, by appearing at the little +church in a suit such as the greatest rustic dandy +never imagined in his wildest dreams,—the tall white +hat with rolling brim, Marseilles vest with watch-chain +and seals festooned across it, the fine blue coat with +its brass buttons, and the nankeen trousers strapped +over boots so tight that it was torture to walk in +them. Armed with a cane in the well-gloved hand, +an imposing brooch in the frills of the linen shirt, +Eli sauntered across the green, the observed of all +observers, proudly hoping that the blue eyes of a +certain sweet Lucinda were fixed admiringly upon +him.</p> + +<p>The boys were the first to recover from the shock, +and promptly resented the transformation of their +former butt into a city beau, by jeering openly and +affecting great scorn of the envied splendor. The poor +jackdaw, somewhat abashed at the effect of his plumes, +tried to prove that he felt no superiority, by being +very affable, which won the lasses, but failed to soften +the hearts of the boys; and when he secured the belle +of the village for the Thanksgiving drive and dance, +the young men resolved that pride should have a +fall.</p> + +<p>Arrayed in all his finery, Eli drove pretty Lucinda<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +in a smart borrowed wagon to the tavern where the +dance was held. Full of the airs and graces he had +learned at college, the once bashful, awkward Eli was +the admired of all eyes, as he pranced down the long +contra-dance in the agonizing boots, or played "threading +the needle" without the least reluctance on the +part of the blushing girls to pay the fine of a kiss +when the players sung the old rhyme:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The needle's eye no one can pass;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The thread that runs so true—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It has caught many a pretty lass,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And now it has caught you."<br /></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>But his glory was short-lived; for some enemy +maliciously drew out the linchpin from the smart +wagon, and as they were gayly driving homeward +over the hills, the downfall came, and out they both +went, to the great damage of Eli's city suit, and poor +Lucinda's simple finery.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, no bones were broken, and picking +themselves up, they sadly footed it home, hoping the +mishap would remain unknown. But the rogues took +care that Eli should not escape, and the whole neighborhood +laughed over the joke; for the fine hat was +ruined, and the costly coat split down the back, in the +ignominious tumble.</p> + +<p>Great was the humiliation of the poor student; for +not only was he ridiculed, but Lucinda would not +forgive him, and the blue eyes smiled upon another; +worst of all, he had to confess his debts and borrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +money of his father to pay them. He meekly bore +the stern rebuke that came with the hard-earned dollars, +but the sight of the tears his mother shed, even +while she comforted him, filled him with remorse. He +went back to his books, in a homespun suit, a sadder +and a wiser boy, and fell to work as if resolved to wash +out past errors and regain the confidence he had lost.</p> + +<p>All that winter the wheels turned and the loom +jangled, that the rolls of cloth might be increased; and +never was the day too cold, the way too long, for the +good mother's pious pilgrimage.</p> + +<p>That summer, a man came home to them, shabby +enough as to his clothes, but so wonderfully improved +in other ways, that not only did the women folk glow +with tender pride, but father and brothers looked at +him with respect, and owned at last there was something +in Eli. "No vacation for me," he said; "I +must work to pay my debts; and as I am not of much +use here, I'll try my old plan, and peddle some money +into my empty pockets."</p> + +<p>It was both comic and pathetic to see the shoulders +that had worn the fine broadcloth burdened with a +yoke, the hands that had worn kid gloves grasping +the tin trunks, and the dapper feet trudging through +dust and dew in cow-hide boots. But the face under +the old straw hat was a manlier one than that which +the tall beaver crowned, and the heart under the +rough vest was far happier than when the gold chain +glittered above it. He did so well that when he +returned to college his debts were paid, and the family +faith in Eli restored.</p> + +<p>That was an eventful year; for one brother married,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +and one went off to seek his fortune, the father mortgaging +his farm to give these sons a fair start in life. Eli was +to be a minister, and the farmer left his fortunes in the +hands of his wife, who, like many another good mother, +was the making of the great man of the family, and was +content with that knowledge, leaving him the glory.</p> + +<p>The next year, Eli graduated with honor, and went +home, to be received with great rejoicing, just twenty-one, +and a free man. He had longed for this time, +and planned a happy, studious life, preparing to preach +the gospel in a little parsonage of his own. But suddenly +all was changed; joy turned to sorrow, hope to +doubt, and Eli was called to relinquish liberty for +duty,—to give up his own dreams of a home, to keep a +roof over the heads of the dear mother and the faithful +sisters. His father died suddenly, leaving very little +for the women folk besides the independence that lay +in the skill of their own thrifty hands. The elder +brothers could not offer much help, and Eli was the +one to whom the poor souls turned in their hour of +sorrow and anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Go on, dear, and don't pester yourself about us. +We can find food and firin' here as long as the old +farm is ours. I guess we can manage to pay off the +mortgage by-and-by. It don't seem as if I <i>could</i> turn +out, after livin' here ever sense I was married, and +poor father so fond on't."</p> + +<p>The widow covered her face with her apron, and Eli +put his arms about her, saying manfully, as he gave +up all his fondest hopes for her dearer sake—</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, mother, and trust to me. I should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +a poor fellow if I allowed you and the girls to want, +after all you've done for me. I can get a school, and +earn instead of spend. Teaching and studying can +go on together. I'm sure I shouldn't prosper if I +shirked my duty, and I won't." The three sad women +clung to him, and the brothers, looking at his brave, +bright face, felt that Eli was indeed a man to lean on +and to love in times like this.</p> + +<p>"Well," thought the young philosopher, "the Lord +knows what is best for me, and perhaps this is a part +of my education. I'll try to think so, and hope to +get some good out of a hard job."</p> + +<p>In this spirit he set about teaching, and prospered +wonderfully, for his own great love of learning made +it an easy and delightful task to help others as he had +longed to be helped. His innocent and tender nature +made all children love him, and gave him a remarkable +power over them; so when the first hard months were +past, and his efforts began to bear fruit, he found that +what had seemed an affliction was a blessing, and that +teaching was his special gift. Filial duty sweetened +the task, a submissive heart found happiness in self-sacrifice, +and a wise soul showed him what a noble and +lovely work it was to minister to little children,—for +of such is the kingdom of heaven.</p> + +<p>For years Eli taught, and his school grew famous; +for he copied the fashions of other countries, invented +new methods, and gave himself so entirely to his +profession that he could not fail of success. The mortgage +was paid off, and Eli made frequent pilgrimages<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +to the dear old mother, whose staff and comfort he +still was. The sisters married well, the brothers +prospered, and at thirty, the schoolmaster found a +nobler mate than pretty Lucinda, and soon had some +little pupils of his very own to love and teach.</p> + +<p>There his youth ends; but after the years of teaching +he began to preach at last, not in one pulpit, but +in many all over the land, diffusing good thoughts now +as he had peddled small wares when a boy; still learning +as he went, still loving books and studying mankind, +still patient, pious, dutiful, and tender, a wise +and beautiful old man, till, at eighty, Eli's education +ended.<br /></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i070.png" width="500" height="419" alt="Boy Waving" title="Boy Waving" /> + + + +</div><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> +<p><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i071.png" width="500" height="278" alt="Onawandah" title="Onawandah" /> + +</div> + + + + +<h2><a name="Onawandah" id="Onawandah"></a>Onawandah</h2> + + +<p>"What in the world have <i>I</i> chosen?" exclaimed +Geoff, as he drew out a manuscript in his turn and read +the queer name.</p> + +<p>"A story that will just suit you, I think. The hero +is an Indian, and a brave one, as you will see. I learned +the little tale from an old woman who lived in the valley +of the Connecticut, which the Indians called the +Long River of Pines."</p> + +<p>With this very short preface, Aunt Elinor began to +read, in her best manner, the story of</p> + +<h4>ONAWANDAH.</h4> + +<p>Long ago,—when hostile Indians haunted the great +forests, and every settlement had its fort for the protection +of the inhabitants,—in one of the towns on the +Connecticut River, lived Parson Bain and his little son +and daughter. The wife and mother was dead; but +an old servant took care of them, and did her best to +make Reuben and Eunice good children. Her direst +threat, when they were naughty, was, "The Indians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +will come and fetch you, if you don't behave." So they +grew up in great fear of the red men. Even the +friendly Indians, who sometimes came for food or +powder, were regarded with suspicion by the people. +No man went to work without his gun near by. On +Sundays, when they trudged to the rude meeting-house, +all carried the trusty rifle on the shoulder; +and while the pastor preached, a sentinel mounted +guard at the door, to give warning if canoes came +down the river or a dark face peered from the wood.</p> + +<p>One autumn night, when the first heavy rains were +falling and a cold wind whistled through the valley, a +knock came at the minister's door, and, opening it, he +found an Indian boy, ragged, hungry, and foot-sore, who +begged for food and shelter. In his broken way, he +told how he had fallen ill, and been left to die by enemies +who had taken him from his own people, months +before; how he had wandered for days till almost +sinking; and that he had come now to ask for help, +led by the hospitable light in the parsonage window.</p> + +<p>"Send him away, master, or harm will come of it. +He is a spy, and we shall all be scalped by the murdering +Injuns who are waiting in the wood," said old +Becky, harshly; while little Eunice hid in the old servant's +ample skirts, and twelve-year-old Reuben laid +his hand on his cross-bow, ready to defend his sister if +need be.</p> + +<p>But the good man drew the poor lad in, saying, with +his friendly smile: "Shall not a Christian be as hospitable +as a godless savage? Come in, child, and be fed: +you sorely need rest and shelter."</p> + +<p>Leaving his face to express the gratitude he had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +words to tell, the boy sat by the comfortable fire and +ate like a famished wolf, while Becky muttered her +forebodings and the children eyed the dark youth at a +safe distance. Something in his pinched face, wounded +foot, and eyes full of dumb pain and patience, touched +the little girl's tender heart, and, yielding to a pitiful +impulse, she brought her own basin of new milk and, +setting it beside the stranger, ran to hide behind her +father, suddenly remembering that this was one of the +dreaded Indians.</p> + +<p>"That was well done, little daughter. Thou shalt +love thine enemies, and share thy bread with the needy. +See, he is smiling; that pleased him, and he wishes us +to be his friends."</p> + +<p>But Eunice ventured no more that night, and quaked +in her little bed at the thought of the strange boy +sleeping on a blanket before the fire below. Reuben +hid his fears better, and resolved to watch while others +slept; but was off as soon as his curly head touched +the pillow, and dreamed of tomahawks and war-whoops +till morning.</p> + +<p>Next day, neighbors came to see the waif, and one +and all advised sending him away as soon as possible, +since he was doubtless a spy, as Becky said, and would +bring trouble of some sort.</p> + +<p>"When he is well, he may go whithersoever he +will; but while he is too lame to walk, weak with +hunger, and worn out with weariness, I will harbor +him. He cannot feign suffering and starvation like +this. I shall do my duty, and leave the consequences<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +to the Lord," answered the parson, with such pious +firmness that the neighbors said no more.</p> + +<p>But they kept a close watch upon Onawandah, +when he went among them, silent and submissive, but +with the proud air of a captive prince, and sometimes +a fierce flash in his black eyes when the other lads +taunted him with his red skin. He was very lame +for weeks, and could only sit in the sun, weaving +pretty baskets for Eunice, and shaping bows and +arrows for Reuben. The children were soon his +friends, for with them he was always gentle, trying +in his soft language and expressive gestures to show +his good-will and gratitude; for they defended him +against their ruder playmates, and, following their +father's example, trusted and cherished the homeless +youth.</p> + +<p>When he was able to walk, he taught the boy to +shoot and trap the wild creatures of the wood, to find +fish where others failed, and to guide himself in the +wilderness by star and sun, wind and water. To +Eunice he brought little offerings of bark and feathers; +taught her to make moccasins of skin, belts of shells, +or pouches gay with porcupine quills and colored +grass. He would not work for old Becky,—who +plainly showed her distrust,—saying: "A brave does +not grind corn and bring wood; that is squaw's work. +Onawandah will hunt and fish and fight for you, but +no more." And even the request of the parson could +not win obedience in this, though the boy would have +died for the good man.</p> + +<p>"We can not tame an eagle as we can a barnyard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +fowl. Let him remember only kindness of us, and so +we turn a foe into a friend," said Parson Bain, stroking +the sleek, dark head, that always bowed before +him, with a docile reverence shown to no other living +creature.</p> + +<p>Winter came, and the settlers fared hardly through +the long months, when the drifts rose to the eaves of +their low cabins, and the stores, carefully harvested, +failed to supply even their simple wants. But the +minister's family never lacked wild meat, for Onawandah +proved himself a better hunter than any man in +the town; and the boy of sixteen led the way on his +snow-shoes when they went to track a bear to its den, +chase the deer for miles, or shoot the wolves that +howled about their homes in the winter nights.</p> + +<p>But he never joined in their games, and sat apart +when the young folk made merry, as if he scorned +such childish pastimes and longed to be a man in all +things. Why he stayed when he was well again, no +one could tell, unless he waited for spring to make his +way to his own people. But Reuben and Eunice +rejoiced to keep him; for while he taught them many +things, he was their pupil also, learning English +rapidly, and proving himself a very affectionate and +devoted friend and servant, in his own quiet way.</p> + +<p>"Be of good cheer, little daughter; I shall be gone +but three days, and our brave Onawandah will guard +you well," said the parson, one April morning, as he +mounted his horse to visit a distant settlement, where +the bitter winter had brought sickness and death to +more than one household.</p> + +<p>The boy showed his white teeth in a bright smile<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +as he stood beside the children, while Becky croaked, +with a shake of the head:—</p> + +<p>"I hope you mayn't find you've warmed a viper +in your bosom, master."</p> + +<p>Two days later, it seemed as if Becky was a true +prophet, and that the confiding minister <i>had</i> been +terribly deceived; for Onawandah went away to hunt, +and that night the awful war-whoop woke the sleeping +villagers, to find their houses burning, while the +hidden Indians shot at them by the light of the fires +kindled by dusky scouts. In terror and confusion the +whites flew to the fort; and, while the men fought +bravely, the women held blankets to catch arrows and +bullets, or bound up the hurts of their defenders.</p> + +<p>It was all over by daylight, and the red men sped +away up the river, with several prisoners, and such +booty as they could plunder from the deserted houses. +Not till all fear of a return of their enemies was over, +did the poor people venture to leave the fort and seek +their ruined homes. Then it was discovered that Becky +and the parson's children were gone, and great was +the bewailing, for the good man was much beloved by +all his flock.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the smothered voice of Becky was heard +by a party of visitors, calling dolefully:—</p> + +<p>"I am here, betwixt the beds. Pull me out, neighbors, +for I am half dead with fright and smothering."</p> + +<p>The old woman was quickly extricated from her +hiding-place, and with much energy declared that +she had seen Onawandah, disguised with war-paint,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +among the Indians, and that he had torn away the +children from her arms before she could fly from the +house.</p> + +<p>"He chose his time well, when they were defenceless, +dear lambs! Spite of all my warnings, master +trusted him, and this is the thanks we get. Oh, +my poor master! How can I tell him this heavy +news?"</p> + +<p>There was no need to tell it; for, as Becky sat +moaning and beating her breast on the fireless hearth, +and the sympathizing neighbors stood about her, the +sound of a horse's hoofs was heard, and the parson +came down the hilly road like one riding for his life. +He had seen the smoke afar off, guessed the sad truth, +and hurried on, to find his home in ruins, and to learn +by his first glance at the faces around him that his +children were gone.</p> + +<p>When he had heard all there was to tell, he sat +down upon his door-stone with his head in his hands, +praying for strength to bear a grief too deep for words. +The wounded and weary men tried to comfort him +with hope, and the women wept with him as they +hugged their own babies closer to the hearts that +ached for the lost children. Suddenly a stir went +through the mournful group, as Onawandah came +from the wood with a young deer upon his shoulders, +and amazement in his face as he saw the desolation +before him. Dropping his burden, he stood an instant +looking with eyes that kindled fiercely; then he came +bounding toward them, undaunted by the hatred, suspicion, +and surprise plainly written on the countenances<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +before him. He missed his playmates, and asked but +one question:—</p> + +<p>"The boy, the little squaw,—where gone?"</p> + +<p>His answer was a rough one, for the men seized +him and poured forth the tale, heaping reproaches +upon him for such treachery and ingratitude. He +bore it all in proud silence till they pointed to the +poor father, whose dumb sorrow was more eloquent +than all their wrath. Onawandah looked at him, and +the fire died out of his eyes as if quenched by the +tears he would not shed. Shaking off the hands that +held him, he went to his good friend, saying with +passionate earnestness:—</p> + +<p>"Onawandah is <i>not</i> traitor! Onawandah remembers! +Onawandah grateful! You believe?"</p> + +<p>The poor parson looked up at him, and could not +doubt his truth; for genuine love and sorrow ennobled +the dark face, and he had never known the boy +to lie.</p> + +<p>"I believe and trust you still, but others will not. +Go, you are no longer safe here, and I have no home +to offer you," said the parson, sadly, feeling that he +cared for none, unless his children were restored +to him.</p> + +<p>"Onawandah has no fear. He goes; but he comes +again to bring the boy, the little squaw."</p> + +<p>Few words, but they were so solemnly spoken that +the most unbelieving were impressed; for the youth +laid one hand on the gray head bowed before him, +and lifted the other toward heaven, as if calling the +Great Spirit to hear his vow.</p> + +<p>A relenting murmur went through the crowd, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +the boy paid no heed, as he turned away, and with +no arms but his hunting knife and bow, no food but +such as he could find, no guide but the sun by day, +the stars by night, plunged into the pathless forest +and was gone.</p> + +<p>Then the people drew a long breath, and muttered +to one another:—</p> + +<p>"He will never do it, yet he is a brave lad for his +years."</p> + +<p>"Only a shift to get off with a whole skin, I +warrant you. These varlets are as cunning as foxes," +added Becky, sourly.</p> + +<p>The parson alone believed and hoped, though weeks +and months went by, and his children did not come.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Meantime, Reuben and Eunice were far away in +an Indian camp, resting as best they could, after the +long journey that followed that dreadful night. Their +captors were not cruel to them, for Reuben was a +stout fellow, and, thanks to Onawandah, could hold +his own with the boys who would have tormented him +if he had been feeble or cowardly. Eunice also was a +hardy creature for her years, and when her first +fright and fatigue were over, made herself useful in +many ways among the squaws, who did not let the +pretty child suffer greatly; though she was neglected, +because they knew no better.</p> + +<p>Life in a wigwam was not a life of ease, and fortunately +the children were accustomed to simple habits +and the hardships that all endured in those early<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +times. But they mourned for home till their young +faces were pathetic with the longing, and their pillows +of dry leaves were often wet with tears in the +night. Their clothes grew ragged, their hair unkempt, +their faces tanned by sun and wind. Scanty food and +exposure to all weathers tried the strength of their +bodies, and uncertainty as to their fate saddened their +spirits; yet they bore up bravely, and said their +prayers faithfully, feeling sure that God would bring +them home to father in His own good time.</p> + +<p>One day, when Reuben was snaring birds in the +wood,—for the Indians had no fear of such young +children venturing to escape,—he heard the cry of a +quail, and followed it deeper and deeper into the +forest, till it ceased, and, with a sudden rustle, +Onawandah rose up from the brakes, his finger on +his lips to prevent any exclamation that might betray +him to other ears and eyes.</p> + +<p>"I come for you and little Laroka" (the name he +gave Eunice, meaning "Wild Rose"). "I take you +home. Not know me yet. Go and wait."</p> + +<p>He spoke low and fast; but the joy in his face told +how glad he was to find the boy after his long search, +and Reuben clung to him, trying not to disgrace himself +by crying like a girl, in his surprise and delight.</p> + +<p>Lying hidden in the tall brakes they talked in whispers, +while one told of the capture, and the other of a +plan of escape; for, though a friendly tribe, these Indians +were not Onawandah's people, and they must not +suspect that he knew the children, else they might be +separated at once.</p> + +<p>"Little squaw betray me. You watch her. Tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +her not to cry out, not speak me any time. When I +say come, we go—fast—in the night. Not ready +yet."</p> + +<p>These were the orders Reuben received, and, when +he could compose himself, he went back to the wigwams, +leaving his friend in the wood, while he told the good +news to Eunice, and prepared her for the part she must +play.</p> + +<p>Fear had taught her self-control, and the poor child +stood the test well, working off her relief and rapture +by pounding corn on the stone mortar till her little +hands were blistered, and her arms ached for hours +afterward.</p> + +<p>Not till the next day did Onawandah make his appearance, +and then he came limping into the village, +weary, lame, and half starved, after his long wandering +in the wilderness. He was kindly welcomed, and his +story believed; for he told only the first part, and said +nothing of his life among the white men. He hardly +glanced at the children when they were pointed out to +him by their captors, and scowled at poor Eunice, who +forgot her part in her joy, and smiled as she met the +dark eyes that till now had always looked kindly at +her. A touch from Reuben warned her, and she was +glad to hide her confusion by shaking her long hair +over her face, as if afraid of the stranger.</p> + +<p>Onawandah took no further notice of them, but +seemed to be very lame with the old wound in his foot, +which prevented his being obliged to hunt with the +men. He was resting and slowly gathering strength<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +for the hard task he had set himself, while he waited +for a safe time to save the children. They understood, +but the suspense proved too much for little Eunice, and +she pined with impatience to be gone. She lost appetite +and color, and cast such appealing glances at Onawandah, +that he could not seem quite indifferent, and +gave her a soft word now and then, or did such acts +of kindness as he could perform unsuspected. When +she lay awake at night thinking of home, a cricket +would chirp outside the wigwam, and a hand slip in a +leaf full of berries, or a bark-cup of fresh water for +the feverish little mouth. Sometimes it was only a +caress or a whisper of encouragement, that re-assured +the childish heart, and sent her to sleep with a comfortable +sense of love and protection, like a sheltering +wing over a motherless bird.</p> + +<p>Reuben stood it better, and entered heartily into the +excitement of the plot; for he had grown tall and strong +in these trying months, and felt that he must prove +himself a man to sustain and defend his sister. Quietly +he put away each day a bit of dried meat, a handful +of parched corn, or a well-sharpened arrowhead, as +provision for the journey; while Onawandah seemed +to be amusing himself with making moccasins and a +little vest of deer-skin for an Indian child about the +age of Eunice.</p> + +<p>At last, in the early autumn, all the men went off on +the war-path, leaving only boys and women behind. +Then Onawandah's eyes began to kindle, and Reuben's +heart to beat fast, for both felt that their time for +escape had come.</p> + +<p>All was ready, and one moonless night the signal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +was given. A cricket chirped shrilly outside the tent +where the children slept with one old squaw. A strong +hand cut the skin beside their bed of fir-boughs, and +two trembling creatures crept out to follow the tall +shadow that flitted noiselessly before them into the +darkness of the wood. Not a broken twig, a careless +step, or a whispered word betrayed them, and they +vanished as swiftly and silently as hunted deer flying +for their lives.</p> + +<p>Till dawn they hurried on, Onawandah carrying Eunice, +whose strength soon failed, and Reuben manfully +shouldering the hatchet and the pouch of food. At +sunrise they hid in a thicket by a spring and rested, +while waiting for the friendly night to come again. +Then they pushed on, and fear gave wings to their feet, +so that by another morning they were far enough away +to venture to travel more slowly and sleep at night.</p> + +<p>If the children had learned to love and trust the +Indian boy in happier times, they adored him now, and +came to regard him as an earthly Providence; so faithful, +brave, and tender was he,—so forgetful of himself, +so bent on saving them. He never seemed to sleep, +ate the poorest morsels, or went without any food when +provision failed; let no danger daunt him, no hardship +wring complaint from him, but went on through the +wild forest, led by guides invisible to them, till they +began to hope that home was near.</p> + +<p>Twice he saved their lives. Once, when he went +in search of food, leaving Reuben to guard his sister, +the children, being very hungry, ignorantly ate some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +poisonous berries which looked like wild cherries, and +were deliciously sweet. The boy generously gave +most of them to Eunice, and soon was terror-stricken +to see her grow pale, and cold, and deathly ill. Not +knowing what to do, he could only rub her hands and +call wildly for Onawandah.</p> + +<p>The name echoed through the silent wood, and, +though far away, the keen ear of the Indian heard it, +his fleet feet brought him back in time, and his knowledge +of wild roots and herbs made it possible to save +the child when no other help was at hand.</p> + +<p>"Make fire. Keep warm. I soon come," he said, +after hearing the story and examining Eunice, who +could only lift her eyes to him, full of childish confidence +and patience.</p> + +<p>Then he was off again, scouring the woods like a +hound on the scent, searching everywhere for the +precious little herb that would counteract the poison. +Any one watching him would have thought him crazy, +as he rushed hither and thither, tearing up the leaves, +creeping on his hands and knees that it might not escape +him, and when he found it, springing up with a +cry that startled the birds, and carried hope to poor +Reuben, who was trying to forget his own pain in his +anxiety for Eunice, whom he thought dying.</p> + +<p>"Eat, eat, while I make drink. All safe now," cried +Onawandah, as he came leaping toward them with his +hands full of green leaves, and his dark face shining +with joy.</p> + +<p>The boy was soon relieved, but for hours they hung +over the girl, who suffered sadly, till she grew unconscious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +and lay as if dead. Reuben's courage failed +then, and he cried bitterly, thinking how hard it would +be to leave the dear little creature under the pines and +go home alone to father. Even Onawandah lost hope +for a while, and sat like a bronze statue of despair, +with his eyes fixed on his Wild Rose, who seemed fading +away too soon.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he rose, stretched his arms to the west, +where the sun was setting splendidly, and in his own +musical language prayed to the Great Spirit. The +Christian boy fell upon his knees, feeling that the only +help was in the Father who saw and heard them even +in the wilderness. Both were comforted, and when +they turned to Eunice there was a faint tinge of color +on the pale cheeks, as if the evening red kissed her; +the look of pain was gone, and she slept quietly, without +the moans that had made their hearts ache before.</p> + +<p>"He hears! he hears!" cried Onawandah, and for +the first time Reuben saw tears in his keen eyes, as the +Indian boy turned his face to the sky, full of a gratitude +that no words were sweet enough to tell.</p> + +<p>All night Eunice lay peacefully sleeping, and the +moon lighted Onawandah's lonely watch, for Reuben +was worn out with suspense, and slept beside his +sister.</p> + +<p>In the morning she was safe, and great was the +rejoicing; but for two days the little invalid was not +allowed to continue the journey, much as they longed +to hurry on. It was a pretty sight, the bed of hemlock +boughs spread under a green tent of woven +branches, and on the pillow of moss the pale child<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +watching the flicker of sunshine through the leaves, +listening to the babble of a brook close by, or sleeping +tranquilly, lulled by the murmur of the pines. Patient, +loving, and grateful, it was a pleasure to serve her, +and both the lads were faithful nurses. Onawandah +cooked birds for her to eat, and made a pleasant drink +of the wild-raspberry leaves to quench her thirst. +Reuben snared rabbits, that she might have nourishing +food, and longed to shoot a deer for provision, that +she might not suffer hunger again on their journey. +This boyish desire led him deeper into the wood than +it was wise for him to go alone, for it was near nightfall, +and wild creatures haunted the forest in those +days. The fire, which Onawandah kept constantly +burning, guarded their little camp where Eunice lay; +but Reuben, with no weapon but his bow and hunting +knife, was beyond this protection when he at last gave +up his vain hunt and turned homeward. Suddenly, +the sound of stealthy steps startled him, but he could +see nothing through the dusk at first, and hurried on, +fearing that some treacherous Indian was following +him. Then he remembered his sister, and resolved +not to betray her resting-place if he could help it, for +he had learned courage of Onawandah, and longed to +be as brave and generous as his dusky hero.</p> + +<p>So he paused to watch and wait, and soon saw the +gleam of two fiery eyes, not behind, but above him, in +a tree. Then he knew that it was an "Indian devil," +as they called a species of fierce animal that lurked +in the thickets and sprang on its prey like a small +tiger.</p> + +<p>"If I could only kill it alone, how proud Onawandah<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +would be of me," thought Reuben, burning for the +good opinion of his friend.</p> + +<p>It would have been wiser to hurry on and give the +beast no time to spring; but the boy was over bold, +and, fitting an arrow to the string, aimed at the bright +eye-ball and let fly. A sharp snarl showed that some +harm was done, and, rather daunted by the savage +sound, Reuben raced away, meaning to come back +next day for the prize he hoped he had secured.</p> + +<p>But soon he heard the creature bounding after him, +and he uttered one ringing shout for help, feeling too +late that he had been foolhardy. Fortunately, he was +nearer camp than he thought. Onawandah heard him, +and was there in time to receive the beast, as, mad +with the pain of the wound, it sprung at Reuben. +There was no time for words, and the boy could +only watch in breathless interest and anxiety the +fight which went on between the brute and the +Indian.</p> + +<p>It was sharp but short; for Onawandah had his +knife, and as soon as he could get the snarling, struggling +creature down, he killed it with a skilful stroke. +But not before it had torn and bitten him more dangerously +than he knew; for the dusk hid the wounds, +and excitement kept him from feeling them at first. +Reuben thanked him heartily, and accepted his +few words of warning with grateful docility; then +both hurried back to Eunice, who till next day knew +nothing of her brother's danger.</p> + +<p>Onawandah made light of his scratches, as he called<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +them, got their supper, and sent Reuben early to bed, +for to-morrow they were to start again.</p> + +<p>Excited by his adventure, the boy slept lightly, and +waking in the night, saw by the flicker of the fire Onawandah +binding up a deep wound in his breast with +wet moss and his own belt. A stifled groan betrayed +how much he suffered; but when Reuben went to him, +he would accept no help, said it was nothing, and sent +him back to bed, preferring to endure the pain in +stern silence, with true Indian pride and courage.</p> + +<p>Next morning, they set out and pushed on as fast as +Eunice's strength allowed. But it was evident that +Onawandah suffered much, though he would not rest, +forbade the children to speak of his wounds, and +pressed on with feverish haste, as if he feared that his +strength might not hold out. Reuben watched him +anxiously, for there was a look in his face that troubled +the boy and filled him with alarm, as well as with +remorse and love. Eunice would not let him carry +her as before, but trudged bravely behind him, though +her feet ached and her breath often failed as she tried +to keep up; and both children did all they could to +comfort and sustain their friend, who seemed glad to +give his life for them.</p> + +<p>In three days they reached the river, and, as if +Heaven helped them in their greatest need, found a +canoe, left by some hunter, near the shore. In they +sprang, and let the swift current bear them along, +Eunice kneeling in the bow like a little figure-head of +Hope, Reuben steering with his paddle, and Onawandah +sitting with arms tightly folded over his breast, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +if to control the sharp anguish of the neglected wound. +He knew that it was past help now, and only cared to +see the children safe; then, worn out but happy, he was +proud to die, having paid his debt to the good parson, +and proved that he was not a liar nor a traitor.</p> + +<p>Hour after hour they floated down the great river, +looking eagerly for signs of home, and when at last +they entered the familiar valley, while the little girl +cried for joy, and the boy paddled as he had never +done before, Onawandah sat erect, with his haggard +eyes fixed on the dim distance, and sang his death-song +in a clear, strong voice,—though every breath +was pain,—bent on dying like a brave, without complaint +or fear.</p> + +<p>At last they saw the smoke from the cabins on the +hillside, and, hastily mooring the canoe, all sprang +out, eager to be at home after their long and perilous +wandering. But as his foot touched the land, Onawandah +felt that he could do no more, and stretching +his arms toward the parsonage, the windows of which +glimmered as hospitably as they had done when he +first saw them, he said, with a pathetic sort of triumph +in his broken voice: "Go. I cannot. Tell the good +father, Onawandah not lie, not forget. He keep his +promise."</p> + +<p>Then he dropped upon the grass and lay as if dead, +while Reuben, bidding Eunice keep watch, ran as fast +as his tired legs could carry him to tell the tale and +bring help.</p> + +<p>The little girl did her part tenderly, carrying water +in her hands to wet the white lips, tearing up her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +ragged skirt to lay fresh bandages on the wound that +had been bleeding the brave boy's life away, and, sitting +by him, gathered his head into her arms, begging +him to wait till father came.</p> + +<p>But poor Onawandah had waited too long; now he +could only look up into the dear, loving, little face +bent over him, and whisper wistfully: "Wild Rose +will remember Onawandah?" as the light went out of +his eyes, and his last breath was a smile for her.</p> + +<p>When the parson and his people came hurrying up +full of wonder, joy, and good-will, they found Eunice +weeping bitterly, and the Indian boy lying like a +young warrior smiling at death.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my neighbors, the savage has taught us a lesson +we never can forget. Let us imitate his virtues, +and do honor to his memory," said the pastor, as he +held his little daughter close and looked down at the +pathetic figure at his feet, whose silence was more +eloquent than any words.</p> + +<p>All felt it, and even old Becky had a remorseful +sigh for the boy who had kept his word so well and +given back her darlings safe.</p> + +<p>They buried him where he lay; and for years the +lonely mound under the great oak was kept green by +loving hands. Wild roses bloomed there, and the murmur +of the Long River of Pines was a fit lullaby for +faithful Onawandah.<br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i091.png" width="500" height="334" alt="Little Things" title="Little Things" /> + +</div> + +<h2><a name="Little_Things" id="Little_Things"></a>Little Things</h2> + + +<p>"That's the sort I like," said Geoff, as the story +ended; "Onawandah was a trump, and I'd give a +good deal to know such a fellow, and go hunting with +him. Got any more like it, aunty?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps; but it is the girls' turn now, and here is +a quiet little story that teaches the same lesson in a +different way. It contains a hint which some of you +would better take;" and Aunt Elinor glanced around +the circle with a smile that set her hearers on the +alert to see who was to be hit.</p> + +<p>"Hope it isn't <i>very</i> moral," said Geoff, with a boyish +dislike of being preached at.</p> + +<p>"It won't harm you to listen, and take the moral to +heart, my lad. Wild horses, gold mines, and sea +scrapes, are not the only things worth reading about. +If you ever do half so much good in the world as the +people in this story did, I shall be proud of you," answered +Aunt Elinor, so soberly that Geoff folded his +hands, and tried to look meekly impressed.</p> + +<p>"Is it true?" asked Min.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I heard 'Abby' tell it herself, and saw the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +silk stocking, and the scar."</p> + +<p>"That sounds <i>very</i> interesting. I do like to hear +about good clothes and awful accidents," cried the +girl, forgetting to spin, in her eagerness to listen.</p> + +<p>They all laughed at her odd mixture of tastes, and +then heard the story of</p> + + +<h4>LITTLE THINGS.</h4> + +<p>Abigail sat reading "Rasselas" aloud to her father +while he shaved, pausing now and then to explain a +word or correct the girl's pronunciation; for this was +a lesson, as well as a pleasure. The handsome man, +in his nankin dressing-gown, ruffled shirt, black small-clothes, +and silk stockings, stood before the tall, old-fashioned +bureau, looking often from the reflection of +his own ruddy face to the pale one beside him, with +an expression of tender pride, which plainly showed +how dear his young daughter was to him.</p> + +<p>Abby was a slender girl of fifteen, in a short-waisted +gingham gown, with a muslin tucker, dimity apron, +and morocco shoes on a pair of small feet demurely +crossed before her. A blue-eyed, brown-haired little +creature, with a broad brow, and a sweet mouth, evidently +both intelligent and affectionate; for she +heartily enjoyed the story, and answered her father's +approving glances with a face full of the loving reverence +so beautiful to see.</p> + +<p>Schools were not abundant in 1815; and, after +learning to read, spell, sew, and cipher a little at some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +dame school, girls were left to pick up knowledge as +they could; while the brothers went to college, or +were apprenticed to some trade. But the few things +they did study were well learned; so that Abby's +reading was a pleasure to hear. She wrote a fine, +clear hand, seldom misspelled a word, kept her own +little account-book in good order, and already made her +father's shirts, hemstitching the linen cambric ruffles +with the daintiest skill, and turning out button-holes +any one might be proud of. These accomplishments +did not satisfy her, however, and she longed to know +much more,—to do and be something great and +good,—with the sincere longing of an earnest, +thoughtful girl.</p> + +<p>These morning talks with her father were precious +half-hours to her; for they not only read and discussed +well-chosen books, but Abby opened her +heart freely, and received his wise counsels with a +grateful docility which helped to make her after-life +as benevolent and blessed as his.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder that Rasselas wanted to get out of +the Happy Valley and see the world for himself. I +often feel so, and long to go and have adventures, like +the people I read about; to do something very splendid, +and be brave and great and loved and honored," +said Abby, as she closed the book, and looked out of +the open window with wistful eyes; for the chestnut +trees were rustling in the May sunshine, and spring +was stirring in the girl's heart, as well as in the +budding boughs and early flowers on the green bank +below.</p> + +<p>"Do not be in a hurry to leave your Happy Valley,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +my dear; but help to keep it so by doing your part +well. The happiness of life depends very much on little +things; and one can be brave and great and good while +making small sacrifices and doing small duties faithfully +and cheerfully," answered Mr. Lyon, with the +look of one who practised what he preached.</p> + +<p>"But <i>my</i> little things are so stupid and easy. Sewing, +and learning to pickle and preserve, and going +out to tea when I don't want to, and helping mother, +are none of them romantic or exciting duties and sacrifices. +If I could take care of poor people, or be a +colonel in a splendid uniform, and march with drums +and trumpets,—or even a fire-warden, and run to save +lives and property, and be loved and thanked and +trusted, as you are, I should be contented," continued +Abby, kindling at the thought; for she considered +her father the noblest of men, and glowed with +pride when she saw him in his regimentals on great +occasions, or when she helped him into the leathern +cap and coat, and gave him the lantern, staff, and +canvas bags he used, as fire-warden, long before steam-engines, +hook and ladder companies, and electric +alarms were dreamed of.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lyon laughed as he washed his face at the +queer, three-cornered stand, and then sat down to +have his hair tied in a queue by his daughter, who +prided herself on doing this as well as a barber.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my girl, it's not the things that make the +most noise and show that are the bravest and the +best; but the everlasting patience, charity, and courage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +needed to bear our daily trials like good Christians." +And the smile changed to a sigh, for the +excellent man knew the value of these virtues, and +their rarity.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know, sir; but it is so splendid to be a +hero, and have the world ring with one's glory, like +Washington and Lafayette, or Perry, Hull, and +Lawrence," said Abby, winding the black ribbon so +energetically that it nearly broke; for her head was +full of the brave deeds performed in the wars of 1775 +and 1812, the latter of which she well remembered.</p> + +<p>"Easy, my dear, easy!—remember that it was the +faithful doing of small things which fitted these men +to do the grand deeds well, when the time came. Heroes +are not made in a minute, and we never know +what we may be called upon to live through. Train +yourself now to be skilful, prompt, courageous, and +kind; then when the duty or the danger comes, +you will be prepared for it. 'Keep your spindle +ready, and the Lord will send the flax,' as the old +proverb says."</p> + +<p>"I will, father, and remember the other saying that +you like and live up to, 'Do right and leave the consequences +to God,'" answered Abby, with her arm about +his neck, and a soft cheek against his, feeling that with +such an example before her she ought not to fail.</p> + +<p>"That's my good girl! Come, now, begin at once. +Here's a little thing to do, a very homely one, but +useful, and some honor may be gained by doing it +nicely; for, if you'll darn this bad rent in my new +stocking, I'll give you five dollars."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Mr. Lyon handed her a heavy silk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +stocking with a great "barn-door" tear in the calf. +He was rather proud of his handsome legs, and +dressed them with care, importing hose of unusual fineness +for state occasions; being one of the old-time gentlemen +whose stately elegance added dignity to any +scene.</p> + +<p>Abby groaned as she examined the hole torn by a +nail, for it was a very bad one, and she knew that if +not well done, the costly stocking would be ruined. +She hated to darn, infinitely preferring to read, or +study Latin with her brother, instead of repairing old +damask, muslin gowns, and the family hose. But +she did it well, excelling her elder sister in this branch +of needle-work; so she could not refuse, though the +sacrifice of time and taste would have been almost +impossible for any one but father.</p> + +<p>"I'll try, sir, and you shall pay me with a kiss; +five dollars is too much for such a little thing," she +said, smiling at him as she put the stocking into the +capacious pocket where girls kept housewife, scissors, +thimble, pin-ball, and a bit of lovage or flag-root in +those days.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that you'll find it an easy job; +but remember Bruce and his spider, and don't be +conquered by the 'little thing.' Now I must be off. +Good-by, my darling," and Mr. Lyon's dark eyes +twinkled as he thought of the task he had set her; +for it seemed as if nothing short of a miracle could +restore his damaged stocking.</p> + +<p>Abby forgot her heroics and ran to get his hat and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +cane, to receive his morning kiss, and answer the salute +he always paused at the street corner to give her +before he went away to the many cares and labors of +his own busy day. But while she put her little room +in order, dusted the parlor, and clapped laces for her +mother, who, like most ladies long ago, did up her +own caps and turbans, Abby was thinking over the +late conversation, and wondering if strict attention to +small affairs would really lead to something good or +glorious in the end.</p> + +<p>When her other duties were done, she resolutely sat +down to the detested darn, although it would have +been much pleasanter to help her sister cut out green +satin leaves and quill up pink ribbon into roses for a +garland to festoon the skirt of a new white dress.</p> + +<p>Hour after hour she worked, slowly and carefully +weaving the torn edges together, stitch by stitch, till +her eyes ached and the delicate needle grew rusty in +her warm hand. Her mother begged her to stop and +rest, sister Catharine called her to come and see how +well the garland looked, and a friend came to take her +to drive. But she refused to stir, and kept at her +weaving, as patiently as King Robert's spider, picking +out a bit that puckered, turning the corner with breathless +care, and rapping it with her thimble on the +wooden egg till it lay flat. Then she waited till an +iron was heated, and pressed it nicely, finishing in time +to put it on her father's bureau, where he would see it +when he dressed for dinner.</p> + +<p>"Nearly four hours over that dreadful darn! But +it's done now, and hardly shows, so I do think I've<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +earned my money. I shall buy that work-box I have +wanted so long. The inlaid one, with nice velvet beds +for the thimble, scissors, and bodkin, and a glass in +the cover, and a little drawer for my silk-reels. Father +will like that, and I shall be proud to show it."</p> + +<p>These agreeable thoughts were passing through Abby's +mind as she went into the front yard for a breath +of air, after her long task was over. Tulips and hyacinths +were blooming there, and, peeping through the +bars of the gate, stood a little girl wistfully watching +the gay blossoms and enjoying their perfume. Now, +Abby was fond of her garden, and had been hurrying +the early flowers, that they might be ready for her +father's birthday nosegay; so her first impulse was to +feign that she did not see the child, for she did not +want to give away a single tulip. But the morning +talk was fresh in her memory, and presently she +thought:—</p> + +<p>"Here is a little thing I can do;" and ashamed of +the selfish impulse, she gathered several of her finest +flowers and offered them, saying cordially:—</p> + +<p>"I think you would like these. Please take them, +and by and by when there are more, you shall have +prettier ones."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you! I did want some for mamma. +She is ill, and will be so pleased," was the grateful +answer, given with a little courtesy, and a smile that +made the wistful face a very happy one.</p> + +<p>"Do you live near by?" asked Abby, seeing at once +from the child's speech and manner that she was both +well-bred and grateful.</p> + +<p>"Just around the corner. We are English, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +papa is dead. Mamma kept school in another place +till she was too ill, and now I take care of her and the +children as well as I can."</p> + +<p>The little girl of twelve, in her black frock, with a +face far too old and anxious for her years, was so innocently +pathetic as she told the sad story, that Abby's +tender heart was touched, and an impetuous desire to +do something at once made her exclaim:—</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, and I'll send something better +than flowers. Wouldn't your mother like some wine +jelly? I helped make it, and have a glassful all my +own."</p> + +<p>"Indeed she would!" began the child, blushing +with pleasure; for the poor lady needed just such +delicacies, but thought only of the children's wants.</p> + +<p>Waiting to hear no more, Abby ran in to get her +offering, and came back beaming with benevolent +good-will.</p> + +<p>"As it is not far and you have that big basket, I'll +go with you and help carry the things, if I may? My +mother will let me, and my father will come and see +you, I'm sure, if you'd like to have him. He takes +care of everybody, and is the best and wisest man in +all the world."</p> + +<p>Lucy Mayhew accepted these kind offers with childish +confidence, thinking the young lady a sort of angel +in a coal-scuttle bonnet, and the two went chatting +along, good friends at once; for Abby had most engaging +manners, and her cheerful face won its way everywhere.</p> + +<p>She found the English family a very interesting one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +for the mother was a gentlewoman, and in sore straits +now,—being unable to use her accomplishments any +longer, and failing fast, with no friends to protect the +four little children she must soon leave alone in a +strange land.</p> + +<p>"If <i>they</i> were only cared for, I could go in peace; +but it breaks my heart to think of them in an asylum, +when they need a home," said the poor lady, +telling her greatest anxiety to this sympathetic young +visitor; while Lucy regaled the noses of the eager +little ones with delicious sniffs of the pink and blue +hyacinths.</p> + +<p>"Tell father all about it, and he'll know just what +to do. He always does, and every one goes to him. +May he come and see you, ma'am?" said Abby, longing +to take them all home at once.</p> + +<p>"He will be as welcome as an angel from Heaven, +my child. I am failing very fast, and help and comfort +are sorely needed," answered the grateful woman, +with wet eyes and a heart too full for many thanks.</p> + +<p>Abby's eyes were full also, and promising to "send +father soon," she went away, little dreaming that the +handful of flowers and a few kind words were the +first links in a chain of events that brought a blessing +into her own home.</p> + +<p>She waited anxiously for her father's return, and +blushed with pleasure as he said, after examining her +morning's work:—</p> + +<p>"Wonderfully well done, my dear! Your mother +says she couldn't have done it better herself."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry that it shows at all; but it was impossible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +to hide that corner, and if you wear it on the +inside of the leg, it won't be seen much," explained +Abby, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"It shows just enough for me to know where to +point when I boast of my girl's patience and skill. +People say I'm making a blue-stocking of you, because +we read Johnson; but my black stocking will prove +that I haven't spoiled you yet," said Mr. Lyon, pinching +her cheek, as they went down to dinner arm in +arm.</p> + +<p>Literary ladies were looked upon with awe, and by +many with disapproval, in those days; so Abby's studious +tastes were criticised by the good cousins and +aunts, who feared she might do something peculiar; +though, years later, they were very proud of the fine +letters she wrote, and the intellectual society which she +had unconsciously fitted herself to enjoy and adorn.</p> + +<p>Abby laughed at her father's joke, but said no more +just then; for young people sat silent at table while +their elders talked. She longed to tell about Lucy; +and when dessert came, she drew her chair near to her +father's, that she might pick the kernels from his walnuts +and drop them into his wine, waiting till he said, +as usual: "Now, little girl, let's take comfort." For +both enjoyed the hour of rest he allowed himself in the +middle of the day.</p> + +<p>On this occasion he varied the remark by adding, +as he took a bill from his pocket-book and gave it to +her with a kiss: "Well-earned money, my dear, and +most cheerfully paid."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir! It seems a great deal for such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +small job. But I <i>do</i> want it very much. May I tell +you how I'd like to spend it, father?" cried Abby, +beaming with the sweet delight of helping others.</p> + +<p>"Yes, child; come and tell me. Something for +sister, I suspect; or a new book, perhaps." And, drawing +her to his knee, Mr. Lyon waited with a face full +of benignant interest in her little confidences.</p> + +<p>She told her story eagerly and well, exclaiming as +she ended: "And now, I'm so glad, so very glad, I +have this money, all my own, to spend for those dear +little things! I know you'll help them; but it's so +nice to be able to do my part, and giving away is such +a pleasure."</p> + +<p>"You are your father's own daughter in that, child. +I must go and get my contribution ready, or I shall be +left out," said Mrs. Lyon, hastening away to add one +more charity to the many which made her quiet life so +beautiful.</p> + +<p>"I will go and see our neighbor this evening, and +you shall come with me. You see, my girl, that the +homely 'little job' is likely to be a large and pleasant +one, and you have earned your part in it. Do +the duty that comes first, and one never knows +what beautiful experience it may blossom into. Use +your earnings as you like, and God bless you, my +dear."</p> + +<p>So Abby had her part in the happy days that came +to the Mayhews, and enjoyed it more than a dozen +work-boxes; while her father was never tired of showing +the handsome darn and telling the story of it.</p> + +<p>Help and comfort were much needed around the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +corner; for very soon the poor lady died. But her +confidence in the new friends raised up to her was not +misplaced; and when all was over, and people asked, +"What will become of the children?" Mr. Lyon +answered the sad question by leading the four little +orphans to his own house, and keeping them till good +homes were found for the three youngest.</p> + +<p>Lucy was heart-broken, and clung to Abby in her +sorrow, as if nothing else could console her for all she +had lost. No one had the heart to speak of sending +her away at present; and, before long, the grateful +little creature had won a place for herself which she +never forfeited.</p> + +<p>It was good for Abby to have a care of this sort, and +her generous nature enjoyed it thoroughly, as she +played elder sister in the sweetest way. It was her +first real lesson in the charity that made her after-life +so rich and beautiful; but then she little dreamed how +well she was to be repaid for her small share in the +good work which proved to be a blessing to them all.</p> + +<p>Soon, preparations for sister Catharine's wedding +produced a pleasant bustle in the house, and both the +younger girls were as busy as bees, helping everywhere. +Dressmakers ripped and stitched upstairs, visitors gossiped +in the parlor, and cooks simmered and scolded in +the kitchen; while notable Madam Lyon presided over +the household, keeping the peace and gently bringing +order out of chaos.</p> + +<p>Abby had a new sprigged muslin frock, with a white +sash, and her first pair of silk stockings, a present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +from her father. A bunch of pink roses gave the +finishing touch, and she turned up her hair with a tortoise-shell +comb in honor of the occasion.</p> + +<p>All the relations—and there were many of them—came +to the wedding, and the hospitable mansion was +crowded with old and young. A fine breakfast was +prepared, a line of carriages filled the quiet street, and +troops of stately ladies and gentlemen came marching +in; for the Lyons were a much-honored family.</p> + +<p>The interesting moment arrived at last, the minister +opened his book, the lovely bride entered with her +groom, and a solemn silence fell upon the rustling +crowd. Abby was much excited, and felt that she +was about to disgrace herself by crying. Fortunately +she stood near the door, and finding that a sob <i>would</i> +come at thought of her dear sister going away forever, +she slipped out and ran upstairs to hide her tears in +the back bedroom, where she was put to accommodate +guests.</p> + +<p>As she opened the door, a puff of smoke made her +catch her breath, then run to throw open the window +before she turned to look for the fallen brand. A fire +had been kindled in this room a short time before, and, +to Abby's dismay, the sudden draught fanned the +smouldering sparks which had crept from a fallen log +to the mop-board and thence around the wooden +mantel-piece. A suspicious crackling was heard, little +tongues of flame darted from the cracks, and the air +was full of smoke.</p> + +<p>Abby's first impulse was to fly downstairs, screaming +"Fire!" at the top of her voice; her second was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +to stand still and think what to do,—for an instant's +recollection showed her what terror and confusion such +a cry would produce in the crowded house, and how +unseemly a panic would be at such a time.</p> + +<p>"If I could only get at father! But I can't without +scaring every one. What would he do? I've heard +him tell about fires, and how to put them out; I know,—stop +the draught first," and Abby shut the window. +"Now water and wet blankets," and away she ran to +the bath-room, and filling a pail, dashed the water over +the burning wood. Then, pulling the blankets from off +the bed, she wet them as well as she could, and hung +them up before the fire-place, going to and fro for more +water till the smoke ceased to pour out and the crackling +stopped.</p> + +<p>These energetic measures were taken just in time to +prevent a serious fire, and when Abby dared to rest a +moment, with her eyes on the chimney, fearing the +treacherous blaze might burst out in a new place, +she discovered that her clothes were wet, her face +blackened, her hands blistered, and her breath +gone.</p> + +<p>"No matter," she thought, still too much elated +with her success to feel the pain. "Father will be +pleased, I know; for this is what he would call an +emergency, and I've had my wits about me. I wish +mother would come. Oh, dear! how queerly I feel—" +and in the midst of her self-congratulation, poor little +Abby fainted away,—slipping to the floor and lying +there, like a new sort of Casabianca, faithful at her +post.</p> + +<p>Lucy found her very soon, having missed her and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +come to look for her the minute the service was over. +Much frightened, she ran down again and tried to tell +Mr. and Mrs. Lyon quietly. But her pale face alarmed +every one, and when Abby came to herself, she was +in her father's arms, being carried from the scene of +devastation to her mother's room, where a crowd of +anxious relatives received her like a conquering +hero.</p> + +<p>"Well done, my brave little fire-warden! I'm proud +of you!" were the first words she heard; and they were +more reviving than the burnt feathers under her nose, +or the lavender-water plentifully sprinkled over her by +her mother and sister.</p> + +<p>With that hearty commendation, her father left her, +to see that all was safe, and Abby found that another +sort of courage was needed to support her through +the next half-hour of trial; for her hands were badly +burned, and each of the excellent relatives suggested +a different remedy.</p> + +<p>"Flour them!" cried Aunt Sally, fanning her violently.</p> + +<p>"Goose-oil and cotton-batting," suggested Aunt +Patty.</p> + +<p>"Nothing so good as lard," pronounced Aunt Nabby.</p> + +<p>"I always use dry starch or a piece of salt pork," +added cousin Lucretia.</p> + +<p>"Butter them!" commanded grandma. "That's +what I did when my Joseph fell into the boiler and +came out with his blessed little legs the color of lobsters. +Butter them, Dolly."</p> + +<p>That settled the vexed question, and Abby's hands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +were well buttered, while a hearty laugh composed the +spirits of the agitated party; for the contrast between +grandma's words and her splendid appearance, as she +sat erect in the big arm-chair issuing commands like a +general, in silver-gray satin and an imposing turban, +was very funny.</p> + +<p>Then Abby was left to repose, with Lucy and old +Nurse beside her, while the rest went down to eat the +wedding feast and see the happy pair off in a chaise, +with the portmanteau slung underneath, on their quiet +honey-moon trip to Pomfret.</p> + +<p>When the bustle was all over, Abby found herself a +heroine in her small circle of admiring friends and +neighbors, who praised and petted her as if she had +saved the city from destruction. She needed comfort +very much; for one hand was so seriously injured that +it never entirely recovered from the deep burn, which +contracted two of her finger-tips. This was a great +sorrow to the poor girl; for she could no longer play +on her piano, and was forced to content herself with +singing like a lark when all joined in the sweet old +ballads forgotten now.</p> + +<p>It was a misfortune, but it had its happy side; +for, during the long months when she was partially +helpless, books were her solace, and she studied +many things which other duties or pleasures would +have crowded out, if "Abby's poor hand" had not +been an excuse for such liberty and indulgence. It +did not make her selfish, however, for while regretting +her uselessness, she unexpectedly found work to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +do that made her own life happy by cheering that of +another.</p> + +<p>Lucy proved to be a most intelligent child; and +when Abby asked what return she could make for all +the little girl's loving service during her trouble, she +discovered that help about lessons would be the favor +most desired. Lucy's too early cares had kept her +from learning much, and now that she had leisure, +weak eyes forbade study, and she longed vainly to get +on as her new friend did; for Abby was her model in +all things,—looked up to with admiration, love, and +wonder.</p> + +<p>"Father, I've been thinking that I might read +Lucy's lessons to her and hear her recite. Then she +wouldn't grieve about being backward, and I can be +eyes to her as she is hands to me. I can't sew or work +now, but I can teach the little I know. May I, sir?" +asked Abby, one morning, after reading a paper in the +<i>Spectator</i>, and having a pleasant talk about it during +the happy half-hour.</p> + +<p>"A capital plan, daughter, if you are sure you can +keep on. To begin and then fail would leave the child +worse off for the hope and disappointment. It will be +tiresome to go on day after day, so think well before +you propose it," answered her father, much pleased +with the idea.</p> + +<p>"I <i>can</i> do it, and I <i>will</i>! If I get tired, I'll look +at you and mother,—always so faithful to what you +undertake,—and remember my motto," cried Abby, +anxious to follow the example set her in the daily life +of these good parents.</p> + +<p>A hearty hand-shake rewarded her, and she set about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +the new task with a resolute purpose to succeed. It +was hard at first to go back to her early lessons and +read them over and over again to eager Lucy, who did +her best to understand, remember, and recite. But +good-will and gratitude worked wonders; and day +after day, week after week, month after month, the +teaching went on, to the great surprise and satisfaction +of those who watched this labor of love. Both learned +much, and a very strong, sweet friendship grew up, +which lasted till the young girls became old women.</p> + +<p>For nearly two years the daily lessons were continued; +then Lucy was ready and able to go to school, +and Abby free from the duty that had grown a +pleasure. Sister Catherine being gone, she was the +young lady of the house now, and began to go to a +few parties, where she distinguished herself by her +graceful dancing, and sprightly though modest manners. +She had grown strong and rosy with the exercise +her sensible mother prescribed and her energetic +father encouraged, taking long walks with her to Roxbury +and Dorchester on holidays, over bridges and +around the common before breakfast each morning, +till the pale little girl was a tall and blooming creature, +full of life and spirit,—not exactly beautiful, but with +a sweet, intelligent face, and the frank, cordial ways +that are so charming. Her brother Sam was very +proud of her, and liked to see her surrounded by his +friends at the merry-makings to which he escorted +her; for she talked as well as she danced, and the +older gentlemen enjoyed a good chat with Miss Abby<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +as much as the younger ones did the elaborate pigeon-wings +and pirouettes then in vogue.</p> + +<p>Among the older men was one whom Abby much +admired; for he had fought, travelled, and studied +more than most men of his age, and earned the honors +he wore so modestly. She was never tired of asking +him questions when they met, and he never seemed +tired of giving long, interesting replies; so they often +sat and talked while others danced, and Abby never +guessed that he was studying her bright face and innocent +heart as eagerly as she listened to his agreeable +conversation and stirring adventures.</p> + +<p>Presently he came to the house with brother Sam, +who shared Abby's regard for him; and there, while +the young men amused themselves, or paid their respects +to the elders, one of them was still watching +the tall girl with the crown of brown hair, as she sat +by her father, poured the tea for Madam, laughed with +her brother, or made bashful Lucy share their pleasures; +always so busy, dutiful, and winning, that the +visitor pronounced Mr. Lyon's the most delightful +house in Boston. He heard all the little tales of +Abby's youth from Sam, and Lucy added her tribute +with the eloquence of a grateful heart; he saw how +loved and trusted she was, and he soon longed to +know how she would answer the question he desired +to ask her. Having received permission from Papa, +in the decorous old style, he only waited for an +opportunity to discover if charming Abigail would +consent to change her name from Lyon to Lamb; +and, as if her lesson was to be quite complete, a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +thing decided her fate and made a very happy woman +of the good girl.</p> + +<p>On Abby's seventeenth birthday, there was to be a +party in her honor, at the hospitable family mansion, +to which all her friends were invited; and, when she +came down early to see that all was in order, she +found one impatient guest had already arrived.</p> + +<p>It was not alone the consciousness that the new +pink taffeta gown and the wreath of white roses +were very becoming which made her blush so prettily +as she thanked her friend for the fine nosegay he +brought her, but something in his face, though he +only wished her many happy returns in a hearty way, +and then added, laughing, as the last button flew off +the glove he was awkwardly trying to fasten,—</p> + +<p>"It is evident that you didn't sew on these buttons, +Miss Abby. I've observed that Sam's never +come off, and he says you always keep them in +order."</p> + +<p>"Let me put one on for you. It will take but a +moment, and you'll be so uncomfortable without +it," said Abby, glad to find employment for her +eyes.</p> + +<p>A minute afterward she was sorry she had offered; +for he accepted the little service with thanks, and +stood watching while she sat down at her work-table +and began to sew. She was very sensitive about her +hand, yet ashamed of being so; for the scar was +inside and the drawn fingers showed very little, as it +is natural to half close them. She hoped he had +never seen it, and tried to hide it as she worked.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +But this, or some new consciousness, made her usually +nimble fingers lose their skill, and she knotted the +silk, split the button, and dropped her thimble, +growing angry with herself for being so silly and +getting so red and flurried.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I'm giving you a deal of trouble," +said the gentleman, who was watching the white +hand with great interest.</p> + +<p>"No; it is I who am foolish about my burnt +hands," answered Abby, in her frank, impetuous way. +"See how ugly it is!" And she held it out, as if to +punish herself for the girlish feeling she despised.</p> + +<p>The answer to this little outburst made her forget +everything but the sweetest pleasure and surprise; +for, kissing the scarred palm with tender respect, +her lover said:—</p> + +<p>"To me it is the finest and the dearest hand in +the world. I know the brave story, and I've seen +the good this generous hand is never tired of doing. +I want it for my own. Will you give it to me, +dear?"</p> + +<p>Abby must have answered, "Yes;" for she wore a +new ring under her glove that night, and danced +as if there were wings on the heels of her pink +shoes.</p> + +<p>Whether the button ever got sewed on or not, no +one knows; but that bit of needlework was even more +successful than the other small job; for in due time +there was a second wedding, without a fire, and Abby +went away to a happy home of her own, leaving +sister Lucy to fill her place and be the most loving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +and faithful of daughters to her benefactors while +they lived.</p> + +<p>Long years afterward, when she had children and +grandchildren about her, listening to the true old +stories that are the best, Abby used to say, with her +own cheerful laugh:—</p> + +<p>"My father and mother taught me many useful +lessons, but none more valuable than those I learned +that year; and I may honestly say that patience, +perseverance, courage, friendship, and love, came out +of that silk stocking. So let me give you this bit of +advice: Don't despise little things, my dears!"</p> +<p><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 499px;"> +<img src="images/i113.png" width="499" height="500" alt="Lady Mending" title="Lady Mending" /> + +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 455px;"> +<img src="images/i115.png" width="455" height="500" alt="The Banner of Beaumanior" title="The Banner of Beaumanior" /> + +</div> + + + + +<h2><a name="The_Banner_of_Beaumanior" id="The_Banner_of_Beaumanior"></a>The Banner of Beaumanior</h2> + + +<p>Larks were singing in the clear +sky over Dinan, the hill-sides were +white with hosts of blooming cherry-trees, +and the valley golden with willow +blossoms. The gray tower of the +good Duchess Anne was hung with +garlands of ivy and gay with tufts of +fragrant wallflowers, and along the +fosse the shadows deepened daily as +the young leaves thickened on the +interlacing branches overhead. Women sang while +they beat their clothes by the pool; wooden shoes +clattered to and fro as the girls brought water from +the fountain in Place St. Louis; men, with their +long hair, embroidered jackets, and baggy breeches, +drank cider at the inn doors; and the great Breton +horses shook their high collars till the bells rang +again, as they passed along the roads that wound +between wide fields of colza, buckwheat, and clover.</p> + +<p>Up at the chateau, which stood near the ruins of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +the ancient castle, the great banner streamed in the +wind, showing, as its folds blew out, the device and +motto of the Beaumanoir—two clasped hands and +the legend, "<i>En tout chemin loyauté</i>."<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a> + <a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> In the courtyard, +hounds brayed, horses pranced, and servants +hurried about; for the count was going to hunt the +wild boar. Presently, away they went, with the merry +music of horns, the clatter of hoofs, and the blithe +ring of voices, till the pleasant clamor died away in +the distant woods, where mistletoe clung to the great +oaks, and menhirs and dolmens, mysterious relics of +the Druids, were to be seen.</p> + +<p>From one of the windows of the chateau-tower a +boy's face looked out, full of eager longing,—a fine, +strong face, but sullen now, with black brows, dark, +restless eyes, and lips set, as if rebellious thoughts were +stirring in his mind. He watched the gay cavalcade +disappear, until a sunny silence settled over the landscape, +broken only by the larks and the sound of a +girl's voice singing. As he listened, the frown smoothed +itself from his brow, and his eye brightened when it +rested on a blue-gowned, white-capped figure, sprinkling +webs of linen, spread to bleach in the green +meadow by the river Rance.</p> + +<p>"If I may not hunt, I'll away to Yvonne<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"> + </a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B] </a>and take +a holiday. She can tell better tales than any in this +weary book, the bane of my life!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the boy struck a volume that lay +on the wide ledge, with a petulant energy that sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +it fluttering down into the court-yard below. Half-ashamed +and half-amused, young Gaston peeped to see +if this random shot had hit any one. But all was quiet +and deserted now; so, with a boyish laugh and a daring +glance at the dangerous descent, he said to the doves +cooing on the roof overhead: "Here's a fine pretext +for escape. Being locked in, how can I get my lesson +unless I fetch the book? Tell no tales of the time I +linger, and you shall be well fed, my pretty birds."</p> + +<p>Then swinging himself out as if it were no new feat, +he climbed boldly down through the ivy that half hid +the carved flowers and figures which made a ladder for +his agile feet.</p> + +<p>The moment he touched ground, he raced away like +a hound in full scent to the meadow, where he was +welcomed by a rosy, brown-eyed lass, whose white +teeth shone as she laughed to see him leap the moat, +dodge behind the wall, and come bounding toward her, +his hair streaming in the wind, and his face full of +boyish satisfaction in this escapade.</p> + +<p>"The old tale," he panted, as he threw himself +down upon the grass and flung the recovered book +beside him. "This dreary Latin drives me mad, and +I will <i>not</i> waste such days as this poring over dull +pages like a priest, when I should be hunting like a +knight and gentleman."</p> + +<p>"Nay, dear Gaston, but you ought, for obedience +is the first duty of the knight, and honor of the +gentleman," answered the girl, in a soft, reproachful +tone, which seemed to touch the lad, as the voice of a +master tames a high-mettled horse.</p> + +<p>"Had Father Nevin trusted to my honor, I would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +not have run away; but he locked me in, like a monk +in a cell, and that I will not bear. Just one hour, +Yvonne, one little hour of freedom, then I will go +back, else there will be no sport for me to-morrow," +said the lad, recklessly pulling up the bluets that +starred the grass about him.</p> + +<p>"Ah, if I were set to such a task, I would so gladly +learn it, that I might be a fitter friend for you," said +the girl, reverently turning the pages of the book she +could not read.</p> + +<p>"No need of that; I like you as you are, and by +my faith, I doubt your great willingness, for when I +last played tutor and left you to spell out the pretty +legend of St. Coventin and his little fish, I found you +fast asleep with the blessed book upon the floor," +laughed Gaston, turning the tables on his mentor, +with great satisfaction.</p> + +<p>The girl laughed also as she retorted, "My tutor +should not have left me to play with his dogs. I bore +my penance better than you, and did not run away. +Come now, we'll be merry. Will you talk, or shall +I sing, while you rest this hot head, and dream of +horse and hound and spearing the wild boar?" added +Yvonne, smoothing the locks of hair scattered on the +grass, with a touch as gentle as if the hand were that +of a lady, and not that of a peasant, rough with hard +work.</p> + +<p>"Since I may not play a man's part yet, amuse me +like a boy, with the old tales your mother used to tell, +when we watched the fagots blaze in the winter nights.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +It is long since I have heard one, and I am never tired +hearing of the deeds I mean to match, if not outdo, +some day.</p> + +<p>"Let me think a bit till I remember your favorites, +and do you listen to the bees above there in the +willow, setting you a good example, idle boy," said +Yvonne, spreading a coarse apron for his head, while +she sat beside him racking her brain for tales to beguile +this truant hour.</p> + +<p>Her father was the count's forester, and when the +countess had died some sixteen years before, leaving +a month-old boy, good dame Gillian had taken the +motherless baby, and nursed and reared him with her +little girl, so faithfully and tenderly that the count +never could forget the loyal service. As babies, the +two slept in one cradle; as children they played and +quarrelled together; and as boy and girl they defended, +comforted, and amused each other. But time brought +inevitable changes, and both felt that the hour of +separation was near; for, while Yvonne went on leading +the peasant life to which she was born, Gaston +was receiving the education befitting a young count. +The chaplain taught him to read and write, with +lessons in sacred history, and a little Latin; of the +forester he learned woodcraft; and his father taught +him horsemanship and the use of arms, accomplishments +considered all-important in those days.</p> + +<p>Gaston cared nothing for books, except such as told +tales of chivalry; but dearly loved athletic sports, and +at sixteen rode the most fiery horse without a fall, +handled a sword admirably, could kill a boar at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +first shot, and longed ardently for war, that he might +prove himself a man. A brave, high-spirited, generous +boy, with a very tender spot in his heart for the good +woman who had been a mother to him, and his little +foster-sister, whose idol he was. For days he seemed +to forget these humble friends, and led the gay, active +life of his age and rank; but if wounded in the chase, +worried by the chaplain, disappointed in any plan, or +in disgrace for any prank, he turned instinctively to +Dame Gillian and Yvonne, sure of help and comfort +for mind and body.</p> + +<p>Companionship with him had refined the girl, and +given her glimpses of a world into which she could +never enter, yet where she could follow with eager +eyes and high hopes the fortunes of this dear Gaston, +who was both her prince and brother. Her influence +over him was great, for she was of a calm and patient +nature, as well as brave and prudent beyond her +years. His will was law; yet in seeming to obey, +she often led him, and he thanked her for the courage +with which she helped him to control his fiery temper +and strong will. Now, as she glanced at him she saw +that he was already growing more tranquil, under +the soothing influences of the murmuring river, the +soft flicker of the sunshine, and a blessed sense of +freedom.</p> + +<p>So, while she twisted her distaff, she told the stirring +tales of warriors, saints, and fairies, whom all +Breton peasants honor, love, and fear. But best of all +was the tale of Gaston's own ancestor, Jean de Beaumanoir, +"the hero of Ploërmel, where, when sorely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +wounded and parched with thirst, he cried for water, +and Geoffrey du Bois answered, like a grim old warrior +as he was, 'Drink thy blood, Beaumanoir, and the +thirst will pass;' and he drank, and the battle madness +seized him, and he slew ten men, winning the +fight against great odds, to his everlasting glory."</p> + +<p>"Ah, those were the times to live in! If they could +only come again, I would be a second Jean!"</p> + +<p>Gaston sprung to his feet as he spoke, all aglow with +the warlike ardor of his race, and Yvonne looked up at +him, sure that he would prove himself a worthy descendant +of the great baron and his wife, the daughter +of the brave Du Guesclin.</p> + +<p>"But you shall not be treacherously killed, as he +was; for I will save you, as the peasant woman saved +poor Giles de Bretagne when starving in the tower, +or fight for you, as Jeanne d'Arc fought for her lord," +answered Yvonne, dropping her distaff to stretch out +her hand to him; for she, too, was on her feet.</p> + +<p>Gaston took the faithful hand, and pointing to the +white banner floating over the ruins of the old castle, +said heartily: "We will always stand by one another, +and be true to the motto of our house till death."</p> + +<p>"We will!" answered the girl, and both kept the +promise loyally, as we shall see.</p> + +<p>Just at that moment the sound of hoofs made the +young enthusiasts start and look toward the road that +wound through the valley to the hill. An old man +on a slowly pacing mule was all they saw, but the +change that came over both was comical in its suddenness; +for the gallant knight turned to a truant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +school-boy, daunted by the sight of his tutor, while +the rival of the Maid of Orleans grew pale with +dismay.</p> + +<p>"I am lost if he spy me, for my father vowed I +should not hunt again unless I did my task. He will +see me if I run, and where can I hide till he has past?" +whispered Gaston, ashamed of his panic, yet unwilling +to pay the penalty of his prank.</p> + +<p>But quick-witted Yvonne saved him; for lifting one +end of the long web of linen, she showed a hollow +whence some great stone had been removed, and +Gaston slipped into the green nest, over which the +linen lay smoothly when replaced.</p> + +<p>On came the chaplain, glancing sharply about him, +being of an austere and suspicious nature. He saw +nothing, however, but the peasant girl in her quaint +cap and wooden sabots, singing to herself as she leaned +against a tree, with her earthen jug in her hand. The +mule paused in the light shadow of the willows, to crop +a mouthful of grass before climbing the hill, and the +chaplain seemed glad to rest a moment, for the day +was warm and the road dusty.</p> + +<p>"Come hither, child, and give me a draught of +water," he called, and the girl ran to fill her pitcher, +offering it with a low reverence.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, daughter! A fine day for the bleaching, +but over warm for much travel. Go to your work, +child; I will tarry a moment in the shade before I +return to my hard task of sharpening a dull youth's +wit," said the old man when he had drunk; and with +a frowning glance at the room where he had left his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +prisoner, he drew a breviary from his pocket and began +to read, while the mule browsed along the road-side.</p> + +<p>Yvonne went to sprinkling the neglected linen, +wondering with mingled anxiety and girlish merriment +how Gaston fared. The sun shone hotly on the dry +cloth, and as she approached the boy's hiding-place, +a stir would have betrayed him had the chaplain's +eyes been lifted.</p> + +<p>"Sprinkle me quickly; I am stifling in this hole," +whispered an imploring voice.</p> + +<p>"Drink thy blood, Beaumanoir, and the thirst will +pass," quoted Yvonne, taking a naughty satisfaction +in the ignominious captivity of the wilful boy. A long +sigh was the only answer he gave, and taking pity on +him, she made a little hollow in the linen where she +knew his head lay, and poured in water till a choking +sound assured her Gaston had enough. The chaplain +looked up, but the girl coughed loudly, as she went to +refill her jug, with such a demure face that he suspected +nothing, and presently ambled away to seek +his refractory pupil.</p> + +<p>The moment he disappeared, a small earthquake +seemed to take place under the linen, for it flew up +violently, and a pair of long legs waved joyfully in the +air as Gaston burst into a ringing laugh, which +Yvonne echoed heartily. Then, springing up, he said, +throwing back his wet hair and shaking his finger +at her: "You dared not betray me, but you nearly +drowned me, wicked girl. I cannot stop for vengeance +now; but I'll toss you into the river some +day, and leave you to get out as you can."</p> + +<p>Then he was off as quickly as he came, eager to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +reach his prison again before the chaplain came to +hear the unlearned lesson. Yvonne watched him till +he climbed safely in at the high window and disappeared +with a wave of the hand, when she, too, went +back to her work, little dreaming what brave parts +both were to play in dangers and captivities of which +these youthful pranks and perils were but a foreshadowing.</p> + +<p>Two years later, in the month of March, 1793, the +insurrection broke out in Vendée, and Gaston had his +wish; for the old count had been an officer of the +king's household, and hastened to prove his loyalty. +Yvonne's heart beat high with pride as she saw her +foster-brother ride gallantly away beside his father, +with a hundred armed vassals behind them, and the +white banner fluttering above their heads in the fresh +wind.</p> + +<p>She longed to go with him; but her part was to +watch and wait, to hope and pray, till the hour came +when she, like many another woman in those days, +could prove herself as brave as a man, and freely +risk her life for those she loved.</p> + +<p>Four months later the heavy tidings reached them +that the old count was killed and Gaston taken prisoner. +Great was the lamentation among the old +men, women, and children left behind; but they had +little time for sorrow, for a band of the marauding +Vendeans burned the chateau, and laid waste the +Abbey.</p> + +<p>"Now, mother, I must up and away to find and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +rescue Gaston. I promised, and if he lives, it shall +be done. Let me go; you are safe now, and there is +no rest for me till I know how he fares," said Yvonne, +when the raid was over, and the frightened peasants +ventured to return from the neighboring forests, +whither they had hastily fled for protection.</p> + +<p>"Go, my girl, and bring me news of our young +lord. May you lead him safely home again to rule +over us," answered Dame Gillian, devoted still,—for +her husband was reported dead with his master, yet +she let her daughter go without a murmur, feeling +that no sacrifice was too great.</p> + +<p>So Yvonne set out, taking with her Gaston's pet +dove and the little sum of money carefully hoarded +for her marriage portion. The pretty winged creature, +frightened by the destruction of its home, had +flown to her for refuge, and she had cherished it for +its master's sake. Now, when it would not leave her, +but came circling around her head a league away +from Dinan, she accepted the good omen, and made +the bird the companion of her perilous journey.</p> + +<p>There is no room to tell all the dangers, disappointments, +and fatigues endured before she found Gaston; +but after being often misled by false rumors, she at +last discovered that he was a prisoner in Fort Penthièvre. +His own reckless courage had brought him +there; for in one of the many skirmishes in which he +had taken part, he ventured too far away from his +men, and was captured after fighting desperately to +cut his way out. Now, alone in his cell, he raged +like a caged eagle, feeling that there was no hope of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +escape; for the fort stood on a plateau of precipitous +rock washed on two sides by the sea. He had heard +of the massacre of the royalist emigrants who landed +there, and tried to prepare himself for a like fate, +hoping to die as bravely as young Sombreuil, who +was shot with twenty others on what was afterward +named the "<i>Champ des Martyrs.</i>"<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"> + </a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> His last words, +when ordered by the executioner to kneel, were, "I +do it; but one knee I bend for my God, the other for +my king."</p> + +<p>Day after day Gaston looked down from his narrow +window, past which the gulls flew screaming, and +watched the fishers at their work, the women gathering +sea-weed on the shore, and the white sails +flitting across the bay of Quiberon. Bitterly did he +regret the wilfulness which brought him there, well +knowing that if he had obeyed orders he would now +be free to find his father's body and avenge his +death.</p> + +<p>"Oh, for one day of liberty, one hope of escape, +one friend to cheer this dreadful solitude!" he cried, +when weeks had passed and he seemed utterly +forgotten.</p> + +<p>As he spoke, he shook the heavy bars with impotent +strength, then bent his head as if to hide even +from himself the few hot tears wrung from him by +captivity and despair.</p> + +<p>Standing so, with eyes too dim for seeing, something +brushed against his hair, and a bird lit on the +narrow ledge. He thought it was a gull, and paid +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>no heed; but in a moment a soft coo started him, +and looking up, he saw a white dove struggling to +get in.</p> + +<p>"Blanchette!" he cried, and the pretty creature +flew to his hand, pecking at his lips in the old caressing +way he knew so well.</p> + +<p>"My faithful bird, God bless thee!" exclaimed the +poor lad, holding the dove close against his cheek to +hide the trembling of his lip,—so touched, so glad +was he to find in his dreary prison even a dumb friend +and comforter.</p> + +<p>But Blanchette had her part to play, and presently +fluttered back to the window ledge, cooing +loudly as she pecked at something underneath her +wing.</p> + +<p>Then Gaston remembered how he used to send +messages to Yvonne by this carrier-dove, and with +a thrill of joy looked for the token, hardly daring to +hope that any would be found. Yes! there, tied +carefully among the white feathers, was a tiny roll of +paper, with these words rudely written on it:—</p> + +<p>"Be ready; help will come. Y."</p> + +<p>"The brave girl! the loyal heart! I might have +known she would keep her promise, and come to +save me;" and Gaston dropped on his knees in +gratitude.</p> + +<p>Blanchette meantime tripped about the cell on +her little rosy feet, ate a few crumbs of the hard +bread, dipped her beak in the jug of water, dressed +her feathers daintily, then flew to the bars and called +him. He had nothing to send back by this sure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +messenger but a lock of hair, and this he tied with +the same thread, in place of the note. Then kissing +the bird he bade it go, watching the silver wings +flash in the sunshine as it flew away, carrying joy +with it and leaving hope behind.</p> + +<p>After that the little courier came often unperceived, +carrying letters to and fro; for Yvonne sent +bits of paper, and Gaston wrote his answers with +his blood and a quill from Blanchette's wing. He +thus learned how Yvonne was living in a fisher's hut +on the beach, and working for his rescue as well as +she dared. Every day she might be seen gathering +sea-weed on the rocks or twirling her distaff at the +door of the dilapidated hut, not as a young girl, but +as an old woman; for she had stained her fair skin, +put on ragged clothes, and hidden her fresh face +under the pent-house cap worn by the women of +Quiberon. Her neighbors thought her a poor soul +left desolate by the war, and let her live unmolested. +So she worked on secretly and steadily, playing her +part well, and biding her time till the long hempen +rope was made, the sharp file procured unsuspected, +and a boat ready to receive the fugitives.</p> + +<p>Her plan was perilously simple, but the only one +possible; for Gaston was well guarded, and out of +that lofty cell it seemed that no prisoner could escape +without wings. A bird and a woman lent him those +wings, and his daring flight was a nine days' wonder +at the fort. Only a youth accustomed to feats of +agility and strength could have safely made that +dangerous escape along the face of the cliff that rose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +straight up from the shore. But Gaston was well +trained, and the boyish pranks that used to bring him +into dire disgrace now helped to save his life.</p> + +<p>Thus, when the order came, written in the rude +hand he had taught Yvonne long ago, "Pull up the +thread which Blanchette will bring at midnight. +Watch for a light in the bay. Then come down, and +St. Barbe protect you," he was ready; for the tiny file +of watch-spring, brought by the bird, had secretly done +its work, and several bars were loose. He knew that the +attempt might cost him his life, but was willing to gain +liberty even at that price; for imprisonment seemed +worse than death to his impatient spirit. The jailer +went his last round, the great bell struck the appointed +hour, and Gaston stood at the window, +straining his eyes to catch the first ray of the promised +light, when the soft whir of wings gladdened his +ear, and Blanchette arrived, looking scared and wet +and weary, for rain fell, the wind blew fitfully, and +the poor bird was unused to such wild work as this. +But obedient to its training, it flew to its master; +and no angel could have been more welcome than the +storm-beaten little creature as it nestled in his bosom, +while he untangled the lengths of strong thread wound +about one of its feet.</p> + +<p>He knew what to do, and tying a bit of the broken +bar to one end, as a weight, he let it down, praying that +no cruel gust would break or blow it away. In a moment +a quick jerk at the thread bade him pull again. +A cord came up, and when that was firmly secured, a +second jerk was the signal for the last and most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +important haul. Up came the stout rope, knotted +here and there to add safety and strength to the +hands and feet that were to climb down that frail +ladder, unless some cruel fate dashed the poor boy +dead upon the rocks below. The rope was made fast +to an iron staple inside, the bars were torn away, and +Gaston crept through the narrow opening to perch on +the ledge without, while Blanchette flew down to tell +Yvonne he was coming.</p> + +<p>The moment the distant spark appeared, he bestirred +himself, set his teeth, and boldly began the +dangerous descent. Rain blinded him, the wind beat +him against the rock, bruising hands and knees, and +the way seemed endless, as he climbed slowly down, +clinging with the clutch of a drowning man, and +blessing Yvonne for the knots that kept him from +slipping when the gusts blew him to and fro. More +than once he thought it was all over; but the good +rope held fast, and strength and courage nerved heart +and limbs. One greater than St. Barbe upheld him, +and he dropped at last, breathless and bleeding, +beside the faithful Yvonne.</p> + +<p>There was no time for words, only a grasp of the +hand, a sigh of gratitude, and they were away to the +boat that tossed on the wild water with a single rower +in his place.</p> + +<p>"It is our Hoël. I found him looking for you. He +is true as steel. In, in, and off, or you are lost!" +whispered Yvonne, flinging a cloak about Gaston, +thrusting a purse, a sword, and a flask into his hand, +and holding the boat while he leaped in.</p> + +<p>"But you?" he cried; "I cannot leave you in peril,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +after all you have dared and done for me."</p> + +<p>"No one suspects me; I am safe. Go to my +mother; she will hide you, and I will follow soon."</p> + +<p>Waiting for no further speech, she pushed the boat +off, and watched it vanish in the darkness; then went +away to give thanks, and rest after her long work and +excitement.</p> + +<p>Gaston reached home safely, and Dame Gillian concealed +him in the ruins of the Abbey, till anxiety for +Yvonne drove him out to seek and rescue in his turn. +For she did not come, and when a returning soldier +brought word that she had been arrested in her flight, +and sent to Nantes, Gaston could not rest, but disguising +himself as a peasant, went to find her, accompanied +by faithful Hoël, who loved Yvonne, and would gladly +die for her and his young master. Their hearts sunk +when they discovered that she was in the Boufflay, an +old fortress, once a royal residence, and now a prison, +crowded with unfortunate and innocent creatures, arrested +on the slightest pretexts, and guillotined or +drowned by the infamous Carrier. Hundreds of men +and women were there, suffering terribly, and among +them was Yvonne, brave still, but with no hope of +escape; for few were saved, and then only by some +lucky accident. Like a sister of mercy she went among +the poor souls crowded together in the great halls, +hungry, cold, sick, and despairing, and they clung to +her as if she were some strong, sweet saint who could +deliver them or teach them how to die.</p> + +<p>After some weeks of this terrible life, her name was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +called one morning, on the list for that day's execution, +and she rose to join the sad procession setting forth.</p> + +<p>"Which is it to be?" she asked, as she passed one +of the men who guarded them, a rough fellow, whose +face was half hidden by a shaggy beard.</p> + +<p>"You will be drowned; we have no time to waste +on women;" was the brutal answer; but as the words +passed his lips, a slip of paper was pressed into her +hand, and these words breathed into her ear by a +familiar voice: "I am here!"</p> + +<p>It was Gaston, in the midst of enemies, bent on saving +her at the risk of his life, remembering all he owed +her, and the motto of his race. The shock of this discovery +nearly betrayed them both, and turned her so +white that the woman next her put her arm about her, +saying sweetly:—</p> + +<p>"Courage, my sister; it is soon over."</p> + +<p>"I fear nothing now!" cried Yvonne, and went on +to take her place in the cart, looking so serene and +happy that those about her thought her already fit for +heaven.</p> + +<p>No need to repeat the dreadful history of the +Noyades; it is enough to say that in the confusion of +the moment Yvonne found opportunity to read and +destroy the little paper, which said briefly:—</p> + +<p>"When you are flung into the river, call my name +and float. I shall be near."</p> + +<p>She understood, and being placed with a crowd of +wretched women on the old vessel which lay in the +river Loire, she employed every moment in loosening +the rope that tied her hands, and keeping her eye on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +the tall, bearded man who moved about seeming to do +his work, while his blood boiled with suppressed wrath, +and his heart ached with unavailing pity. It was dusk +before the end came for Yvonne, and she was all unnerved +by the sad sights she had been forced to see; +but when rude hands seized her, she made ready for +the plunge, sure that Gaston would "be near." He +was, for in the darkness and uproar, he could leap +after her unseen, and while she floated, he cut the rope, +then swam down the river with her hand upon his +shoulder till they dared to land. Both were nearly +spent with the excitement and exertion of that dreadful +hour; but Hoël waited for them on the shore and +helped Gaston carry poor Yvonne into a deserted house, +where they gave her fire, food, dry garments, and the +gladdest welcome one human creature ever gave to +another.</p> + +<p>Being a robust peasant, the girl came safely through +hardships that would have killed or crazed a frailer +creature; and she was soon able to rejoice with the +brave fellows over this escape, so audaciously planned +and so boldly carried out. They dared stay but a few +hours, and before dawn were hastening through the +least frequented ways toward home, finding safety in +the distracted state of the country, which made fugitives +no unusual sight, and refugees plentiful. One +more adventure, and that a happy one, completed their +joy, and turned their flight into a triumphant march.</p> + +<p>Pausing in the depths of the great forest of Hunaudaye +to rest, the two young men went to find food, +leaving Yvonne to tend the fire and make ready to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +cook the venison they hoped to bring. It was nightfall, +and another day would see them in Dinan, they +hoped; but the lads had consented to pause for the +girl's sake, for she was worn out with their rapid flight. +They were talking of their adventures in high spirits, +when Gaston laid his hand on Hoël's mouth and pointed +to a green slope before them. An early moon gave +light enough to show them a dark form moving quickly +into the coppice, and something like the antlers of a +stag showed above the tall brakes before they vanished. +"Slip around and drive him this way. I never miss +my aim, and we will sup royally to-night," whispered +Gaston, glad to use the arms with which they had provided +themselves.</p> + +<p>Hoël slipped away, and presently a rustle in the +wood betrayed the cautious approach of the deer. But +he was off before a shot could be fired, and the disappointed +hunters followed long and far, resolved not to +go back empty-handed. They had to give it up, however, +and were partially consoled by a rabbit, which +Hoël flung over his shoulder, while Gaston, forgetting +caution, began to sing an old song the women of Brittany +love so well:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"Quand vous étiez, captif, Bertrand, fils de Bretagne,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tous les fuseaux tournaient aussi dans la campagne."<br /></span> +</div> + +<p>He got no further, for the stanza was finished by a +voice that had often joined in the ballad, when Dame +Gillian sang it to the children, as she spun:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"Chaque femme apporte son écheveau de lin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ce fut votre rançon, Messire du Guesclin."<br /></span> +</div> + +<p>Both paused, thinking that some spirit of the wood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +mocked them; but a loud laugh, and a familiar +"Holo! holo!" made Hoël cry, "The forester!" while +Gaston dashed headlong into the thicket whence the +sound came, there to find the jolly forester, indeed, +with a slain deer by his side, waiting to receive them +with open arms.</p> + +<p>"I taught you to stalk the deer, and spear the boar, +not to hunt your fellow-creatures, my lord. But I forgive +you, for it was well done, and I had a hard run to +escape," he said, still laughing.</p> + +<p>"But how came you here?" cried both the youths, +in great excitement; for the good man was supposed +to be dead, with his old master.</p> + +<p>"A long tale, for which I have a short and happy +answer. Come home to supper with me, and I'll show +you a sight that will gladden hearts and eyes," he +answered, shouldering his load and leading the way to +a deserted hermitage, which had served many a fugitive +for a shelter. As they went, Gaston poured out +his story, and told how Yvonne was waiting for them +in the wood.</p> + +<p>"Brave lads! and here is your reward," answered +the forester, pushing open the door and pointing to the +figure of a man, with a pale face and bandaged head, +lying asleep beside the fire.</p> + +<p>It was the count, sorely wounded, but alive, thanks +to his devoted follower, who had saved him when the +fight was over; and after weeks of concealment, suffering, +and anxiety, had brought him so far toward +home.</p> + +<p>No need to tell of the happy meeting that night,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +nor of the glad return; for, though the chateau was in +ruins and lives were still in danger, they all were together, +and the trials they had passed through only +made the ties of love and loyalty between high and +low more true and tender. Good Dame Gillian housed +them all, and nursed her master back to health. +Yvonne and Hoël had a gay wedding in the course of +time, and Gaston went to the wars again. A new chateau +rose on the ruins of the old, and when the young +lord took possession, he replaced the banner that was +lost with one of fair linen, spun and woven by the two +women who had been so faithful to him and his, but +added a white dove above the clasped hands and golden +legend, never so true as now,—</p> + +<div class='center'>"En tout chemin loyauté."</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> +<p><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i137.png" width="500" height="275" alt="Jerseys or the Girls' Ghost" title="Jerseys or the Girls' Ghost" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="Jerseys_or_the_Girls_Ghost" id="Jerseys_or_the_Girls_Ghost"></a>Jerseys or the Girl's Ghost</h2> + + +<p>"Well, what do you think of her? She has only +been here a day, but it doesn't take <i>us</i> long to make +up our minds," said Nelly Blake, the leader of the +school, as a party of girls stood chatting round the +register one cold November morning.</p> + +<p>"I like her, she looks so fresh and pleasant, and so +strong. I just wanted to go and lean up against her, +when my back ached yesterday," answered Maud, a +pale girl wrapped in a shawl.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid she's very energetic, and I do hate to be +hurried," sighed plump Cordelia, lounging in an easy +chair.</p> + +<p>"I know she is, for Biddy says she asked for a pail +of cold water at six this morning, and she's out walking +now. Just think how horrid," cried Kitty with +a shiver.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what she does for her complexion. Never +saw such a lovely color. Real roses and cream," said +Julia, shutting one eye to survey the freckles on her +nose, with a gloomy frown.</p> + +<p>"I longed to ask what sort of braces she wears, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +keep her so straight. I mean to by and by; she looks +as if she wouldn't snub a body;" and Sally vainly tried +to square her own round shoulders, bent with much poring +over books, for she was the bright girl of the school.</p> + +<p>"She wears French corsets, of course. Nothing else +gives one such a fine figure," answered Maud, dropping +the shawl to look with pride at her own wasp-like waist +and stiff back.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't move about so easily and gracefully if +she wore a strait-jacket like you. She's not a bit of +a fashion plate, but a splendid woman, just natural and +hearty and sweet. I feel as if I shouldn't slouch and +poke so much if I had her to brace me up," cried Sally, +in her enthusiastic way.</p> + +<p>"I know one thing, girls, and that is, <i>she</i> can wear +a jersey and have it set elegantly, and <i>we</i> can't," said +Kitty, laboring with her own, which would wrinkle +and twist, in spite of many hidden pins.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I looked at it all breakfast time, and forgot +my second cup of coffee, so my head aches as if it +would split. Never saw anything fit so splendidly in +my life," answered Nelly, turning to the mirror, which +reflected a fine assortment of many colored jerseys; for +all the girls were out in their fall suits, and not one of +the new jackets set like Miss Orne's, the teacher who +had arrived to take Madame's place while that excellent +old lady was laid up with a rheumatic fever.</p> + +<p>"They are pretty and convenient, but I'm afraid +they will be a trial to some of us. Maud and Nelly +look the best, but they have to keep stiff and still, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +the wrinkles come. Kit has no peace in hers, and poor +Cordy looks more like a meal bag than ever, while I +am a perfect spectacle, with my round shoulders and +long thin arms. 'A jersey on a bean-pole' describes me; +but let us be in the fashion or die," laughed Sally, +exaggerating her own defects by poking her head forward +and blinking through her glasses in a funny way.</p> + +<p>There was a laugh and then a pause, broken in a +moment by Maud, who said, in a tone of apprehension:</p> + +<p>"I do hope Miss Orne isn't full of the new notions +about clothes and food and exercise and rights and +rubbish of that sort. Mamma hates such ideas, and so +do I."</p> + +<p>"I hope she <i>is</i> full of good, wise notions about health +and work and study. It is just what we need in this +school. Madame is old and lets things go, and the other +teachers only care to get through and have an easy +time. We ought to be a great deal better, brisker, and +wiser than we are, and I'm ready for a good stirring +up if any one will give it to us," declared Sally, who +was a very independent girl and had read as well as +studied much.</p> + +<p>"You Massachusetts girls are always raving about +self-culture, and ready for queer new ways. I'm contented +with the old ones, and want to be let alone and +finished off easily," said Nelly, the pretty New Yorker.</p> + +<p>"Well, I go with Sally, and want to get all I can in +the way of health, learning, and manners while I'm +here; and I'm real glad Miss Orne has come, for Madame's +old-fashioned, niminy priminy ways did fret me +dreadfully. Miss Orne is more like our folks out West,—spry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +and strong and smart, see if she isn't," said +Julia, with a decided nod of her auburn head.</p> + +<p>"There she is now! Girls, she's running! actually +trotting up the avenue—not like a hen, but a boy—with +her elbows down and her head up. Do come and +see!" cried Kitty, dancing about at the window as if +she longed to go and do likewise.</p> + +<p>All ran in time to see a tall young lady come up the +wide path at a good pace, looking as fresh and blithe +as the goddess of health, as she smiled and nodded at +them, so like a girl that all returned her salute with +equal cordiality.</p> + +<p>"She gives a new sort of interest to the old treadmill, +doesn't she?" said Nelly, as they scattered to +their places at the stroke of nine, feeling unusually +anxious to appear well before the new teacher.</p> + +<p>While they pull down their jerseys and take up their +books, we will briefly state that Madame Stein's select +boarding-school had for many years received six girls at +a time, and finished them off in the old style. Plenty +of French, German, music, painting, dancing, and deportment +turned out well-bred, accomplished, and amiable +young ladies, ready for fashionable society, easy +lives, and entire dependence on other people. Dainty +and delicate creatures usually, for, as in most schools of +this sort, minds and manners were much cultivated, but +bodies rather neglected. Heads and backs ached, dyspepsia +was a common ailment, and poorlies of all sorts +afflicted the dear girls, who ought not to have known +what "nerves" meant, and should have had no bottles +in their closets holding wine and iron, cough mixtures,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +soothing drops and cod-liver oil for weak lungs. Gymnastics +had once flourished, but the fashion had gone +by, and a short walk each day was all the exercise they +took, though they might have had glorious romps in +the old coach-house and bowling-alley in bad weather, +and lovely rambles about the spacious grounds; for the +house was in the suburbs, and had once been a fine +country mansion. Some of the liveliest girls did race +down the avenue now and then, when Madame was +away, and one irrepressible creature had actually slid +down the wide balusters, to the horror of the entire +household.</p> + +<p>In cold weather all grew lazy and cuddled under +blankets and around registers, like so many warmth-loving +pussies,—poor Madame's rheumatism making +her enjoy a hot-house temperature and indulge the girls +in luxurious habits. Now she had been obliged to give +up entirely and take to her bed, saying, with the resignation +of an indolent nature:—</p> + +<p>"If Anna Orne takes charge of the school I shall +feel no anxiety. <i>She</i> is equal to anything."</p> + +<p>She certainly looked so as she came into the school-room +ready for her day's work, with lungs full of +fresh air, brain stimulated by sound sleep, wholesome +exercise, and a simple breakfast, and a mind much interested +in the task before her. The girls' eyes followed +her as she took her place, involuntarily attracted by +the unusual spectacle of a robust woman. Everything +about her seemed so fresh, harmonious, and happy, that +it was a pleasure to see the brilliant color in her cheeks, +the thick coils of glossy hair on her spirited head, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +flash of white teeth as she spoke, and the clear, bright +glance of eyes both keen and kind. But the most +admiring glances were on the dark-blue jersey that +showed such fine curves of the broad shoulders, round +waist, and plump arms, without a wrinkle to mar its +smooth perfection.</p> + +<p>Girls are quick to see what is genuine, to respect +what is strong, and to love what is beautiful; so before +that day was over, Miss Orne had charmed them all; for +they felt that she was not only able to teach but to +help and amuse them.</p> + +<p>After tea the other teachers went to their rooms, glad +to be free from the chatter of half a dozen lively tongues; +but Miss Orne remained in the drawing-room, and set +the girls to dancing till they were tired, then gathered +them round the long table to do what they liked till +prayer-time. Some had novels, others did fancy-work +or lounged, and all wondered what the new teacher +would do next.</p> + +<p>Six pairs of curious eyes were fixed upon her, as she +sat sewing on some queer bits of crash, and six lively +fancies vainly tried to guess what the articles were, +for no one was rude enough to ask. Presently she +tried on a pair of mittens, and surveyed them with +satisfaction, saying as she caught Kitty staring with +uncontrollable interest:—</p> + +<p>"These are my beautifiers, and I never like to be +without them."</p> + +<p>"Are they to keep your hands white?" asked Maud, +who spent a good deal of time in caring for her own. "I +wear old kid gloves at night after cold-creaming mine."</p> + +<p>"I wear these for five minutes night and morning,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +for a good rub, after dipping them in cold water. +Thanks to these rough friends, I seldom feel the cold, +get a good color, and keep well," answered Miss Orne, +polishing up her smooth cheek till it looked like a +rosy apple.</p> + +<p>"I'd like the color, but not the crash. Must it be +so rough, and with <i>cold</i> water?" asked Maud, who +often privately rubbed her pale face with a bit of red +flannel, rouge being forbidden except for theatricals.</p> + +<p>"Best so; but there are other ways to get a color. +Run up and down the avenue three or four times +a day, eat no pastry, and go to bed early," said Miss +Orne, whose sharp eye had spied out the little weaknesses +of the girls, and whose kind heart longed to +help them at once.</p> + +<p>"It makes my back ache to run, and Madame says +we are too old now."</p> + +<p>"Never too old to care for one's health, my dear. +Better run now than lie on a sofa by and by, with a +back that never stops aching."</p> + +<p>"Do you cure your headaches in that way?" asked +Nelly, rubbing her forehead wearily.</p> + +<p>"I never have them;" and Miss Orne's bright eyes +were full of pity for all pain.</p> + +<p>"What do you do to help it?" cried Nelly, who +firmly believed that it was inevitable.</p> + +<p>"I give my brain plenty of rest, air, and good food. +I never know I have any nerves, except in the enjoyment +they give me, for I have learned how to use them. +I was not brought up to believe that I was born an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +invalid, and was taught to understand the beautiful +machinery God gave me, and to keep it religiously in +order."</p> + +<p>Miss Orne spoke so seriously that there was a brief +pause in which the girls were wishing that some one +had taught them this lesson and made them as strong +and lovely as their new teacher.</p> + +<p>"If crash mittens would make my jersey set like +yours I'd have a pair at once," said Cordy, sadly +eyeing the buttons on her own, which seemed in danger +of flying off if their plump wearer moved too +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Brisk runs are what you want, and less confectionery, +sleep, and lounging in easy chairs;" began +Miss Orne, all ready to prescribe for these poor girls, +the most important part of whose education had been +so neglected.</p> + +<p>"Why, how did you know?" said Cordy, blushing, +as she bounced out of her luxurious seat and whisked +into her pocket the paper of chocolate creams she was +seldom without.</p> + +<p>Her round eyes and artless surprise set the others +to laughing, and gave Sally courage to ask what she +wanted, then and there.</p> + +<p>"Miss Orne, I wish you would show us how to be +strong and hearty, for I do think girls are a feeble +set now-a-days. We certainly need stirring up, and +I hope you will kindly do it. Please begin with me, +then the others will see that I mean what I say."</p> + +<p>Miss Orne looked up at the tall, overgrown girl +who stood before her, with broad forehead, near-sighted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +eyes, and narrow chest of a student; not at +all what a girl of seventeen should be, physically, +though a clear mind and a brave spirit shone in her +clever face and sounded in her resolute voice.</p> + +<p>"I shall very gladly do what I can for you, my +dear. It is very simple, and I am sure that a few +months of my sort of training will help you much; +for you are just the kind of girl who should have a +strong body, to keep pace with a very active brain," +answered Miss Orne, taking Sally's thin, inky fingers +in her own, with a friendly pressure that showed her +good will.</p> + +<p>"Madame says violent exercise is not good for +girls, so we gave up gymnastics long ago," said Maud, +in her languid voice, wishing that Sally would not +suggest disagreeable things.</p> + +<p>"One does not need clubs, dumb bells, and bars for +my style of exercise. Let me show you;" and rising, +Miss Orne went through a series of energetic but +graceful evolutions, which put every muscle in play +without great exertion.</p> + +<p>"That looks easy enough," began Nelly.</p> + +<p>"Try it," answered Miss Orne, with a sparkle of fun +in her blue eyes.</p> + +<p>They did try,—to the great astonishment of the +solemn portraits on the wall, unused to seeing such +antics in that dignified apartment. But some of the +girls were out of breath in five minutes; others could +not lift their arms over their heads; Maud and Nelly +broke several bones in their corsets, trying to stoop; +and Kitty tumbled down, in her efforts to touch her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +toes without bending her knees. Sally got on the +best of all, being long of limb, easy in her clothes, and +full of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Pretty well for beginners," said Miss Orne, as they +paused at last, flushed and merry. "Do that regularly +every day, and you will soon gain a few inches across +the chest and fill out the new jerseys with firm, elastic +figures."</p> + +<p>"Like yours," added Sally, with a face full of such +honest admiration that it could not offend.</p> + +<p>Seeing that she had made one convert, and knowing +that girls, like sheep, are sure to follow a leader, Miss +Orne said no more then, but waited for the leaven to +work. The others called it one of Sally's notions, +but were interested to see how she would get on, and +had great fun, when they went to bed, watching her +faithful efforts to imitate her teacher's rapid and effective +motions.</p> + +<p>"The wind-mill is going!" cried Kitty, as several +of them sat on the bed, laughing at the long arms +swinging about.</p> + +<p>"That is the hygienic elbow-exercise, and that the +Orne Quickstep, a mixture of the grasshopper's skip +and the water-bug's slide," added Julia, humming a +tune in time to the stamp of the other's foot.</p> + +<p>"We will call these the Jersey Jymnastics, and spell +the last with a J, my dear," said Nelly; and the name +was received with as much applause as the young +ladies dared to give it at that hour.</p> + +<p>"Laugh on, but see if you don't all follow my +example sooner or later, when I become a model of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +grace, strength, and beauty," retorted Sally, as she +turned them out and went to bed, tingling all over +with a delicious glow that sent the blood from her hot +head to warm her cold feet, and bring her the sound, +refreshing sleep she so much needed.</p> + +<p>This was the beginning of a new order of things, +for Miss Orne carried her energy into other matters +besides gymnastics, and no one dared oppose her when +Madame shut her ears to all complaints, saying, "Obey +her in everything, and don't trouble me."</p> + +<p>Pitchers of fresh milk took the place of tea and +coffee; cake and pie were rarely seen, but better +bread, plain puddings, and plenty of fruit.</p> + +<p>Rooms were cooled off, feather beds sent up garret, +and thick curtains abolished. Sun and air streamed +in, and great cans of water appeared suggestively at +doors in the morning. Earlier hours were kept, and +brisk walks taken by nearly all the girls; for Miss +Orne baited her hook cleverly, and always had some +pleasant project to make the wintry expeditions inviting. +There were games in the parlor instead of +novels, and fancy-work in the evening; shorter lessons, +and longer talks on the many useful subjects that +are best learned from the lips of a true teacher. A +cooking class was started, not to make fancy dishes, +but the plain, substantial ones all housewives should +understand. Several girls swept their own rooms, and +liked it after they saw Miss Orne do hers in a becoming +dust-cap; and these same pioneers, headed by Sally, +boldly coasted on the hill, swung clubs in the coach-house, +and played tag in the bowling-alley rainy days.</p> + +<p>It took time to work these much-needed changes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +but young people like novelty; the old routine had +grown tiresome, and Miss Orne made things so lively +and pleasant it was impossible to resist her wishes. +Sally did begin to straighten up, after a month or +two of regular training; Maud outgrew both corsets +and backache; Nelly got a fresh color; Kitty found +her thin arms developing visible muscles; and Julia +considered herself a Von Hillern, after walking ten +miles without fatigue.</p> + +<p>But dear, fat Cordy was the most successful of +all; and rejoiced greatly over the loss of a few +pounds when she gave up over-eating, long naps, and +lazy habits. Exercise became a sort of mania with +her, and she was continually trudging off for a constitutional, +or trotting up and down the halls when +bad weather prevented the daily tramp. It was the +desire of her soul to grow thin, and such was her +ardor that Miss Orne had to check her sometimes, lest +she should overdo the matter.</p> + +<p>"All this is easy and pleasant now, because it is +new," she said, "and there is no one to criticise our +simple, sensible ways; but when you go away I am +afraid you will undo the good I have tried to +do you. People will ridicule you, fashion will condemn, +and frivolous pleasures make our wholesome +ones seem hard. Can you be steadfast, and keep +on?"</p> + +<p>"We will!" cried all the girls; but the older ones +looked a little anxious, as they thought of going home +to introduce the new ways alone.</p> + +<p>Miss Orne shook her head, earnestly wishing that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +could impress the important lesson indelibly upon them; +and very soon something happened which had that effect.</p> + +<p>April came, and the snowdrops and crocuses were +up in the garden beds. Madame was able to sit at +her window, peering out like a dormouse waking from +its winter sleep; and much did the good lady +wonder at the blooming faces turned up to nod and +smile at her, the lively steps that tripped about the +house, and the amazing spectacle of <i>her</i> young ladies +racing round the lawn as if they liked it. No one +knew how Miss Orne reconciled her to this new style +of deportment; but she made no complaint,—only +shook her impressive cap when the girls came beaming +in to pay little visits, full of happy chat about their +affairs. They seemed to take a real interest in their +studies now, to be very happy; and all looked so +well that the wise old lady said to herself:—</p> + +<p>"Looks are everything with women, and I have +never been able to show such a bouquet of blooming +creatures at my breaking up as I shall this year. I +will let well enough alone, and if fault is found, dear +Anna's shoulders are broad enough to bear it."</p> + +<p>Things were in this promising state, and all were +busily preparing for the May fête, at which time this +class of girls would graduate, when the mysterious +events occurred to which we have alluded.</p> + +<p>They were gathered—the girls, not the events—round +the table one night, discussing, with the deep +interest befitting such an important topic, what they +should wear on examination day.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> think white silk jerseys and pink or blue skirts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +would be lovely; so pretty and so appropriate for the +J. J. Club, and so nice for us to do our exercises in. +Miss Orne wants us to show how well we go together, +and of course we want to please her;" said Nelly +taking the lead as usual in matters of taste.</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried all the girls, with an alacrity +which plainly showed how entirely the new friend had +won their hearts.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have believed that six months could +make such a difference in one's figure and feelings," +said Maud, surveying her waist with calm satisfaction, +though it was no longer slender, but in perfect proportion +to the rest of her youthful shape.</p> + +<p>"I've had to let out every dress, and it's a mercy +I'm going home, for I shouldn't be decent if I kept on +at this rate;" and Julia took a long breath, proud of +her broad chest, expanded by plenty of exercise, and +loose clothing.</p> + +<p>"I take mine in, and don't have to worry about my +buttons flying off, <i>à la</i> Clara Peggotty. I'm <i>so</i> pleased +I want to be training all the time, for I'm not half +thin enough yet," said Cordy, jumping up for a +trot round the room, that not a moment might be +lost.</p> + +<p>"Come, Sally, you ought to join in the jubilee, for +you have done wonders, and will be as straight as a +ramrod in a little while. Why so sober to-night? Is +it because our dear Miss Orne leaves us to sit with +Madame?" asked Nelly, missing the gayest voice of +the six, and observing her friend's troubled face.</p> + +<p>"I'm making up my mind whether I'd better tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +you something or not. Don't want to scare the +servants, trouble Madame, or vex Miss Orne; for I +know <i>she</i> wouldn't believe a word of it, though I saw +it with my own eyes," answered Sally, in such a mysterious +tone that the girls with one voice cried,—</p> + +<p>"Tell us, this minute!"</p> + +<p>"I will; and perhaps some of you can explain the +matter."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, Sally rose and stood on the rug with +her hands behind her, looking rather wild and queer; +for her short hair was in a toss, her eyes shone large +behind her round glasses, and her voice sank to a +whisper as she made this startling announcement:—</p> + +<p>"I've seen a ghost!"</p> + +<p>A general shiver pervaded the listeners, and Cordy +poked her head under the sofa pillows with a faint cry, +while the rest involuntarily drew nearer to one +another.</p> + +<p>"Where?" demanded Julia, the bravest of the +party.</p> + +<p>"On the top of the house."</p> + +<p>"Good gracious! When, Sally?" "What did it +look like?" "Don't scare us for fun,"—cried the +girls, undecided whether to take this startling story +in jest or earnest.</p> + +<p>"Listen, and I'll tell you all about it," answered +Sally, holding up her finger impressively.</p> + +<p>"Night before last I sat till eleven, studying. +Against the rules, I know; but I forgot, and when I +was through I opened my window to air the room. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +was bright moonlight, so I took a stroll along the top +of the piazza, and coming back with my eyes on the +sky I naturally saw the roof of the main house from +my wing. I couldn't have been asleep, could I? +yet, I solemnly declare I saw a white figure with a +veil over its head roaming to and fro as quietly as a +shadow. I looked and looked, then I called softly, +but it never answered, and suddenly it was gone."</p> + +<p>"What did you do? quavered Cordy, in a smothered +voice from under the pillow.</p> + +<p>"Went straight in, took my lamp and marched up +to the cupola. Not a sign of any one, all locked and +the floor dusty, for we never go there now, you know. I +didn't like it, but just said, 'Sally, go to bed; it's an +optical illusion and serves you right for studying +against the rule.' That was the first time."</p> + +<p>"Mercy on us! Did you see it again?" cried Maud, +getting hold of Julia's strong arm for protection.</p> + +<p>"Yes, in the bowling-alley at midnight," whispered +Sally.</p> + +<p>"Do shut the door, Kit, and don't keep clutching +at me in that scary way; it's very unpleasant," said +Nelly, glancing nervously over her shoulder as the six +pairs of wide-opened eyes were fixed on Sally.</p> + +<p>"I got up to shut my window last night, and saw +a light in the alley. A dim one, but bright enough +to show me the same white thing going up and down, +with the veil as before. I'll confess I was nervous +then, for you know there <i>is</i> a story that in old times +the man who lived here wouldn't let his daughter +marry the lover she wanted, and she pined away and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +died, and said she'd haunt the cruel father, and she +did. Old Mrs. Foster told me all about it when I first +came, and Madame asked me not to repeat it, so I +never did. I don't believe in ghosts, mind you, but +what on earth is it, trailing about in that ridiculous +way?"</p> + +<p>Sally spoke nervously and looked excited, for in +spite of courage and common sense she <i>was</i> worried +to account for the apparition.</p> + +<p>"How long did it stay?" asked Julia, with her arm +round Maud, who was trembling and pale.</p> + +<p>"A good fifteen minutes by my watch, then vanished, +light and all, as suddenly as before. I didn't +go to look after it that time, but if I see it again I'll +hunt till I find out what it is. Who will go with +me?"</p> + +<p>No one volunteered, and Cordy emerged long enough +to say imploringly:—</p> + +<p>"Do tell Miss Orne, or get the police;" then dived +out of sight again, and lay quaking like an ostrich with +its head in the sand.</p> + +<p>"I won't! Miss Orne would think I was a fool, and +the police don't arrest ghosts. I'll do it myself, and +Julia will help me, I know. She is the bravest of you, +and hasn't developed her biceps for nothing," said +Sally, bent on keeping all the glory of the capture to +themselves if possible.</p> + +<p>Flattered by the compliment to her arms, Julia did +not decline the invitation, but made a very sensible +suggestion, which was a great relief to the timid, till +Sally added a new fancy to haunt them.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is one of the servants moon-struck or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +love-lorn. Myra looks sentimental, and is always +singing:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0"><br />"I'm waiting, waiting, darling,</span> +<span class="i0"><br />Morning, night, and noon;</span> +<span class="i0">Oh, meet me by the river<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When softly shines the moon."<br /></span> +</div> + +<p>"It's not Myra; I asked her, and she turned pale +at the mere idea of going anywhere alone after dark, +and said cook had seen a banshee gliding down the +Lady's Walk one night, when she got up for camphor, +having the face-ache. I said no more, not wanting +to scare them; ignorant people are so superstitious."</p> + +<p>Sally paused, and the girls all tried not to look +"scared" or "superstitious," but did not succeed very +well.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Nelly, in a +respectful tone, as Julia and Sally stood side by side, +like Horatius and Herminius waiting for a Spurius +Lartius to join them.</p> + +<p>"Watch, like cats for a mouse, and pounce as soon +as possible. All promise to say nothing; then we +can't be laughed at if it turns out some silly thing, as +it probably will," answered Sally.</p> + +<p>"We promise!" solemnly answered the girls, feeling +deeply impressed with the thrilling interest of the +moment.</p> + +<p>"Very well; now don't talk about it or think +about it till we report, or no one will sleep a wink," +said Sally, walking off with her ally as coolly as if,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +after frightening them out of their wits, they could +forget the matter at word of command.</p> + +<p>The oath of silence was well kept, but lessons suffered, +and so did sleep, for the excitement was great, +especially in the morning, when the watchers reported +the events of the night, and in the evening, when they +took turns to go on guard. There was much whisking +of dressing-gowns up and down the corridor of the +west wing, where our six roomed, as the girls flew to +ask questions early each day, or scurried to bed, glancing +behind them for the banshee as they went.</p> + +<p>Miss Orne observed the whispers, nods, and eager +confabulations, but said nothing, for Madame had +confided to her that the young ladies were planning +a farewell gift for her. So she was blind and deaf, and +smiled at the important airs of her girlish admirers.</p> + +<p>Three or four days passed, and no sign of the ghost +appeared. The boldest openly scoffed at the false alarm, +and the most timid began to recover from their fright.</p> + +<p>Sally and Julia looked rather foolish as they answered, +"no news," morning after morning, to the +inquiries which were rapidly losing the breathless +eagerness so flattering to the watchers.</p> + +<p>"You dreamed it, Sally. Go to sleep, and don't do +it again," said Nelly, on the fifth day, as she made her +evening call and found the girls yawning and cross for +want of rest.</p> + +<p>"She has exercised too much, and produced a morbid +state of the brain," laughed Maud.</p> + +<p>"I just wish she wouldn't scare me out of my senses +for nothing," grumbled Cordy; "I used to sleep like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +a dormouse, and now I dream dreadfully and wake up +tired out. Come along, Kit, and let the old ghosts +carry off these silly creatures."</p> + +<p>"My regards to the Woman in White <i>when</i> you see +her again, dear," added Kitty, as the four went off to +laugh at the whole thing, though they carefully locked +their doors and took a peep out of window before +going to sleep.</p> + +<p>"We may as well give it up and have a good rest. +I'm worn out, and so are you, if you'd own it," said +Julia, throwing herself down for a nap before midnight.</p> + +<p>"I shall <i>not</i> give it up till I'm satisfied. Sleep +away, I'll read awhile and call you if anything comes," +answered Sally, bound to prove the truth of her story +if she waited all summer.</p> + +<p>Julia was soon off, and the lonely watcher sat reading +till past eleven; then put out her light and went +to take a turn on the flat roof of the piazza that ran +round the house, for the night was mild and the stars +companionable. As she turned to come back, her +sharp eye caught sight of something moving on the +house-top as before, and soon, clear against the soft +gloom of the sky, appeared the white figure flitting +to and fro.</p> + +<p>A long look, and then Sally made a rush at Julia, +shaking her violently as she said in an excited whisper:</p> + +<p>"Come! she is there. Quick! upstairs to the cupola; +I have the candle and the key."</p> + +<p>Carried away by the other's vehemence Julia mutely +obeyed, trembling, but afraid to resist; and noiseless as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +two shadows, they crept up the stairs, arriving just in +time to see the ghost vanish over the edge of the roof, +as if it had dissolved into thin air. Julia dropped +down in a heap, desperately frightened, but Sally pulled +her up and led her back to their room, saying, when she +got there, with grim satisfaction, "Did I dream it all? +Now I hope they will believe me."</p> + +<p>"What was it? Oh, what could it be?" whimpered +Julia, quite demoralized by the spectacle.</p> + +<p>"I begin to believe in ghosts, for no human being +could fly off in that way, with nothing to walk on. I +shall speak to Miss Orne to-morrow; I've had enough +of this sort of fun," said Sally, going to the window, +with a strong desire to shut and lock it.</p> + +<p>But she paused with her hand raised, as if turned to +stone, for as she spoke the white figure went slowly by. +Julia dived into the closet, with one spring. Sally, however, +was on her mettle now, and, holding her breath, +leaned out to watch. With soundless steps the veiled +thing went along the roof, and paused at the further end.</p> + +<p>Never waiting for her comrade, Sally quietly stepped +out and followed, leaving Julia to quake with fear and +listen for an alarm.</p> + +<p>None came, and in a few minutes, that seemed like +hours, Sally returned, looking much excited; but was +sternly silent, and, to all the other's eager questions she +would only give this mysterious reply:—</p> + +<p>"I know all, but cannot tell till morning. Go to +sleep."</p> + +<p>Believing her friend offended at her base desertion +at the crisis of the affair, Julia curbed her curiosity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +and soon forgot it in sleep. Sally slept also, feeling +like a hero reposing after a hard-won battle.</p> + +<p>She was up betimes and ready to receive her early +visitors with an air of triumph, which silenced every +jeer and convinced the most skeptical that she had +something sensational to tell at last.</p> + +<p>When the girls had perched themselves on any available +article of furniture, they waited with respectful +eagerness, while Sally retired to the hall for a moment, +and Julia rolled her eyes, with her finger on her lips, +looking as if she could tell much if she dared.</p> + +<p>Sally returned somewhat flushed, but very sober, and +in a few dramatic words related the adventures of the +night, up to the point where she left Julia quivering +ignominiously in the closet, and, like Horatius, faced +the foe alone.</p> + +<p>"I followed till the ghost entered a window."</p> + +<p>"Which?" demanded five awestruck voices at once.</p> + +<p>"The last."</p> + +<p>"Ours?" whispered Kitty, pale as her collar, while +Cordy, her room-mate, sat aghast.</p> + +<p>"As it turned to shut the window the veil fell back +and I saw the face." Sally spoke in a whisper and +added, with a sudden start, "I see it now!"</p> + +<p>Every girl sprang or tumbled off her perch as if an +electric shock had moved them, and stared about them +as Nelly cried wildly, "Where? oh, where?"</p> + +<p>"There!" and Sally pointed at the palest face in +the room, while her own reddened with the mirth she +was vainly trying to suppress.</p> + +<p>"Cordy?"</p> + +<p>A general shriek of amazement and incredulity followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +the question, while Sally laughed till the tears +ran down her cheeks at the dumb dismay of the innocent +ghost.</p> + +<p>As soon as she could be heard she quickly explained: +"Yes, it was Cordy, walking in her sleep. +She wore her white flannel wrapper, and a cloud round +her head, and took her exercise over the roofs at midnight, +so that no time might be lost. I don't wonder +she is tired in the morning, after such dangerous +gymnastics as these."</p> + +<p>"But she couldn't vanish in that strange way off +the house-top without breaking her neck," said Julia, +much relieved, but still mystified.</p> + +<p>"She didn't fly nor fall, but went down the ladder +left by the painters. Look at the soles of her felt +slippers, if you doubt me, and see the red paint from +the roof. We couldn't open the cupola windows, you +remember, but this morning I took a stroll and looked +up and saw how she did it asleep, though she never +would dare to do it awake. Somnambulists do dreadfully +dangerous things, you know," said Sally, as if her +experience of those peculiar people had been vast and +varied.</p> + +<p>"How could I? It's horrid to think of. Why +did you let me, Kit?" cried Cordy, uncertain whether +to be proud or ashamed of her exploit.</p> + +<p>"Never dreamed of <i>your</i> doing such a silly thing, +and never waked up. Sleep-walkers are always quiet, +and if I had seen you I'd have been too scared to +know you. I'll tie you to the bed-post after this,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +and not let you scare the whole house," answered Kitty, +regarding it all as a fine joke.</p> + +<p>"What did I do when I got in?" asked Cordy, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Took off your things and went to bed as if glad +to get back. I didn't dare to wake you, and kept the +fun all to myself till this morning. Thought I ought +to have a good laugh for my pains since I did all the +work," answered Sally, in high glee at the success of +her efforts.</p> + +<p>"I did want to get as thin as I could before I went +home, the boys plague me so; and I suppose it wore +upon me and set me to walking at night. I'm very +sorry, and I never will again if I can help it. Please +forgive me, and don't tell any one but Miss Orne; it +was so silly," begged poor Cordy, tearfully.</p> + +<p>All promised and comforted her, and praised Sally, +and plagued Julia, and had a delightfully noisy and +exciting half hour before the breakfast bell rang.</p> + +<p>Miss Orne wondered what made the young faces so +gay and the laughter so frequent, as mysterious hints +and significant nods went on around the table; but as +soon as possible she was borne into the school-room and +told the thrilling tale.</p> + +<p>Her interest and surprise were very flattering, and +when the subject had been well discussed she promised +to prevent any further escapades of this sort, and advised +Cordy to try the Banting method for the few remaining +weeks of her stay.</p> + +<p>"I'll try anything that will keep me from acting +ghost and making every one afraid of me," said Cordy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +secretly wondering why she had not broken her neck +in her nocturnal gymnastics.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe in ghosts, Miss Orne?" asked +Maud,—who did, in spite of the comic explanation +of this one.</p> + +<p>"Not the old-fashioned sort, but there is a modern +kind that we are all afraid of more or less," answered +Miss Orne, with a half-playful, half-serious look at the +girls around her.</p> + +<p>"Do tell about them, please," begged Kitty, while +the rest looked both surprised and interested.</p> + +<p>"There is one which I am very anxious to keep you +from fearing. Women are especially haunted by it, +and it prevents them from doing, being, and thinking +all that they might and ought. 'What will people +say?' is the name of this formidable ghost; and it does +much harm, for few of us have the courage to live up +to what we know to be right in all things. You are +soon to go away to begin your lives in earnest, and I +do hope that whatever I have been able to teach you +about the care of minds and bodies will not be forgotten +or neglected because it may not be the fashion +outside our little world."</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> never will forget, or be afraid of that ghost, Miss +Orne," cried Sally, quick to understand and accept the +warning so opportunely given.</p> + +<p>"I have great faith in <i>you</i>, dear, because you have +proved yourself so brave in facing phantoms more easily +laid. But this is a hard one to meet and vanquish; so +watch well, stand firm, and let these jerseys that you +are so fond of cover not only healthy young bodies but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +happy hearts, both helping you to be sweet, wise, and +useful women in the years to come. Dear girls, promise +me this, and I shall feel that our winter has not +been wasted, and that our spring is full of lovely +promise for a splendid summer."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, with her own beautiful face bright +with hope and tenderness, Miss Orne opened her arms +and gathered them all in, to seal their promise with +grateful kisses more eloquent than words.</p> + +<p>Long after their school days were over, the six girls +kept the white jerseys they wore at the breaking-up +festival, as relics of the J. J.; and long after they were +scattered far apart, they remembered the lessons which +helped them to be what their good friend hoped—healthy, +happy, and useful women.</p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i162.png" width="500" height="126" alt="Coins" title="Coins" /> + +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i163.png" width="500" height="263" alt="The Little House in the Garden" title="The Little House in the Garden" /> + +</div> + +<h2><a name="The_Little_House_In_The_Garden" id="The_Little_House_In_The_Garden"></a>The Little House In The Garden</h2> + + +<p>"I think we little ones ought to +have a story all to ourselves now," +said one of the smaller lads, as they +gathered round the fire with unabated interest.</p> + +<p>"So do I, and I've got a little tale that will just +suit you, I fancy. The older boys and girls can go +and play games if they don't care to hear," answered +Aunt Elinor, producing the well-worn portfolio.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, we will try a bit, and if it is very namby +pamby we can run," said Geoff, catching sight of the +name of the first chapter. Aunt Elinor smiled and +began to read about</p> + +<h4>THE LITTLE HOUSE IN THE GARDEN</h4> + +<div class='center'>I. <span class="smcap">Bears.</span></div> + +<p>A brown bear was the first tenant; in fact, it was +built for him, and this is the way it happened:—</p> + +<p>A man and his wife were driving through the woods +up among the mountains, and hearing a queer sound +looked about them till they spied two baby bears in +a tree.</p> + +<p>"Those must be the cubs of the old bear that was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +killed last week," said Mr. Hitchcock, much interested +all at once.</p> + +<p>"Poor little things! how will they get on without +their mother? They look half scared to death, +and cry like real babies," said the kind woman.</p> + +<p>"They will starve if we don't take care of them. +I'll shake them down; you catch them in your shawl +and we'll see what we can do for them."</p> + +<p>So Mr. Hitchcock climbed up the tree, to the great +dismay of the two orphans, who growled funny little +growls and crept as far out on the branch as they dared.</p> + +<p>"Shake easy, John, or they will fall and be killed," +cried the wife, holding out her shawl for this new kind +of fruit to fall into.</p> + +<p>Down they came, one after the other, and at first +were too frightened to fight; so Mr. Hitchcock got +them into the wagon safely bundled up, and Mrs. +Hitchcock soothed their alarm by gentle pattings and +motherly words, till they ceased to struggle, and cuddled +down to sleep like two confiding puppies, for +they were not much bigger.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hitchcock kept the hotel that stood at the foot +of the king of the mountains, and in summer the +house was full of people; so he was glad of any new +attraction, and the little bears were the delight of +many children. At first, Tom and Jerry trotted and +tumbled about like frolicsome puppies, and led easy +lives,—petted, fed and admired, till they grew so big +and bold that, like other young creatures, their pranks +made mischief as well as fun.</p> + +<p>Tom would steal all the good things he could lay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +his paws on in kitchen or dining-room, and cook declared +she couldn't have the rascal loose; for whole +pans of milk vanished, sheets of ginger-bread were +found in his den under the back steps, and nearly +every day he was seen scrambling off with booty of +some sort, while the fat cook waddled after, scolding +and shaking the poker at him, to the great amusement +of the boarders on the piazza. People bore with him +a long time; but when he took a lively trot down the +middle of the long dinner-table one day, after eating +all he liked, and smashing right and left as he scampered +off, with a terrible clatter of silver, glass, and +china, his angry master declared he wouldn't have +such doings, and chained him to a post on the lawn. +Here he tugged and growled dismally, while good little +Jerry frisked gayly about, trying to understand what +it all meant.</p> + +<p>But presently <i>his</i> besetting sin got <i>him</i> into trouble +likewise. He loved to climb, and was never happier +than when scrambling up the rough posts of the back +piazza to bask in the sun on the roof above, peeping +down with his sharp little eyes at the children, who +could not follow. He roosted in trees like a fat brown +bird, and came tumbling down unexpectedly on lovers +who sought quiet nooks to be romantic in. He explored +the chimneys and threw into them any trifle +he happened to find,—being a rogue, and fond of +stealing hats, balls, dolls, or any small article that +came in his way. But the fun he liked best was to +climb in at the chamber windows and doze on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +soft beds; for Jerry was a luxurious fellow and scorned +the straw of his own den. This habit annoyed people +much, and the poor bear often came bundling out of +windows, with old gentlemen whacking him with canes, +or ladies throwing water after him.</p> + +<p>One evening, when there was a dance and every one +was busy down stairs, Jerry took a walk on the roof, +and being sleepy, looked about for a cosey bed to take +a nap in. Two brothers occupied one of these rooms, +and both were Jerry's good friends, especially the +younger. Georgie was fast asleep, as his dancing days +had not yet begun, and Charlie was waltzing away +down stairs; so Jerry crept into bed and nestled down +beside his playmate, who was too sleepy to do anything +but roll over, thinking the big brother had come to +bed.</p> + +<p>By and by Charlie did come up, late and tired, and +having forgotten a lamp, undressed in the moonlight, +observing nothing till about to step into bed; then, +finding something rolled up in the clothes, thought it +a joke of the other boys, caught up a racket and began +to bang away at the suspicious bundle. A scene of +wild confusion followed, for Jerry growled and clawed +and couldn't get out; Georgie woke, and thinking +his bed-fellow was his brother being abused by some +frolicsome mate, held on to Jerry, defending him +bravely, till a rent in the sheet allowed a shaggy head +to appear, so close to his own that the poor child was +painfully reminded of Red Riding Hood's false grandmother. +Charlie was speechless with laughter at this +discovery, and while Jerry bounced about the bed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +snarling and hugging pillows as he tried to get free, +terrified Georgie rushed down the hall screaming, +"The wolf! the wolf!" till he took refuge in his +mother's room.</p> + +<p>Out popped night-capped heads, anxious voices cried, +"Is it fire?" and in a moment the house was astir. +The panic might have been serious if Jerry had not +come galloping down stairs, hotly pursued by Charlie +in his night-gown, still belaboring the poor beast, and +howling, "He was in my bed! He scared George! +I'll thrash him!"</p> + +<p>Then the alarmed ladies and gentlemen laughed +and grew calm, while the boys all turned out and +hunted Jerry up stairs and down, till he was captured +and ignominiously lugged away to be tied in the +barn.</p> + +<p>That prank sealed his fate, and he went to join his +brother in captivity. Here they lived for a year, and +went to housekeeping in a den in the bank, with a +trough for their food, and a high, knotted pole to +climb on. They had many visitors, and learned a few +tricks, but were not happy bears; for they longed to +be free, and the older they grew, the more they sighed +for the great forest where they were born.</p> + +<p>The second summer something happened that parted +them forever. Among the children that year were +Fred and Fan Howard, two jolly young persons of +twelve and fourteen. Of course the bears were very +interesting, and Fred tried their tempers by tormenting +them, while Fan won their hearts with cake and +nuts, candy and caresses. Tom was Fred's favorite,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +and Jerry was Fan's. Tom was very intelligent, and +covered himself with glory by various exploits. One +was taking off the boards which roofed the den, so +that the sun should dry the dampness after a rain; +and he carefully replaced them at night. Any dog +who approached the trough got his ears smartly +boxed, and meddlesome boys were hugged till they +howled for mercy. He danced in a way to convulse +the soberest, and Fred taught him to shoulder arms +in such a funny imitation of a stout old soldier of +the town that the children rolled on the grass in fits +of laughter when the cap was on, and the wooden +gun flourished at word of command by the clumsy +hero.</p> + +<p>Jerry had no accomplishments, but his sweet temper +made many friends. He let the doves eat with +him, the kittens frolic all over his broad back, and +was never rough with the small people who timidly +offered the buns he took so gently from their little +hands. But he pined in captivity, refused his food, +and lay in his den all day, or climbed to the top of +the pole and sat there looking off to the cool, dark +forest, with such a pensive air that Fan said it made +her heart ache to see him. Just before the season +ended, Jerry disappeared. No one could imagine how +the chain broke, but gone he was, and never came +back, to Fan's satisfaction and Tom's great sorrow. +He mourned for his brother, and Mr. Hitchcock +began to talk of killing him; for it would not do to let +two bears loose in the neighborhood, as they sometimes +killed sheep and did much harm.</p> + +<p>"I wish my father would buy him," said Fred,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +"I've always wanted a menagerie, and a tame bear +would be a capital beginning."</p> + +<p>"I'll ask him, for I hate to have the poor old +fellow killed," answered Fan. She not only begged +papa to buy Tom, but confessed that she filed Jerry's +chain and helped him to escape.</p> + +<p>"I know it was wrong, but I couldn't see him +suffer," she said. "Now if you buy Tom I'll give +you my five dollars to help, and Mr. Hitchcock will +forgive me and be glad to get rid of both the bears."</p> + +<p>After some consultation Tom <i>was</i> bought, and +orders were sent to have a house built for him in a +sunny corner of the garden, with strong rings to chain +him to, and a good lock on the door to keep him in. +When he was settled in these new quarters he held +daily receptions for some weeks. Young and old +came to see him, and Fred showed off his menagerie +with the pride of a budding Barnum. A bare spot +was soon worn on the grass where Tom's parade +ground was, and at all hours the poor fellow might be +seen dancing and drilling, or sitting at his door, +thoughtfully surveying the curious crowd, and privately +wishing he never had been born.</p> + +<p>Here he lived for another year, getting so big that +he could hardly turn round in his house, and so cross +that Fred began to be a little afraid of him after +several hugs much too close to be safe or agreeable. +One morning the door of the house was found broken +off, and Tom gone. Fred was rather relieved; but +his father was anxious, and ordered out the boys of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +neighborhood to find the runaway, lest he should +alarm people or do some harm. It was an easy matter +to trace him, for more than one terrified woman +had seen the big, brown beast sniffing round her back +premises after food; a whole schoolful of children had +been startled out of their wits by a bear's head at the +window; and one old farmer was in a towering rage +over the damage done to his bee-hives and garden patch +by "the pesky critter, afore he took to the woods."</p> + +<p>After a long tramp poor Tom was found rolled up +in a sunny nook, resting after a glorious frolic. He +went home without much reluctance, but from that +time it was hard to keep him. Bolts and bars, chains +and ropes were of little use; for when the longing +came, off he went, on one occasion carrying the house +on his back, like a snail, till he tipped it over and +broke loose. Fred was quite worn out with his pranks, +and tried to sell or give him away; but nobody would +buy or accept such a troublesome pet. Even tender +hearted Fan gave him up, when he frightened a little +child into a fit and killed some sheep, in his last +holiday.</p> + +<p>It was decided that he must be killed, and a party +of men, armed with guns, set out to carry the sentence +into effect. Fred went also to see that all was properly +done, and Fanny called after him with tears in +her eyes:—</p> + +<p>"Say good by for me, and kill him as kindly as +you can."</p> + +<p>This time Tom had been gone a week and had +evidently made up his mind to be a free bear; for he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +had wandered far into the deepest wood and made a +den for himself among the rocks. Here they found +him, but could not persuade him to come out, and no +bold Putnam was in the troop, to creep in and conquer +him there.</p> + +<p>"Bullets will reach him if we can't, so blaze away, +boys, and finish him off. We have fooled away time +enough, and I want to get home to supper," said the +leader of the hunt, after many attempts had been +made to lure or drive Tom from his shelter.</p> + +<p>So they "blazed away," and growls of pain proved +that some of the bullets had hit. But Tom would +not budge, and having used up their ammunition, the +disappointed hunters went home resolving to bring +dogs next day and finish the job. They were spared +the trouble, however, for when Fred looked from his +window in the morning he saw that Tom had returned, +and ran down to welcome the rebel back. But one +look at the poor beast showed him that he had only +come home to die; for he was covered with wounds +and lay moaning on his bed of straw, looking as pathetic +as a bear could, his shaggy coat full of burrs, his +head and breast full of shot, and one paw apparently +broken.</p> + +<p>Fanny cried over him, and Fred was quite bowed +down with remorse; but nothing could be done, and +soon, with a vain effort to lick the hands that +stroked him, poor Tom lifted his great paw for a +farewell shake, and died, with his great head on +his master's knee, in token of forgiveness. As if to +atone for their seeming cruelty, Fanny hung the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +little house with black while Tom lay in state, and +Fred, resisting all temptations to keep his fine skin, +buried him like a warrior "with his martial cloak +around him," in the green woods he loved so well.</p> + + +<div class='center'>II. <span class="smcap">Boys.</span></div> + +<p>The next tenants of the little house were three riotous +lads,—for Fred's family moved away,—and the +new comers took possession one fine spring day with +great rejoicing over this ready-made plaything. They +were queer fellows, of eleven, twelve, and fourteen; for, +having read the "Boys' Froissart" and other warlike +works, they were quite carried away by these stirring +tales, and each boy was a hero. Harry, the eldest, was +Henry of Navarre, and wore a white plume on every +occasion. Ned was the Black Prince, and clanked in +tin armor, while little Billy was William Tell and +William Wallace by turns.</p> + +<p>Tom's deserted mansion underwent astonishing +changes about this time. Bows and arrows hung on +its walls; battle-axes, lances, and guns stood in the +corners; helmets, shields, and all manner of strange +weapons adorned the rafters; cannon peeped from its +port-holes; a drawbridge swung over the moat that +soon surrounded it; the flags of all nations waved from +its roof, and the small house was by turns an armory, +a fort, a castle, a robber's cave, a warrior's tomb, a wigwam, +and the Bastile.</p> + +<p>The neighbors were both amused and scandalized +by the pranks of these dramatic young persons; for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +they enacted with much spirit and skill all the historical +events which pleased their fancy, and speedily enlisted +other boys to join in the new plays. At one +time, painted and be-feathered Indians whooped about +the garden, tomahawking the unhappy settlers in the +most dreadful manner. At another, Achilles, radiant +in a tin helmet and boiler-cover shield, dragged Hector +at the tail of his chariot (the wheel-barrow), drawn by +two antic and antique steeds, who upset both victor +and vanquished before the fun was over. Tell shot +bushels of apples off the head of the stuffed suit of +clothes that acted his son, Cœur de Leon and Saladin +hacked blocks and cut cushions <i>à la</i> Walter Scott, and +tournaments of great splendor were held on the grass, +in which knights from all ages, climes, and races, tilted +gallantly, while fair dames of tender years sat upon +the wood-pile to play Queens of Beauty and award the +prize of valor.</p> + +<p>Nor were more modern heroes forgotten. Napoleon +crossed the Alps (a muck heap, high fence, and prickly +hedge), with intrepid courage. Wellington won many +a Waterloo in the melon patch, and Washington glorified +every corner of the garden by his heroic exploits. +Grant smoked sweet-fern cigars at the fall of Richmond; +Sherman marched victoriously to Georgia through the +corn and round the tomato bed, and Phil Sheridan +electrified the neighborhood by tearing down the road +on a much-enduring donkey, stung to unusual agility +by matches tied to his tail.</p> + +<p>It grew to be an almost daily question among the +young people, "What are the Morton boys at now?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +for these interesting youths were much admired by +their mates, who eagerly manned the fences to behold +the revels, when scouts brought word of a new play +going on. Mrs. Morton believed in making boys happy +at home, and so allowed them entire liberty in the +great garden, as it was safer than river, streets, or ball-ground, +where a very mixed crowd was to be found. +Here they were under her own eye, and the safe, sweet +tie between them still held fast; for she was never too +busy to bind up their wounds after a fray, wave her +handkerchief when cheers told of victory, rummage +her stores for costumes, or join in their eager study of +favorite heroes when rain put an end to their out-of-door +fun.</p> + +<p>So the summer was a lively one, and though the +vegetables suffered some damage, a good crop of +healthy, happy hours was harvested, and all were +satisfied. The little house looked much the worse for +the raids made upon it, but still stood firm with the +stars and stripes waving over it, and peace seemed to +reign one October afternoon as the boys lay under the +trees eating apples and planning what to play next.</p> + +<p>"Bobby wants to be a knight of the Round Table. +We might take him in and have fun with the rites, +and make him keep a vigil and all that," proposed +William Wallace, anxious to admit his chosen friend +to the inner circle of the brotherhood.</p> + +<p>"He's such a little chap he'd be scared and howl. +I don't vote for that," said the Black Prince, rather +scornfully, as he lay with his kingly legs in the air, +and his royal mouth full of apple.</p> + +<p>"I do!" declared Henry of Navarre, always generous,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +and amiable. "Bob is a plucky little chap, and +will do anything we put him to. He's poor and the +other fellows look down on him, so that's another reason +why we ought to take him in and stand by him. +Let's give him a good trial, and if he's brave, we'll +have him."</p> + +<p>"So we will! Let's do it now; he's over there +waiting to be asked in. <i>He</i> doesn't go poking his nose +where he isn't wanted, as some folks do," cried Billy, +who had often been snubbed by the big boys in his +efforts at knightly feats.</p> + +<p>A whistle brought Bobby, with a beaming face, for +he burned to join the fun, but held back because he +was not a gentleman's son. A sturdy, honest little +soul was Bobby, true as steel, brave as a lion, and +loyal as an old-time vassal to his young lord, kind +Billy, who always told him all the plans, explained the +mysteries, and shared the goodies when feasts were +spread.</p> + +<p>Now he stood leaning against one of the posts of +the little house whither the boys had adjourned, and +listened bashfully while Harry told him what he must +do to join the heroes of the Round Table. He did +not understand half of it, but was ready for any trial, +and took the comical oath administered to him with +the utmost solemnity.</p> + +<p>"You must stay here locked in for some hours, and +watch your armor. That's the vigil young knights +had to keep before they could fight. You mustn't +be scared at any noises you hear, or anything you see,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +or sing out for help, even if you stay here till dark. +You'll be a coward if you do, and never have a +sword."</p> + +<p>"I promise truly; hope to die if I don't!" answered +Bobby, fixing his blue eyes on the speaker, and holding +his curly head erect with the air of one ready to face +any peril; for the desire of his soul was to own a +sword, like Billy, and clash it on warlike occasions.</p> + +<p>Then a suit of armor was piled up on the red box, +which was by turns altar, table, tomb, and executioner's +block. Banners were hung over it, the place darkened, +two candles lighted, and after certain rites which +cannot be divulged, the little knight was left to his +vigil with the door locked.</p> + +<p>The boys howled outside, smote on the roof, fired a +cannon, and taunted the prisoner with derisive epithets +to stir him to wrath. But no cry answered them, no +hint of weariness, fear, or anger betrayed him, and +after a half-hour of this sort of fun, they left him to +the greater trial of silence, solitude, and uncertainty.</p> + +<p>The short afternoon was soon gone, and the tea bell +rang before the vigil had lasted long enough.</p> + +<p>"He won't know what time it is; let's leave him till +after supper, and then march out with torches and +bring him in to a good feed. Mother won't mind, and +Hetty likes to stuff fellows," proposed Harry, and all +being hungry, the first part of the plan was carried +out at once.</p> + +<p>But before tea was over, the unusual clang of the +fire bells drove all thought of Bobby out of the boys' +minds, as they raced away to the exciting scene, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +take their share in the shouting, running, and tumbling +about in every one's way.</p> + +<p>The great hotel was burning, and till midnight the +town was in an uproar. No lives were lost, but much +property, and nothing else was thought of till dawn. +A heavy shower did good service, and about one o'clock, +people began to go home tired out. Mrs. Morton and +other ladies were too busy giving shelter to the people +from the hotel, and making coffee for the firemen, to +send their boys to bed. In fact, they could not catch +them; for the youngsters were wild with excitement, +and pervaded the place like will-o'-the-wisps, running +errands, lugging furniture, splashing about with water, +and howling till they were as hoarse as crows.</p> + +<p>"This is the battle of Beauvais, and we've set the +city a-fire by flinging pitch-pots over the walls," +croaked Harry to Ned as they bumped against each +other, one carrying a great coffee-pot and the other a +feather-bed.</p> + +<p>"No, it's the fall of Troy, and I'm Æneas lugging +off the old man," panted Ned, staggering away with +the heavy load on his back.</p> + +<p>At last the flurry was over, and our three lads, very +dirty, wet, and tired, went to bed and to sleep, and +never once thought of poor Bobby, till next morning. +Then Harry suddenly rose up, with an exclamation +that effectually roused both his brothers.</p> + +<p>"By St. Dennis, we've left that boy there all night!"</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't be such a fool as to stay; that old +lock's broken easy enough," said Ned, looking +troubled, in spite of his words.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he would! He promised, and he'll keep his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +word like a true knight. It rained and was cold, and +no one knew where he was. Oh dear, I hope he isn't +dead," cried Billy, tumbling out of bed and into his +clothes as fast as he could.</p> + +<p>The others laughed, but dressed with unusual +speed, and flew to the garden house, to find the +lock unbroken, and all as still inside as when they left +it. Looking very anxious, Harry opened the door and +all peeped in. There, at his post before the altar, lay +the little knight fast asleep. Rain had soaked his +clothes, the chilly night air made his lips and hands +purple with cold, and the trials of those long hours +left the round cheeks rather pale. But he still +guarded his arms, and at the first sound was awake +and ready to defend them, though somewhat shaky +with sleep and stiffness.</p> + +<p>The penitent boys poured forth apologies, in which +fire, remorse, and breakfast were oddly mixed. Bobby +forgave them like a gentleman, only saying, with a +laugh and a shiver, "Guess I'd better go home, ma'll +be worried about me. If I'd known being out all +night and getting wet was part of the business, I'd 'a' +left word and brought a blanket. Be I a Round Table +now? Shall I have a sword, and train with the rest? +I didn't holler once, and wasn't much scared, for all +the bells, and the dark, and the rain."</p> + +<p>"You've won your spurs, and we'll knight you just +as soon as we get time. You're a brave fellow, and +I'm proud to have you one of my men. Please don't +say much about this; we'll make it all right, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +we're awfully sorry," answered Harry, while Ned put +his own jacket over the wet shoulders, and Billy +beamed at him, feeling that his friend's exploit outdid +any of his own.</p> + +<p>Bobby marched away as proudly as if he already +saw the banners waving over him, and felt the accolade +that made him a true knight. But that happy +moment was delayed for some time, because the cold +caught in that shower threatened a fit of sickness; +and the boys' play looked as if it might end in sad +earnest.</p> + +<p>Harry and his brothers confessed all to mamma, +listened with humility to her lecture on true knighthood, +and did penance by serving Bobby like real +brothers-in-arms, while he was ill. As soon as the +hardy boy was all right again, they took solemn counsel +together how they should reward him, and atone +for their carelessness. Many plans were discussed, but +none seemed fine enough for this occasion till Billy +had a bright idea.</p> + +<p>"Let's buy Bob some hens. He wants some dreadfully, +and we ought to do something grand after treating +him so badly, and nearly killing him."</p> + +<p>"Who's got any money? I haven't; but it's a +good idea," responded Ned, vainly groping in all his +pockets for a cent to head the subscription with.</p> + +<p>"Mamma would lend us some, and we could work +to pay for it," began Billy.</p> + +<p>"No, I've a better plan," interrupted Harry with +authority. "We ought to make a sacrifice and suffer +for our sins. We will have an auction and sell our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +arms. The boys want them, and will pay well. My +lords and gentlemen, what say ye?"</p> + +<p>"We will!" responded the loyal subjects of King +Henry.</p> + +<p>"Winter is coming, and we can't use them," said +Billy, innocently.</p> + +<p>"And by next spring we shall be too old for such +games," added Ned.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well! Ho! call hither my men. Bring out +the suits of mail; sound the trumpets, and set on!" +thundered Harry, striking an attitude, and issuing his +commands with royal brevity.</p> + +<p>A funny scene ensued; for while Billy ran to collect +the boys, Ned dismantled the armory, and Hal disposed +of the weapons in the most effective manner, on +trees, fences, and grass, where the bidders could examine +and choose at their ease. Their mates had +always admired and coveted these war-like treasures, +for some were real, and others ingenious imitations; so +they gladly came at sound of the hunter's horn which +was blown when Robin Hood wanted his merry men.</p> + +<p>Harry was auctioneer, and rattled off the most +amazing medley of nonsense in praise of the articles, +which he rapidly knocked down to the highest bidder. +The competition was lively, for the boys laughed so +much they hardly knew what they were doing, and +made the rashest offers; but they all knew what the +money was to be used for, so they paid their bills +handsomely, and marched off with cross-bows, old +guns, rusty swords, and tin armor, quite contented +with their bargains.</p> + +<p>Seven dollars was realized by the sale, and a fine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +rooster and several hens solemnly presented to Bobby, +who was overwhelmed by this unexpected atonement, +and immediately established his fowls in the wood-shed, +where they happily resided through the winter, +and laid eggs with such gratifying rapidity that he +earned quite a little fortune, and insisted on saying +that his vigil had not only made a knight of him, but +a millionnaire.</p> + + +<div class='center'>III. <span class="smcap">Babies.</span></div> + +<p>The little house stood empty till spring; then a +great stir went on in the garden, getting it ready for a +new occupant. It was mended, painted red, fitted up +with a small table and chairs, and a swing. Sunflowers +stood sentinel at the door, vines ran over it, +and little beds of flowers were planted on either side. +Paths were dug all round the lawn, and a baby-carriage +was rolled up and down to harden them. The +neighbors wondered what was coming next, and one +June day they found out; for a procession appeared, +escorting the new tenant to the red mansion, with +great rejoicing among the boys.</p> + +<p>First came Billy blowing the horn, then Ned waving +their best banner, then Hal drawing the baby wagon, +in which, as on a throne, sat the little cousin who had +come to spend the summer, and rule over them like a +small, sweet tyrant. A very sprightly damsel was four-year-old +Queenie, blue-eyed, plump, and rosy, with +a cloud of yellow curls, chubby arms that embraced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +every one, and a pair of stout legs that trotted all day. +She surveyed her kingdom with cries of delight, and +took possession of "mine tottage" at once, beginning +housekeeping by a tumble out of the swing, a header +into the red chest, and a pinch in the leaf of the table. +But she won great praise from the boys by making +light of these mishaps, and came up smiling, with a +bump on her brow, a scratch on her pug nose, and a +bruise on one fat finger, and turned out tea for the +gentlemen as if she had done it all her life; for the table +was set, and all manner of tiny cakes and rolls +stood ready to welcome her.</p> + +<p>This was only the beginning of tea parties; for very +soon a flock of lovely little friends came to play with +Queenie, and such pretty revels went on it seemed as +if fairies had taken possession of the small house. Dolls +had picnics, kittens went a-visiting, tin carts rattled up +and down, gay balloons flew about, pigmy soldiers toddled +round the paths in paper caps, and best of all, rosy +little girls danced on the grass, picked the flowers, chased +butterflies, and sang as blithely as the birds. Queenie +took the lead in these frolics, and got into no end of +scrapes by her love of exploration,—often leading her +small friends into the strawberry-bed, down the road, +over the wall, or to some neighbor's house, coolly demanding +"a dint a water and dingerbed for all us +ones."</p> + +<p>Guards were set, bars and locks put up, orders given, +and punishments inflicted, but all in vain; the dauntless +baby always managed to escape, and after anxious +hunts and domestic flurries, would be found up a tree,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +under the big rhubarb leaves, in a hen house, or calmly +strolling to town without her hat. All sorts of people +took her to drive at her request, and brought her back +just as her agitated relatives were flying to the river in +despair. Once she departed with a flock of sheep, and +was returned so dirty no one knew her till she was +scrubbed. Another time, she passed the morning in +the pig-pen, having fallen over the fence; and finding +pleasant society in a dozen young piggies, stayed to +play with them till discovered among the straw, surrounded +by her new friends, one of whom slept sweetly +in her arms.</p> + +<p>"We must tie her up," said Mrs. Morton, quite worn +out with her pranks.</p> + +<p>So a strong cord was put round Queenie's waist, and +fastened to one of the rings in the little house where +Tom used to be chained. At first she raged and tugged, +then submitted, and played about as if she didn't care; +but she laid plans in her naughty little mind, and carried +them out, to the great dismay of Bessie, the maid.</p> + +<p>"I want to tut drass," she said in her most persuasive +tones.</p> + +<p>So Bessie gave her the rusty scissors she was allowed +to use, and let her play make hay till her toy wagon +was full.</p> + +<p>"I want a dint a water, pease," was the next request, +and Bessie went in to get it. She was delayed a few +moments, and when she came out no sign of Queenie +remained but a pile of yellow hair cut off in a hurry, +and the end of the cord. Slyboots was gone, scissors +and all.</p> + +<p>Then there was racing and calling, scolding and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +wailing, but no Queenie was to be seen anywhere on +the premises. Poor Bessie ran one way, Aunt Morton +another, and Billy, who happened to be at home, +poked into all the nooks and corners for the runaway.</p> + +<p>An hour passed, and things began to look serious, +when Harry came in much excited, and laughing so he +could hardly speak.</p> + +<p>"Where <i>do</i> you think that dreadful baby has turned +up? Over at Pat Floyd's. He found her in the water +pipes. You know a lot of those big ones are lying in +the back street ready to use as soon as the place is dug. +Well, that little rascal crept in, and then couldn't turn +round, so she went on till she came out by Pat's house, +and nearly scared him out of his wits. The pipes were +not joined, so she had light and air, but I guess she had +a hard road to travel. Such a hot, dirty, tired baby +you never saw. Mrs. Floyd is washing her up. You'd +better go and get her, Bess."</p> + +<p>Bess went and returned with naughty Queenie, looking +as if rats had gnawed her curls off, and the sand of +the great desert had been ground into her hands and +knees,—not to mention the iron rust that ruined her +pretty pink frock, or the crown of her hat rubbed to +rags.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't frighted. You said Dod be'd all wound, +so I goed wite alon, and Mis Foyd gived me a nice cold +tater, and a tootie, and the bid dord washed my hands +wif his wed tun."</p> + +<p>That was Queenie's account of the matter, but she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +behaved so well after it that her friends suspected the +perilous prank had made a good impression upon her.</p> + +<p>To keep her at home she was set to farming, and the +little house was a barn. In it lived a rocking horse, +several wooden cows, woolly sheep, cats and dogs, as +well as a queer collection of carts and carriages, tools +and baskets. Every day the busy little farmer dug +and hoed, planted and watered her "dardin," made +hay, harvested vegetables, picked fruit, or took care of +animals,—pausing now and then to ride her horse, drive +out in her phaeton, or go to an imaginary fire with the +engine Billy had made for her.</p> + +<p>The little friends came to help her, and the flower-beds +soon looked as if an earthquake had upheaved +them; for things were planted upside down, holes dug, +stones piled, and potatoes laid about as if expected to +dig themselves. But cheeks bloomed like roses, small +hands got brown, and busy feet trotted firmly about +the paths, while the red barn echoed with the gayest +laughter all day long.</p> + +<p>On Queenie's fifth birthday, in September, she had a +gipsy party, and all the small neighbors came to it. +A tent was pitched, three tall poles held up a kettle +over a "truly fire" that made the water really boil, and +supper was spread on the grass. The little girls wore +red and blue petticoats, gay shawls or cloaks, bright +handkerchiefs on their heads, and as many beads and +breastpins as they liked. Some had tamborines, and +shook them as they danced; one carried a dolly in the +hood of her cloak like a true gypsy, and all sung, +skipping hand in hand round the fire.</p> + +<p>The mammas looked on and helped about supper,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +and Bess sat in the tent like an old woman, and told +pleasant fortunes, as she looked in the palms of the soft +little hands the children showed her.</p> + +<p>They had a charming time, and all remembered it +well; for that night, when the fun was over, every one +in bed, and the world asleep, a great storm came on; +the wind blew a gale and chimney tops flew off, blinds +banged, trees were broken, apples whisked from the +boughs by the bushel, and much mischief was done. But +worst of all, the dear little house blew away! The +roof went in one direction, the boards in another, the +poor horse lay heels up, and the rest of the animals +were scattered far and wide over the garden.</p> + +<p>Great was the lamentation next morning, when the +children saw the ruin. The boys felt that it was past +mending, and gave it up; while Queenie consoled herself +for the devastation of her farm by the childish belief +that a crop of new cats and dogs, cows and horses, +would come up in the spring from the seed sowed broadcast +by the storm.</p> + +<p>So that was the sad end of the little house in the +garden.<br /></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i187.png" width="500" height="190" alt="Daisy's Jewel-Box, and How She Filled It" title="Daisy's Jewel-Box, and How She Filled It" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="Daisys_Jewel-Box_and_How_She_Filled_It" id="Daisys_Jewel-Box_and_How_She_Filled_It"></a>Daisy's Jewel-Box, and How She Filled It</h2> + + +<p>"Plenty of time for another. Let the little folks +go to bed, now they've had their story, and please go +on, auntie," cried Min, when all had listened with +more interest than they would confess to the children's +tale.</p> + +<p>So the small people trotted off, much against their +will, and this most obliging of aunts drew forth +another manuscript, saying, as she glanced at several +of her elder nieces, brave in the new trinkets Santa +Claus had sent them:—</p> + +<p>"This is a story with a moral to it, which the girls +will understand; the boys can take naps while I read, +for it won't interest them."</p> + +<p>"If it shows up the girls we shall like it," answered +Geoff, and composed himself to hear and enjoy</p> + + +<h4>DAISY'S JEWEL-BOX, AND HOW SHE +FILLED IT.</h4> + +<p>"It would be perfectly splendid, and just what I +long for, but I don't see how I <i>can</i> go with nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +fit to wear," said Daisy, looking up from the letter in +her hand, with a face full of girlish eagerness and +anxiety.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Field set every fear at rest with a reassuring +smile, as she quietly made one of the sacrifices mothers +think so small, when made for the dear creatures for +whom they live.</p> + +<p>"You shall go, dear; I have a little sum put by +for an emergency. Twenty-five dollars will do a good +deal, when tastes are simple and we do our own dressmaking."</p> + +<p>"But mother, that was for your cloak. You need +it so much I can't bear to have you give it up," said +sober little Jane, the home-girl, who never cared for +visiting like her gay elder sister.</p> + +<p>"Hush, dear; I can do very well with a shawl over +my old sack. Don't say a word to spoil Daisy's +pleasure. She needs a change after this dull autumn, +and must be neat and nice."</p> + +<p>Janey said no more, and fell to thinking what she +had to offer Daisy; for both took great pride in the +pretty girl, who was the queen among her young +friends.</p> + +<p>Daisy heard, but was so busy re-reading the letter +that she took no notice then, though she recalled the +words later.</p> + +<p>"Come and pass the holidays with us. We all +want to see you, and Laura begs you will not disappoint +her."</p> + +<p>This was the invitation that came from Laura's +mother; for the two girls had struck up a great friendship<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +during the summer the city family passed in the +little country town where Daisy lived. She had +ardently hoped that Laura would not forget the +charming plan, and now the cordial message came, +just when the season would be gayest in town.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must have the everlasting white +muslin for a party dress, as that is the cheapest thing +a girl can wear. A nun's-veiling is what I long for, +but I'm afraid we can't afford it," she said with a +sigh, coming back from visions of city delights to the +all-important question of dress.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can, and new ribbons, gloves, and slippers +as well. You are so small it doesn't take much, and +we can make it right up ourselves. So run and collect +all your little finery, while I go and do the shopping +at once."</p> + +<p>"You dearest of mothers! how you always manage +to give me what I want, and smooth all my worries +away. I'll be as good as gold, and bring you the best +present I can find."</p> + +<p>Daisy's grateful kiss warmed the dear woman's +heart, and made her forget how shabby the old sack +was, as she trudged away to spend the money carefully +hoarded for the much needed cloak.</p> + +<p>Needles and fingers flew, and two days before Christmas, +Daisy set out for the enchanted city, feeling very +rich with the pretty new dress in her trunk, and five +dollars for pocket money. It seemed a large sum to the +country girl, and she planned to spend it all in gifts +for mother and Janey, whose tired faces rather haunted +her after she had caught the last glimpse of them.</p> + +<p>Her reception was a warm one, for all the Vaughns<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +were interested in the blooming little creature they +had found among the hills, and did their best to make +her visit a pleasant one. The first day she was in a +delightful sort of maze, things were so splendid, gay +and new; the second she felt awkward and countrified, +and wished she had not come. A letter from her +mother on Christmas morning did her good, and gave +her courage to bear the little trials that afflicted her.</p> + +<p>"My clothes do look dowdy beside Laura's elegant +costumes, though they did seem very nice at home; +but my hair isn't red, and that's a comfort," she said +to herself, as she dressed for the party that evening.</p> + +<p>She could not help smiling at the bonny figure she +saw in the long mirror, and wishing mother and Janey +could see the work of their hands in all its glory; for +the simple white dress was most becoming, and her +kind host had supplied her with lovely flowers for +bosom and bouquet.</p> + +<p>But the smile died as she took up her one ornament, +an antique necklace, given her by an old aunt. At +home it was considered a very rare and beautiful +thing, and Daisy had been rather proud of her rococo +chain till she saw Laura's collection of trinkets, the +variety and brilliancy of which dazzled her eyes, and +woke a burning desire to possess treasures of the same +sort. It was some consolation to find that the most +striking were not very expensive, and after poring over +them with deep interest, Daisy privately resolved to buy +as many as her five dollars would compass. These new +ornaments could be worn during her visit, and serve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +as gifts when she went home; so the extravagance +would not be so great as it seemed.</p> + +<p>This purpose comforted her, as she put on the old +necklace, which looked very dingy beside the Rhinestones +that flashed, the silver bangles that clashed, +and the gilded butterflies, spiders, arrows, flowers, and +daggers that shone on the young girls whom she met +that evening. Their fine dresses she could not hope +to imitate, but a pin and a pair of bracelets were +possible, and she resolved to have them, if she had to +borrow money to get home with.</p> + +<p>Her head was quite turned by this desire for the +cheap trinkets which attract all feminine eyes now-a-days, +and when, among the pretty things that came +to her from the Christmas tree that night, she received +a blue plush jewel-box, she felt that it was almost +a duty to fill it as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it a beauty? I never had one, and it is just +what I wanted," said Daisy, delightedly lifting the +tray full of satin beds for pretty things, and pulling +out the little drawer underneath, where the giver's +card lay.</p> + +<p>"I told papa a work-box or a fan would be better; +but he liked this and would buy it," explained Laura, +who knew how useless it was to her friend.</p> + +<p>"It was very kind of him, and I prefer it to either +of those. I've nothing but my old chain and a shabby +little pin to put in it now, but I'll fill it in time," +answered Daisy, whose eyes seemed to behold the +unbought treasures already reposing on the dainty +cushion.</p> + +<p>"Real jewels are the best, my dear, for their worth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +and beauty are never lost. The tinsel girls wear now +is poor stuff, and money is thrown away in buying it," +said Mrs. Vaughn, who overheard them and guessed +the temptation which beset the little country girl.</p> + +<p>Daisy looked conscious, but answered, with a smile, +and a hand on her necklace, "This old thing wouldn't +look well in my pretty box, so I'll leave it empty till +I can afford something better."</p> + +<p>"But that antique chain is worth many mock +diamonds; for it is genuine, and its age adds to its +value. Lovers of such things would pay a good price +for that and keep it carefully. So don't be ashamed +of it, my dear,—though this pretty throat needs no +ornament," added Mrs. Vaughn, hoping the girl would +not forget the little lesson she was trying to give her.</p> + +<p>Daisy did not, but when she went to bed, set the +jewel-box on the table where it would meet her eyes +the first thing in the morning, and then fell asleep +trying to decide that she would buy no baubles, since +there were better things to spend her money on.</p> + +<p>Nothing more was said; but as the two girls went +about the gay street on various pleasant errands, +Daisy never could pass the jewellers' windows without +stopping to gloat over the trays full of enchanting +ornaments. More than once, when alone, she went in +to inquire the prices of these much coveted trifles, and +their cheapness made the temptation harder to resist. +Certain things had a sort of fascination for her, and +seemed to haunt her in an uncanny way, giving her no +peace till she would decide to buy them. A golden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +rose with a diamond drop of dew on its leaves got into +her very dreams; an enamelled butterfly flew before +her as she walked, and a pair of silver bangles rattled +in her ear like goblin castanets.</p> + +<p>"I shall not be safe till I spend that money, so I +might as well decide on something and be at peace," +said poor Daisy, after some days of this girlish struggle; +"I needn't buy anything for mother and Janey, +for I can share my nice and useful presents with +them; but I should like to be able to show the girls +my lovely jewel-box with something pretty in it, and +I will! Laura needn't know anything about it, for +I'm sure she'd think it silly, and so would her mother. +I'll slip in now and buy that rose; it's only three +dollars, and the other two will get one porte-bonheur, +or the dear butterfly."</p> + +<p>Making her way through the crowd that always +stood before the brilliant window, Daisy went in and +demanded the rose; then, rather scared by this reckless +act she paused, and decided to look farther before +buying anything else. With a pleasant little flutter +of the heart as the pretty trinket was done up, she put +her hand into her pocket to pay for it, and all the +color died out of her cheeks when she found no purse +there. In vain she pulled out handkerchief, keys, and +pincushion; no sign of money was found but a ten-cent +piece which had fallen out at some time. She +looked so pale and dismayed that the shopman guessed +her misfortune before she told it, but all the comfort +he offered was the useless information that the +crowded corner was a great place for pick-pockets.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to be done but to return the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +rose and go sadly home, feeling that fate was very +cruel to snatch away this long-coveted happiness when +so nearly won. Like the milk-maid who upset her +pail while planning which ribbons would become her +best, poor Daisy's dreams of splendor came to a sudden +end; for instead of a golden rose, she was left with +only ten cents,—and not even a purse to put it in.</p> + +<p>She went home angry, disappointed, and ashamed, +but too proud to complain, though not able to keep +the loss to herself; for it was a sad affair, and her face +betrayed her in spite of her efforts to be gay.</p> + +<p>"I know you were staring at the French diamonds +in that corner store. I never can get you by there +without a regular tug," cried Laura, when the tale +was very briefly told.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it; I'm perfectly fascinated by those +foolish things, and I know I should have bought +some; so it is well that I've lost my money, perhaps," +answered Daisy, looking so innocently penitent +and so frankly disappointed that Mr. Vaughn said +kindly:—</p> + +<p>"So it is, for now I have a chance to complete my +Christmas present. I was not sure it would suit so I +gave it empty. Please use this in buying some of the +'fascinating things' you like so well."</p> + +<p>A bright ten-dollar gold piece was slipped into +Daisy's hand, and she was obliged to keep it, in spite +of all her protestations that she could live without +trinkets, and did not need it as her ticket home was +already bought. Mrs. Vaughn added a nice little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +purse, and Laura advised her to keep the lone ten-cent +piece for a good-luck penny.</p> + +<p>"Now I can do it with a free mind, and fill my box +as Mr. Vaughn wishes me to. Won't it be fun?" +thought Daisy, as she skipped up-stairs after dinner, +with a load of care lifted from her spirits.</p> + +<p>Laura was taking a music lesson, so her guest went +to the sewing-room to mend the facing of her dress, +which some one had stepped on while she stood in +that fatal crowd. A seamstress was there, sewing as if +for a wager, and while Daisy stitched her braid she +wondered if there was any need of such haste; for the +young woman's fingers flew, a feverish color was in her +cheeks, and now and then she sighed as if tired or +worried.</p> + +<p>"Let me help, if you are in a hurry, Miss White. I +can sew fast, and know something of dressmaking. +Please let me. I'd love to do anything for Mrs. +Vaughn, she is so kind to me," said Daisy, when her +small job was done, lingering to make the offer, though +an interesting book was waiting in her room.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I guess I can get through by dark. I +do want to finish, for my mother is sick, and needs +me as well as the money," answered the needle-woman, +pausing to give the girl a grateful smile, then +stitching away faster than ever.</p> + +<p>"Then I must help. Give me that sleeve to sew +up, and rest a little. You look dreadfully tired, and +you've been working all day," insisted Daisy.</p> + +<p>"That's real kind, and it would be a great help, if +you really like it," answered Miss White, with a sigh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +of relief as she handed over the sleeve, and saw how +heartily and helpfully Daisy fell to work.</p> + +<p>Of course they talked, for the friendly act opened +both hearts, and did both girls good. As the younger +listened to the little story of love and labor, the gold +piece burned in her pocket, and tinsel trinkets looked +very poor beside the sacrifices so sweetly made by this +good daughter for the feeble mother whose comfort +and support she was.</p> + +<p>"Our landlord has raised the rent, but I can't move +now, for the cold and the worry would kill ma; so +I'm tugging away to pay the extra money, else he +will turn us out, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you tell Mrs. Vaughn? She helps +every one, and loves to do it."</p> + +<p>"So she does, bless her! She has done a deal for +us, and that's why I can't ask for more. I won't beg +while I can work, but worry wears on me, and if I +break down what <i>will</i> become of mother?"</p> + +<p>Poor Mary shook the tears out of her eyes, for daylight +was going, and she had no time to cry; but +Daisy stopped to wonder how it would seem to be in +her place, "tugging away" day after day to keep a +roof over mother. It made her heart ache to think of +it, and sent her hand to her pocket with a joyful sense +of power; for alms-giving was a new pleasure, and +Daisy felt very rich.</p> + +<p>"I've had a present to-day, and I'd love dearly to +share it with you if you wouldn't mind. I shall only +waste it, so do let me send it to your mother in any +shape you like," she said in a timid, but very earnest way.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Miss Field! I couldn't do it! you are too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +kind; I never thought of hinting"—began Mary, +quite overcome by this unexpected proposal.</p> + +<p>Daisy settled the matter by running away to the +study, where Mr. Vaughn was napping, to ask him if +he would give her two fives for the gold piece.</p> + +<p>"Ah! the fascination is at work, I see; and we +can't wait till Monday to buy the pretty things. +Girls will be girls, and must sow their innocent wild +oats I suppose. Here, my dear, beware of pick-pockets, +and good luck to the shopping," said the old +gentleman, as he put two crisp bills into her hands, +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Pick-pockets wont get this, and I <i>know</i> my shopping +will prosper now," answered Daisy, in such a +happy tone that Mr. Vaughn wondered what plan was +in the girl's head to make her look so sweet and +glad.</p> + +<p>She went slowly up-stairs looking at the two bills, +which did not seem half so precious as when in the +shape of gold.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if it would be very extravagant to give +her all of it. I shall do some silly thing if I keep it. +Her boots were very thin, and she coughs, and if she is +sick it will be dreadful. Suppose I give her five for +herself, and five for her mother. I'd love to feel +rich and generous for once in my life, and give real +help."</p> + +<p>The house was very still, and Daisy paused at the +head of the stairs to settle the point, little dreaming +that Mrs. Vaughn had heard the talk in the sewing-room,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +and saw her as she stood thoughtfully staring at +the two bits of paper in her hand.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't feel ashamed if Mrs. Vaughn found +me out in this, but I should never dare to let her see +my bangles and pins, if I got them. I know she +thinks them silly, especially so for me. She said she +hoped I'd set a good example to Laura, in the way of +simplicity and industry. I liked that, and so will +mother. But then, my jewel-box! All empty, and +such a pretty thing. Oh dear, I wish I could be wise +and silly at the same time."</p> + +<p>Daisy sighed, and took a few more steps, then +smiled, pulled out her purse, and taking the ten-cent +piece tossed it up, saying, "Heads, Mary; tails, +myself."</p> + +<p>Up flew the bright little coin, and down it came +with the goddess of liberty uppermost.</p> + +<p>"That settles it; she shall have the ten, and I'll +be content with the old chain for all my jewelry," said +Daisy aloud; and looking much relieved she skipped +away, leaving the unsuspected observer to smile at her +girlish mode of deciding the question, and to rejoice +over the generous nature unspoiled as yet.</p> + +<p>She watched her young guest with new interest +during the next few days; for certain fine plans were +in her mind, and every trifle helped the decision for or +against.</p> + +<p>Mary White went smiling home that night to rejoice +with her feeble mother over the help that came +so opportunely and so kindly.</p> + +<p>Daisy looked as if her shopping <i>had</i> prospered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +wonderfully though the old necklace was the only ornament +she wore; and those who saw her happy face at +the merry-making thought that she needed no other. +She danced as if her feet were as light as her heart, +and enjoyed that party more than the first; for no +envy spoiled her pleasure, and a secret content brightened +all the world to her.</p> + +<p>But the next day she discovered that temptation +still had power over her, and she nearly spoiled her +first self-conquest by the fall which is very apt to come +after a triumph, to show us how hard it is to stand +fast, even when small Apollyons get in our way.</p> + +<p>She broke the clasp of the necklace, and Mrs. +Vaughn directed her to a person who mended such +things. The man examined it with interest, and +asked its history. Daisy very willingly told all she +knew, inquiring if it was really valuable.</p> + +<p>"I'd give twenty-five dollars for it any time. I've +been trying to get one to go with a pair of earrings +I picked up, and this is just what I want. Of course +you don't care to sell it, miss?" he asked, glancing +at Daisy's simple dress and rather excited face, for +his offer almost took her breath away.</p> + +<p>She was not sufficiently worldly-wise to see that the +jeweller wanted it enough to give more for it, and to +make a good bargain for herself. Twenty-five dollars +seemed a vast sum, and she only paused to collect +her wits, before she answered eagerly:—</p> + +<p>"Yes, I <i>should</i> like to sell it; I've had it so long +I'm tired of it, and it's all out of fashion. Mrs. +Vaughn told me some people would be glad to get it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +because it is genuine. Do you really think it is worth +twenty-five dollars?"</p> + +<p>"It's old, and I shall have to tinker it up; but it +matches the earrings so well I am willing to pay a +good price for it. Will you take the money now, +miss, or think it over and call again?" asked the man, +more respectfully, after hearing Mrs. Vaughn's name.</p> + +<p>"I'll take it now, if you please, sir. I shall leave +town in a day or two, and may not have time to call +again," said Daisy, taking a half-regretful look at the +chain, as the man counted out the money.</p> + +<p>Holding it fast, she went away feeling that this +unexpected fortune was a reward for the good use +she had made of her gold piece.</p> + +<p>"Now I can buy some really valuable ornament, +and wear it without being ashamed. What shall it +be? No tinsel for me this time;" and she walked by +the attractive shop window with an air of lofty indifference, +for she really was getting over her first +craze for that sort of thing.</p> + +<p>Feeling as if she possessed the power to buy real +diamonds, Daisy turned toward the great jewellers, +pausing now and then to look for some pretty gift for +Janey, bought with her own money.</p> + +<p>"What can I get for mother? She never will own +that she needs anything, and goes shabby so I can be +nice. I could get some of those fine, thick stockings, +hers are all darns,—but they might not fit. Flannel +is useful, but it isn't a pretty present. What <i>does</i> +she need most?"</p> + +<p>As Daisy stopped before a great window, full of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +manner of comfortable garments, her eye fell on a +fur-lined cloak marked "$25." It seemed to answer +her question like a voice, and as she looked at it she +heard again the words,—</p> + +<p>"But, mother, that money was for your cloak, and +you need it very much."</p> + +<p>"Hush, dear, don't say a word to spoil Daisy's +pleasure. I can do very well with a shawl over the +old sack."</p> + +<p>"How could I forget that! What a selfish girl I +am, to be thinking of jewelry, when that dear, good +mother hasn't a cloak to her back. Daisy Field, I'm +ashamed of you! Go in and buy that nice, warm one +at once, and don't let me hear of that ridiculous box +again."</p> + +<p>After this little burst of remorse and self-reproach, +Daisy took another look; and prudence suggested +asking the advice of some more experienced shopper +than herself, before making so important a purchase. +As if the fates were interested in settling the matter +at once, while she stood undecided, Mary White came +down the street with a parcel of work in her hands.</p> + +<p>"Just the person! The Vaughns needn't know +anything about it; and Mary is a good judge."</p> + +<p>It was pleasant to see the two faces brighten as the +girls met; rather comical to watch the deep interest +with which one listened and the other explained; and +beautiful to hear the grateful eagerness in Mary's +voice, as she answered cordially:—</p> + +<p>"Indeed I will! You've been so kind to my mother, +there's nothing I wouldn't be glad to do for yours."</p> + +<p>So in they went, and after due consideration, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +cloak was bought and ordered home,—both girls feeling +that it was a little ceremony full of love and good +will; for Mary's time was money, yet she gave it +gladly, and Daisy's purse was left empty of all but the +good-luck penny, which was to bring still greater +happiness in unsuspected ways.</p> + +<p>Another secret was put away in the empty jewel-box, +and the cloak hidden in Daisy's trunk; for she +felt shy of telling her little business transactions, lest +the Vaughns should consider her extravagant. But +the thought of mother's surprise and pleasure warmed +her heart, and made the last days of her visit the +happiest. Being a mortal girl she did give a sigh as +she tied a bit of black velvet round her white throat, +instead of the necklace, which seemed really a treasure, +now it was gone; and she looked with great disfavor +at the shabby little pin, worn where she had fondly +hoped to see the golden rose. She put a real one in its +place, and never knew that her own fresh, happy face +was as lovely; for the thought of the two mothers +made comfortable by her was better than all the +pearls and diamonds that fell from the lips of the +good girl in the fairy tale.</p> + +<p>"Let me help you pack your trunk; I love to cram +things in, and dance on the lid when it won't shut," +said Laura, joining her friend next day, just as she +had got the cloak-box well hidden under a layer of +clothes.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I'm almost done, and rather like to +fuss over my own things in my own way. You won't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +mind if I give this pretty box of handkerchiefs to +mother, will you, dear? I have so many things, I +must go halves with some one. The muslin apron +and box of bonbons are for Janey, because she can't +wear the gloves, and this lovely <i>jabot</i> is too old for +her," said Daisy, surveying her new possessions with +girlish satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Do what you like with your own. Mamma has a +box of presents for your people. She is packing it +now, but I don't believe you can get it in; your +trunk is so much fuller than when you came. This +must go in a safe place, or your heart will break," +and Laura took up the jewel-box, adding with a laugh, +as she opened it, "you haven't filled it, after all! +What did you do with papa's gold piece?"</p> + +<p>"That's a secret. I'll tell some day, but not yet," +said Daisy, diving into her trunk to hide the color in +her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Sly thing! I know you've got silver spiders and +filagree racquets, and Rhine-stone moons and stars +stowed away somewhere and won't confess it. I wanted +to fill this box, but mamma said you'd do it better +yourself, so I let it alone; but I was afraid you'd think +I was a selfish pig, to have a pin for every day in the +month and never give you one," said Laura, as she +looked at the single tarnished brooch reposing on the +satin cushion. "Where's your chain?" she added, +before Daisy could speak.</p> + +<p>"It is safe enough. I'm tired of it, and don't care +if I never see it again." And Daisy packed away, +and laughed as she smoothed the white dress in its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +tray, remembering that it was paid for by the sale +of the old necklace.</p> + +<p>"Give it to me, then. I like it immensely; it's so +odd. I'll exchange for anything of mine you choose. +Will you?" asked Laura, who seemed bent on asking +inconvenient questions.</p> + +<p>"I shall have to tell, or she will think me very +ungrateful,"—and Daisy felt a pang of regret even +then, for Laura's offer was a generous one.</p> + +<p>"Like G. W., 'I cannot tell a lie;' so I must 'fess' +that I sold the old thing, and spent the money for +something I wanted very much,—not jewelry, but +something to give away."</p> + +<p>Daisy was spared further confessions by the entrance +of Mrs. Vaughn, with a box in her hand.</p> + +<p>"I have room for something more. Give me that, +Laura, it will just fit in;" and taking the little casket, +she added, "Mary White wants to try on your dress, +dear. Go at once; I will help Daisy."</p> + +<p>Laura went, and her mother stood looking down at +the kneeling girl with an expression of affectionate satisfaction +which would have puzzled Daisy, had she +seen it.</p> + +<p>"Has the visit been a pleasant one, my dear?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very! I can't thank you enough for the good +it has done me. I hope I can pay a little of the debt +next summer, if you come our way again," cried Daisy, +looking up with a face full of gratitude.</p> + +<p>"We shall probably go to Europe for the summer. +Laura is a good age for it now, and we shall all enjoy it."</p> + +<p>"How splendid! We shall miss you dreadfully, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +I'm glad you are going, and I hope Laura will find +time to write me now and then. I shall want to know +how she likes the 'foreign parts' we've talked about +so much."</p> + +<p>"You <i>shall</i> know. We won't forget you, my dear," +and with a caressing touch on the smiling yet wistful +face upturned to hers, Mrs. Vaughn went away to pack +the empty jewel-box, leaving Daisy to drop a few irrepressible +tears on the new gown, over the downfall of +her summer hopes, and the longings all girls feel for +that enchanted world that lies beyond the sea.</p> + +<p>"We shall see you before we go, so we won't gush +now," said Laura, as she bade her friend good-by, adding +in a whisper, "Some folks can have secrets as well +as other folks, and be as sly. So don't think you have all +the fun to yourself, you dear, good, generous darling."</p> + +<p>Daisy looked bewildered, and Mrs. Vaughn added to +her surprise by kissing her very warmly as she said:</p> + +<p>"I wanted to find a good friend for my spoiled girl, +and I think I have succeeded."</p> + +<p>There was no time for explanation, and all the +way home Daisy kept wondering what they meant. +But she forgot everything when she saw the dear faces +beaming at the door, and ran straight into her mother's +arms, while Janey hugged the trunk till her turn +came for something better.</p> + +<p>When the first raptures were over, out came the +cloak; and Daisy was well repaid for her little trials +and sacrifices when she was folded in it as her mother +held her close, and thanked her as mothers only can. +Sitting in its soft shelter, she told all about it, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +coming to the end said, as she took up the jewel-box, +unpacked with the other generous gifts:—</p> + +<p>"I haven't a thing to put in it, but I shall value it +because it taught me a lesson which I hope I never +shall forget. See what a pretty thing it is;" and opening +it, Daisy gave a cry of surprise and joy, for there +lay the golden rose, with Laura's name and "Sub +rosa" on a slip of paper.</p> + +<p>"The dear thing! she knew I wanted it, and that +is what she meant by 'secrets.' I'll write and tell her +mine to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Here is something more," said Janey, who had +been lifting the tray while her sister examined the long-desired +flower.</p> + +<p>A pair of real gold bangles shone before her delighted +eyes, and a card in Mr. Vaughn's handwriting bore +these words: "Handcuffs for the thief who stole the +pocketbook."</p> + +<p>Daisy hardly had time to laugh gayly at the old +gentleman's joke, when Janey cried out, as she opened +the little drawer, "Here's another!"</p> + +<p>It was a note from Mrs. Vaughn, but all thought it +the greatest treasure of the three, for it said briefly,—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Daisy</span>,—Mary told me some of your secrets, +and I found out the others. Forgive me and go to Europe +with Laura, in May. Your visit was a little test. +You stood it well, and we want to know more of you. +The little box is not quite empty, but the best jewels +are the self-denial, sweet charity, and good sense you +put in yourself.</p></blockquote> + +<div class="signature2">"Your friend, A. V."<br /> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<p>Daisy could not speak, and her mother looked into +the box with eyes full of tender tears, while Janey +danced about them, clashing the bangles like a happy +little bayadere, till her sister found her voice again.</p> + +<p>Pointing to a great, bright tear that shone on the +blue velvet, she said, with her cheek against her mother's: +"I always wanted a real diamond, and there's a +more precious one than any I could buy. Now I'm +sure my jewel-box <i>is</i> full."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i209.png" width="500" height="265" alt="Corny's Catamount" title="Corny's Catamount" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="Cornys_Catamount" id="Cornys_Catamount"></a>Corny's Catamount</h2> + +<p>Two boys sat on the bars, one whittling, the other +whistling,—not for want of thought by any means, +for his brow was knit in an anxious frown, and he +paused now and then to thump the rail, with an +impatient exclamation. The other lad appeared to be +absorbed in shaping an arrow from the slender stick +in his hand, but he watched his neighbor with a grin, +saying a few words occasionally which seemed to add +to his irritation, though they were in a sympathizing +tone.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if a chap can't do a thing he can't; and +he'd better give up and say, 'Beat.'"</p> + +<p>"But I won't give up, and I never say 'Beat.' +I'm not going to be laughed out of it, and I'll do +what I said I would, if it takes all summer, Chris +Warner."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to be pretty spry, then, for there's +only two more days to August," replied the whittler, +shutting one eye to look along his arrow and see if it +was true.</p> + +<p>"I intend to be spry, and if you won't go and blab,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +I'll tell you a plan I made last night."</p> + +<p>"Guess you can trust me. I've heard about a +dozen plans now, and never told one of 'em."</p> + +<p>"They all failed, so there was nothing to tell. But +this one is <i>not</i> going to fail, if I die for it. I feel that +it's best to tell some one, because it is really dangerous; +and if anything <i>should</i> happen to me, as is +very likely, it would save time and trouble."</p> + +<p>"Don't seem to feel anxious a mite. But I'll stand +ready to pick up the pieces, if you come to grief."</p> + +<p>"Now, Chris, it's mean of you to keep on making +fun when I'm in dead earnest; and this may be the +last thing you can do for me."</p> + +<p>"Wait till I get out my handkerchief; if you're +going to be affectin' I may want it. Granite's cheap +up here; just mention what you'd like on your tombstone +and I'll see that it's done, if it takes my last +cent."</p> + +<p>The big boy in the blue overalls spoke with such +a comical drawl that the slender city lad could not +help laughing, and with a slap that nearly sent his +neighbor off his perch, Corny said good-naturedly:</p> + +<p>"Come now, stop joking and lend a hand, and I'll +do anything I can for you. I've set my heart on +shooting a wildcat, and I know I can if I once get a +good chance. Mother won't let me go off far enough, +so of course I don't do it, and then you all jeer at me. +To-morrow we are going up the mountain, and I'm +set on trying again, for Abner says the big woods are +the place to find the 'varmint'. Now you hold your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +tongue, and let me slip away when I think we've hit +the right spot. I'm not a bit afraid, and while the +rest go poking to the top, I'll plunge into the woods +and see what I can do."</p> + +<p>"All right. Better take old Buff; he'll bring you +home when you get lost, and keep puss from clawing +you. You won't like that part of the fun as much +as you expect to, maybe," said Chris, with a sly +twinkle of the eye, as he glanced at Corny and then +away to the vast forest that stretched far up the +mighty mountain's side.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't want any help, and Buff will betray +me by barking; I prefer to go alone. I shall take +some lunch and plenty of shot, and have a glorious +time, even if I don't meet that confounded beast. I +will keep dashing in and out of the woods as we +go; then no one will miss me for a while, and when +they do you just say, 'Oh, he's all right; he'll +be along directly,' and go ahead, and let me +alone."</p> + +<p>Corny spoke so confidently, and looked so pleased +with his plan, that honest Chris could not bear to +tell him how much danger he would run in that +pathless forest, where older hunters than he had been +lost.</p> + +<p>"Don't feel as if I cared to tell any lies about it, +and I don't advise your goin'; but if you're mad for +catamounts, I s'pose I must humor you and say nothing. +Only bear in mind, Abner and I will be along, +and if you get into a scrape jest give a yell and we'll +come."</p> + +<p>"No fear of that; I've tramped round all summer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +and know my way like an Indian. Keep the girls +quiet, and let me have a good lark. I'll turn up all +right by sundown; so don't worry. Not a word to +mother, mind, or she won't let me go. I'll make +things straight with her after the fun is over."</p> + +<p>"That ain't just square; but it's not my funeral, so +I won't meddle. Hope you'll have first rate sport, +and bag a brace of cats. One thing you mind, don't +get too nigh before you fire; and keep out of sight of +the critters as much as you can."</p> + +<p>Chris spoke in a deep whisper, looking so excited +and impressed by the reckless courage of his mate +that Corny felt himself a Leatherstocking, and went +off to tea with his finger on his lips, full of boyish +faith in his own powers. If he had seen Chris dart +behind the barn, and there roll upon the grass in +convulsions of laughter, he would have been both +surprised and hurt.</p> + +<p>No deacon could have been more sober, however, +than Chris when they met next morning, while the +party of summer boarders at the old farm-house were +in a pleasant bustle of preparation for the long expected +day on the mountain. Three merry girls, a +pair of small boys, two amiable mammas, Chris and +Corny, made up the party, with Abner to drive the big +wagon drawn by Milk and Molasses, the yellow span.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" shouted our young Nimrod, in a +hurry to be off, as the lunch-basket was handed up, +and the small boys packed in the most uncomfortable +corners, regardless of their arms and legs.</p> + +<p>Away they rattled with a parting cheer, and peace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +fell upon the farm-house for a few hours, to the great +contentment of the good people left behind. Corny's +mother was one of them, and her last words were,—"A +pleasant day, dear. I wish you'd leave that gun +at home; I'm so afraid you'll get hurt with it.'</p> + +<p>"No fun without it. Don't worry, mammy; I'm +old enough to take care of myself."</p> + +<p>"I'll see to him, ma'am," called Chris, as he hung +on behind, and waved his old straw hat, with a steady, +reliable sort of look, that made the anxious lady feel +more comfortable.</p> + +<p>"We are going to walk up, and leave the horses to +rest; so I can choose my time. See, I've got a bottle +of cold tea in this pocket, and a lot of grub in the +other. No danger of my starving, is there?" whispered +Corny, as he leaned over to Chris, who sat, +apparently, on nothing, with his long legs dangling +into space.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder if you needed every mite of it. +Hunting is mighty hard work on a hot day, and this +is going to be a blazer," answered Chris, pulling his +big straw hat lower over his eyes.</p> + +<p>As we intend to follow Corny's adventures, we need +not pause to describe the drive, which was a merry +one; with girls chattering, mammas holding on to excited +small boys, in danger of flying out at every jolt, +Abner joking till every one roared, Corny's dangerous +evolutions with the beloved gun, and the gymnastic +feats Chris performed, jumping off to pick flowers +for the ladies, and getting on again while Milk and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +Molasses tore up and down the rough road as if they +enjoyed it.</p> + +<p>About ten o'clock they reached the foot of the +mountain; and after a short rest at the hotel, began +the three-mile ascent in high spirits. Abner was to +follow later with the wagon, to bring the party down; +so Chris was guide, as he knew the way well, and often +came with people. The girls and younger boys hurried +on, full of eagerness to reach the top. The ladies +went more slowly, enjoying the grand beauty of the +scene, while Chris carried the lunch-basket, and Corny +lingered in the rear, waiting for a good chance to +"plunge."</p> + +<p>He wanted to be off before Abner came, as he well +knew that wise man and mighty hunter would never +let him go alone.</p> + +<p>"The very next path I see, I'll dive in and run; +Chris can't leave the rest to follow, and if I once get +a good start, they won't catch me in a hurry," thought +the boy, longing to be free and alone in the wild woods +that tempted him on either hand.</p> + +<p>Just as he was tightening his belt to be ready for +the run, Mrs. Barker, the stout lady, called him; and +being a well-bred lad, he hastened at once to see what +she wanted, feeling that he was the only gentleman in +the party.</p> + +<p>"Give me your arm, dear; I'm getting very tired, +and fear I can't hold out to the top, without a little +help," said the poor lady, red and panting with the +heat, and steepness of the road.</p> + +<p>"Certainly ma'am," answered Corny, obeying at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +once, and inwardly resolving to deposit his fair burden +on the first fallen log they came to, and make his +escape.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Barker got on bravely, with the support +of his strong arm, and chatted away so delightfully +that Corny would really have enjoyed the walk, if his +soul had not been yearning for catamounts. He did +his best, but when they passed opening after opening +into the green recesses of the wood, and the granite +boulders grew more and more plentiful, his patience +gave out, and he began to plan what he could say to +excuse himself. Chris was behind, apparently deaf +and blind to his calls and imploring glances, though +he grinned cheerfully when poor Corny looked round +and beckoned, as well as he could, with a gun on one +arm and a stout lady on the other.</p> + +<p>"The hardest part is coming now, and we'd better +rest a moment. Here's a nice rock, and the last +spring we are likely to see till we get to the top. +Come on, Chris, and give us the dipper. Mrs. Barker +wants a drink, and so do I," called the young hunter, +driven to despair at last.</p> + +<p>Up came Chris, and while he rummaged in the well-packed +basket, Corny slipped into the wood, leaving +the good lady with her thanks half spoken, sitting on +a warm stone beside a muddy little pool. A loud +laugh followed him, as he scrambled through the tall +ferns and went plunging down the steep mountain +side, eager to reach the lower woods.</p> + +<p>"Let him laugh; it will be my turn when I go home, +with a fine cat over my shoulder," thought Corny,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +tearing along, heedless of falls, scratches, and bruised +knees.</p> + +<p>At length he paused for breath, and looked about +him well satisfied, for the spot was lonely and lovely +enough to suit any hunter. The tallest pines he ever +saw sighed far overhead; the ground was ankle deep +in moss, and gay with scarlet bunch-berries; every +fallen log was veiled by sweet-scented Linnea, green +vines or nodding brakes; while hidden brooks sang +musically, and the air was full of the soft flutter of +leaves, the whir of wings, the sound of birds gossiping +sweetly in the safe shelter of the forest, where human +feet so seldom came.</p> + +<p>"I'll rest a bit, and then go along down, keeping +a look out for puss by the way," thought Corny, feeling +safe and free, and very happy, for he had his own +way, at last, and a whole day to lead the life he loved.</p> + +<p>So he bathed his hot face, took a cool drink, and +lay on the moss, staring up into the green gloom of +the pines, blissfully dreaming of the joys of a hunter's +life,—till a peculiar cry startled him to his feet, and +sent him creeping warily toward the sound. Whether +it was a new kind of bird, or a fox, or a bear, he did not +know, but fondly hoped it was a wildcat; though he +was well aware that the latter creature sleeps by day, +and prowls by night. Abner said they purred and +snarled and gave a mewing sort of cry; but which it +was now he could not tell, having unfortunately been +half asleep.</p> + +<p>On he went, looking up into the trees for a furry +bunch, behind every log, and in every rocky hole,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +longing and hoping to discover his heart's desire. But +a hawk was all he saw above, an ugly snake was the +only living thing he found among the logs, and a fat +woodchuck's hind legs vanished down the most attractive +hole. He shot at all three and missed them, so +pushed on, pretending that he did not care for such +small game.</p> + +<p>"Now this is what I call fun," he said to himself, +tramping gayly along, and at that moment went splash +into a mud-hole concealed under the grass. He sunk +up to his knees, and with great difficulty got out by +clinging to the tussocks that grew near. In his struggles +the lunch was lost, for the bottle broke and the +pocket where the sandwiches were stored was full of +mud. A woful spectacle was the trim lad as he +emerged from the slough, black and dripping in front, +well spattered behind, hatless, and one shoe gone, having +been carelessly left unlaced in the ardor of the +chase.</p> + +<p>"Here's a mess!" thought poor Corny, surveying +himself with great disgust and feeling very helpless, as +well as tired, hungry, and mad. "Luckily, my powder +is dry and my gun safe; so my fun isn't spoiled, though +I do look like a wallowing pig. I've heard of mud +baths, but I never took one before, and I'll be shot if +I do again."</p> + +<p>So he washed as well as he could, hoping the sun +would dry him, picked out a few bits of bread unspoiled +by the general wreck, and trudged on with less ardor, +though by no means discouraged yet.</p> + +<p>"I'm too high for any game but birds, and those I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +don't want. I'll go slap down, and come out in the +valley. Abner said any brook would show the way, +and this rascal that led me into a scrape shall lead me +out," he said, as he followed the little stream that +went tumbling over the stones, that increased as the +ground sloped toward the deep ravine, where a waterfall +shone like silver in the sun.</p> + +<p>"I'll take a bath if the pool is big enough, and +that will set me up. Shouldn't wonder if I'd got +poisoned a bit with some of these vines I've been tearing +through. My hands smart like fury, and I guess +the mosquitoes have about eaten my face up. Never +saw such clouds of stingers before," said Corny, looking +at his scratched hands, and rubbing his hot face in +great discomfort,—for it was the gnat that drove the +lion mad, you remember.</p> + +<p>It was easy to say, "I'll follow the brook," but not +so easy to do it; for the frolicsome stream went headlong +over rocks, crept under fallen logs, and now and +then hid itself so cleverly that one had to look and +listen carefully to recover the trail. It was long past +noon when Corny came out near the waterfall, so tired +and hungry that he heartily wished himself back +among the party, who had lunched well and were now +probably driving gayly homeward to a good supper.</p> + +<p>No chance for a bath appeared, so he washed his +burning face and took a rest, enjoying the splendid +view far over valley and intervale through the gap in the +mountain range. He was desperately tired with these +hours of rough travel, and very hungry; but would not +own it, and sat considering what to do next, for he saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +by the sun that the afternoon was half over. There +was time to go back the way he had come, and by following +the path down the hill he could reach the hotel +and get supper and a bed, or be driven home. That +was the wise thing to do, but his pride rebelled against +returning empty-handed after all his plans and boasts +of great exploits.</p> + +<p>"I won't go home, to be laughed at by Chris and +Abner. I'll shoot something, if I stay all night. Who +cares for hunger and mosquito bites? Not I. Hunters +can bear more than that, I guess. The next live +thing I see I'll shoot it, and make a fire and have a +jolly supper. Now which way will I go,—up or down? +A pretty hard prospect, either way."</p> + +<p>The sight of an eagle soaring above him seemed to +answer his question, and fill him with new strength +and ardor. To shoot the king of birds and take him +home in triumph would cover the hunter with glory. +It should be done! And away he went, climbing, +tumbling, leaping from rock to rock, toward the place +where the eagle had alighted. More cuts and bruises, +more vain shots, and all the reward of his eager struggles +was a single feather that floated down as the great +bird soared serenely away, leaving the boy exhausted +and disappointed in a wilderness of granite boulders, +with no sign of a path to show the way out.</p> + +<p>As he leaned breathless and weary against the crag +where he had fondly hoped to find the eagle's nest, he +realized for the first time what a fool-hardy thing he +had done. Here he was, alone, without a guide, in this +wild region where there was neither food nor shelter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +and night coming on. Utterly used up, he could not +get home now if he had known the way; and suddenly +all the tales he had ever heard of men lost in the +mountains came into his head. If he had not been +weak with hunger he would have felt better able to +bear it; but his legs trembled under him, his head +ached with the glare of the sun, and a queer faintness +came over him now and then; for the city lad was +unused to such violent exercise, plucky as he was.</p> + +<p>"The only thing to do now is to get down to the +valley, if I can, before dark. Abner said there was an +old cabin, where the hunters used to sleep, somewhere +round that way. I can try for it, and perhaps shoot +something on the way. May break my bones, but I +can't sit and starve up here, and I was a fool to come. +I'll keep the feather anyway, to prove that I really +saw an eagle; that's better than nothing."</p> + +<p>Still bravely trying to affect the indifference to danger +and fatigue which hunters are always described as +possessing in such a remarkable degree, Corny slung +the useless gun on his back and began the steep descent, +discovering now the perils he had been too eager to +see before. He was a good climber, but was stiff with +weariness, and his hands already sore with scratches +and poison; so he went slowly, feeling quite unfit for +such hard work. Coming to the ravine, he found the +only road was down its precipitous side to the valley, +that looked so safe and pleasant now. Stunted pines +grew in the fissures of the rocks, and their strong roots +helped the clinging hands and feet as the boy painfully +climbed, slipped, and swung along, fearing every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +minute to come to some impassable barrier in the +dangerous path.</p> + +<p>But he got on wonderfully well, and was feeling +much encouraged, when his foot slipped, the root he +held gave way, and down he went, rolling and bumping +to his death on the rocks below, he thought, as a crash +came, and he knew no more.</p> + +<p>"Wonder if I'm dead?" was the first idea that occurred +to him as he opened his eyes and saw a brilliant +sky above him, all purple, gold, and red.</p> + +<p>He seemed floating in the air, for he swayed to and +fro on a soft bed, a pleasant murmur reached his ear, +and when he looked down he saw what looked like +clouds, misty and white, below him. He lay a few +minutes drowsily musing, for the fall had stunned +him; then, as he moved his hand something pricked +it, and he felt pine-needles in the fingers that closed +over them.</p> + +<p>"Caught in a tree, by Jupiter!" and all visions of +heaven vanished in a breath, as he sat up and stared +about him, wide awake now, and conscious of many +aching bones.</p> + +<p>Yes, there he lay among the branches of one of the +sturdy pines, into which he had fallen on his way +down the precipice. Blessed little tree! set there to +save a life, and teach a lesson to a wilful young heart +that never forgot that hour.</p> + +<p>Holding fast, lest a rash motion should set him +bounding further down, like a living ball, Corny took +an observation as rapidly as possible, for the red light +was fading, and the mist rising from the valley. All<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +he could see was a narrow ledge where the tree stood, +and anxious to reach a safer bed for the night, he +climbed cautiously down to drop on the rock, so full +of gratitude for safety that he could only lie quite +still for a little while, thinking of mother, and trying +not to cry.</p> + +<p>He was much shaken by the fall, his flesh bruised, +his clothes torn, and his spirit cowed; for hunger, +weariness, pain, and danger, showed him what a very +feeble creature he was, after all. He could do no +more till morning, and resigned himself to a night on +the mountain side, glad to be there alive, though +doubtful what daylight would show him. Too tired +to move, he lay watching the western sky, where the +sun set gloriously behind the purple hills. All below +was wrapped in mist, and not a sound reached him +but the sigh of the pine, and the murmur of the waterfall.</p> + +<p>"This is a first-class scrape. What a fool I was +not to go back when I could, instead of blundering +down here where no one can get at me, and as like as +not I can't get out alone! Gun smashed in that confounded +fall, so I can't even fire a shot to call help. +Nothing to eat or drink, and very likely a day or so +to spend here till I'm found, if I ever am. Chris said, +'Yell, if you want us.' Much good that would do +now! I'll try, though." And getting up on his +weary legs, Corny shouted till he was hoarse; but +echo alone answered him, and after a few efforts +he gave it up, trying to accept the situation like a +man. As if kind Nature took pity on the poor boy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +the little ledge was soft with lichens and thin grass, +and here and there grew a sprig of checkerberry, sown +by the wind, sheltered by the tree, and nourished by +the moisture that trickled down the rock from some +hidden spring. Eagerly Corny ate the sweet leaves +to stay the pangs of hunger that gnawed him, and +finished his meal with grass and pine-needles, calling +himself a calf, and wishing his pasture were wider.</p> + +<p>"The fellows we read about always come to grief in +a place where they can shoot a bird, catch a fish, or +knock over some handy beast for supper," he said, +talking to himself for company. "Even the old chap +lost in the bush in Australia had a savage with him +who dug a hole in a tree, and pulled out a nice fat +worm to eat. I'm not lucky enough even to find a +sassafras bush to chew, or a bird's egg to suck. My +poor gun is broken, or I might bang away at a hawk, +and cook him for supper, if the bog didn't spoil my +matches as it did my lunch. Oh, well! I'll pull +through, I guess, and when it's all over, it will be a +jolly good story to tell."</p> + +<p>Then, hoping to forget his woes in sleep, he nestled +under the low-growing branches of the pine, and lay +blinking drowsily at the twilight world outside. A +dream came, and he saw the old farm-house in sad +confusion, caused by his absence,—the women crying, +the men sober, all anxious, and all making ready to +come and look for him. So vivid was it that he woke +himself by crying out, "Here I am!" and nearly went +over the ledge, stretching out his arms to Abner.</p> + +<p>The start and the scare made it hard to go to sleep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +again, and he sat looking at the solemn sky, full of +stars that seemed watching over him alone there, like +a poor, lost child on the great mountain's stony breast. +He had never seen the world at that hour before, and it +made a deep impression on him; for it was a vast, wild +scene, full of gloomy shadows below, unknown dangers +around, and a new sense of utter littleness and helplessness, +which taught the boy human dependence upon +Heavenly love as no words, even from his mother's tender +lips, could have done. Thoughts of the suffering +his wilfulness had given her wrung a few penitent tears +from him, which he was not ashamed to shed, since +only the kind stars saw them, and better still, he resolved +to own the fault, to atone for it, and to learn +wisdom from this lesson, which might yet prove to +be a very bitter one.</p> + +<p>He felt better after this little breakdown, and presently +his thoughts were turned from conscience to catamounts +again; for sounds in the woods below led him +to believe that the much-desired animal was on the +prowl. His excited fancy painted dozens of them not +far away, waiting to be shot, and there he was, cooped +up on that narrow ledge, with a broken gun, unable +even to get a look at them. He felt that it was a just +punishment, and after the first regret tried to comfort +himself with the fact that he was much safer where he +was than alone in the forest at that hour, for various +nocturnal voices suggested restless and dangerous +neighbors.</p> + +<p>Presently his wakeful eyes saw lights twinkling far +off on the opposite side of the ravine, and he imagined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +he heard shouts and shots. But the splash of the waterfall, +and the rush of the night wind deadened the +sounds to his ear, and drowned his own reply.</p> + +<p>"They are looking for me, and will never think of +this strange place. I can't make them hear, and must +wait till morning. Poor Chris will get an awful scolding +for letting me go. Don't believe he told a word +till he had to. I'll make it up to him. Chris is a +capital fellow, and I just wish I had him here to make +things jolly," thought the lonely lad.</p> + +<p>But soon the lights vanished, the sounds died away, +and the silence of midnight brooded over the hills, +seldom broken except by the soft cry of an owl, the +rustle of the pine, or a louder gust of wind as it grew +strong and cold. Corny kept awake as long as he +could, fearing to dream and fall; but by-and-by he +dropped off, and slept soundly till the chill of dawn +waked him.</p> + +<p>At any other time he would have heartily enjoyed +the splendor of the eastern sky, as the red glow spread +and brightened, till the sun came dazzling through the +gorge, making the wild solitude beautiful and grand.</p> + +<p>Now, however, he would have given it all for a hot +beefsteak and a cup of coffee, as he wet his lips with a +few drops of ice-cold water, and browsed over his small +pasture till not a green spire remained. He was stiff, +and full of pain, but daylight and the hope of escape +cheered him up, and gave him coolness and courage to +see how best he could accomplish his end.</p> + +<p>The wind soon blew away the mist and let him see +that the dry bed of a stream lay just below. To reach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +it he must leap, at risk of his bones, or find some means +to swing down ten or twelve feet. Once there, it was +pretty certain that by following the rough road he +would come into the valley, from whence he could +easily find his way home. Much elated at this unexpected +good fortune, he took the strap that had slung +his gun, the leathern belt about his waist, and the +strong cords of his pouch, and knotting them together, +made a rope long enough to let him drop within two +or three feet of the stones below. This he fastened +firmly round the trunk of the pine, and finished his +preparations by tying his handkerchief to one of the +branches, that it might serve as a guide for him, a +signal for others, and a trophy of his grand fall.</p> + +<p>Then putting a little sprig of the evergreen tree in +his jacket, with a grateful thought of all it had done +for him, he swung himself off and landed safely below, +not minding a few extra bumps after his late exploits +at tumbling.</p> + +<p>Feeling like a prisoner set free, he hurried as fast as +bare feet and stiff legs would carry him along the bed +of the stream, coming at last into the welcome shelter of +the woods, which seemed more beautiful than ever, after +the bleak region of granite in which he had been all night.</p> + +<p>Anxious to report himself alive, and relieve his +mother's anxiety, he pressed on till he struck the path, +and soon saw, not far away, the old cabin Abner had +spoken of. Just before this happy moment he had +heard a shot fired somewhere in the forest, and as he +hurried toward the sound he saw an animal dart into +the hut, as if for shelter.</p> + +<p>Whether it was a rabbit, woodchuck or dog, he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +not seen, as a turn in the path prevented a clear view; +and hoping it was old Buff looking for him, he ran in, +to find himself face to face with a catamount at +last.</p> + +<p>There she was, the big, fierce cat, crouched in a corner, +with fiery eyes, growling and spitting at sight of +an enemy, but too badly wounded to fight, as the blood +that dripped from her neck, and the tremble of her +limbs plainly showed.</p> + +<p>"Now's my chance! Don't care who shot her, +I'll kill her, and have her too, if I pay my last +dollar," thought Corny; and catching up a stout bit +of timber fallen from the old roof, he struck one quick +blow, which finished poor puss, who gave up the ghost +with a savage snarl, and a vain effort to pounce on +him.</p> + +<p>This splendid piece of good luck atoned for all the +boy had gone through, and only waiting to be sure +the beast was quite dead and past clawing, he flung +his prize over his shoulder, and with renewed strength +and spirit trudged along the woodland road toward +home, proudly imagining his triumphal entry upon +the scene of suspense and alarm.</p> + +<p>"Wish I didn't look so like a scare-crow; but +perhaps my rags will add to the effect. Won't the +girls laugh at my swelled face, and scream at the +cat. Poor mammy will mourn over me and coddle +me up as if I'd been to the wars. Hope some house +isn't very far off, for I don't believe I can lug this +brute much farther, I'm so starved and shaky."</p> + +<p>Just as he paused to take breath and shift his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +burden from one shoulder to the other, a loud shout +startled him, and a moment after, several men came +bursting through the wood, cheering like lunatics as +they approached.</p> + +<p>It was Abner, Chris, and some of the neighbors, +setting out again on their search, after a night of vain +wandering. Corny could have hugged them all and +cried like a girl; but pride kept him steady, though +his face showed his joy as he nodded his hatless head +with a cool—</p> + +<p>"Hullo!"</p> + +<p>Chris burst into his ringing laugh, and danced a +wild sort of jig round his mate, as the only way in +which he could fitly express his relief; for he had +been so bowed down with remorse at his imprudence +in letting Corny go that no one could find the heart +to blame him, and all night the poor lad had rushed +up and down seeking, calling, hoping, and fearing, till +he was about used up, and looked nearly as dilapidated +as Corny.</p> + +<p>The tale was soon told, and received with the most +flattering signs of interest, wonder, sympathy, and +admiration.</p> + +<p>"Why in thunder didn't you tell me?—and I'd a +got up a hunt wuth havin',—not go stramashing off +alone on a wild goose chase like this. Never did see +such a chap as you be for gittin' inter scrapes,—and +out of 'em too, I'm bound to own," growled Abner.</p> + +<p>"That isn't a wild goose, is it?" proudly demanded +Corny, pointing to the cat, which now lay on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +the ground, while he leaned against a tree to hide his +weariness; for he felt ready to drop, now all the +excitement was over.</p> + +<p>"No it ain't, and I congratulate you on a good job. +Where did you shoot her?" asked Abner, stooping to +examine the creature.</p> + +<p>"Didn't shoot her; broke my gun when I took +that header down the mountain. I hit her a rap with +a club, in the cabin where I found her," answered +Corny, heartily wishing he need not share the prize +with any one. But he was honest, and added at +once, "Some one else had put a bullet into her; I +only finished her off."</p> + +<p>"Chris did it; he fired a spell back and see the +critter run, but we was too keen after you to stop for +any other game. Guess you've had enough of catamounts +for one spell, hey?" and Abner laughed as he +looked at poor Corny, who was a more sorry spectacle +than he knew,—ragged and rough, hatless and shoeless, +his face red and swelled with the poisoning and +bites, his eyes heavy with weariness, and in his +mouth a bit of wild-cherry bark which he chewed +ravenously.</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't! I want this one, and will buy it +if Chris will let me. I said I'd kill one, and I did, +and want to keep the skin; for I ought to have something +to show after all this knocking about and turning +somersaults half a mile long," answered Corny +stoutly, as he tried to shoulder his load again.</p> + +<p>"Here, give me the varmint, and you hang on to +Chris, my boy, or we'll have to cart you home.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +You've done first-rate, and now you want a good +meal of vittles to set you up. Right about face, +neighbors, and home we go, to the tune of Hail +Columby."</p> + +<p>As Abner spoke, the procession set forth. The +tall, jolly man, with the dead animal at his back, went +first; then Corny, trying not to lean on the arm Chris +put round him, but very glad of the support; next the +good farmers, all talking at once; while old Buff +soberly brought up the rear, with his eye on the wildcat, +well knowing that he would have a fine feast +when the handsome skin was off.</p> + +<p>In this order they reached home, and Corny tumbled +into his mother's arms, to be no more seen for +some hours. What went on in her room, no one +knows; but when at last the hero emerged, refreshed +by sleep and food, clad in clean clothes, his wounds +bound up, and plantain-leaves dipped in cream spread +upon his afflicted countenance, he received the praises +and congratulations showered upon him very meekly. +He made no more boasts of skill and courage that +summer, set out on no more wild hunts, and gave up +his own wishes so cheerfully that it was evident something +had worked a helpful change in wilful Corny.</p> + +<p>He liked to tell the story of that day and night +when his friends were recounting adventures by sea +and land; but he never said much about the hours on +the ledge, always owned that Chris shot the beast, +and usually ended by sagely advising his hearers to +let their mothers know, when they went off on a lark +of that kind. Those who knew and loved him best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +observed that he was fonder than ever of nibbling +checkerberry leaves, that he didn't mind being +laughed at for liking to wear a bit of pine in his +buttonhole, and that the skin of the catamount so +hardly won lay before his study table till the moths +ate it up.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +<br /> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> +<p><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i233.png" width="500" height="260" alt="The Cooking Class" title="The Cooking Class" /> + +</div> + +<h2><a name="The_Cooking_Class" id="The_Cooking_Class"></a>The Cooking Class</h2> + + +<p>A young girl in a little cap and a big apron sat +poring over a cook-book, with a face full of the deepest +anxiety. She had the kitchen to herself, for mamma +was out for the day, cook was off duty, and Edith +could mess to her heart's content. She belonged to +a cooking-class, the members of which were to have +a lunch at two P. M. with the girl next door; and now +the all absorbing question was, what to make. Turning +the pages of the well-used book, she talked to +herself as the various receipts met her eye.</p> + +<p>"Lobster-salad and chicken-croquettes I've had, +and neither were very good. Now I want to distinguish +myself by something very nice. I'd try a +meat-porcupine or a mutton-duck if there was time; +but they are fussy, and ought to be rehearsed before +given to the class. Bavarian cream needs berries +and whipped cream, and I <i>won't</i> tire my arms beating +eggs. Apricots <i>à la</i> Neige is an easy thing and wholesome, +but the girls won't like it, I know, as well as +some rich thing that will make them ill, as Carrie's +plum-pudding did. A little meat dish is best for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +lunch. I'd try sweetbreads and bacon, if I didn't +hate to burn my face and scent my clothes, frying. +Birds are elegant; let me see if I can do larded +grouse. No, I don't like to touch that cold, fat stuff. +How mortified Ella was, when she had birds on toast +and forgot to draw them. I shouldn't make such a +blunder as that, I do hope. Potted pigeons—the +very thing! Had that in our last lesson, but the +girls are all crazy about puff-paste, so they won't try +pigeons. Why didn't I think of it at once?—for we've +got them in the house, and don't want them to-day, +mamma being called away. All ready too; so nice! +I do detest to pick and clean birds. 'Simmer from +one to three hours.' Plenty of time. I'll do it! +I'll do it! La, la, la!"</p> + +<p>And away skipped Edith in high spirits, for she did +not love to cook, yet wished to stand well with the +class, some members of which were very ambitious, +and now and then succeeded with an elaborate dish, +more by good luck than skill.</p> + +<p>Six plump birds were laid out on a platter, with +their legs folded in the most pathetic manner; these +Edith bore away in triumph to the kitchen, and opening +the book before her went to work energetically, +resigning herself to frying the pork and cutting up +the onion, which she had overlooked when hastily +reading the receipt. In time they were stuffed, the +legs tied down to the tails, the birds browned in the +stew-pan, and put to simmer with a pinch of herbs.</p> + +<p>"Now I can clear up, and rest a bit. If I ever +have to work for a living I <i>won't</i> be a cook," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +Edith, with a sigh of weariness as she washed her +dishes, wondering how there could be so many; for +no careless Irish girl would have made a greater +clutter over this small job than the young lady who +had not yet learned one of the most important things +that a cook should know.</p> + +<p>The bell rang just as she got done, and was planning +to lie and rest on the dining-room sofa till it was +time to take up her pigeons.</p> + +<p>"Tell whoever it is that I'm engaged," she whispered, +as the maid passed, on her way to the door.</p> + +<p>"It's your cousin, miss, from the country, and she +has a trunk with her. Of course she's to come in?" +asked Maria, coming back in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear me! I forgot all about Patty. Mamma +said any day this week, and this is the most inconvenient +one of the seven. Of course, she must come +in. Go and tell her I'll be there in a minute," +answered Edith, too well bred not to give even an +unwelcome guest a kindly greeting.</p> + +<p>Whisking off cap and apron, and taking a last look +at the birds, just beginning to send forth a savory +steam, she went to meet her cousin.</p> + +<p>Patty was a rosy, country lass of sixteen, plainly +dressed and rather shy, but a sweet, sensible little +body, with a fresh, rustic air which marked her for a +field-flower at once.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, dear? so sorry mamma is away; +called to a sick friend in a hurry. But I'm here and +glad to see you. I've an engagement at two, and +you shall go with me. It's only a lunch close by,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +just a party of girls; I'll tell you about it upstairs."</p> + +<p>Chatting away, Edith led Patty up to the pretty +room ready for her, and soon both were laughing over +a lively account of the exploits of the cooking-class. +Suddenly, in the midst of the cream-pie which had been +her great success, and nearly the death of all who +partook thereof, Edith paused, sniffed the air like a +hound, and crying tragically, "They are burning! +They are burning!" rushed down stairs as if the +house was on fire.</p> + +<p>Much alarmed, Patty hurried after her, guided to +the kitchen by the sound of lamentation. There she +found Edith hanging over a stew-pan, with anguish in +her face and despair in her voice, as she breathlessly +explained the cause of her flight.</p> + +<p>"My pigeons! Are they burnt? Do smell and +tell me? After all my trouble I shall be heart-broken +if they are spoilt."</p> + +<p>Both pretty noses sniffed and sniffed again as the +girls bent over the pan, regardless of the steam which +was ruining their crimps and reddening their noses. +Reluctantly, Patty owned that a slight flavor of scorch +did pervade the air, but suggested that a touch more +seasoning would conceal the sad fact.</p> + +<p>"I'll try it. Did you ever do any? Do you love +to cook? Don't you want to make something to +carry? It would please the girls, and make up for +my burnt mess," said Edith, as she skimmed the +broth and added pepper and salt with a lavish +hand:—</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about pigeons, except to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +feed and pet them. We don't eat ours. I can cook +plain dishes, and make all kinds of bread. Would +biscuit or tea-cake do?"</p> + +<p>Patty looked so pleased at the idea of contributing +to the feast, that Edith could not bear to tell her that +hot biscuit and tea-cake were not just the thing for a +city lunch. She accepted the offer, and Patty fell to +work so neatly and skilfully that, by the time the +pigeons were done, two pans full of delicious little +biscuit were baked, and, folded in a nice napkin, lay +ready to carry off in the porcelain plate with a wreath +of roses painted on it.</p> + +<p>In spite of all her flavoring, the burnt odor and +taste still lingered round Edith's dish; but fondly +hoping no one would perceive it, she dressed hastily, +gave Patty a touch here and there, and set forth at +the appointed time to Augusta's lunch.</p> + +<p>Six girls belonged to this class, and the rule was for +each to bring her contribution and set it on the table +prepared to receive them all; then, when the number +was complete, the covers were raised, the dishes examined, +eaten (if possible), and pronounced upon, the +prize being awarded to the best. The girl at whose +house the lunch was given provided the prize, and +they were often both pretty and valuable.</p> + +<p>On this occasion a splendid bouquet of Jaqueminot +roses in a lovely vase ornamented the middle of the +table, and the eyes of all rested admiringly upon it, +as the seven girls gathered round, after depositing their +dishes.</p> + +<p>Patty had been kindly welcomed, and soon forgot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +her shyness in wonder at the handsome dresses, graceful +manners, and lively gossip of the girls. A pleasant, +merry set, all wearing the uniform of the class, dainty +white aprons and coquettish caps with many-colored +ribbons, like stage maid-servants. At the sound of a +silver bell, each took her place before the covered +dish which bore her name, and when Augusta said, +"Ladies, we will begin," off went napkins, silver covers, +white paper, or whatever hid the contribution from +longing eyes. A moment of deep silence, while quick +glances took in the prospect, and then a unanimous +explosion of laughter followed; for six platters of +potted pigeons stood upon the board, with nothing +but the flowers to break the ludicrous monotony of the +scene.</p> + +<p>How they laughed! for a time they could do nothing +else, because if one tried to explain she broke +down and joined in the gale of merriment again quite +helplessly. One or two got hysterical and cried as +well as laughed, and all made such a noise that Augusta's +mamma peeped in to see what was the matter. +Six agitated hands pointed to the comical sight on the +table, which looked as if a flight of potted pigeons had +alighted there, and six breathless voices cried in a +chorus: "Isn't it funny? Don't tell!"</p> + +<p>Much amused, the good lady retired to enjoy the +joke alone, while the exhausted girls wiped their eyes +and began to talk, all at once. Such a clatter! but +out of it all Patty evolved the fact that each meant to +surprise the rest,—and they certainly had.</p> + +<p>"I tried puff-paste," said Augusta, fanning her hot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +face.</p> + +<p>"So did I," cried the others.</p> + +<p>"And it was a dead failure."</p> + +<p>"So was mine," echoed the voices.</p> + +<p>"Then I thought I'd do the other dish we had that +day—"</p> + +<p>"Just what I did."</p> + +<p>"Feeling sure you would all try the pastry, and +perhaps get on better than I."</p> + +<p>"Exactly our case," and a fresh laugh ended this +general confession.</p> + +<p>"Now we must eat our pigeons, as we have nothing +else, and it is against the rule to add from outside +stores. I propose that we each pass our dish round; +then we can all criticise it, and so get some good out of +this very funny lunch."</p> + +<p>Augusta's plan was carried out; and all being hungry +after their unusual exertions, the girls fell upon the unfortunate +birds like so many famished creatures. The +first one went very well, but when the dishes were +passed again, each taster looked at it anxiously; for +none were very good, there was nothing to fall back upon, +and variety is the spice of life, as every one knows.</p> + +<p>"Oh, for a slice of bread," sighed one damsel.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't we think of it?" asked another.</p> + +<p>"I did, but we always have so much cake I thought +it was foolish to lay in rolls," exclaimed Augusta, +rather mortified at the neglect.</p> + +<p>"I expected to have to taste six pies, and one +doesn't want bread with pastry, you know."</p> + +<p>As Edith spoke she suddenly remembered Patty's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +biscuit, which had been left on the side-table by their +modest maker, as there seemed to be no room for +them.</p> + +<p>Rejoicing now over the rather despised dish, Edith +ran to get it, saying as she set it in the middle, with a +flourish:—</p> + +<p>"My cousin's contribution. She came so late we +only had time for that. So glad I took the liberty of +bringing her and them."</p> + +<p>A murmur of welcome greeted the much-desired addition +to the feast, which would have been a decided +failure without it, and the pretty plate went briskly +round, till nothing was left but the painted roses in it. +With this help the best of the potted pigeons were +eaten, while a lively discussion went on about what +they would have next time.</p> + +<p>"Let us each tell our dish, and not change. We +shall never learn if we don't keep to one thing till we +do it well. I will choose mince-pie, and bring a good +one, if it takes me all the week to do it," said Edith, +heroically taking the hardest thing she could think of, +to encourage the others.</p> + +<p>Fired by this noble example, each girl pledged herself +to do or die, and a fine list of rich dishes was +made out by these ambitious young cooks. Then a +vote of thanks to Patty was passed, her biscuit unanimously +pronounced the most successful contribution, +and the vase presented to the delighted girl, whose +blushes were nearly as deep as the color of the flowers +behind which she tried to hide them.</p> + +<p>Soon after this ceremony the party broke up, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +Edith went home to tell the merry story, proudly +adding that the country cousin had won the prize.</p> + +<p>"You rash child, to undertake mince-pie. It is one +of the hardest things to make, and about the most +unwholesome when eaten. Read the receipt and see +what you have pledged yourself to do, my dear," said +her mother, much amused at the haps and mishaps of +the cooking-class.</p> + +<p>Edith opened her book and started bravely off at +"Puff-paste;" but by the time she had come to the +end of the three pages devoted to directions for the +making of that indigestible delicacy, her face was very +sober, and when she read aloud the following receipt +for the mince-meat, despair slowly settled upon her +like a cloud.</p> + +<blockquote><p>One cup chopped meat; 1-1/2 cups raisins; 1-1/2 cups +currants; 1-1/2 cups brown sugar; 1-1/3 cups molasses; 3 cups +chopped apples; 1 cup meat liquor; 2 teaspoonfuls salt; +2 teaspoonfuls cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoonful mace; 1/2 teaspoonful +powdered cloves; 1 lemon, grated; 1/4 piece citron, +sliced; 1/2 cup brandy; 1/4 cup wine; 3 teaspoonfuls rosewater.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Oh me, what a job! I shall have to work at it +every day till next Saturday, for the paste alone will +take all the wits I've got. I <i>was</i> rash, but I spoke +without thinking, and wanted to do something really +fine. We can't be shown about things, so I must +blunder along as well as I can," groaned Edith.</p> + +<p>"I can help about the measuring and weighing, and +chopping. I always help mother at Thanksgiving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +time, and she makes splendid pies. We only have +mince then, as she thinks it's bad for us," said Patty, +full of sympathy and good will.</p> + +<p>"What are you to take to the lunch?" asked +Edith's mother, smiling at her daughter's mournful +face, bent over the fatal book full of dainty messes, +that tempted the unwary learner to her doom.</p> + +<p>"Only coffee. I can't make fancy things, but my +coffee is always good. They said they wanted it, so I +offered."</p> + +<p>"I will have my pills and powders ready, for if you +all go on at this rate you will need a dose of some sort +after your lunch. Give your orders, Edith, and devote +your mind to the task. I wish you good luck +and good digestion, my dears."</p> + +<p>With that the mamma left the girls to cheer one +another, and lay plans for a daily lesson till the perfect +pie was made.</p> + +<p>They certainly did their best, for they began on +Monday, and each morning through the week went to +the mighty task with daily increasing courage and +skill. They certainly needed the former, for even +good-natured Nancy got tired of having "the young ladies +messing round so much," and looked cross as the +girls appeared in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Edith's brothers laughed at the various failures +which appeared at table, and dear mamma was tired +of tasting pastry and mince-meat in all stages of +progression. But the undaunted damsels kept on till +Saturday came, and a very superior pie stood ready to +be offered for the inspection of the class.</p> + +<p>"I never want to see another," said Edith, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +girls dressed together, weary, but well satisfied with +their labor; for the pie had been praised by all beholders, +and the fragrance of Patty's coffee filled the +house, as it stood ready to be poured, hot and clear, +into the best silver pot, at the last moment.</p> + +<p>"Well, I feel as if I'd lived in a spice mill this +week, or a pastry-cook's kitchen; and I am glad we are +done. Your brothers won't get any pie for a long +while I guess, if it depends on you," laughed Patty, +putting on the new ribbons her cousin had given +her.</p> + +<p>"When Florence's brothers were here last night, I +heard those rascals making all sorts of fun of us, and +Alf said we ought to let them come to lunch. I +scorned the idea, and made their mouths water telling +about the good things we were going to have," said +Edith, exulting over the severe remarks she had made +to these gluttonous young men, who adored pie, yet +jeered at unfortunate cooks.</p> + +<p>Florence, the lunch-giver of the week, had made +her table pretty with a posy at each place, put the +necessary roll in each artistically folded napkin, and +hung the prize from the gas burner,—a large blue satin +bag full of the most delicious bonbons money could +buy. There was some delay about beginning, as one +distracted cook sent word that her potato-puffs +<i>wouldn't</i> brown, and begged them to wait for her. So +they adjourned to the parlor, and talked till the +flushed, but triumphant Ella arrived with the puffs in +fine order.</p> + +<p>When all was ready, and the covers raised, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +surprise awaited them; not a merry one, like the last, +but a very serious affair, which produced domestic +warfare in two houses at least. On each dish lay a +card bearing a new name for these carefully prepared +delicacies. The mince-pie was re-christened "Nightmare," +veal cutlets "Dyspepsia," escalloped lobster +"Fits," lemon sherbet "Colic," coffee "Palpitation," +and so on, even to the pretty sack of confectionery +which was labelled "Toothache."</p> + +<p>Great was the indignation of the insulted cooks, and +a general cry of "Who did it?" arose. The poor +maid who waited on them declared with tears that not +a soul had been in, and she herself only absent five +minutes getting the ice-water. Florence felt that her +guests had been outraged, and promised to find out +the wretch, and punish him or her in the most terrible +manner. So the irate young ladies ate their lunch +before it cooled, but forgot to criticise the dishes, so +full were they of wonder at this daring deed. They +were just beginning to calm down, when a loud sneeze +caused a general rush toward the sofa that stood in a +recess of the dining room. A small boy, nearly suffocated +with suppressed laughter, and dust, was dragged +forth and put on trial without a moment's delay. +Florence was judge, the others jury, and the unhappy +youth being penned in a corner, was ordered to tell +the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the +truth, on penalty of a sound whipping with the big +Japanese war-fan that hung on the wall over his +head.</p> + +<p>Vainly trying to suppress his giggles, Phil faced the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +seven ladies like a man, and told as little as possible, +delighting to torment them, like a true boy.</p> + +<p>"Do you know who put those cards there?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you wish <i>you</i> did?"</p> + +<p>"Phil Gordon, answer at once."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do."</p> + +<p>"Was it Alf? He's at home Saturdays, and +it's just like a horrid Harvard Soph to plague us +so."</p> + +<p>"It was—not."</p> + +<p>"Did you see it done?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Man, or woman? Mary fibs, and may have been +bribed."</p> + +<p>"Man," with a chuckle of great glee.</p> + +<p>"Do I know him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't you!"</p> + +<p>"Edith's brother Rex?"</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"Do be a good boy, and tell us. We won't scold, +though it was a very, very rude thing to do."</p> + +<p>"What will you give me?"</p> + +<p>"Do you need to be bribed to do your duty?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess it's no fun to hide in that stuffy +place, and smell nice grub, and see you tuck away +without offering a fellow a taste. Give me a good go +at the lunch, and I'll see what I can do for you."</p> + +<p>"Boys are such pigs! Shall we, girls?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we <i>must</i> know."</p> + +<p>"Then go and stuff, you bad boy, but we shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +stand guard over you till you tell us who wrote and +put those insulting cards here."</p> + +<p>Florence let out the prisoner, and stood by +him while he ate, in a surprisingly short time, +the best of everything on the table, well knowing +that such a rare chance would not soon be his +again.</p> + +<p>"Now give me some of that candy, and I'll tell," +demanded the young Shylock, bound to make the best +of his power while it lasted.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see such a little torment? I can't +give the nice bonbons, because we haven't decided +who is to have them."</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Pick out a few and get rid of him," +cried the girls, hovering round their prey, and longing +to shake the truth out of him.</p> + +<p>A handful of sweeties were reluctantly bestowed, +and then all waited for the name of the evil-doer with +breathless interest.</p> + +<p>"Well," began Phil, with exasperating slowness, +"Alf wrote the cards, and gave me half a dollar to +put 'em round. Made a nice thing of it, haven't I?" +and before one of the girls could catch him he had +bolted from the room, with one hand full of candy, the +other of mince-pie, and his face shining with the triumphant +glee of a small boy who has teased seven big +girls, and got the better of them.</p> + +<p>What went on just after that is not recorded, though +Phil peeped in at the windows, hooted through the +slide, and beat a tattoo on the various doors. The +opportune arrival of his mother sent him whooping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +down the street, and the distressed damsels finished +their lunch with what appetite they could.</p> + +<p>Edith got the prize, for her pie was pronounced a +grand success, and partaken of so copiously that several +young ladies had reason to think it well named +"Nightmare" by the derisive Alfred. Emboldened +by her success, Edith invited them all to her house on +the next Saturday, and suggested that she and her +cousin provide the lunch, as they had some new +dishes to offer, not down in the receipt-book they had +been studying all winter.</p> + +<p>As the ardor of the young cooks was somewhat +damped by various failures, and the discovery that +good cooking is an art not easily learned, anything +in the way of novelty was welcome; and the girls +gladly accepted the invitation, feeling a sense of relief +at the thought of not having any dish to worry about, +though not one of them owned that she was tired of +"messing," as the disrespectful boys called it.</p> + +<p>It was unanimously decided to wither with silent +scorn the audacious Alfred and his ally, Rex, while +Phil was to be snubbed by his sister till he had +begged pardon for his share of the evil deed. Then, +having sweetened their tongues and tempers with the +delicious bonbons, the girls departed, feeling that the +next lunch would be an event of unusual interest.</p> + +<p>The idea of it originated in a dinner which Patty +got one day, when Nancy, who wanted a holiday, was +unexpectedly called away to the funeral of a cousin,—the +fifth relative who had died in a year, such was the +mortality in the jovial old creature's family. Edith's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +mother was very busy with a dressmaker, and gladly +accepted the offer the girls made to get dinner alone.</p> + +<p>"No fancy dishes, if you please; the boys come +in as hungry as hunters, and want a good solid meal; +so get something wholesome and plain, and plenty of +it," was the much-relieved lady's only suggestion, as +she retired to the sewing-room and left the girls to +keep house in their own way.</p> + +<p>"Now, Edie, you be the mistress and give your +orders, and I'll be cook. Only have things that go +well together,—not all baked or all boiled, because +there isn't room enough on the range, you know;" +said Patty, putting on a big apron with an air of +great satisfaction; for she loved to cook, and was tired +of doing nothing.</p> + +<p>"I'll watch all you do, and learn; so that the next +time Nancy goes off in a hurry, I can take her place, +and not have to give the boys what they hate,—a +picked-up dinner," answered Edith, pleased with her +part, yet a little mortified to find how few plain things +she could make well.</p> + +<p>"What do the boys like?" asked Patty, longing +to please them, for they all were very kind to her.</p> + +<p>"Roast beef, and custard pudding, with two or +three kinds of vegetables. Can we do all that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. I'll make the pudding right away, +and have it baked before the meat goes in. I can +cook as many vegetables as you please, and soup too."</p> + +<p>So the order was given and all went well, if one +might judge by the sounds of merriment in the +kitchen. Patty made her best gingerbread, and +cooked some apples with sugar and spice for tea,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +and at the stroke of two had a nice dinner smoking +on the table, to the great contentment of the hungry +boys, who did eat like hunters, and advised mamma +to send old Nancy away and keep Patty for cook; +which complimentary but rash proposal pleased their +cousin very much.</p> + +<p>"Now this is useful cookery, and well done, though +it looks so simple. Any girl can learn how and be +independent of servants, if need be. Drop your class, +Edith, and take a few lessons of Patty. That would +suit me better than French affairs, that are neither +economical nor wholesome."</p> + +<p>"I will, mamma, for I'm tired of creaming butter, +larding things, and beating eggs. These dishes are +not so elegant, but we must have them; so I may as +well learn, if Pat will teach me."</p> + +<p>"With pleasure, all I know. Mother thinks it a +very important part of a girl's education; for if you +can't keep servants you can do your own work well, +and if you are rich you are not so dependent as an +ignorant lady is. All kinds of useful sewing and +housework come first with us, and the accomplishments +afterward, as time and money allow."</p> + +<p>"That sort of thing turns out the kind of girl I +like, and so does every sensible fellow. Good luck +to you, cousin, and my best thanks for a capital +dinner and a wise little lecture for dessert."</p> + +<p>Rex made his best bow as he left the table, and +Patty colored high with pleasure at the praise of the +tall collegian.</p> + +<p>Out of this, and the talk the ladies had afterward,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +grew the lunch which Edith proposed, and to the +preparation of which went much thought and care; for +the girls meant to have many samples of country fare, +so that various tastes might be pleased. The plan +gradually grew as they worked, and a little surprise +was added, which was a great success.</p> + +<p>When Saturday came the younger boys were all +packed off for a holiday in the country, that the coast +might be clear.</p> + +<p>"No hiding under sofas in my house, no meddling +with my dinner, if you please, gentlemen," said Edith, +as she saw the small brothers safely off, and fell to +work with Patty and the maid to arrange the dining-room +to suit the feast about to be spread there.</p> + +<p>As antique furniture is the fashion now-a-days, it +was easy to collect all the old tables, chairs, china, and +ornaments in the house, and make a pleasant place of +the sunny room where a tall clock always stood; and +damask hangings a century old added much to the +effect. A massive mahogany table was set forth with +ancient silver, glass, china, and all sorts of queer old +salt-cellars, pepper-pots, pickle-dishes, knives, and +spoons. High-backed chairs stood round it, and the +guests were received by a very pretty old lady in +plum-colored satin, with a muslin pelerine, and a large +lace cap most becoming to the rosy face it surrounded. +A fat watch ticked in the wide belt, mitts covered the +plump hands, and a reticule hung at the side. Madam's +daughter, in a very short-waisted pink silk gown, +muslin apron, and frill, was even prettier than her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +mother, for her dark, curly hair hung on her shoulders, +and a little cap was stuck on the top, with long pink +streamers. Her mitts went to the elbow, and a pink +sash was tied in a large bow behind. Black satin +shoes covered her feet, and a necklace of gold beads +was round her throat.</p> + +<p>Great was the pleasure this little surprise gave +the girls, and gay was the chatter that went on as +they were welcomed by the hostesses, who constantly +forgot their parts. Madam frisked now and then, and +"Pretty Peggy" was so anxious about dinner that she +was not as devoted to her company as a well-bred +young lady should be. But no one minded, and when +the bell rang, all gathered about the table eager to see +what the feast was to be.</p> + +<p>"Ladies, we have endeavored to give you a taste of +some of the good old dishes rather out of fashion now," +said Madam, standing at her place, with a napkin +pinned over the purple dress, and a twinkle in the +blue eyes under the wide cap-frills. "We thought it +would be well to introduce some of them to the class +and to our family cooks, who either scorn the plain +dishes, or don't know how to cook them <i>well</i>. There +is a variety, and we hope all will find something to +enjoy. Peggy, uncover, and let us begin."</p> + +<p>At first the girls looked a little disappointed, for +the dishes were not very new to them; but when they +tasted a real "boiled dinner," and found how good it +was; also baked beans, neither hard, greasy, nor burnt; +beefsteak, tender, juicy, and well flavored; potatoes, +mealy in spite of the season; Indian pudding, made as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +few modern cooks know how to do it; brown bread, +with home-made butter; and pumpkin-pie that cut +like wedges of vegetable gold,—they changed their +minds, and began to eat with appetites that would +have destroyed their reputations as delicate young +ladies, if they had been seen. Tea in egg-shell cups, +election-cake and cream-cheese with fruit ended the +dinner; and as they sat admiring the tiny old spoons, +the crisp cake, and the little cheeses like snow-balls, +Edith said, in reply to various compliments paid +her:—</p> + +<p>"Let us give honor where honor is due. Patty +suggested this, and did most of the cooking; so thank +her, and borrow her receipt-book. It's very funny, +ever so old, copied and tried by her grandmother, and +full of directions for making quantities of nice things, +from pie like this to a safe, sure wash for the complexion. +May-dew, rose-leaves, and lavender,—doesn't +that sound lovely?"</p> + +<p>"Let me copy it," cried several girls afflicted with +freckles, or sallow with too much coffee and confectionery.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. But I was going to say, as we have +no prize to-day, we have prepared a little souvenir of +our old-fashioned dinner for each of you. Bring them, +daughter; I hope the ladies will pardon the homeliness +of the offering, and make use of the hint that +accompanies each."</p> + +<p>As Edith spoke, with a comical mingling of the +merry girl and the stately old lady she was trying to +personate, Patty brought from the side-board, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +it had stood covered up, a silver salver on which lay +five dainty little loaves of bread; on the top of each +appeared a receipt for making the same, nicely written +on colored cards, and held in place by a silver scarf-pin.</p> + +<p>"How cunning!" "What lovely pins!" "I'll take +the hint and learn to make good bread at once." "It +smells as sweet as a nut, and isn't hard or heavy a +bit." "Such a pretty idea, and so clever of you to +carry it out so well."</p> + +<p>These remarks went on as the little loaves went +round, each girl finding her pin well suited to her pet +fancy or foible; for all were different, and all very +pretty, whether the design was a palette, a skate, a +pen, a racquet, a fan, a feather, a bar of music, or a +daisy.</p> + +<p>Seeing that her dinner was a success in spite of its +homeliness, Edith added the last surprise, which had +also been one to Patty and herself when it arrived, +just in time to be carried out. She forgot to be +Madam now, and said with a face full of mingled +merriment and satisfaction, as she pushed her cap +askew and pulled off her mitts:</p> + +<p>"Girls, the best joke of all is, that Rex and Alf +sent the pins, and made Phil bring them with a most +humble apology for their impertinence last week. A +meeker boy I never saw, and for that we may thank +Floy; but I think the dinner Pat and I got the other +day won Rex's heart, so that he made Alf eat humble +pie in this agreeable manner. We won't say anything +about it, but all wear our pins and show the boys that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +can forgive and forget as "sweet girls" should, though +we do cook and have ideas of our own beyond looking +pretty and minding our older brothers."</p> + +<p>"We will!" cried the chorus with one voice, and +Florence added:—</p> + +<p>"I also propose that when we have learned to make +something beside 'kickshaws,' as the boys call our +fancy dishes, we have a dinner like this, and invite +those rascals to it; which will be heaping coals of fire +on their heads, and stopping their mouths forevermore +from making jokes about our cooking-class."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i255.png" width="500" height="250" alt="The Hare and the Tortoise" title="The Hare and the Tortoise" /> + +</div> + +<h2><a name="The_Hare_and_the_Tortoise" id="The_Hare_and_the_Tortoise"></a>The Hare and the Tortoise</h2> + + +<p>Tramp, tramp, tramp! that was the boys going +down stairs in a hurry.</p> + +<p>Bump, bump! that was the bicycle being zigzagged +through the hall.</p> + +<p>Bang! that was the front door slamming behind +both boys and bicycle, leaving the house quiet for a +time, though the sound of voices outside suggested +that a lively discussion was going on.</p> + +<p>The bicycle fever had reached Perryville, and raged +all summer. Now the town was very like a once +tranquil pool infested with the long-legged water bugs +that go skating over its surface in all directions; for +wheels of every kind darted to and fro, startling +horses, running over small children, and pitching their +riders headlong in the liveliest manner. Men left +their business to see the lads try new wheels, women +grew skilful in the binding of wounds and the mending +of sorely rent garments, gay girls begged for rides, +standing on the little step behind, and boys clamored +for bicycles that they might join the army of martyrs +to the last craze.</p> + +<p>Sidney West was the proud possessor of the best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +wheel in town, and displayed his treasure with immense +satisfaction before the admiring eyes of his +mates. He had learned to ride in a city rink, and +flattered himself that he knew all there was to learn, +except those feats which only professional gymnasts +acquire. He mounted with skilful agility, rode with +as much grace as the tread-mill movements of the legs +permit, and managed to guide his tall steed without +much danger to himself or others. The occasional +headers he took, and the bruises which kept his manly +limbs in a chronic state of mourning he did not mention; +but concealed his stiffness heroically, and bound +his younger brother to eternal silence by the bribe of +occasional rides on the old wheel.</p> + +<p>Hugh was a loyal lad, and regarded his big brother +as the most remarkable fellow in the world; so he forgave +Sid's domineering ways, was a willing slave, a devoted +admirer, and a faithful imitator of all the +masculine virtues, airs, and graces of this elder brother. +On one point only did they disagree, and that was +Sid's refusal to give Hugh the old wheel when the new +one came. Hugh had fondly hoped it would be his, +hints to that effect having been dropped when Sid +wanted an errand done, and for weeks the younger +boy had waited and labored patiently, sure that his +reward would be the small bicycle on which he could +proudly take his place as a member of the newly formed +club; with them to set forth, in the blue uniform, with +horns blowing, badges glittering, and legs flying, for a +long spin,—to return after dark, a mysterious line of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +tall shadows, "with lanterns dimly burning," and +warning whistles sounding as they went.</p> + +<p>Great, therefore, was his disappointment and wrath +when he discovered that Sid had agreed to sell the +wheel to another fellow, if it suited him, leaving poor +Hugh the only boy of his set without a machine. +Much as he loved Sid, he could not forgive this underhand +and mercenary transaction. It seemed so +unbrotherly to requite such long and willing service, +to dash such ardent hopes, to betray such blind +confidence, for filthy lucre; and when the deed +was done, to laugh, and ride gayly away on the +splendid British Challenge, the desire of all hearts +and eyes.</p> + +<p>This morning Hugh had freely vented his outraged +feelings, and Sid had tried to make light of the affair, +though quite conscious that he had been both unkind +and unfair. A bicycle tournament was to take place +in the city, twenty miles away, and the members of the +club were going. Sid, wishing to distinguish himself, +intended to ride thither, and was preparing for the +long trip with great care. Hugh was wild to go, but +having spent his pocket-money and been forbidden to +borrow, he could not take the cars as the others had +done; no horse was to be had, and their own stud +consisted of an old donkey, who would have been hopeless +even with the inducement offered in the immortal +ditty,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"If I had a donkey what wouldn't go,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Do you think I'd whip him? Oh, no, no!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd take him to Jarley's Wax-work Show."<br /></span> +</div> +</div> + + +<p>Therefore poor Hugh was in a desperate state of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +mind as he sat on the gate-post watching Sid make +his pet's toilet, till every plated handle, rod, screw, +and axle shone like silver.</p> + +<p>"I know I could have ridden the Star if you +hadn't let Joe have it. I do think it was right down +mean of you; so does Aunt Ruth, and father too,—only +he wont say so, because men always stand by +one another, and snub boys."</p> + +<p>This was strong language for gentle Hugh, but he +felt that he must vent his anguish in some way or +cry like a girl; and that disgrace must be avoided, +even if he failed in respect to his elders.</p> + +<p>Sid was whistling softly as he oiled and rubbed, +but he was not feeling as easy as he looked, and +heartily wished that he had not committed himself to +Joe, for it would have been pleasant to take "the +little chap," as he called the fourteen-year-older, +along with him, and do the honors of the rink on +this great occasion. Now it was too late; so he +affected a careless air, and added insult to injury by +answering his brother's reproaches in the joking spirit +which is peculiarly exasperating at such moments.</p> + +<p>"Children shouldn't play with matches, nor small +boys with bicycles. I don't want to commit murder, +and I certainly should if I let you try to ride twenty +miles when you can't go one without nearly breaking +your neck, or your knees," and Sid glanced with +a smile at the neat darns which ornamented his +brother's trousers over those portions of his long +legs.</p> + +<p>"How's a fellow going to learn if he isn't allowed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +try? Might as well tell me to keep away from the +water till I can swim. You give me a chance and +see if I can't ride as well as some older fellows who +have been pitched round pretty lively before <i>they</i> +dared to try a twenty-mile spin," answered Hugh, +clapping both hands on his knees to hide the tell-tale +darns.</p> + +<p>"If Joe doesn't want it, you can use the old wheel +till I decide what to do with it. I suppose a man +has a right to sell his own property if he likes," said +Sid, rather nettled at the allusion to his own tribulations +in times past.</p> + +<p>"Of course he has; but if he's promised to give a +thing he ought to do it, and not sneak out of the +bargain after he's got lots of work done to pay for it. +That's what makes me mad; for I believed you and +depended on it, and it hurts me more to have you +deceive me than it would to lose ten bicycles;" and +Hugh choked a little at the thought, in spite of his +attempt to look sternly indignant.</p> + +<p>"You are welcome to your opinion, but I wouldn't +cry about it. Play with chaps of your own size and +don't hanker after men's property. Take the cars, if +you want to go so much, and stop bothering me," +retorted Sid, getting cross because he was in the +wrong and wouldn't own it.</p> + +<p>"You know I can't! No money, and mustn't +borrow. What's the use of twitting a fellow like +that?" and Hugh with great difficulty refrained from +knocking off the new helmet-hat which was close to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +his foot as Sid bent to inspect the shining hub of the +cherished wheel.</p> + +<p>"Take Sancho, then; you might arrive before the +fun was all over, if you carried whips and pins and +crackers enough to keep the old boy going; you'd +be a nice span."</p> + +<p>This allusion to the useless donkey was cruel, but +Hugh held on to the last remnant of his temper, +and made a wild proposal in the despair of the +moment.</p> + +<p>"Don't be a donkey yourself. See here, why can't +we ride and tie? I've tried this wheel, and got on +tip-top. You'd be along to see to me, and we'd take +turns. Do, Sid! I want to go awfully, and if you +only will I won't say another word about Joe."</p> + +<p>But Sid only burst out laughing at the plan, in the +most heartless manner.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. I don't mean to walk a step +when I can ride; or lend my new wheel to a chap who +can hardly keep right side up on the old one. It +looks like a jolly plan to you, I dare say, but <i>I</i> don't +see it, young man."</p> + +<p>"I hope <i>I</i> sha'n't be a selfish brute when I'm +seventeen. I'll have a bicycle yet,—A, No. 1,—and +then you'll see how I'll lend it, like a gentleman, +and not insult other fellows because they happen to +be two or three years younger."</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, my son, and don't call names. If you +are such a smart lad, why don't you walk, since wheels +and horses and donkey fail. It's <i>only</i> twenty miles,—nothing +to speak of, you know."</p> + +<p>"Well, I could do it if I liked. I've walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +eighteen, and wasn't half so tired as you were. Any +one can get over the ground on a bicycle, but it takes +strength and courage to keep it up on foot."</p> + +<p>"Better try it."</p> + +<p>"I will, some day."</p> + +<p>"Don't crow too loud, my little rooster; you are +not cock of the walk yet."</p> + +<p>"If I was, I wouldn't hit a fellow when he's down;" +and fearing he should kick over the tall bicycle that +stood so temptingly near him, Hugh walked away, +trying to whistle, though his lips were more inclined +to tremble than to pucker.</p> + +<p>"Just bring my lunch, will you? Auntie is putting +it up; I must be off," called Sid, so used to giving +orders that he did so even at this unpropitious +moment.</p> + +<p>"Get it yourself. I'm not going to slave for you +any longer, old tyrant," growled Hugh; for the trodden +worm turned at last, as worms will.</p> + +<p>This was open revolt, and Sid felt that things were +in a bad way, but would not stop to mend them +then.</p> + +<p>"Whew! here's a tempest in a teapot. Well, it +is too bad; but I can't help it now. I'll make it all +right to-morrow, and bring him round with a nice +account of the fun. Hullo, Bemis! going to town?" +he called, as a neighbor came spinning noiselessly by.</p> + +<p>"Part way, and take the cars at Lawton. It's hard +riding over the hills, and a bother to steer a wheel +through the streets. Come on, if you're ready."</p> + +<p>"All right;" and springing up, Sid was off, forgetting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +all about the lunch.</p> + +<p>Hugh, dodging behind the lilac-bushes, heard what +passed, and the moment they were gone ran to the +gate to watch them out of sight with longing eyes, +then turned away, listlessly wondering how he should +spend the holiday his brother was going to enjoy so +much.</p> + +<p>At that moment Aunt Ruth hurried to the door, +waving the leathern pouch well stored with cake and +sandwiches, cold coffee and pie.</p> + +<p>"Sid's forgotten his bag. Run, call, stop him!" +she cried, trotting down the walk with her cap-strings +waving wildly in the fresh October wind.</p> + +<p>For an instant Hugh hesitated, thinking sullenly, +"Serves him right. I won't run after him;" then his +kind heart got the better of his bad humor, and catching +up the bag he raced down the road at his best +pace, eager to heap coals of fire on Sid's proud head,—to +say nothing of his own desire to see more of the +riders.</p> + +<p>"They will have to go slowly up the long hill, and +I'll catch them then," he thought as he tore over +the ground, for he was a good runner and prided +himself on his strong legs.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately for his amiable intentions, the boys +had taken a short cut to avoid the hill, and were out +of sight down a lane where Hugh never dreamed they +would dare to go, so mounted.</p> + +<p>"Well, they have done well to get over the hill at +this rate. Guess they won't keep it up long," panted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +Hugh, stopping short when he saw no signs of the +riders.</p> + +<p>The road stretched invitingly before him, the race +had restored his spirits, and curiosity to see what had +become of his friends lured him to the hill-top, where +temptation sat waiting for him. Up he trudged, +finding the fresh air, the sunny sky, the path strewn +with red and yellow leaves, and the sense of freedom +so pleasant that when he reached the highest point +and saw the world all before him, as it were, a daring +project seemed to flash upon him, nearly taking his +breath away with its manifold delights.</p> + +<p>"Sid said, 'Walk,' and why not?—at least to +Lawton, and take the cars from there, as Bemis means +to do. Wouldn't the old fellows be surprised to see +me turn up at the rink? It's quarter past eight now, +and the fun begins at three; I could get there easy +enough, and by Jupiter, I will! Got lunch all here, +and money enough to pay this car-fare, I guess. If +I haven't, I'll go a little further and take a horse-car. +What a lark! here goes,"—and with a whoop +of boyish delight at breaking bounds, away went +Hugh down the long hill, like a colt escaped from its +pasture.</p> + +<p>The others were just ahead, but the windings of the +road hid them from him; so all went on, unconscious +of each other's proximity. Hugh's run gave him a +good start, and he got over the ground famously for +five or six miles; then he went more slowly, thinking +he had plenty of time to catch a certain train. But +he had no watch, and when he reached Lawton he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +the pleasure of seeing the cars go out at one end of +the station as he hurried in at the other.</p> + +<p>"I won't give it up, but just go on and do it afoot. +That will be something to brag of when the other chaps +tell big stories. I'll see how fast I can go, for I'm +not tired, and can eat on the way. Much obliged to +Sid for a nice lunch."</p> + +<p>And chuckling over this piece of good luck, Hugh +set out again, only pausing for a good drink at the +town-pump. The thirteen miles did not seem very +long when he thought of them, but as he walked them +they appeared to grow longer and longer, till he felt +as if he must have travelled about fifty. He was in +good practice, and fortunately had on easy shoes; but +he was in such a hurry to make good time that he +allowed himself no rest, and jogged on, up hill and +down, with the resolute air of one walking for a wager. +There we will leave him, and see what had befallen Sid; +for his adventures were more exciting than Hugh's, +though all seemed plain sailing when he started.</p> + +<p>At Lawton he had parted from his friend and gone +on alone, having laid in a store of gingerbread from +a baker's cart, and paused to eat, drink, and rest by +a wayside brook. A few miles further he passed a +party of girls playing lawn tennis, and as he slowly +rolled along regarding them from his lofty perch, one +suddenly exclaimed:—</p> + +<p>"Why, it's our neighbor, Sidney West! How did <i>he</i> +come here?" and waving her racquet, Alice ran across +the lawn to find out.</p> + +<p>Very willing to stop and display his new uniform,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +which was extremely becoming, Sid dismounted, doffed +his helmet, and smiled upon the damsels, leaning over +the hedge like a knight of old.</p> + +<p>"Come in and play a game, and have some lunch. +You will have plenty of time, and some of us are going +to the rink by and by. Do, we want a boy to help us, +for Maurice is too lazy, and Jack has hurt his hand +with that stupid base ball," said Alice, beckoning persuasively, +while the other girls nodded and smiled +hopefully.</p> + +<p>Thus allured, the youthful Ulysses hearkened to the +voice of the little Circe in a round hat, and entered +the enchanted grove, to forget the passage of time +as he disported himself among the nymphs. He was +not changed to a beast, as in the immortal story, +though the three young gentlemen did lie about the +lawn in somewhat grovelling attitudes; and Alice +waved her racquet as if it were a wand, while her +friends handed glasses of lemonade to the recumbent +heroes during pauses in the game.</p> + +<p>While thus blissfully engaged, time slipped away, +and Hugh passed him in the race, quite unconscious +that his brother was reposing in the tent that looked +so inviting as the dusty, tired boy plodded by, counting +every mile-stone with increasing satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"If I get to Uncle Tim's by one o'clock, I shall +have done very well. Four miles an hour is a fair +pace, and only one stop. I'll telegraph to auntie as +soon as I arrive; but she won't worry, she's used to +having us turn up all right when we get ready," +thought Hugh, grateful that no over-anxious mamma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +was fretting about his long absence. The boys had +no mother, and Aunt Ruth was an easy old lady who +let them do as they liked, to their great contentment.</p> + +<p>As he neared his journey's end our traveller's spirits +rose, and the blisters on his heels were forgotten in +the dramatic scene his fancy painted, when Sid should +discover him at Uncle Tim's, or calmly seated at the +rink. Whistling gayly, he was passing through a +wooded bit of road when the sound of voices made him +look back to see a carriage full of girls approaching, +escorted by a bicycle rider, whose long blue legs +looked strangely familiar.</p> + +<p>Anxious to keep his secret till the last moment, +also conscious that he was not in company trim, Hugh +dived into the wood, out of sight, while the gay party +went by, returning to the road as soon as they were +hidden by a bend.</p> + +<p>"If Sid hadn't been so mean, I should have been +with him, and had some of the fun. I don't feel like +forgiving him in a hurry for making me foot it, like a +tramp, while he is having such a splendid time."</p> + +<p>If Hugh could have known what was to happen +very soon after he had muttered these words to himself, +as he wiped his hot face, and took the last sip of +the coffee to quench his thirst, he would have been sorry +he uttered them, and have forgiven his brother everything.</p> + +<p>While he was slowly toiling up the last long hill, +Sid was coasting down on the other side, eager to display +his courage and skill before the girls,—being of an +age when boys begin to wish to please and astonish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +the gentler creatures whom they have hitherto treated +with indifference or contempt. It was a foolish thing +to do, for the road was rough, with steep banks on +either side, and a sharp turn at the end; but Sid +rolled gayly along, with an occasional bump, till a +snake ran across the road, making the horse shy, the +girls scream, the rider turn to see what was the matter, +and in doing so lose his balance just when a large +stone needed to be avoided. Over went Sid, down +rattled the wheel, up rose a cloud of dust, and sudden +silence fell upon the girls at sight of this disaster. +They expected their gallant escort would spring up +and laugh over his accident; but when he remained +flat upon his back, where he had alighted after a somersault, +with the bicycle spread over him like a pall, +they were alarmed, and flew to the rescue.</p> + +<p>A cut on the forehead was bleeding, and the blow +had evidently stunned him for a moment. Luckily, a +house was near, and a man seeing the accident hastened +to offer more efficient help than any the girls had +wit enough to give in the first flurry, as all four only +flapped wildly at Sid with their handkerchiefs, and exclaimed +excitedly,—</p> + +<p>"What shall we do? Is he dead? Run for water. +Call somebody, quick."</p> + +<p>"Don't be scat, gals; it takes a sight of thumpin' to +break a boy's head. He ain't hurt much; kinder +dazed for a minute. I'll hist up this pesky mashine +and set him on his legs, if he hain't damaged 'em."</p> + +<p>With these cheering words, the farmer cleared away +the ruins, and propped the fallen rider against a tree;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +which treatment had such a good effect that Sid was +himself in a moment, and much disgusted to find +what a scrape he was in.</p> + +<p>"This is nothing, a mere bump; quite right, thanks. +Let us go on at once; so sorry to alarm you, ladies." +He began his polite speech bravely, but ended with a +feeble smile and a clutch at the tree, suddenly turning +sick and dizzy again.</p> + +<p>"You come along a me. I'll tinker you and your +whirligig up, young man. No use sayin' go ahead, for +the thing is broke, and you want to keep quiet for a +spell. Drive along, gals, I'll see to him; and my old +woman can nuss him better 'n a dozen flutterin' young +things scat half to death."</p> + +<p>Taking matters into his own hands, the farmer had +boy and bicycle under his roof in five minutes; and +with vain offers of help, many regrets, and promises to +let his Uncle Tim know where he was, in case he did +not arrive, the girls reluctantly drove away, leaving +no sign of the catastrophe except the trampled road, +and a dead snake.</p> + +<p>Peace was hardly restored when Hugh came down +the hill, little dreaming what had happened, and for +the second time passed his brother, who just then was +lying on a sofa in the farm-house, while a kind old +woman adorned his brow with a large black plaster, suggesting +brown paper steeped in vinegar, for the various +bruises on his arms and legs.</p> + +<p>"Some one killed the snake and made a great fuss +about it, I should say," thought Hugh, observing the +signs of disorder in the dust; but, resisting a boy's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +interest in such affairs, he stoutly tramped on, sniffing +the whiffs of sea air that now and then saluted +his nose, telling him that he was nearing his much-desired +goal.</p> + +<p>Presently the spires of the city came in sight, to +his great satisfaction, and only the long bridge and +a street or two lay between him and Uncle Tim's +easy chair, into which he soon hoped to cast himself.</p> + +<p>Half-way across the bridge a farm-wagon passed, +with a bicycle laid carefully on the barrels of vegetables +going to market. Hugh gazed affectionately +at it, longing to borrow it for one brief, delicious spin +to the bridge end. Had he known that it was Sid's +broken wheel, going to be repaired without loss of +time, thanks to the good farmer's trip to town, he +would have paused to have a hearty laugh, in spite +of his vow not to stop till his journey was over.</p> + +<p>Just as Hugh turned into the side street where Uncle +Tim lived, a horse-car went by, in one corner of which +sat a pale youth, with a battered hat drawn low over +his eyes, who handed out his ticket with the left hand, +and frowned when the car jolted, as if the jar hurt +him. Had he looked out of the window, he would +have seen a very dusty boy, with a pouch over his +shoulder, walking smartly down the street where his +relation lived. But Sid carefully turned his head +aside, fearing to be recognized; for he was on his way +to a certain club to which Bemis belonged, preferring +his sympathy and hospitality to the humiliation of +having his mishap told at home by Uncle Tim, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +would be sure to take Hugh's part, and exult over the +downfall of the proud. Well for him that he avoided +that comfortable mansion; for on the door-steps stood +Hugh, beaming with satisfaction as the clock struck +one, proclaiming that he had done his twenty miles +in a little less than five hours.</p> + +<p>"Not bad for a 'little chap,' even though he is 'a +donkey,'" chuckled the boy, dusting his shoes, wiping +his red face, and touching himself up as well as he +could, in order to present as fresh and unwearied an +aspect as possible, when he burst upon his astonished +brother's sight.</p> + +<p>In he marched when the door opened, to find his +uncle and two rosy cousins just sitting down to dinner. +Always glad to see the lads, they gave him a cordial +welcome, and asked for his brother.</p> + +<p>"Hasn't he come yet?" cried Hugh, surprised, yet +glad to be the first on the field.</p> + +<p>Nothing had been seen of him, and Hugh at once +told his tale, to the great delight of his jolly uncle, and +the admiring wonder of Meg and May, the rosy young +cousins. They all enjoyed the exploit immensely, +and at once insisted that the pedestrian should be refreshed +by a bath, a copious meal, and a good rest in the +big chair, where he repeated his story by particular +request.</p> + +<p>"You deserve a bicycle, and you shall have one, as +sure as my name is Timothy West. I like pluck and +perseverance, and you've got both; so come on, my +boy, and name the wheel you like best. Sid needs +a little taking down, as you lads say, and this will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +give it to him, I fancy. I'm a younger brother myself, +and I know what their trials are."</p> + +<p>As his uncle made these agreeable remarks, Hugh +looked as if <i>his</i> trials were all over; for his face shone +with soap and satisfaction, his hunger was quenched +by a splendid dinner, his tired feet luxuriated in a +pair of vast slippers, and the blissful certainty of +owning a first-class bicycle filled his cup to overflowing. +Words could hardly express his gratitude, and +nothing but the hope of meeting Sid with this glorious +news would have torn him from the reposeful +Paradise where he longed to linger. Pluck and +perseverance, with cold cream on the blistered heels, +got him into his shoes again, and he rode away +in a horse-car, as in a triumphal chariot, to find his +brother.</p> + +<p>"I won't brag, but I do feel immensely tickled at +this day's work. Wonder how he got on. Did it in +two or three hours, I suppose, and is parading round +with those swell club fellows at the rink. I'll slip +in and let him find me, as if I wasn't a bit proud of +what I've done, and didn't care two pins for anybody's +praise."</p> + +<p>With this plan in his head, Hugh enjoyed the afternoon +very much; keeping a sharp lookout for Sid, +even while astonishing feats were being performed +before his admiring eyes. But nowhere did he see +his brother; for he was searching for a blue uniform +and a helmet with a certain badge on it, while Sid +in a borrowed hat and coat sat in a corner looking on, +whenever a splitting headache and the pain in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +bones allowed him to see and enjoy the exploits in +which he had hoped to join.</p> + +<p>Not until it was over did the brothers meet, as they +went out, and then the expression on Sid's face was so +comical that Hugh laughed till the crowd about them +stared, wondering what the joke could be.</p> + +<p>"How in the world did <i>you</i> get here?" asked the +elder boy, giving his hat a sudden pull to hide the +plaster.</p> + +<p>"Walked, as you advised me to."</p> + +<p>Words cannot express the pleasure that answer gave +Hugh, or the exultation he vainly tried to repress, as +his eyes twinkled and a grin of real boyish fun shone +upon his sunburnt countenance.</p> + +<p>"You expect me to believe that, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you please. I started to catch you with +your bag, and when I missed you, thought I might as +well keep on. Got in about one, had dinner at uncle's, +and been enjoying these high jinks ever since."</p> + +<p>"Very well, for a beginning. Keep it up and you'll +be a Rowell by and by. What do you suppose father +will say to you, small boy?"</p> + +<p>"Not much. Uncle will make that all right. <i>He</i> +thought it was a plucky thing to do, and so did the girls. +When did you get in?" asked Hugh, rather nettled at +Sid's want of enthusiasm, though it was evident he +was much impressed by the "small boy's" prank.</p> + +<p>"I took it easy after Bemis left me. Had a game +of tennis at the Blanchards' as I came along, dinner at +the club, and strolled up here with the fellows. Got +a headache, and don't feel up to much."</p> + +<p>As Sid spoke and Hugh's keen eye took in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +various signs of distress which betrayed a hint of the +truth, the grin changed to a hearty "Ha! ha!" as he +smote his knees exclaiming gleefully, "You've come +to grief! I know it, I see it. Own up, and don't shirk, +for I'll find it out somehow, as sure as you live."</p> + +<p>"Don't make such a row in the street. Get aboard +this car and I'll tell you, for you'll give me no peace +till I do," answered Sid, well knowing that Alice would +never keep the secret.</p> + +<p>To say that it was "nuts" to Hugh faintly expresses +the interest he took in the story which was +extracted bit by bit from the reluctant sufferer; but +after a very pardonable crow over the mishaps of his +oppressor, he yielded to the sympathy he felt for his +brother, and was very good to him.</p> + +<p>This touched Sid, and filled him with remorse for +past unkindness; for one sees one's faults very plainly, +and is not ashamed to own it, when one is walking +through the Valley of Humiliation.</p> + +<p>"Look here, I'll tell you what I'll do," he +said, as they left the car, and Hugh offered an +arm, with a friendly air pleasant to see. "I'll give +you the old wheel, and let Joe get another where +he can. It's small for him, and I doubt if he wants +it, any way. I do think you were a plucky fellow +to tramp your twenty miles in good time, and not +bear malice either, so let's say 'Done,' and forgive +and forget."</p> + +<p>"Much obliged, but uncle is going to give me a +new one; so Joe needn't be disappointed. I know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +how hard that is, and am glad to keep him from it, +for he's poor and can't afford a new one."</p> + +<p>That answer was Hugh's only revenge for his own +trials, and Sid felt it, though he merely said, with a +hearty slap on the shoulder,—</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it. Uncle is a trump, and so are +you. We'll take the last train home, and I'll pay +your fare."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. Poor old man, you did get a bump, +didn't you?" exclaimed Hugh, as they took off their +hats in the hall, and the patch appeared in all its +gloomy length and breadth.</p> + +<p>"Head will be all right in a day or two, but I +stove in my helmet, and ground a hole in both knees +of my new shorts. Had to borrow a fit-out of Bemis, +and leave my rags behind. We needn't mention any +more than is necessary to the girls; I hate to be +fussed over," answered Sid, trying to speak carelessly.</p> + +<p>Hugh had to stop and have another laugh, remembering +the taunts his own mishaps had called forth; +but he did not retaliate, and Sid never forgot it. +Their stay was a short one, and Hugh was the hero +of the hour, quite eclipsing his brother, who usually +took the first place, but now very meekly played +second fiddle, conscious that he was not an imposing +figure, in a coat much too big for him, with a patch +on his forehead, a purple bruise on one cheek, and a +general air of dilapidation very trying to the usually +spruce youth.</p> + +<p>When they left, Uncle Tim patted Hugh on the +head,—a liberty the boy would have resented if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +the delightful old gentleman had not followed it up +by saying, with a reckless generosity worthy of +record,—</p> + +<p>"Choose your bicycle, my boy, and send the bill +to me." Then turning to Sid he added, in a tone +that made the pale face redden suddenly, "And do +you remember that the tortoise beat the hare in the +old fable we all know."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"That is the last of the stories, for our holiday is +over, and to-morrow we must go home. We have had +a splendid time, and thank you and auntie so much, +dear grandma," said Min, expressing the feeling of +all the children, as they stood about the fire when the +bicycle tale ended.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad, my darlings, and please God we'll +all meet here again next year, well and happy and +ready for more fun," answered the old lady, with arms +and lap full of loving little people.</p> + +<p>"Auntie deserves a vote of thanks, and I rise to +propose it," said Geoff; and it was passed with great +applause.</p> + +<p>"Many thanks. If the odds and ends in my portfolio +have given you pleasure or done you any good, +my fondest wishes are gratified," answered Aunt Elinor, +laughing, yet well pleased. "I tucked a moral +in, as we hide pills in jelly, and I hope you didn't +find them hard to swallow."</p> + +<p>"Very easy and nice. I intend to look after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +little things faithfully, and tell the girls how to make +their jerseys fit," said Min.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to fill my jewel-box as Daisy did, and +learn to cook," added Lotty.</p> + +<p>"Eli is the boy for me, and I won't forget to be +kind to <i>my</i> small chap," said Walt, stroking his +younger brother's head with unusual kindness.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm rather mixed in my heroes, but I'll +take the best of Corny, Onawandah, and the banner +fellow for my share," cried Geoff.</p> + +<p>The little people proclaimed their favorites; but as +all spoke together, only a comical mixture of doves, +bears, babies, table-cloths and blue hose reached the +ear. Then came the good-night kisses, the patter of +departing feet, and silence fell upon the room. The +little wheel was still, the chairs stood empty, the +old portraits looked sadly down, the fire died out, +and the Spinning-Wheel Stories were done.</p> + + +<div class="fn"> +<h4>Footnotes</h4> + +<p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"> +<span class="label">[A]</span></a> "<i>En tout chemin loyauté"</i>: Always loyal.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"> +<span class="label">[B]</span></a> <i>Yvonne</i>: Pronounced Evone.</p> + + +<p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"> +<span class="label">[C]</span></a>"<i>Champ des Martyrs</i>": The Field of Martyrs.</p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'>University Press: John Wilson & +Son, Cambridge.</div> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 128px;"> +<img src="images/colophon.png" width="128" height="109" alt="Colophon" title="Colophon" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</h2> +<div class='center'>BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Miss Alcott is really a benefactor of households.—H. H.</i></div> +<p><br /></p> +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 383px;"> +<img src="images/ads01.png" width="383" height="500" alt="Two Ladies Relaxing and Reading at Seashore" title="Two Ladies Relaxing and Reading at Seashore" /> +</div> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> + +<tr><td class="c1"> LITTLE WOMEN.</td><td class="c2">AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> LITTLE MEN.</td><td class="c2">JO'S BOYS.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> EIGHT COUSINS.</td><td class="c2">ROSE IN BLOOM.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> UNDER THE LILACS.</td><td class="c2">JACK AND JILL.</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='center'><i>16mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Each, $1.50. Eight volumes,<br /> +uniform, in box, $12.00.</i><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</div> +<h2>THE JOLLY GOOD TIMES STORIES</h2> + +<div class='center'>BY MARY P. WELLS SMITH<br /></div> + + +<p>She brings into her pictures the pure atmosphere of the healthy, sturdy +old New England farm life that gave us men like Webster and Everett, +Longfellow, Whittier, the elder Lawrences, and thousands of others +in every walk of life whose memories are still kept green.</p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 415px;"> +<img src="images/ads02.png" width="415" height="500" alt="Three Children Reading" title="Three Children Reading" /> +</div> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> +<tr><td class="c1">JOLLY GOOD TIMES.</td><td class="c2">THE BROWNS.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">JOLLY GOOD TIMES AT</td><td class="c2">MORE GOOD TIMES AT</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">SCHOOL.</td><td class="c2">HACKMATACK.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">THEIR CANOE TRIP.</td><td class="c2">JOLLY GOOD TIMES</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">JOLLY GOOD TIMES AT</td><td class="c2">TODAY.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">HACKMATACK.</td><td class="c2">A JOLLY GOOD SUMMER.</td></tr> +</table> + + +<div class='center'><i>16mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Each, $1.25. Eight volumes,<br /> +uniform, in box, $10.00.</i><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</div> + +<h2>FAVORITE STORIES</h2> +<div class='center'>BY MISS A. G. PLYMPTON.<br /> +<i>Author of "Dear Daughter Dorothy"</i><br /></div> + + +<p>The winsome little maid ("Dear Daughter Dorothy"), with her loyalty +and love, attracts our hearts as Little Lord Fauntleroy has done, and +reveals the divine element in childhood. While reading the story we +caught ourselves falling in love with the lovely child, who was withal a +creature not too wise or good for human nature's daily food.—<i>Christian +Union.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 339px;"> +<img src="images/ads03.png" width="339" height="500" alt="Girl Playing Violin" title="Girl Playing Violin" /> +</div> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> + +<tr><td class="c1">DEAR DAUGHTER DORO-</td><td class="c2">THE LITTLE SISTER OF</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">THY.</td><td class="c2">WILIFRED.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">DOROTHY AND ANTON.</td><td class="c2">ROBIN'S RECRUIT.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1">BETTY, A BUTTERFLY.</td><td class="c2">PENELOPE PRIG.</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='center'><i>Small 4to. Cloth. Illustrated by the author. Each, $1.00<br /> +Six volumes, uniform, in box, $6.00</i><br /> +<br /></div> + +<div class="blockquot2"> +<p class="hanging">THE BLACK DOG, AND OTHER STORIES. Small 4to. Cloth.<br /> +With illustrations by the author. $1.25.</p> + +<p class="hanging">WANOLASSET (The-Little-One-Who-Laughs). Small 4to. Cloth.<br /> +With illustrations by the author. $1.25.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="hanging">RAGS AND VELVET GOWNS. 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated by the<br /> +author. 50 cents.<br /> +</p> +<p class="hanging">A FLOWER OF THE WILDERNESS. Small 4to. Cloth. Illustrated<br /> +by the author. $1.25.<br /><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> +</div> + + +<h2>THE KATY DID SERIES</h2> + +<div class='center'>BY SUSAN COOLIDGE<br /> +</div> + +<p>Susan Coolidge has been endowed by some good fairy with the gift of +story writing. Her books are sensible, vivacious, and full of incident to +tickle the fancy and brighten the mind of young readers, and withal full +also of wise and judicious teachings, couched beneath the simple talk and +simple doings of childhood.—<i>Christian Intelligencer.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 460px;"> +<img src="images/ads04.png" width="460" height="500" alt="Boy and Girl" title="Boy and Girl" /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot1"> +WHAT KATY DID.<br /> +<br /> +WHAT KATY DID AT SCHOOL.<br /> +<br /> +WHAT KATY DID NEXT.<br /> +<br /> +CLOVER.<br /> +<br /> +IN THE HIGH VALLEY.<br /> +<br /> +</div> + + +<div class='center'><i>16mo. Cloth. With illustrations by Addie Ledyard. $1.25<br /> +each. Five volumes, uniform, in box, $6.25</i><br /><br /> +<i>By the same author</i><br /> +<br /> +</div> + +<p class="center">RHYMES AND BALLADS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS. 8vo. Cloth. +<br /> +Illustrated. $1.50.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<h2>SUSAN COOLIDGE'S</h2> + +<div class='center'> +POPULAR STORY BOOKS<br /> +</div> + +<p>Susan Coolidge has always possessed the affection of her young +readers, for it seems as if she had the happy instinct of planning stories +that each girl would like to act out in reality.—<i>The Critic.</i></p> + +<p>Not even Miss Alcott apprehends child nature with finer sympathy, or +pictures its nobler traits with more skill.—<i>Boston Daily +Advertiser.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 454px;"> +<img src="images/ads05.png" width="454" height="500" alt="Girls Writing" title="Girls writing" /> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot1"> +THE NEW YEAR'S BARGAIN.<br /> +<br /> +MISCHIEF'S THANKSGIVING.<br /> +<br /> +NINE LITTLE GOSLINGS.<br /> +<br /> +EYEBRIGHT.<br /> +<br /> +CROSS PATCH.<br /> +<br /> +A ROUND DOZEN.<br /> +<br /> +A LITTLE COUNTRY GIRL.<br /> +<br /> +JUST SIXTEEN.<br /> +<br /> +A GUERNSEY LILY.<br /> +<br /> +THE BARBERRY BUSH.<br /> +<br /> +NOT QUITE EIGHTEEN.<br /> +<br /></div> + + +<div class='center'><i>Square 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated. $1.25 each. Eleven<br /> +volumes uniform, in box, $13.75.</i><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</div> + +<h2>Louisa M. Alcott's Writings.</h2> + +<p><b>THE LITTLE WOMEN SERIES.</b></p> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> + +<tr><td class="c1"><b>LITTLE WOMEN</b>; or Meg, Jo, Beth,</td><td class="c2"><b>AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL.</b> With</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> and Amy. With Illustrations. 16mo.</td><td class="c2"> Illustrations. 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> $1.50.</td><td class="c2"><b>EIGHT COUSINS</b>; or, The Aunt-Hill.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>LITTLE MEN</b>. Life at Plumfield with</td><td class="c2"> Illustrated. 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> Jo's Boys. With Illustrations. 16mo.</td><td class="c2"><b>ROSE IN BLOOM.</b> A Sequel to "Eight</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> $1.50.</td><td class="c2"> Cousins." Illustrated. 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>JO'S BOYS AND HOW THEY</b></td><td class="c2"><b>UNDER THE LILACS.</b> With Illustra-</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> <b>TURNED OUT.</b> A Sequel to "Little</td><td class="c2"> tions. 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> Men." With new Portrait of Author.</td><td class="c2"><b>JACK AND JILL.</b> A Village Story.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> 16mo. $1.50.</td><td class="c2"> Illustrated. 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='center'>The above eight volumes, uniformly bound in cloth, gilt, in box, $12.00.</div> +<p> </p> + +<p><b>THE SPINNING-WHEEL SERIES.</b></p> + + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES.</b> With</td><td class="c2"><b>PROVERB STORIES.</b> 16mo. $1.25.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> twelve initial Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.</td><td class="c2"><b>A GARLAND FOR GIRLS.</b> With</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>SILVER PITCHERS</b>: and Indepen-</td><td class="c2"> Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Jessie McDermott</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> dence. 16mo. $1.25.</td><td class="c2"> 16mo. $1.25.</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='center'>The above four volumes, uniformly bound in cloth, gilt, in box, $5.00.</div> +<p> </p> + +<p><b>AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG.</b></p> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> + +<tr><td class="c1"><b>MY BOYS.</b> Illustrated. 16mo. $1.00.</td><td class="c2"><b>MY GIRLS.</b> Illustrated. 16mo. $1.00.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>SHAWL-STRAPS.</b> Illustrated. 16mo.</td><td class="c2"><b>JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINA-</b></td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> $1.00.</td><td class="c2"> <b>FORE. ETC.</b> Illustrated. 16mo. $1.00.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>CUPID AND CHOW-CHOW.</b> Illus-</td><td class="c2"><b>AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKS-</b></td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> trated 16mo. $1.00.</td><td class="c2"> <b>GIVING.</b> Illustrated. 16mo. $1.00.</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='center'>The above six volumes, uniformly bound in cloth, gilt, in box, $6.00.</div> +<p> </p> + +<p><b>LULU'S LIBRARY.</b></p> + +<div class='center'>Three volumes. Each, $1.00. The set uniformly bound in cloth, gilt, +in box, $3.00.</div> +<p> </p> + +<p><b>NOVELS, ETC.</b> <i>Uniform with "Little Women Series."</i></p> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> + +<tr><td class="c1"><b>HOSPITAL SKETCHES</b>, and Camp</td><td class="c2"><b>MOODS.</b> A Novel. 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> and Fireside Stories. With Illustra-</td><td class="c2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> tions. 16mo. $1.50.</td><td class="c2"><b>A MODERN MEPHISTOPHELES,</b></td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"><b>WORK</b>: A Story of Experience. Illus-</td><td class="c2"><b> AND A WHISPER IN THE DARK.</b></td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> trated by <span class="smcap">Sol Eytinge</span>. 16mo. $1.50.</td><td class="c2"> 16mo. $1.50.</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='center'>The above four volumes, uniformly bound in cloth, gilt, in box, $6.00.</div> +<p> </p> + +<table class="toc1" summary="Ads"> + +<tr><td class="c1"><b>COMIC TRAGEDIES.</b> Written by "Jo"</td><td class="c2"><b>LIFE OF MISS ALCOTT.</b> <span class="smcap">Louisa</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> and "Meg," and acted by the "Little</td><td class="c2"> <span class="smcap">May Alcott</span>: Her Life, Letters, and</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> Women." With a Foreword by "Meg."</td><td class="c2"> Journals Edited by <span class="smcap">Ednah D. Cheney</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> Portraits, etc. 16mo. $1.50.</td><td class="c2"> Photogravure Portraits, etc. 16mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="c1"> </td><td class="c2"> $1.50.</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p><b>LITTLE WOMEN.</b> <i>Illustrated edition.</i></p> + +<p>Embellished with nearly two hundred Characteristic Illustrations from +Original Designs drawn expressly for this edition of this noted American +Classic. Small quarto, cloth, gilt, $2.50.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>Little, Brown, and Company, Publishers,</h3> +<div class='center'>254 Washington Street, Boston.<br /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> <p>Inconsistencies in spelling have been retained, +as in won't and wont, gipsy and gypsy. Obvious punctuation errors +normalized.</p> </div> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Spinning-Wheel Stories, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES *** + +***** This file should be named 36221-h.htm or 36221-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/2/2/36221/ + +Produced by Heather Clark, Julia Neufeld and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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