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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cricket's Friends, by Virginia W. Johnson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Cricket's Friends
+       Tales Told by the Cricket, Teapot, and Saucepan
+
+Author: Virginia W. Johnson
+
+Release Date: August 21, 2011 [EBook #37147]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS.
+
+                                    Tales told
+
+                      _BY THE CRICKET, TEAPOT, AND SAUCEPAN_
+
+                                BY COUSIN VIRGINIA.
+
+
+    NEW YORK:
+    WORTHINGTON CO.,
+    747 BROADWAY.
+    1888.
+
+    Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
+    NICHOLS AND NOYES,
+    in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
+    Massachusetts.
+
+    Press of J.J. Little & Co.,
+    Astor Place, New York.
+
+    TO
+    Minnie Slack,
+    with all fresh young hearts and loving souls akin to her's, this
+    little book is dedicated,
+    BY COUSIN VIRGINIA.
+
+
+My little friends, who read the first volume of the "Kettle Club" last
+Christmas, will remember an allusion to the introduction of new members
+this year. Their history will here be presented.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    THE TRAVELLED SPIDER                  14
+
+    THE AMBITIOUS WASP                    41
+
+    THE DISAPPOINTED CATERPILLAR          73
+
+    THE FOUR SILVER PEACHES               82
+
+    GOING MAYING                         101
+
+    GRANDPAPA MOUSE AND HIS FAMILY       116
+
+    THE ENCHANTED BABY-HOUSE             152
+
+    THE STORY OF AN UMBRELLA             179
+
+    THE GODMOTHER'S GIFTS                194
+
+
+
+
+THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS.
+
+
+The Club were all curiosity for some time to see the new members who
+were to be introduced into the select circle.
+
+"I am afraid of spiders," remarked the Teapot, with a lady-like shiver.
+
+"If a caterpillar touched me, I should run a mile," exclaimed the
+Saucepan.
+
+"None of them can reach me," laughed the Kettle with a gurgle of
+satisfaction.
+
+At last the Cricket marched the strangers in one night, and gave them
+places about the hearth.
+
+"Allow me," said he, flourishing his right feeler in the air, "to
+introduce to you, friends, some very distinguished additions to our
+number,--the travelled Spider, the disappointed Caterpillar, and the
+ambitious Wasp."
+
+"How do you all do?" inquired the Kettle very politely, for the Saucepan
+and Teapot seemed rather stiff in their manners.
+
+"Very well, thank you," growled the Spider.
+
+"Quite so," croaked the Caterpillar.
+
+"In excellent spirits," echoed the Wasp, folding his gauzy wings in a
+satisfied way.
+
+"If it is agreeable to the rest, I propose your all joining the Club,"
+continued the Cricket briskly.
+
+"Certainly," assented the Kettle; "the more the merrier, you know."
+
+"I think we should be extremely careful about admitting strangers to our
+circle, unless they bring letters of introduction," said the Teapot
+primly.
+
+As for the Saucepan, she contented herself with looking sideways at the
+Caterpillar, and coughing contemptuously. This was not very pleasant; so
+the Cricket trotted up to the two rebellious members, and gave them a
+pretty sharp lecture upon the laws of courtesy and good breeding, which
+served effectually to make them ashamed of themselves. The visitors now
+became angry, and began to talk together of leaving without delay,
+which naturally distressed the good-hearted president, who was so much
+affected by a desire to do something pleasant, that he swung himself
+wildly upon the hook, and thereby sprinkled those below with a stream of
+scalding water.
+
+"Mercy!" shrieked the Wasp, dancing on one foot in an agony.
+
+"Oh, my back!" groaned the Caterpillar, rolling himself about in a ball.
+
+"What ails you, Kettle?" cried the poor Cricket, running about with his
+eye almost put out from receiving a whole drop in it. "Do keep your hot
+water to yourself."
+
+The Spider alone was unhurt; so he merely shook himself, and sat
+chuckling at the discomfiture of the others.
+
+After doing all this mischief, the Kettle subsided, with many meek
+apologies.
+
+"We can give you references enough, if that is all you want," said the
+Wasp snappishly; "but we had better leave, I think, comrades, before we
+have another hot bath. My hind leg is completely disabled."
+
+"Do not go," urged the Cricket. "We should enjoy your society so much, I
+am sure, when we become better acquainted."
+
+The three visitors looked at each other in silence for a time; then the
+Spider said,--
+
+"I have just returned home, and, as it is so near, I do not mind running
+in to spend the evening; so I will join the Club."
+
+"I will also," said the Caterpillar in a dismal tone of voice, "only I
+am not very good company for any one now."
+
+"Dear me," said the Wasp, airily, "I shall not promise to remain any
+longer than I am amused."
+
+The Teapot and Saucepan became more amiable in their behavior as the
+evening advanced, and the Cricket hastened to assure the new-comers that
+references, other than their evident respectability of appearance, were
+entirely unnecessary. They insisted upon producing testimony, however.
+
+The Caterpillar took from his throat, about which it was twisted like a
+cravat, a bit of green rose-leaf, and handed it to the Cricket, who read
+aloud,--
+
+     "I can certify that my esteemed friend, the Caterpillar, will prove
+     a charming addition to any circle.
+
+     "GRASSHOPPER, Jr."
+
+The Wasp then passed a lump of wax to the chairman, with these words
+pecked upon it:--
+
+     "I cordially recommend our neighbor Wasp to the society of all
+     intelligent people, as a most refined and agreeable companion.
+
+     "A. TITMOUSE, Esq."
+
+The Spider alone of the three gave no letter, but said coolly,--
+
+"I have seen plenty of the world, yet I have never troubled myself with
+such nonsense as cards."
+
+"You will not find ceremonies of the kind necessary here," remarked the
+Cricket, with a severe glance at the Teapot. "Perhaps you will tell us
+something of your adventures, however.
+
+"I do not mind doing so at all," returned the Spider, gathering up his
+long legs into a more comfortable position.
+
+
+
+
+THE TRAVELLED SPIDER.
+
+
+I was born in the cellar of this very house, and, for a delightful,
+spidery residence, I know of no place to equal the dark, dust-stained
+window ledge where I first drew breath. After a long period of absence,
+I find my early home has lost none of its charms. This is the case with
+men as well as spiders, I am told. The American thinks there is no river
+in the world so grand as the great Mississippi; the Frenchman none so
+beautiful as the Seine; the Englishman none so famous as the Thames; the
+German as the Rhine; and the Egyptian as the sacred Nile,--because home
+is represented by each.
+
+"So, too, with me the cellar window has rare attractions: there one can
+spin a dainty web to snare the silly flies and gnats, when they come
+dancing along, for supper. Never believe the life of a spider is an
+easy one, though: that is an altogether false idea. We work hard enough,
+although we wear such good armor, and have such sharp, strong claws; for
+we live by our wits, and a dull, stupid spider has but a poor chance of
+it. First, one has to be on the watch for stray morsels of food, to be
+ready for a pounce; then one's net may become torn in some way so as to
+require mending; or a wandering spider comes prowling along to try and
+conquer a home without the trouble of making it: so between all these
+cares there is little leisure time to spare. The class to which I belong
+does not have the constant labor that falls to the share of some of our
+cousins, who spin their webs from trees, or festoon them about verandas
+and other exposed localities, where the wind often blows them about so
+roughly, that they are obliged to suspend bits of wood and stone to the
+corners to maintain an equilibrium. I have some other relatives, to
+think of whom alone is enough to warm any spider's heart with pride.
+
+"Foremost of these ranks the scorpion of warmer climates, where it
+creeps into sheltered crannies under every stone or sandy bank, even
+inhabiting boots and gloves. When disturbed, out it pounces, with an
+angry snap of the claws and a savage whisk of the tail, ready for some
+mischief, you may be sure.
+
+"Ah, I wish I was a scorpion, instead of a mere ordinary spider! But
+then every one cannot be great, after all.
+
+"Well, even the scorpion is foolish sometimes, as I will presently tell
+you. It lives in burrows, which it digs in the ground, the entrance
+being formed to the exact size of the insect. By the shape of the hole
+people discover the residence, and, when they wish to destroy the
+inmate, they pour some water down, to see if the scorpion is at home.
+The scorpion detests water; and it no sooner feels the stream trickling
+through the opening, than out it rushes, to see what is the matter. To
+drive a spade into the hole and kill the scorpion is then an easy task.
+
+"There is still another mode of destroying these princes of our race. A
+circle of smouldering ashes is made around the burrow, and the scorpion,
+after running for some minutes about the space inclosed, and seeing no
+means of escape from the ring of fire, invariably bends its tail up over
+the back, and inserting the point between two segments of the body,
+stings itself to death.
+
+"I have another powerful relative, to be found in South America. This is
+a large hairy spider, two inches long in body, and seven inches with
+expanded legs. Only fancy such a size! I should be a mere pigmy in
+comparison. This spider is so powerful that it can kill small birds, by
+entangling them in a strong web. Think of that!" cried the Spider,
+hugging himself with satisfaction.
+
+"You need not turn up your broken nose, Madame Teapot: we are all
+murderers; still we do any amount of good, after all, in destroying
+insects that would otherwise cause much trouble."
+
+"I don't believe a word of what you say," interrupted the Saucepan. "A
+spider kill a bird, indeed! Nobody ever heard of such a thing."
+
+"My dear," interposed the Teapot scornfully, feeling very much angered
+at the allusion to her nose made by the ill-bred stranger, "great
+travellers always tell fine stories."
+
+"While you stay at home, and, seeing nothing, doubt what we say,"
+retorted the Spider half angrily.
+
+"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed the Cricket impatiently, "shall we never have
+peace? I was so much interested in your recital, friend, that an
+interruption seems very annoying indeed."
+
+"I am glad to find you a Cricket of such large views," replied the
+Spider politely; "so I will proceed, if it affords you any pleasure. My
+mother had much more experience of the outside world than any of her
+neighbors, and, when I was still young, she talked with my father one
+night about my future prospects in life. I remember that we children
+were in the nursery--a silken tube, very soft and warm for our tender
+bodies--when I overheard her remarks.
+
+"'I cannot consent that my eldest son should settle down here at home,
+when there is so much to be seen that will improve his mind,' she said.
+
+"'That is foolish,' returned my father wisely. 'He will only fall into
+all manner of mischief, and he cannot make himself any thing but a house
+spider after all.'
+
+"I never slept a wink afterward, that night; and soon after I gained the
+consent of my parents to start on my travels.
+
+"I had an easier time than most insects would enjoy, in leaving the
+shelter of their homes. When I was in danger I could generally trust
+that my long legs would carry me out of harm's way; and, if I was not
+able to escape, I just hid under a stone, or rolled myself up into a
+snug ball among the loose soil.
+
+"I cannot begin to tell you all the curious adventures I had, or the
+strange things I heard; for I have been away such a long while, I have
+forgotten more than half. Still I remember a few particulars of
+interest.
+
+"I was trotting about one day through a field of dry stubble, when I saw
+a pleasant river winding along in the sunlight, and sought the bank. The
+first object I noticed was a Kingfisher, seated motionless upon an
+overhanging branch, and peering eagerly down into the water in search
+of food. A very handsome bird is the Kingfisher, I assure you, with his
+blue coat of shining feathers, and scarlet shirt front; but so still is
+he when watching for prey, you would not notice him, sometimes, among
+the bushes.
+
+"'How are you to-day, sir?' I cried, while still at a distance. 'Are the
+fish lively, may I inquire?'
+
+"'Keep quiet, will you?' said the Kingfisher, turning his head
+impatiently towards me.
+
+"'There, I have lost a splendid chance through your speaking,' he added
+angrily, as a fish darted past.
+
+"'I am very sorry to have disturbed you,' I replied, crawling out upon a
+twig, the better to observe his proceedings.
+
+"'I have carried every thing home to my family, and I am now as empty as
+a drum,' said the Kingfisher in an aggrieved tone, and then he resumed
+his watch.
+
+"Suddenly down he dropped into the water, with a rush that fairly took
+my breath away, and, after splashing about furiously for a few seconds,
+returned to land, having a small fish in his beak.
+
+"'Ha, ha!' laughed the Kingfisher, 'I've got you at last. Yes, and there
+is plenty of room left for some of your plump brothers and sisters
+besides.'
+
+"So saying, he tossed the poor fish up in the air; then, opening wide
+his beak, caught and swallowed it with great apparent relish. I was very
+much amused by all this; so I said, as he settled upon the perch once
+more,--
+
+"'Well, well, we spiders are considered terrible butchers by most
+people, but we are rather more dainty than to gulp down our meals in
+that fashion. I hope you may not suffer from an indigestion, Mr.
+Kingfisher.'
+
+"'Do not worry over that,' returned he, cocking his bright eye at me.
+Then he flew away, and I scrambled after him as fast as I could, for I
+was curious to see how Madame Kingfisher and the babies fared.
+
+"I followed the flight of the bird until he disappeared on the ground
+somewhere, and I arrived just in time to see him pop into a hole on the
+water side of the bank. I crept into the tunnel, which was originally
+made by a tiny animal, the water-shrew, and which had been enlarged by
+the Kingfisher to suit the size of the nest. This nest, my dear friends,
+I found to be composed of dried fish-bones,--mostly those of
+minnows,--and arranged in a nearly flat form, save a slight hollow
+pressed by the bird's shape while laying eggs."
+
+"Oh, oh!" spurted the incredulous Saucepan, "that is a worse fib than
+the account of the bird spider."
+
+"Very wonderful, indeed," bubbled the Kettle, who had not ventured to
+speak since he scalded the company.
+
+"I could tell you stranger things than that," said the Wasp, hopping out
+upon the hearth nimbly as the Kettle swung.
+
+"One at a time, if you please," interposed the Cricket, restoring order.
+
+"You would not doubt the truth of what I say," continued the Spider,
+shrugging his shoulders, and making a comical grimace, "if you once
+sniffed the horribly fishy odor of the Kingfisher's burrow. Bah! I can
+smell it yet. I hid in a dark corner, watching them as long as I dared;
+for I feared I should be crushed when the bird came out again, the
+entrance was so small.
+
+"'How do you find yourself, my love?' inquired the father Kingfisher
+politely.
+
+"'It is rather dull, you know,' replied the mother Kingfisher. 'Hush,
+nestlings, you cannot eat another morsel; so be quiet.'
+
+"They chippered together for a while; then I ran out just in time, for
+the other followed quickly.
+
+"'What are you doing in my house?' he asked angrily.
+
+"'I wanted to see how pretty it might be,' I answered saucily.
+
+"Upon this the Kingfisher pounced at me; but I dodged this way and that,
+and a fine race we had of it. Finally, I saw a lady and gentleman
+walking along together; so I climbed upon her trailing dress, while the
+bird grew shy, and flew away. I strolled about upon the lady's dress for
+a while, until she saw me, and gave a shriek of alarm. This was even
+better fun than the race with the Kingfisher. I cantered up and down,
+the gentleman trying in vain to catch me; I pretended to run off upon
+the grass; then I stole back, and hid inside one of her curls. Here I
+remained all the evening, peering out now and then, when she returned to
+the house, to watch the gay lights and people. When she retired to her
+room, she combed me out of my hiding-place; but I did not care, so I
+walked out the window as if nothing had happened. The stars were shining
+brightly, and, as the night was so warm, I thought I would walk on a bit
+farther before finding a night's lodging. Like all good travellers, I
+had learned not to care much where I slept.
+
+"The bats were swooping about on the watch for mosquitos and other
+insects; the owls hooted from the tree-tops, and the bull-frogs croaked
+duets across the marshes with each other; while beautiful moths
+fluttered on the still air, to enjoy themselves after sleeping all day.
+
+"Seated before the door of his house was a relative of yours [addressing
+the Chairman], the Field-cricket, chirping briskly. I knew he was a
+fierce, combative sort of fellow; still I tried to be very polite, as I
+wanted to get a peep into his mansion.
+
+"'I am glad to meet so clever a house-builder, as yourself,' I said,
+with a low bow.
+
+"'As to that,' returned he modestly, 'I am nothing to the Mole-cricket.'
+
+"'If I could only have a glimpse of your residence,' I sighed.
+
+"The Cricket grew affable, and offered to make a call with me upon the
+Mole-cricket. Accordingly we started together; and it was fortunate I
+had a guide, for otherwise I never should have discovered the abode of
+this curious insect. It is very quarrelsome with its own kind, as
+perhaps you are aware; and it passes nearly the whole of its life
+underground, in the many winding galleries and passages, excavated by
+means of the spade-like limbs.
+
+"'I hope we may find him in a good humor,' remarked the Field-cricket.
+'Hulloa!'
+
+"He called several times; then, receiving no answer, pushed a blade of
+grass into the opening, when out dashed the Mole-cricket, furious at the
+intrusion.
+
+"'What do you want?' he asked, snapping his strong claws at us in a very
+unpleasant manner.
+
+"'The Field-cricket was so kind as to bring me here, hoping that you
+would allow me to see something of your house,' I said boldly.
+
+"'I have just got it into a splendid state of order, so I do not mind.'
+
+"'Wait,' exclaimed the Field-cricket, as we were about to enter, 'you
+must promise not to eat us up after we get in.'
+
+"'I promise,' laughed the other; 'I have already had my supper, so I am
+not hungry.'
+
+"For my own part I did not fear being devoured, as I knew I was too
+prickly and tough a morsel to tempt any appetite. The Field-cricket,
+however, might with reason entertain apprehensions, for he was as sleek
+and plump as I was lean and bristly. He took the precaution of putting
+me between himself and our guide, so that he could keep on guard should
+the Mole-cricket forget his promise. Well, the latter behaved very well
+instead; so I have really no complaint to make. He led us through such a
+number of dark passages, that I was fairly bewildered with the size and
+variety of the smooth-walled tunnels.
+
+"'Why do you have so many?' I inquired, when we paused, quite out of
+breath, in a kind of central chamber.
+
+"'Oh!' he replied, 'one must have a large house to run about in; and
+after all it is not so much work to make it. Besides, I can hide
+securely here, in ever so many different places, if necessary. This is
+the nursery,' he added, pausing before a really large cavity, which was
+much nearer the surface of the ground than the rest of his habitation.
+It was a fine apartment, nicely prepared for the reception of some two
+or three hundred yellow eggs.
+
+"'I build this so much nearer the surface,' explained the Mole-cricket,
+'so that the eggs may have the benefit of the sun's warmth, although I
+dislike it so much myself, that I always burrow deep in the earth while
+the daylight lasts.'
+
+"All this time I observed the Field-cricket grew more ill at ease,--now
+giving an anxious croak, then skipping back a pace, if the Mole-cricket
+only looked at him. He had some cause, sure enough. When we arrived at
+the entrance once more, I saluted our host courteously, thanking him
+for the pleasure he had given us. The Mole-cricket, instead of replying
+politely, made a sudden rush at his cousin, with his large jaws wide
+open. I stepped between them just in time to save the Field-cricket, who
+ran away as fast as ever he could; and that is the last I ever saw of
+him.
+
+"'You had better go home again,' I said to the disappointed
+Mole-cricket. 'All I regret is that I should have seen you do such a
+thing, for I did not suppose you were so much of a barbarian.'
+
+"'Ho, ho!' he growled, in a sulky tone. 'I would eat you up for your
+impudence, were you not so tough-looking.'
+
+"'I am afraid you would have a nightmare afterward,' I rejoined; and
+then we parted, never to meet again.
+
+"My attention was next attracted to a globe, about the size of a
+cricket-ball, suspended from the head of a thistle by several stout
+grass stems. It was woven together firmly, and presented no opening that
+I could perceive; yet the walls were so delicately thin, that the forms
+of some tiny animals, packed snugly together in this secure, though
+airy nest, were to be seen. Presently I beheld a pretty little creature,
+clothed in thick, soft fur, marked with white, nimbly climbing the stem
+of a plant, to pounce upon an unsuspicious fly, which it did as swiftly
+and accurately as a swallow.
+
+"'What do you want here?' said the Harvest-mouse suspiciously.
+
+"'I am only seeking a night's lodging; so I will creep into this
+harebell, I think.'
+
+"I slept soundly; the wind rocked my cradle delightfully. The next
+morning my curiosity was gratified, when I peeped out, by seeing the
+Harvest-mouse pay a visit to the baby mice. Her own body was so slender,
+that she could easily crawl through any space in the nest: which she
+did; and, when she came out again, the opening was carefully covered by
+the meshes of fine grass blades, so that the ball was apparently entire
+as before.
+
+"'Ah, ha! my lady,' I cried, jumping down beside her. 'That is the way
+you do it, eh?'
+
+"The mother-mouse gave a little shriek of terror; but then, seeing it
+was only a Spider that spoke, she laughed good-naturedly.
+
+"'I am not afraid of harm from you,' she said 'but there are so many
+horrible creatures about, ready to destroy us, that my nerves are often
+sadly shaken.'
+
+"'Pooh! you must not be so timid,' I urged. 'Now, for my part, I have
+travelled a long distance; yet I have found no peril that I could not
+easily escape from.'
+
+"'Never mind,' returned the Harvest-mouse, shaking her head. 'You will
+be frightened yet, depend upon it.'
+
+"I soon found, to my sorrow, that I was to be not only frightened, but
+in serious danger. I was nearly killed the next moment by the ant-lion."
+
+"What is an ant-lion?" inquired the Teapot.
+
+"Ah! I know," sighed the Wasp.
+
+"And I also," echoed the Cricket.
+
+"But what is it?" chimed in the eager Saucepan, by this time quite
+interested in the Spider's narrative.
+
+"I will tell you," pursued the Spider. "The ant-lion is a beautiful kind
+of insect, resembling the dragon-fly in its larval or imperfect state.
+It feeds chiefly upon active insects; and, as it is too slow of motion
+to catch them otherwise, it resorts to a very clever expedient,--it
+makes all food come within reach; thus saving a world of trouble. The
+head is furnished with a pair of long, curved mandibles, which gives to
+the inner jaws a free play. The grub makes a pitfall to entrap any
+passing prey, by tracing a shallow trench, the circle varying from one
+to two inches in diameter. It then makes another round, starting just
+within the first circle; and so it proceeds, continually scooping up the
+sand with its head, and jerking it outside the trench. By continuing
+this process, always tracing smaller and smaller circles, the ant-lion
+at last completes a conical pit, buries itself in the sand, and waits.
+
+"Like many another inquisitive ant, beetle, or spider, I went along to
+the edge of the pit, and peeped in to see what it might contain, when to
+my horror the sand gave way, and I slid down, down, almost into the jaws
+opened wide to receive me. I turned faint with fright for a moment; then
+strength returned, and I scrambled up the side again. This was not easy,
+as may be imagined: the sand loosened more and more every step I took,
+and, even faster than I showered it down, the ant-lion flung it back,
+endeavoring to keep the sides steep, and prevent my escape.
+
+"I just struggled to the brink, when who should come to my assistance
+but the good-hearted Harvest-mouse, who had witnessed the whole affair
+from her overhanging nest. She kindly extended her long tail for my
+benefit, which I eagerly clutched, and so was dragged out alive.
+
+"Ugh! I never see a dragon-fly floating along, without thinking of that
+dreadful pit where the ant-lion lurked in waiting for victims. I felt
+too much exhausted to move after that, and, while in so miserably
+helpless a state, a bird snapped me up, to carry me through the air by
+three legs, as food for the young birds. They were very
+hungry,--children generally are,--but they would not give me so much as
+a peck of their greedy bills.
+
+"'Why did you not bring a nice, fat-bodied garden-spider, while you were
+about it?' said the robin-mother reproachfully.
+
+"I was then flung out of the nest, and fortunately caught upon a
+projecting twig as I fell. I hid under a leaf to rest awhile,
+congratulating myself that I was so rough and ugly.
+
+"Several pretty young squirrels were whisking about the branches, while
+their parents gravely watched their sports with tails curled up over
+their backs in repose; or joined in the fun, chasing to loftier perches,
+where it made me giddy to watch them swaying about, and leaping from
+tree to tree, then returning to my immediate vicinity again.
+
+"'Do you live out here?' I inquired, going towards them.
+
+"'Yes,' they said, 'this is our summer house, you know; and very
+comfortable we find it for the heat of the season.'
+
+"'I wish you would let me look at it.'
+
+"'Oh! you can do that, certainly. It is built in sight of all the world.
+This is not the case with our winter house, however.'
+
+"The cage was made of very slight materials, and placed upon the
+extremity of a frail branch, that swayed with every gust of wind. 'I
+should think you would be shaken out,' I remarked.
+
+"'Not a bit of it,' returned the mother Squirrel. 'We could not be
+reached by any animal, the branch is so slender; and I am seldom
+frightened by the cries of boys,--unless, indeed, a stone should rudely
+strike the cage, when I take each of my young ones in my mouth, and
+deposit them in a place of safety.'
+
+"'Where, then, is your winter home?' I next asked.
+
+"'Ah! that is a question,' replied the father Squirrel, rubbing his nose
+with one little paw, in a knowing way.
+
+"'I do not wish to make any impertinent inquiries, but I should like
+very much to know something more of your interesting family,' I said
+modestly.
+
+"Upon this the two parents whispered and nodded together for a time,
+then turned to me again. 'If you promise not to tell any cat afterward,
+you can see it,' they said.
+
+"Of course I consented. The winter cage was located in the fork of a
+tree, where the boughs concealed it from view, and served to shelter
+from the wind as well. The nest was quite large, being composed of
+moss, leaves, and grass.
+
+"'Come in and see how nice and warm it is,' invited the hospitable
+Squirrels.
+
+"'Do you build a new house every year?'
+
+"'No: that would be too much trouble; so we generally occupy one for
+several seasons.'
+
+"Bidding the amiable Squirrel family good-by, I crawled down the tree to
+the earth once more. I began to weary of this rough-and-tumble sort of
+life. In the struggle with the ant-lion I had sprained my back, which
+malady was severely aggravated by the rude treatment of the bird that
+carried me through the air, only to throw me away when the nestlings
+declined tasting of me.
+
+"I reached the bank of the stream where I had first seen the Kingfisher;
+then, as the day was cloudy and cool, I sat down in a nut-shell, that
+served to keep me warm. While I lazily watched the fish dart through the
+crystal waters, and the birds flutter overhead, a curious object came
+floating towards me. What do you suppose it was? Why, nothing less than
+a snug raft of dried leaves and twigs, fastened together with silken
+threads, that bobbed along right merrily, bearing the sailor who
+constructed it easily and securely. He was really a remarkably handsome
+fellow, of a dark, chocolate-brown color, marked with a broad, orange
+band, and with pale-red legs. This was the floating palace of the
+Raft-spider, who not only pursues insects on shore, but trots out upon
+the water after them just as well. In doing this he requires some
+resting-place, and so builds the raft that excited my wonder and
+admiration. When he saw me sitting in the nut-shell on the shore, he
+laughed loudly; while I was only too glad to attract his attention, for
+I had a favor to ask.
+
+"'Will you take me on board?' I inquired.
+
+"'Yes: run ahead to yonder large pebble; then you can jump on when I
+pass by.'
+
+"I did so; and when he came alongside I sprang aboard of the raft, which
+was amply large enough to receive both of us. I thought there never was
+better fun than sailing down the stream in this style. We danced along
+smoothly on the current when the water was calm, or we whirled round
+eddies and rapids; but we passed through all these dangers in safety.
+The Raft-spider conversed pleasantly. He frequently dashed overboard
+after some unlucky insect that had fallen into the water, moths, flies,
+and beetles; or he snapped up some tiny wanderer that rose to the
+surface for air; sometimes even crawling down the stems of plants for
+prey to the depth of several inches. He always returned to the raft with
+these spoils, and cordially invited me to share them, which I did with
+relish.
+
+"'Eat away,' he urged. 'I can get plenty more at any time, while you
+look as thin as a starved grasshopper.'
+
+"We had already become excellent friends, when we suddenly beheld a
+large boat steering swiftly towards us. The Raft-spider is extremely
+cautious; so, bidding me follow, he slid overboard to hide, as he was in
+the habit of doing when any danger threatened. Now this was all very
+well for him, as he could live under water for some time; but what was
+to become of me? The water bubbled up into my ears; I opened my jaws to
+scream, only to have more gurgle down my throat. I sputtered and gasped
+and floundered, until my companion took compassion upon me, and held my
+head up until the boat had passed, when he dragged me on to the raft
+again, more dead than alive.
+
+"'To be sure,' he remarked gayly, 'I forgot you were not the same kind
+of a Spider as myself. You are only a landsman, after all.'
+
+"'Do you have to jump overboard in that fashion often?' I faintly asked.
+
+"'Bless you! I have done so every five minutes sometimes.'
+
+"'I should like to land, then, if you please.'
+
+"The Raft-spider made fun of my fears; but I was determined to get away
+from the water as soon as possible, so he put me ashore, and went on his
+way, still laughing."
+
+Here the narrator was interrupted by the entrance of Hulda, who whisked
+the Teapot and Saucepan off to a high shelf across the room. The
+Cricket, Wasp, and Caterpillar fled in opposite directions, but the
+unfortunate Spider was not quick enough to escape. The thrifty
+housekeeper espied him with her keen eyes, and, pouncing upon him,
+caught, and threw him out of the window.
+
+Here was an abrupt close to the story. The others could do nothing but
+sigh over this misfortune, and finally the Cricket said,--
+
+"I propose, for one, that we do not meet again until the family have
+gone to bed; as, by so doing, we will not run the risk of being thrown
+out of the window."
+
+To this they agreed; and then they separated, the Wasp and Caterpillar
+accepting an invitation to visit the Cricket in his mansion behind the
+brick.
+
+The next night, when the household had retired, the Kettle Club resumed
+their places about the hearth. The Teapot had been left beside the fire,
+fortunately; but the poor Saucepan, to her great vexation, still rested
+on the shelf. They had hoped to hear something of the fate of the
+Spider; but, although the Cricket had been out of doors, prowling about
+that day, he could find no trace of the missing member.
+
+"Such an interesting Spider as he was, too," commented the Kettle.
+
+"Yes, indeed," assented the Teapot amiably; "I did not suppose one of
+his race could be so agreeable."
+
+"There is no use groaning, since it cannot bring him back again," said
+the Wasp sharply. "Who is to speak to-night?"
+
+"We should be delighted to hear you," said the crafty Cricket, desirous
+of keeping the Wasp in a good humor.
+
+"Perhaps you will not find my history interesting, after that of the
+Spider," said he with affected modesty: he thought it would be much more
+so all the time.
+
+"I am sure we shall," cordially returned the Cricket.
+
+
+
+
+THE AMBITIOUS WASP.
+
+
+"To begin then," commenced the Wasp, "I must first describe to you how I
+was born. Did any of you ever see, very early in the spring, one of my
+tribe flying slowly about, pausing to examine every earth bank, now
+exploring the burrow of a field-mouse, or perhaps entering the tunnel of
+a boring insect, all the while buzzing in a fussy way?"
+
+"I now remember watching a Wasp during my travels, that behaved in a
+very curious manner," said the Cricket. "It alighted upon a wood-pile,
+and gnawed off a quantity of fibres, which were kneaded together
+carefully into a ball; and then the Wasp flew away with the ball to a
+hole near by. I did not dare ask any questions; because I feared
+receiving a sting for my curiosity, and I have heard such a wound is
+most painful."
+
+"Ah! that is always the way," said the other in an aggrieved tone. "We
+are thought by man to be good for nothing but to steal sugar, or other
+sweets; and gnaw holes in fruit, to disfigure the ripe beauty of
+peaches, plums, and apricots. We are called lazy fellows, going about to
+give any one a sharp thrust; when in reality a sting often causes death,
+by tearing the poison-bag. This belief is partly true; still not
+altogether, for we are also of some good in the world. We do not live
+solely upon the juices of flowers and fruits: we are very fond of the
+hosts of flies that swarm about and render themselves so annoying in the
+summer season. For instance, if you notice the pigs in the farm-yard any
+warm day, you will observe that the flies cluster thickly over their
+skins, tormenting the poor animals terribly. This torment is greatly
+lessened by the wasps, who skim over the fence every now and then, and
+capture a fly inevitably in their fatal grasp."
+
+"Is it possible!" exclaimed the Teapot.
+
+"Yes, indeed," returned the Wasp complacently. "But I must tell you how
+I was born. The Wasp you saw on the wood-pile was selecting a home,
+like a careful matron, and was bundling the fibres together to use in
+the construction of her nest. This she was obliged to do without any
+help whatever, for all the other wasps had died the previous autumn,
+while she was left to sleep through the winter in some warm nook, then
+found a new colony in the spring. Having brought the fibres to her
+burrow, she runs up the side of the chamber, clinging to the roof with
+the last pair of legs, while with the first pair aided by the jaws, she
+fixes the woody pulp to the roof, forming a little pillar. Other pellets
+are attached, until this pillar, like a stalactite in a cave, is
+completed. At the end of the pillar she places three very shallow cups,
+lays an egg in each, and makes a roof over them. More cells are then
+added, eggs laid in them, and the roof extended over the whole. By the
+time all this is done, the eggs laid in the first three cells are
+hatched into tiny grubs, who are terribly hungry, requiring ever so many
+flies from the mother Wasp. At last they cease to feed; spin a silken
+cover over their cells; and, after spending a short time in this
+retirement, tear away the covering with their jaws, emerging perfect
+insects.
+
+"They now repay the mother Wasp for her care, by assisting in all heavy
+labors, so that she really has little to do, but lay eggs as fast as
+cells can be made for their accommodation. Before long the first terrace
+is completely filled with cells, and more room is needed. The wasps next
+construct several more pillars exactly like the first one; and, by
+adding cells to these, another terrace is built below the first one.
+Three or four more terraces continue to form, the cells of these last
+being so small, that the mother Wasp cannot put her head into them. The
+inmates of these cradles are very much smaller than their parent, and
+are known as the workers, their lives being devoted to labor. These
+workers make excellent nurses, always feeding and tending the baby wasps
+with jealous care. Towards the close of the summer their conduct
+changes, however; they feel that a quick death for those nurslings who
+will not have time to grow up before cold weather is best, so they pull
+the helpless white things out of their beds, and carry them outside to
+die. I am glad I was able to grow to wasphood."
+
+"Please raise your voice a trifle," said the Saucepan, in a vexed tone.
+"I cannot hear half that you say, over there."
+
+"You had better use an ear-trumpet," remarked the Wasp impertinently. "I
+am already as hoarse as a raven from shouting so loudly."
+
+"When the nest is abandoned the workers die; and so do almost all of the
+others, save a few of the females."
+
+"How is it that you are alive, then?" interrupted the Teapot.
+
+"One thing at a time, if you please," said the Wasp pettishly; "I am
+telling you as fast as ever I can. When I first spread my wings to fly
+out into the warm, bright sunshine, I was half-wild with delight at my
+new strength and beauty. The world seemed such a wonderful place! The
+air was so fresh, the flowers so fragrant and varied in coloring, and
+the hills so grand in height, that I could only flutter from place to
+place, bewildered with happiness. I alighted finally upon a
+catalpa-tree, whose branches were covered with splendid blossoms."
+
+"'You feel very gay,' rustled the tree.
+
+"'Yes, I am only just born; so I may well be gay.' I answered.
+
+"'Ah! dance while you may,' said the Catalpa gravely. 'Your life lasts a
+few hours, but mine for years.'
+
+"My fine spirits were chilled in a moment, and I dropped to the grass,
+feeling utterly miserable. I could only enjoy all this pleasure for a
+few hours after all! There was so much to see, and so little time to see
+it in, where should I turn first? While I sat there thinking after this
+fashion, a pansy slowly unfolded, and out of it stepped a tiny figure,
+no longer than one of my legs. I was not very wise, but I knew it must
+be a fairy or elf that now stood before me. He wore knee-breeches, a
+jacket to match, and a funny little cobweb cap.
+
+"'So we are sad, eh?' he said, winking one eye drolly.
+
+"'I have such a short time to live, that I do not know which way to turn
+first,' I replied.
+
+"'That is a pity,' said the sprite, rocking himself upon a stem of
+seed-grass, as if it were a hobby horse. 'What would you do if you
+could live longer?'
+
+"'What would I not do?' I exclaimed. 'I should try to see every thing
+beautiful and curious in the whole world.'
+
+"'Stop a bit,' he interposed. 'You shall do this if you desire it so
+much.' He took off his cobweb cap and threw it at me, saying, 'This will
+make you invisible, if you put it on your head, when any danger
+threatens.'
+
+"Before I had time to thank him the elf turned a somersault in the air,
+and plunged head first into his pansy mansion, which closed upon him."
+
+Just at this moment the Kettle Club was startled by a sudden thump,
+thump in the room.
+
+"What was that?" whispered the Teapot; and all the others listened,
+without daring to look over their shoulders, for the fire was rather
+low.
+
+"It is only I," said the Saucepan. "I have jumped off the shelf to hear
+better."
+
+"You must have hurt yourself," said the Kettle.
+
+"Oh, no: I only feel a trifle jarred. I am made of tin, you know."
+
+How were they to move the Saucepan nearer to the hearth?
+
+"I think I could be rolled over, if any one would be so kind as to push
+me," she suggested eagerly.
+
+So the Cricket, Caterpillar, and Wasp trotted out, and by pushing
+together succeeded in moving the Saucepan to the fireside.
+
+"We can never turn you over," panted the Caterpillar.
+
+"I can rest on my side," said the Saucepan cheerily.
+
+"Your lid lies out yonder on the floor," said the Cricket.
+
+"That is not the least matter. It would not stay on my head if I had it.
+Go on with the story, please; I am sorry to have made so much trouble."
+
+"Where was I?" inquired the Wasp.
+
+"The pansy fairy had just disappeared," said the Kettle, who for a
+wonder remembered the story.
+
+"To be sure," resumed the Wasp briskly. "I skipped with delight at my
+brighter prospects, and started forward again with renewed courage. I
+first encountered some of my brothers and sisters, to whom I at once
+communicated my good fortune. Strange to say they none of them seemed to
+appreciate my superior advantages.
+
+"'For my part I do not wish to live any longer than the sunlight lasts,'
+said one; and to this sentiment the others agreed.
+
+"'My ambition leads me further,' I answered, and flew onward, never to
+see them more.
+
+"I passed over the broad expanse of land, until I saw the sea glittering
+like a polished mirror in the distance. How I should like to make a
+voyage! I paused to rest upon a cliff that rose steep and smooth, with
+the ocean foaming about the base. There were a great number of
+bird-nests drilled in the surface of the rock, and by peering over the
+brink I could see the young birds, that were the funniest little balls
+of white down imaginable. Suddenly a parent bird came swooping home,
+and hopped into the very nest that I was examining.
+
+"'Don't tumble me into the water,' I cried, clutching at the slippery
+stone, for the rapid flutter of the bird's wings made me giddy.
+
+"'I will not hurt you,' said the other. 'I have been a long way to-day,
+and I have really gained little to eat for my trouble. I followed a
+great ship for hours, and only caught up a few crumbs, after all.'
+
+"'Why, I do believe you are one of Mother Carey's chickens,' I
+exclaimed.
+
+"'My proper name is the Stormy Petrel; still the sailors call me Mother
+Carey's chicken. I do not know why, but then sailors have queer ideas.
+Bless you, I can frighten them terribly by just skimming round and round
+on the wind: they then reef all sails, thinking I am about to bring a
+storm by my presence. Ha, ha!' laughed the bird merrily, 'only think of
+little me being dreaded by great, strong men. I can generally tell when
+a storm is coming,--they are right in supposing that much,--and oh! how
+I enjoy it! Why, friend Wasp, you have no idea what life really is,
+just fluttering about among the flowers and trees: I should gasp for
+breath where every thing is only still sunshine. What I call life is to
+see the clouds piled in dark masses overhead, the waves rearing
+mountains high, and to have the wind blow a hurricane.'
+
+"'I should imagine such exposure would beat the life out of you,' I
+remarked.
+
+"'Not at all,' replied the Petrel. 'I like to be tossed about, and
+spread my wings on the gale, although it may nearly take my breath
+away.'
+
+"'I never dreamed of such a life,' I said; 'please tell me more about
+yourself.'
+
+"'First I must feed my young one, as I have been away all day. We never
+lay but one egg, fortunately, for we have to feed them ourselves. We
+secrete a kind of oil in the digestive organs for them. Indeed, we are
+such oily birds, that in some parts of the world the natives thrust a
+stick through our bodies, and use us for lamps.'
+
+"'You are gone so long,' piped the nursling.
+
+"'That is to find something to eat, my dear.'
+
+"'The time is so long, doing nothing but sit alone, staring out at the
+sea,' clamored the nursling.
+
+"'Very true,' assented the mother Petrel quietly; 'but there is no help
+for it, except to grow strong and fly for yourself.'
+
+"Upon this the young one began to strut and tumble about the nest, to
+the great delight of the parent, who encouraged such exertions. We
+became excellent friends, and talked over my plans of travel.
+
+"'I dare not venture upon the ocean; because, if I grew tired of flying,
+I must fall into the waves and be drowned.'
+
+"'You would soon be fatigued. Supposing I carried you?' said the Petrel.
+
+"Here was a splendid idea. If I could only be taken to other lands, what
+pleasures would be in store for me. The Petrel promised to bear me over
+the seas, if I would wait until the nestling was able to take care of
+itself. I lived inland while I waited, and visited the birds every day
+in their rocky home. When the time approached for our departure, the
+mother bird proposed I should take a sail, just to accustom myself to
+the voyage by way of trial. I climbed upon her back, and she made a dart
+straight out into the air, that drove every particle of bravery out of
+my body.
+
+"'Now, then,' said Mother Carey's chicken, 'hold on tight, and I will
+show you some better fun still.'
+
+"I begged her to return to land; but the wind blew so strongly, that she
+did not hear my faint voice. She whirled in circles, pattered upon the
+water surface unconcernedly, and rose in the air with the rapidity of
+the arrow shot from a bow. I closed my eyes, and clung about the bird's
+neck, fearing every moment a fall into the great green billows that
+rolled away into space, as far as sight could reach. When we landed once
+more, I fainted away. The Petrel was dancing on one leg, and laughed at
+me, when I opened my eyes again.
+
+"'I have a great mind to give up the journey,' I said in a pet. 'I can
+never cling to you in this way. If I had been content to lead the life
+of an ordinary wasp, I might have escaped all this trouble and
+vexation.'
+
+"'It is never well to quarrel with destiny,' remarked my companion.
+'Still, I would not give up because of a first sea-sickness.'
+
+"Presently I regained my courage somewhat, and we began to ponder how I
+could be fastened on. I flew to land, and procured several long
+horse-hairs. These I wound about the bird's slender throat, and strapped
+myself tightly to her body. What a journey we made of it! The faithful
+Petrel must have carried me an immense distance. Sometimes she perched
+on the rigging of a ship, sometimes we rode on the waves, or we paused
+for the night at some rocky isle; yet Mother Carey's chicken never
+seemed to weary of the scenery about us."
+
+"What did you have to eat?" inquired the Caterpillar, who, like all
+caterpillars, had a famous appetite of his own.
+
+"Very little, indeed," said the Wasp. "A stray insect now and then, but
+never a sip of honey the whole way. I took the precaution, before
+starting, of fastening a blade of grass about my waist; in the same way
+that Indians gird themselves before making a journey, to prevent any
+feeling of hunger. At last land was seen in the distance, and I again
+stood on firm, dry ground.
+
+"'Good-by,' said Mother Carey's chicken, spreading her wings as though
+ready for a fresh journey. 'I wish you good luck. Should you ever desire
+to go back north, any of us will give you a passage.'
+
+"So saying the pretty, good-natured Petrel flew away, leaving me alone.
+I did not feel very happy just then: I almost wished myself still a baby
+wasp in my wax cradle again, with nothing to do but eat and sleep. I was
+afraid at finding myself so far from home; and besides that I was very,
+very hungry: there is nothing like a sea-voyage to give one an appetite.
+Beyond the barren sand beach there rose a stately forest, which I
+determined to visit; but just then my attention was attracted by a
+beautiful object in the water. It was a flower of the most exquisite
+coloring, with a rich purplish-crimson outer edge and a disk of the same
+hue, the stout, short tentacles of which were marked with pellucid rings
+of white and lilac. Floating just beneath a crystal film of sea, it
+expanded temptingly under my wistful gaze. What a wonderful place, I
+thought, where delicious flowers were borne to hungry travellers! I
+fluttered nearer, longing for a sip of honey; and in another moment
+should have been lost, had not a little fish come along, to be stung and
+devoured by the anemone before I fell into its clutches. I afterwards
+learned that many a bee or wasp was enticed to death, as I had so nearly
+been; for the beautiful flower was only a greedy zoophyte, after all,
+swallowing every thing that came in its way.
+
+"Trembling at my narrow escape, I next flew towards the forest, taking
+the precaution of assuming my magic night-cap in starting, for I did not
+know what dangers might be in store. Arriving within the boundary of the
+forest, I alighted upon a blade of grass to rest. The air was
+delightfully fresh and pure, while the sun already slanted, in tropical
+splendor, towards the western horizon. Palm trees extended about me in
+every direction; the fan-leaved miriti towered to an immense height; the
+graceful assai showed its feathery masses against the rounder foliage;
+and the jupati threw its shaggy fronds into broad arches, while from the
+branches swept ribbons of clinging plants, hanging air roots as ladders
+to climb by. Here and there a long crimson blossom on spikes, or yellow
+and violet trumpet-flowers, relieved the sombre green by their brighter
+hues.
+
+"Presently I saw a slender, pale-green snake, that was twined about a
+tree like a vine, with only the bright eyes sparkling and fixed upon an
+unsuspicious, plump tree-frog.
+
+"'Good evening, friend,' I buzzed in the snake's ear. 'How pretty your
+coat is!'
+
+"'Who speaks?' exclaimed the snake, looking complacently upon his
+beautiful, frosted armor.
+
+"'Never mind,' was my wicked response, 'By your vanity you have lost
+your supper.'
+
+"The snake's eyes flashed angrily. Sure enough, the tree-frog had taken
+alarm, and was hobbling away out of reach.
+
+"I continued my way until I reached the brink of a broad, placid pool,
+where I hoped to make the acquaintance of some of the many creatures I
+saw congregated about the margin. Dark-striped herons, snowy egrets, and
+storks stood gravely at the brink, or strode over the water-plants on
+their long legs. Flocks of whistling ducks flew above my head, macaws
+chattered in the trees, and a pretty canary chirped in the bushes. Upon
+the surface of the water floated the magnificent Victoria water-lily,
+the broad leaves extending for six or ten feet, and the flowers just
+closing their alabaster cups in sleep. I now removed my cap; but I was
+so small an object, that I attracted no notice whatever.
+
+"'Ahem!' I began. Whereupon some of the birds turned about and stared at
+me. 'My home is very far north of your country,' I said; 'but a good
+fairy has kindly given me permission to visit you all.'
+
+"'Indeed,' exclaimed an old stork. 'How extraordinary! If you was a
+bird, now, it would not seem so strange.'
+
+"'A bird brought me,--Mother Carey's chicken.'
+
+"'Could you not find a better bearer than one of those fussy, bustling
+little bodies?' said a handsome egret scornfully.
+
+"'Do not despise the petrel because she is not so strong and beautiful
+as yourself,' I replied.
+
+"'Ha, ha!' laughed a macaw from his high perch. 'How fine it is to be a
+water-fowl, and have such long legs.'
+
+"At this all the storks, herons, and egrets ruffled their plumes, and
+prepared for an angry dispute with the saucy macaw; but I hastened to
+interfere.
+
+"'I should be sorry to make any trouble among you. If you would tell me
+any wonders to be seen here, or show me any of your homes, I should be
+greatly obliged.'
+
+"A black nose was poked out of the water, and a turtle, in a shrill
+little voice, piped,--
+
+"'Did you ever see us lay eggs? We shall be about it soon,' then sank
+out of sight again.
+
+"'As to that, the world is full of wonders wherever you may turn,' said
+the stork, who had first spoken. 'You should visit our ants'--
+
+"What more the stork would have said, I cannot tell; for just then a
+crashing noise was heard in the thicket, and all my companions took
+flight on the approach of the lord of the forest. Presently the jaguar
+appeared close beside me, and stooped to quench his thirst in the pool,
+so I had an opportunity of seeing what a fine creature he was, with his
+soft striped fur, velvet paws, and glowing, cruel eyes. I did not dare
+move even so much as to put on my cap, while my wings seemed paralyzed
+with fear. Startled by some sound, for he is a very shy, cautious
+animal, the jaguar retired again, and I only just escaped a severe
+crushing from his powerful foot as he passed.
+
+"I must now describe to you my first night in a tropical land. As
+darkness increased I sought shelter on a spreading shrub, and the
+insects began a tremendous noise. 'They will grow sleepy by and by,' I
+thought drowsily.
+
+"But not a wink of sleep did they take, or allow me, that whole long
+night. The howling monkeys began the concert, the tree-frogs and
+crickets trilled occasionally, and the owls hooted dismally. When I
+tried to stop my ears to these sounds, the fire-flies, resembling
+crystal drops of fire, flared their torches in my face with blinding
+brilliancy.
+
+"'Don't, please,' I pleaded.
+
+"The naughty fire-flies only laughed at my misery, and danced around me
+in bewildering circles of flame, until my eyes ached.
+
+"'I wish you would be quiet,' I said crossly.
+
+"'Quiet,' echoed the fire-flies. 'Not we. There is all to-morrow for
+naps.'
+
+"It was not long, with such an experience, before I found I could not
+live in the tropics. I never had a sound night's rest while there.
+
+"I strolled on through the cool, shady forest, which formed a delightful
+contrast to the hot, sunny landscape without. What most amused me was to
+see the little, striped-faced monkeys poke a cluster of inquisitive
+heads out of the holes of trees where they were sleeping, if any sound
+disturbed them. They paid dearly for their curiosity, as I shall
+presently tell you. I had paused to admire the butterflies that
+clustered in the sunlight here and there, as if desirous to display
+their gorgeous coloring to the best advantage. Some were of a velvet
+blackness, relieved by rose-colored and green shadings; others were of a
+blue, metallic lustre; and others floated on outspread wings,
+transparent as glass, spangled with lines of violet, silver, and gold.
+No wonder the lovely insects were vain of their gaudy dress! When I told
+them I was a stranger, they danced and pirouetted in their giddy flight,
+until they resembled the wandering petals of falling flowers. Suddenly a
+handsome dragon-fly, whose armor glittered with a golden refulgence,
+swooped down to capture one of the butterflies, then retired to a
+neighboring branch, and prepared to devour his prey.
+
+"'Why don't you stay at home with your sober wife, instead of whisking
+about where I can catch you?' said the dragon-fly, shaking his pretty
+captive.
+
+"Just then there approached a very singular-looking person indeed. He
+wore a broad hat, blue spectacles, and had a great many curious tin
+cases slung about his belt and over his shoulder. In his hand he carried
+a dip-net, which he threw cleverly over our heads, and entangled us in
+the bag. We could do nothing but stare helplessly at one another in
+dismay.
+
+"'Oh, dear!' cried a young butterfly piteously, 'We shall now have pins
+driven through us, and be speared to a cardboard platter for ever. I
+have heard my mother say so.'
+
+"We all shivered,--even the dragon-fly, who had been captured also. Of
+course the striped-faced monkeys came peeping out in the wrong time,
+and, after a good deal of poking into the tree, one of them was caught.
+Thus the naturalist gentleman returned home with his treasures, the
+little monkey alone of us all being destined to live.
+
+"The first thing, upon taking us from the net, was to politely hold a
+bottle to our noses, which caused a few feeble kicks in the air, then a
+fainting fit. When I again opened my eyes, I was lying upon a board,
+surrounded by my companions, who were transfixed with pins upon paper,
+as the young butterfly had said. I certainly thought my end had come,
+and that hereafter my body was destined to adorn some cabinet. I
+pretended to be still unconscious, and so lay quite motionless under
+the large microscope through which the naturalist gentleman regarded me,
+now poking my ribs, now turning my head to one side, and all the while
+making remarks on my personal appearance.
+
+"'I don't believe that you belong here at all,' he exclaimed. 'I must
+dissect what may prove a new species.'
+
+"Here seemed my last chance of escape; so, watching an opportunity, when
+he was selecting a suitable knife to carve me up with, I drew my elf's
+cap from under my wing. The naturalist gentleman was too quick for me:
+he seized my night-cap with his tweezers, and began eagerly to examine
+it. I was sorry enough for the loss. Still one had better part with the
+fairy's gift than life itself: so I flew away. I dare say the naturalist
+gentleman may have carefully preserved the cobweb cap, to puzzle science
+with for a long time.
+
+"Journeying on, I came to the bank of one of the largest rivers in the
+world. I paused to view the waves dash against the shore in foam, the
+vessels flit past on the strong breeze, and the distant villages on the
+other side. There were several low strips of sand reaching out from near
+where I rested, and I observed groups of natives making camp-fires, or
+erecting a kind of watch-tower overlooking the land. I inquired what
+they were doing, of a monkey who sat stroking his sandy whiskers with an
+indolent air.
+
+"'Ah! don't you know?' he returned. 'They are waiting for the turtles to
+lay their eggs.'
+
+"The next morning I beheld a curious sight. In the first gray dawn,
+myriads of turtles were creeping down the sandy slope, and flapping into
+the water again, their duties of depositing eggs for that season being
+accomplished. No sooner had they departed, than the natives gave
+signals, and from every direction crowded the boats to receive the eggs,
+which would then be prepared as turtle oil, and sold in jars.
+
+"I decided to try and find the ants next, as I had been recommended to
+do so by the stork. The monkey could tell me but little of them, and
+advised my searching farther inland, I next encountered the iguana, who
+poked his head out from among the creeping vines of a tree as I passed.
+Any thing so monstrous in a lizard I had never dreamed of. It must have
+been five feet long, was very fat, and the skin changed color like that
+of a chameleon. The Indians are fond of the eggs of this species, which
+they eat mixed with farinha. When I asked about the ants, the iguana
+answered,--
+
+"'I do not trouble myself much about those busy fellows; still, you will
+find them almost everywhere, I dare say.'
+
+"I bid him good-by hastily, for I was half afraid of such a great
+creature, and left him winking lazily on the branch as before. If the
+Spider was here, I could tell him of some relatives that I met,--rough,
+hairy spiders, with fierce looks; soft, plump things that melt away
+almost at the touch; and others of gorgeous hues, that double themselves
+into cunning shapes to resemble flowers and buds. At last I came upon an
+army of Saüba ants, each one carrying a bit of green leaf daintily as a
+parasol. Although on the march, the whole company treated me most
+cordially.
+
+"'We cannot stop now,' said one of the soldiers. 'Come with us.'
+
+"So I followed in the train, curious to know what they were about.
+Presently they paused; and a detachment turned aside to overrun an
+orange-tree, from which they stripped the foliage with incredible
+rapidity. Having performed this duty, they rejoined the main army, and
+the whole moved on to their incomplete nest. Here the leaf-bearers
+merely threw down their burdens, and the workers placed them in proper
+order.
+
+"'We use the bits of leaf to thatch the dome of our house, thus
+preventing the loose earth from falling in,' said an ant near by,
+pausing to take breath in the midst of his labors.
+
+"He then led me through the vast subterranean galleries of their
+dwelling, which extended an immense distance, as may be imagined, for
+the exterior of the nest must have been at least forty feet in diameter.
+The ants promised, if I would return after their day's work was done,
+they would give me some interesting accounts of themselves. Leaving the
+busy throng, I crept into a flower-bell to take a nap. When I returned,
+the Saüba ants were actually resting themselves,--a luxury that I did
+not suppose an ant ever indulged in. Some of them were strolling about
+at their ease; and others were diligently scrubbing their coats after
+their work, or were assisting each other in the friendly task of
+brushing such portions of the body as could not be reached by the owner.
+They were very chatty and agreeable, so we enjoyed ourselves very much.
+
+"'Have you met the foraging ant?' asked one. 'They sally forth with
+officers to direct the movement. They are rather hot-tempered and cross,
+to be sure, attacking any one fiercely that may come in their path; yet
+they do a world of good. When it is known they are approaching, people
+open every closet, drawer, and box in their houses, that the ants may
+search and cleanse them. What digestions they have! Scorpions,
+cockroaches, lizards, rats, and snakes are devoured in a trice; while
+into every crack and cranny where a stray insect may have hidden pour
+the army until all is cleared: then on they go again.'
+
+"'How wonderful!' I exclaimed.
+
+"'I can tell you of a wiser race yet,' chimed in another. 'The
+agricultural ant of Texas plants and reaps for itself. The nest is
+surrounded by a mound, and then the land is cleared for several feet
+beyond. A grain-bearing grass is sowed by the insect, and afterward
+tended with great care, the ant cutting away all other grasses or weeds
+that may spring up,--like the good farmer it is. When the small, white
+seed is ripe, it is carefully harvested, and carried into the granary,
+where it is cleared of the chaff, which is thrown outside as worthless.
+Should the rain wet the winter stores, the ant brings the grain out into
+the sun to dry, that the damp may not cause sprouting among the
+provisions. What do you think of all that?' concluded the ant, with a
+triumphant manner.
+
+"'I think you are the most wonderful insects in the world.'
+
+"At this the Saüba ants all looked highly pleased, and they richly
+deserved the compliment; so there was really no harm in it. I found
+myself exposed to so many dangers, without my magic cap, that I finally
+concluded to fly to the seashore, and see if I could take passage
+homeward again. Here I found no other a bird than the Petrel's baby, now
+a handsome young fellow enough, who readily agreed to carry me
+northward.
+
+"I strapped myself to my bearer with the horse-hairs, and found myself
+rather a better sailor than on my first voyage. I am now on my way to
+the pansy fairy, with the petition that he will give me another cap. If
+he consents, I shall next visit Europe and the East," said the ambitious
+Wasp pompously, in conclusion.
+
+The whole Club were so much entertained by this history, that the
+Saucepan never once complained of her uncomfortable position, rolling on
+her side. Hulda was much surprised to find her in this attitude next
+morning; but the maid servant wisely concluded the rats must have
+visited the shelf, and whisked the Saucepan off with their long tails.
+
+When it came time for the disappointed Caterpillar, they were surprised
+by the entrance of a welcome guest: the Spider came sidling in, looking
+gay as possible. Of course they all spoke at the same time, and asked a
+hundred questions before he could answer one; especially the Teapot, who
+had never appeared so excited on any previous occasion.
+
+"I am all right again, thank you," said the Spider gruffly. "I got a few
+bruises by my fall from the window; but, being used to tumbles of all
+sorts, I have now recovered somewhat, although I felt rather stiff the
+next day."
+
+"I am not fond of talking," said the Caterpillar, with humility, "nor
+can I do so well. In my present state of caterpillarhood, I am aware
+that I do not please,--that I am not, in fact, any thing but an
+uninteresting glutton. There! the Spider is laughing already."
+
+"I should be sorry to do any thing so rude," said the Spider slyly;
+"only you are rather fond of leaf-salad, I have heard."
+
+"True," replied the Caterpillar, smacking his lips at the thought. "What
+could be more delicious! Still I must not dwell upon topics of food, for
+fear I should never have done describing such delicacies as suit my
+palate. I shall not find much in my own personal history to entertain
+you this evening. Never having travelled, like my two distinguished
+companions, I cannot bring to your notice the wonders of other lands, as
+they have so ably done."
+
+Here the Wasp and Spider arose, laid one foreleg upon the heart, and
+made a low bow in acknowledgment of the compliment.
+
+This ceremony over, the Caterpillar proceeded:--
+
+
+
+
+THE DISAPPOINTED CATERPILLAR.
+
+
+"I have had no occasion to stroll farther away than the garden of this
+house. I am sadly puzzled for something to talk about. The Wasp has
+anticipated me, even, in a description of butterflies,--a state I am in
+hopes of attaining some time, when you will not be able to recognize me.
+My world has been limited, so far; yet I have seen some wonderful
+things, too. Did any of you ever see a humming-bird?"
+
+"Yes," said the Cricket, Spider, and Wasp in a breath.
+
+"Did any of you ever converse with one?"
+
+"I did not suppose they ever stopped buzzing about long enough to
+speak," remarked the Spider.
+
+"I have talked with one," said the Caterpillar triumphantly. "When I was
+just hatched, some week or more ago, I crawled for the first time out
+of the soft, warm bed my good mother had made me in the curve of a leaf.
+I stretched myself upon the leaf which had been my cradle, to enjoy the
+warm sunlight, and looked about upon the various forms of life and
+beauty to be seen on a summer morning. The buttercups and daisies
+laughed up at me from the grass, the insects floated about on gauzy
+wings, while the birds darted from branch to branch in merry sport.
+
+"Close beside my leaf couch was a knot, or natural excrescence in the
+branch; and this tiny cavity held a nest, lined with fibres from mullein
+leaves and fern-down, containing two pearly eggs no larger than peas.
+
+"Suddenly a glittering object shot up into the air until it was almost
+lost to sight; then descended upon the nest I was just examining. No
+wonder the eggs resembled pearls, when the parent bird could not have
+been more than two inches in length. When I beheld the lovely, fragile
+thing, with its diamond-bright eyes, and the plumage of the graceful
+curved throat, glittering like burnished metal in changing hues of
+orange and ruby, I felt ready to cry with vexation that I was such an
+ugly, worm-like creature. True, I shall be handsomer sometime; but I can
+never be a humming-bird. Besides, I belong to a sober species. A robin
+came hopping along jauntily from twig to twig, with a morsel of cherry
+in his beak.
+
+"'Such a fright as I have had,' twittered the humming-bird. 'A great
+stupid man was peering about to find my nest a long while, and to-day he
+has followed me. Ah! but I gave him a long journey. I fluttered right
+and left, or darted ahead; then finally rose in the air so high he could
+hardly see my wee body; then dashed down here safe enough.'
+
+"'A wise plan,' commented the robin. 'Thank fortune, I am not in such
+demand.'
+
+"Interested in the conversation, I crept too near the margin of the
+leaf, lost my balance, and fell upon the nest.
+
+"'You awkward thing,' said the bird, giving me a contemptuous poke
+aside. 'How ugly you are!'
+
+"'I know it,' I replied; 'it was my admiration of your superior beauty
+that caused my fall. Excuse the clumsiness of a caterpillar just born.'
+
+"'Go away with your nonsense and flattery I feared I was shot when you
+fell.'
+
+"'Who would hurt you?' I asked, slowly climbing back to my leaf.
+
+"'Plenty of enemies. That man is watching below, and nothing would
+delight his cruel soul so much as to carry away my family.'
+
+"'Tell me something amusing, or I will inform him where you live.'
+
+"'He would not believe a caterpillar,' laughed Madame Humming-bird.
+'However, I will tell you any thing in my power.'
+
+"'If it is all about your distinguished relations in the South, I have
+heard enough on that subject already,' said the spiteful robin.
+
+"At this the other grew very angry, inflating her tiny throat, and
+snapping her bill. I tried to soothe her wrath, for I dislike any thing
+irritating.
+
+"'I always did despise robins. My great family, indeed! One should
+learn better than to associate with plebeians.'
+
+"'The robin was jealous of your superior beauty.'
+
+"This made the humming-bird good-natured again; so she went on:--
+
+"'Did you ever hear of my first cousin the Chimborazian hill-star? Ah!
+there is a fine bird for you. Not afraid to expose his frail form to the
+cold of higher latitudes, he dearly loves mountain air. I will tell you
+a story about him sometime. The hermits are so clever at building nests,
+they would laugh at this rude cradle of mine; still, as I cannot find
+any suitable leaf to suspend my nest from, bound by elastic
+spider-threads, I just use this knot, which answers the purpose after
+all. Some of them form a felt-like substance of moss and bark woven
+together; others use a fungus resembling buff-leather; while the Sappho
+comet lines her nest with the long hairs of the clamas. My relatives can
+boast the greatest variety of coloring. They have black diadems,
+purple-shaded patches, or vivid scarlet, blue, and crimson aigrettes. I
+do not know why people need invent fairies and gnomes when they can
+have us for subjects, flashing about among the flowers, as gay as the
+brightest of them, or bathing in some secluded nook of the brook, under
+the fern-leaves that form a tiny bower.'
+
+"We were so much interested in the subject under discussion, that we
+never heeded the approach of danger. I looked up and saw a man's face
+close beside me. He was climbing cautiously along, his gaze fixed upon
+my pretty companion. Before I could give any warning, I was shaken to
+the ground, and the humming-bird continued to talk of her great
+relations, unobservant of my fall. I watched eagerly, and presently the
+man came down again, with his captive and her nest uninjured.
+
+"'Oh, my dear Caterpillar!' she sighed, looking through the meshes of
+the fine net which covered her little head; 'I wish you were strong
+enough to help me. However, promise to find my husband, and tell him of
+my sad fate.'
+
+"I have never found him," said the disappointed Caterpillar. "I presume
+he has consoled himself with another wife by this time. I searched
+faithfully, crawling over whole trees in hopes of seeing him, and
+exposing myself to many dangers. I met other caterpillars in plenty.
+That of the looper-moth supports itself for hours on the hinder feet,
+raising the body high in air, and, by a resemblance to the twigs of the
+tree, succeeds in deceiving the birds that would devour it. Some I found
+to be protected from injury by tufts of hair, acrid secretions, and
+stinging powers. Others so closely resembled brown, crumpled leaves, or
+green, fresh ones, that I should never have known them had they not
+spoken; while some of the number arm their dwellings with thorns. I have
+even heard of another species, called bombardiers, who fire off little
+guns when pursued, accompanied by a blue smoke and disagreeable scent.
+
+"I liked to watch the ermine-moth community the best. They spin a
+commodious tent; and, wherever they wander over the tree, they carry a
+thread with them, so that they may not lose the way. Birds can do no
+more than strike their wings against the elastic bridges thus formed:
+they cannot penetrate the lines.
+
+"Well, all the caterpillars laughed at my folly in searching for the
+humming-bird's husband; and perhaps they were right. I now have reason
+to despair of ever meeting him, for he never returned to where the nest
+had been; and a slow crawling caterpillar cannot hope to pursue the
+flight of a bird."
+
+Here the Caterpillar paused abruptly: the Wasp, interested alone in
+startling incident or romantic adventure, was yawning.
+
+"Really, I beg your pardon," he had the grace to say; "I did not sleep
+well last night."
+
+But apologies or entreaties did no manner of good. The Caterpillar
+steadfastly refused to continue his tale.
+
+"Very likely I was growing tiresome," he replied in an injured tone. Yet
+he made no further remark; for the Caterpillar, like other slow persons,
+was apt to be obstinate. This made affairs rather stiff and
+uncomfortable; so they were all glad to retire for the night.
+
+The next evening, the Caterpillar was still sulky, and resisted all
+attempts of the Teapot to coax him into better humor. The Cricket
+wisely concluded to divert matters, by inviting the Spider to entertain
+them.
+
+"I believe I am something of an author," said the Spider, "although I
+have never written for any of the magazines of the day. I will tell you
+a story I composed last summer, if you like."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOUR SILVER PEACHES.
+
+
+"Beyond the Frith of Clyde, the Kyles of Bute cleaving their way among
+gray cliffs, tapestried with mosses and richly clothed with lichens,
+past Loch Ridan's clear waters, past the peninsula of Cantyre, on the
+bosom of the Atlantic, lies a group of islets, varied in hue and
+form,--the Hebrides.
+
+"To this isolated region, where the ocean hurls in winter storms against
+the rock walls, or ripples in caressing waves under summer skies, we
+will turn; for children have been born on that rugged shore, scenting
+the heather and wild thyme with their first breath.
+
+"On the island of Iona, near Port St. Ronain, there once lived a good
+man, who had three strong sons, and two ruddy, blue-eyed daughters. One
+thing troubled him: little Neil, his nephew, did not thrive so well;
+for he was a cripple, and it saddened the uncle's heart to see the boy
+droop and pine away.
+
+"Little Neil was an orphan; and he missed a good mother so much, that he
+was not happy, like his sturdy cousins. He could never run along the
+stretch of white sand, flecked with quartz and shells from the Ross of
+Mull. No: he could only creep painfully to the brink of the green,
+crystal waters, to peep into their clear depths; or climb to some higher
+eminence, and watch the sea-birds in their rapid flight, the distant
+outline of cliffs shining in the sunlight, and the light breeze curling
+the waves crisply about the bows of many a little craft that skimmed
+over the azure sea only to melt into the hazy distance.
+
+"Neil loved the ocean and the sky above it, embracing between them his
+island home. Everybody thought him a strange child, and this naturally
+gave him very bitter feelings: it seemed to him he should like so much
+to be his cousin Angus, who hunted the otter and tended the sheep,
+sleeping many a night upon the open hillside, wrapped in his plaid.
+
+"The lame child had never been at school; yet he had heard the
+traditions of his home often related about the winter fireside. He had
+heard the grandeur of Fingal's Cave described; the stone cairn that
+marks the last resting-place of the Scandinavian woman, whose wish it
+was to be buried in the pathway of the Norway wind; and the castle of
+Duart, where a lord of the isles left his wife to be overwhelmed by the
+rising tide. Then, too, he had shuddered with fear over many a tale of
+ghosts and goblins haunting ruined houses; for the Scotch people are
+superstitious.
+
+"The great day of the year arrived, and all the cousins went to the fair
+held at Broadford, on the Isle of Skye. Little Neil had once been there,
+to see the women with smart caps and scarlet tartans grouped about their
+cows and sheep, while the men and boys passed in restless, changing
+crowds; but the noise and bustle wearied him, so he remained at home.
+
+"Now I am coming to the real matter of the story: the kernel shall be
+ready for your appetite, if you have but the patience to crack the
+shell. We will see what kind of entertainment was prepared for the
+lonely cripple, who told his thoughts to no one, and chose the
+whispering winds for companions.
+
+"When the sun sank over the broad ocean, little Neil sought a favorite
+nook in which to watch the long day die. Fainter grew the rich hues of
+the western sky, more distant the line of rocks, here outlined in creamy
+whiteness, there abruptly riven by some black precipice, until Neil
+fancied strange forms were flitting about the bases of the cliffs, and
+rose to go; but he was stayed by a curious sight. The sea was glimmering
+with a phosphorescent light, and the waves that broke upon the shore
+were gemmed with globules of living fire, which melted away almost
+imperceptibly into rosy shades. The boy had often seen the ocean thus
+illuminated; but his gaze was attracted to a certain point, where the
+brilliancy centred in a wave of beautiful transparency, through which
+glittered emerald and golden flashes, appearing and disappearing in
+rapid succession, until Neil was dazzled by the splendid sight.
+
+"The wave throne upreared slowly, creamed over, and deposited at the
+boy's feet a casket of delicate frost-work, glittering with a wonderful
+radiance. Neil reached forward and touched it, when the lid flew open,
+disclosing four silver peaches, resting in separate filigree spaces of
+the same precious metal. Across the fruit lay a small case-knife, the
+handle studded with precious stones, and the diamond blade wearing a
+keen edge.
+
+"'This casket contains four wishes, from which you may choose. They are
+the gifts of the Wind Sisters,' said a water spirit; then sank in a
+circle of foam bubbles.
+
+"In the sky appeared a ring of blended colors, which descended rapidly,
+taking the form of four globes,--one rose pink, one gold, one green, and
+the last pale blue. The radiance of these globes of light spread far
+over the ocean. They parted slowly as they neared him, the outline of
+the separate forms melted into soft masses, and upon the vapor rested
+the Wind Sisters.
+
+"The South Wind, whose misty chariot took the shape of a magnolia
+blossom with pink-tinted petals half-opened, shook her rosy mantle, and
+a breath of balmy perfume was wafted to Neil, like the scent of a garden
+after a summer shower.
+
+"The East Wind floated on a couch of golden cloud, her black hair waving
+over a fleecy amber robe down to her sandalled feet, while her presence
+breathed a richer odor than the delicate fragrance of the southern
+sister: it came from spice-groves and orange-trees.
+
+"The West Wind stood erect upon her throne of emerald, her fair head
+bound with ivy tendrils, her green mantle fluttering sparkling breaths
+of health, flower-scented too, with the violet and anemone, and in her
+eyes a promise not found in those of her languid companions. Lastly, on
+the right rested the North Wind, her stately form supported on
+snowy-white pinnacle and fret-work of vapor, sharply defined as the ice
+cliffs that frown upon the Polar Sea. She wafted little Neil no perfume
+of flower or shrub from her lily draperies; yet he felt a keener joy
+kindle in his heart at the frosty stillness of her presence, than when
+the others lavished their treasures upon his senses.
+
+"'Open the first peach,' commanded the North Wind in a grave, stern
+voice.
+
+"Neil raised the fruit, divided it, and found it to be lined with pure
+gold.
+
+"'I can give you wealth,' said the East Wind, in a rich, soft voice.
+'Look!'
+
+"A scroll of mist rolled from her chariot to the surface of the water,
+taking the form of a mirror as it expanded; and upon the polished
+surface little Neil fixed his eyes.
+
+"First there appeared a garden, the like of which the Highland boy had
+never dreamed of. Upon lawns of velvet smoothness rose wonderful
+trees,--the palm, towering into feathery crests; the lemon, drooping a
+grateful shade of snowy blossoms; and the palmetto,--all interlaced by
+climbing plants. In this delightful retreat, wearing robes of satin, and
+reclining upon magnificent carpets, within hearing of trickling streams
+or the twitter of brilliant birds, was a man resembling Neil's own self.
+Servants flitted about him, bearing flagons of sherbet, or held tempting
+fruits in their cool leaves,--the delicious pomegranate and juicy date;
+while grave men, slaves only to his wealth, bowed in homage.
+
+"The scene melted gradually into a palace of splendid appearance, where
+Neil still held a place, his turban spangled with diamond, his pipe-stem
+encrusted with emeralds, and the dagger hilt, half concealed in a
+Cashmere sash, glistened with amethyst and carbuncle. From the lofty
+hall, vaulted passages and pavilion extended, each more rich in
+coloring, more gorgeous in ornament, than the last; while beyond a
+balustrade of delicately carved marble sloped a terrace, blooming with
+roses and jasmine vines. Again the rich man was surrounded by servile
+homage and flattery; but Neil saw he was nothing but a cripple, after
+all.
+
+"The East Wind sat in her couch of sunshine, with a triumphant smile
+upon her dark face.
+
+"'Ah! it is all very grand, lady,' said Neil sadly; 'only must I be lame
+still?'
+
+"'Yes.'
+
+"'What good would the riches do me, then, with the pain also?'
+
+"'Much good. Think of the power you can wield. The whole world would
+open her countless treasures. You could obtain knowledge; you could see
+every thing that is beautiful or interesting; and you could relieve the
+needy by your bounty. Better be a rich cripple than a poor one.'
+
+"Little Neil thought so, too; but he concluded to cut another peach
+before he decided the question. He did so; and the interior of the
+second was lined with crystals of great brilliancy, that shimmered in
+points of light like a rainbow prism, yet their gleam was cold as ice.
+
+"'I can give you fame,' said the West Wind in musical tones. 'Look!'
+
+"She unfurled her green mantle, which grew into a mirror like the
+previous one, only of an intense, steely brightness. Neil saw a range of
+mountains, snow-capped, their steep slopes skirted by pine-trees; while
+far below spread a sunny landscape, ripening vineyard, tracts of waving
+grain, and olive-groves. Through the narrow defiles, down the
+precipitous heights, hewing a passage for their clumsy elephants by fire
+and vinegar, came an army, and in their midst moved a man, the master
+spirit of it all.
+
+"'Hannibal,' whispered the West Wind.
+
+"The picture changed to a succession of views,--battle-fields swathed in
+smoke; soldiers moving across the plain, their arms glittering in the
+sunlight, their banners fluttering; a city burning in wreaths of flame
+against a northern sky; a nation crowning their chief with laurels.
+
+"'Napoleon,' whispered the West Wind again.
+
+"Then the boy saw travellers exploring unknown regions, statesmen and
+authors toiling over vast schemes.
+
+"'Could I be like these, lady?' he asked.
+
+"'Yes.'
+
+"'Would I be happy?'
+
+"'That is for you to decide. Fame is a greater gift than that of my
+sister here: any fool can be rich. But every man cannot have what these
+men possessed, because God gave them what gold never can buy,' said the
+West Wind, her proud eyes brightening.
+
+"'I should only be a cripple, and men would laugh at me,' sighed Neil,
+taking up the third peach, and opening it.
+
+"The lining was composed of opals, quivering in tremulous rays of purple
+and pink more beautiful than words can describe.
+
+"'I can grant you the love of all,' said the South Wind, in a voice like
+the chime of silver bells. 'Look!'
+
+"Her scarf floated downward a mirror still retaining a rosy tinge, that
+was a relief to the eye after the glitter of fame's glass, or the golden
+haze of wealth's vision.
+
+"Neil saw himself on the river bank, surrounded by children, some
+playing games, and others reading in the shade. Upon his shoulder
+perched a white dove, which appeared to whisper wise counsel in his ear;
+for, whenever dispute arose among his companions, he quieted their anger
+by soothing words.
+
+"Again Neil saw himself a young man, traversing the suburbs of a great
+city, where gardens bloomed with purple grapes, peaches, and golden
+pears. The dove rested upon his head, seeming to attract other birds
+that perched on Neil's hand to preen their feathers. Sleek-crested
+horses tossed their manes at his approach, and the dogs crouched to be
+caressed. As he entered the crowded streets, children laughed, fair
+women smiled; and on every face was a kindly greeting for the man with
+the invisible dove.
+
+"Lastly, Neil saw himself a very old man, seated before the open door,
+as the sun was setting in the west. About him were gathered kind friends
+ministering to his wants, the little ones weaving a crown of tender lily
+sprays to place upon his head; but the dove, instead of perching upon
+his shoulder, as it had done when a boy, now hovered afar, ready to take
+flight. The journey of life was almost over.
+
+"'Dear South Wind, let me have this wish,' cried Neil eagerly.
+
+"'You shall have it. Who can live without love?'
+
+"He was so sure of liking this gift, that he pushed aside the casket,
+and the last peach rolled on the ground.
+
+"'Wait,' said the North Wind, 'until you know my gift. I am not sure you
+will prefer it; still you must decide.'
+
+"Neil severed the peach, and in it were reflected the fleeting shadows
+of angel forms.
+
+"'I can grant immortality,' said the North Wind, holding up a shield of
+pure ice, and Neil saw a strange spectacle.
+
+"He beheld a vast amphitheatre, crowded with cruel, hard-featured
+people, all watching eagerly a boy standing in the arena alone, yet
+wearing on his upturned face a light that shone upon none of the heathen
+about him. Above him poised an angel, whispering words of encouragement,
+as a handsome tiger sprang into the circle from an iron gateway, and
+approached the boy with crouching, stealthy step. The tiger made a
+sudden leap, the heathen crowd shouted, and _two_ angels winged their
+way above the palaces and temples of Rome.
+
+"Next there rolled a dark stream across the mirror, bearing upon the
+current a woman, with hands roughly bound together. Dark figures loomed
+against the eastern sky, watching her; but another watcher was there
+also,--the same angel, shedding a radiance from her golden wings upon
+the drowning head. Neil saw a great man before a haughty council,--Dr.
+Martin Luther; he saw many of a humbler class teaching the poor and
+ignorant, whether in the wilds of savage Africa, or the city streets, it
+mattered little which; and with each hovered the angel companion.
+Children, too, there were who were patient and unselfish, doing what
+they could in little acts of kindness, while the angel smiled even more
+tenderly upon them. Upon all their faces beamed a joy that separated
+them from the world.
+
+"'Riches do not always bring happiness,' said the North Wind. 'Fame
+seldom does, and mere earthly love must fade before the presence of
+death.'
+
+"'Let me be like those you have shown me,' cried Neil, stretching out
+his hands towards her.
+
+"The other sisters rose slowly, floating south, east, and west, until
+they became balls of light again; but the North Wind took the little
+cripple in her sheltering arms, and bore him swiftly away. Over the sea
+they went, the North Wind sweeping gracefully along; and Neil felt no
+fear of her, as he had done when she stood on her cloud throne.
+
+"At first he could see nothing but one vast expanse of water, domed by
+the clear sky; then, at length, he noticed a dark line on the horizon,
+which grew more distinct, and proved to be land.
+
+"'You must begin the journey for yourself now,' said the North Wind,
+alighting on the shore.
+
+"'Oh, don't leave me!' cried the child, clinging timidly to her white
+draperies.
+
+"'Do not fear: I shall still be with you;' and then she rose above,
+leading him on the path he should go. She had now become the angel that
+guided the others.
+
+"So Neil began the toilsome, painful journey. The way led across an
+arid, desert waste, where waves of yellow sand glowed under the sun's
+fierce heat. Neil hobbled along slowly, the hot earth scorching his
+feet, the brazen sky without clouds, and the air stirring from a heavy,
+pulseless stillness, into sultry wind puffs. The child might have
+drooped and fainted by the road, had not the North Wind spread her cool
+wings to shade him from the sun's vertical rays. She also gave him a
+crystal flask of pure water, and a loaf of bread; but, although his own
+lips were parched with thirst, he gave the precious draught to others
+who implored the refreshment. The supply never failed; yet, when the
+child looked into the flask, there never appeared to be but a few drops
+remaining. So, too, with his loaf of bread. There was always more to
+give when he broke a piece; yet there never seemed enough to eat any
+himself.
+
+"'Never mind,' he thought bravely. 'All these poor people have not the
+North Wind to shelter them, as I have.'
+
+"At last the desert plain ended, and Neil began to ascend a steep
+mountain-side, that was clouded in a mist of snow at the summit. He
+found the way still more difficult. Now he had to climb slopes smooth as
+glass; now he trod a narrow ledge above a frightful precipice, where
+many fell; or he was obliged to cross glaciers, where the rough points
+hurt his feet, and the ice yawned treacherously about him. The cold air
+whistled by; and the sleet drifted in sheets, so that he could hardly
+see his way.
+
+"The North Wind gave him a fur cloak. How deliciously warm and soft it
+felt! A shivering old man came by, and Neil gave him the garment.
+
+"'Never mind,' he thought, 'he is so old; and, besides, I have only to
+look up into the North Wind's kind eyes, to be both warmed and fed.'
+
+"Half frozen with cold, he finally descended the other side of the
+mountain, to the brink of a wide river, upon the opposite side of which
+bloomed a fair country.
+
+"'You must swim the stream,' said the North Wind; so Neil plunged in
+boldly. The waves curled up over his head at times; great monsters swam
+towards him with fierce looks,--serpents and alligators opening their
+huge jaws as if to devour him; yet he panted on until he was cast upon
+the shore.
+
+"When he awoke, Neil found himself lying upon the soft grass, near a
+spring of water that gurgled from a moss-grown rock, with a pleasant
+sound, and tinkled along in mimic cascades beside him. He was surrounded
+by a group of fair children, who bade him drink of the spring. Neil
+drank deeply, and immediately he felt a new life. His limbs were no
+longer distorted, his back bowed: he was well at last.
+
+"'Where is the North Wind?' he asked.
+
+"The children led him to the gates of a palace, which had been before
+concealed from his view.
+
+"'We have brought another child,' said his companions; and the gates
+flew open to admit them.
+
+"In the court of the palace stood the North Wind, looking more radiant
+than the sun.
+
+"'Do you know me?' she said, kissing Neil.
+
+"'Oh yes,' he replied joyfully. 'You are my own dear mother, who died so
+long ago.'
+
+"The North Wind was indeed his mother. Little Neil was in heaven."
+
+The Spider heaved a deep sigh when he had finished, although his
+countenance glowed with the radiance of an inborn genius. "I wish I had
+ever been able to screw up my courage sufficiently to attempt
+publishing any of the ideas which occupy my brain," he said.
+
+"Why have you not?" buzzed the Wasp.
+
+"Ah," returned the other, "who ever heard of a Spider turning author,
+and walking into the office of some magazine with a manuscript under one
+arm?"
+
+"It is an age of improvement, you know," remarked the Cricket.
+
+"I perceive you have a fine mind," said the Kettle; "only we are not
+much used to considering the winds in a poetical light, especially when
+they howl down the chimney winter nights."
+
+"No, indeed," assented the Saucepan, who had been thinking of a story
+for some time. "I can tell you something plain and homely enough if--"
+
+Here the Saucepan paused, coughed, and waited to be urged.
+
+The next evening they were ready to listen, and Saucepan began:--
+
+
+
+
+GOING MAYING.
+
+
+"There was a general rising, as the teacher dismissed her section, the
+pupils clicking desk-lids, dropping books, and chirping like a flock of
+busy swallows, as they rushed down the broad stairway to the street.
+Among the crowd were two little girls, who presently detached themselves
+from the rest, and entered the Common, talking earnestly. The smaller
+was listening with an air of grave attention to the animated
+conversation of her companion.
+
+"'But, Nellie,' she said, with a doubtful shake of the head, as she
+glanced at the bare branches of the trees, that rustled in the breeze
+with rather a wintry sound, 'I think it would be too cold.'
+
+"'Too cold!' echoed Nellie, tossing her head contemptuously; 'and pray
+did you ever read of May-day being any thing but warm and lovely, with
+wild-flowers, green grass, and running brooks? Nonsense, you really know
+nothing about the matter here in town.'
+
+"Finding that her prudent little schoolmate still hesitated, Miss Nellie
+produced a brilliant-covered book from her satchel, which she had been
+perusing behind her grammar with great relish that very morning, and so
+dazzled Bessie's eyes with a pictured May-queen in white muslin and pink
+ribbons, that all her scruples faded, and she agreed to an excursion
+next day, in honor of the first of May.
+
+"Accordingly, at an early hour on Saturday, without the knowledge or
+consent of her parents, Bessie Morton proceeded to the house of Nellie
+Wray, whom she found in a state of great excitement. With their dinner
+packed in a basket, and various extra receptacles wherein to carry
+flowers and other treasures they might discover, they set forth bravely.
+At first little Bessie ventured to suggest the propriety of taking the
+cars to some suburban town, at least; but Nellie scorned such every-day
+affairs, or she pretended to, although I am inclined to the opinion
+that she had not a penny in her pocket at the time, and disliked owning
+to such extreme poverty. So they trudged along, swinging their baskets;
+Nellie enlivening her friend by scraps of information on the topic of
+spring-time, until Bessie was warmed to an equal amount of enthusiasm on
+the subject. The sky was clear, the sun shone brightly; and what matter
+if the wind was a trifle frosty, causing a slight purple tinge in the
+tip of their noses, so long as it was May-day. Besides, in the country
+it would be different. And without doubt it was. As the blocks of houses
+were succeeded by scattered dwellings, the landscape became bleak: brown
+earth, sprinkled here and there with tufts of grass, budding trees, and
+bare shrubs, surrounded by sombre, wind-swept hills, presented a
+chilling disappointment to the children.
+
+"Nellie surveyed the scene rather blankly; then affirmed that green
+valleys must be farther on. Presently she saw a little brook in a
+distant meadow, and announced her firm conviction, that upon its banks
+wild-flowers grew in abundance. They climbed over the fence after some
+difficulty, and proceeded across the field, looking eagerly on all
+sides for the coveted anemones and violets. They did not notice that at
+the farther extremity of the pasture were some horses, quietly rubbing
+their heads on the bars of a gate.
+
+"Soon the ardent little botanists were searching on the bank for floral
+treasures, and were rewarded by a few sparse clumps of pale,
+frozen-looking violets. With an exclamation of triumph, Nellie stooped
+to pluck one bunch; while Bessie, no less delighted, pounced upon
+another. In the midst of these labors, as they chatted merrily over
+every tiny, dew-tipped cup that reared its fragile head, they were
+alarmed by a rumbling sound, that seemed to shake the very earth under
+their feet. Upon raising their heads, they discovered that the horses,
+with manes and tails streaming on the breeze, were scampering over the
+ground, with all the graceful movements of unrestrained freedom. A
+slender-limbed, fleet-footed bay led the others in circles around the
+inclosure, a world of mischievous fun sparkling in his bright eye, as he
+pranced and curveted along.
+
+"The children clung together in speechless dismay, as they saw the
+animals become wilder with every bound, knowing their only means of
+escape was at the wall where they had entered, or the opposite gate.
+While they were hesitating about what course to adopt, the leader, for
+the first time apparently, noticed them, and with a wicked shake of the
+head came dancing towards them. Then, without losing a moment's time,
+they fled across the field, dropping flowers and gloves; conscious of
+nothing but that the horses were neighing and snorting close behind
+them, and that they must reach the gate soon, or be eaten alive. Nellie
+arriving at it first, pushed through with frantic haste, just as the bay
+thrust his nose playfully over Bessie's shoulder. Nellie rescued her
+terrified companion, by dragging her over the boundary, and closing the
+gate unceremoniously in their pursuer's face. With a low,
+half-apologetical whinny, Master Bay began to rub his head on the bars
+again, as quietly as when they had first entered his dominions.
+
+"Still panting with fright, the young pleasure-seekers next glanced
+about for a means of escape from present difficulties; only to discover
+that the narrow lane they had entered led in quite an opposite direction
+from the road they had left. What was to be done? They never could
+attempt passing those awful horses again, and the lane must lead out
+somewhere, so they would explore it. They found it turned into a
+barnyard, which they decided to cross, hoping to find their way out
+beyond.
+
+"The yard contained a lively population. There were waddling ducks, with
+tufted feathers on their heads; there were noisy, cackling geese,
+strutting roosters; and several large families of pigs, who strolled in
+and out of their houses, the little pink ones, with their tails in a
+very tight curl, peering out from amid the straw of their beds: while
+pretty, brown-eyed calves lowed in adjoining sheds for their absent
+mothers. Entering the place, the children cautiously picked out their
+footsteps around the mud puddles, until they reached the centre, when
+the ire of a turkey-cock was excited by Nellie's red cloak. His angry
+note, as he flapped his wings defiantly at her, was echoed not only by
+his own family, but by the whole goose and duck tribe, until there was
+a general clamor of indignation against the intruders.
+
+"At this juncture, there appeared on the scene a choleric goat, with
+venerable beard and sharply curved horns, who, after surveying the field
+of action for a time, advanced with bent head and glowering visage.
+Again they were compelled to take refuge in flight,--this time entering
+a large barn which flanked the inclosure on one side, and closing the
+door after them. By this act they excluded all light from the place,
+save where a few rays penetrated the chinks of the boards, throwing
+vague, uncertain lines over the hay-loft and into the darkness below.
+They groped about the place in search of another door, but without
+success; then they returned to the entrance, and peeped through a hole
+in the woodwork, to see if it was possible to retrace their steps. The
+goat had assumed a warlike attitude, giving hints of unabated rancor by
+butting at the closed door; while the turkey-cock still puffed with
+rage, and even the little pigs had ventured forth to see what was the
+matter.
+
+"'Oh, dear! what shall we do?' exclaimed Nellie most dismally. 'Will we
+have to stay here until somebody comes?'
+
+"'We must find another door,' said Bessie resolutely, as she led her
+discouraged schoolmate on a second exploring expedition. Finally, after
+stumbling down unexpected steps, knocking their heads against heavy
+beams, and sneezing with dust, they found a small aperture, half choked
+by rubbish, through which they crawled into a shed, and so out into a
+meadow. Once more they clambered over a wall into the main road,
+somewhat dilapidated and dusty after their adventures.
+
+"'O Nellie! your shoes are covered with mud, your dress is torn, and
+your face quite dirty,' cried Bessie.
+
+"'O Bessie! your hat is crushed on one side, and your hair covered with
+hay-seed,' retorted Nellie, who could not refrain from laughing, as she
+contemplated their sorry plight.
+
+"'Don't you think we had better go home?' said Bessie ruefully,
+attempting to bend her disabled hat into shape.
+
+"'Go home before noon, when we have had no fun yet?' replied Nellie, her
+spirits reviving now that all danger was past; 'oh, no! we have our
+dinner to eat, and lots of nice things to do.'
+
+"Once more yielding to her playmate's superior sagacity, little Bessie
+trotted along cheerfully, until they espied a fine rock on a sloping
+hillside, which they immediately proposed converting into a
+dining-table. To reach the spot, they were obliged to pass through a
+piece of rough, ploughed ground, recently sown, near a little cottage,
+with gray, overhanging roof, and narrow, closed windows.
+
+"Spreading a napkin for table-cloth on the rock, they were soon
+arranging their provisions; here a sandwich rested upon a pedestal of
+apple, to prevent its tilting over a slice of custard pie; there a small
+bottle, containing a mysterious fluid, suggestive of weak molasses and
+water, dripped through its broken cork into a store of pickled limes.
+But what matter if the gingerbread did taste of mustard, or if the
+chicken was encrusted with spilled sugar, on a first of May picnic?
+
+"After surveying the result of their labors with great satisfaction,
+they were just preparing to enjoy the result, with appetites only
+sharpened by previous misfortunes, when Bessie's attention was attracted
+by the curtain of one of the cottage-windows being drawn aside, and a
+head appearing behind the glass. It was such a hideous head, with
+tangled white hair surmounted by a queer cap, and the face was so
+sharp-nosed and wrinkled, that the little girl paused, with a chicken
+wing elevated half-way to her mouth, to stare at the apparition fixedly.
+
+"Nellie, noticing her sudden silence, turned also; and, when she saw the
+face, gave a shriek, and commenced tumbling cakes, pies, and pickles
+into the basket. Then the head disappeared from the window, and a
+comical little old man, in a dressing-gown, popped out of the door, like
+a spider from its hole. He hobbled towards them, shaking his cane, and
+croaking like a hoarse old raven.
+
+"'Get out, will ye, a-tramping of my rye, and a-bringing of your traps
+under my very nose. Hullo, there! just wait till I catch ye.'
+
+"He looked so wild and angry, as he came towards them, all the time
+wagging his head, and tapping the ground spitefully with his cane, that
+they ran away across the rye as fast as ever they could; the old man
+shrieking and chattering after them all the while, until they reached
+the wall and stumbled over into the highway, Bessie still clutching her
+chicken wing.
+
+"Hurrying along as rapidly as possible, to escape from their dreadful
+pursuer, they came to a place of cross roads, and, puzzled which
+direction to take, they decided on a pleasant road turning to the right.
+When they had proceeded a short distance, they noticed a high fence
+running parallel with the road, in which was a door. Impelled by her
+usual heedless curiosity, Nellie turned the knob and peeped into the
+inclosure. The view of winding paths and shrubbery proved so inviting,
+that they entered. They saw broad avenues bordered by rows of fine elms,
+trim hedges, and flower parterres, all leading to a large mansion with
+closed windows and doors, as if nobody lived there, while a dome of
+glittering glass conservatories rose on one side. The children strolled
+about, every moment discovering something new to admire,--now it was a
+graceful-arched bridge; now it was a white statue gleaming through the
+shrubbery; now it was a massive carved urn, filled with hardy, clinging
+ivy vines.
+
+"Seeing no one near, they determined once more to eat their dinner; and
+so, selecting a pleasant bank for the purpose, were soon discussing
+their good things.
+
+"'Now you will find that May-day is nice, after all,' said Nellie
+triumphantly, her mouth full of cake, as she poured some of the contents
+of the bottle into a cup the size of a thimble.
+
+"Oh, false hope! There was a crackling of dry twigs behind them, and,
+with an alarming growl, a large, savage-looking dog bounded directly
+into their midst. To see a huge black nose appear over one's head, and a
+double row of sharp, white teeth displayed within a few inches of one's
+eyes, is trying to the courage,--at least our little friends found it
+so; for they not only abandoned their baggage to the enemy, but beat a
+hasty retreat, Nellie rushing wildly down one alley, while Bessie
+escaped by another.
+
+"The dog, instead of following them, began to devour their repast,
+selecting such dainty morsels from the _débris_ as best suited his
+palate.
+
+"Bessie found herself, she scarcely knew how, behind a summer-house,
+where she crouched trembling for a time, until, summoning courage, she
+ventured to call, in a quavering little voice, to her missing friend.
+Receiving no response, she began a search, frightened that she was
+alone. She peered about on every side, entreating Nellie to
+appear,--first from under a bush that would not have concealed a cat;
+then lifting a watering-pot left by the gardener, as though she expected
+to find her companion rolled in a ball below the spout; until, with
+heaving sobs, she paused by a bridge, and made a last desperate effort.
+This time she heard a faint response, as Nellie presently crawled forth
+from under an arch of the bridge, sadly splashed with water, her hat
+gone, and her ankle sprained. What need to tell how they wandered
+through avenue, grove, and by-way, hopelessly bewildered and
+lost?--how, utterly discouraged and terrified at last, as the sun began
+to slant towards the western horizon, they sat down by the road-side, to
+indulge in a flood of tears?
+
+"'It's not a bit like story-books,' sobbed Nellie. 'I am so hungry and
+tired and cold. Oh, dear!'
+
+"Just as they were preparing to rouse themselves to try and find their
+way, a gayly painted express wagon came rattling along at a smart pace.
+The good-natured driver stopped readily enough to answer their questions
+as to the way home; and, when he had gleaned a few particulars of their
+story, he took them into his conveyance, and carried them safely within
+the city limits.
+
+"When the sun had set, and the evening shadows fell cold and gray
+through the narrow streets, two forlorn little forms, all travel-stained
+and weary, crept along to their respective homes; ready to beg
+forgiveness for their truancy, ready to acknowledge their folly, and
+nestle into their soft, warm beds, to dream of the smiling woodland or
+pleasant meadows in the story-books first of May."
+
+"Where did you hear that?" asked the Spider.
+
+"Who knows but I may be an author, too?" responded the Saucepan airily.
+"Surely it is my own affair."
+
+"I have been thinking of this story for a month," said the Spider, in a
+patronizing tone. "Still I am glad you had the pleasure of telling it."
+
+This was malicious on the part of the Spider, and of course the Saucepan
+was in danger of losing her temper in consequence. The Caterpillar had
+by this time recovered somewhat from his low spirits, and determined to
+distinguish himself, because he feared they all must consider him a
+person of inferior ability. When they again met, the Cricket hoped to
+talk a little, as he had not had a single opportunity to do so since the
+arrival of the three travellers; but he was again doomed to
+disappointment.
+
+"Allow me to speak," said the Caterpillar, with a dignified manner.
+
+Then he commenced:--
+
+
+
+
+GRANDPAPA MOUSE AND HIS FAMILY.
+
+
+"Grandpapa mouse was quite an old gentleman at the time of which I
+write. He and his wife lived in a nice, large granary belonging to a
+rich farmer, which would have made them a splendid home, but for one
+reason. Do you know what that was? Why, they did not have to scamper all
+about to find their living, as some mice do; for they had every thing
+that was good piled up about them. They could nip a kernel from an ear
+of corn here, or taste a bit of barley there; until they were so fat
+they hardly knew what to do with themselves.
+
+"Grandpapa was taken with the gout, and had to sit all day with one leg
+wrapped in a wisp of hay, besides having to take nothing but water
+gruel, which seemed to him a very sad case indeed.
+
+"As for Grandmamma, she was so large round the waist, her grandchildren
+had to nibble a hole twice the usual size for her to pass through, when
+she wished to take the air.
+
+"They were seated one winter's night each side of the fire, which
+consisted of some shreds of corn-husk upon a pebble, and certainly made
+as bright a blaze as need be. Grandpapa was feeling better; for the
+mouse doctor had been to see him that day, and had given him a new
+liniment of great virtue. He was whistling quite a gay tune, and staring
+at the fire, when suddenly he exclaimed,--
+
+"'It is almost Christmas time, my dear.'
+
+"Grandmamma had been dozing over her knitting-work; so she rubbed her
+eyes, and said,--
+
+"'What?'
+
+"'It is almost Christmas,' he repeated louder, for she was a trifle
+deaf. 'I heard the farmer say so to-day, when he was counting his
+turkeys out there. I think we had better give a dinner-party, and invite
+all our children home.'
+
+"'Perhaps we had,' assented Grandmamma with a sigh: she knew how much
+work it would make. 'We have not enough spare rooms, though, I am
+afraid.'
+
+"'We can easily gnaw a few new ones,' said Grandpapa briskly. 'Let us
+send our invitations by the postman to-morrow.'
+
+"So they wrote to all their children; and the next morning the little
+servant mouse had to watch under a bush until the letter-carrier came.
+Now this postman was a snow-bird, who had promised always to take
+messages for the mice, if they would steal him bits of bread and cake
+from the pantry.
+
+"'If you please, sir, my master has got some letters for you,' called
+the little servant, in a wee, piping voice, for her nose was getting
+cold out of doors.
+
+"'Put them into my bag,' said the snow-bird, hopping along jauntily.
+
+"So the little servant stood upon her hind legs to place the letters in
+the tiny bag which the snow-bird carried under his left wing; then she
+threw her apron over her head, and ran home.
+
+"I suppose there never was such a sweeping and scratching and gnawing in
+any other mouse family, as went on in this one for the next two weeks.
+All of them worked so hard, making new holes for their expected guests,
+that the little servant had an attack of mumps at the last minute, and
+had to have her head tied up in a rag of cobweb.
+
+"Christmas Eve came at last. Grandpapa had his coat of fur nicely
+brushed, and Grandmamma wore a new cap with a ruffle round it.
+
+"Presently there sounded the patter of little footsteps, which announced
+the arrival of the eldest son, and his family of six children.
+Grandmamma had scarcely kissed them all round, when in walked the eldest
+daughter, with her husband and baby. She had only just been shown to her
+room to take off her bonnet, when all the rest came,--a son from the
+city; a daughter from the next village; and the youngest child, who
+lived in a distant town, and was an old bachelor.
+
+"What a time there was! Grandpapa grew quite hoarse with shouting at his
+different sons; and as for the children, there were so many of them
+tumbling about, it is only a wonder their mothers ever could tell them
+apart.
+
+"At last the elder ones had their supper and were sent to bed, where
+they soon forgot every thing in sound sleep. Then all the mothers began
+to talk together in one corner with Grandmamma about their houses and
+cook-books, while the gentlemen discussed mouse politics in another. So
+the evening passed away very pleasantly; and by ten o'clock they were
+all asleep, too, except Grandpapa: he was so excited, that his wife had
+to give him a Dover's powder before he could shut an eye.
+
+"The next morning the children were awake bright and early, wanting all
+sorts of things to eat, and poking into odd places where they should not
+have gone.
+
+"'O Grandpapa! is there no ice this morning?' cried an eager young
+mouse; 'I have such a prime pair of skates!'
+
+"'Can you cut a pigeon wing backwards?' asked one of the city cousins.
+'I will show you how to do it in style.'
+
+"'May we go, too?' urged all the little mice in chorus.
+
+"Grandpapa consented: so the small servant went to show them the way;
+and they soon reached the pond, which was in reality a frozen puddle,
+about twelve inches square, and very smooth, on the edge of a wood.
+
+"All the country mice put on their skates, made of beech-nuts, with
+crooked pins for runners, and began to caper about in a great way. The
+vain young city mouse then fastened on his, which were tiny apple-seeds
+beautifully polished, and strapped with gray horse-hairs.
+
+"'See,' said he, 'my skates are rockers;' and sure enough they were, for
+he soon toppled over backwards, while all the others laughed to behold
+his fall. If a cat had happened to spy them, what a dainty Christmas
+dinner she might have had! But no cat did; so they had a splendid time,
+and went home as hungry as mice can be.
+
+"As for the ladies, they had enjoyed the quiet in-doors very much
+indeed. You must not suppose that all the children were able to scamper
+out. There were ever so many babies, that looked just like little bits
+of pink pigs. Those from the city had nurses, but those from the country
+had not.
+
+"'It is time for my baby's morning nap,' said the city mouse, looking at
+her watch. 'Dear me! is there no cradle?'
+
+"Then Grandmamma sent to the lumber room, and had one her children once
+used brought out. It was half of a peach-pit, which, when lined with
+soft paper, made an excellent bed for the fretful baby mouse.
+
+"So the day wore on, and at last they began to get sniffs of nice things
+cooking. Grandmamma bustled about with her cap-strings flying, and grew
+very red in the face from scolding the little servant, who was all the
+while going the wrong way, because she could do nothing but stare at the
+finery of the nursery maids.
+
+"At last dinner was quite ready; so Grandpapa took his place at the head
+of the table, and Grandmamma hers at the foot: yet they could see
+nothing but the tips of each other's noses, the pile of good things was
+so high. Before the old gentleman was placed a dish of toasted cheese,
+that made every mouse present smack his lips with delight; while before
+his wife was a fine large egg; and the rest of the table held bits of
+meat, cracker, and blades of wheat. The children had a smaller table to
+themselves, with just as much to eat as their parents. They behaved
+pretty well at first, until one roguish little mouse thrust his nose
+into the cheese, and the next one gave him a push that sent him
+sprawling across the table. This made all the others frolic, too, so
+that the city mouse had to come and box their ears all around.
+
+"While she was doing this, the little servant happened to come along,
+carrying a nut-shell of honey; and what did she do but catch her foot in
+the beautiful long tail of the city mouse, and spill the honey all down
+her back. There was a regular uproar at this: the city mouse was so
+angry, it seemed as though she never would take any more dinner.
+
+"Grandpapa had been very still all this time: he was eating as if he
+never expected to have the gout again. If his doctor had only seen him,
+I am sure I do not know what in the world he would have said.
+
+"When they had finished the meal, they made a circle around the fire;
+and, the ladies not objecting, the gentlemen lit their cigars, which
+were in reality straw tubes.
+
+"'I wish somebody would tell a story,' said a little lame mouse, who had
+been obliged to stay in the house all day, because it could not run and
+jump like the others, but had to hobble along on a crutch made of a
+lucifer match.
+
+"'Yes, yes, Grandpapa, tell us a story,' cried all the other young mice
+in a breath.
+
+"'I don't know any stories,' said Grandpapa, puffing away at his straw
+cigar. 'Ask your uncle.'
+
+"So they began to clamor at the bachelor uncle, and he finally consented
+to amuse them. Now, of all the family, he was the most doleful mouse
+imaginable; and before he began his story Grandmamma whispered to one of
+her daughters-in-law, that he had been disappointed in love, which
+accounted for his melancholy. Whether this was true or not, I do not
+know; but he also suffered from dyspepsia, and that is apt to make one
+sad, it is said: so perhaps it was his liver, and not his heart, that
+was affected. He now drew his seat closer to the fire, and began:--
+
+"'I fear I shall not be able to tell you any thing very wonderful: still
+I can give you some description of my own life since I left home; and,
+when I have finished, I hope some of my brothers and sisters will also
+tell us what they have been about. When I was a young mouse, my health
+was very delicate: the doctor feared a throat affection, so I decided to
+go farther south for change of air. There was no need for me to settle
+anywhere: I was not a marrying mouse.' [Here Grandmamma nodded and
+winked, as much as to say, "I told you so."]
+
+"'Ordinary society did not suit me at all: to hear a mouse talk of
+nothing but his dinner, seemed very tame. That reminds me it is time to
+take my medicine two hours after eating. Dear, dear, I nearly forgot!'
+
+"The bachelor unfastened a bit of goose quill, corked at both ends, that
+was hung about his neck with a string, and took a pill from it. He then
+resumed his story:--
+
+"'I journeyed on in frequent danger, until I reached the handsome town
+where I now live. I had to cross a broad beach, and saw the ocean
+rolling in great waves of foam, before I came to the houses. It was
+night, and the stars shone brightly overhead; but I was so tired with my
+day's tramp, that I crawled into a stone wall, to rest. I was soon
+disturbed by a squirrel's scrambling in after me.
+
+"'"Good evening, sir," I said; for my mother had always taught me to be
+especially polite to strangers. "Will you tell me where I can find a
+night's lodging?"
+
+"'"Do you like gay company?" replied the squirrel, peering at me with
+his bright eyes.
+
+"'"I like grave people better."
+
+"'"Why, then, I know the very place," cried he. "Go to the town library,
+where you can find a set of students."
+
+"'I thanked him, and went on until I arrived at the library, where I was
+received most courteously by the society of literary mice, to which I
+now belong. Perhaps you may have noticed the leather medal I wear upon
+my left shoulder. Never shall I forget their kindness that night. They
+first inquired if I was married, because they did not admit such
+parties; and when I satisfied them I was not, they at once gave me the
+hole recently occupied by a brother, who had died of brain fever,
+brought on by overwork.
+
+"'What a delightful time we have of it there! We spend the day getting
+in stores of provisions, strolling about out of doors, or taking a nap;
+then when evening comes, and the old librarian places all the books in
+order before going home, we begin to scamper about, having the place all
+to ourselves.
+
+"'Our president (he has nibbled more books than any of us, and that is
+why we elected him) calls us about him after a while, and asks what we
+have seen that is interesting or new. This is a most agreeable
+arrangement; since one of us is always appointed to be about the library
+during the day, to hear what the people may say there. I have been
+particularly useful in this way, and that is one reason I am so much of
+a favorite.
+
+"'One thing troubles me greatly at present, so that I must make off home
+again as soon as ever I can: I left the whole of the society in such a
+state of mind over it, that they were not going to allow themselves any
+Christmas dinner.'
+
+"'Pray what is the important question?' inquired Grandpapa.
+
+"'Why, about a month ago,' replied the bachelor, warming one foot at the
+blaze, 'it was my turn to visit the reading-room. I had crept around
+very quietly for some time, hearing old gentlemen talk over their
+newspapers, or watching ladies rustle in and out, when a young man and a
+little girl came in. With them was a tan terrier, which began to trot
+around, snuffing such mischief as he might, when he suddenly spied me
+seated at my ease upon a large book, and leaped up at me, barking
+furiously. If the young man had not seized him by the collar, I do not
+know what would have become of me. As it was, there he sat under his
+master's chair, winking, and ready to eat me alive any minute.
+
+"'The little girl kept asking her brother strange questions about
+different things, until he said,--
+
+"'"Did you know, Mimi, that the moon is made of green cheese?"
+
+"'She said, "No."
+
+"'"It is," he continued. "The wise men that study the stars have just
+found it out."
+
+"'I pricked up my ears at this, and as I had a chance soon after to make
+my escape, I did so.'
+
+"'What!' exclaimed the whole mouse family. 'Is the moon nothing but a
+big slice of cheese, then?'
+
+"'Do you believe it, my son?' inquired Grandpapa, rubbing his nose with
+a puzzled air.
+
+"'Dear me, dear me!' sighed Grandmamma, wiping her spectacles, 'what
+next?'
+
+"'I don't know what to believe,' continued the bachelor. 'I told the
+others of it that night, and I do not believe the president has slept a
+wink since. We have searched everywhere to learn if it is really true;
+we have set an extra watch of four to listen in the library; and if they
+have not found out something when I go back, I, for one, shall start
+direct for Harvard University, to settle the matter.
+
+"'Now, you see, if the moon is really made of green cheese,' he added,
+shaking his head wisely, 'I should suppose it would have been eaten up
+long ago.'
+
+"Here he stopped suddenly. Every one of his nephews and nieces had
+fallen asleep, some in their mothers' laps, and others huddled together
+in little balls upon the floor. A great deal they cared about the moon!
+
+"The lame mouse, however, had listened to every word with bright eyes,
+and this pleased the bachelor so much, that he patted her upon the head,
+saying,--
+
+"'You are a good child, my dear; I shall leave you something in my
+will.'
+
+"The others were then roused up, and trundled off to bed; but they were
+so sleepy they did not once think to ask their uncle's pardon.
+
+"'I've been thinking,' said Grandpapa, 'of the time when my gray cousin
+and I made a trip together. We were both very gay, and one hot summer
+morning he said to me,--
+
+"'"Every one is bound to the mountains: let us go, too."
+
+"'"But," said I, "you know my father is away on business, and I am the
+eldest son, left in charge of the family."
+
+"'"Never mind," rejoined he, "we can have such splendid fun!"
+
+"'Well, we ran away from home (my cousin lived with us, as he had been
+left an orphan at a tender age). We travelled along bravely for a time,
+although the sun was dreadfully hot upon our backs.'
+
+"'"Oh, dear!" I panted, "I never was so warm in my life."
+
+"'"What is easier than to carry an umbrella, then?" suggested my
+companion; and with that he nibbled the stems of two toad-stools until
+they separated, and carrying one above his own head, gave me the other.
+This was a delightful change, for the toad-stools spread so as to
+shelter our faces from the sun. We trotted along comfortably after this,
+and finally came to the brink of a brook, where we paused, because we
+did not know how to get across.
+
+"'"The mountains look such a little way off," said my cousin dismally;
+yet the brook still whirled on, seeming to laugh at our discomfiture.
+
+"'"I believe we could skip from stone to stone," urged the gray mouse,
+who was determined not to turn back, if he could possibly help it.
+
+"'So I tried the bits of stone for some distance; and then I found
+myself away out where the water was ever so deep, and I was seized with
+fright, not daring to move an inch either way, but clinging to the wet,
+slimy rock. Presently a beautiful trout came swimming towards me, its
+sides all clothed in variegated scales, and its handsome eyes sparkling
+with fun.
+
+"'"What is the matter; are you sea-sick?" laughed the trout, splashing
+the foam from its tail in my face.
+
+"'"Oh! don't, if you please, I am so giddy now," I cried, and then
+tumbled headlong into the water.
+
+"'Ugh! what a cold bath that was: it makes me shiver only to think of
+it. The wicked fish took me on his back, and gave me such a sail as I
+hope I may never have again in this world. It went up and down, and up
+and down again, approaching the shore occasionally only to dart off for
+a fresh trip, until I fairly squealed with fright, clasping its slippery
+back the while. At last it flung me off, and I landed by my cousin, who
+did nothing but laugh at me. I was very cross by this time; so, after
+trying to dry myself upon some blades of grass, I determined to return
+home. Just then a fat old bull-frog paddled lazily towards the bank.
+
+"'"Will you carry us across the brook?" inquired my cousin eagerly.
+
+"'"How much do you weigh?" asked the bull-frog, winking slowly.
+
+"Just take up this fellow, and see." He then lifted me upon the
+bull-frog's back, who carried me safely across before I could say a
+single word. Afterward he brought my cousin over also, and we were able
+to resume our journey.
+
+"'Fortunately we overtook a field mouse soon after, who invited us to
+visit his family in the stump of a tree, which we were glad enough to
+do, as we were both hungry and tired. That night I was very ill with
+chills and fever,--probably owing to the cold bath I had taken; and the
+field mice had to give me a dose of some kind of bark that they always
+kept in the house, as they lived in a swampy region, which made me
+better. They none of them thought I could go on the next morning; and,
+as the gray mouse was so anxious to climb the mountains, I proposed his
+starting without me. This he consented to do, when one of the young
+field mice offered to be his guide; and if I felt well enough, I was to
+join them after a while. I had a very nice visit, indeed: the field mice
+were so hospitable and kind. I spent most of my time in the house with
+the ladies, and the eldest daughter was--who do you think? Why, your
+mother, of course; and a prettier young mouse I never saw.'
+
+"'Don't be foolish,' interrupted Grandmamma.
+
+"'Yes; but you were just as pretty as ever you could be,' urged
+Grandpapa, politely.
+
+"'I know I was considered the belle of our society;' and Grandmamma
+tossed her head when she thought of the admirers of her youth.
+
+"'I concluded I would not join my cousin at all,' went on Grandpapa;
+'but this I was finally obliged to do, for days passed on and they did
+not return. At this we all began to look grave; so the father
+field-mouse told me that he was afraid something had happened, and he
+thought we had better search for them. We made a party of eight, and set
+out towards the mountains, anticipating something dreadful must have
+befallen the travellers. Ah, what a time we had!
+
+"'We came to a place where the rock rose so steep and straight before
+us, that I did not consider it possible to climb it. What do you suppose
+we did? We tied ourselves together, as travellers do when ascending the
+Alps in Switzerland, although not with such ropes as they use; we
+fastened the tips of our tails together with bits of grass, then marched
+along side by side. This was an excellent arrangement, as we afterwards
+found; for at one time they all slipped, obliging me to bear their
+weight upon my tail. It was a terrible moment: I feared it would break,
+or be pulled out from the roots entirely!
+
+"'At last we reached a shelf of rock where we could rest awhile. The
+view from this place was splendid. The valleys lay below blooming with
+verdure, many-colored flowers, and golden grain almost ready for the
+harvest; the rivers sparkled under the clear sunlight in silvery
+threads; and of the towns scattered along the the hillside as far as I
+could see, the church steeples looked like mere arrowy spikes. When I
+gazed down upon this beautiful smiling earth, and up at the blue sky
+where the soft white clouds were floating idly along, it seemed to me
+very wonderful that the good God, who had made such grand things, had
+made also little me.
+
+"'We climbed up and up for several days, following footprints that were
+certainly those of mice; and we hoped belonged to our friends. At last,
+even such traces ceased; and we were fairly at our wits' end, when we
+heard faint sounds behind a large leaf. Peering cautiously around the
+corner, we saw the gray mouse and his companion stretched upon a bed of
+moss, groaning in the most dismal manner. They were overjoyed to see us
+again, for they had supposed they must die up there alone. My cousin
+had slipped, and sprained his ankle terribly; while the field-mouse had
+lost his balance, in trying to assist him, and fallen down a precipice
+some twenty inches high, thus injuring his spine. It was all very well
+having found them; but how were we to get them away, when neither of
+them could move a step? We sat for a long time looking at each other in
+doubt, and then a bright idea struck me.
+
+"'"We can braid this sword-grass together, and lower them down by it," I
+said.
+
+"'We soon joined a quantity in this way, then fastened one end about the
+waist of my cousin, and let him down to the next ledge. In this way we
+got them both to the foot of the mountain. Now it remained to carry them
+across the country; so we tore a mullein leaf in two halves, and,
+placing the pieces upon birch twigs, formed excellent litters for our
+invalids. We reached the stump of the field-mice again, after an absence
+of a month. The surgeon mended my cousin's ankle, which was broken; and,
+as for the young field-mouse, I am told he has not known what it was to
+feel well a day since.
+
+"'During the period that we remained, I made a proposal of marriage to
+your mother, and was accepted; so, with the understanding that I should
+return in the spring, we finally started home. My mother forgot to scold
+us, she was so frightened by our long absence. Besides, she received
+very sad news just at this time. My father, who was away on business, as
+I have said, was taken with the cholera suddenly, after eating a late
+supper of bacon rinds, and died. I tried to be a good son ever after,'
+concluded he, wiping a tear from his left eye, 'although if I had not
+been naughty this time, I should never have known your mother.'
+
+"'For my part,' remarked the city mouse, 'I have had rather a tough time
+of it so far. Now, indeed, I enjoy my ease; but, as I have said, it has
+been hardly earned. My desire in going to town was, first, to learn
+something of life, and then aspire to belonging to the class of business
+mice, which seemed to me the most enviable lot imaginable. I was very
+near losing sight of this aim once; still I persevered, until now I am
+reckoned among the most influential people. When I began my career, I
+was extremely gay; that is, I enjoyed the company of a number of other
+young mice, who did nothing but frolic the whole day. I might have kept
+on in this way for any length of time, had I not been suddenly checked.
+
+"'I was invited to a ball given by a wealthy mouse at his country
+residence, which was located in a nook of the wall of an ice-house. It
+was really the finest place for the time of year I ever visited, and the
+wealthy mouse had spared no expense in fitting it up nicely. The
+coolness of the house was so refreshing in the sultry heat of July; for,
+if one was too hot, all one had to do was to skip down where the great
+blocks of ice were piled, and soon get cooled off again. Well, we were
+all to attend the silver wedding of the old couple. The young mice had
+the greatest time at the tailor's, wondering what to wear; for we were
+expected to assume the character of some distinguished person, as it was
+to be a fancy masquerade. I thought the tailor would have been crazed
+with getting our costumes made, we altered our minds so often; but,
+finally, all was ready, and, with our dresses wrapped in brown paper,
+we started.
+
+"'At the entrance door,--a crack in the stonework,--we were shown by two
+waiters, in white jackets and aprons, to the dressing-room, where any
+number of guests were tying on their masks, made of scraps of various
+colored silks, that certainly had a very stylish appearance. The
+reception rooms below were truly magnificent. The walls were hung with
+strips of red and blue paper, gnawed into all manner of fanciful shapes,
+while a row of glow-worms, placed at intervals, lit up the place in the
+most beautiful way. At one end of the room stood the host and hostess
+upon a platform an inch high (she wearing her wedding-dress of lily
+leaves, which had a very old-fashioned effect, because every one wears
+swan's-down nowadays), to receive the company, who marched up to make a
+bow, each in turn. I represented Bluebeard, with a green turban round my
+head, a red sash with a dagger of a rose-thorn, and a pair of yellow
+Turkish trousers. This was all very elegant; but I found I could not
+dance the polka very well, I was so much bundled up. A friend of mine
+was dressed in a long-tailed coat of scarlet plush, with gold
+knee-breeches; another had on for armor half of a nutmeg-grater, with a
+tin shield made of the top of a spice-box, and a thistle-cup for helmet.
+
+"'As for the ladies' toilets, I cannot begin to describe them, there was
+such a variety of beauty and elegance. One lady's costume I remember
+especially, however: it was so very dainty. She was equipped as a
+flower-girl, with a short dress of sea-lettuce, looped by tufts of
+dandelion down; she wore pink slippers, laced across the instep, a
+bodice of wasp-wings, and a hat made of a silver three-cent piece,
+ornamented by a flower in the side. I danced with this lady a great many
+times, although, as she was masked, I could not see her face at all; and
+we became quite well acquainted. The dancing-room grew very hot; and the
+band played splendidly (they were katydids, and worked so hard with
+their fiddles, it is only a wonder their legs were not worn out
+entirely), when I proposed to the young lady-mouse to take a walk in the
+moonlight. We found a good many others strolling along arm in arm; and
+she had just consented to give me a whisker (as mortals would exchange a
+lock of hair), when we heard a shrill voice behind us in the distance.
+
+"'"Oh, that is my grandmother!" exclaimed my lovely companion in a
+whisper, and then she fainted away.
+
+"'The grandmother hobbled up, and she was certainly the ugliest little
+old mouse I ever saw in my life. Her nose was very long, she wore green
+spectacles, and used a cane in walking. When she beheld the insensible
+form of her grand-daughter, she fairly shook her cane at me.
+
+"'"What do you mean?" she said in a hoarse, croaking voice. "I came to
+the ball to watch this young mouse; and now you have skipped out into
+the moonlight to take cold, have you?"
+
+"'She attempted to box my ears, while I tried to dodge her sharp claws;
+and, in so doing, the fair young mouse fell to the ground, thus ruining
+her pretty hat. The grandmother screamed with rage to see so nice a
+costume spoiled, and this sent all the guests out to find what was the
+matter. The noise brought still another guest to the scene that we did
+not expect: a great cat, with eyes like green fire, came creeping
+through the grass; but we never noticed her, we were so busy bickering
+and quarrelling among ourselves.
+
+"'Suddenly she gave a pounce into our midst; and we all ran for our
+lives, tearing our dresses, losing caps and shoes, tumbling over each
+other, until we arrived breathless under shelter. We then began to count
+our number, and found that the poor flower-girl mouse was missing. I
+peeped out of the crack fearfully, and sure enough the horrible cat was
+stepping away lightly with our poor companion in her cruel mouth.
+
+"'Of course the ball was closed after this dreadful accident; and as for
+the grandmother, I have heard she was crazy afterward, so that she had
+to be confined in an egg-shell with wire bars at the entrance. This
+event sobered me very much. I began to think that there was something
+more to be done in the world than frisk about and dress finely.
+
+"'When I returned to the city, I went to a merchant mouse of great
+reputation to seek employment. After some delay, I was shown into his
+counting-room (behind the fireplace of a lawyer's office), where I found
+him, as was to be expected, busily engaged at his desk. I told him I
+should like to be appointed one of his clerks, as I hoped to rise, like
+himself, to the rank of wealth and importance. He put his pen behind his
+ear,--it was the pin-feather of a bird,--and smiled rather grimly, as
+though he fancied a good many mice would enjoy growing as great as he
+had. The salary I should receive was very small, he told me, and I would
+have to work very hard for it; still I was not discouraged by all this,
+so the next morning I entered his store.
+
+"'He was one of the most influential provision mice in the city, doing a
+large wholesale business with other cities, and the country as well. I
+belonged at first to the number of young clerks whose duty it was to go
+about the streets and houses with bags, like rag-pickers, to find odd
+scraps of bread, cheese, sugar, nuts, raisins, and starch, which we
+brought to the warehouse, where they were taken in charge by other
+clerks, who packed them to be carried away, or sold them in piles at a
+time.
+
+"'It was terribly fatiguing, for we were expected to bring a full bag
+always by nightfall; but I determined to be industrious; so I
+persevered, although the time seemed _so_ long before I was promoted to
+the rank of clerk in the receiving department. From this I have
+progressed slowly enough, yet I have gained much knowledge. Dear me! I
+could tell you where a crumb of cheese came from in the dark. Now I am
+the head of the house; for my employer has retired from business,
+leaving me in charge. I have also married his only daughter,' said the
+city mouse, with a proud air.
+
+"'I am glad you have succeeded;' commented Grandpapa kindly; 'only be
+careful that prosperity does not make you arrogant, as it is apt to.
+
+"'Now, my dear daughter;' he added, turning to the mouse who had arrived
+second on Christmas Eve, 'what have you been doing this long time?'
+
+"'I went to visit my cousin, as you will doubtless remember. She is a
+great matchmaker, and perhaps you knew that when you sent me to her; for
+I was then quite mature in age, and did not inherit any of my mother's
+beauty, besides. Well, she found me plenty of suitors, and before long I
+married. I enjoyed life very much at first; but sorrows in plenty
+awaited me,' sighed the daughter, arranging her crape head-dress.
+
+"'I had four beautiful children; and my pride in them was so great that
+I decided to take them to the mouse fair, where prizes were to be given
+to the handsomest babies. The mice were flocking from all quarters to
+this splendid exhibition, which was given in order to raise funds for an
+orphan asylum that was much needed in the region.
+
+"'The place selected was under a rock on the margin of a wood. The tent
+was made of rags joined together; and at the entrance we all paid the
+admittance fee,--a kernel of corn, which was to go towards the fund. The
+collection within was very fine. There were a few grains of maize
+brought all the way from Egypt at immense expense. There was a portrait
+of one of our distinguished ancestors, painted in brickdust by a young
+mouse artist of great talent; there was a scrap of bacon sent from
+England; and there were two whole figs given to the fair by a wealthy
+mouse of high rank. There were also a number of articles to be sold by
+lottery; a work-box formed of a filbert hollowed out, and lined with
+moss, besides being fitted up with needles and scissors of fish-bone; a
+pony carriage made of a scallop shell upon spool wheels, the most
+luxurious thing to drive in I ever beheld; a candlestick of brown sugar,
+beautifully nibbled into filigree work by a blind mouse of large
+experience; and a blanket composed of a sheep's tail, embroidered with
+cat-whiskers.
+
+"'These are a few of the things I remember, because I nearly ruined my
+husband by taking shares in them all; and I actually drew nothing, so
+all that money, or corn rather, was lost.
+
+"'Behind the tables stood rows of young lady-mice, all dressed alike,
+with buttercup caps upon their heads, and wearing aprons, the pockets
+trimmed with gold thread. This gave them a very pretty appearance; and
+they sold much more among the gentlemen mice than they would have done,
+had they been more plainly dressed.
+
+"'At last it was time for the prizes to be given to the finest children;
+and the committee of ten old mice, who were to decide the important
+question took their places, and all mothers were told to come forward.
+How lovely my dear babies did look! They never cried, or crumpled their
+little white bibs in the least; and I felt so proud of them I could
+hardly stand.
+
+"'Well, they took all the prizes: one for his large weight, one for the
+size of his nose, which was very remarkable for his age; one for the
+smallness of his feet; and the last for the great length of his tail.
+Oh! the other mothers were so enraged and jealous, I was afraid they
+would tear my eyes out.'
+
+"Here the daughter mouse began to sob and cry, while all of the family
+tried to comfort her.
+
+"'I will tell the rest: she will not be able,' piped her husband,
+holding a smelling-bottle to her nose.
+
+"'No, no,' she said in a faint voice, while Grandmamma fanned her: 'I
+will finish.
+
+"'We started home again with the little dears, and on our way paused to
+rest for the purpose of eating a few wild berries in the wood, as a
+luncheon, leaving our nurse at some little distance in charge of the
+children. We were startled by a sudden squeal, and beheld the nurse
+trotting towards us, her eyes wild with fright.
+
+"'"Where are the babies?" I shrieked in terror.
+
+"'Alas! I soon discovered what a misfortune had befallen me. A dog had
+found them as they lay asleep, and was now tossing them rudely about in
+sport, and I could not defend them. I have never been the same mouse
+since their sad death, and I do not expect ever to wear any thing but
+mourning.
+
+"They were all very much affected by the sorrows of the eldest daughter.
+When she had finished, the city mouse used her handkerchief several
+times, while Grandmamma's spectacles were quite dim with tears.
+
+"'Could you give us some items of your experience, also?' inquired
+Grandpapa of his eldest son, sleepily but politely.
+
+"'I have really nothing of importance to tell;' and perhaps he was
+right, for he certainly had been very quiet all this time, although it
+may have been because he ate so much dinner.
+
+"'I have lived a very uneventful life,' he went on, 'not having wandered
+further than the next village, where I live in a barn very comfortably.
+I have no learned tastes, like my bachelor brother; I do not care in the
+least whether the moon is green cheese or not,--as long as I stay on
+earth it need not trouble me; I am not a business mouse, like my city
+brother; I have never made a journey, like my father here; and all my
+children have lived to grow up, so that I have not the same misfortunes
+as my poor sister.
+
+"'That is all I can say for myself; and, if it is agreeable to you all,
+I propose we go to bed, as some of us will have to make an early start
+in the morning,' he said, rising with a yawn of fatigue.
+
+"They consented to this last arrangement, and thus Christmas Day closed
+on Grandpapa Mouse and his family."
+
+Public favor was universally awarded the Caterpillar after this effort.
+
+The Cricket next received a reward for all his patience and good humor,
+by having an opportunity of telling--
+
+
+
+
+THE ENCHANTED BABY-HOUSE.
+
+
+"Yes, it was a pleasant day, after all! The bright sunlight danced
+through the parted crimson curtains down upon the nursery floor, down
+upon curly heads nestled among the pillows, tinging the canary bird's
+golden feathers, as he ruffled himself upon the perch before skipping
+down to the dining-room of his cage for a stray seed or sip of water,
+and blinking straight into the eyes of little Milly, as she first opened
+them upon her sixth birthday. The other children were still napping; but
+Hannah, the nurse, thought of it, and came to kiss the pet who had first
+rested in her arms, a wee bundle of flannel, with a tiny red face. Nurse
+thought Milly a great deal prettier and bonnier, as she crept out of bed
+now to stand upon the warm hearth-rug in her white night-dress, warming
+her little pink toes at the blaze, than when she was only that little
+bundle of flannel on the day of her birth.
+
+"'Come, dears,' said nurse, rousing the others: 'it is Milly's birthday,
+you know; so be up bright and early.'
+
+"'Yes, yes,' sang Milly, merrily whirling about the room to the step her
+dancing-master had last taught her. 'Get up! I am six years old to-day:
+only think; and you but four, Miss Pet,--such a little, little girl.'
+
+"'No: I aint,' answered Pet, indignantly, rolling out upon the floor
+like a rosy ball of an apple: 'I am so big I can see over the table,
+anyhow.'
+
+"Upon this Milly caught the small sister by both hands, and whirled her
+round the room so fast, that Pet had not a particle of breath left in
+her fat little body. The noise made all the other children open their
+eyes, and join in the fun; while even the baby sat up in its crib, to
+crow, and pat its dimpled hands together, because the rest did: babies
+can never give any better reasons for their actions. Nurse Hannah and
+her assistant, Sarah, never had such work to dress their charges, as on
+that morning. First, Tom put on his soldier's cap, which Santa Claus had
+given him only a few weeks before, and strapped the sword about his
+waist, which certainly made him look very funny indeed, considering that
+he still wore only his night-clothes; while all the rest strutted after
+him in single file, Dick beating a drum, Milly carrying a tin musket,
+and Pet bringing up the rear, staggering under the weight of a knapsack.
+In this way, they marched about, always slipping like eels when Nurse
+Hannah touched them, and making so much noise the while, that she could
+scarcely hear herself speak. At last, Sarah pounced upon Pet, and bore
+her away shrieking and struggling to the bath-room, whence, after a good
+deal of gurgling and splashing, she returned, looking as fresh as a
+rosebud that the dew has just kissed into fragrance. Milly now began to
+behave better; for she thought she must set Pet a good example, since
+she was so much the elder of the two. Tom and Dick, however, grew wilder
+and gayer as they dressed themselves. They hid Milly's boots so that she
+could not find them; they whisked the baby out of his crib, where he
+sat contentedly sucking one thumb, and perched him upon the bureau; and
+Tom leaped upon the table with a newspaper, which he held upside down,
+and pretended to read, with Nurse Hannah's steel-bowed spectacles upon
+his little pug nose.
+
+"At this they all laughed so loudly that mamma came to the door to
+inquire what was the matter, and tell them it was breakfast-time.
+
+"'O Sarah! please brush my hair, quick,' implored Milly. 'I want to
+begin my year in season for every thing, if I possibly can.'
+
+"So Sarah brushed her hair, and smoothed down the nice new dress and
+crisp muslin apron prepared for the occasion; then Milly ran downstairs,
+and climbed into her high chair, just before papa was ready to ask the
+blessing, feeling very gay and happy. After breakfast, mamma proposed
+that they should all go out to play for a time, as the morning was so
+fine.
+
+"'Then,' she said with a smile, patting her eldest daughter's soft round
+cheek, 'we will see what we can do to amuse Milly in the house.'
+
+"Mamma then went away, and Milly turned to the window with a half sigh
+of disappointment. The view from where she stood was beautiful enough to
+make any child's eyes sparkle with delight. The earth was hidden by a
+soft covering of fresh snow; the trees and shrubs were powdered with
+icicle fringes, that gleamed and sparkled in the sun like so many
+crystal pendants; and the Hudson River swept along, bearing upon its
+surface, now a stately steamboat, ploughing its way swiftly along
+through sheets of foam-flakes, and now a flitting sail-boat, with white
+sail spread like a bird's wings upon the wind. But, for the moment,
+Milly did not enjoy this splendid winter landscape; nor did she notice
+the little snow-birds, hopping about the frozen ground on their
+frail-looking little legs, and cocking their bright eyes up at her, as
+if begging a crumb from the plenty of the table. A cloud had come over
+her bright face, causing it for the time to look sullen and sad. Do you
+know what she was thinking of? Precisely what you or any other little
+child might in her place. She had expected a birthday gift, and now
+nothing of the kind was presented to her from papa even down to the
+baby.
+
+"'I always had one,' reflected Milly, growing more and more aggrieved as
+she thought of this injustice, until a tear rolled down her cheek. 'I
+always had one,'--this with a sob,--'even when I was ever so little. I
+had a rag doll, and a tin horse and cart, and a picture book, and all
+sorts of things; but to-day'--
+
+"Here Pet came running in with her arms full of wrappings, followed by
+Sarah also carrying Milly's warm cloak, hat, and mittens.
+
+"'Come,' said Pet, 'we are to slide on the pond with the boys, and have
+such fun.'
+
+"'I don't want to slide,' pouted Milly, turning away to the window
+again.
+
+"'What a naughty girl!' exclaimed Sarah, as she tied on Pet's hat, who
+could do nothing but stare at Milly in amazement, with big, bright eyes.
+
+"'Not do,' piped the little sister. 'Oh! I know somethin', Mil',' she
+added, puffing out her cheeks with an important air. 'You are not to go
+up-stairs at all, mamma said.'
+
+"'Oh, you silly little goose!' said Tom, overhearing the last sentence
+as he entered the room: 'I shall box your ears for that, Miss.'
+
+"Then Tom pretended to carry out his threat, and Milly forgot her tears
+to join in the romp; while Sarah tried to defend poor Pet, who became so
+tumbled and out of breath, with her hat knocked over one eye, that she
+looked very funny indeed, though I do not believe she was very much hurt
+after all.
+
+"Well, they went out into the frosty air, which nipped their little
+noses, stung their round cheeks into a warmer glow, and caused the blood
+to course through their young veins like sparkling champagne. Tom and
+Dick meant to be very good and patient to-day, because they loved their
+little sister much, although they were sometimes rough and rude to her;
+but then she was only a girl. Milly's uncle had sent her a beautiful
+pair of skates Christmas, all buckles and straps and sharp-curved
+runners. They were really splendid; but Milly did not make very much
+progress in using them, after all. Her ankles _would_ turn; and she felt
+so helpless standing upon the smooth, glaring surface of ice alone,
+with her two feet planted close together, while her brothers whizzed
+past her in circles that made her head spin to watch, and asked her why
+she did not "strike out,--so!" Then when she followed their advice, and
+did strike out, her skates were sure to flash up in the air, where her
+head ought to have been, while her head went down bump, bump, where her
+skates should have been. This was the way Milly skated. When they
+reached the pond, Tom and Dick strapped on their skates; then Dick
+said,--
+
+"'Now, Milly, we will teach you real nice to-day: we are going to be
+awfully good.'
+
+"'No, I thank you,' said Milly, with a grand air: 'I am not going to
+tumble about, and get so vexed on my birthday. Pet and I will be ladies,
+and you shall be our horses.'
+
+"At first, the two boys looked surprised; but Milly quite coolly seated
+herself upon Tom's sled, tucked her little petticoats snugly about her,
+and sat nodding at them both.
+
+"'Upon my word, that's cool!' cried Tom; but he harnessed himself with
+the rope, nevertheless, and away they started, the silver bells
+attached to the sled tinkling merrily. They had a grand time of it for
+an hour or so, until Milly suddenly remembered what Pet had said about
+not going up-stairs; and then she wondered what it all could mean. They
+finally started for the house; and when they saw their mamma standing at
+the dining-room window watching, Pet and Milly joined hands, and ran as
+fast as they could towards home: they could not tell exactly why, except
+that they felt like it.
+
+"'Can Milly go up-stairs now, mamma?' asked Pet eagerly.
+
+"Mamma assented; and Milly, wondering very much what was coming,
+followed her mother into a little room that had never before been used,
+and which was now furnished in the most beautiful manner. There was a
+fresh muslin curtain, looped with gay ribbons, at the window; the carpet
+looked as if it had just been strewn with rosebuds; the tiny bedstead,
+of carved wood, had the daintiest linen and crimped hangings; while
+there was a little bookcase in one corner, containing all kinds of
+pretty books; upon the table bloomed a bouquet of sweet-scented
+violets; and by the table was the loveliest rocking-chair imaginable,
+just large enough to hold a little girl of six years old. Upon the wall,
+in a wreath of evergreen, were written these words: 'Milly's room.'
+
+"Milly gazed about her, feeling as if she was in a dream. Having
+examined all the fine furniture which was from this time to be all her
+own, Pet pointed to a large object in a corner, concealed by a sheet
+curtain.
+
+"'What's that?' dancing about with delight.
+
+"'Let her guess,' said Tom, putting his hand over foolish little Pet's
+rosy lips, to keep her from telling the important secret.
+
+"'It's a ba-by,' gurgled Pet; but Tom put his jacket over her head, and
+extinguished her entirely.
+
+"'Can you guess what it is?' asked mamma.
+
+"'It looks like an elephant,' said Dick.
+
+"'I should think it might be a bookcase, only there is one; and Pet said
+it was a baby-house,' replied Milly hesitatingly.
+
+"'Right, right!' cried all the children, clapping their hands.
+
+"Then papa drew aside the curtain, and Milly's eyes fairly danced with
+delight at the sight disclosed.
+
+"It was the most splendid baby-house she had ever seen in her life,
+although she had always considered that of her Cousin May very fine
+before. The roof reached nearly to the ceiling of the room, boasting
+gables and chimneys; there was a large front door, wearing the number of
+the house upon a brass plate; and the windows with the parted curtains
+temptingly invited a glimpse into the interior. Mamma then told Milly to
+open the door, which she did half shyly, as though she did not know what
+to expect next. First, she sat down upon the carpet to look at the
+kitchen, with its shining painted floor, its stove, dresser, teakettles,
+saucepans, flat-irons, and other implements of that department, over
+which reigned Dinah, in a yellow turban and smart red dress, with ever
+so many assistant darkies, from her daughter Sue down to tiny doll
+grandchildren, not more than an inch long, all as black as ebony. Next
+came the dining-room, which was certainly as handsome as the most
+fastidious doll could wish for. There were two mahogany sideboards, with
+a grand array of frosted cakes, pies, and ice-cream pyramids, only they
+were all made of painted wood; and there was a table with a beautiful
+gilt tea-service, and a large coffee-urn upon it. On the neatly papered
+wall hung several choice pictures about an inch square, and a veritable
+cuckoo clock, with the bird all ready to pop out when you pulled a silk
+tag. A genteel waitress, in a muslin cap and apron, stood by the table.
+
+"Milly now stood up to view the second story, and by so doing just
+brought her small nose on a level with the bedroom. She found this to be
+furnished exactly like her own. The same carpet was spread upon the
+floor; the bureau, the bedstead, and washstand, were precisely similar.
+The baby-house had many more articles of furniture, however, than did
+the larger apartment; for it was not only adorned by a toilet-table, a
+wee bath-tub, and a wardrobe, but there were ever so many cradles and
+high-chairs for the children.
+
+"'Now look at the parlor,' cried Pet.
+
+"I cannot begin to describe the magnificence of this drawing-room. Every
+thing was gilt and crimson in the appointments, which is certainly very
+good taste, whether doll or human being. There was a gilt chandelier,
+with pink wax candles ready to light at any time, gilt chairs, and
+centre-table holding vases filled with flowers, while the carpet and
+walls were crimson. Before the open piano was seated a very pretty doll
+in a flounced blue silk dress, trimmed with crystal drops; upon the sofa
+reclined her two sisters, one wearing white with a green sash, and the
+other pink barege; while the mother, in purple satin edged with white
+lace, occupied a large arm-chair, with her feet upon a footstool. At the
+billiard-table in the corner were several more dolls, one holding the
+cue ready to play a game.
+
+"This is all that I can remember of the wonderful baby-house (it is a
+long time since I saw it last); but if there was any thing else that I
+have not mentioned, you may be sure Milly discovered it before
+nightfall, that birthday when she was six years old. When she had seen
+all these things, little Milly jumped up with a flush on her cheek, and
+turned to all the kind faces that were watching her surprise and
+pleasure. First, she gave her parents a kiss of thanks; then there was
+Sarah smiling in the doorway, and Nurse Hannah holding the baby, who
+looked quite solemn, with one thumb in its mouth, baby fashion. The boys
+then ran away to their skating again, for they thought they were too big
+and old, to show much interest in a baby-house; and the sisters were
+left to their play undisturbed. Of course there was no end of fun for
+the rest of that long, happy day. Milly and Pet had hardly leisure to
+eat their dinner, they were so absorbed with their new playthings. Such
+a confusion as they made in the neat little rooms, house-cleaning,
+re-arranging furniture and dollies! Such a number of meals as were
+served in that one afternoon alone! It is only a wonder that a single
+doll had any digestion left, or that Dinah could still show her white
+teeth in that contented smile; for any other cook would have given
+warning that she was about to leave, I am sure, who had to serve the
+quantities of sweetened water, scraped apple, and chalk dishes that she
+did. But Dinah did not lose her temper, although it was so severely
+tried, one would think; and the day's pleasure closed with a grand
+tea-party, to which Tom and Dick were invited. Then the baby-house was
+arranged, and the door closed for the night.
+
+"When it was bedtime, Milly realized, for the first time, what a large
+girl she had grown, to have a place all to herself. Sarah brought a
+light, and prepared to put her charge to bed; but this Milly resisted
+indignantly. She was going to undress, and take care of herself; so she
+bade Sarah good-night very ceremoniously, and the nursery-maid went away
+laughing. There was a good deal of pattering to and from the nursery,
+however, after that. First, Milly ran across her mother's room, and
+along the passage, to make a call upon the other children; and she
+looked back with a little shiver at comfortable Miss Pet sitting on the
+hearth-rug like a soft white kitten, and the baby asleep in the crib, as
+she returned to her _own room_ once more. Then the others made her a
+call, and envied her new dignity: only Pet whispered in an awed tone,--
+
+"'Wont you be afraid when the light goes out, Milly?'
+
+"'No, indeed,' said Milly bravely.
+
+"Then she blew out the candle, and sprang into bed, just to show Pet how
+much she enjoyed it all. But when they had trotted back, and it was all
+dark, she began to see strange shapes from out of the darkness, and to
+hear rustlings all about that she had never noticed in the shelter of
+the nursery, until she fell asleep. She was awakened by a noise that
+made her heart leap into her throat with a single bound. It was
+something between a gurgle and a groan; and so frightened grew little
+Milly, that she stole out of her warm bed, and paused, trembling, on the
+threshold of her mother's room to listen. What do you suppose the noise
+was, after all? Milly almost laughed at herself when she discovered; it
+was her papa snoring loudly. She was so glad that no one knew of her
+fright, the first night she slept alone, that she nestled into bed
+again, and pulled the blankets almost over her curly head. The moonlight
+came peeping into the window in silvery beams; and, after looking out
+upon the clear sky, where a few stars twinkled, Milly saw a wonderful
+sight. Down the moonbeam, which formed a pathway paved with sparkling
+hues, floated tiny fairy figures, bearing in their midst upon a litter,
+formed of a lily-cup, their queen. Milly thought she had never dreamed
+of any thing half so beautiful. Shimmering colors wrapped each little
+sprite in a misty glow, while their wings were frosted like those of a
+butterfly. As for the queen, she was ten times more radiant than any of
+her subjects, as a queen should be; and, when she moved, a faint musical
+sound tinkled from the chains of turquoises, which were fastened about
+her waist; from thence they twined in festoons all about her small
+person. She was further distinguished from the rest by a starry crown
+upon her head, and a wand tipped with the same radiance in her hand.
+
+"'Here we are, at last,' said the moonbeam fairy in the sweetest voice.
+'Give me your hand, Milly.'
+
+"The little girl extended it half-fearfully, and the fairy leaped into
+the outspread palm, dancing lightly over the pink-tipped fingers in
+doing so.
+
+"'Don't be afraid of me,' she said. 'I never hurt any child in my life,
+I assure you.'
+
+"The other fairies climbed upon the bed also, some clinging to the
+curtain tassels, some perched among Milly's curls, and others sat at
+their ease on the footboard.
+
+"'It is Milly's birthday,' rustled the elves, like the soft patter of
+raindrops among forest leaves.
+
+"'Yes: we have come a long way to see you, for we live in the moon,'
+said the fairy; 'and it is only when she lowers silver ladders to the
+earth, that we can make a visit down here.'
+
+"'I am so glad you all came to-night,' exclaimed Milly; 'only how did
+you know, away up there, that it was my birthday?'
+
+"'Ah!' returned the fairy smiling, 'we always know every thing, you may
+be sure. The angels tell us, especially about those that are good upon
+the earth. Now to-night my twelve sisters are also down here somewhere;
+this one flitting into the attic windows of the city streets, where
+there is sickness and sorrow; that one whispering words of comfort in
+dreams of warmth and plenty to the little wayfarer, sleeping upon a
+cold doorstep; while another is hovering over the broad sea, to lead the
+poor, rude sailor's thoughts home.'
+
+"'Do you live in a palace?' asked Milly.
+
+"'Yes: we live in a palace beside a silver lake; and we are called the
+twelve sisters of the fairy lake, because we all sprang into life from a
+single bubble of foam, blown through the reed of our Father, the water
+god, who rules over rivers and fountains in the moon.'
+
+"'How wonderful!' commented Milly.
+
+"'Let us be doing something, mistress,' piped a restless elf, who had
+never been at rest a moment, but who skipped and danced about like a
+firefly; once, indeed, turning a summersault, and landing upon Milly's
+nose.
+
+"'What shall we do?' said the queen.
+
+"'Oh! any thing else but talk, please; we can do that at home,' replied
+the elf.
+
+"'Shall I show you my new baby-house?' inquired Milly, who supposed that
+the fairies must find as much to interest them in it as she did
+herself.
+
+"At this the restless elf darted off, and was followed by the others;
+while the queen waved her wand, and, to Milly's astonishment, the door,
+which she had carefully locked, flew wide open. The fairy again waved
+her wand; and from every tiny chandelier sprang jets of light, that
+shone through the windows, and sparkled over the handsome furniture in
+the most beautiful manner.
+
+"'Will you come to see the fun?' asked the fairy; and Milly, all
+curiosity, followed her midnight guests across the room.
+
+"The restless elf next borrowed the queen's wand, and, stepping into the
+window of the bedroom, tapped each of the sleeping dolls with it upon
+the head.
+
+"'Come, come! get up, you lazy creatures!' cried the roguish elf,
+enjoying himself immensely.
+
+"All the dolls began to move about and yawn, as if they were just waking
+up. Milly thought she had never imagined any thing so delightfully funny
+as the little babies winking their bright black eyes, and crying so that
+the nurses had to rock the cradles to keep them quiet.
+
+"'Now, then,' said the elf, 'you all dress yourselves as quickly as
+possible, and then I will tell you what to do.'
+
+"He left them in the bedroom, roused Dinah in the kitchen, and the
+genteel waitress in the dining-room; then he returned to the parlor,
+tried the piano, whistling a tune, at the same time winking so drolly at
+Milly, that she laughed with delight; played a round or so at the
+billiard-table, and then seated himself in the large arm-chair. In the
+mean while, the dolls were grumbling over the whole affair.
+
+"'I never heard of such a thing,' said the fat mamma, smoothing her hair
+before the looking-glass, 'to turn us all out of bed at this time of
+night, and set all babies crying, too!'
+
+"'Never mind, mamma,' said the daughter in blue silk, shaking out her
+flounces: 'it is the little lady's birthday, and we can take a nap
+to-morrow.'
+
+"'Yes,' chimed in the pink-barege sister; 'and she never has broken us,
+you know.'
+
+"'I am sure I am afraid of my legs, if that Miss Pet only looks at me,
+for fear they will be smashed,' echoed the white-muslin lady, looking
+mournfully at her china boots.
+
+"'If Pet could only hear her talk!' whispered Milly to the fairy queen;
+when lo! in toddled the young lady, and, putting her arm about Milly's
+neck, stood looking at the wonderful sight also.
+
+"'I am so glad you can see it too, Pet!'
+
+"'By this time the dolls had made their toilets; all except the babies
+that were left in charge of their nurses, some of whom trotted them upon
+their knees, or fed them with pap out of tin mugs, while others still
+rocked the cradles, and the seamstress stitched upon the sewing-machine.
+
+"'First, we will have a dance,' said the elf, cutting a caper in mid
+air. 'You stupid dolls! why don't you act as though you were made of
+something better than wood?'
+
+"'We are made of the best French china and kid,' retorted the dolls
+indignantly, as they all huddled together in the corner, and stared at
+the elf with their round eyes.
+
+"'They are afraid of you; join your companions on the roof,' commanded
+the queen.
+
+"The elf made a wry face, for he desired to play pranks upon the
+dollies; but he flew up at the royal command to where the others were
+clustered about the chimneys, and hung himself by one leg from an eave,
+with his queer little face and twinkling eyes close to Milly. Left to
+themselves, the inmates of the baby-house felt more at their ease. The
+blue-silk daughter commenced to play a lively air upon the piano, to
+which all the younger dolls began to dance; and such waltzes, polkas,
+and quadrilles as were performed never were seen before.
+
+"'You would think they had been to dancing-school all their lives,' said
+the fairy.
+
+"'What fun we are having!' exclaimed a pretty doll, with red cheeks,
+mincing along. 'I was only made last week, and I had no idea the world
+was such a nice place.'
+
+"'You need not think you are to go on in this way all your life,'
+snapped another, who was rather ill-natured, because her nose was
+broken. 'We are all bewitched to-night.'
+
+"'Are we?' returned rosy-cheeks. 'I should like to be so always, then.'
+
+"In the mean while, the stout mamma had done nothing but doze and nod
+upon the sofa, with a fine lace pocket-handkerchief over her head, while
+all the music and dancing had gone on so merrily about her. But no
+sooner had the genteel waitress arranged every thing below stairs, and
+tinkled the little silver bell, than she whisked off the covering from
+her face, and rose briskly to go to supper.
+
+"Such a feast as awaited them! There was _real_ tea and coffee bubbling
+in the urns; the wooden cakes, pies, and ices, were wooden no longer;
+or, if they were, the dolls certainly found them delicious. As for
+Dinah, the cook, she was as busy as possible, not only making various
+dishes over the fire, but boxing the ears of her children, and scolding
+them when they did not bring her pepper or salt just to the minute.
+Then, what a pet she was in when any thing burned upon the stove!
+
+"Milly watched all the busy little figures until her very eyes ached,
+and the clock, upon the dining-room wall of the baby-house, struck one,
+two, when out popped the bird above, without any one's pulling the silk
+tag, and chirped 'cuckoo' quite distinctly. At this the moonbeam fairies
+fluttered from their perch upon the gables, and circled in rings of
+flame and purple and gold and blue, quickly succeeding each other; while
+the moonlight streamed brighter and brighter, wrapping every thing in a
+dazzling cloud.
+
+"What do you suppose this dazzling light really was, my dear little
+reader? Why, it was nothing but another day's sun kissing Milly's
+eyelids and curls with golden caresses. Yes, every thing was undisturbed
+in her room. The baby-house was closed; and, when she peeped in, all the
+dolls were as stupid as though they never had skipped, or eaten a late
+supper the previous night, while all the wooden cakes stood upon the
+sideboard untouched.
+
+"'Never mind; the fairies _were_ here,' thought Milly, 'for Pet saw
+them, too.'
+
+"At the breakfast-table, she tried to tell her story; but Tom and Dick
+laughed at her so, she did not get through with it very well.
+
+"'But the fairies were here,' cried Milly, half vexed. 'Pet saw them.'
+
+"The little sister, who was eating bread and butter contentedly,
+stopped, with her mouth and eyes wide open, which made everybody laugh
+the more.
+
+"'I never did!' said Pet, indignantly: 'I only slept the whole time.'
+
+"Poor Milly said no more; but she never saw the moon climb her
+sparkling, star-strewn pathway afterward, without wishing that the
+fairies might spread their rainbow wings, and flutter down into her
+little chamber again, as they did the night when she was six years old."
+
+It stormed heavily all day. The Teapot and Saucepan, sitting on the
+shelf in a state of idleness, agreed together, that, if the rain dashed
+against the windows in that way, the Club would not be able to hear each
+other speak when night came.
+
+On the hearth stood an intruder; a dilapidated old umbrella was in the
+corner, drops of dirty water trickling in streams across the hearth from
+the damp folds.
+
+"I have wet my feet in this muddy river," said the Wasp.
+
+"The hearth was so clean before," sighed the Caterpillar.
+
+"I am really very sorry my master the peddler left me in your way," said
+the Umbrella, meekly. "Only I cannot help it."
+
+"To be sure not," said the Kettle. "You look like an old traveller,
+friend; will you tell us something of yourself?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the Umbrella, and began his history:--
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF AN UMBRELLA.
+
+
+"You will hardly believe it when I say that I was once as handsome as an
+umbrella need to be; I am so faded and stained by old age or rough
+exposure now. Yet I actually was; for in the large manufactory where I
+was born, no stouter whalebone frame or finely carved handle could be
+found.
+
+"My ribs have been broken in several places since, and clumsily mended
+again, which naturally gives me a bungling appearance. Ah, well! beauty
+must fade.
+
+"I remember very well my début in life. I was standing in the rack of a
+larger shop, one fine summer morning, when a very natty young gentleman
+entered, and purchased me without delay.
+
+"Of course, as I was inexperienced and foolish, I was only too glad to
+exchange the monotony of the warehouse for any novelty.
+
+"Allow me to remark, in commencing, that I have one complaint to urge
+against fate for having made me what I am. The life of an umbrella is a
+most aggravated form of slavery. One can never be sure of having a
+moment's peace. In stormy weather, no matter how heavily the rain falls,
+or the snow sleet drives, one must be on duty, shivering in wet corners
+neglected, or dragged out to brave the tempest again; while on clear
+days one may be under the bed, or behind the wardrobe likely
+enough,--that at least was my experience, but then my master was a
+bachelor.
+
+"I wondered what duty I should perform on this bright, pleasant morning;
+for there was not so much as a cloud in the sky to be seen. I soon
+discovered I was to be of service on an excursion of some kind; for the
+gentleman walked up an avenue leading to a handsome house, and upon the
+steps, under the clustering rose-vines, stood a fair lady, awaiting his
+arrival apparently.
+
+"Presently they drove away in a pretty basket carriage, drawn by a fat
+little pony, and I accompanied them, together with the luncheon parcels
+and fruit baskets.
+
+"It was a pleasant route along a shady road; and I amused myself
+listening to the conversation of the young people (it was of a very
+interesting nature to themselves!), or I flirted with the lady's
+parasol,--a dainty bit of silk that ruffled its lace flounce
+coquettishly upon the breeze, and showed the pink-tinted lining to
+advantage.
+
+"'You are extremely handsome,' I remarked to the Parasol.
+
+"'Yes,' she replied complacently; 'I was imported from Paris, you know,
+and cost very dear, as my lace is _real_. But what are you doing here?'
+
+"'That I cannot tell myself,' I answered. 'Perhaps we shall know before
+the day is over.'
+
+"At length we reached the end of our drive; the master assisted his
+companion to alight; the luncheon, parasol, and myself, followed to
+where the grass bank, soft as velvet, sloped to the brink of a merry
+little brook, which sparkled laughingly in the sunlight for a time, then
+hid among the ferns that fringed the distance.
+
+"An umbrella never was exposed to more contempt than I received on that
+occasion. No sooner had my master brought me upon the scene, than the
+company began to laugh and jest. It seemed so absurd to these silly
+people, that I should be needed. Even the Parasol, resting in the lap of
+her mistress, smirked contemptuously at me where I stood disconsolately
+against a tree. For three long hours I remained unoccupied; while all
+the gay people strolled among the trees to gather wild flowers, or
+reclined in the shade to enjoy strawberries and ice-cream.
+
+"Gradually the sun became obscured behind masses of swiftly rising
+cloud; but no one noticed it except myself, and, as no refreshments were
+offered me, I had nothing better to do than to watch the change of the
+weather. Suddenly there sounded a peal of thunder, followed by a flash
+of lightning; then down pattered the rain, making delicious music among
+the leaves overhead.
+
+"I never felt so wicked in my life. I longed to dance, only an umbrella
+cannot do that without losing its balance. I longed to shout aloud, but
+an umbrella cannot do this either for the want of a pair of lungs. I
+spread my grateful shelter above the heads of the group to whom I
+belonged, and I even took the naughty Parasol under my protection, which
+was certainly a generous act, although one ought never to make a merit
+of such things: I should be ashamed to suspose any of my race would have
+behaved differently under the circumstances.
+
+"There was no house or shelter at hand, and all the pretty pony
+carriages were no protection against the storm. How flabby the muslin
+dresses of the ladies became, how limp the white coats of the gentlemen,
+as they crowded under the shelter of the oak-trees pretending to think
+it very funny indeed! But they did not, I could see that plainly enough.
+The young ladies' hair came out of curl, and the brims of their hats
+were crushed out of shape from attempting to keep them dry; while the
+piles of frosted confectionery melted into a mass that might as well
+have been soaked brown paper, or any thing else tough and disagreeable.
+The strawberries tumbled about in crimson pyramids, followed by stray
+golden lemons; and cakes, with white caps on, popped out of their place,
+to join in the general ruin.
+
+"How proud I felt! Soft words and tender glances were exchanged by the
+young couple I protected; for I managed to screen them from the rest, so
+they could enjoy themselves the more.
+
+"'Dear Umbrella,' entreated the Parasol, 'do save my tassels; they are
+growing quite wet, and the color has changed.'
+
+"'Yes, indeed, Madam Butterfly: you are not good for much.'
+
+"'I am so new to be thrown aside,' sobbed the Parasol. 'All for a stupid
+shower, too!'
+
+"'There, don't cry,' I urged. 'Your tassels can be changed or dyed.'
+
+"'Dyed!' shrieked the Parasol, indignantly. 'I hope I have not come to
+that.'
+
+"'Do not be so proud,' I said. 'You will certainly come to grief. At
+least men do, and I see no reason why the same rule should not apply to
+parasols as well.'
+
+"I have never seen the parasol, lady, or any of the gay company that
+laughed in the sunshine, or shivered in the rain since. I suppose my
+young master must have married the lady, for I saw him slip a beautiful
+diamond ring upon her finger at the picnic. I hope they are all very
+happy, and that the frail parasol is still in existence; yet I have no
+means of knowing. Alas! an umbrella cannot move without being carried.
+
+"For a short time I resided in the young gentleman's apartments, where I
+formed some very pleasant acquaintances. There was a porcelain standard
+on the mantel-piece, holding a meerschaum pipe; and a tobacco vase, with
+a little Hindoo god perched on the lid. There was an embroidered
+smoking-cap with a gold tassel, hanging over the arm of a parian statue
+of Juno; a bronze clock, a silver-knobbed cane, and a riding-whip on the
+wall.
+
+"The smoking-cap and riding-whip were very spicy in their conversation,
+and waged continual war with the tobacco vase or pipe, who were true
+Germans.
+
+"'That stupid maid very nearly broke my head with the handle of her
+duster,' said Juno, angrily. 'My heart flutters still with the fright it
+gave me.'
+
+"'She soiled my lining with her dirty fingers, too,' said the
+smoking-cap.
+
+"'Thank fortune! I do not require dusting, warbled the canary bird,
+spreading his golden feathers in the sunlight, and flirting a seed at
+the Hindoo god on the lid of the tobacco vase, who only grinned a
+broader smile at the attention.
+
+"'My face is cracked,' chimed in the pretty, good-natured clock; and at
+this, the canary bird, jealous of any sound save his own voice, poured
+forth a flood of music from his tiny throat.
+
+"'Hush!' rustled an ivy-plant, that drooped in graceful tendrils about
+the open window. 'We have not received the new-comer politely.'
+
+"'What new-comer? Oh, the Umbrella!'
+
+"'Yah, ze Umbrella,' echoed the meerschaum, speaking very broken
+English.
+
+"So they all welcomed me cordially, to my great relief; for I was
+beginning to feel dreadfully shy and awkward, not being accustomed to
+society. I endeavored to make myself agreeable, by describing to them
+the incident of the shower, at which they all laughed heartily.
+
+"My thoughts frequently revert to the life I led in that delightful
+home, where I was surrounded by so many refinements. Alas! it was too
+soon brought to a close. My master made a journey; and, although I had
+not the least idea of it, I accompanied him. I was scarcely allowed time
+to look farewell at the various inmates of the room; the clock and
+canary chirping good-by in duet, and I was gone.
+
+"I next found myself upon a large steamboat. Any thing more wretched
+than the night we passed there, I cannot imagine. I rolled about in the
+most uncomfortable fashion, the lights bobbing up and down, the cabin
+floor rocking giddily, and my careless master took no heed to my safety.
+
+"A tattered, rusty-looking man came prowling along, then, stooping over
+me, adroitly managed to drop a clumsy, cotton umbrella, and carry me off
+instead. What must have been my master's disgust, when he discovered
+that horrid, faded thing, instead of my slim, genteel self!
+
+"There was no help for it, because an umbrella cannot raise any outcry;
+so the thief took possession of me without struggle.
+
+"We arrived in a large city; and I was carried ashore by the rusty man,
+who made his way along many narrow, dirty streets, to a small dingy
+shop, which he entered. It was a musty, dark place, crowded with
+many strange articles of sale, from mended furniture, silver
+watches, odd crockery, and picture frames, to china vases, and silk
+pocket-handkerchiefs.
+
+"Here, I was sold to the owner of the shop, a wrinkled, old man, with a
+white beard, who placed me in company with others of my class in a rack.
+At first I was too unhappy in my altered circumstances to attempt any
+conversation with those about me. The sun came peeping in the
+dust-stained window; and each stray, gilded beam seemed a blessing in
+that sad, gloomy place. How every thing brightened under the heavenly,
+glorifying touch! The wreaths of artificial flowers took the bright hues
+of life; and a gray parrot, in a battered cage, shook himself to peer
+about more cheerfully.
+
+"'How pleasant the sun is!' remarked the parrot. 'If it only would shine
+here all day, as it does in my native India, instead of creeping away
+over the roofs so soon, leaving us chill and dark again!'
+
+"Then I inquired, 'You have not lived here always?'
+
+"'I should rather think not,' retorted the parrot, sharply. 'Do you take
+me for a common bird, sir? I belonged to one of the best families at
+home; only it was my misfortune to be caught by a sailor, who brought me
+over the seas to this great city, when he was taken ill, poor fellow,
+and died. I heard him say I was to be a present for his sweetheart up in
+the country; but I never saw her, because the lodging-house woman sold
+me, with the rest of the sailor's effects, to the old Jew here.'
+
+"'As to that,' said a rosewood arm-chair, with a faded cover, 'I once
+adorned a magnificent drawing-room myself.'
+
+"' And we,' sighed a wreath of artificial roses, 'once nestled among the
+curls of beauty.'
+
+"'I was stolen,' said an alabaster vase, standing in graceful purity
+among the surrounding common objects.
+
+"'I was, also,' echoed a velvet portmonnaie, an ivory fan, and a
+crystal perfume-bottle, with silver top.
+
+"Then with the parrot for conductor, holding a bit of straw in his left
+claw, as the leader of an orchestra wields his bâton, they all commenced
+a song, the words of which were composed by the ivory fan, and set to
+music by the parrot.
+
+        'Our varnish is cracked,
+        Our colors are worn,
+        In this den we are packed,
+        All our glory is gone.
+
+    _Chorus_. We have seen better days,
+              Tra, la, la, tra, la, la.'
+
+"The parrot was so much affected by this sad yet beautiful composition,
+that he shed tears.
+
+"Just then the old Jew shopkeeper came to show the bird to a purchaser,
+but the parrot was most obstinate. He would not move or speak, although
+coaxed and even threatened to do so. The customer turned away, saying,--
+
+"'What a stupid bird! he does not speak a word.'
+
+"This touched our friend's pride, who cocked his head over his shoulder,
+and replied,--
+
+"'I think the more.'
+
+"The customer was so much delighted, that he at once bought the parrot,
+who departed in triumph.
+
+"'I spoke because I thought I could not do worse than stay here,' he
+remarked, with a sage nod of the head.
+
+"Soon after, a little beggar-boy peeped into the door, and, as I stood
+near by, seized me. He did not know what to do with me; so, after riding
+on me as a hobby horse a while, he exchanged me with a larger boy for a
+green apple. It is said the wheel of fortune constantly revolves; and,
+if such is the case, my luck must have been very low just then. I was
+knocked about from one person to another. Now it was a boot-black owned
+me, now it was a news-vender, or perhaps for a space I belonged to a
+street sweep. At last I was taken from this miserable existence in the
+most curious way.
+
+"I tumbled out of the window in an attic where I had been carelessly
+left, and crashed down upon the pavement. I was severely injured in my
+whalebone parts, yet my ivory handle remained unbroken. For a long
+while I lay unnoticed; then an old lady, carrying a shawl and carpet-bag
+upon her arm, came along to rescue me. She took me a journey in the
+cars, and at last I saw the fresh, smiling country once more.
+
+"The old lady lived in a pretty cottage, surrounded by a pleasant
+garden, where the tulips and lilies nodded in the breeze all day long.
+The old lady was thrifty, so she had my ribs mended by some village
+tinker; but it was not well done, which accounts for the loss of my fine
+figure.
+
+"It was a delightful home,--every thing was so neat about it; and I
+should have been contented to remain there all my life, had I been
+consulted.
+
+"The old lady's nephew came home from school for a holiday; and, after
+shocking our nerves in that quiet spot a week, he departed again, in a
+rain-storm. The good aunt insisted upon my being made use of, although
+the young master did not wish it at all. When the rain ceased, he
+carelessly threw me out by the road-side,--then drove on to his
+destination.
+
+"I remained in the ditch several days, all soaked and muddy as you now
+see me. Finally the peddler, who is stopping here to-night, discovered
+me, while he was driving his wagon slowly along, and raised me from my
+lowly position.
+
+"I do not know where I may go next," said the Umbrella, mournfully. "We
+are all born, but we are not all dead, you know."
+
+"A new thought, certainly," remarked the Kettle, drowsily. "Follow an
+umbrella from the cradle to the grave."
+
+It was now time for the Wasp to distinguish himself.
+
+"I can repeat something, in the fairy-tale style, which was told me by
+Mother Carey's chicken, when we were waiting for the nestling to grow
+strong enough for us to make our journey. It is:--
+
+
+
+
+THE GODMOTHER'S GIFTS.
+
+
+"On the edge of the wood there once lived a poor woman, and her three
+children. On the opposite bank of the broad clear river rose the king's
+palace of marble, with a flag floating proudly from the battlements; but
+the poor woman's children never had crossed the river, or dared to
+venture into the magnificent gardens which surrounded the royal
+residence. Ah, no! they were too poor for that.
+
+"This made the widow's heart very heavy at times, when she watched the
+setting sun gild the arched dome, and silken pennant, or make the lofty
+windows flash in a thousand glittering sparkles of light, in answer to
+his golden beams.
+
+"'My children are as handsome and good as any that visit there,' she
+said to herself. Yes, even as brave as the king's son and daughters
+themselves, no doubt; yet I can never earn enough to give them fine
+clothes, so they just have to stay alone in the woods. To-morrow is the
+great festival, when all are at liberty to bring some curiosity, for
+which they will receive a prize, if it prove the most worthy, from his
+majesty. What have my little ones to display?'
+
+"She called them to her and said,--
+
+"'A distant relation of your father's, who is a fairy, was present at
+your birth, my dears. Perhaps she may visit you again, sometime; so if
+any person should call in my absence, treat them very politely. Remember
+that fairies are easily vexed.'
+
+"Soon after the mother departed to the mill, and the children seated
+themselves under a large tree to enjoy their breakfast of brown bread
+and milk.
+
+"Across the water the king's children, all glistening in jewels and
+embroidery, were plucking fruit from the laden boughs, or tossing
+flowers to one another in fragrant showers.
+
+"'What fun that must be!' exclaimed the poor woman's son Small, his
+little round face dimpled with laughter. 'I should like to marry the
+princess in a blue scarf.'
+
+"'She is not so handsome as her sister with the red net over her black
+curls,' said the older brother, Perke.
+
+"'For my part, the young prince seems perfection,' added Elfie.
+
+"At this they all laughed together, and finished the brown bread. A
+black hawk paused on outspread wings in the air, and dropped a large
+gold ring from his beak, which fell to the ground near the children.
+Before they could stoop to touch it, from within the circle sprang three
+tulips, rising on slender, enamelled stalks, their gorgeous variegated
+buds closed.
+
+"'There is one a-piece, any way,' said Perke, plucking one.
+
+"Small and Elfie did the same.
+
+"'Let us save them until mother returns,' said the sister.
+
+"'It must be a gift from our godmother,' whispered Small, wisely.
+
+"'I shall see what mine contains,' said Perke, boldly.
+
+"He pulled at the folded leaves, but they resisted all his endeavors,
+and clung firmly together.
+
+"Small concluded to hold his bud under the spring that gurgled into a
+mossy basin, yet it did not open for the crystal drops that fringed it
+with fragrant dew.
+
+"Then little Elfie pressed her warm lips gently upon the tulip, and like
+magic it flew open, disclosing a tiny gold trumpet.
+
+"Her brothers then kissed their flowers as well, and found each to
+contain a similar gift.
+
+"Within the golden circle now sprang up still another tulip, which
+opened of its own accord, and forth stepped a quaint little figure. She
+wore a red-peaked cap, high-heeled shoes, and a tight-laced bodice. Her
+hair was bright yellow, and the tip of her sharp nose had a blue tinge,
+which would have been unbecoming to any other person than a fairy. Her
+carriage consisted of a sweet-pea blossom, drawn by two spirited
+cockchafers. The children could not but admire the skilful manner in
+which she handled the ribbons and whip, made of a spider's leg,
+ornamented with tassels.
+
+"'Here I am at last, dears,' said Madam Pug briskly. 'Whoa! Trot is a
+most vicious bug. Be still, sir!'
+
+"'Are you our godmother?' asked Elfie, timidly.
+
+"'Certainly,' answered the fairy, putting on her spectacles, the better
+to examine them.
+
+"'You have grown to be nice, plump children; I hope no giant may catch
+and eat you up. I am here to grant whatever you may wish, which can be
+obtained by blowing the request through the trumpets to be found in the
+flowers. Use the power wisely; so that, when I come again, I may find
+the gift has proved a blessing instead of a curse.'
+
+"She then cracked her whip, hoisted a tiny umbrella, which served the
+purpose of a sail as she rose in the air, and the cockchafers spread
+their wings.
+
+"'It is slow travelling along the rough earth,' she remarked, when she
+reached a level with the children's noses, 'so I will fly for a time,
+especially as important business calls me to the North Pole just now.'
+
+"The children were left to examine their trumpets, and look at each
+other in wonder at the good fortune which had befallen them. What do you
+suppose they at once did?
+
+"'First, let us wish for clothes handsomer than those of the royal
+family across the water,' proposed Elfie.
+
+"They blew through the trumpets, and instantly their coarse garments
+were changed to magnificent satin and velvet, with fringes of lace,
+pearls, and silver tassels. They could do nothing but caper about in the
+sunshine, now admiring each other's plumed caps, now comparing shoes on
+which sparkled radiant jewels, until the court paused to watch their
+bright forms, in amazement; for, in the distance, the poor widow's
+children resembled brilliant meteors flashing about among the trees.
+
+"'Now let us wish for a boat, to visit the palace before mother
+returns,' cried Small.
+
+"The next moment saw them speeding across the water in the most
+beautiful little boat imaginable. It was made of ivory, lined with a
+delicate pink shading, like the cavities of sea-shells, and a sail of
+pink silk, held by gold cords, expanded like a rose-leaf to the soft
+breeze. The court clapped their hands at the wonderful sight.
+
+"All at once the children looked down at themselves: they wore their
+rough clothes again, which only seemed the uglier from contrast with the
+elegant ship.
+
+"'We can never visit his majesty in these rags,' said Elfie. 'Let us
+wish for even more splendid dresses than those we just had on the bank.'
+
+"White robes spangled with diamond drops enveloped them; but the boat
+glided from beneath their feet at the same time, leaving them to sink
+through the water to the very river bed. This brought them unexpectedly
+into the presence of the river fairy, a sworn enemy of their godmother,
+who caressed them, and coiled her floating hair about them in slender
+rings, which served to bind them captives.
+
+"'Stay with me always,' coaxed the river spirit, in her sweet voice;
+'life is so pleasant under the cool, clear waters here.'
+
+"'I like the sunshine better,' said Small, rubbing his eyes with two
+chubby little fists.
+
+"'You can bask on the surface,' laughed the fairy. 'Come with me to the
+neighboring ocean and see all the wonderful forms one can assume.'
+
+"She gathered them in her arms, and swept down the stream swiftly until
+the ocean opened broad gates of welcome, and she paused on the threshold
+of the great deep. She waved her fair arms, and a forest of sea-weeds,
+some thick-stemmed as trees, others mere tangles of silky threads, rose
+before them. In shaded nooks scuttled crabs, looking like awkward
+spiders; marine worms twined about in ribbons of green or brown; and
+upon the drooping fronds clung gorgeous mollusks, their variegated
+shells displaying the fringed edge of no less gorgeous mantles.
+
+"'If you would rather swim about than live at the bottom, look at the
+fishes,' said the water spirit.
+
+"'Forthwith approached a finny host. The whale cleaved the waters with
+his powerful tail; the sword-fish flashed swiftly past followed by the
+stealthy white shark, who showed his terrible teeth. Then came the
+graceful dolphin, quivering in long tracts of silvery light, the
+indolent porpoise, the handsome salmon, the greedy cod, the pretty
+mackerel, and a countless multitude of beautiful fish, their scales
+tinged with a golden lustre, or dyed in crimson and purple tints.
+
+"Little Elfie clapped her hands when she beheld some lovely medusæ
+dancing lightly along on the surface, their feathery tentacles drifting
+idly on the current; so the fairy changed her to a crystal globe of a
+jelly-fish, propelled by several tiny oars, like spun glass, that
+reflected all colors of the rainbow in flashing motion.
+
+"'O you silly bubble!' exclaimed Small; 'I had rather be a herring than
+that,' and he immediately began to swim about a pretty herring.
+
+"'As to that, I believe I should like to try a state of lobsterhood,'
+said Perke; and his desire was at once gratified. The thoughtless
+children had forgotten the importance of retaining their magic trumpets,
+in case they should ever need them again; so, when they changed forms,
+the godmother's gifts were carelessly allowed to sink to the bottom, and
+the water spirit laughed triumphantly.
+
+"'Now I have you, Madam Pug,' she said to herself. 'Your pets are in the
+sea; let me see you reclaim them.'
+
+"The trumpets lay on the bottom beside a rock, where there lived a
+colony of oysters. The oysters are good-natured, save when a hungry
+star-fish pokes a ray into their shells to scoop out the
+delicious-flavored inmate; then they are very apt to close the doors
+smartly with a sudden clap that snips off the intruder's paw, leaving
+the star-fish to hobble away, and grow a new one. The grandfather of the
+colony had listened to all that transpired between the fairy and her
+visitors with much interest; and now that the trumpets fell to the
+bottom, he began to wonder how they were to be rescued from harm.
+
+"Presently a cockle came skipping gayly along by means of a beautiful
+scarlet foot, protruded from between the valves of the shell for the
+purpose of locomotion; and the grandfather oyster hailed him for a chat.
+
+"'If you would only push the trumpets nearer we might swallow them,'
+urged the former, when he had explained matters.
+
+"'Wait a bit,' said the cockle, 'until I fetch a few of my brothers, who
+are prowling about here somewhere.'
+
+"He darted off, and soon returned with the requisite assistance. So the
+cockles nimbly pushed and rolled the trumpets close to the oysters.
+
+"'Can you accommodate the others, my sons?' inquired the grandfather of
+two no less plump children.
+
+"'It will be inconvenient; still'--here the little waves gathered in a
+sparkling heap, and swept the trumpets into the oysters' mouths; who,
+with a gulp or two, succeeded in swallowing them. None too soon was all
+this labor accomplished.
+
+"The fairy amused herself watching the children for a while, and then
+she despatched some of her attendants to search for Madam Pug's gifts. A
+rare search they made of it, too. The tiny courtiers, clothed in rainbow
+frills and scales, poked about everywhere, peering into the anemones'
+mouths, which made the sea-flowers very angry, as they were not used to
+such liberties; tumbling the crabs about, and pushing the lazy
+flat-fish into motion. They even knocked on the oysters' houses with
+their little knuckles; but the oysters said never a word, so they were
+obliged to relinquish the search, and return to their queen.
+
+"Elfie and her brother splashed about, thinking it great fun to live in
+the sea. One day they altered their minds; and this is how it all
+happened:--
+
+"Perke, the lobster, became very hungry (lobsters are generally hungry);
+and he sniffed about in search of food, until he smelt a most savory
+odor, which proceeded from a wicker sort of cage, that bobbed up and
+down in the most tempting manner. Had Perke been born a lobster, his
+mother would probably have taught him wisdom. Not knowing any better, he
+now swam about until he discovered a neat tunnel just large enough to
+admit him, and leading straight to the meat he coveted. In he slipped
+for a nibble; but, having entered, he found to his sorrow he could not
+get out again; so there he sat, looking out through the slats, as
+miserable an object as one would wish to behold, when Small came darting
+by.
+
+"'Oh! why did we ever leave home?' groaned Perke.
+
+"'Hulloa!' exclaimed his brother, pausing. 'How did you get there?'
+
+"'I am caught in a trap,' cried Perke. 'When the fisherman hauls me up,
+I shall be boiled alive and eaten.'
+
+"Small flashed up to the surface, where Elfie was sporting with her
+companions, and said, dryly,--
+
+"'It is all very pleasant for you; but, in the mean while, Perke is a
+captive down yonder.'
+
+"'I am so sorry,' said Elfie. 'How can we free him?'
+
+"The tender-hearted sister began to cry; and the other jelly-fish, who
+were tender-hearted also, began to cry from sheer sympathy.
+
+"'I will go to the fairy, and beg her to change them,' sobbed Elfie.
+
+"'It will do no good,' sobbed the jelly-fish chorus, in reply; 'she is
+so cruel.'
+
+"Tears made Small, the mackerel, nervous, as they would have done Small,
+the boy. He determined to find the trumpets, which could alone relieve
+them from the present trouble; and, accordingly, dived to the bottom,
+where, of course, he did not find them.
+
+"At last the oysters took compassion upon his sorrow,--for he feared
+Perke might be taken at any moment by the fishermen,--and opened their
+shells, when out rolled the trumpets.
+
+"Small did not recognize them: they were covered by a coating of
+mother-o'-pearl. When it was explained, he was overjoyed at his good
+fortune in recovering them at all. He also thanked the oysters warmly
+for their kindness.
+
+"'We have not eaten any thing; we were afraid to open our mouths,' said
+the grandfather. 'Still a fast, now and then, does one no harm.'
+
+"In less time than it takes to write the fact, Small had taken one
+trumpet in his mouth, and rejoined Perke, who eagerly seized it, in one
+claw, through the bars of his cage.
+
+"'Wait five minutes for Elfie and I, then wish yourself out of the
+water,' advised the zealous little brother, hastening back for his
+sister's trumpet, which he presented in the same way.
+
+"Simultaneously the children wished themselves out of the water. The
+desire was gratified certainly, for they were suspended between heaven
+and earth, held by some invisible chain, the links of which bound them
+firmly; yet they felt a terrible fear of being dashed headlong on the
+sharp-pointed rocks below. There they swayed about, the sun laughing at
+them, the winds tossing them on every breath, and the birds swooping in
+giddy circles over their heads.
+
+"'Let us wish for land,' said Elfie.
+
+"They closed their eyes, blew through the trumpets, and then their feet
+rested on a firm surface once more.
+
+"'Oh, I am so glad!' laughed Elfie.
+
+"Yes, they had land; but such a land! Not a tree; not a spring of fresh,
+cool water; not a blade of green grass; only a barren wilderness, a
+dreary waste. The children toiled along wearily, yet they seemed to make
+no progress towards a fairer landscape; for as far as the eye could see
+stretched the blank of earth.
+
+"'What shall we do next?' asked Perke, in perplexity.
+
+"'Let us go home. Mother will advise us,' said Small; and, with the aid
+of Madam Pug's gifts, they again stood at the door of their humble
+cottage, which had never looked so pleasant to them before. Their mother
+was not in the house; but they saw her coming along the road, bending
+under the weight of the meal-bag, from the mill.
+
+"They had not been absent a day, and so much had happened! The two
+little sons ran to her assistance, bearing between them the bag of meal;
+and, as they did so, Small inserted his trumpet into a fold of it,
+whispering,--
+
+"'I wish this meal might be changed into a feast for my poor mother.'
+
+"When they entered the door, Perke wished, 'Let us have a fine large
+table, if you please.'
+
+"The mother looked at him in surprise; and then she saw that something
+unusual had occurred during her absence, for a spacious table of
+polished rosewood occupied the centre of the room.
+
+"'I should like an arm-chair,' said Elfie; and when it appeared, they
+seated the astonished mother in it, suffering her tired frame to enjoy
+luxury and ease.
+
+"Next, they emptied the meal-bag of its contents, and Small's bright
+eyes danced with delight at the fulfilment of his wish. Such savory
+viands! such puffs and tarts of delicate pastry! such delicious fruits
+and sweet-perfumed flower garlands! such tempting nuts, and many-colored
+candies in all manner of fantastic shapes,--pink horses, lemon castles,
+green birds, and blue ships,--had never before been seen in the widow's
+cottage. She did not forget those who were poor; so, reserving some of
+the choice articles of the feast, the mother sent her children to many
+neighbors, who would have otherwise gone to bed supperless.
+
+"When all this was done, the children gave a long history of their
+adventures beneath the waters. The mother uttered a prayer of gratitude
+for their safe return; then she said,--
+
+"'Your godmother wished to test your character. One desire brings
+another always. Vanity caused all your troubles; you wished to be as
+handsome as the king's children, and the boat vanished, as you have
+described. Give me the trumpets, and learn to be happy without them.'
+
+"They did as she desired, only, first, Elfie begged to have one more
+wish gratified. What do you suppose it was? Why, that night the mother
+slept in a soft bed of eider down, with satin curtains, and an
+embroidered coverlet fit for a duchess, while the children sought their
+pallets of straw, light-hearted and happy, thinking how comfortable she
+was.
+
+"All this pleased Madam Pug, who had heard of it from her trusty allies
+the gnats; and she now came flying along in the moonlight, mounted on a
+moth. She crept through the keyhole leaving her moth outside; and the
+water spirit changed herself into an ugly gray bat for the purpose of
+devouring Madam Pug's horse: so that she had to sit on the chimney all
+night, after paying the visit, until one of the gnats had flown away for
+another moth. This made the water spirit, down under the waves, laugh.
+
+"Having entered the cottage, Madam Pug squeezed a drop of some precious
+balsam out of a diminutive flask upon the eyelids of her slumbering
+godchildren, which served to make their dreams pleasant, and would
+prepare them for any disappointment the next day. She next looked about
+to see what was to be done afterward, and espied the trumpets on the
+shelf, where the careful mother had placed them. These the fairy changed
+to three little boxes, one of a rusty steel, another of lead, and the
+third of iron; then, placing them on the children's pillows, crept out
+by the keyhole to perch on the chimney, as I have said, to await the
+arrival of another moth-charger.
+
+"Next morning Elfie and her brothers peeped into the boxes, and found
+each to contain a small cake. On the cakes were baked these words:--
+
+     FOR THE KING'S FESTIVAL.
+
+"The godmother gave them no donation of handsome clothes this time; so
+the mother, after dressing them fresh and clean, sent them away on the
+journey. Elfie plucked a few wild roses on the way, which Perke twined
+among her curls for a head-dress.
+
+"They were ferried across the river in a royal barge, with other
+guests, and then found themselves before the gates of the king's palace.
+A vast crowd of people thronged the way, bringing rare gifts; and all
+were finely robed, except the poor widow's children. The soldiers
+presented the glittering points of their lances, asking rudely,--
+
+"'What do you bring?'
+
+"'Curiosities to show the king,' replied Small, bravely.
+
+"'What if there should be nothing in the cakes, after all,' remarked
+Perke.
+
+"'Let us open them and see,' proposed Elfie.
+
+"'No,' said Perke. 'Wait until we are in the presence of the court.'
+
+"The palace now rose before them, and was even more splendid than they
+had supposed. Entering an archway, the children paused in a spacious
+apartment, the dome of which was supported on marble pillars, wrought
+with flowers. The king occupied a throne of mosaic-work, under a canopy
+of crimson velvet. He wore a stiff mantle of some rich material, had a
+long, yellow beard, and such fierce eyes, that little Elfie trembled
+when he looked at her. Perke and Small said they did not mind it much.
+
+"First, there approached an old woman, black as ebony, with a gorgeous
+yellow turban on her head, a broad purple sash about her waist, and red
+slippers on her feet. She was a very gay old African lady indeed. In her
+hand she carried a shrine of beautiful, fragrant wood; and from it she
+took an idol of pure amber, carved with marvellous skill.
+
+"Next, came an old man, with bent form and silver hair, who drew a case
+from his girdle, and displayed, to the delight of the whole court, a
+ruby the size of a hen's egg of so brilliant a color that it filled the
+palace with a soft, rosy glow.
+
+"Upon this, a young man hastened forward to hold up before the throne a
+diamond chain of rare purity, that absorbed the lustre of the ruby's
+splendor, and twinkled like pendent dew-drops.
+
+"Others brought precious stones also, sapphires, amethysts, and
+emeralds, until it would seem as though the world had been sifted for
+the costliest gems. Then there were urns of pungent spices, censers of
+incense, keen-tempered weapons, cloth-of-gold, heavy damask, and
+specimens of lace.
+
+"What seemed to Small the most wonderful thing, was a scroll of tapestry
+upon which appeared moving figures, weaving into fantastic forms.
+Whatever the king desired to see rehearsed, was there depicted.
+
+"Afterward approached a fair lady, wearing a green gauze mantle, from
+which dripped little rills of water with a musical splash, and wherever
+they fell upon the pavement there formed pearls. She displayed a snake
+that twined his enamelled body about in graceful coils, at her bidding,
+and even licked the king's foot,--an act of homage which made his
+majesty rather nervous. The children recognized their enemy, the water
+spirit.
+
+"It now came their turn, and they advanced, the water spirit smiling
+maliciously all the time. When they opened the boxes, each cake said, in
+a smothered little voice,--
+
+"'Break me!'
+
+"This they did, when lo! out of Elfie's stepped a goat, wearing a broad
+gold collar, and holding a tambourine. He walked up to the throne on his
+hind legs, and made a very profound bow. At this everybody laughed; but
+what was their astonishment to behold a quaint monkey emerge from
+Small's box, with a smart cravat on, and carrying a cocked hat under one
+paw. The monkey, instead of following the goat's ceremonious example,
+leaped upon Small's shoulder, put on his hat, and winked at the king in
+so droll a manner as to entirely disarm any wrath at his impertinence.
+
+"As for Perke, a bird was already perched upon his finger, whose plumage
+resembled spun gold, relieved by an emerald green crest, and patch upon
+the breast.
+
+"'What can your animals do to amuse me?' inquired the king.
+
+"'If it please your highness,' said the goat, 'the bird will sing while
+we dance.'
+
+"The king assenting, the bird began to sing a lively air; and the other
+two executed a quadrille in excellent style, the goat gracefully tapping
+his tambourine with one hoof to the music. Nor was this the full extent
+of their accomplishments; for the three then performed a tragedy, in
+which the bird was a stern father, the goat his daughter, and the
+monkey, who was naturally the best actor, took several parts, with
+admirable skill.
+
+"All this would have been very amusing, only that the proud king could
+not forget that the children belonged only to a poor widow after all.
+Perhaps they might have received some prize, as a token of royal favor,
+had not the water spirit's snake darted forward, hissing spitefully, and
+twined about them.
+
+"The monkey seized the monster by the throat with his little black paws,
+the bird pecked at its eyes, and the goat rapped the tambourine over its
+head with a right good-will.
+
+"Thus defended, the children escaped from the palace safely, still
+accompanied by their favorites.
+
+"'Dear children,' said the bird, as they approached home once more, 'do
+not be disappointed that the king has treated you with no more kindness.
+Madam Pug allows us to remain with you so long as you are good, and
+find happiness in the home God has given you.'
+
+"'We can have a great deal more fun here than with those stupid people
+in the palace yonder,' added the monkey, cutting a caper. 'The goat and
+I can dance all day for your amusement.'
+
+"'As to that,' said the goat, stroking his beard gravely, 'we might do
+something more profitable.'
+
+"These were the godmother's gifts after all, which, in course of time,
+became famous throughout the country. If any thing was stolen, the
+monkey could detect the thief at once. If any debate arose among the
+wise men, the goat could settle the argument to their satisfaction, for
+he was classically educated. If any person was ill, the bird could
+prescribe for them, as he was skilled in the knowledge of medicine.
+
+"The king could never obtain these three with all the wealth in the
+world."
+
+The Wasp went his way again, the Caterpillar and Spider did the same,
+leaving the others alone as before.
+
+The Saucepan's day was over, and the Teapot was so badly cracked as to
+be unfit for use.
+
+One day, as the Kettle was swinging lazily on the hook in the chimney, a
+lovely butterfly, with wings like shaded brown velvet, poised on a
+rose-spray outside the window. It was the Caterpillar transformed!
+
+The Kettle called to the Cricket, but he did not find his crutch in time
+to hobble out (for he was growing infirm) before the butterfly had
+flitted out into the sunshine again.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Cricket's Friends, by Virginia W. Johnson
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cricket's Friends, by Virginia W. Johnson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Cricket's Friends
+       Tales Told by the Cricket, Teapot, and Saucepan
+
+Author: Virginia W. Johnson
+
+Release Date: August 21, 2011 [EBook #37147]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figleft">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="figright">
+<img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+
+<h1>THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS.</h1>
+
+<h2>Tales told</h2>
+
+<h1><i>BY THE CRICKET, TEAPOT, AND SAUCEPAN</i></h1>
+
+<h2>BY COUSIN VIRGINIA.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="center">NEW YORK:<br />
+WORTHINGTON CO.,<br />
+747 <span class="smcap">Broadway</span>.<br />
+1888.</p>
+
+<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by<br />
+NICHOLS AND NOYES,<br />
+in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.</p>
+
+<p class="center">Press of J.J. Little &amp; Co.,<br />
+Astor Place, New York.</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<p class="center">TO<br />
+Minnie Slack,<br />
+with all fresh young hearts and loving souls akin to her's, this<br />
+little book is dedicated,<br />
+<span class="smcap">by Cousin Virginia</span>.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<blockquote><p>My little friends, who read the first volume of the "Kettle Club" last
+Christmas, will remember an allusion to the introduction of new members
+this year. Their history will here be presented.</p></blockquote>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+
+<table width="50%">
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_TRAVELLED_SPIDER"><span class="smcap">The Travelled Spider</span></a></td><td align="right">14</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_AMBITIOUS_WASP"><span class="smcap">The Ambitious Wasp</span></a></td><td align="right">41</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_DISAPPOINTED_CATERPILLAR"><span class="smcap">The Disappointed Caterpillar</span></a></td><td align="right">73</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_FOUR_SILVER_PEACHES"><span class="smcap">The Four Silver Peaches</span></a></td><td align="right">82</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#GOING_MAYING"><span class="smcap">Going Maying</span></a></td><td align="right">101</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#GRANDPAPA_MOUSE_AND_HIS_FAMILY"><span class="smcap">Grandpapa Mouse and his Family</span></a></td><td align="right">116</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_ENCHANTED_BABY-HOUSE"><span class="smcap">The Enchanted Baby-house</span></a></td><td align="right">152</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_AN_UMBRELLA"><span class="smcap">The Story of an Umbrella</span></a></td><td align="right">179</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_GODMOTHERS_GIFTS"><span class="smcap">The Godmother's Gifts</span></a></td><td align="right">194</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The Club were all curiosity for some time to see the new members who
+were to be introduced into the select circle.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid of spiders," remarked the Teapot, with a lady-like shiver.</p>
+
+<p>"If a caterpillar touched me, I should run a mile," exclaimed the
+Saucepan.</p>
+
+<p>"None of them can reach me," laughed the Kettle with a gurgle of
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>At last the Cricket marched the strangers in one night, and gave them
+places about the hearth.</p>
+
+<p>"Allow me," said he, flourishing his right feeler in the air, "to
+introduce to you, friends, some very distinguished additions to our
+number,&mdash;the travelled Spider, the disappointed Caterpillar, and the
+ambitious Wasp."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How do you all do?" inquired the Kettle very politely, for the Saucepan
+and Teapot seemed rather stiff in their manners.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, thank you," growled the Spider.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite so," croaked the Caterpillar.</p>
+
+<p>"In excellent spirits," echoed the Wasp, folding his gauzy wings in a
+satisfied way.</p>
+
+<p>"If it is agreeable to the rest, I propose your all joining the Club,"
+continued the Cricket briskly.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," assented the Kettle; "the more the merrier, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"I think we should be extremely careful about admitting strangers to our
+circle, unless they bring letters of introduction," said the Teapot
+primly.</p>
+
+<p>As for the Saucepan, she contented herself with looking sideways at the
+Caterpillar, and coughing contemptuously. This was not very pleasant; so
+the Cricket trotted up to the two rebellious members, and gave them a
+pretty sharp lecture upon the laws of courtesy and good breeding, which
+served effectually to make them ashamed of themselves. The visitors now
+became angry, and began to talk together of leaving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> without delay,
+which naturally distressed the good-hearted president, who was so much
+affected by a desire to do something pleasant, that he swung himself
+wildly upon the hook, and thereby sprinkled those below with a stream of
+scalding water.</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy!" shrieked the Wasp, dancing on one foot in an agony.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my back!" groaned the Caterpillar, rolling himself about in a ball.</p>
+
+<p>"What ails you, Kettle?" cried the poor Cricket, running about with his
+eye almost put out from receiving a whole drop in it. "Do keep your hot
+water to yourself."</p>
+
+<p>The Spider alone was unhurt; so he merely shook himself, and sat
+chuckling at the discomfiture of the others.</p>
+
+<p>After doing all this mischief, the Kettle subsided, with many meek
+apologies.</p>
+
+<p>"We can give you references enough, if that is all you want," said the
+Wasp snappishly; "but we had better leave, I think, comrades, before we
+have another hot bath. My hind leg is completely disabled."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do not go," urged the Cricket. "We should enjoy your society so much, I
+am sure, when we become better acquainted."</p>
+
+<p>The three visitors looked at each other in silence for a time; then the
+Spider said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have just returned home, and, as it is so near, I do not mind running
+in to spend the evening; so I will join the Club."</p>
+
+<p>"I will also," said the Caterpillar in a dismal tone of voice, "only I
+am not very good company for any one now."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," said the Wasp, airily, "I shall not promise to remain any
+longer than I am amused."</p>
+
+<p>The Teapot and Saucepan became more amiable in their behavior as the
+evening advanced, and the Cricket hastened to assure the new-comers that
+references, other than their evident respectability of appearance, were
+entirely unnecessary. They insisted upon producing testimony, however.</p>
+
+<p>The Caterpillar took from his throat, about which it was twisted like a
+cravat, a bit of green rose-leaf, and handed it to the Cricket, who read
+aloud,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>"I can certify that my esteemed friend, the Caterpillar, will prove
+a charming addition to any circle.</p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Grasshopper</span>, Jr."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>The Wasp then passed a lump of wax to the chairman, with these words
+pecked upon it:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"I cordially recommend our neighbor Wasp to the society of all
+intelligent people, as a most refined and agreeable companion.</p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">A. Titmouse</span>, Esq."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>The Spider alone of the three gave no letter, but said coolly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen plenty of the world, yet I have never troubled myself with
+such nonsense as cards."</p>
+
+<p>"You will not find ceremonies of the kind necessary here," remarked the
+Cricket, with a severe glance at the Teapot. "Perhaps you will tell us
+something of your adventures, however.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not mind doing so at all," returned the Spider, gathering up his
+long legs into a more comfortable position.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_TRAVELLED_SPIDER" id="THE_TRAVELLED_SPIDER"></a>THE TRAVELLED SPIDER.</h2>
+
+
+<p>I was born in the cellar of this very house, and, for a delightful,
+spidery residence, I know of no place to equal the dark, dust-stained
+window ledge where I first drew breath. After a long period of absence,
+I find my early home has lost none of its charms. This is the case with
+men as well as spiders, I am told. The American thinks there is no river
+in the world so grand as the great Mississippi; the Frenchman none so
+beautiful as the Seine; the Englishman none so famous as the Thames; the
+German as the Rhine; and the Egyptian as the sacred Nile,&mdash;because home
+is represented by each.</p>
+
+<p>"So, too, with me the cellar window has rare attractions: there one can
+spin a dainty web to snare the silly flies and gnats, when they come
+dancing along, for supper. Never believe the life<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> of a spider is an
+easy one, though: that is an altogether false idea. We work hard enough,
+although we wear such good armor, and have such sharp, strong claws; for
+we live by our wits, and a dull, stupid spider has but a poor chance of
+it. First, one has to be on the watch for stray morsels of food, to be
+ready for a pounce; then one's net may become torn in some way so as to
+require mending; or a wandering spider comes prowling along to try and
+conquer a home without the trouble of making it: so between all these
+cares there is little leisure time to spare. The class to which I belong
+does not have the constant labor that falls to the share of some of our
+cousins, who spin their webs from trees, or festoon them about verandas
+and other exposed localities, where the wind often blows them about so
+roughly, that they are obliged to suspend bits of wood and stone to the
+corners to maintain an equilibrium. I have some other relatives, to
+think of whom alone is enough to warm any spider's heart with pride.</p>
+
+<p>"Foremost of these ranks the scorpion of warmer climates, where it
+creeps into sheltered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> crannies under every stone or sandy bank, even
+inhabiting boots and gloves. When disturbed, out it pounces, with an
+angry snap of the claws and a savage whisk of the tail, ready for some
+mischief, you may be sure.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I wish I was a scorpion, instead of a mere ordinary spider! But
+then every one cannot be great, after all.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, even the scorpion is foolish sometimes, as I will presently tell
+you. It lives in burrows, which it digs in the ground, the entrance
+being formed to the exact size of the insect. By the shape of the hole
+people discover the residence, and, when they wish to destroy the
+inmate, they pour some water down, to see if the scorpion is at home.
+The scorpion detests water; and it no sooner feels the stream trickling
+through the opening, than out it rushes, to see what is the matter. To
+drive a spade into the hole and kill the scorpion is then an easy task.</p>
+
+<p>"There is still another mode of destroying these princes of our race. A
+circle of smouldering ashes is made around the burrow, and the scorpion,
+after running for some minutes about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> the space inclosed, and seeing no
+means of escape from the ring of fire, invariably bends its tail up over
+the back, and inserting the point between two segments of the body,
+stings itself to death.</p>
+
+<p>"I have another powerful relative, to be found in South America. This is
+a large hairy spider, two inches long in body, and seven inches with
+expanded legs. Only fancy such a size! I should be a mere pigmy in
+comparison. This spider is so powerful that it can kill small birds, by
+entangling them in a strong web. Think of that!" cried the Spider,
+hugging himself with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not turn up your broken nose, Madame Teapot: we are all
+murderers; still we do any amount of good, after all, in destroying
+insects that would otherwise cause much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe a word of what you say," interrupted the Saucepan. "A
+spider kill a bird, indeed! Nobody ever heard of such a thing."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear," interposed the Teapot scornfully, feeling very much angered
+at the allusion to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> nose made by the ill-bred stranger, "great
+travellers always tell fine stories."</p>
+
+<p>"While you stay at home, and, seeing nothing, doubt what we say,"
+retorted the Spider half angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed the Cricket impatiently, "shall we never have
+peace? I was so much interested in your recital, friend, that an
+interruption seems very annoying indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to find you a Cricket of such large views," replied the
+Spider politely; "so I will proceed, if it affords you any pleasure. My
+mother had much more experience of the outside world than any of her
+neighbors, and, when I was still young, she talked with my father one
+night about my future prospects in life. I remember that we children
+were in the nursery&mdash;a silken tube, very soft and warm for our tender
+bodies&mdash;when I overheard her remarks.</p>
+
+<p>"'I cannot consent that my eldest son should settle down here at home,
+when there is so much to be seen that will improve his mind,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>"'That is foolish,' returned my father wisely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> 'He will only fall into
+all manner of mischief, and he cannot make himself any thing but a house
+spider after all.'</p>
+
+<p>"I never slept a wink afterward, that night; and soon after I gained the
+consent of my parents to start on my travels.</p>
+
+<p>"I had an easier time than most insects would enjoy, in leaving the
+shelter of their homes. When I was in danger I could generally trust
+that my long legs would carry me out of harm's way; and, if I was not
+able to escape, I just hid under a stone, or rolled myself up into a
+snug ball among the loose soil.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot begin to tell you all the curious adventures I had, or the
+strange things I heard; for I have been away such a long while, I have
+forgotten more than half. Still I remember a few particulars of
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>"I was trotting about one day through a field of dry stubble, when I saw
+a pleasant river winding along in the sunlight, and sought the bank. The
+first object I noticed was a Kingfisher, seated motionless upon an
+overhanging branch, and peering eagerly down into the water in search<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>
+of food. A very handsome bird is the Kingfisher, I assure you, with his
+blue coat of shining feathers, and scarlet shirt front; but so still is
+he when watching for prey, you would not notice him, sometimes, among
+the bushes.</p>
+
+<p>"'How are you to-day, sir?' I cried, while still at a distance. 'Are the
+fish lively, may I inquire?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Keep quiet, will you?' said the Kingfisher, turning his head
+impatiently towards me.</p>
+
+<p>"'There, I have lost a splendid chance through your speaking,' he added
+angrily, as a fish darted past.</p>
+
+<p>"'I am very sorry to have disturbed you,' I replied, crawling out upon a
+twig, the better to observe his proceedings.</p>
+
+<p>"'I have carried every thing home to my family, and I am now as empty as
+a drum,' said the Kingfisher in an aggrieved tone, and then he resumed
+his watch.</p>
+
+<p>"Suddenly down he dropped into the water, with a rush that fairly took
+my breath away, and, after splashing about furiously for a few seconds,
+returned to land, having a small fish in his beak.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Ha, ha!' laughed the Kingfisher, 'I've got you at last. Yes, and there
+is plenty of room left for some of your plump brothers and sisters
+besides.'</p>
+
+<p>"So saying, he tossed the poor fish up in the air; then, opening wide
+his beak, caught and swallowed it with great apparent relish. I was very
+much amused by all this; so I said, as he settled upon the perch once
+more,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Well, well, we spiders are considered terrible butchers by most
+people, but we are rather more dainty than to gulp down our meals in
+that fashion. I hope you may not suffer from an indigestion, Mr.
+Kingfisher.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Do not worry over that,' returned he, cocking his bright eye at me.
+Then he flew away, and I scrambled after him as fast as I could, for I
+was curious to see how Madame Kingfisher and the babies fared.</p>
+
+<p>"I followed the flight of the bird until he disappeared on the ground
+somewhere, and I arrived just in time to see him pop into a hole on the
+water side of the bank. I crept into the tunnel, which was originally
+made by a tiny<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> animal, the water-shrew, and which had been enlarged by
+the Kingfisher to suit the size of the nest. This nest, my dear friends,
+I found to be composed of dried fish-bones,&mdash;mostly those of
+minnows,&mdash;and arranged in a nearly flat form, save a slight hollow
+pressed by the bird's shape while laying eggs."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh!" spurted the incredulous Saucepan, "that is a worse fib than
+the account of the bird spider."</p>
+
+<p>"Very wonderful, indeed," bubbled the Kettle, who had not ventured to
+speak since he scalded the company.</p>
+
+<p>"I could tell you stranger things than that," said the Wasp, hopping out
+upon the hearth nimbly as the Kettle swung.</p>
+
+<p>"One at a time, if you please," interposed the Cricket, restoring order.</p>
+
+<p>"You would not doubt the truth of what I say," continued the Spider,
+shrugging his shoulders, and making a comical grimace, "if you once
+sniffed the horribly fishy odor of the Kingfisher's burrow. Bah! I can
+smell it yet. I hid in a dark corner, watching them as long as I dared;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>
+for I feared I should be crushed when the bird came out again, the
+entrance was so small.</p>
+
+<p>"'How do you find yourself, my love?' inquired the father Kingfisher
+politely.</p>
+
+<p>"'It is rather dull, you know,' replied the mother Kingfisher. 'Hush,
+nestlings, you cannot eat another morsel; so be quiet.'</p>
+
+<p>"They chippered together for a while; then I ran out just in time, for
+the other followed quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"'What are you doing in my house?' he asked angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"'I wanted to see how pretty it might be,' I answered saucily.</p>
+
+<p>"Upon this the Kingfisher pounced at me; but I dodged this way and that,
+and a fine race we had of it. Finally, I saw a lady and gentleman
+walking along together; so I climbed upon her trailing dress, while the
+bird grew shy, and flew away. I strolled about upon the lady's dress for
+a while, until she saw me, and gave a shriek of alarm. This was even
+better fun than the race with the Kingfisher. I cantered up and down,
+the gentleman trying in vain to catch me; I pretended to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> run off upon
+the grass; then I stole back, and hid inside one of her curls. Here I
+remained all the evening, peering out now and then, when she returned to
+the house, to watch the gay lights and people. When she retired to her
+room, she combed me out of my hiding-place; but I did not care, so I
+walked out the window as if nothing had happened. The stars were shining
+brightly, and, as the night was so warm, I thought I would walk on a bit
+farther before finding a night's lodging. Like all good travellers, I
+had learned not to care much where I slept.</p>
+
+<p>"The bats were swooping about on the watch for mosquitos and other
+insects; the owls hooted from the tree-tops, and the bull-frogs croaked
+duets across the marshes with each other; while beautiful moths
+fluttered on the still air, to enjoy themselves after sleeping all day.</p>
+
+<p>"Seated before the door of his house was a relative of yours [addressing
+the Chairman], the Field-cricket, chirping briskly. I knew he was a
+fierce, combative sort of fellow; still I tried to be very polite, as I
+wanted to get a peep into his mansion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'I am glad to meet so clever a house-builder, as yourself,' I said,
+with a low bow.</p>
+
+<p>"'As to that,' returned he modestly, 'I am nothing to the Mole-cricket.'</p>
+
+<p>"'If I could only have a glimpse of your residence,' I sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"The Cricket grew affable, and offered to make a call with me upon the
+Mole-cricket. Accordingly we started together; and it was fortunate I
+had a guide, for otherwise I never should have discovered the abode of
+this curious insect. It is very quarrelsome with its own kind, as
+perhaps you are aware; and it passes nearly the whole of its life
+underground, in the many winding galleries and passages, excavated by
+means of the spade-like limbs.</p>
+
+<p>"'I hope we may find him in a good humor,' remarked the Field-cricket.
+'Hulloa!'</p>
+
+<p>"He called several times; then, receiving no answer, pushed a blade of
+grass into the opening, when out dashed the Mole-cricket, furious at the
+intrusion.</p>
+
+<p>"'What do you want?' he asked, snapping his strong claws at us in a very
+unpleasant manner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'The Field-cricket was so kind as to bring me here, hoping that you
+would allow me to see something of your house,' I said boldly.</p>
+
+<p>"'I have just got it into a splendid state of order, so I do not mind.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Wait,' exclaimed the Field-cricket, as we were about to enter, 'you
+must promise not to eat us up after we get in.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I promise,' laughed the other; 'I have already had my supper, so I am
+not hungry.'</p>
+
+<p>"For my own part I did not fear being devoured, as I knew I was too
+prickly and tough a morsel to tempt any appetite. The Field-cricket,
+however, might with reason entertain apprehensions, for he was as sleek
+and plump as I was lean and bristly. He took the precaution of putting
+me between himself and our guide, so that he could keep on guard should
+the Mole-cricket forget his promise. Well, the latter behaved very well
+instead; so I have really no complaint to make. He led us through such a
+number of dark passages, that I was fairly bewildered with the size and
+variety of the smooth-walled tunnels.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Why do you have so many?' I inquired, when we paused, quite out of
+breath, in a kind of central chamber.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh!' he replied, 'one must have a large house to run about in; and
+after all it is not so much work to make it. Besides, I can hide
+securely here, in ever so many different places, if necessary. This is
+the nursery,' he added, pausing before a really large cavity, which was
+much nearer the surface of the ground than the rest of his habitation.
+It was a fine apartment, nicely prepared for the reception of some two
+or three hundred yellow eggs.</p>
+
+<p>"'I build this so much nearer the surface,' explained the Mole-cricket,
+'so that the eggs may have the benefit of the sun's warmth, although I
+dislike it so much myself, that I always burrow deep in the earth while
+the daylight lasts.'</p>
+
+<p>"All this time I observed the Field-cricket grew more ill at ease,&mdash;now
+giving an anxious croak, then skipping back a pace, if the Mole-cricket
+only looked at him. He had some cause, sure enough. When we arrived at
+the entrance once more, I saluted our host courteously, thanking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> him
+for the pleasure he had given us. The Mole-cricket, instead of replying
+politely, made a sudden rush at his cousin, with his large jaws wide
+open. I stepped between them just in time to save the Field-cricket, who
+ran away as fast as ever he could; and that is the last I ever saw of
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"'You had better go home again,' I said to the disappointed
+Mole-cricket. 'All I regret is that I should have seen you do such a
+thing, for I did not suppose you were so much of a barbarian.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Ho, ho!' he growled, in a sulky tone. 'I would eat you up for your
+impudence, were you not so tough-looking.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am afraid you would have a nightmare afterward,' I rejoined; and
+then we parted, never to meet again.</p>
+
+<p>"My attention was next attracted to a globe, about the size of a
+cricket-ball, suspended from the head of a thistle by several stout
+grass stems. It was woven together firmly, and presented no opening that
+I could perceive; yet the walls were so delicately thin, that the forms
+of some tiny animals, packed snugly together in this secure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> though
+airy nest, were to be seen. Presently I beheld a pretty little creature,
+clothed in thick, soft fur, marked with white, nimbly climbing the stem
+of a plant, to pounce upon an unsuspicious fly, which it did as swiftly
+and accurately as a swallow.</p>
+
+<p>"'What do you want here?' said the Harvest-mouse suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"'I am only seeking a night's lodging; so I will creep into this
+harebell, I think.'</p>
+
+<p>"I slept soundly; the wind rocked my cradle delightfully. The next
+morning my curiosity was gratified, when I peeped out, by seeing the
+Harvest-mouse pay a visit to the baby mice. Her own body was so slender,
+that she could easily crawl through any space in the nest: which she
+did; and, when she came out again, the opening was carefully covered by
+the meshes of fine grass blades, so that the ball was apparently entire
+as before.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah, ha! my lady,' I cried, jumping down beside her. 'That is the way
+you do it, eh?'</p>
+
+<p>"The mother-mouse gave a little shriek of terror; but then, seeing it
+was only a Spider that spoke, she laughed good-naturedly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'I am not afraid of harm from you,' she said 'but there are so many
+horrible creatures about, ready to destroy us, that my nerves are often
+sadly shaken.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Pooh! you must not be so timid,' I urged. 'Now, for my part, I have
+travelled a long distance; yet I have found no peril that I could not
+easily escape from.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Never mind,' returned the Harvest-mouse, shaking her head. 'You will
+be frightened yet, depend upon it.'</p>
+
+<p>"I soon found, to my sorrow, that I was to be not only frightened, but
+in serious danger. I was nearly killed the next moment by the ant-lion."</p>
+
+<p>"What is an ant-lion?" inquired the Teapot.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! I know," sighed the Wasp.</p>
+
+<p>"And I also," echoed the Cricket.</p>
+
+<p>"But what is it?" chimed in the eager Saucepan, by this time quite
+interested in the Spider's narrative.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you," pursued the Spider. "The ant-lion is a beautiful kind
+of insect, resembling the dragon-fly in its larval or imperfect state.
+It feeds chiefly upon active insects; and, as it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> too slow of motion
+to catch them otherwise, it resorts to a very clever expedient,&mdash;it
+makes all food come within reach; thus saving a world of trouble. The
+head is furnished with a pair of long, curved mandibles, which gives to
+the inner jaws a free play. The grub makes a pitfall to entrap any
+passing prey, by tracing a shallow trench, the circle varying from one
+to two inches in diameter. It then makes another round, starting just
+within the first circle; and so it proceeds, continually scooping up the
+sand with its head, and jerking it outside the trench. By continuing
+this process, always tracing smaller and smaller circles, the ant-lion
+at last completes a conical pit, buries itself in the sand, and waits.</p>
+
+<p>"Like many another inquisitive ant, beetle, or spider, I went along to
+the edge of the pit, and peeped in to see what it might contain, when to
+my horror the sand gave way, and I slid down, down, almost into the jaws
+opened wide to receive me. I turned faint with fright for a moment; then
+strength returned, and I scrambled up the side again. This was not easy,
+as may be imagined: the sand loosened more and more every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> step I took,
+and, even faster than I showered it down, the ant-lion flung it back,
+endeavoring to keep the sides steep, and prevent my escape.</p>
+
+<p>"I just struggled to the brink, when who should come to my assistance
+but the good-hearted Harvest-mouse, who had witnessed the whole affair
+from her overhanging nest. She kindly extended her long tail for my
+benefit, which I eagerly clutched, and so was dragged out alive.</p>
+
+<p>"Ugh! I never see a dragon-fly floating along, without thinking of that
+dreadful pit where the ant-lion lurked in waiting for victims. I felt
+too much exhausted to move after that, and, while in so miserably
+helpless a state, a bird snapped me up, to carry me through the air by
+three legs, as food for the young birds. They were very
+hungry,&mdash;children generally are,&mdash;but they would not give me so much as
+a peck of their greedy bills.</p>
+
+<p>"'Why did you not bring a nice, fat-bodied garden-spider, while you were
+about it?' said the robin-mother reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I was then flung out of the nest, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> fortunately caught upon a
+projecting twig as I fell. I hid under a leaf to rest awhile,
+congratulating myself that I was so rough and ugly.</p>
+
+<p>"Several pretty young squirrels were whisking about the branches, while
+their parents gravely watched their sports with tails curled up over
+their backs in repose; or joined in the fun, chasing to loftier perches,
+where it made me giddy to watch them swaying about, and leaping from
+tree to tree, then returning to my immediate vicinity again.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you live out here?' I inquired, going towards them.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes,' they said, 'this is our summer house, you know; and very
+comfortable we find it for the heat of the season.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I wish you would let me look at it.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh! you can do that, certainly. It is built in sight of all the world.
+This is not the case with our winter house, however.'</p>
+
+<p>"The cage was made of very slight materials, and placed upon the
+extremity of a frail branch, that swayed with every gust of wind. 'I
+should think you would be shaken out,' I remarked.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Not a bit of it,' returned the mother Squirrel. 'We could not be
+reached by any animal, the branch is so slender; and I am seldom
+frightened by the cries of boys,&mdash;unless, indeed, a stone should rudely
+strike the cage, when I take each of my young ones in my mouth, and
+deposit them in a place of safety.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Where, then, is your winter home?' I next asked.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah! that is a question,' replied the father Squirrel, rubbing his nose
+with one little paw, in a knowing way.</p>
+
+<p>"'I do not wish to make any impertinent inquiries, but I should like
+very much to know something more of your interesting family,' I said
+modestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Upon this the two parents whispered and nodded together for a time,
+then turned to me again. 'If you promise not to tell any cat afterward,
+you can see it,' they said.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I consented. The winter cage was located in the fork of a
+tree, where the boughs concealed it from view, and served to shelter
+from the wind as well. The nest was quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> large, being composed of
+moss, leaves, and grass.</p>
+
+<p>"'Come in and see how nice and warm it is,' invited the hospitable
+Squirrels.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you build a new house every year?'</p>
+
+<p>"'No: that would be too much trouble; so we generally occupy one for
+several seasons.'</p>
+
+<p>"Bidding the amiable Squirrel family good-by, I crawled down the tree to
+the earth once more. I began to weary of this rough-and-tumble sort of
+life. In the struggle with the ant-lion I had sprained my back, which
+malady was severely aggravated by the rude treatment of the bird that
+carried me through the air, only to throw me away when the nestlings
+declined tasting of me.</p>
+
+<p>"I reached the bank of the stream where I had first seen the Kingfisher;
+then, as the day was cloudy and cool, I sat down in a nut-shell, that
+served to keep me warm. While I lazily watched the fish dart through the
+crystal waters, and the birds flutter overhead, a curious object came
+floating towards me. What do you suppose it was? Why, nothing less than
+a snug raft<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> of dried leaves and twigs, fastened together with silken
+threads, that bobbed along right merrily, bearing the sailor who
+constructed it easily and securely. He was really a remarkably handsome
+fellow, of a dark, chocolate-brown color, marked with a broad, orange
+band, and with pale-red legs. This was the floating palace of the
+Raft-spider, who not only pursues insects on shore, but trots out upon
+the water after them just as well. In doing this he requires some
+resting-place, and so builds the raft that excited my wonder and
+admiration. When he saw me sitting in the nut-shell on the shore, he
+laughed loudly; while I was only too glad to attract his attention, for
+I had a favor to ask.</p>
+
+<p>"'Will you take me on board?' I inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes: run ahead to yonder large pebble; then you can jump on when I
+pass by.'</p>
+
+<p>"I did so; and when he came alongside I sprang aboard of the raft, which
+was amply large enough to receive both of us. I thought there never was
+better fun than sailing down the stream in this style. We danced along
+smoothly on the current when the water was calm, or we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> whirled round
+eddies and rapids; but we passed through all these dangers in safety.
+The Raft-spider conversed pleasantly. He frequently dashed overboard
+after some unlucky insect that had fallen into the water, moths, flies,
+and beetles; or he snapped up some tiny wanderer that rose to the
+surface for air; sometimes even crawling down the stems of plants for
+prey to the depth of several inches. He always returned to the raft with
+these spoils, and cordially invited me to share them, which I did with
+relish.</p>
+
+<p>"'Eat away,' he urged. 'I can get plenty more at any time, while you
+look as thin as a starved grasshopper.'</p>
+
+<p>"We had already become excellent friends, when we suddenly beheld a
+large boat steering swiftly towards us. The Raft-spider is extremely
+cautious; so, bidding me follow, he slid overboard to hide, as he was in
+the habit of doing when any danger threatened. Now this was all very
+well for him, as he could live under water for some time; but what was
+to become of me? The water bubbled up into my ears; I opened my jaws to
+scream, only to have more gurgle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> down my throat. I sputtered and gasped
+and floundered, until my companion took compassion upon me, and held my
+head up until the boat had passed, when he dragged me on to the raft
+again, more dead than alive.</p>
+
+<p>"'To be sure,' he remarked gayly, 'I forgot you were not the same kind
+of a Spider as myself. You are only a landsman, after all.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you have to jump overboard in that fashion often?' I faintly asked.</p>
+
+<p>"'Bless you! I have done so every five minutes sometimes.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I should like to land, then, if you please.'</p>
+
+<p>"The Raft-spider made fun of my fears; but I was determined to get away
+from the water as soon as possible, so he put me ashore, and went on his
+way, still laughing."</p>
+
+<p>Here the narrator was interrupted by the entrance of Hulda, who whisked
+the Teapot and Saucepan off to a high shelf across the room. The
+Cricket, Wasp, and Caterpillar fled in opposite directions, but the
+unfortunate Spider was not quick enough to escape. The thrifty
+housekeeper espied him with her keen eyes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> and, pouncing upon him,
+caught, and threw him out of the window.</p>
+
+<p>Here was an abrupt close to the story. The others could do nothing but
+sigh over this misfortune, and finally the Cricket said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I propose, for one, that we do not meet again until the family have
+gone to bed; as, by so doing, we will not run the risk of being thrown
+out of the window."</p>
+
+<p>To this they agreed; and then they separated, the Wasp and Caterpillar
+accepting an invitation to visit the Cricket in his mansion behind the
+brick.</p>
+
+<p>The next night, when the household had retired, the Kettle Club resumed
+their places about the hearth. The Teapot had been left beside the fire,
+fortunately; but the poor Saucepan, to her great vexation, still rested
+on the shelf. They had hoped to hear something of the fate of the
+Spider; but, although the Cricket had been out of doors, prowling about
+that day, he could find no trace of the missing member.</p>
+
+<p>"Such an interesting Spider as he was, too," commented the Kettle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," assented the Teapot amiably; "I did not suppose one of
+his race could be so agreeable."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no use groaning, since it cannot bring him back again," said
+the Wasp sharply. "Who is to speak to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"We should be delighted to hear you," said the crafty Cricket, desirous
+of keeping the Wasp in a good humor.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you will not find my history interesting, after that of the
+Spider," said he with affected modesty: he thought it would be much more
+so all the time.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure we shall," cordially returned the Cricket.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_AMBITIOUS_WASP" id="THE_AMBITIOUS_WASP"></a>THE AMBITIOUS WASP.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"To begin then," commenced the Wasp, "I must first describe to you how I
+was born. Did any of you ever see, very early in the spring, one of my
+tribe flying slowly about, pausing to examine every earth bank, now
+exploring the burrow of a field-mouse, or perhaps entering the tunnel of
+a boring insect, all the while buzzing in a fussy way?"</p>
+
+<p>"I now remember watching a Wasp during my travels, that behaved in a
+very curious manner," said the Cricket. "It alighted upon a wood-pile,
+and gnawed off a quantity of fibres, which were kneaded together
+carefully into a ball; and then the Wasp flew away with the ball to a
+hole near by. I did not dare ask any questions; because I feared
+receiving a sting for my curiosity, and I have heard such a wound is
+most painful."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah! that is always the way," said the other in an aggrieved tone. "We
+are thought by man to be good for nothing but to steal sugar, or other
+sweets; and gnaw holes in fruit, to disfigure the ripe beauty of
+peaches, plums, and apricots. We are called lazy fellows, going about to
+give any one a sharp thrust; when in reality a sting often causes death,
+by tearing the poison-bag. This belief is partly true; still not
+altogether, for we are also of some good in the world. We do not live
+solely upon the juices of flowers and fruits: we are very fond of the
+hosts of flies that swarm about and render themselves so annoying in the
+summer season. For instance, if you notice the pigs in the farm-yard any
+warm day, you will observe that the flies cluster thickly over their
+skins, tormenting the poor animals terribly. This torment is greatly
+lessened by the wasps, who skim over the fence every now and then, and
+capture a fly inevitably in their fatal grasp."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible!" exclaimed the Teapot.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," returned the Wasp complacently. "But I must tell you how
+I was born. The Wasp you saw on the wood-pile was selecting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> a home,
+like a careful matron, and was bundling the fibres together to use in
+the construction of her nest. This she was obliged to do without any
+help whatever, for all the other wasps had died the previous autumn,
+while she was left to sleep through the winter in some warm nook, then
+found a new colony in the spring. Having brought the fibres to her
+burrow, she runs up the side of the chamber, clinging to the roof with
+the last pair of legs, while with the first pair aided by the jaws, she
+fixes the woody pulp to the roof, forming a little pillar. Other pellets
+are attached, until this pillar, like a stalactite in a cave, is
+completed. At the end of the pillar she places three very shallow cups,
+lays an egg in each, and makes a roof over them. More cells are then
+added, eggs laid in them, and the roof extended over the whole. By the
+time all this is done, the eggs laid in the first three cells are
+hatched into tiny grubs, who are terribly hungry, requiring ever so many
+flies from the mother Wasp. At last they cease to feed; spin a silken
+cover over their cells; and, after spending a short time in this
+retirement, tear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> away the covering with their jaws, emerging perfect
+insects.</p>
+
+<p>"They now repay the mother Wasp for her care, by assisting in all heavy
+labors, so that she really has little to do, but lay eggs as fast as
+cells can be made for their accommodation. Before long the first terrace
+is completely filled with cells, and more room is needed. The wasps next
+construct several more pillars exactly like the first one; and, by
+adding cells to these, another terrace is built below the first one.
+Three or four more terraces continue to form, the cells of these last
+being so small, that the mother Wasp cannot put her head into them. The
+inmates of these cradles are very much smaller than their parent, and
+are known as the workers, their lives being devoted to labor. These
+workers make excellent nurses, always feeding and tending the baby wasps
+with jealous care. Towards the close of the summer their conduct
+changes, however; they feel that a quick death for those nurslings who
+will not have time to grow up before cold weather is best, so they pull
+the helpless white things out of their beds, and carry them outside<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> to
+die. I am glad I was able to grow to wasphood."</p>
+
+<p>"Please raise your voice a trifle," said the Saucepan, in a vexed tone.
+"I cannot hear half that you say, over there."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better use an ear-trumpet," remarked the Wasp impertinently. "I
+am already as hoarse as a raven from shouting so loudly."</p>
+
+<p>"When the nest is abandoned the workers die; and so do almost all of the
+others, save a few of the females."</p>
+
+<p>"How is it that you are alive, then?" interrupted the Teapot.</p>
+
+<p>"One thing at a time, if you please," said the Wasp pettishly; "I am
+telling you as fast as ever I can. When I first spread my wings to fly
+out into the warm, bright sunshine, I was half-wild with delight at my
+new strength and beauty. The world seemed such a wonderful place! The
+air was so fresh, the flowers so fragrant and varied in coloring, and
+the hills so grand in height, that I could only flutter from place to
+place, bewildered with happiness. I alighted finally upon a
+catalpa-tree, whose branches were covered with splendid blossoms."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'You feel very gay,' rustled the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes, I am only just born; so I may well be gay.' I answered.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah! dance while you may,' said the Catalpa gravely. 'Your life lasts a
+few hours, but mine for years.'</p>
+
+<p>"My fine spirits were chilled in a moment, and I dropped to the grass,
+feeling utterly miserable. I could only enjoy all this pleasure for a
+few hours after all! There was so much to see, and so little time to see
+it in, where should I turn first? While I sat there thinking after this
+fashion, a pansy slowly unfolded, and out of it stepped a tiny figure,
+no longer than one of my legs. I was not very wise, but I knew it must
+be a fairy or elf that now stood before me. He wore knee-breeches, a
+jacket to match, and a funny little cobweb cap.</p>
+
+<p>"'So we are sad, eh?' he said, winking one eye drolly.</p>
+
+<p>"'I have such a short time to live, that I do not know which way to turn
+first,' I replied.</p>
+
+<p>"'That is a pity,' said the sprite, rocking himself upon a stem of
+seed-grass, as if it were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> a hobby horse. 'What would you do if you
+could live longer?'</p>
+
+<p>"'What would I not do?' I exclaimed. 'I should try to see every thing
+beautiful and curious in the whole world.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Stop a bit,' he interposed. 'You shall do this if you desire it so
+much.' He took off his cobweb cap and threw it at me, saying, 'This will
+make you invisible, if you put it on your head, when any danger
+threatens.'</p>
+
+<p>"Before I had time to thank him the elf turned a somersault in the air,
+and plunged head first into his pansy mansion, which closed upon him."</p>
+
+<p>Just at this moment the Kettle Club was startled by a sudden thump,
+thump in the room.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" whispered the Teapot; and all the others listened,
+without daring to look over their shoulders, for the fire was rather
+low.</p>
+
+<p>"It is only I," said the Saucepan. "I have jumped off the shelf to hear
+better."</p>
+
+<p>"You must have hurt yourself," said the Kettle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no: I only feel a trifle jarred. I am made of tin, you know."</p>
+
+<p>How were they to move the Saucepan nearer to the hearth?</p>
+
+<p>"I think I could be rolled over, if any one would be so kind as to push
+me," she suggested eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>So the Cricket, Caterpillar, and Wasp trotted out, and by pushing
+together succeeded in moving the Saucepan to the fireside.</p>
+
+<p>"We can never turn you over," panted the Caterpillar.</p>
+
+<p>"I can rest on my side," said the Saucepan cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>"Your lid lies out yonder on the floor," said the Cricket.</p>
+
+<p>"That is not the least matter. It would not stay on my head if I had it.
+Go on with the story, please; I am sorry to have made so much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Where was I?" inquired the Wasp.</p>
+
+<p>"The pansy fairy had just disappeared," said the Kettle, who for a
+wonder remembered the story.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"To be sure," resumed the Wasp briskly. "I skipped with delight at my
+brighter prospects, and started forward again with renewed courage. I
+first encountered some of my brothers and sisters, to whom I at once
+communicated my good fortune. Strange to say they none of them seemed to
+appreciate my superior advantages.</p>
+
+<p>"'For my part I do not wish to live any longer than the sunlight lasts,'
+said one; and to this sentiment the others agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"'My ambition leads me further,' I answered, and flew onward, never to
+see them more.</p>
+
+<p>"I passed over the broad expanse of land, until I saw the sea glittering
+like a polished mirror in the distance. How I should like to make a
+voyage! I paused to rest upon a cliff that rose steep and smooth, with
+the ocean foaming about the base. There were a great number of
+bird-nests drilled in the surface of the rock, and by peering over the
+brink I could see the young birds, that were the funniest little balls
+of white down imaginable. Suddenly a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> parent bird came swooping home,
+and hopped into the very nest that I was examining.</p>
+
+<p>"'Don't tumble me into the water,' I cried, clutching at the slippery
+stone, for the rapid flutter of the bird's wings made me giddy.</p>
+
+<p>"'I will not hurt you,' said the other. 'I have been a long way to-day,
+and I have really gained little to eat for my trouble. I followed a
+great ship for hours, and only caught up a few crumbs, after all.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Why, I do believe you are one of Mother Carey's chickens,' I
+exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"'My proper name is the Stormy Petrel; still the sailors call me Mother
+Carey's chicken. I do not know why, but then sailors have queer ideas.
+Bless you, I can frighten them terribly by just skimming round and round
+on the wind: they then reef all sails, thinking I am about to bring a
+storm by my presence. Ha, ha!' laughed the bird merrily, 'only think of
+little me being dreaded by great, strong men. I can generally tell when
+a storm is coming,&mdash;they are right in supposing that much,&mdash;and oh! how
+I enjoy it! Why, friend Wasp, you have no idea what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> life really is,
+just fluttering about among the flowers and trees: I should gasp for
+breath where every thing is only still sunshine. What I call life is to
+see the clouds piled in dark masses overhead, the waves rearing
+mountains high, and to have the wind blow a hurricane.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I should imagine such exposure would beat the life out of you,' I
+remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"'Not at all,' replied the Petrel. 'I like to be tossed about, and
+spread my wings on the gale, although it may nearly take my breath
+away.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I never dreamed of such a life,' I said; 'please tell me more about
+yourself.'</p>
+
+<p>"'First I must feed my young one, as I have been away all day. We never
+lay but one egg, fortunately, for we have to feed them ourselves. We
+secrete a kind of oil in the digestive organs for them. Indeed, we are
+such oily birds, that in some parts of the world the natives thrust a
+stick through our bodies, and use us for lamps.'</p>
+
+<p>"'You are gone so long,' piped the nursling.</p>
+
+<p>"'That is to find something to eat, my dear.'</p>
+
+<p>"'The time is so long, doing nothing but sit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> alone, staring out at the
+sea,' clamored the nursling.</p>
+
+<p>"'Very true,' assented the mother Petrel quietly; 'but there is no help
+for it, except to grow strong and fly for yourself.'</p>
+
+<p>"Upon this the young one began to strut and tumble about the nest, to
+the great delight of the parent, who encouraged such exertions. We
+became excellent friends, and talked over my plans of travel.</p>
+
+<p>"'I dare not venture upon the ocean; because, if I grew tired of flying,
+I must fall into the waves and be drowned.'</p>
+
+<p>"'You would soon be fatigued. Supposing I carried you?' said the Petrel.</p>
+
+<p>"Here was a splendid idea. If I could only be taken to other lands, what
+pleasures would be in store for me. The Petrel promised to bear me over
+the seas, if I would wait until the nestling was able to take care of
+itself. I lived inland while I waited, and visited the birds every day
+in their rocky home. When the time approached for our departure, the
+mother bird proposed I should take a sail, just to accustom myself to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>
+the voyage by way of trial. I climbed upon her back, and she made a dart
+straight out into the air, that drove every particle of bravery out of
+my body.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now, then,' said Mother Carey's chicken, 'hold on tight, and I will
+show you some better fun still.'</p>
+
+<p>"I begged her to return to land; but the wind blew so strongly, that she
+did not hear my faint voice. She whirled in circles, pattered upon the
+water surface unconcernedly, and rose in the air with the rapidity of
+the arrow shot from a bow. I closed my eyes, and clung about the bird's
+neck, fearing every moment a fall into the great green billows that
+rolled away into space, as far as sight could reach. When we landed once
+more, I fainted away. The Petrel was dancing on one leg, and laughed at
+me, when I opened my eyes again.</p>
+
+<p>"'I have a great mind to give up the journey,' I said in a pet. 'I can
+never cling to you in this way. If I had been content to lead the life
+of an ordinary wasp, I might have escaped all this trouble and
+vexation.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'It is never well to quarrel with destiny,' remarked my companion.
+'Still, I would not give up because of a first sea-sickness.'</p>
+
+<p>"Presently I regained my courage somewhat, and we began to ponder how I
+could be fastened on. I flew to land, and procured several long
+horse-hairs. These I wound about the bird's slender throat, and strapped
+myself tightly to her body. What a journey we made of it! The faithful
+Petrel must have carried me an immense distance. Sometimes she perched
+on the rigging of a ship, sometimes we rode on the waves, or we paused
+for the night at some rocky isle; yet Mother Carey's chicken never
+seemed to weary of the scenery about us."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you have to eat?" inquired the Caterpillar, who, like all
+caterpillars, had a famous appetite of his own.</p>
+
+<p>"Very little, indeed," said the Wasp. "A stray insect now and then, but
+never a sip of honey the whole way. I took the precaution, before
+starting, of fastening a blade of grass about my waist; in the same way
+that Indians gird themselves before making a journey, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> prevent any
+feeling of hunger. At last land was seen in the distance, and I again
+stood on firm, dry ground.</p>
+
+<p>"'Good-by,' said Mother Carey's chicken, spreading her wings as though
+ready for a fresh journey. 'I wish you good luck. Should you ever desire
+to go back north, any of us will give you a passage.'</p>
+
+<p>"So saying the pretty, good-natured Petrel flew away, leaving me alone.
+I did not feel very happy just then: I almost wished myself still a baby
+wasp in my wax cradle again, with nothing to do but eat and sleep. I was
+afraid at finding myself so far from home; and besides that I was very,
+very hungry: there is nothing like a sea-voyage to give one an appetite.
+Beyond the barren sand beach there rose a stately forest, which I
+determined to visit; but just then my attention was attracted by a
+beautiful object in the water. It was a flower of the most exquisite
+coloring, with a rich purplish-crimson outer edge and a disk of the same
+hue, the stout, short tentacles of which were marked with pellucid rings
+of white and lilac. Floating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> just beneath a crystal film of sea, it
+expanded temptingly under my wistful gaze. What a wonderful place, I
+thought, where delicious flowers were borne to hungry travellers! I
+fluttered nearer, longing for a sip of honey; and in another moment
+should have been lost, had not a little fish come along, to be stung and
+devoured by the anemone before I fell into its clutches. I afterwards
+learned that many a bee or wasp was enticed to death, as I had so nearly
+been; for the beautiful flower was only a greedy zoophyte, after all,
+swallowing every thing that came in its way.</p>
+
+<p>"Trembling at my narrow escape, I next flew towards the forest, taking
+the precaution of assuming my magic night-cap in starting, for I did not
+know what dangers might be in store. Arriving within the boundary of the
+forest, I alighted upon a blade of grass to rest. The air was
+delightfully fresh and pure, while the sun already slanted, in tropical
+splendor, towards the western horizon. Palm trees extended about me in
+every direction; the fan-leaved miriti towered to an immense height; the
+graceful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> assai showed its feathery masses against the rounder foliage;
+and the jupati threw its shaggy fronds into broad arches, while from the
+branches swept ribbons of clinging plants, hanging air roots as ladders
+to climb by. Here and there a long crimson blossom on spikes, or yellow
+and violet trumpet-flowers, relieved the sombre green by their brighter
+hues.</p>
+
+<p>"Presently I saw a slender, pale-green snake, that was twined about a
+tree like a vine, with only the bright eyes sparkling and fixed upon an
+unsuspicious, plump tree-frog.</p>
+
+<p>"'Good evening, friend,' I buzzed in the snake's ear. 'How pretty your
+coat is!'</p>
+
+<p>"'Who speaks?' exclaimed the snake, looking complacently upon his
+beautiful, frosted armor.</p>
+
+<p>"'Never mind,' was my wicked response, 'By your vanity you have lost
+your supper.'</p>
+
+<p>"The snake's eyes flashed angrily. Sure enough, the tree-frog had taken
+alarm, and was hobbling away out of reach.</p>
+
+<p>"I continued my way until I reached the brink of a broad, placid pool,
+where I hoped to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> make the acquaintance of some of the many creatures I
+saw congregated about the margin. Dark-striped herons, snowy egrets, and
+storks stood gravely at the brink, or strode over the water-plants on
+their long legs. Flocks of whistling ducks flew above my head, macaws
+chattered in the trees, and a pretty canary chirped in the bushes. Upon
+the surface of the water floated the magnificent Victoria water-lily,
+the broad leaves extending for six or ten feet, and the flowers just
+closing their alabaster cups in sleep. I now removed my cap; but I was
+so small an object, that I attracted no notice whatever.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ahem!' I began. Whereupon some of the birds turned about and stared at
+me. 'My home is very far north of your country,' I said; 'but a good
+fairy has kindly given me permission to visit you all.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Indeed,' exclaimed an old stork. 'How extraordinary! If you was a
+bird, now, it would not seem so strange.'</p>
+
+<p>"'A bird brought me,&mdash;Mother Carey's chicken.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Could you not find a better bearer than one of those fussy, bustling
+little bodies?' said a handsome egret scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do not despise the petrel because she is not so strong and beautiful
+as yourself,' I replied.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ha, ha!' laughed a macaw from his high perch. 'How fine it is to be a
+water-fowl, and have such long legs.'</p>
+
+<p>"At this all the storks, herons, and egrets ruffled their plumes, and
+prepared for an angry dispute with the saucy macaw; but I hastened to
+interfere.</p>
+
+<p>"'I should be sorry to make any trouble among you. If you would tell me
+any wonders to be seen here, or show me any of your homes, I should be
+greatly obliged.'</p>
+
+<p>"A black nose was poked out of the water, and a turtle, in a shrill
+little voice, piped,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Did you ever see us lay eggs? We shall be about it soon,' then sank
+out of sight again.</p>
+
+<p>"'As to that, the world is full of wonders wherever you may turn,' said
+the stork, who had first spoken. 'You should visit our ants'&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"What more the stork would have said, I cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> tell; for just then a
+crashing noise was heard in the thicket, and all my companions took
+flight on the approach of the lord of the forest. Presently the jaguar
+appeared close beside me, and stooped to quench his thirst in the pool,
+so I had an opportunity of seeing what a fine creature he was, with his
+soft striped fur, velvet paws, and glowing, cruel eyes. I did not dare
+move even so much as to put on my cap, while my wings seemed paralyzed
+with fear. Startled by some sound, for he is a very shy, cautious
+animal, the jaguar retired again, and I only just escaped a severe
+crushing from his powerful foot as he passed.</p>
+
+<p>"I must now describe to you my first night in a tropical land. As
+darkness increased I sought shelter on a spreading shrub, and the
+insects began a tremendous noise. 'They will grow sleepy by and by,' I
+thought drowsily.</p>
+
+<p>"But not a wink of sleep did they take, or allow me, that whole long
+night. The howling monkeys began the concert, the tree-frogs and
+crickets trilled occasionally, and the owls hooted dismally. When I
+tried to stop my ears to these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> sounds, the fire-flies, resembling
+crystal drops of fire, flared their torches in my face with blinding
+brilliancy.</p>
+
+<p>"'Don't, please,' I pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>"The naughty fire-flies only laughed at my misery, and danced around me
+in bewildering circles of flame, until my eyes ached.</p>
+
+<p>"'I wish you would be quiet,' I said crossly.</p>
+
+<p>"'Quiet,' echoed the fire-flies. 'Not we. There is all to-morrow for
+naps.'</p>
+
+<p>"It was not long, with such an experience, before I found I could not
+live in the tropics. I never had a sound night's rest while there.</p>
+
+<p>"I strolled on through the cool, shady forest, which formed a delightful
+contrast to the hot, sunny landscape without. What most amused me was to
+see the little, striped-faced monkeys poke a cluster of inquisitive
+heads out of the holes of trees where they were sleeping, if any sound
+disturbed them. They paid dearly for their curiosity, as I shall
+presently tell you. I had paused to admire the butterflies that
+clustered in the sunlight here and there, as if desirous to display
+their gorgeous coloring to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> best advantage. Some were of a velvet
+blackness, relieved by rose-colored and green shadings; others were of a
+blue, metallic lustre; and others floated on outspread wings,
+transparent as glass, spangled with lines of violet, silver, and gold.
+No wonder the lovely insects were vain of their gaudy dress! When I told
+them I was a stranger, they danced and pirouetted in their giddy flight,
+until they resembled the wandering petals of falling flowers. Suddenly a
+handsome dragon-fly, whose armor glittered with a golden refulgence,
+swooped down to capture one of the butterflies, then retired to a
+neighboring branch, and prepared to devour his prey.</p>
+
+<p>"'Why don't you stay at home with your sober wife, instead of whisking
+about where I can catch you?' said the dragon-fly, shaking his pretty
+captive.</p>
+
+<p>"Just then there approached a very singular-looking person indeed. He
+wore a broad hat, blue spectacles, and had a great many curious tin
+cases slung about his belt and over his shoulder. In his hand he carried
+a dip-net, which he threw cleverly over our heads, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> entangled us in
+the bag. We could do nothing but stare helplessly at one another in
+dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, dear!' cried a young butterfly piteously, 'We shall now have pins
+driven through us, and be speared to a cardboard platter for ever. I
+have heard my mother say so.'</p>
+
+<p>"We all shivered,&mdash;even the dragon-fly, who had been captured also. Of
+course the striped-faced monkeys came peeping out in the wrong time,
+and, after a good deal of poking into the tree, one of them was caught.
+Thus the naturalist gentleman returned home with his treasures, the
+little monkey alone of us all being destined to live.</p>
+
+<p>"The first thing, upon taking us from the net, was to politely hold a
+bottle to our noses, which caused a few feeble kicks in the air, then a
+fainting fit. When I again opened my eyes, I was lying upon a board,
+surrounded by my companions, who were transfixed with pins upon paper,
+as the young butterfly had said. I certainly thought my end had come,
+and that hereafter my body was destined to adorn some cabinet. I
+pretended to be still unconscious, and so lay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> quite motionless under
+the large microscope through which the naturalist gentleman regarded me,
+now poking my ribs, now turning my head to one side, and all the while
+making remarks on my personal appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"'I don't believe that you belong here at all,' he exclaimed. 'I must
+dissect what may prove a new species.'</p>
+
+<p>"Here seemed my last chance of escape; so, watching an opportunity, when
+he was selecting a suitable knife to carve me up with, I drew my elf's
+cap from under my wing. The naturalist gentleman was too quick for me:
+he seized my night-cap with his tweezers, and began eagerly to examine
+it. I was sorry enough for the loss. Still one had better part with the
+fairy's gift than life itself: so I flew away. I dare say the naturalist
+gentleman may have carefully preserved the cobweb cap, to puzzle science
+with for a long time.</p>
+
+<p>"Journeying on, I came to the bank of one of the largest rivers in the
+world. I paused to view the waves dash against the shore in foam, the
+vessels flit past on the strong breeze, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> the distant villages on the
+other side. There were several low strips of sand reaching out from near
+where I rested, and I observed groups of natives making camp-fires, or
+erecting a kind of watch-tower overlooking the land. I inquired what
+they were doing, of a monkey who sat stroking his sandy whiskers with an
+indolent air.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah! don't you know?' he returned. 'They are waiting for the turtles to
+lay their eggs.'</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning I beheld a curious sight. In the first gray dawn,
+myriads of turtles were creeping down the sandy slope, and flapping into
+the water again, their duties of depositing eggs for that season being
+accomplished. No sooner had they departed, than the natives gave
+signals, and from every direction crowded the boats to receive the eggs,
+which would then be prepared as turtle oil, and sold in jars.</p>
+
+<p>"I decided to try and find the ants next, as I had been recommended to
+do so by the stork. The monkey could tell me but little of them, and
+advised my searching farther inland, I next encountered the iguana, who
+poked his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> head out from among the creeping vines of a tree as I passed.
+Any thing so monstrous in a lizard I had never dreamed of. It must have
+been five feet long, was very fat, and the skin changed color like that
+of a chameleon. The Indians are fond of the eggs of this species, which
+they eat mixed with farinha. When I asked about the ants, the iguana
+answered,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'I do not trouble myself much about those busy fellows; still, you will
+find them almost everywhere, I dare say.'</p>
+
+<p>"I bid him good-by hastily, for I was half afraid of such a great
+creature, and left him winking lazily on the branch as before. If the
+Spider was here, I could tell him of some relatives that I met,&mdash;rough,
+hairy spiders, with fierce looks; soft, plump things that melt away
+almost at the touch; and others of gorgeous hues, that double themselves
+into cunning shapes to resemble flowers and buds. At last I came upon an
+army of Saüba ants, each one carrying a bit of green leaf daintily as a
+parasol. Although on the march, the whole company treated me most
+cordially.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'We cannot stop now,' said one of the soldiers. 'Come with us.'</p>
+
+<p>"So I followed in the train, curious to know what they were about.
+Presently they paused; and a detachment turned aside to overrun an
+orange-tree, from which they stripped the foliage with incredible
+rapidity. Having performed this duty, they rejoined the main army, and
+the whole moved on to their incomplete nest. Here the leaf-bearers
+merely threw down their burdens, and the workers placed them in proper
+order.</p>
+
+<p>"'We use the bits of leaf to thatch the dome of our house, thus
+preventing the loose earth from falling in,' said an ant near by,
+pausing to take breath in the midst of his labors.</p>
+
+<p>"He then led me through the vast subterranean galleries of their
+dwelling, which extended an immense distance, as may be imagined, for
+the exterior of the nest must have been at least forty feet in diameter.
+The ants promised, if I would return after their day's work was done,
+they would give me some interesting accounts of themselves. Leaving the
+busy throng, I crept into a flower-bell to take a nap. When I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> returned,
+the Saüba ants were actually resting themselves,&mdash;a luxury that I did
+not suppose an ant ever indulged in. Some of them were strolling about
+at their ease; and others were diligently scrubbing their coats after
+their work, or were assisting each other in the friendly task of
+brushing such portions of the body as could not be reached by the owner.
+They were very chatty and agreeable, so we enjoyed ourselves very much.</p>
+
+<p>"'Have you met the foraging ant?' asked one. 'They sally forth with
+officers to direct the movement. They are rather hot-tempered and cross,
+to be sure, attacking any one fiercely that may come in their path; yet
+they do a world of good. When it is known they are approaching, people
+open every closet, drawer, and box in their houses, that the ants may
+search and cleanse them. What digestions they have! Scorpions,
+cockroaches, lizards, rats, and snakes are devoured in a trice; while
+into every crack and cranny where a stray insect may have hidden pour
+the army until all is cleared: then on they go again.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'How wonderful!' I exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"'I can tell you of a wiser race yet,' chimed in another. 'The
+agricultural ant of Texas plants and reaps for itself. The nest is
+surrounded by a mound, and then the land is cleared for several feet
+beyond. A grain-bearing grass is sowed by the insect, and afterward
+tended with great care, the ant cutting away all other grasses or weeds
+that may spring up,&mdash;like the good farmer it is. When the small, white
+seed is ripe, it is carefully harvested, and carried into the granary,
+where it is cleared of the chaff, which is thrown outside as worthless.
+Should the rain wet the winter stores, the ant brings the grain out into
+the sun to dry, that the damp may not cause sprouting among the
+provisions. What do you think of all that?' concluded the ant, with a
+triumphant manner.</p>
+
+<p>"'I think you are the most wonderful insects in the world.'</p>
+
+<p>"At this the Saüba ants all looked highly pleased, and they richly
+deserved the compliment; so there was really no harm in it. I found
+myself exposed to so many dangers, without my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> magic cap, that I finally
+concluded to fly to the seashore, and see if I could take passage
+homeward again. Here I found no other a bird than the Petrel's baby, now
+a handsome young fellow enough, who readily agreed to carry me
+northward.</p>
+
+<p>"I strapped myself to my bearer with the horse-hairs, and found myself
+rather a better sailor than on my first voyage. I am now on my way to
+the pansy fairy, with the petition that he will give me another cap. If
+he consents, I shall next visit Europe and the East," said the ambitious
+Wasp pompously, in conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>The whole Club were so much entertained by this history, that the
+Saucepan never once complained of her uncomfortable position, rolling on
+her side. Hulda was much surprised to find her in this attitude next
+morning; but the maid servant wisely concluded the rats must have
+visited the shelf, and whisked the Saucepan off with their long tails.</p>
+
+<p>When it came time for the disappointed Caterpillar, they were surprised
+by the entrance of a welcome guest: the Spider came sidling in,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> looking
+gay as possible. Of course they all spoke at the same time, and asked a
+hundred questions before he could answer one; especially the Teapot, who
+had never appeared so excited on any previous occasion.</p>
+
+<p>"I am all right again, thank you," said the Spider gruffly. "I got a few
+bruises by my fall from the window; but, being used to tumbles of all
+sorts, I have now recovered somewhat, although I felt rather stiff the
+next day."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not fond of talking," said the Caterpillar, with humility, "nor
+can I do so well. In my present state of caterpillarhood, I am aware
+that I do not please,&mdash;that I am not, in fact, any thing but an
+uninteresting glutton. There! the Spider is laughing already."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be sorry to do any thing so rude," said the Spider slyly;
+"only you are rather fond of leaf-salad, I have heard."</p>
+
+<p>"True," replied the Caterpillar, smacking his lips at the thought. "What
+could be more delicious! Still I must not dwell upon topics of food, for
+fear I should never have done describing such delicacies as suit my
+palate. I shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> not find much in my own personal history to entertain
+you this evening. Never having travelled, like my two distinguished
+companions, I cannot bring to your notice the wonders of other lands, as
+they have so ably done."</p>
+
+<p>Here the Wasp and Spider arose, laid one foreleg upon the heart, and
+made a low bow in acknowledgment of the compliment.</p>
+
+<p>This ceremony over, the Caterpillar proceeded:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_DISAPPOINTED_CATERPILLAR" id="THE_DISAPPOINTED_CATERPILLAR"></a>THE DISAPPOINTED CATERPILLAR.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"I have had no occasion to stroll farther away than the garden of this
+house. I am sadly puzzled for something to talk about. The Wasp has
+anticipated me, even, in a description of butterflies,&mdash;a state I am in
+hopes of attaining some time, when you will not be able to recognize me.
+My world has been limited, so far; yet I have seen some wonderful
+things, too. Did any of you ever see a humming-bird?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the Cricket, Spider, and Wasp in a breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Did any of you ever converse with one?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not suppose they ever stopped buzzing about long enough to
+speak," remarked the Spider.</p>
+
+<p>"I have talked with one," said the Caterpillar triumphantly. "When I was
+just hatched, some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> week or more ago, I crawled for the first time out
+of the soft, warm bed my good mother had made me in the curve of a leaf.
+I stretched myself upon the leaf which had been my cradle, to enjoy the
+warm sunlight, and looked about upon the various forms of life and
+beauty to be seen on a summer morning. The buttercups and daisies
+laughed up at me from the grass, the insects floated about on gauzy
+wings, while the birds darted from branch to branch in merry sport.</p>
+
+<p>"Close beside my leaf couch was a knot, or natural excrescence in the
+branch; and this tiny cavity held a nest, lined with fibres from mullein
+leaves and fern-down, containing two pearly eggs no larger than peas.</p>
+
+<p>"Suddenly a glittering object shot up into the air until it was almost
+lost to sight; then descended upon the nest I was just examining. No
+wonder the eggs resembled pearls, when the parent bird could not have
+been more than two inches in length. When I beheld the lovely, fragile
+thing, with its diamond-bright eyes, and the plumage of the graceful
+curved throat,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> glittering like burnished metal in changing hues of
+orange and ruby, I felt ready to cry with vexation that I was such an
+ugly, worm-like creature. True, I shall be handsomer sometime; but I can
+never be a humming-bird. Besides, I belong to a sober species. A robin
+came hopping along jauntily from twig to twig, with a morsel of cherry
+in his beak.</p>
+
+<p>"'Such a fright as I have had,' twittered the humming-bird. 'A great
+stupid man was peering about to find my nest a long while, and to-day he
+has followed me. Ah! but I gave him a long journey. I fluttered right
+and left, or darted ahead; then finally rose in the air so high he could
+hardly see my wee body; then dashed down here safe enough.'</p>
+
+<p>"'A wise plan,' commented the robin. 'Thank fortune, I am not in such
+demand.'</p>
+
+<p>"Interested in the conversation, I crept too near the margin of the
+leaf, lost my balance, and fell upon the nest.</p>
+
+<p>"'You awkward thing,' said the bird, giving me a contemptuous poke
+aside. 'How ugly you are!'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'I know it,' I replied; 'it was my admiration of your superior beauty
+that caused my fall. Excuse the clumsiness of a caterpillar just born.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Go away with your nonsense and flattery I feared I was shot when you
+fell.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Who would hurt you?' I asked, slowly climbing back to my leaf.</p>
+
+<p>"'Plenty of enemies. That man is watching below, and nothing would
+delight his cruel soul so much as to carry away my family.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Tell me something amusing, or I will inform him where you live.'</p>
+
+<p>"'He would not believe a caterpillar,' laughed Madame Humming-bird.
+'However, I will tell you any thing in my power.'</p>
+
+<p>"'If it is all about your distinguished relations in the South, I have
+heard enough on that subject already,' said the spiteful robin.</p>
+
+<p>"At this the other grew very angry, inflating her tiny throat, and
+snapping her bill. I tried to soothe her wrath, for I dislike any thing
+irritating.</p>
+
+<p>"'I always did despise robins. My great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> family, indeed! One should
+learn better than to associate with plebeians.'</p>
+
+<p>"'The robin was jealous of your superior beauty.'</p>
+
+<p>"This made the humming-bird good-natured again; so she went on:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Did you ever hear of my first cousin the Chimborazian hill-star? Ah!
+there is a fine bird for you. Not afraid to expose his frail form to the
+cold of higher latitudes, he dearly loves mountain air. I will tell you
+a story about him sometime. The hermits are so clever at building nests,
+they would laugh at this rude cradle of mine; still, as I cannot find
+any suitable leaf to suspend my nest from, bound by elastic
+spider-threads, I just use this knot, which answers the purpose after
+all. Some of them form a felt-like substance of moss and bark woven
+together; others use a fungus resembling buff-leather; while the Sappho
+comet lines her nest with the long hairs of the clamas. My relatives can
+boast the greatest variety of coloring. They have black diadems,
+purple-shaded patches, or vivid scarlet, blue, and crimson aigrettes. I
+do not know why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> people need invent fairies and gnomes when they can
+have us for subjects, flashing about among the flowers, as gay as the
+brightest of them, or bathing in some secluded nook of the brook, under
+the fern-leaves that form a tiny bower.'</p>
+
+<p>"We were so much interested in the subject under discussion, that we
+never heeded the approach of danger. I looked up and saw a man's face
+close beside me. He was climbing cautiously along, his gaze fixed upon
+my pretty companion. Before I could give any warning, I was shaken to
+the ground, and the humming-bird continued to talk of her great
+relations, unobservant of my fall. I watched eagerly, and presently the
+man came down again, with his captive and her nest uninjured.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, my dear Caterpillar!' she sighed, looking through the meshes of
+the fine net which covered her little head; 'I wish you were strong
+enough to help me. However, promise to find my husband, and tell him of
+my sad fate.'</p>
+
+<p>"I have never found him," said the disappointed Caterpillar. "I presume
+he has consoled himself with another wife by this time. I searched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>
+faithfully, crawling over whole trees in hopes of seeing him, and
+exposing myself to many dangers. I met other caterpillars in plenty.
+That of the looper-moth supports itself for hours on the hinder feet,
+raising the body high in air, and, by a resemblance to the twigs of the
+tree, succeeds in deceiving the birds that would devour it. Some I found
+to be protected from injury by tufts of hair, acrid secretions, and
+stinging powers. Others so closely resembled brown, crumpled leaves, or
+green, fresh ones, that I should never have known them had they not
+spoken; while some of the number arm their dwellings with thorns. I have
+even heard of another species, called bombardiers, who fire off little
+guns when pursued, accompanied by a blue smoke and disagreeable scent.</p>
+
+<p>"I liked to watch the ermine-moth community the best. They spin a
+commodious tent; and, wherever they wander over the tree, they carry a
+thread with them, so that they may not lose the way. Birds can do no
+more than strike their wings against the elastic bridges thus formed:
+they cannot penetrate the lines.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, all the caterpillars laughed at my folly in searching for the
+humming-bird's husband; and perhaps they were right. I now have reason
+to despair of ever meeting him, for he never returned to where the nest
+had been; and a slow crawling caterpillar cannot hope to pursue the
+flight of a bird."</p>
+
+<p>Here the Caterpillar paused abruptly: the Wasp, interested alone in
+startling incident or romantic adventure, was yawning.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, I beg your pardon," he had the grace to say; "I did not sleep
+well last night."</p>
+
+<p>But apologies or entreaties did no manner of good. The Caterpillar
+steadfastly refused to continue his tale.</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely I was growing tiresome," he replied in an injured tone. Yet
+he made no further remark; for the Caterpillar, like other slow persons,
+was apt to be obstinate. This made affairs rather stiff and
+uncomfortable; so they were all glad to retire for the night.</p>
+
+<p>The next evening, the Caterpillar was still sulky, and resisted all
+attempts of the Teapot to coax him into better humor. The Cricket<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>
+wisely concluded to divert matters, by inviting the Spider to entertain
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I am something of an author," said the Spider, "although I
+have never written for any of the magazines of the day. I will tell you
+a story I composed last summer, if you like."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_FOUR_SILVER_PEACHES" id="THE_FOUR_SILVER_PEACHES"></a>THE FOUR SILVER PEACHES.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"Beyond the Frith of Clyde, the Kyles of Bute cleaving their way among
+gray cliffs, tapestried with mosses and richly clothed with lichens,
+past Loch Ridan's clear waters, past the peninsula of Cantyre, on the
+bosom of the Atlantic, lies a group of islets, varied in hue and
+form,&mdash;the Hebrides.</p>
+
+<p>"To this isolated region, where the ocean hurls in winter storms against
+the rock walls, or ripples in caressing waves under summer skies, we
+will turn; for children have been born on that rugged shore, scenting
+the heather and wild thyme with their first breath.</p>
+
+<p>"On the island of Iona, near Port St. Ronain, there once lived a good
+man, who had three strong sons, and two ruddy, blue-eyed daughters. One
+thing troubled him: little Neil, his nephew,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> did not thrive so well;
+for he was a cripple, and it saddened the uncle's heart to see the boy
+droop and pine away.</p>
+
+<p>"Little Neil was an orphan; and he missed a good mother so much, that he
+was not happy, like his sturdy cousins. He could never run along the
+stretch of white sand, flecked with quartz and shells from the Ross of
+Mull. No: he could only creep painfully to the brink of the green,
+crystal waters, to peep into their clear depths; or climb to some higher
+eminence, and watch the sea-birds in their rapid flight, the distant
+outline of cliffs shining in the sunlight, and the light breeze curling
+the waves crisply about the bows of many a little craft that skimmed
+over the azure sea only to melt into the hazy distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Neil loved the ocean and the sky above it, embracing between them his
+island home. Everybody thought him a strange child, and this naturally
+gave him very bitter feelings: it seemed to him he should like so much
+to be his cousin Angus, who hunted the otter and tended the sheep,
+sleeping many a night upon the open hillside, wrapped in his plaid.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The lame child had never been at school; yet he had heard the
+traditions of his home often related about the winter fireside. He had
+heard the grandeur of Fingal's Cave described; the stone cairn that
+marks the last resting-place of the Scandinavian woman, whose wish it
+was to be buried in the pathway of the Norway wind; and the castle of
+Duart, where a lord of the isles left his wife to be overwhelmed by the
+rising tide. Then, too, he had shuddered with fear over many a tale of
+ghosts and goblins haunting ruined houses; for the Scotch people are
+superstitious.</p>
+
+<p>"The great day of the year arrived, and all the cousins went to the fair
+held at Broadford, on the Isle of Skye. Little Neil had once been there,
+to see the women with smart caps and scarlet tartans grouped about their
+cows and sheep, while the men and boys passed in restless, changing
+crowds; but the noise and bustle wearied him, so he remained at home.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I am coming to the real matter of the story: the kernel shall be
+ready for your appetite, if you have but the patience to crack the
+shell. We will see what kind of entertainment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> was prepared for the
+lonely cripple, who told his thoughts to no one, and chose the
+whispering winds for companions.</p>
+
+<p>"When the sun sank over the broad ocean, little Neil sought a favorite
+nook in which to watch the long day die. Fainter grew the rich hues of
+the western sky, more distant the line of rocks, here outlined in creamy
+whiteness, there abruptly riven by some black precipice, until Neil
+fancied strange forms were flitting about the bases of the cliffs, and
+rose to go; but he was stayed by a curious sight. The sea was glimmering
+with a phosphorescent light, and the waves that broke upon the shore
+were gemmed with globules of living fire, which melted away almost
+imperceptibly into rosy shades. The boy had often seen the ocean thus
+illuminated; but his gaze was attracted to a certain point, where the
+brilliancy centred in a wave of beautiful transparency, through which
+glittered emerald and golden flashes, appearing and disappearing in
+rapid succession, until Neil was dazzled by the splendid sight.</p>
+
+<p>"The wave throne upreared slowly, creamed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> over, and deposited at the
+boy's feet a casket of delicate frost-work, glittering with a wonderful
+radiance. Neil reached forward and touched it, when the lid flew open,
+disclosing four silver peaches, resting in separate filigree spaces of
+the same precious metal. Across the fruit lay a small case-knife, the
+handle studded with precious stones, and the diamond blade wearing a
+keen edge.</p>
+
+<p>"'This casket contains four wishes, from which you may choose. They are
+the gifts of the Wind Sisters,' said a water spirit; then sank in a
+circle of foam bubbles.</p>
+
+<p>"In the sky appeared a ring of blended colors, which descended rapidly,
+taking the form of four globes,&mdash;one rose pink, one gold, one green, and
+the last pale blue. The radiance of these globes of light spread far
+over the ocean. They parted slowly as they neared him, the outline of
+the separate forms melted into soft masses, and upon the vapor rested
+the Wind Sisters.</p>
+
+<p>"The South Wind, whose misty chariot took the shape of a magnolia
+blossom with pink-tinted petals half-opened, shook her rosy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> mantle, and
+a breath of balmy perfume was wafted to Neil, like the scent of a garden
+after a summer shower.</p>
+
+<p>"The East Wind floated on a couch of golden cloud, her black hair waving
+over a fleecy amber robe down to her sandalled feet, while her presence
+breathed a richer odor than the delicate fragrance of the southern
+sister: it came from spice-groves and orange-trees.</p>
+
+<p>"The West Wind stood erect upon her throne of emerald, her fair head
+bound with ivy tendrils, her green mantle fluttering sparkling breaths
+of health, flower-scented too, with the violet and anemone, and in her
+eyes a promise not found in those of her languid companions. Lastly, on
+the right rested the North Wind, her stately form supported on
+snowy-white pinnacle and fret-work of vapor, sharply defined as the ice
+cliffs that frown upon the Polar Sea. She wafted little Neil no perfume
+of flower or shrub from her lily draperies; yet he felt a keener joy
+kindle in his heart at the frosty stillness of her presence, than when
+the others lavished their treasures upon his senses.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Open the first peach,' commanded the North Wind in a grave, stern
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Neil raised the fruit, divided it, and found it to be lined with pure
+gold.</p>
+
+<p>"'I can give you wealth,' said the East Wind, in a rich, soft voice.
+'Look!'</p>
+
+<p>"A scroll of mist rolled from her chariot to the surface of the water,
+taking the form of a mirror as it expanded; and upon the polished
+surface little Neil fixed his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"First there appeared a garden, the like of which the Highland boy had
+never dreamed of. Upon lawns of velvet smoothness rose wonderful
+trees,&mdash;the palm, towering into feathery crests; the lemon, drooping a
+grateful shade of snowy blossoms; and the palmetto,&mdash;all interlaced by
+climbing plants. In this delightful retreat, wearing robes of satin, and
+reclining upon magnificent carpets, within hearing of trickling streams
+or the twitter of brilliant birds, was a man resembling Neil's own self.
+Servants flitted about him, bearing flagons of sherbet, or held tempting
+fruits in their cool leaves,&mdash;the delicious pomegranate and juicy date;
+while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> grave men, slaves only to his wealth, bowed in homage.</p>
+
+<p>"The scene melted gradually into a palace of splendid appearance, where
+Neil still held a place, his turban spangled with diamond, his pipe-stem
+encrusted with emeralds, and the dagger hilt, half concealed in a
+Cashmere sash, glistened with amethyst and carbuncle. From the lofty
+hall, vaulted passages and pavilion extended, each more rich in
+coloring, more gorgeous in ornament, than the last; while beyond a
+balustrade of delicately carved marble sloped a terrace, blooming with
+roses and jasmine vines. Again the rich man was surrounded by servile
+homage and flattery; but Neil saw he was nothing but a cripple, after
+all.</p>
+
+<p>"The East Wind sat in her couch of sunshine, with a triumphant smile
+upon her dark face.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah! it is all very grand, lady,' said Neil sadly; 'only must I be lame
+still?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes.'</p>
+
+<p>"'What good would the riches do me, then, with the pain also?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Much good. Think of the power you can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> wield. The whole world would
+open her countless treasures. You could obtain knowledge; you could see
+every thing that is beautiful or interesting; and you could relieve the
+needy by your bounty. Better be a rich cripple than a poor one.'</p>
+
+<p>"Little Neil thought so, too; but he concluded to cut another peach
+before he decided the question. He did so; and the interior of the
+second was lined with crystals of great brilliancy, that shimmered in
+points of light like a rainbow prism, yet their gleam was cold as ice.</p>
+
+<p>"'I can give you fame,' said the West Wind in musical tones. 'Look!'</p>
+
+<p>"She unfurled her green mantle, which grew into a mirror like the
+previous one, only of an intense, steely brightness. Neil saw a range of
+mountains, snow-capped, their steep slopes skirted by pine-trees; while
+far below spread a sunny landscape, ripening vineyard, tracts of waving
+grain, and olive-groves. Through the narrow defiles, down the
+precipitous heights, hewing a passage for their clumsy elephants by fire
+and vinegar, came an army, and in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> midst moved a man, the master
+spirit of it all.</p>
+
+<p>"'Hannibal,' whispered the West Wind.</p>
+
+<p>"The picture changed to a succession of views,&mdash;battle-fields swathed in
+smoke; soldiers moving across the plain, their arms glittering in the
+sunlight, their banners fluttering; a city burning in wreaths of flame
+against a northern sky; a nation crowning their chief with laurels.</p>
+
+<p>"'Napoleon,' whispered the West Wind again.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the boy saw travellers exploring unknown regions, statesmen and
+authors toiling over vast schemes.</p>
+
+<p>"'Could I be like these, lady?' he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Would I be happy?'</p>
+
+<p>"'That is for you to decide. Fame is a greater gift than that of my
+sister here: any fool can be rich. But every man cannot have what these
+men possessed, because God gave them what gold never can buy,' said the
+West Wind, her proud eyes brightening.</p>
+
+<p>"'I should only be a cripple, and men would laugh at me,' sighed Neil,
+taking up the third peach, and opening it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The lining was composed of opals, quivering in tremulous rays of purple
+and pink more beautiful than words can describe.</p>
+
+<p>"'I can grant you the love of all,' said the South Wind, in a voice like
+the chime of silver bells. 'Look!'</p>
+
+<p>"Her scarf floated downward a mirror still retaining a rosy tinge, that
+was a relief to the eye after the glitter of fame's glass, or the golden
+haze of wealth's vision.</p>
+
+<p>"Neil saw himself on the river bank, surrounded by children, some
+playing games, and others reading in the shade. Upon his shoulder
+perched a white dove, which appeared to whisper wise counsel in his ear;
+for, whenever dispute arose among his companions, he quieted their anger
+by soothing words.</p>
+
+<p>"Again Neil saw himself a young man, traversing the suburbs of a great
+city, where gardens bloomed with purple grapes, peaches, and golden
+pears. The dove rested upon his head, seeming to attract other birds
+that perched on Neil's hand to preen their feathers. Sleek-crested
+horses tossed their manes at his approach, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> the dogs crouched to be
+caressed. As he entered the crowded streets, children laughed, fair
+women smiled; and on every face was a kindly greeting for the man with
+the invisible dove.</p>
+
+<p>"Lastly, Neil saw himself a very old man, seated before the open door,
+as the sun was setting in the west. About him were gathered kind friends
+ministering to his wants, the little ones weaving a crown of tender lily
+sprays to place upon his head; but the dove, instead of perching upon
+his shoulder, as it had done when a boy, now hovered afar, ready to take
+flight. The journey of life was almost over.</p>
+
+<p>"'Dear South Wind, let me have this wish,' cried Neil eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"'You shall have it. Who can live without love?'</p>
+
+<p>"He was so sure of liking this gift, that he pushed aside the casket,
+and the last peach rolled on the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"'Wait,' said the North Wind, 'until you know my gift. I am not sure you
+will prefer it; still you must decide.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Neil severed the peach, and in it were reflected the fleeting shadows
+of angel forms.</p>
+
+<p>"'I can grant immortality,' said the North Wind, holding up a shield of
+pure ice, and Neil saw a strange spectacle.</p>
+
+<p>"He beheld a vast amphitheatre, crowded with cruel, hard-featured
+people, all watching eagerly a boy standing in the arena alone, yet
+wearing on his upturned face a light that shone upon none of the heathen
+about him. Above him poised an angel, whispering words of encouragement,
+as a handsome tiger sprang into the circle from an iron gateway, and
+approached the boy with crouching, stealthy step. The tiger made a
+sudden leap, the heathen crowd shouted, and <i>two</i> angels winged their
+way above the palaces and temples of Rome.</p>
+
+<p>"Next there rolled a dark stream across the mirror, bearing upon the
+current a woman, with hands roughly bound together. Dark figures loomed
+against the eastern sky, watching her; but another watcher was there
+also,&mdash;the same angel, shedding a radiance from her golden wings upon
+the drowning head. Neil saw a great man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> before a haughty council,&mdash;Dr.
+Martin Luther; he saw many of a humbler class teaching the poor and
+ignorant, whether in the wilds of savage Africa, or the city streets, it
+mattered little which; and with each hovered the angel companion.
+Children, too, there were who were patient and unselfish, doing what
+they could in little acts of kindness, while the angel smiled even more
+tenderly upon them. Upon all their faces beamed a joy that separated
+them from the world.</p>
+
+<p>"'Riches do not always bring happiness,' said the North Wind. 'Fame
+seldom does, and mere earthly love must fade before the presence of
+death.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Let me be like those you have shown me,' cried Neil, stretching out
+his hands towards her.</p>
+
+<p>"The other sisters rose slowly, floating south, east, and west, until
+they became balls of light again; but the North Wind took the little
+cripple in her sheltering arms, and bore him swiftly away. Over the sea
+they went, the North Wind sweeping gracefully along; and Neil felt no
+fear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> of her, as he had done when she stood on her cloud throne.</p>
+
+<p>"At first he could see nothing but one vast expanse of water, domed by
+the clear sky; then, at length, he noticed a dark line on the horizon,
+which grew more distinct, and proved to be land.</p>
+
+<p>"'You must begin the journey for yourself now,' said the North Wind,
+alighting on the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, don't leave me!' cried the child, clinging timidly to her white
+draperies.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do not fear: I shall still be with you;' and then she rose above,
+leading him on the path he should go. She had now become the angel that
+guided the others.</p>
+
+<p>"So Neil began the toilsome, painful journey. The way led across an
+arid, desert waste, where waves of yellow sand glowed under the sun's
+fierce heat. Neil hobbled along slowly, the hot earth scorching his
+feet, the brazen sky without clouds, and the air stirring from a heavy,
+pulseless stillness, into sultry wind puffs. The child might have
+drooped and fainted by the road, had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> not the North Wind spread her cool
+wings to shade him from the sun's vertical rays. She also gave him a
+crystal flask of pure water, and a loaf of bread; but, although his own
+lips were parched with thirst, he gave the precious draught to others
+who implored the refreshment. The supply never failed; yet, when the
+child looked into the flask, there never appeared to be but a few drops
+remaining. So, too, with his loaf of bread. There was always more to
+give when he broke a piece; yet there never seemed enough to eat any
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>"'Never mind,' he thought bravely. 'All these poor people have not the
+North Wind to shelter them, as I have.'</p>
+
+<p>"At last the desert plain ended, and Neil began to ascend a steep
+mountain-side, that was clouded in a mist of snow at the summit. He
+found the way still more difficult. Now he had to climb slopes smooth as
+glass; now he trod a narrow ledge above a frightful precipice, where
+many fell; or he was obliged to cross glaciers, where the rough points
+hurt his feet, and the ice yawned treacherously about him. The cold air<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>
+whistled by; and the sleet drifted in sheets, so that he could hardly
+see his way.</p>
+
+<p>"The North Wind gave him a fur cloak. How deliciously warm and soft it
+felt! A shivering old man came by, and Neil gave him the garment.</p>
+
+<p>"'Never mind,' he thought, 'he is so old; and, besides, I have only to
+look up into the North Wind's kind eyes, to be both warmed and fed.'</p>
+
+<p>"Half frozen with cold, he finally descended the other side of the
+mountain, to the brink of a wide river, upon the opposite side of which
+bloomed a fair country.</p>
+
+<p>"'You must swim the stream,' said the North Wind; so Neil plunged in
+boldly. The waves curled up over his head at times; great monsters swam
+towards him with fierce looks,&mdash;serpents and alligators opening their
+huge jaws as if to devour him; yet he panted on until he was cast upon
+the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"When he awoke, Neil found himself lying upon the soft grass, near a
+spring of water that gurgled from a moss-grown rock, with a pleasant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>
+sound, and tinkled along in mimic cascades beside him. He was surrounded
+by a group of fair children, who bade him drink of the spring. Neil
+drank deeply, and immediately he felt a new life. His limbs were no
+longer distorted, his back bowed: he was well at last.</p>
+
+<p>"'Where is the North Wind?' he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"The children led him to the gates of a palace, which had been before
+concealed from his view.</p>
+
+<p>"'We have brought another child,' said his companions; and the gates
+flew open to admit them.</p>
+
+<p>"In the court of the palace stood the North Wind, looking more radiant
+than the sun.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you know me?' she said, kissing Neil.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh yes,' he replied joyfully. 'You are my own dear mother, who died so
+long ago.'</p>
+
+<p>"The North Wind was indeed his mother. Little Neil was in heaven."</p>
+
+<p>The Spider heaved a deep sigh when he had finished, although his
+countenance glowed with the radiance of an inborn genius. "I wish I had
+ever been able to screw up my courage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> sufficiently to attempt
+publishing any of the ideas which occupy my brain," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you not?" buzzed the Wasp.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," returned the other, "who ever heard of a Spider turning author,
+and walking into the office of some magazine with a manuscript under one
+arm?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is an age of improvement, you know," remarked the Cricket.</p>
+
+<p>"I perceive you have a fine mind," said the Kettle; "only we are not
+much used to considering the winds in a poetical light, especially when
+they howl down the chimney winter nights."</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed," assented the Saucepan, who had been thinking of a story
+for some time. "I can tell you something plain and homely enough if&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Here the Saucepan paused, coughed, and waited to be urged.</p>
+
+<p>The next evening they were ready to listen, and Saucepan began:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="GOING_MAYING" id="GOING_MAYING"></a>GOING MAYING.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"There was a general rising, as the teacher dismissed her section, the
+pupils clicking desk-lids, dropping books, and chirping like a flock of
+busy swallows, as they rushed down the broad stairway to the street.
+Among the crowd were two little girls, who presently detached themselves
+from the rest, and entered the Common, talking earnestly. The smaller
+was listening with an air of grave attention to the animated
+conversation of her companion.</p>
+
+<p>"'But, Nellie,' she said, with a doubtful shake of the head, as she
+glanced at the bare branches of the trees, that rustled in the breeze
+with rather a wintry sound, 'I think it would be too cold.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Too cold!' echoed Nellie, tossing her head contemptuously; 'and pray
+did you ever read of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> May-day being any thing but warm and lovely, with
+wild-flowers, green grass, and running brooks? Nonsense, you really know
+nothing about the matter here in town.'</p>
+
+<p>"Finding that her prudent little schoolmate still hesitated, Miss Nellie
+produced a brilliant-covered book from her satchel, which she had been
+perusing behind her grammar with great relish that very morning, and so
+dazzled Bessie's eyes with a pictured May-queen in white muslin and pink
+ribbons, that all her scruples faded, and she agreed to an excursion
+next day, in honor of the first of May.</p>
+
+<p>"Accordingly, at an early hour on Saturday, without the knowledge or
+consent of her parents, Bessie Morton proceeded to the house of Nellie
+Wray, whom she found in a state of great excitement. With their dinner
+packed in a basket, and various extra receptacles wherein to carry
+flowers and other treasures they might discover, they set forth bravely.
+At first little Bessie ventured to suggest the propriety of taking the
+cars to some suburban town, at least; but Nellie scorned such every-day
+affairs, or she pretended to, although I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> am inclined to the opinion
+that she had not a penny in her pocket at the time, and disliked owning
+to such extreme poverty. So they trudged along, swinging their baskets;
+Nellie enlivening her friend by scraps of information on the topic of
+spring-time, until Bessie was warmed to an equal amount of enthusiasm on
+the subject. The sky was clear, the sun shone brightly; and what matter
+if the wind was a trifle frosty, causing a slight purple tinge in the
+tip of their noses, so long as it was May-day. Besides, in the country
+it would be different. And without doubt it was. As the blocks of houses
+were succeeded by scattered dwellings, the landscape became bleak: brown
+earth, sprinkled here and there with tufts of grass, budding trees, and
+bare shrubs, surrounded by sombre, wind-swept hills, presented a
+chilling disappointment to the children.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie surveyed the scene rather blankly; then affirmed that green
+valleys must be farther on. Presently she saw a little brook in a
+distant meadow, and announced her firm conviction, that upon its banks
+wild-flowers grew in abundance. They climbed over the fence after some
+difficulty,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> and proceeded across the field, looking eagerly on all
+sides for the coveted anemones and violets. They did not notice that at
+the farther extremity of the pasture were some horses, quietly rubbing
+their heads on the bars of a gate.</p>
+
+<p>"Soon the ardent little botanists were searching on the bank for floral
+treasures, and were rewarded by a few sparse clumps of pale,
+frozen-looking violets. With an exclamation of triumph, Nellie stooped
+to pluck one bunch; while Bessie, no less delighted, pounced upon
+another. In the midst of these labors, as they chatted merrily over
+every tiny, dew-tipped cup that reared its fragile head, they were
+alarmed by a rumbling sound, that seemed to shake the very earth under
+their feet. Upon raising their heads, they discovered that the horses,
+with manes and tails streaming on the breeze, were scampering over the
+ground, with all the graceful movements of unrestrained freedom. A
+slender-limbed, fleet-footed bay led the others in circles around the
+inclosure, a world of mischievous fun sparkling in his bright eye, as he
+pranced and curveted along.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The children clung together in speechless dismay, as they saw the
+animals become wilder with every bound, knowing their only means of
+escape was at the wall where they had entered, or the opposite gate.
+While they were hesitating about what course to adopt, the leader, for
+the first time apparently, noticed them, and with a wicked shake of the
+head came dancing towards them. Then, without losing a moment's time,
+they fled across the field, dropping flowers and gloves; conscious of
+nothing but that the horses were neighing and snorting close behind
+them, and that they must reach the gate soon, or be eaten alive. Nellie
+arriving at it first, pushed through with frantic haste, just as the bay
+thrust his nose playfully over Bessie's shoulder. Nellie rescued her
+terrified companion, by dragging her over the boundary, and closing the
+gate unceremoniously in their pursuer's face. With a low,
+half-apologetical whinny, Master Bay began to rub his head on the bars
+again, as quietly as when they had first entered his dominions.</p>
+
+<p>"Still panting with fright, the young pleasure-seekers next glanced
+about for a means of escape<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> from present difficulties; only to discover
+that the narrow lane they had entered led in quite an opposite direction
+from the road they had left. What was to be done? They never could
+attempt passing those awful horses again, and the lane must lead out
+somewhere, so they would explore it. They found it turned into a
+barnyard, which they decided to cross, hoping to find their way out
+beyond.</p>
+
+<p>"The yard contained a lively population. There were waddling ducks, with
+tufted feathers on their heads; there were noisy, cackling geese,
+strutting roosters; and several large families of pigs, who strolled in
+and out of their houses, the little pink ones, with their tails in a
+very tight curl, peering out from amid the straw of their beds: while
+pretty, brown-eyed calves lowed in adjoining sheds for their absent
+mothers. Entering the place, the children cautiously picked out their
+footsteps around the mud puddles, until they reached the centre, when
+the ire of a turkey-cock was excited by Nellie's red cloak. His angry
+note, as he flapped his wings defiantly at her, was echoed not only by
+his own family, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> by the whole goose and duck tribe, until there was
+a general clamor of indignation against the intruders.</p>
+
+<p>"At this juncture, there appeared on the scene a choleric goat, with
+venerable beard and sharply curved horns, who, after surveying the field
+of action for a time, advanced with bent head and glowering visage.
+Again they were compelled to take refuge in flight,&mdash;this time entering
+a large barn which flanked the inclosure on one side, and closing the
+door after them. By this act they excluded all light from the place,
+save where a few rays penetrated the chinks of the boards, throwing
+vague, uncertain lines over the hay-loft and into the darkness below.
+They groped about the place in search of another door, but without
+success; then they returned to the entrance, and peeped through a hole
+in the woodwork, to see if it was possible to retrace their steps. The
+goat had assumed a warlike attitude, giving hints of unabated rancor by
+butting at the closed door; while the turkey-cock still puffed with
+rage, and even the little pigs had ventured forth to see what was the
+matter.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, dear! what shall we do?' exclaimed Nellie most dismally. 'Will we
+have to stay here until somebody comes?'</p>
+
+<p>"'We must find another door,' said Bessie resolutely, as she led her
+discouraged schoolmate on a second exploring expedition. Finally, after
+stumbling down unexpected steps, knocking their heads against heavy
+beams, and sneezing with dust, they found a small aperture, half choked
+by rubbish, through which they crawled into a shed, and so out into a
+meadow. Once more they clambered over a wall into the main road,
+somewhat dilapidated and dusty after their adventures.</p>
+
+<p>"'O Nellie! your shoes are covered with mud, your dress is torn, and
+your face quite dirty,' cried Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>"'O Bessie! your hat is crushed on one side, and your hair covered with
+hay-seed,' retorted Nellie, who could not refrain from laughing, as she
+contemplated their sorry plight.</p>
+
+<p>"'Don't you think we had better go home?' said Bessie ruefully,
+attempting to bend her disabled hat into shape.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Go home before noon, when we have had no fun yet?' replied Nellie, her
+spirits reviving now that all danger was past; 'oh, no! we have our
+dinner to eat, and lots of nice things to do.'</p>
+
+<p>"Once more yielding to her playmate's superior sagacity, little Bessie
+trotted along cheerfully, until they espied a fine rock on a sloping
+hillside, which they immediately proposed converting into a
+dining-table. To reach the spot, they were obliged to pass through a
+piece of rough, ploughed ground, recently sown, near a little cottage,
+with gray, overhanging roof, and narrow, closed windows.</p>
+
+<p>"Spreading a napkin for table-cloth on the rock, they were soon
+arranging their provisions; here a sandwich rested upon a pedestal of
+apple, to prevent its tilting over a slice of custard pie; there a small
+bottle, containing a mysterious fluid, suggestive of weak molasses and
+water, dripped through its broken cork into a store of pickled limes.
+But what matter if the gingerbread did taste of mustard, or if the
+chicken was encrusted with spilled sugar, on a first of May picnic?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"After surveying the result of their labors with great satisfaction,
+they were just preparing to enjoy the result, with appetites only
+sharpened by previous misfortunes, when Bessie's attention was attracted
+by the curtain of one of the cottage-windows being drawn aside, and a
+head appearing behind the glass. It was such a hideous head, with
+tangled white hair surmounted by a queer cap, and the face was so
+sharp-nosed and wrinkled, that the little girl paused, with a chicken
+wing elevated half-way to her mouth, to stare at the apparition fixedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie, noticing her sudden silence, turned also; and, when she saw the
+face, gave a shriek, and commenced tumbling cakes, pies, and pickles
+into the basket. Then the head disappeared from the window, and a
+comical little old man, in a dressing-gown, popped out of the door, like
+a spider from its hole. He hobbled towards them, shaking his cane, and
+croaking like a hoarse old raven.</p>
+
+<p>"'Get out, will ye, a-tramping of my rye, and a-bringing of your traps
+under my very nose. Hullo, there! just wait till I catch ye.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He looked so wild and angry, as he came towards them, all the time
+wagging his head, and tapping the ground spitefully with his cane, that
+they ran away across the rye as fast as ever they could; the old man
+shrieking and chattering after them all the while, until they reached
+the wall and stumbled over into the highway, Bessie still clutching her
+chicken wing.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrying along as rapidly as possible, to escape from their dreadful
+pursuer, they came to a place of cross roads, and, puzzled which
+direction to take, they decided on a pleasant road turning to the right.
+When they had proceeded a short distance, they noticed a high fence
+running parallel with the road, in which was a door. Impelled by her
+usual heedless curiosity, Nellie turned the knob and peeped into the
+inclosure. The view of winding paths and shrubbery proved so inviting,
+that they entered. They saw broad avenues bordered by rows of fine elms,
+trim hedges, and flower parterres, all leading to a large mansion with
+closed windows and doors, as if nobody lived there, while a dome of
+glittering glass conservatories rose on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> one side. The children strolled
+about, every moment discovering something new to admire,&mdash;now it was a
+graceful-arched bridge; now it was a white statue gleaming through the
+shrubbery; now it was a massive carved urn, filled with hardy, clinging
+ivy vines.</p>
+
+<p>"Seeing no one near, they determined once more to eat their dinner; and
+so, selecting a pleasant bank for the purpose, were soon discussing
+their good things.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now you will find that May-day is nice, after all,' said Nellie
+triumphantly, her mouth full of cake, as she poured some of the contents
+of the bottle into a cup the size of a thimble.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, false hope! There was a crackling of dry twigs behind them, and,
+with an alarming growl, a large, savage-looking dog bounded directly
+into their midst. To see a huge black nose appear over one's head, and a
+double row of sharp, white teeth displayed within a few inches of one's
+eyes, is trying to the courage,&mdash;at least our little friends found it
+so; for they not only abandoned their baggage to the enemy, but beat a
+hasty retreat, Nellie rushing wildly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> down one alley, while Bessie
+escaped by another.</p>
+
+<p>"The dog, instead of following them, began to devour their repast,
+selecting such dainty morsels from the <i>débris</i> as best suited his
+palate.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie found herself, she scarcely knew how, behind a summer-house,
+where she crouched trembling for a time, until, summoning courage, she
+ventured to call, in a quavering little voice, to her missing friend.
+Receiving no response, she began a search, frightened that she was
+alone. She peered about on every side, entreating Nellie to
+appear,&mdash;first from under a bush that would not have concealed a cat;
+then lifting a watering-pot left by the gardener, as though she expected
+to find her companion rolled in a ball below the spout; until, with
+heaving sobs, she paused by a bridge, and made a last desperate effort.
+This time she heard a faint response, as Nellie presently crawled forth
+from under an arch of the bridge, sadly splashed with water, her hat
+gone, and her ankle sprained. What need to tell how they wandered
+through avenue, grove, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> by-way, hopelessly bewildered and
+lost?&mdash;how, utterly discouraged and terrified at last, as the sun began
+to slant towards the western horizon, they sat down by the road-side, to
+indulge in a flood of tears?</p>
+
+<p>"'It's not a bit like story-books,' sobbed Nellie. 'I am so hungry and
+tired and cold. Oh, dear!'</p>
+
+<p>"Just as they were preparing to rouse themselves to try and find their
+way, a gayly painted express wagon came rattling along at a smart pace.
+The good-natured driver stopped readily enough to answer their questions
+as to the way home; and, when he had gleaned a few particulars of their
+story, he took them into his conveyance, and carried them safely within
+the city limits.</p>
+
+<p>"When the sun had set, and the evening shadows fell cold and gray
+through the narrow streets, two forlorn little forms, all travel-stained
+and weary, crept along to their respective homes; ready to beg
+forgiveness for their truancy, ready to acknowledge their folly, and
+nestle into their soft, warm beds, to dream of the smiling woodland<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> or
+pleasant meadows in the story-books first of May."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you hear that?" asked the Spider.</p>
+
+<p>"Who knows but I may be an author, too?" responded the Saucepan airily.
+"Surely it is my own affair."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been thinking of this story for a month," said the Spider, in a
+patronizing tone. "Still I am glad you had the pleasure of telling it."</p>
+
+<p>This was malicious on the part of the Spider, and of course the Saucepan
+was in danger of losing her temper in consequence. The Caterpillar had
+by this time recovered somewhat from his low spirits, and determined to
+distinguish himself, because he feared they all must consider him a
+person of inferior ability. When they again met, the Cricket hoped to
+talk a little, as he had not had a single opportunity to do so since the
+arrival of the three travellers; but he was again doomed to
+disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>"Allow me to speak," said the Caterpillar, with a dignified manner.</p>
+
+<p>Then he commenced:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="GRANDPAPA_MOUSE_AND_HIS_FAMILY" id="GRANDPAPA_MOUSE_AND_HIS_FAMILY"></a>GRANDPAPA MOUSE AND HIS FAMILY.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"Grandpapa mouse was quite an old gentleman at the time of which I
+write. He and his wife lived in a nice, large granary belonging to a
+rich farmer, which would have made them a splendid home, but for one
+reason. Do you know what that was? Why, they did not have to scamper all
+about to find their living, as some mice do; for they had every thing
+that was good piled up about them. They could nip a kernel from an ear
+of corn here, or taste a bit of barley there; until they were so fat
+they hardly knew what to do with themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandpapa was taken with the gout, and had to sit all day with one leg
+wrapped in a wisp of hay, besides having to take nothing but water
+gruel, which seemed to him a very sad case indeed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As for Grandmamma, she was so large round the waist, her grandchildren
+had to nibble a hole twice the usual size for her to pass through, when
+she wished to take the air.</p>
+
+<p>"They were seated one winter's night each side of the fire, which
+consisted of some shreds of corn-husk upon a pebble, and certainly made
+as bright a blaze as need be. Grandpapa was feeling better; for the
+mouse doctor had been to see him that day, and had given him a new
+liniment of great virtue. He was whistling quite a gay tune, and staring
+at the fire, when suddenly he exclaimed,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'It is almost Christmas time, my dear.'</p>
+
+<p>"Grandmamma had been dozing over her knitting-work; so she rubbed her
+eyes, and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'What?'</p>
+
+<p>"'It is almost Christmas,' he repeated louder, for she was a trifle
+deaf. 'I heard the farmer say so to-day, when he was counting his
+turkeys out there. I think we had better give a dinner-party, and invite
+all our children home.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Perhaps we had,' assented Grandmamma with a sigh: she knew how much
+work it would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> make. 'We have not enough spare rooms, though, I am
+afraid.'</p>
+
+<p>"'We can easily gnaw a few new ones,' said Grandpapa briskly. 'Let us
+send our invitations by the postman to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>"So they wrote to all their children; and the next morning the little
+servant mouse had to watch under a bush until the letter-carrier came.
+Now this postman was a snow-bird, who had promised always to take
+messages for the mice, if they would steal him bits of bread and cake
+from the pantry.</p>
+
+<p>"'If you please, sir, my master has got some letters for you,' called
+the little servant, in a wee, piping voice, for her nose was getting
+cold out of doors.</p>
+
+<p>"'Put them into my bag,' said the snow-bird, hopping along jauntily.</p>
+
+<p>"So the little servant stood upon her hind legs to place the letters in
+the tiny bag which the snow-bird carried under his left wing; then she
+threw her apron over her head, and ran home.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose there never was such a sweeping and scratching and gnawing in
+any other mouse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> family, as went on in this one for the next two weeks.
+All of them worked so hard, making new holes for their expected guests,
+that the little servant had an attack of mumps at the last minute, and
+had to have her head tied up in a rag of cobweb.</p>
+
+<p>"Christmas Eve came at last. Grandpapa had his coat of fur nicely
+brushed, and Grandmamma wore a new cap with a ruffle round it.</p>
+
+<p>"Presently there sounded the patter of little footsteps, which announced
+the arrival of the eldest son, and his family of six children.
+Grandmamma had scarcely kissed them all round, when in walked the eldest
+daughter, with her husband and baby. She had only just been shown to her
+room to take off her bonnet, when all the rest came,&mdash;a son from the
+city; a daughter from the next village; and the youngest child, who
+lived in a distant town, and was an old bachelor.</p>
+
+<p>"What a time there was! Grandpapa grew quite hoarse with shouting at his
+different sons; and as for the children, there were so many of them
+tumbling about, it is only a wonder their mothers ever could tell them
+apart.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"At last the elder ones had their supper and were sent to bed, where
+they soon forgot every thing in sound sleep. Then all the mothers began
+to talk together in one corner with Grandmamma about their houses and
+cook-books, while the gentlemen discussed mouse politics in another. So
+the evening passed away very pleasantly; and by ten o'clock they were
+all asleep, too, except Grandpapa: he was so excited, that his wife had
+to give him a Dover's powder before he could shut an eye.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning the children were awake bright and early, wanting all
+sorts of things to eat, and poking into odd places where they should not
+have gone.</p>
+
+<p>"'O Grandpapa! is there no ice this morning?' cried an eager young
+mouse; 'I have such a prime pair of skates!'</p>
+
+<p>"'Can you cut a pigeon wing backwards?' asked one of the city cousins.
+'I will show you how to do it in style.'</p>
+
+<p>"'May we go, too?' urged all the little mice in chorus.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandpapa consented: so the small servant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> went to show them the way;
+and they soon reached the pond, which was in reality a frozen puddle,
+about twelve inches square, and very smooth, on the edge of a wood.</p>
+
+<p>"All the country mice put on their skates, made of beech-nuts, with
+crooked pins for runners, and began to caper about in a great way. The
+vain young city mouse then fastened on his, which were tiny apple-seeds
+beautifully polished, and strapped with gray horse-hairs.</p>
+
+<p>"'See,' said he, 'my skates are rockers;' and sure enough they were, for
+he soon toppled over backwards, while all the others laughed to behold
+his fall. If a cat had happened to spy them, what a dainty Christmas
+dinner she might have had! But no cat did; so they had a splendid time,
+and went home as hungry as mice can be.</p>
+
+<p>"As for the ladies, they had enjoyed the quiet in-doors very much
+indeed. You must not suppose that all the children were able to scamper
+out. There were ever so many babies, that looked just like little bits
+of pink pigs. Those from the city had nurses, but those from the country
+had not.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'It is time for my baby's morning nap,' said the city mouse, looking at
+her watch. 'Dear me! is there no cradle?'</p>
+
+<p>"Then Grandmamma sent to the lumber room, and had one her children once
+used brought out. It was half of a peach-pit, which, when lined with
+soft paper, made an excellent bed for the fretful baby mouse.</p>
+
+<p>"So the day wore on, and at last they began to get sniffs of nice things
+cooking. Grandmamma bustled about with her cap-strings flying, and grew
+very red in the face from scolding the little servant, who was all the
+while going the wrong way, because she could do nothing but stare at the
+finery of the nursery maids.</p>
+
+<p>"At last dinner was quite ready; so Grandpapa took his place at the head
+of the table, and Grandmamma hers at the foot: yet they could see
+nothing but the tips of each other's noses, the pile of good things was
+so high. Before the old gentleman was placed a dish of toasted cheese,
+that made every mouse present smack his lips with delight; while before
+his wife was a fine large egg; and the rest of the table held<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> bits of
+meat, cracker, and blades of wheat. The children had a smaller table to
+themselves, with just as much to eat as their parents. They behaved
+pretty well at first, until one roguish little mouse thrust his nose
+into the cheese, and the next one gave him a push that sent him
+sprawling across the table. This made all the others frolic, too, so
+that the city mouse had to come and box their ears all around.</p>
+
+<p>"While she was doing this, the little servant happened to come along,
+carrying a nut-shell of honey; and what did she do but catch her foot in
+the beautiful long tail of the city mouse, and spill the honey all down
+her back. There was a regular uproar at this: the city mouse was so
+angry, it seemed as though she never would take any more dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandpapa had been very still all this time: he was eating as if he
+never expected to have the gout again. If his doctor had only seen him,
+I am sure I do not know what in the world he would have said.</p>
+
+<p>"When they had finished the meal, they made a circle around the fire;
+and, the ladies not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> objecting, the gentlemen lit their cigars, which
+were in reality straw tubes.</p>
+
+<p>"'I wish somebody would tell a story,' said a little lame mouse, who had
+been obliged to stay in the house all day, because it could not run and
+jump like the others, but had to hobble along on a crutch made of a
+lucifer match.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes, yes, Grandpapa, tell us a story,' cried all the other young mice
+in a breath.</p>
+
+<p>"'I don't know any stories,' said Grandpapa, puffing away at his straw
+cigar. 'Ask your uncle.'</p>
+
+<p>"So they began to clamor at the bachelor uncle, and he finally consented
+to amuse them. Now, of all the family, he was the most doleful mouse
+imaginable; and before he began his story Grandmamma whispered to one of
+her daughters-in-law, that he had been disappointed in love, which
+accounted for his melancholy. Whether this was true or not, I do not
+know; but he also suffered from dyspepsia, and that is apt to make one
+sad, it is said: so perhaps it was his liver, and not his heart, that
+was affected. He now drew his seat closer to the fire, and began:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'I fear I shall not be able to tell you any thing very wonderful: still
+I can give you some description of my own life since I left home; and,
+when I have finished, I hope some of my brothers and sisters will also
+tell us what they have been about. When I was a young mouse, my health
+was very delicate: the doctor feared a throat affection, so I decided to
+go farther south for change of air. There was no need for me to settle
+anywhere: I was not a marrying mouse.' [Here Grandmamma nodded and
+winked, as much as to say, "I told you so."]</p>
+
+<p>"'Ordinary society did not suit me at all: to hear a mouse talk of
+nothing but his dinner, seemed very tame. That reminds me it is time to
+take my medicine two hours after eating. Dear, dear, I nearly forgot!'</p>
+
+<p>"The bachelor unfastened a bit of goose quill, corked at both ends, that
+was hung about his neck with a string, and took a pill from it. He then
+resumed his story:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'I journeyed on in frequent danger, until I reached the handsome town
+where I now live. I had to cross a broad beach, and saw the ocean<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>
+rolling in great waves of foam, before I came to the houses. It was
+night, and the stars shone brightly overhead; but I was so tired with my
+day's tramp, that I crawled into a stone wall, to rest. I was soon
+disturbed by a squirrel's scrambling in after me.</p>
+
+<p>"'"Good evening, sir," I said; for my mother had always taught me to be
+especially polite to strangers. "Will you tell me where I can find a
+night's lodging?"</p>
+
+<p>"'"Do you like gay company?" replied the squirrel, peering at me with
+his bright eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"'"I like grave people better."</p>
+
+<p>"'"Why, then, I know the very place," cried he. "Go to the town library,
+where you can find a set of students."</p>
+
+<p>"'I thanked him, and went on until I arrived at the library, where I was
+received most courteously by the society of literary mice, to which I
+now belong. Perhaps you may have noticed the leather medal I wear upon
+my left shoulder. Never shall I forget their kindness that night. They
+first inquired if I was married, because they did not admit such
+parties; and when I satisfied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> them I was not, they at once gave me the
+hole recently occupied by a brother, who had died of brain fever,
+brought on by overwork.</p>
+
+<p>"'What a delightful time we have of it there! We spend the day getting
+in stores of provisions, strolling about out of doors, or taking a nap;
+then when evening comes, and the old librarian places all the books in
+order before going home, we begin to scamper about, having the place all
+to ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>"'Our president (he has nibbled more books than any of us, and that is
+why we elected him) calls us about him after a while, and asks what we
+have seen that is interesting or new. This is a most agreeable
+arrangement; since one of us is always appointed to be about the library
+during the day, to hear what the people may say there. I have been
+particularly useful in this way, and that is one reason I am so much of
+a favorite.</p>
+
+<p>"'One thing troubles me greatly at present, so that I must make off home
+again as soon as ever I can: I left the whole of the society in such a
+state of mind over it, that they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> not going to allow themselves any
+Christmas dinner.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Pray what is the important question?' inquired Grandpapa.</p>
+
+<p>"'Why, about a month ago,' replied the bachelor, warming one foot at the
+blaze, 'it was my turn to visit the reading-room. I had crept around
+very quietly for some time, hearing old gentlemen talk over their
+newspapers, or watching ladies rustle in and out, when a young man and a
+little girl came in. With them was a tan terrier, which began to trot
+around, snuffing such mischief as he might, when he suddenly spied me
+seated at my ease upon a large book, and leaped up at me, barking
+furiously. If the young man had not seized him by the collar, I do not
+know what would have become of me. As it was, there he sat under his
+master's chair, winking, and ready to eat me alive any minute.</p>
+
+<p>"'The little girl kept asking her brother strange questions about
+different things, until he said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'"Did you know, Mimi, that the moon is made of green cheese?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'She said, "No."</p>
+
+<p>"'"It is," he continued. "The wise men that study the stars have just
+found it out."</p>
+
+<p>"'I pricked up my ears at this, and as I had a chance soon after to make
+my escape, I did so.'</p>
+
+<p>"'What!' exclaimed the whole mouse family. 'Is the moon nothing but a
+big slice of cheese, then?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you believe it, my son?' inquired Grandpapa, rubbing his nose with
+a puzzled air.</p>
+
+<p>"'Dear me, dear me!' sighed Grandmamma, wiping her spectacles, 'what
+next?'</p>
+
+<p>"'I don't know what to believe,' continued the bachelor. 'I told the
+others of it that night, and I do not believe the president has slept a
+wink since. We have searched everywhere to learn if it is really true;
+we have set an extra watch of four to listen in the library; and if they
+have not found out something when I go back, I, for one, shall start
+direct for Harvard University, to settle the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now, you see, if the moon is really made of green cheese,' he added,
+shaking his head wisely,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> 'I should suppose it would have been eaten up
+long ago.'</p>
+
+<p>"Here he stopped suddenly. Every one of his nephews and nieces had
+fallen asleep, some in their mothers' laps, and others huddled together
+in little balls upon the floor. A great deal they cared about the moon!</p>
+
+<p>"The lame mouse, however, had listened to every word with bright eyes,
+and this pleased the bachelor so much, that he patted her upon the head,
+saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'You are a good child, my dear; I shall leave you something in my
+will.'</p>
+
+<p>"The others were then roused up, and trundled off to bed; but they were
+so sleepy they did not once think to ask their uncle's pardon.</p>
+
+<p>"'I've been thinking,' said Grandpapa, 'of the time when my gray cousin
+and I made a trip together. We were both very gay, and one hot summer
+morning he said to me,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'"Every one is bound to the mountains: let us go, too."</p>
+
+<p>"'"But," said I, "you know my father is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> away on business, and I am the
+eldest son, left in charge of the family."</p>
+
+<p>"'"Never mind," rejoined he, "we can have such splendid fun!"</p>
+
+<p>"'Well, we ran away from home (my cousin lived with us, as he had been
+left an orphan at a tender age). We travelled along bravely for a time,
+although the sun was dreadfully hot upon our backs.'</p>
+
+<p>"'"Oh, dear!" I panted, "I never was so warm in my life."</p>
+
+<p>"'"What is easier than to carry an umbrella, then?" suggested my
+companion; and with that he nibbled the stems of two toad-stools until
+they separated, and carrying one above his own head, gave me the other.
+This was a delightful change, for the toad-stools spread so as to
+shelter our faces from the sun. We trotted along comfortably after this,
+and finally came to the brink of a brook, where we paused, because we
+did not know how to get across.</p>
+
+<p>"'"The mountains look such a little way off," said my cousin dismally;
+yet the brook still whirled on, seeming to laugh at our discomfiture.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'"I believe we could skip from stone to stone," urged the gray mouse,
+who was determined not to turn back, if he could possibly help it.</p>
+
+<p>"'So I tried the bits of stone for some distance; and then I found
+myself away out where the water was ever so deep, and I was seized with
+fright, not daring to move an inch either way, but clinging to the wet,
+slimy rock. Presently a beautiful trout came swimming towards me, its
+sides all clothed in variegated scales, and its handsome eyes sparkling
+with fun.</p>
+
+<p>"'"What is the matter; are you sea-sick?" laughed the trout, splashing
+the foam from its tail in my face.</p>
+
+<p>"'"Oh! don't, if you please, I am so giddy now," I cried, and then
+tumbled headlong into the water.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ugh! what a cold bath that was: it makes me shiver only to think of
+it. The wicked fish took me on his back, and gave me such a sail as I
+hope I may never have again in this world. It went up and down, and up
+and down again, approaching the shore occasionally only to dart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> off for
+a fresh trip, until I fairly squealed with fright, clasping its slippery
+back the while. At last it flung me off, and I landed by my cousin, who
+did nothing but laugh at me. I was very cross by this time; so, after
+trying to dry myself upon some blades of grass, I determined to return
+home. Just then a fat old bull-frog paddled lazily towards the bank.</p>
+
+<p>"'"Will you carry us across the brook?" inquired my cousin eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"'"How much do you weigh?" asked the bull-frog, winking slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Just take up this fellow, and see." He then lifted me upon the
+bull-frog's back, who carried me safely across before I could say a
+single word. Afterward he brought my cousin over also, and we were able
+to resume our journey.</p>
+
+<p>"'Fortunately we overtook a field mouse soon after, who invited us to
+visit his family in the stump of a tree, which we were glad enough to
+do, as we were both hungry and tired. That night I was very ill with
+chills and fever,&mdash;probably owing to the cold bath I had taken; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>
+field mice had to give me a dose of some kind of bark that they always
+kept in the house, as they lived in a swampy region, which made me
+better. They none of them thought I could go on the next morning; and,
+as the gray mouse was so anxious to climb the mountains, I proposed his
+starting without me. This he consented to do, when one of the young
+field mice offered to be his guide; and if I felt well enough, I was to
+join them after a while. I had a very nice visit, indeed: the field mice
+were so hospitable and kind. I spent most of my time in the house with
+the ladies, and the eldest daughter was&mdash;who do you think? Why, your
+mother, of course; and a prettier young mouse I never saw.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Don't be foolish,' interrupted Grandmamma.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes; but you were just as pretty as ever you could be,' urged
+Grandpapa, politely.</p>
+
+<p>"'I know I was considered the belle of our society;' and Grandmamma
+tossed her head when she thought of the admirers of her youth.</p>
+
+<p>"'I concluded I would not join my cousin at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> all,' went on Grandpapa;
+'but this I was finally obliged to do, for days passed on and they did
+not return. At this we all began to look grave; so the father
+field-mouse told me that he was afraid something had happened, and he
+thought we had better search for them. We made a party of eight, and set
+out towards the mountains, anticipating something dreadful must have
+befallen the travellers. Ah, what a time we had!</p>
+
+<p>"'We came to a place where the rock rose so steep and straight before
+us, that I did not consider it possible to climb it. What do you suppose
+we did? We tied ourselves together, as travellers do when ascending the
+Alps in Switzerland, although not with such ropes as they use; we
+fastened the tips of our tails together with bits of grass, then marched
+along side by side. This was an excellent arrangement, as we afterwards
+found; for at one time they all slipped, obliging me to bear their
+weight upon my tail. It was a terrible moment: I feared it would break,
+or be pulled out from the roots entirely!</p>
+
+<p>"'At last we reached a shelf of rock where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> we could rest awhile. The
+view from this place was splendid. The valleys lay below blooming with
+verdure, many-colored flowers, and golden grain almost ready for the
+harvest; the rivers sparkled under the clear sunlight in silvery
+threads; and of the towns scattered along the the hillside as far as I
+could see, the church steeples looked like mere arrowy spikes. When I
+gazed down upon this beautiful smiling earth, and up at the blue sky
+where the soft white clouds were floating idly along, it seemed to me
+very wonderful that the good God, who had made such grand things, had
+made also little me.</p>
+
+<p>"'We climbed up and up for several days, following footprints that were
+certainly those of mice; and we hoped belonged to our friends. At last,
+even such traces ceased; and we were fairly at our wits' end, when we
+heard faint sounds behind a large leaf. Peering cautiously around the
+corner, we saw the gray mouse and his companion stretched upon a bed of
+moss, groaning in the most dismal manner. They were overjoyed to see us
+again, for they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> supposed they must die up there alone. My cousin
+had slipped, and sprained his ankle terribly; while the field-mouse had
+lost his balance, in trying to assist him, and fallen down a precipice
+some twenty inches high, thus injuring his spine. It was all very well
+having found them; but how were we to get them away, when neither of
+them could move a step? We sat for a long time looking at each other in
+doubt, and then a bright idea struck me.</p>
+
+<p>"'"We can braid this sword-grass together, and lower them down by it," I
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"'We soon joined a quantity in this way, then fastened one end about the
+waist of my cousin, and let him down to the next ledge. In this way we
+got them both to the foot of the mountain. Now it remained to carry them
+across the country; so we tore a mullein leaf in two halves, and,
+placing the pieces upon birch twigs, formed excellent litters for our
+invalids. We reached the stump of the field-mice again, after an absence
+of a month. The surgeon mended my cousin's ankle, which was broken; and,
+as for the young field-mouse, I am told he has not known what it was to
+feel well a day since.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'During the period that we remained, I made a proposal of marriage to
+your mother, and was accepted; so, with the understanding that I should
+return in the spring, we finally started home. My mother forgot to scold
+us, she was so frightened by our long absence. Besides, she received
+very sad news just at this time. My father, who was away on business, as
+I have said, was taken with the cholera suddenly, after eating a late
+supper of bacon rinds, and died. I tried to be a good son ever after,'
+concluded he, wiping a tear from his left eye, 'although if I had not
+been naughty this time, I should never have known your mother.'</p>
+
+<p>"'For my part,' remarked the city mouse, 'I have had rather a tough time
+of it so far. Now, indeed, I enjoy my ease; but, as I have said, it has
+been hardly earned. My desire in going to town was, first, to learn
+something of life, and then aspire to belonging to the class of business
+mice, which seemed to me the most enviable lot imaginable. I was very
+near losing sight of this aim once; still I persevered, until now I am
+reckoned among the most influential people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> When I began my career, I
+was extremely gay; that is, I enjoyed the company of a number of other
+young mice, who did nothing but frolic the whole day. I might have kept
+on in this way for any length of time, had I not been suddenly checked.</p>
+
+<p>"'I was invited to a ball given by a wealthy mouse at his country
+residence, which was located in a nook of the wall of an ice-house. It
+was really the finest place for the time of year I ever visited, and the
+wealthy mouse had spared no expense in fitting it up nicely. The
+coolness of the house was so refreshing in the sultry heat of July; for,
+if one was too hot, all one had to do was to skip down where the great
+blocks of ice were piled, and soon get cooled off again. Well, we were
+all to attend the silver wedding of the old couple. The young mice had
+the greatest time at the tailor's, wondering what to wear; for we were
+expected to assume the character of some distinguished person, as it was
+to be a fancy masquerade. I thought the tailor would have been crazed
+with getting our costumes made, we altered our minds so often; but,
+finally,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> all was ready, and, with our dresses wrapped in brown paper,
+we started.</p>
+
+<p>"'At the entrance door,&mdash;a crack in the stonework,&mdash;we were shown by two
+waiters, in white jackets and aprons, to the dressing-room, where any
+number of guests were tying on their masks, made of scraps of various
+colored silks, that certainly had a very stylish appearance. The
+reception rooms below were truly magnificent. The walls were hung with
+strips of red and blue paper, gnawed into all manner of fanciful shapes,
+while a row of glow-worms, placed at intervals, lit up the place in the
+most beautiful way. At one end of the room stood the host and hostess
+upon a platform an inch high (she wearing her wedding-dress of lily
+leaves, which had a very old-fashioned effect, because every one wears
+swan's-down nowadays), to receive the company, who marched up to make a
+bow, each in turn. I represented Bluebeard, with a green turban round my
+head, a red sash with a dagger of a rose-thorn, and a pair of yellow
+Turkish trousers. This was all very elegant; but I found I could not
+dance the polka very well, I was so much bundled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> up. A friend of mine
+was dressed in a long-tailed coat of scarlet plush, with gold
+knee-breeches; another had on for armor half of a nutmeg-grater, with a
+tin shield made of the top of a spice-box, and a thistle-cup for helmet.</p>
+
+<p>"'As for the ladies' toilets, I cannot begin to describe them, there was
+such a variety of beauty and elegance. One lady's costume I remember
+especially, however: it was so very dainty. She was equipped as a
+flower-girl, with a short dress of sea-lettuce, looped by tufts of
+dandelion down; she wore pink slippers, laced across the instep, a
+bodice of wasp-wings, and a hat made of a silver three-cent piece,
+ornamented by a flower in the side. I danced with this lady a great many
+times, although, as she was masked, I could not see her face at all; and
+we became quite well acquainted. The dancing-room grew very hot; and the
+band played splendidly (they were katydids, and worked so hard with
+their fiddles, it is only a wonder their legs were not worn out
+entirely), when I proposed to the young lady-mouse to take a walk in the
+moonlight. We found a good many others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> strolling along arm in arm; and
+she had just consented to give me a whisker (as mortals would exchange a
+lock of hair), when we heard a shrill voice behind us in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"'"Oh, that is my grandmother!" exclaimed my lovely companion in a
+whisper, and then she fainted away.</p>
+
+<p>"'The grandmother hobbled up, and she was certainly the ugliest little
+old mouse I ever saw in my life. Her nose was very long, she wore green
+spectacles, and used a cane in walking. When she beheld the insensible
+form of her grand-daughter, she fairly shook her cane at me.</p>
+
+<p>"'"What do you mean?" she said in a hoarse, croaking voice. "I came to
+the ball to watch this young mouse; and now you have skipped out into
+the moonlight to take cold, have you?"</p>
+
+<p>"'She attempted to box my ears, while I tried to dodge her sharp claws;
+and, in so doing, the fair young mouse fell to the ground, thus ruining
+her pretty hat. The grandmother screamed with rage to see so nice a
+costume spoiled, and this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> sent all the guests out to find what was the
+matter. The noise brought still another guest to the scene that we did
+not expect: a great cat, with eyes like green fire, came creeping
+through the grass; but we never noticed her, we were so busy bickering
+and quarrelling among ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>"'Suddenly she gave a pounce into our midst; and we all ran for our
+lives, tearing our dresses, losing caps and shoes, tumbling over each
+other, until we arrived breathless under shelter. We then began to count
+our number, and found that the poor flower-girl mouse was missing. I
+peeped out of the crack fearfully, and sure enough the horrible cat was
+stepping away lightly with our poor companion in her cruel mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"'Of course the ball was closed after this dreadful accident; and as for
+the grandmother, I have heard she was crazy afterward, so that she had
+to be confined in an egg-shell with wire bars at the entrance. This
+event sobered me very much. I began to think that there was something
+more to be done in the world than frisk about and dress finely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'When I returned to the city, I went to a merchant mouse of great
+reputation to seek employment. After some delay, I was shown into his
+counting-room (behind the fireplace of a lawyer's office), where I found
+him, as was to be expected, busily engaged at his desk. I told him I
+should like to be appointed one of his clerks, as I hoped to rise, like
+himself, to the rank of wealth and importance. He put his pen behind his
+ear,&mdash;it was the pin-feather of a bird,&mdash;and smiled rather grimly, as
+though he fancied a good many mice would enjoy growing as great as he
+had. The salary I should receive was very small, he told me, and I would
+have to work very hard for it; still I was not discouraged by all this,
+so the next morning I entered his store.</p>
+
+<p>"'He was one of the most influential provision mice in the city, doing a
+large wholesale business with other cities, and the country as well. I
+belonged at first to the number of young clerks whose duty it was to go
+about the streets and houses with bags, like rag-pickers, to find odd
+scraps of bread, cheese, sugar, nuts, raisins, and starch, which we
+brought to the warehouse, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> they were taken in charge by other
+clerks, who packed them to be carried away, or sold them in piles at a
+time.</p>
+
+<p>"'It was terribly fatiguing, for we were expected to bring a full bag
+always by nightfall; but I determined to be industrious; so I
+persevered, although the time seemed <i>so</i> long before I was promoted to
+the rank of clerk in the receiving department. From this I have
+progressed slowly enough, yet I have gained much knowledge. Dear me! I
+could tell you where a crumb of cheese came from in the dark. Now I am
+the head of the house; for my employer has retired from business,
+leaving me in charge. I have also married his only daughter,' said the
+city mouse, with a proud air.</p>
+
+<p>"'I am glad you have succeeded;' commented Grandpapa kindly; 'only be
+careful that prosperity does not make you arrogant, as it is apt to.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now, my dear daughter;' he added, turning to the mouse who had arrived
+second on Christmas Eve, 'what have you been doing this long time?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'I went to visit my cousin, as you will doubtless remember. She is a
+great matchmaker, and perhaps you knew that when you sent me to her; for
+I was then quite mature in age, and did not inherit any of my mother's
+beauty, besides. Well, she found me plenty of suitors, and before long I
+married. I enjoyed life very much at first; but sorrows in plenty
+awaited me,' sighed the daughter, arranging her crape head-dress.</p>
+
+<p>"'I had four beautiful children; and my pride in them was so great that
+I decided to take them to the mouse fair, where prizes were to be given
+to the handsomest babies. The mice were flocking from all quarters to
+this splendid exhibition, which was given in order to raise funds for an
+orphan asylum that was much needed in the region.</p>
+
+<p>"'The place selected was under a rock on the margin of a wood. The tent
+was made of rags joined together; and at the entrance we all paid the
+admittance fee,&mdash;a kernel of corn, which was to go towards the fund. The
+collection within was very fine. There were a few grains of maize
+brought all the way from Egypt at immense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> expense. There was a portrait
+of one of our distinguished ancestors, painted in brickdust by a young
+mouse artist of great talent; there was a scrap of bacon sent from
+England; and there were two whole figs given to the fair by a wealthy
+mouse of high rank. There were also a number of articles to be sold by
+lottery; a work-box formed of a filbert hollowed out, and lined with
+moss, besides being fitted up with needles and scissors of fish-bone; a
+pony carriage made of a scallop shell upon spool wheels, the most
+luxurious thing to drive in I ever beheld; a candlestick of brown sugar,
+beautifully nibbled into filigree work by a blind mouse of large
+experience; and a blanket composed of a sheep's tail, embroidered with
+cat-whiskers.</p>
+
+<p>"'These are a few of the things I remember, because I nearly ruined my
+husband by taking shares in them all; and I actually drew nothing, so
+all that money, or corn rather, was lost.</p>
+
+<p>"'Behind the tables stood rows of young lady-mice, all dressed alike,
+with buttercup caps upon their heads, and wearing aprons, the pockets
+trimmed with gold thread. This gave them a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> very pretty appearance; and
+they sold much more among the gentlemen mice than they would have done,
+had they been more plainly dressed.</p>
+
+<p>"'At last it was time for the prizes to be given to the finest children;
+and the committee of ten old mice, who were to decide the important
+question took their places, and all mothers were told to come forward.
+How lovely my dear babies did look! They never cried, or crumpled their
+little white bibs in the least; and I felt so proud of them I could
+hardly stand.</p>
+
+<p>"'Well, they took all the prizes: one for his large weight, one for the
+size of his nose, which was very remarkable for his age; one for the
+smallness of his feet; and the last for the great length of his tail.
+Oh! the other mothers were so enraged and jealous, I was afraid they
+would tear my eyes out.'</p>
+
+<p>"Here the daughter mouse began to sob and cry, while all of the family
+tried to comfort her.</p>
+
+<p>"'I will tell the rest: she will not be able,' piped her husband,
+holding a smelling-bottle to her nose.</p>
+
+<p>"'No, no,' she said in a faint voice, while Grandmamma fanned her: 'I
+will finish.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'We started home again with the little dears, and on our way paused to
+rest for the purpose of eating a few wild berries in the wood, as a
+luncheon, leaving our nurse at some little distance in charge of the
+children. We were startled by a sudden squeal, and beheld the nurse
+trotting towards us, her eyes wild with fright.</p>
+
+<p>"'"Where are the babies?" I shrieked in terror.</p>
+
+<p>"'Alas! I soon discovered what a misfortune had befallen me. A dog had
+found them as they lay asleep, and was now tossing them rudely about in
+sport, and I could not defend them. I have never been the same mouse
+since their sad death, and I do not expect ever to wear any thing but
+mourning.</p>
+
+<p>"They were all very much affected by the sorrows of the eldest daughter.
+When she had finished, the city mouse used her handkerchief several
+times, while Grandmamma's spectacles were quite dim with tears.</p>
+
+<p>"'Could you give us some items of your experience, also?' inquired
+Grandpapa of his eldest son, sleepily but politely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'I have really nothing of importance to tell;' and perhaps he was
+right, for he certainly had been very quiet all this time, although it
+may have been because he ate so much dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"'I have lived a very uneventful life,' he went on, 'not having wandered
+further than the next village, where I live in a barn very comfortably.
+I have no learned tastes, like my bachelor brother; I do not care in the
+least whether the moon is green cheese or not,&mdash;as long as I stay on
+earth it need not trouble me; I am not a business mouse, like my city
+brother; I have never made a journey, like my father here; and all my
+children have lived to grow up, so that I have not the same misfortunes
+as my poor sister.</p>
+
+<p>"'That is all I can say for myself; and, if it is agreeable to you all,
+I propose we go to bed, as some of us will have to make an early start
+in the morning,' he said, rising with a yawn of fatigue.</p>
+
+<p>"They consented to this last arrangement, and thus Christmas Day closed
+on Grandpapa Mouse and his family."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Public favor was universally awarded the Caterpillar after this effort.</p>
+
+<p>The Cricket next received a reward for all his patience and good humor,
+by having an opportunity of telling&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_ENCHANTED_BABY-HOUSE" id="THE_ENCHANTED_BABY-HOUSE"></a>THE ENCHANTED BABY-HOUSE.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"Yes, it was a pleasant day, after all! The bright sunlight danced
+through the parted crimson curtains down upon the nursery floor, down
+upon curly heads nestled among the pillows, tinging the canary bird's
+golden feathers, as he ruffled himself upon the perch before skipping
+down to the dining-room of his cage for a stray seed or sip of water,
+and blinking straight into the eyes of little Milly, as she first opened
+them upon her sixth birthday. The other children were still napping; but
+Hannah, the nurse, thought of it, and came to kiss the pet who had first
+rested in her arms, a wee bundle of flannel, with a tiny red face. Nurse
+thought Milly a great deal prettier and bonnier, as she crept out of bed
+now to stand upon the warm hearth-rug in her white night-dress, warming
+her little pink<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> toes at the blaze, than when she was only that little
+bundle of flannel on the day of her birth.</p>
+
+<p>"'Come, dears,' said nurse, rousing the others: 'it is Milly's birthday,
+you know; so be up bright and early.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes, yes,' sang Milly, merrily whirling about the room to the step her
+dancing-master had last taught her. 'Get up! I am six years old to-day:
+only think; and you but four, Miss Pet,&mdash;such a little, little girl.'</p>
+
+<p>"'No: I aint,' answered Pet, indignantly, rolling out upon the floor
+like a rosy ball of an apple: 'I am so big I can see over the table,
+anyhow.'</p>
+
+<p>"Upon this Milly caught the small sister by both hands, and whirled her
+round the room so fast, that Pet had not a particle of breath left in
+her fat little body. The noise made all the other children open their
+eyes, and join in the fun; while even the baby sat up in its crib, to
+crow, and pat its dimpled hands together, because the rest did: babies
+can never give any better reasons for their actions. Nurse Hannah and
+her assistant, Sarah, never had such work to dress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> their charges, as on
+that morning. First, Tom put on his soldier's cap, which Santa Claus had
+given him only a few weeks before, and strapped the sword about his
+waist, which certainly made him look very funny indeed, considering that
+he still wore only his night-clothes; while all the rest strutted after
+him in single file, Dick beating a drum, Milly carrying a tin musket,
+and Pet bringing up the rear, staggering under the weight of a knapsack.
+In this way, they marched about, always slipping like eels when Nurse
+Hannah touched them, and making so much noise the while, that she could
+scarcely hear herself speak. At last, Sarah pounced upon Pet, and bore
+her away shrieking and struggling to the bath-room, whence, after a good
+deal of gurgling and splashing, she returned, looking as fresh as a
+rosebud that the dew has just kissed into fragrance. Milly now began to
+behave better; for she thought she must set Pet a good example, since
+she was so much the elder of the two. Tom and Dick, however, grew wilder
+and gayer as they dressed themselves. They hid Milly's boots so that she
+could not find them; they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> whisked the baby out of his crib, where he
+sat contentedly sucking one thumb, and perched him upon the bureau; and
+Tom leaped upon the table with a newspaper, which he held upside down,
+and pretended to read, with Nurse Hannah's steel-bowed spectacles upon
+his little pug nose.</p>
+
+<p>"At this they all laughed so loudly that mamma came to the door to
+inquire what was the matter, and tell them it was breakfast-time.</p>
+
+<p>"'O Sarah! please brush my hair, quick,' implored Milly. 'I want to
+begin my year in season for every thing, if I possibly can.'</p>
+
+<p>"So Sarah brushed her hair, and smoothed down the nice new dress and
+crisp muslin apron prepared for the occasion; then Milly ran downstairs,
+and climbed into her high chair, just before papa was ready to ask the
+blessing, feeling very gay and happy. After breakfast, mamma proposed
+that they should all go out to play for a time, as the morning was so
+fine.</p>
+
+<p>"'Then,' she said with a smile, patting her eldest daughter's soft round
+cheek, 'we will see what we can do to amuse Milly in the house.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mamma then went away, and Milly turned to the window with a half sigh
+of disappointment. The view from where she stood was beautiful enough to
+make any child's eyes sparkle with delight. The earth was hidden by a
+soft covering of fresh snow; the trees and shrubs were powdered with
+icicle fringes, that gleamed and sparkled in the sun like so many
+crystal pendants; and the Hudson River swept along, bearing upon its
+surface, now a stately steamboat, ploughing its way swiftly along
+through sheets of foam-flakes, and now a flitting sail-boat, with white
+sail spread like a bird's wings upon the wind. But, for the moment,
+Milly did not enjoy this splendid winter landscape; nor did she notice
+the little snow-birds, hopping about the frozen ground on their
+frail-looking little legs, and cocking their bright eyes up at her, as
+if begging a crumb from the plenty of the table. A cloud had come over
+her bright face, causing it for the time to look sullen and sad. Do you
+know what she was thinking of? Precisely what you or any other little
+child might in her place. She had expected a birthday gift, and now
+nothing of the kind was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> presented to her from papa even down to the
+baby.</p>
+
+<p>"'I always had one,' reflected Milly, growing more and more aggrieved as
+she thought of this injustice, until a tear rolled down her cheek. 'I
+always had one,'&mdash;this with a sob,&mdash;'even when I was ever so little. I
+had a rag doll, and a tin horse and cart, and a picture book, and all
+sorts of things; but to-day'&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Here Pet came running in with her arms full of wrappings, followed by
+Sarah also carrying Milly's warm cloak, hat, and mittens.</p>
+
+<p>"'Come,' said Pet, 'we are to slide on the pond with the boys, and have
+such fun.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I don't want to slide,' pouted Milly, turning away to the window
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"'What a naughty girl!' exclaimed Sarah, as she tied on Pet's hat, who
+could do nothing but stare at Milly in amazement, with big, bright eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"'Not do,' piped the little sister. 'Oh! I know somethin', Mil',' she
+added, puffing out her cheeks with an important air. 'You are not to go
+up-stairs at all, mamma said.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, you silly little goose!' said Tom, overhearing the last sentence
+as he entered the room: 'I shall box your ears for that, Miss.'</p>
+
+<p>"Then Tom pretended to carry out his threat, and Milly forgot her tears
+to join in the romp; while Sarah tried to defend poor Pet, who became so
+tumbled and out of breath, with her hat knocked over one eye, that she
+looked very funny indeed, though I do not believe she was very much hurt
+after all.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they went out into the frosty air, which nipped their little
+noses, stung their round cheeks into a warmer glow, and caused the blood
+to course through their young veins like sparkling champagne. Tom and
+Dick meant to be very good and patient to-day, because they loved their
+little sister much, although they were sometimes rough and rude to her;
+but then she was only a girl. Milly's uncle had sent her a beautiful
+pair of skates Christmas, all buckles and straps and sharp-curved
+runners. They were really splendid; but Milly did not make very much
+progress in using them, after all. Her ankles <i>would</i> turn; and she felt
+so helpless standing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> upon the smooth, glaring surface of ice alone,
+with her two feet planted close together, while her brothers whizzed
+past her in circles that made her head spin to watch, and asked her why
+she did not "strike out,&mdash;so!" Then when she followed their advice, and
+did strike out, her skates were sure to flash up in the air, where her
+head ought to have been, while her head went down bump, bump, where her
+skates should have been. This was the way Milly skated. When they
+reached the pond, Tom and Dick strapped on their skates; then Dick
+said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Now, Milly, we will teach you real nice to-day: we are going to be
+awfully good.'</p>
+
+<p>"'No, I thank you,' said Milly, with a grand air: 'I am not going to
+tumble about, and get so vexed on my birthday. Pet and I will be ladies,
+and you shall be our horses.'</p>
+
+<p>"At first, the two boys looked surprised; but Milly quite coolly seated
+herself upon Tom's sled, tucked her little petticoats snugly about her,
+and sat nodding at them both.</p>
+
+<p>"'Upon my word, that's cool!' cried Tom; but he harnessed himself with
+the rope,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> nevertheless, and away they started, the silver bells
+attached to the sled tinkling merrily. They had a grand time of it for
+an hour or so, until Milly suddenly remembered what Pet had said about
+not going up-stairs; and then she wondered what it all could mean. They
+finally started for the house; and when they saw their mamma standing at
+the dining-room window watching, Pet and Milly joined hands, and ran as
+fast as they could towards home: they could not tell exactly why, except
+that they felt like it.</p>
+
+<p>"'Can Milly go up-stairs now, mamma?' asked Pet eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mamma assented; and Milly, wondering very much what was coming,
+followed her mother into a little room that had never before been used,
+and which was now furnished in the most beautiful manner. There was a
+fresh muslin curtain, looped with gay ribbons, at the window; the carpet
+looked as if it had just been strewn with rosebuds; the tiny bedstead,
+of carved wood, had the daintiest linen and crimped hangings; while
+there was a little bookcase in one corner, containing all kinds of
+pretty books; upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> table bloomed a bouquet of sweet-scented
+violets; and by the table was the loveliest rocking-chair imaginable,
+just large enough to hold a little girl of six years old. Upon the wall,
+in a wreath of evergreen, were written these words: 'Milly's room.'</p>
+
+<p>"Milly gazed about her, feeling as if she was in a dream. Having
+examined all the fine furniture which was from this time to be all her
+own, Pet pointed to a large object in a corner, concealed by a sheet
+curtain.</p>
+
+<p>"'What's that?' dancing about with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"'Let her guess,' said Tom, putting his hand over foolish little Pet's
+rosy lips, to keep her from telling the important secret.</p>
+
+<p>"'It's a ba-by,' gurgled Pet; but Tom put his jacket over her head, and
+extinguished her entirely.</p>
+
+<p>"'Can you guess what it is?' asked mamma.</p>
+
+<p>"'It looks like an elephant,' said Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"'I should think it might be a bookcase, only there is one; and Pet said
+it was a baby-house,' replied Milly hesitatingly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Right, right!' cried all the children, clapping their hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Then papa drew aside the curtain, and Milly's eyes fairly danced with
+delight at the sight disclosed.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the most splendid baby-house she had ever seen in her life,
+although she had always considered that of her Cousin May very fine
+before. The roof reached nearly to the ceiling of the room, boasting
+gables and chimneys; there was a large front door, wearing the number of
+the house upon a brass plate; and the windows with the parted curtains
+temptingly invited a glimpse into the interior. Mamma then told Milly to
+open the door, which she did half shyly, as though she did not know what
+to expect next. First, she sat down upon the carpet to look at the
+kitchen, with its shining painted floor, its stove, dresser, teakettles,
+saucepans, flat-irons, and other implements of that department, over
+which reigned Dinah, in a yellow turban and smart red dress, with ever
+so many assistant darkies, from her daughter Sue down to tiny doll
+grandchildren, not more than an inch long,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> all as black as ebony. Next
+came the dining-room, which was certainly as handsome as the most
+fastidious doll could wish for. There were two mahogany sideboards, with
+a grand array of frosted cakes, pies, and ice-cream pyramids, only they
+were all made of painted wood; and there was a table with a beautiful
+gilt tea-service, and a large coffee-urn upon it. On the neatly papered
+wall hung several choice pictures about an inch square, and a veritable
+cuckoo clock, with the bird all ready to pop out when you pulled a silk
+tag. A genteel waitress, in a muslin cap and apron, stood by the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Milly now stood up to view the second story, and by so doing just
+brought her small nose on a level with the bedroom. She found this to be
+furnished exactly like her own. The same carpet was spread upon the
+floor; the bureau, the bedstead, and washstand, were precisely similar.
+The baby-house had many more articles of furniture, however, than did
+the larger apartment; for it was not only adorned by a toilet-table, a
+wee bath-tub, and a wardrobe, but there were ever so many cradles and
+high-chairs for the children.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Now look at the parlor,' cried Pet.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot begin to describe the magnificence of this drawing-room. Every
+thing was gilt and crimson in the appointments, which is certainly very
+good taste, whether doll or human being. There was a gilt chandelier,
+with pink wax candles ready to light at any time, gilt chairs, and
+centre-table holding vases filled with flowers, while the carpet and
+walls were crimson. Before the open piano was seated a very pretty doll
+in a flounced blue silk dress, trimmed with crystal drops; upon the sofa
+reclined her two sisters, one wearing white with a green sash, and the
+other pink barege; while the mother, in purple satin edged with white
+lace, occupied a large arm-chair, with her feet upon a footstool. At the
+billiard-table in the corner were several more dolls, one holding the
+cue ready to play a game.</p>
+
+<p>"This is all that I can remember of the wonderful baby-house (it is a
+long time since I saw it last); but if there was any thing else that I
+have not mentioned, you may be sure Milly discovered it before
+nightfall, that birthday when she was six years old. When she had seen
+all these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> things, little Milly jumped up with a flush on her cheek, and
+turned to all the kind faces that were watching her surprise and
+pleasure. First, she gave her parents a kiss of thanks; then there was
+Sarah smiling in the doorway, and Nurse Hannah holding the baby, who
+looked quite solemn, with one thumb in its mouth, baby fashion. The boys
+then ran away to their skating again, for they thought they were too big
+and old, to show much interest in a baby-house; and the sisters were
+left to their play undisturbed. Of course there was no end of fun for
+the rest of that long, happy day. Milly and Pet had hardly leisure to
+eat their dinner, they were so absorbed with their new playthings. Such
+a confusion as they made in the neat little rooms, house-cleaning,
+re-arranging furniture and dollies! Such a number of meals as were
+served in that one afternoon alone! It is only a wonder that a single
+doll had any digestion left, or that Dinah could still show her white
+teeth in that contented smile; for any other cook would have given
+warning that she was about to leave, I am sure, who had to serve the
+quantities of sweetened water, scraped apple, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> chalk dishes that she
+did. But Dinah did not lose her temper, although it was so severely
+tried, one would think; and the day's pleasure closed with a grand
+tea-party, to which Tom and Dick were invited. Then the baby-house was
+arranged, and the door closed for the night.</p>
+
+<p>"When it was bedtime, Milly realized, for the first time, what a large
+girl she had grown, to have a place all to herself. Sarah brought a
+light, and prepared to put her charge to bed; but this Milly resisted
+indignantly. She was going to undress, and take care of herself; so she
+bade Sarah good-night very ceremoniously, and the nursery-maid went away
+laughing. There was a good deal of pattering to and from the nursery,
+however, after that. First, Milly ran across her mother's room, and
+along the passage, to make a call upon the other children; and she
+looked back with a little shiver at comfortable Miss Pet sitting on the
+hearth-rug like a soft white kitten, and the baby asleep in the crib, as
+she returned to her <i>own room</i> once more. Then the others made her a
+call, and envied her new dignity: only Pet whispered in an awed tone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Wont you be afraid when the light goes out, Milly?'</p>
+
+<p>"'No, indeed,' said Milly bravely.</p>
+
+<p>"Then she blew out the candle, and sprang into bed, just to show Pet how
+much she enjoyed it all. But when they had trotted back, and it was all
+dark, she began to see strange shapes from out of the darkness, and to
+hear rustlings all about that she had never noticed in the shelter of
+the nursery, until she fell asleep. She was awakened by a noise that
+made her heart leap into her throat with a single bound. It was
+something between a gurgle and a groan; and so frightened grew little
+Milly, that she stole out of her warm bed, and paused, trembling, on the
+threshold of her mother's room to listen. What do you suppose the noise
+was, after all? Milly almost laughed at herself when she discovered; it
+was her papa snoring loudly. She was so glad that no one knew of her
+fright, the first night she slept alone, that she nestled into bed
+again, and pulled the blankets almost over her curly head. The moonlight
+came peeping into the window in silvery beams; and, after looking out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>
+upon the clear sky, where a few stars twinkled, Milly saw a wonderful
+sight. Down the moonbeam, which formed a pathway paved with sparkling
+hues, floated tiny fairy figures, bearing in their midst upon a litter,
+formed of a lily-cup, their queen. Milly thought she had never dreamed
+of any thing half so beautiful. Shimmering colors wrapped each little
+sprite in a misty glow, while their wings were frosted like those of a
+butterfly. As for the queen, she was ten times more radiant than any of
+her subjects, as a queen should be; and, when she moved, a faint musical
+sound tinkled from the chains of turquoises, which were fastened about
+her waist; from thence they twined in festoons all about her small
+person. She was further distinguished from the rest by a starry crown
+upon her head, and a wand tipped with the same radiance in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"'Here we are, at last,' said the moonbeam fairy in the sweetest voice.
+'Give me your hand, Milly.'</p>
+
+<p>"The little girl extended it half-fearfully, and the fairy leaped into
+the outspread palm, dancing lightly over the pink-tipped fingers in
+doing so.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Don't be afraid of me,' she said. 'I never hurt any child in my life,
+I assure you.'</p>
+
+<p>"The other fairies climbed upon the bed also, some clinging to the
+curtain tassels, some perched among Milly's curls, and others sat at
+their ease on the footboard.</p>
+
+<p>"'It is Milly's birthday,' rustled the elves, like the soft patter of
+raindrops among forest leaves.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes: we have come a long way to see you, for we live in the moon,'
+said the fairy; 'and it is only when she lowers silver ladders to the
+earth, that we can make a visit down here.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am so glad you all came to-night,' exclaimed Milly; 'only how did
+you know, away up there, that it was my birthday?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah!' returned the fairy smiling, 'we always know every thing, you may
+be sure. The angels tell us, especially about those that are good upon
+the earth. Now to-night my twelve sisters are also down here somewhere;
+this one flitting into the attic windows of the city streets, where
+there is sickness and sorrow; that one whispering words of comfort in
+dreams of warmth and plenty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> to the little wayfarer, sleeping upon a
+cold doorstep; while another is hovering over the broad sea, to lead the
+poor, rude sailor's thoughts home.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you live in a palace?' asked Milly.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes: we live in a palace beside a silver lake; and we are called the
+twelve sisters of the fairy lake, because we all sprang into life from a
+single bubble of foam, blown through the reed of our Father, the water
+god, who rules over rivers and fountains in the moon.'</p>
+
+<p>"'How wonderful!' commented Milly.</p>
+
+<p>"'Let us be doing something, mistress,' piped a restless elf, who had
+never been at rest a moment, but who skipped and danced about like a
+firefly; once, indeed, turning a summersault, and landing upon Milly's
+nose.</p>
+
+<p>"'What shall we do?' said the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh! any thing else but talk, please; we can do that at home,' replied
+the elf.</p>
+
+<p>"'Shall I show you my new baby-house?' inquired Milly, who supposed that
+the fairies must find as much to interest them in it as she did
+herself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"At this the restless elf darted off, and was followed by the others;
+while the queen waved her wand, and, to Milly's astonishment, the door,
+which she had carefully locked, flew wide open. The fairy again waved
+her wand; and from every tiny chandelier sprang jets of light, that
+shone through the windows, and sparkled over the handsome furniture in
+the most beautiful manner.</p>
+
+<p>"'Will you come to see the fun?' asked the fairy; and Milly, all
+curiosity, followed her midnight guests across the room.</p>
+
+<p>"The restless elf next borrowed the queen's wand, and, stepping into the
+window of the bedroom, tapped each of the sleeping dolls with it upon
+the head.</p>
+
+<p>"'Come, come! get up, you lazy creatures!' cried the roguish elf,
+enjoying himself immensely.</p>
+
+<p>"All the dolls began to move about and yawn, as if they were just waking
+up. Milly thought she had never imagined any thing so delightfully funny
+as the little babies winking their bright black eyes, and crying so that
+the nurses had to rock the cradles to keep them quiet.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Now, then,' said the elf, 'you all dress yourselves as quickly as
+possible, and then I will tell you what to do.'</p>
+
+<p>"He left them in the bedroom, roused Dinah in the kitchen, and the
+genteel waitress in the dining-room; then he returned to the parlor,
+tried the piano, whistling a tune, at the same time winking so drolly at
+Milly, that she laughed with delight; played a round or so at the
+billiard-table, and then seated himself in the large arm-chair. In the
+mean while, the dolls were grumbling over the whole affair.</p>
+
+<p>"'I never heard of such a thing,' said the fat mamma, smoothing her hair
+before the looking-glass, 'to turn us all out of bed at this time of
+night, and set all babies crying, too!'</p>
+
+<p>"'Never mind, mamma,' said the daughter in blue silk, shaking out her
+flounces: 'it is the little lady's birthday, and we can take a nap
+to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes,' chimed in the pink-barege sister; 'and she never has broken us,
+you know.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am sure I am afraid of my legs, if that Miss Pet only looks at me,
+for fear they will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> smashed,' echoed the white-muslin lady, looking
+mournfully at her china boots.</p>
+
+<p>"'If Pet could only hear her talk!' whispered Milly to the fairy queen;
+when lo! in toddled the young lady, and, putting her arm about Milly's
+neck, stood looking at the wonderful sight also.</p>
+
+<p>"'I am so glad you can see it too, Pet!'</p>
+
+<p>"'By this time the dolls had made their toilets; all except the babies
+that were left in charge of their nurses, some of whom trotted them upon
+their knees, or fed them with pap out of tin mugs, while others still
+rocked the cradles, and the seamstress stitched upon the sewing-machine.</p>
+
+<p>"'First, we will have a dance,' said the elf, cutting a caper in mid
+air. 'You stupid dolls! why don't you act as though you were made of
+something better than wood?'</p>
+
+<p>"'We are made of the best French china and kid,' retorted the dolls
+indignantly, as they all huddled together in the corner, and stared at
+the elf with their round eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"'They are afraid of you; join your companions on the roof,' commanded
+the queen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The elf made a wry face, for he desired to play pranks upon the
+dollies; but he flew up at the royal command to where the others were
+clustered about the chimneys, and hung himself by one leg from an eave,
+with his queer little face and twinkling eyes close to Milly. Left to
+themselves, the inmates of the baby-house felt more at their ease. The
+blue-silk daughter commenced to play a lively air upon the piano, to
+which all the younger dolls began to dance; and such waltzes, polkas,
+and quadrilles as were performed never were seen before.</p>
+
+<p>"'You would think they had been to dancing-school all their lives,' said
+the fairy.</p>
+
+<p>"'What fun we are having!' exclaimed a pretty doll, with red cheeks,
+mincing along. 'I was only made last week, and I had no idea the world
+was such a nice place.'</p>
+
+<p>"'You need not think you are to go on in this way all your life,'
+snapped another, who was rather ill-natured, because her nose was
+broken. 'We are all bewitched to-night.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Are we?' returned rosy-cheeks. 'I should like to be so always, then.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"In the mean while, the stout mamma had done nothing but doze and nod
+upon the sofa, with a fine lace pocket-handkerchief over her head, while
+all the music and dancing had gone on so merrily about her. But no
+sooner had the genteel waitress arranged every thing below stairs, and
+tinkled the little silver bell, than she whisked off the covering from
+her face, and rose briskly to go to supper.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a feast as awaited them! There was <i>real</i> tea and coffee bubbling
+in the urns; the wooden cakes, pies, and ices, were wooden no longer;
+or, if they were, the dolls certainly found them delicious. As for
+Dinah, the cook, she was as busy as possible, not only making various
+dishes over the fire, but boxing the ears of her children, and scolding
+them when they did not bring her pepper or salt just to the minute.
+Then, what a pet she was in when any thing burned upon the stove!</p>
+
+<p>"Milly watched all the busy little figures until her very eyes ached,
+and the clock, upon the dining-room wall of the baby-house, struck one,
+two, when out popped the bird above, without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> any one's pulling the silk
+tag, and chirped 'cuckoo' quite distinctly. At this the moonbeam fairies
+fluttered from their perch upon the gables, and circled in rings of
+flame and purple and gold and blue, quickly succeeding each other; while
+the moonlight streamed brighter and brighter, wrapping every thing in a
+dazzling cloud.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you suppose this dazzling light really was, my dear little
+reader? Why, it was nothing but another day's sun kissing Milly's
+eyelids and curls with golden caresses. Yes, every thing was undisturbed
+in her room. The baby-house was closed; and, when she peeped in, all the
+dolls were as stupid as though they never had skipped, or eaten a late
+supper the previous night, while all the wooden cakes stood upon the
+sideboard untouched.</p>
+
+<p>"'Never mind; the fairies <i>were</i> here,' thought Milly, 'for Pet saw
+them, too.'</p>
+
+<p>"At the breakfast-table, she tried to tell her story; but Tom and Dick
+laughed at her so, she did not get through with it very well.</p>
+
+<p>"'But the fairies were here,' cried Milly, half vexed. 'Pet saw them.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The little sister, who was eating bread and butter contentedly,
+stopped, with her mouth and eyes wide open, which made everybody laugh
+the more.</p>
+
+<p>"'I never did!' said Pet, indignantly: 'I only slept the whole time.'</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Milly said no more; but she never saw the moon climb her
+sparkling, star-strewn pathway afterward, without wishing that the
+fairies might spread their rainbow wings, and flutter down into her
+little chamber again, as they did the night when she was six years old."</p>
+
+<p>It stormed heavily all day. The Teapot and Saucepan, sitting on the
+shelf in a state of idleness, agreed together, that, if the rain dashed
+against the windows in that way, the Club would not be able to hear each
+other speak when night came.</p>
+
+<p>On the hearth stood an intruder; a dilapidated old umbrella was in the
+corner, drops of dirty water trickling in streams across the hearth from
+the damp folds.</p>
+
+<p>"I have wet my feet in this muddy river," said the Wasp.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The hearth was so clean before," sighed the Caterpillar.</p>
+
+<p>"I am really very sorry my master the peddler left me in your way," said
+the Umbrella, meekly. "Only I cannot help it."</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure not," said the Kettle. "You look like an old traveller,
+friend; will you tell us something of yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," replied the Umbrella, and began his history:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_AN_UMBRELLA" id="THE_STORY_OF_AN_UMBRELLA"></a>THE STORY OF AN UMBRELLA.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"You will hardly believe it when I say that I was once as handsome as an
+umbrella need to be; I am so faded and stained by old age or rough
+exposure now. Yet I actually was; for in the large manufactory where I
+was born, no stouter whalebone frame or finely carved handle could be
+found.</p>
+
+<p>"My ribs have been broken in several places since, and clumsily mended
+again, which naturally gives me a bungling appearance. Ah, well! beauty
+must fade.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember very well my début in life. I was standing in the rack of a
+larger shop, one fine summer morning, when a very natty young gentleman
+entered, and purchased me without delay.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, as I was inexperienced and foolish,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> I was only too glad to
+exchange the monotony of the warehouse for any novelty.</p>
+
+<p>"Allow me to remark, in commencing, that I have one complaint to urge
+against fate for having made me what I am. The life of an umbrella is a
+most aggravated form of slavery. One can never be sure of having a
+moment's peace. In stormy weather, no matter how heavily the rain falls,
+or the snow sleet drives, one must be on duty, shivering in wet corners
+neglected, or dragged out to brave the tempest again; while on clear
+days one may be under the bed, or behind the wardrobe likely
+enough,&mdash;that at least was my experience, but then my master was a
+bachelor.</p>
+
+<p>"I wondered what duty I should perform on this bright, pleasant morning;
+for there was not so much as a cloud in the sky to be seen. I soon
+discovered I was to be of service on an excursion of some kind; for the
+gentleman walked up an avenue leading to a handsome house, and upon the
+steps, under the clustering rose-vines, stood a fair lady, awaiting his
+arrival apparently.</p>
+
+<p>"Presently they drove away in a pretty basket carriage, drawn by a fat
+little pony, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> accompanied them, together with the luncheon parcels
+and fruit baskets.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a pleasant route along a shady road; and I amused myself
+listening to the conversation of the young people (it was of a very
+interesting nature to themselves!), or I flirted with the lady's
+parasol,&mdash;a dainty bit of silk that ruffled its lace flounce
+coquettishly upon the breeze, and showed the pink-tinted lining to
+advantage.</p>
+
+<p>"'You are extremely handsome,' I remarked to the Parasol.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes,' she replied complacently; 'I was imported from Paris, you know,
+and cost very dear, as my lace is <i>real</i>. But what are you doing here?'</p>
+
+<p>"'That I cannot tell myself,' I answered. 'Perhaps we shall know before
+the day is over.'</p>
+
+<p>"At length we reached the end of our drive; the master assisted his
+companion to alight; the luncheon, parasol, and myself, followed to
+where the grass bank, soft as velvet, sloped to the brink of a merry
+little brook, which sparkled laughingly in the sunlight for a time, then
+hid among the ferns that fringed the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"An umbrella never was exposed to more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> contempt than I received on that
+occasion. No sooner had my master brought me upon the scene, than the
+company began to laugh and jest. It seemed so absurd to these silly
+people, that I should be needed. Even the Parasol, resting in the lap of
+her mistress, smirked contemptuously at me where I stood disconsolately
+against a tree. For three long hours I remained unoccupied; while all
+the gay people strolled among the trees to gather wild flowers, or
+reclined in the shade to enjoy strawberries and ice-cream.</p>
+
+<p>"Gradually the sun became obscured behind masses of swiftly rising
+cloud; but no one noticed it except myself, and, as no refreshments were
+offered me, I had nothing better to do than to watch the change of the
+weather. Suddenly there sounded a peal of thunder, followed by a flash
+of lightning; then down pattered the rain, making delicious music among
+the leaves overhead.</p>
+
+<p>"I never felt so wicked in my life. I longed to dance, only an umbrella
+cannot do that without losing its balance. I longed to shout aloud, but
+an umbrella cannot do this either for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> the want of a pair of lungs. I
+spread my grateful shelter above the heads of the group to whom I
+belonged, and I even took the naughty Parasol under my protection, which
+was certainly a generous act, although one ought never to make a merit
+of such things: I should be ashamed to suspose any of my race would have
+behaved differently under the circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"There was no house or shelter at hand, and all the pretty pony
+carriages were no protection against the storm. How flabby the muslin
+dresses of the ladies became, how limp the white coats of the gentlemen,
+as they crowded under the shelter of the oak-trees pretending to think
+it very funny indeed! But they did not, I could see that plainly enough.
+The young ladies' hair came out of curl, and the brims of their hats
+were crushed out of shape from attempting to keep them dry; while the
+piles of frosted confectionery melted into a mass that might as well
+have been soaked brown paper, or any thing else tough and disagreeable.
+The strawberries tumbled about in crimson pyramids, followed by stray
+golden lemons; and cakes, with white caps on, popped out of their place,
+to join in the general ruin.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How proud I felt! Soft words and tender glances were exchanged by the
+young couple I protected; for I managed to screen them from the rest, so
+they could enjoy themselves the more.</p>
+
+<p>"'Dear Umbrella,' entreated the Parasol, 'do save my tassels; they are
+growing quite wet, and the color has changed.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes, indeed, Madam Butterfly: you are not good for much.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am so new to be thrown aside,' sobbed the Parasol. 'All for a stupid
+shower, too!'</p>
+
+<p>"'There, don't cry,' I urged. 'Your tassels can be changed or dyed.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Dyed!' shrieked the Parasol, indignantly. 'I hope I have not come to
+that.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Do not be so proud,' I said. 'You will certainly come to grief. At
+least men do, and I see no reason why the same rule should not apply to
+parasols as well.'</p>
+
+<p>"I have never seen the parasol, lady, or any of the gay company that
+laughed in the sunshine, or shivered in the rain since. I suppose my
+young master must have married the lady, for I saw him slip a beautiful
+diamond ring upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> her finger at the picnic. I hope they are all very
+happy, and that the frail parasol is still in existence; yet I have no
+means of knowing. Alas! an umbrella cannot move without being carried.</p>
+
+<p>"For a short time I resided in the young gentleman's apartments, where I
+formed some very pleasant acquaintances. There was a porcelain standard
+on the mantel-piece, holding a meerschaum pipe; and a tobacco vase, with
+a little Hindoo god perched on the lid. There was an embroidered
+smoking-cap with a gold tassel, hanging over the arm of a parian statue
+of Juno; a bronze clock, a silver-knobbed cane, and a riding-whip on the
+wall.</p>
+
+<p>"The smoking-cap and riding-whip were very spicy in their conversation,
+and waged continual war with the tobacco vase or pipe, who were true
+Germans.</p>
+
+<p>"'That stupid maid very nearly broke my head with the handle of her
+duster,' said Juno, angrily. 'My heart flutters still with the fright it
+gave me.'</p>
+
+<p>"'She soiled my lining with her dirty fingers, too,' said the
+smoking-cap.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Thank fortune! I do not require dusting, warbled the canary bird,
+spreading his golden feathers in the sunlight, and flirting a seed at
+the Hindoo god on the lid of the tobacco vase, who only grinned a
+broader smile at the attention.</p>
+
+<p>"'My face is cracked,' chimed in the pretty, good-natured clock; and at
+this, the canary bird, jealous of any sound save his own voice, poured
+forth a flood of music from his tiny throat.</p>
+
+<p>"'Hush!' rustled an ivy-plant, that drooped in graceful tendrils about
+the open window. 'We have not received the new-comer politely.'</p>
+
+<p>"'What new-comer? Oh, the Umbrella!'</p>
+
+<p>"'Yah, ze Umbrella,' echoed the meerschaum, speaking very broken
+English.</p>
+
+<p>"So they all welcomed me cordially, to my great relief; for I was
+beginning to feel dreadfully shy and awkward, not being accustomed to
+society. I endeavored to make myself agreeable, by describing to them
+the incident of the shower, at which they all laughed heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"My thoughts frequently revert to the life I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> led in that delightful
+home, where I was surrounded by so many refinements. Alas! it was too
+soon brought to a close. My master made a journey; and, although I had
+not the least idea of it, I accompanied him. I was scarcely allowed time
+to look farewell at the various inmates of the room; the clock and
+canary chirping good-by in duet, and I was gone.</p>
+
+<p>"I next found myself upon a large steamboat. Any thing more wretched
+than the night we passed there, I cannot imagine. I rolled about in the
+most uncomfortable fashion, the lights bobbing up and down, the cabin
+floor rocking giddily, and my careless master took no heed to my safety.</p>
+
+<p>"A tattered, rusty-looking man came prowling along, then, stooping over
+me, adroitly managed to drop a clumsy, cotton umbrella, and carry me off
+instead. What must have been my master's disgust, when he discovered
+that horrid, faded thing, instead of my slim, genteel self!</p>
+
+<p>"There was no help for it, because an umbrella cannot raise any outcry;
+so the thief took possession of me without struggle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We arrived in a large city; and I was carried ashore by the rusty man,
+who made his way along many narrow, dirty streets, to a small dingy
+shop, which he entered. It was a musty, dark place, crowded with
+many strange articles of sale, from mended furniture, silver
+watches, odd crockery, and picture frames, to china vases, and silk
+pocket-handkerchiefs.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, I was sold to the owner of the shop, a wrinkled, old man, with a
+white beard, who placed me in company with others of my class in a rack.
+At first I was too unhappy in my altered circumstances to attempt any
+conversation with those about me. The sun came peeping in the
+dust-stained window; and each stray, gilded beam seemed a blessing in
+that sad, gloomy place. How every thing brightened under the heavenly,
+glorifying touch! The wreaths of artificial flowers took the bright hues
+of life; and a gray parrot, in a battered cage, shook himself to peer
+about more cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"'How pleasant the sun is!' remarked the parrot. 'If it only would shine
+here all day, as it does in my native India, instead of creeping away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>
+over the roofs so soon, leaving us chill and dark again!'</p>
+
+<p>"Then I inquired, 'You have not lived here always?'</p>
+
+<p>"'I should rather think not,' retorted the parrot, sharply. 'Do you take
+me for a common bird, sir? I belonged to one of the best families at
+home; only it was my misfortune to be caught by a sailor, who brought me
+over the seas to this great city, when he was taken ill, poor fellow,
+and died. I heard him say I was to be a present for his sweetheart up in
+the country; but I never saw her, because the lodging-house woman sold
+me, with the rest of the sailor's effects, to the old Jew here.'</p>
+
+<p>"'As to that,' said a rosewood arm-chair, with a faded cover, 'I once
+adorned a magnificent drawing-room myself.'</p>
+
+<p>"' And we,' sighed a wreath of artificial roses, 'once nestled among the
+curls of beauty.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I was stolen,' said an alabaster vase, standing in graceful purity
+among the surrounding common objects.</p>
+
+<p>"'I was, also,' echoed a velvet portmonnaie,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> an ivory fan, and a
+crystal perfume-bottle, with silver top.</p>
+
+<p>"Then with the parrot for conductor, holding a bit of straw in his left
+claw, as the leader of an orchestra wields his bâton, they all commenced
+a song, the words of which were composed by the ivory fan, and set to
+music by the parrot.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i4">'Our varnish is cracked,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Our colors are worn,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">In this den we are packed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">All our glory is gone.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>Chorus</i>. We have seen better days,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Tra, la, la, tra, la, la.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"The parrot was so much affected by this sad yet beautiful composition,
+that he shed tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Just then the old Jew shopkeeper came to show the bird to a purchaser,
+but the parrot was most obstinate. He would not move or speak, although
+coaxed and even threatened to do so. The customer turned away, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'What a stupid bird! he does not speak a word.'</p>
+
+<p>"This touched our friend's pride, who cocked his head over his shoulder,
+and replied,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'I think the more.'</p>
+
+<p>"The customer was so much delighted, that he at once bought the parrot,
+who departed in triumph.</p>
+
+<p>"'I spoke because I thought I could not do worse than stay here,' he
+remarked, with a sage nod of the head.</p>
+
+<p>"Soon after, a little beggar-boy peeped into the door, and, as I stood
+near by, seized me. He did not know what to do with me; so, after riding
+on me as a hobby horse a while, he exchanged me with a larger boy for a
+green apple. It is said the wheel of fortune constantly revolves; and,
+if such is the case, my luck must have been very low just then. I was
+knocked about from one person to another. Now it was a boot-black owned
+me, now it was a news-vender, or perhaps for a space I belonged to a
+street sweep. At last I was taken from this miserable existence in the
+most curious way.</p>
+
+<p>"I tumbled out of the window in an attic where I had been carelessly
+left, and crashed down upon the pavement. I was severely injured in my
+whalebone parts, yet my ivory handle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> remained unbroken. For a long
+while I lay unnoticed; then an old lady, carrying a shawl and carpet-bag
+upon her arm, came along to rescue me. She took me a journey in the
+cars, and at last I saw the fresh, smiling country once more.</p>
+
+<p>"The old lady lived in a pretty cottage, surrounded by a pleasant
+garden, where the tulips and lilies nodded in the breeze all day long.
+The old lady was thrifty, so she had my ribs mended by some village
+tinker; but it was not well done, which accounts for the loss of my fine
+figure.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a delightful home,&mdash;every thing was so neat about it; and I
+should have been contented to remain there all my life, had I been
+consulted.</p>
+
+<p>"The old lady's nephew came home from school for a holiday; and, after
+shocking our nerves in that quiet spot a week, he departed again, in a
+rain-storm. The good aunt insisted upon my being made use of, although
+the young master did not wish it at all. When the rain ceased, he
+carelessly threw me out by the road-side,&mdash;then drove on to his
+destination.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I remained in the ditch several days, all soaked and muddy as you now
+see me. Finally the peddler, who is stopping here to-night, discovered
+me, while he was driving his wagon slowly along, and raised me from my
+lowly position.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know where I may go next," said the Umbrella, mournfully. "We
+are all born, but we are not all dead, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"A new thought, certainly," remarked the Kettle, drowsily. "Follow an
+umbrella from the cradle to the grave."</p>
+
+<p>It was now time for the Wasp to distinguish himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I can repeat something, in the fairy-tale style, which was told me by
+Mother Carey's chicken, when we were waiting for the nestling to grow
+strong enough for us to make our journey. It is:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_GODMOTHERS_GIFTS" id="THE_GODMOTHERS_GIFTS"></a>THE GODMOTHER'S GIFTS.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"On the edge of the wood there once lived a poor woman, and her three
+children. On the opposite bank of the broad clear river rose the king's
+palace of marble, with a flag floating proudly from the battlements; but
+the poor woman's children never had crossed the river, or dared to
+venture into the magnificent gardens which surrounded the royal
+residence. Ah, no! they were too poor for that.</p>
+
+<p>"This made the widow's heart very heavy at times, when she watched the
+setting sun gild the arched dome, and silken pennant, or make the lofty
+windows flash in a thousand glittering sparkles of light, in answer to
+his golden beams.</p>
+
+<p>"'My children are as handsome and good as any that visit there,' she
+said to herself. Yes, even as brave as the king's son and daughters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>
+themselves, no doubt; yet I can never earn enough to give them fine
+clothes, so they just have to stay alone in the woods. To-morrow is the
+great festival, when all are at liberty to bring some curiosity, for
+which they will receive a prize, if it prove the most worthy, from his
+majesty. What have my little ones to display?'</p>
+
+<p>"She called them to her and said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'A distant relation of your father's, who is a fairy, was present at
+your birth, my dears. Perhaps she may visit you again, sometime; so if
+any person should call in my absence, treat them very politely. Remember
+that fairies are easily vexed.'</p>
+
+<p>"Soon after the mother departed to the mill, and the children seated
+themselves under a large tree to enjoy their breakfast of brown bread
+and milk.</p>
+
+<p>"Across the water the king's children, all glistening in jewels and
+embroidery, were plucking fruit from the laden boughs, or tossing
+flowers to one another in fragrant showers.</p>
+
+<p>"'What fun that must be!' exclaimed the poor woman's son Small, his
+little round face dimpled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> with laughter. 'I should like to marry the
+princess in a blue scarf.'</p>
+
+<p>"'She is not so handsome as her sister with the red net over her black
+curls,' said the older brother, Perke.</p>
+
+<p>"'For my part, the young prince seems perfection,' added Elfie.</p>
+
+<p>"At this they all laughed together, and finished the brown bread. A
+black hawk paused on outspread wings in the air, and dropped a large
+gold ring from his beak, which fell to the ground near the children.
+Before they could stoop to touch it, from within the circle sprang three
+tulips, rising on slender, enamelled stalks, their gorgeous variegated
+buds closed.</p>
+
+<p>"'There is one a-piece, any way,' said Perke, plucking one.</p>
+
+<p>"Small and Elfie did the same.</p>
+
+<p>"'Let us save them until mother returns,' said the sister.</p>
+
+<p>"'It must be a gift from our godmother,' whispered Small, wisely.</p>
+
+<p>"'I shall see what mine contains,' said Perke, boldly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He pulled at the folded leaves, but they resisted all his endeavors,
+and clung firmly together.</p>
+
+<p>"Small concluded to hold his bud under the spring that gurgled into a
+mossy basin, yet it did not open for the crystal drops that fringed it
+with fragrant dew.</p>
+
+<p>"Then little Elfie pressed her warm lips gently upon the tulip, and like
+magic it flew open, disclosing a tiny gold trumpet.</p>
+
+<p>"Her brothers then kissed their flowers as well, and found each to
+contain a similar gift.</p>
+
+<p>"Within the golden circle now sprang up still another tulip, which
+opened of its own accord, and forth stepped a quaint little figure. She
+wore a red-peaked cap, high-heeled shoes, and a tight-laced bodice. Her
+hair was bright yellow, and the tip of her sharp nose had a blue tinge,
+which would have been unbecoming to any other person than a fairy. Her
+carriage consisted of a sweet-pea blossom, drawn by two spirited
+cockchafers. The children could not but admire the skilful manner in
+which she handled the ribbons and whip, made of a spider's leg,
+ornamented with tassels.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Here I am at last, dears,' said Madam Pug briskly. 'Whoa! Trot is a
+most vicious bug. Be still, sir!'</p>
+
+<p>"'Are you our godmother?' asked Elfie, timidly.</p>
+
+<p>"'Certainly,' answered the fairy, putting on her spectacles, the better
+to examine them.</p>
+
+<p>"'You have grown to be nice, plump children; I hope no giant may catch
+and eat you up. I am here to grant whatever you may wish, which can be
+obtained by blowing the request through the trumpets to be found in the
+flowers. Use the power wisely; so that, when I come again, I may find
+the gift has proved a blessing instead of a curse.'</p>
+
+<p>"She then cracked her whip, hoisted a tiny umbrella, which served the
+purpose of a sail as she rose in the air, and the cockchafers spread
+their wings.</p>
+
+<p>"'It is slow travelling along the rough earth,' she remarked, when she
+reached a level with the children's noses, 'so I will fly for a time,
+especially as important business calls me to the North Pole just now.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The children were left to examine their trumpets, and look at each
+other in wonder at the good fortune which had befallen them. What do you
+suppose they at once did?</p>
+
+<p>"'First, let us wish for clothes handsomer than those of the royal
+family across the water,' proposed Elfie.</p>
+
+<p>"They blew through the trumpets, and instantly their coarse garments
+were changed to magnificent satin and velvet, with fringes of lace,
+pearls, and silver tassels. They could do nothing but caper about in the
+sunshine, now admiring each other's plumed caps, now comparing shoes on
+which sparkled radiant jewels, until the court paused to watch their
+bright forms, in amazement; for, in the distance, the poor widow's
+children resembled brilliant meteors flashing about among the trees.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now let us wish for a boat, to visit the palace before mother
+returns,' cried Small.</p>
+
+<p>"The next moment saw them speeding across the water in the most
+beautiful little boat imaginable. It was made of ivory, lined with a
+delicate pink shading, like the cavities of sea-shells,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> and a sail of
+pink silk, held by gold cords, expanded like a rose-leaf to the soft
+breeze. The court clapped their hands at the wonderful sight.</p>
+
+<p>"All at once the children looked down at themselves: they wore their
+rough clothes again, which only seemed the uglier from contrast with the
+elegant ship.</p>
+
+<p>"'We can never visit his majesty in these rags,' said Elfie. 'Let us
+wish for even more splendid dresses than those we just had on the bank.'</p>
+
+<p>"White robes spangled with diamond drops enveloped them; but the boat
+glided from beneath their feet at the same time, leaving them to sink
+through the water to the very river bed. This brought them unexpectedly
+into the presence of the river fairy, a sworn enemy of their godmother,
+who caressed them, and coiled her floating hair about them in slender
+rings, which served to bind them captives.</p>
+
+<p>"'Stay with me always,' coaxed the river spirit, in her sweet voice;
+'life is so pleasant under the cool, clear waters here.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I like the sunshine better,' said Small, rubbing his eyes with two
+chubby little fists.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'You can bask on the surface,' laughed the fairy. 'Come with me to the
+neighboring ocean and see all the wonderful forms one can assume.'</p>
+
+<p>"She gathered them in her arms, and swept down the stream swiftly until
+the ocean opened broad gates of welcome, and she paused on the threshold
+of the great deep. She waved her fair arms, and a forest of sea-weeds,
+some thick-stemmed as trees, others mere tangles of silky threads, rose
+before them. In shaded nooks scuttled crabs, looking like awkward
+spiders; marine worms twined about in ribbons of green or brown; and
+upon the drooping fronds clung gorgeous mollusks, their variegated
+shells displaying the fringed edge of no less gorgeous mantles.</p>
+
+<p>"'If you would rather swim about than live at the bottom, look at the
+fishes,' said the water spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"'Forthwith approached a finny host. The whale cleaved the waters with
+his powerful tail; the sword-fish flashed swiftly past followed by the
+stealthy white shark, who showed his terrible teeth. Then came the
+graceful dolphin, quivering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> in long tracts of silvery light, the
+indolent porpoise, the handsome salmon, the greedy cod, the pretty
+mackerel, and a countless multitude of beautiful fish, their scales
+tinged with a golden lustre, or dyed in crimson and purple tints.</p>
+
+<p>"Little Elfie clapped her hands when she beheld some lovely medusæ
+dancing lightly along on the surface, their feathery tentacles drifting
+idly on the current; so the fairy changed her to a crystal globe of a
+jelly-fish, propelled by several tiny oars, like spun glass, that
+reflected all colors of the rainbow in flashing motion.</p>
+
+<p>"'O you silly bubble!' exclaimed Small; 'I had rather be a herring than
+that,' and he immediately began to swim about a pretty herring.</p>
+
+<p>"'As to that, I believe I should like to try a state of lobsterhood,'
+said Perke; and his desire was at once gratified. The thoughtless
+children had forgotten the importance of retaining their magic trumpets,
+in case they should ever need them again; so, when they changed forms,
+the godmother's gifts were carelessly allowed to sink to the bottom, and
+the water spirit laughed triumphantly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Now I have you, Madam Pug,' she said to herself. 'Your pets are in the
+sea; let me see you reclaim them.'</p>
+
+<p>"The trumpets lay on the bottom beside a rock, where there lived a
+colony of oysters. The oysters are good-natured, save when a hungry
+star-fish pokes a ray into their shells to scoop out the
+delicious-flavored inmate; then they are very apt to close the doors
+smartly with a sudden clap that snips off the intruder's paw, leaving
+the star-fish to hobble away, and grow a new one. The grandfather of the
+colony had listened to all that transpired between the fairy and her
+visitors with much interest; and now that the trumpets fell to the
+bottom, he began to wonder how they were to be rescued from harm.</p>
+
+<p>"Presently a cockle came skipping gayly along by means of a beautiful
+scarlet foot, protruded from between the valves of the shell for the
+purpose of locomotion; and the grandfather oyster hailed him for a chat.</p>
+
+<p>"'If you would only push the trumpets nearer we might swallow them,'
+urged the former, when he had explained matters.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Wait a bit,' said the cockle, 'until I fetch a few of my brothers, who
+are prowling about here somewhere.'</p>
+
+<p>"He darted off, and soon returned with the requisite assistance. So the
+cockles nimbly pushed and rolled the trumpets close to the oysters.</p>
+
+<p>"'Can you accommodate the others, my sons?' inquired the grandfather of
+two no less plump children.</p>
+
+<p>"'It will be inconvenient; still'&mdash;here the little waves gathered in a
+sparkling heap, and swept the trumpets into the oysters' mouths; who,
+with a gulp or two, succeeded in swallowing them. None too soon was all
+this labor accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>"The fairy amused herself watching the children for a while, and then
+she despatched some of her attendants to search for Madam Pug's gifts. A
+rare search they made of it, too. The tiny courtiers, clothed in rainbow
+frills and scales, poked about everywhere, peering into the anemones'
+mouths, which made the sea-flowers very angry, as they were not used to
+such liberties; tumbling the crabs about, and pushing the lazy
+flat-fish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> into motion. They even knocked on the oysters' houses with
+their little knuckles; but the oysters said never a word, so they were
+obliged to relinquish the search, and return to their queen.</p>
+
+<p>"Elfie and her brother splashed about, thinking it great fun to live in
+the sea. One day they altered their minds; and this is how it all
+happened:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Perke, the lobster, became very hungry (lobsters are generally hungry);
+and he sniffed about in search of food, until he smelt a most savory
+odor, which proceeded from a wicker sort of cage, that bobbed up and
+down in the most tempting manner. Had Perke been born a lobster, his
+mother would probably have taught him wisdom. Not knowing any better, he
+now swam about until he discovered a neat tunnel just large enough to
+admit him, and leading straight to the meat he coveted. In he slipped
+for a nibble; but, having entered, he found to his sorrow he could not
+get out again; so there he sat, looking out through the slats, as
+miserable an object as one would wish to behold, when Small came darting
+by.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Oh! why did we ever leave home?' groaned Perke.</p>
+
+<p>"'Hulloa!' exclaimed his brother, pausing. 'How did you get there?'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am caught in a trap,' cried Perke. 'When the fisherman hauls me up,
+I shall be boiled alive and eaten.'</p>
+
+<p>"Small flashed up to the surface, where Elfie was sporting with her
+companions, and said, dryly,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'It is all very pleasant for you; but, in the mean while, Perke is a
+captive down yonder.'</p>
+
+<p>"'I am so sorry,' said Elfie. 'How can we free him?'</p>
+
+<p>"The tender-hearted sister began to cry; and the other jelly-fish, who
+were tender-hearted also, began to cry from sheer sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"'I will go to the fairy, and beg her to change them,' sobbed Elfie.</p>
+
+<p>"'It will do no good,' sobbed the jelly-fish chorus, in reply; 'she is
+so cruel.'</p>
+
+<p>"Tears made Small, the mackerel, nervous, as they would have done Small,
+the boy. He determined to find the trumpets, which could alone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> relieve
+them from the present trouble; and, accordingly, dived to the bottom,
+where, of course, he did not find them.</p>
+
+<p>"At last the oysters took compassion upon his sorrow,&mdash;for he feared
+Perke might be taken at any moment by the fishermen,&mdash;and opened their
+shells, when out rolled the trumpets.</p>
+
+<p>"Small did not recognize them: they were covered by a coating of
+mother-o'-pearl. When it was explained, he was overjoyed at his good
+fortune in recovering them at all. He also thanked the oysters warmly
+for their kindness.</p>
+
+<p>"'We have not eaten any thing; we were afraid to open our mouths,' said
+the grandfather. 'Still a fast, now and then, does one no harm.'</p>
+
+<p>"In less time than it takes to write the fact, Small had taken one
+trumpet in his mouth, and rejoined Perke, who eagerly seized it, in one
+claw, through the bars of his cage.</p>
+
+<p>"'Wait five minutes for Elfie and I, then wish yourself out of the
+water,' advised the zealous little brother, hastening back for his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>
+sister's trumpet, which he presented in the same way.</p>
+
+<p>"Simultaneously the children wished themselves out of the water. The
+desire was gratified certainly, for they were suspended between heaven
+and earth, held by some invisible chain, the links of which bound them
+firmly; yet they felt a terrible fear of being dashed headlong on the
+sharp-pointed rocks below. There they swayed about, the sun laughing at
+them, the winds tossing them on every breath, and the birds swooping in
+giddy circles over their heads.</p>
+
+<p>"'Let us wish for land,' said Elfie.</p>
+
+<p>"They closed their eyes, blew through the trumpets, and then their feet
+rested on a firm surface once more.</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, I am so glad!' laughed Elfie.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they had land; but such a land! Not a tree; not a spring of fresh,
+cool water; not a blade of green grass; only a barren wilderness, a
+dreary waste. The children toiled along wearily, yet they seemed to make
+no progress towards a fairer landscape; for as far as the eye could see
+stretched the blank of earth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'What shall we do next?' asked Perke, in perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"'Let us go home. Mother will advise us,' said Small; and, with the aid
+of Madam Pug's gifts, they again stood at the door of their humble
+cottage, which had never looked so pleasant to them before. Their mother
+was not in the house; but they saw her coming along the road, bending
+under the weight of the meal-bag, from the mill.</p>
+
+<p>"They had not been absent a day, and so much had happened! The two
+little sons ran to her assistance, bearing between them the bag of meal;
+and, as they did so, Small inserted his trumpet into a fold of it,
+whispering,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'I wish this meal might be changed into a feast for my poor mother.'</p>
+
+<p>"When they entered the door, Perke wished, 'Let us have a fine large
+table, if you please.'</p>
+
+<p>"The mother looked at him in surprise; and then she saw that something
+unusual had occurred during her absence, for a spacious table of
+polished rosewood occupied the centre of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"'I should like an arm-chair,' said Elfie; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> when it appeared, they
+seated the astonished mother in it, suffering her tired frame to enjoy
+luxury and ease.</p>
+
+<p>"Next, they emptied the meal-bag of its contents, and Small's bright
+eyes danced with delight at the fulfilment of his wish. Such savory
+viands! such puffs and tarts of delicate pastry! such delicious fruits
+and sweet-perfumed flower garlands! such tempting nuts, and many-colored
+candies in all manner of fantastic shapes,&mdash;pink horses, lemon castles,
+green birds, and blue ships,&mdash;had never before been seen in the widow's
+cottage. She did not forget those who were poor; so, reserving some of
+the choice articles of the feast, the mother sent her children to many
+neighbors, who would have otherwise gone to bed supperless.</p>
+
+<p>"When all this was done, the children gave a long history of their
+adventures beneath the waters. The mother uttered a prayer of gratitude
+for their safe return; then she said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Your godmother wished to test your character. One desire brings
+another always. Vanity caused all your troubles; you wished to be as
+handsome as the king's children, and the boat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> vanished, as you have
+described. Give me the trumpets, and learn to be happy without them.'</p>
+
+<p>"They did as she desired, only, first, Elfie begged to have one more
+wish gratified. What do you suppose it was? Why, that night the mother
+slept in a soft bed of eider down, with satin curtains, and an
+embroidered coverlet fit for a duchess, while the children sought their
+pallets of straw, light-hearted and happy, thinking how comfortable she
+was.</p>
+
+<p>"All this pleased Madam Pug, who had heard of it from her trusty allies
+the gnats; and she now came flying along in the moonlight, mounted on a
+moth. She crept through the keyhole leaving her moth outside; and the
+water spirit changed herself into an ugly gray bat for the purpose of
+devouring Madam Pug's horse: so that she had to sit on the chimney all
+night, after paying the visit, until one of the gnats had flown away for
+another moth. This made the water spirit, down under the waves, laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Having entered the cottage, Madam Pug squeezed a drop of some precious
+balsam out of a diminutive flask upon the eyelids of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> slumbering
+godchildren, which served to make their dreams pleasant, and would
+prepare them for any disappointment the next day. She next looked about
+to see what was to be done afterward, and espied the trumpets on the
+shelf, where the careful mother had placed them. These the fairy changed
+to three little boxes, one of a rusty steel, another of lead, and the
+third of iron; then, placing them on the children's pillows, crept out
+by the keyhole to perch on the chimney, as I have said, to await the
+arrival of another moth-charger.</p>
+
+<p>"Next morning Elfie and her brothers peeped into the boxes, and found
+each to contain a small cake. On the cakes were baked these words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<h4>FOR THE KING'S FESTIVAL.</h4>
+
+<p>"The godmother gave them no donation of handsome clothes this time; so
+the mother, after dressing them fresh and clean, sent them away on the
+journey. Elfie plucked a few wild roses on the way, which Perke twined
+among her curls for a head-dress.</p>
+
+<p>"They were ferried across the river in a royal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> barge, with other
+guests, and then found themselves before the gates of the king's palace.
+A vast crowd of people thronged the way, bringing rare gifts; and all
+were finely robed, except the poor widow's children. The soldiers
+presented the glittering points of their lances, asking rudely,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'What do you bring?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Curiosities to show the king,' replied Small, bravely.</p>
+
+<p>"'What if there should be nothing in the cakes, after all,' remarked
+Perke.</p>
+
+<p>"'Let us open them and see,' proposed Elfie.</p>
+
+<p>"'No,' said Perke. 'Wait until we are in the presence of the court.'</p>
+
+<p>"The palace now rose before them, and was even more splendid than they
+had supposed. Entering an archway, the children paused in a spacious
+apartment, the dome of which was supported on marble pillars, wrought
+with flowers. The king occupied a throne of mosaic-work, under a canopy
+of crimson velvet. He wore a stiff mantle of some rich material, had a
+long, yellow beard, and such fierce eyes, that little Elfie trembled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>
+when he looked at her. Perke and Small said they did not mind it much.</p>
+
+<p>"First, there approached an old woman, black as ebony, with a gorgeous
+yellow turban on her head, a broad purple sash about her waist, and red
+slippers on her feet. She was a very gay old African lady indeed. In her
+hand she carried a shrine of beautiful, fragrant wood; and from it she
+took an idol of pure amber, carved with marvellous skill.</p>
+
+<p>"Next, came an old man, with bent form and silver hair, who drew a case
+from his girdle, and displayed, to the delight of the whole court, a
+ruby the size of a hen's egg of so brilliant a color that it filled the
+palace with a soft, rosy glow.</p>
+
+<p>"Upon this, a young man hastened forward to hold up before the throne a
+diamond chain of rare purity, that absorbed the lustre of the ruby's
+splendor, and twinkled like pendent dew-drops.</p>
+
+<p>"Others brought precious stones also, sapphires, amethysts, and
+emeralds, until it would seem as though the world had been sifted for
+the costliest gems. Then there were urns of pungent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> spices, censers of
+incense, keen-tempered weapons, cloth-of-gold, heavy damask, and
+specimens of lace.</p>
+
+<p>"What seemed to Small the most wonderful thing, was a scroll of tapestry
+upon which appeared moving figures, weaving into fantastic forms.
+Whatever the king desired to see rehearsed, was there depicted.</p>
+
+<p>"Afterward approached a fair lady, wearing a green gauze mantle, from
+which dripped little rills of water with a musical splash, and wherever
+they fell upon the pavement there formed pearls. She displayed a snake
+that twined his enamelled body about in graceful coils, at her bidding,
+and even licked the king's foot,&mdash;an act of homage which made his
+majesty rather nervous. The children recognized their enemy, the water
+spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"It now came their turn, and they advanced, the water spirit smiling
+maliciously all the time. When they opened the boxes, each cake said, in
+a smothered little voice,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Break me!'</p>
+
+<p>"This they did, when lo! out of Elfie's stepped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> a goat, wearing a broad
+gold collar, and holding a tambourine. He walked up to the throne on his
+hind legs, and made a very profound bow. At this everybody laughed; but
+what was their astonishment to behold a quaint monkey emerge from
+Small's box, with a smart cravat on, and carrying a cocked hat under one
+paw. The monkey, instead of following the goat's ceremonious example,
+leaped upon Small's shoulder, put on his hat, and winked at the king in
+so droll a manner as to entirely disarm any wrath at his impertinence.</p>
+
+<p>"As for Perke, a bird was already perched upon his finger, whose plumage
+resembled spun gold, relieved by an emerald green crest, and patch upon
+the breast.</p>
+
+<p>"'What can your animals do to amuse me?' inquired the king.</p>
+
+<p>"'If it please your highness,' said the goat, 'the bird will sing while
+we dance.'</p>
+
+<p>"The king assenting, the bird began to sing a lively air; and the other
+two executed a quadrille in excellent style, the goat gracefully tapping
+his tambourine with one hoof to the music.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> Nor was this the full extent
+of their accomplishments; for the three then performed a tragedy, in
+which the bird was a stern father, the goat his daughter, and the
+monkey, who was naturally the best actor, took several parts, with
+admirable skill.</p>
+
+<p>"All this would have been very amusing, only that the proud king could
+not forget that the children belonged only to a poor widow after all.
+Perhaps they might have received some prize, as a token of royal favor,
+had not the water spirit's snake darted forward, hissing spitefully, and
+twined about them.</p>
+
+<p>"The monkey seized the monster by the throat with his little black paws,
+the bird pecked at its eyes, and the goat rapped the tambourine over its
+head with a right good-will.</p>
+
+<p>"Thus defended, the children escaped from the palace safely, still
+accompanied by their favorites.</p>
+
+<p>"'Dear children,' said the bird, as they approached home once more, 'do
+not be disappointed that the king has treated you with no more kindness.
+Madam Pug allows us to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> remain with you so long as you are good, and
+find happiness in the home God has given you.'</p>
+
+<p>"'We can have a great deal more fun here than with those stupid people
+in the palace yonder,' added the monkey, cutting a caper. 'The goat and
+I can dance all day for your amusement.'</p>
+
+<p>"'As to that,' said the goat, stroking his beard gravely, 'we might do
+something more profitable.'</p>
+
+<p>"These were the godmother's gifts after all, which, in course of time,
+became famous throughout the country. If any thing was stolen, the
+monkey could detect the thief at once. If any debate arose among the
+wise men, the goat could settle the argument to their satisfaction, for
+he was classically educated. If any person was ill, the bird could
+prescribe for them, as he was skilled in the knowledge of medicine.</p>
+
+<p>"The king could never obtain these three with all the wealth in the
+world."</p>
+
+<p>The Wasp went his way again, the Caterpillar and Spider did the same,
+leaving the others alone as before.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Saucepan's day was over, and the Teapot was so badly cracked as to
+be unfit for use.</p>
+
+<p>One day, as the Kettle was swinging lazily on the hook in the chimney, a
+lovely butterfly, with wings like shaded brown velvet, poised on a
+rose-spray outside the window. It was the Caterpillar transformed!</p>
+
+<p>The Kettle called to the Cricket, but he did not find his crutch in time
+to hobble out (for he was growing infirm) before the butterfly had
+flitted out into the sunshine again.</p>
+
+
+<h4>THE END.</h4>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Cricket's Friends, by Virginia W. Johnson
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cricket's Friends, by Virginia W. Johnson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Cricket's Friends
+       Tales Told by the Cricket, Teapot, and Saucepan
+
+Author: Virginia W. Johnson
+
+Release Date: August 21, 2011 [EBook #37147]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS.
+
+                                    Tales told
+
+                      _BY THE CRICKET, TEAPOT, AND SAUCEPAN_
+
+                                BY COUSIN VIRGINIA.
+
+
+    NEW YORK:
+    WORTHINGTON CO.,
+    747 BROADWAY.
+    1888.
+
+    Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
+    NICHOLS AND NOYES,
+    in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
+    Massachusetts.
+
+    Press of J.J. Little & Co.,
+    Astor Place, New York.
+
+    TO
+    Minnie Slack,
+    with all fresh young hearts and loving souls akin to her's, this
+    little book is dedicated,
+    BY COUSIN VIRGINIA.
+
+
+My little friends, who read the first volume of the "Kettle Club" last
+Christmas, will remember an allusion to the introduction of new members
+this year. Their history will here be presented.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    THE TRAVELLED SPIDER                  14
+
+    THE AMBITIOUS WASP                    41
+
+    THE DISAPPOINTED CATERPILLAR          73
+
+    THE FOUR SILVER PEACHES               82
+
+    GOING MAYING                         101
+
+    GRANDPAPA MOUSE AND HIS FAMILY       116
+
+    THE ENCHANTED BABY-HOUSE             152
+
+    THE STORY OF AN UMBRELLA             179
+
+    THE GODMOTHER'S GIFTS                194
+
+
+
+
+THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS.
+
+
+The Club were all curiosity for some time to see the new members who
+were to be introduced into the select circle.
+
+"I am afraid of spiders," remarked the Teapot, with a lady-like shiver.
+
+"If a caterpillar touched me, I should run a mile," exclaimed the
+Saucepan.
+
+"None of them can reach me," laughed the Kettle with a gurgle of
+satisfaction.
+
+At last the Cricket marched the strangers in one night, and gave them
+places about the hearth.
+
+"Allow me," said he, flourishing his right feeler in the air, "to
+introduce to you, friends, some very distinguished additions to our
+number,--the travelled Spider, the disappointed Caterpillar, and the
+ambitious Wasp."
+
+"How do you all do?" inquired the Kettle very politely, for the Saucepan
+and Teapot seemed rather stiff in their manners.
+
+"Very well, thank you," growled the Spider.
+
+"Quite so," croaked the Caterpillar.
+
+"In excellent spirits," echoed the Wasp, folding his gauzy wings in a
+satisfied way.
+
+"If it is agreeable to the rest, I propose your all joining the Club,"
+continued the Cricket briskly.
+
+"Certainly," assented the Kettle; "the more the merrier, you know."
+
+"I think we should be extremely careful about admitting strangers to our
+circle, unless they bring letters of introduction," said the Teapot
+primly.
+
+As for the Saucepan, she contented herself with looking sideways at the
+Caterpillar, and coughing contemptuously. This was not very pleasant; so
+the Cricket trotted up to the two rebellious members, and gave them a
+pretty sharp lecture upon the laws of courtesy and good breeding, which
+served effectually to make them ashamed of themselves. The visitors now
+became angry, and began to talk together of leaving without delay,
+which naturally distressed the good-hearted president, who was so much
+affected by a desire to do something pleasant, that he swung himself
+wildly upon the hook, and thereby sprinkled those below with a stream of
+scalding water.
+
+"Mercy!" shrieked the Wasp, dancing on one foot in an agony.
+
+"Oh, my back!" groaned the Caterpillar, rolling himself about in a ball.
+
+"What ails you, Kettle?" cried the poor Cricket, running about with his
+eye almost put out from receiving a whole drop in it. "Do keep your hot
+water to yourself."
+
+The Spider alone was unhurt; so he merely shook himself, and sat
+chuckling at the discomfiture of the others.
+
+After doing all this mischief, the Kettle subsided, with many meek
+apologies.
+
+"We can give you references enough, if that is all you want," said the
+Wasp snappishly; "but we had better leave, I think, comrades, before we
+have another hot bath. My hind leg is completely disabled."
+
+"Do not go," urged the Cricket. "We should enjoy your society so much, I
+am sure, when we become better acquainted."
+
+The three visitors looked at each other in silence for a time; then the
+Spider said,--
+
+"I have just returned home, and, as it is so near, I do not mind running
+in to spend the evening; so I will join the Club."
+
+"I will also," said the Caterpillar in a dismal tone of voice, "only I
+am not very good company for any one now."
+
+"Dear me," said the Wasp, airily, "I shall not promise to remain any
+longer than I am amused."
+
+The Teapot and Saucepan became more amiable in their behavior as the
+evening advanced, and the Cricket hastened to assure the new-comers that
+references, other than their evident respectability of appearance, were
+entirely unnecessary. They insisted upon producing testimony, however.
+
+The Caterpillar took from his throat, about which it was twisted like a
+cravat, a bit of green rose-leaf, and handed it to the Cricket, who read
+aloud,--
+
+     "I can certify that my esteemed friend, the Caterpillar, will prove
+     a charming addition to any circle.
+
+     "GRASSHOPPER, Jr."
+
+The Wasp then passed a lump of wax to the chairman, with these words
+pecked upon it:--
+
+     "I cordially recommend our neighbor Wasp to the society of all
+     intelligent people, as a most refined and agreeable companion.
+
+     "A. TITMOUSE, Esq."
+
+The Spider alone of the three gave no letter, but said coolly,--
+
+"I have seen plenty of the world, yet I have never troubled myself with
+such nonsense as cards."
+
+"You will not find ceremonies of the kind necessary here," remarked the
+Cricket, with a severe glance at the Teapot. "Perhaps you will tell us
+something of your adventures, however.
+
+"I do not mind doing so at all," returned the Spider, gathering up his
+long legs into a more comfortable position.
+
+
+
+
+THE TRAVELLED SPIDER.
+
+
+I was born in the cellar of this very house, and, for a delightful,
+spidery residence, I know of no place to equal the dark, dust-stained
+window ledge where I first drew breath. After a long period of absence,
+I find my early home has lost none of its charms. This is the case with
+men as well as spiders, I am told. The American thinks there is no river
+in the world so grand as the great Mississippi; the Frenchman none so
+beautiful as the Seine; the Englishman none so famous as the Thames; the
+German as the Rhine; and the Egyptian as the sacred Nile,--because home
+is represented by each.
+
+"So, too, with me the cellar window has rare attractions: there one can
+spin a dainty web to snare the silly flies and gnats, when they come
+dancing along, for supper. Never believe the life of a spider is an
+easy one, though: that is an altogether false idea. We work hard enough,
+although we wear such good armor, and have such sharp, strong claws; for
+we live by our wits, and a dull, stupid spider has but a poor chance of
+it. First, one has to be on the watch for stray morsels of food, to be
+ready for a pounce; then one's net may become torn in some way so as to
+require mending; or a wandering spider comes prowling along to try and
+conquer a home without the trouble of making it: so between all these
+cares there is little leisure time to spare. The class to which I belong
+does not have the constant labor that falls to the share of some of our
+cousins, who spin their webs from trees, or festoon them about verandas
+and other exposed localities, where the wind often blows them about so
+roughly, that they are obliged to suspend bits of wood and stone to the
+corners to maintain an equilibrium. I have some other relatives, to
+think of whom alone is enough to warm any spider's heart with pride.
+
+"Foremost of these ranks the scorpion of warmer climates, where it
+creeps into sheltered crannies under every stone or sandy bank, even
+inhabiting boots and gloves. When disturbed, out it pounces, with an
+angry snap of the claws and a savage whisk of the tail, ready for some
+mischief, you may be sure.
+
+"Ah, I wish I was a scorpion, instead of a mere ordinary spider! But
+then every one cannot be great, after all.
+
+"Well, even the scorpion is foolish sometimes, as I will presently tell
+you. It lives in burrows, which it digs in the ground, the entrance
+being formed to the exact size of the insect. By the shape of the hole
+people discover the residence, and, when they wish to destroy the
+inmate, they pour some water down, to see if the scorpion is at home.
+The scorpion detests water; and it no sooner feels the stream trickling
+through the opening, than out it rushes, to see what is the matter. To
+drive a spade into the hole and kill the scorpion is then an easy task.
+
+"There is still another mode of destroying these princes of our race. A
+circle of smouldering ashes is made around the burrow, and the scorpion,
+after running for some minutes about the space inclosed, and seeing no
+means of escape from the ring of fire, invariably bends its tail up over
+the back, and inserting the point between two segments of the body,
+stings itself to death.
+
+"I have another powerful relative, to be found in South America. This is
+a large hairy spider, two inches long in body, and seven inches with
+expanded legs. Only fancy such a size! I should be a mere pigmy in
+comparison. This spider is so powerful that it can kill small birds, by
+entangling them in a strong web. Think of that!" cried the Spider,
+hugging himself with satisfaction.
+
+"You need not turn up your broken nose, Madame Teapot: we are all
+murderers; still we do any amount of good, after all, in destroying
+insects that would otherwise cause much trouble."
+
+"I don't believe a word of what you say," interrupted the Saucepan. "A
+spider kill a bird, indeed! Nobody ever heard of such a thing."
+
+"My dear," interposed the Teapot scornfully, feeling very much angered
+at the allusion to her nose made by the ill-bred stranger, "great
+travellers always tell fine stories."
+
+"While you stay at home, and, seeing nothing, doubt what we say,"
+retorted the Spider half angrily.
+
+"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed the Cricket impatiently, "shall we never have
+peace? I was so much interested in your recital, friend, that an
+interruption seems very annoying indeed."
+
+"I am glad to find you a Cricket of such large views," replied the
+Spider politely; "so I will proceed, if it affords you any pleasure. My
+mother had much more experience of the outside world than any of her
+neighbors, and, when I was still young, she talked with my father one
+night about my future prospects in life. I remember that we children
+were in the nursery--a silken tube, very soft and warm for our tender
+bodies--when I overheard her remarks.
+
+"'I cannot consent that my eldest son should settle down here at home,
+when there is so much to be seen that will improve his mind,' she said.
+
+"'That is foolish,' returned my father wisely. 'He will only fall into
+all manner of mischief, and he cannot make himself any thing but a house
+spider after all.'
+
+"I never slept a wink afterward, that night; and soon after I gained the
+consent of my parents to start on my travels.
+
+"I had an easier time than most insects would enjoy, in leaving the
+shelter of their homes. When I was in danger I could generally trust
+that my long legs would carry me out of harm's way; and, if I was not
+able to escape, I just hid under a stone, or rolled myself up into a
+snug ball among the loose soil.
+
+"I cannot begin to tell you all the curious adventures I had, or the
+strange things I heard; for I have been away such a long while, I have
+forgotten more than half. Still I remember a few particulars of
+interest.
+
+"I was trotting about one day through a field of dry stubble, when I saw
+a pleasant river winding along in the sunlight, and sought the bank. The
+first object I noticed was a Kingfisher, seated motionless upon an
+overhanging branch, and peering eagerly down into the water in search
+of food. A very handsome bird is the Kingfisher, I assure you, with his
+blue coat of shining feathers, and scarlet shirt front; but so still is
+he when watching for prey, you would not notice him, sometimes, among
+the bushes.
+
+"'How are you to-day, sir?' I cried, while still at a distance. 'Are the
+fish lively, may I inquire?'
+
+"'Keep quiet, will you?' said the Kingfisher, turning his head
+impatiently towards me.
+
+"'There, I have lost a splendid chance through your speaking,' he added
+angrily, as a fish darted past.
+
+"'I am very sorry to have disturbed you,' I replied, crawling out upon a
+twig, the better to observe his proceedings.
+
+"'I have carried every thing home to my family, and I am now as empty as
+a drum,' said the Kingfisher in an aggrieved tone, and then he resumed
+his watch.
+
+"Suddenly down he dropped into the water, with a rush that fairly took
+my breath away, and, after splashing about furiously for a few seconds,
+returned to land, having a small fish in his beak.
+
+"'Ha, ha!' laughed the Kingfisher, 'I've got you at last. Yes, and there
+is plenty of room left for some of your plump brothers and sisters
+besides.'
+
+"So saying, he tossed the poor fish up in the air; then, opening wide
+his beak, caught and swallowed it with great apparent relish. I was very
+much amused by all this; so I said, as he settled upon the perch once
+more,--
+
+"'Well, well, we spiders are considered terrible butchers by most
+people, but we are rather more dainty than to gulp down our meals in
+that fashion. I hope you may not suffer from an indigestion, Mr.
+Kingfisher.'
+
+"'Do not worry over that,' returned he, cocking his bright eye at me.
+Then he flew away, and I scrambled after him as fast as I could, for I
+was curious to see how Madame Kingfisher and the babies fared.
+
+"I followed the flight of the bird until he disappeared on the ground
+somewhere, and I arrived just in time to see him pop into a hole on the
+water side of the bank. I crept into the tunnel, which was originally
+made by a tiny animal, the water-shrew, and which had been enlarged by
+the Kingfisher to suit the size of the nest. This nest, my dear friends,
+I found to be composed of dried fish-bones,--mostly those of
+minnows,--and arranged in a nearly flat form, save a slight hollow
+pressed by the bird's shape while laying eggs."
+
+"Oh, oh!" spurted the incredulous Saucepan, "that is a worse fib than
+the account of the bird spider."
+
+"Very wonderful, indeed," bubbled the Kettle, who had not ventured to
+speak since he scalded the company.
+
+"I could tell you stranger things than that," said the Wasp, hopping out
+upon the hearth nimbly as the Kettle swung.
+
+"One at a time, if you please," interposed the Cricket, restoring order.
+
+"You would not doubt the truth of what I say," continued the Spider,
+shrugging his shoulders, and making a comical grimace, "if you once
+sniffed the horribly fishy odor of the Kingfisher's burrow. Bah! I can
+smell it yet. I hid in a dark corner, watching them as long as I dared;
+for I feared I should be crushed when the bird came out again, the
+entrance was so small.
+
+"'How do you find yourself, my love?' inquired the father Kingfisher
+politely.
+
+"'It is rather dull, you know,' replied the mother Kingfisher. 'Hush,
+nestlings, you cannot eat another morsel; so be quiet.'
+
+"They chippered together for a while; then I ran out just in time, for
+the other followed quickly.
+
+"'What are you doing in my house?' he asked angrily.
+
+"'I wanted to see how pretty it might be,' I answered saucily.
+
+"Upon this the Kingfisher pounced at me; but I dodged this way and that,
+and a fine race we had of it. Finally, I saw a lady and gentleman
+walking along together; so I climbed upon her trailing dress, while the
+bird grew shy, and flew away. I strolled about upon the lady's dress for
+a while, until she saw me, and gave a shriek of alarm. This was even
+better fun than the race with the Kingfisher. I cantered up and down,
+the gentleman trying in vain to catch me; I pretended to run off upon
+the grass; then I stole back, and hid inside one of her curls. Here I
+remained all the evening, peering out now and then, when she returned to
+the house, to watch the gay lights and people. When she retired to her
+room, she combed me out of my hiding-place; but I did not care, so I
+walked out the window as if nothing had happened. The stars were shining
+brightly, and, as the night was so warm, I thought I would walk on a bit
+farther before finding a night's lodging. Like all good travellers, I
+had learned not to care much where I slept.
+
+"The bats were swooping about on the watch for mosquitos and other
+insects; the owls hooted from the tree-tops, and the bull-frogs croaked
+duets across the marshes with each other; while beautiful moths
+fluttered on the still air, to enjoy themselves after sleeping all day.
+
+"Seated before the door of his house was a relative of yours [addressing
+the Chairman], the Field-cricket, chirping briskly. I knew he was a
+fierce, combative sort of fellow; still I tried to be very polite, as I
+wanted to get a peep into his mansion.
+
+"'I am glad to meet so clever a house-builder, as yourself,' I said,
+with a low bow.
+
+"'As to that,' returned he modestly, 'I am nothing to the Mole-cricket.'
+
+"'If I could only have a glimpse of your residence,' I sighed.
+
+"The Cricket grew affable, and offered to make a call with me upon the
+Mole-cricket. Accordingly we started together; and it was fortunate I
+had a guide, for otherwise I never should have discovered the abode of
+this curious insect. It is very quarrelsome with its own kind, as
+perhaps you are aware; and it passes nearly the whole of its life
+underground, in the many winding galleries and passages, excavated by
+means of the spade-like limbs.
+
+"'I hope we may find him in a good humor,' remarked the Field-cricket.
+'Hulloa!'
+
+"He called several times; then, receiving no answer, pushed a blade of
+grass into the opening, when out dashed the Mole-cricket, furious at the
+intrusion.
+
+"'What do you want?' he asked, snapping his strong claws at us in a very
+unpleasant manner.
+
+"'The Field-cricket was so kind as to bring me here, hoping that you
+would allow me to see something of your house,' I said boldly.
+
+"'I have just got it into a splendid state of order, so I do not mind.'
+
+"'Wait,' exclaimed the Field-cricket, as we were about to enter, 'you
+must promise not to eat us up after we get in.'
+
+"'I promise,' laughed the other; 'I have already had my supper, so I am
+not hungry.'
+
+"For my own part I did not fear being devoured, as I knew I was too
+prickly and tough a morsel to tempt any appetite. The Field-cricket,
+however, might with reason entertain apprehensions, for he was as sleek
+and plump as I was lean and bristly. He took the precaution of putting
+me between himself and our guide, so that he could keep on guard should
+the Mole-cricket forget his promise. Well, the latter behaved very well
+instead; so I have really no complaint to make. He led us through such a
+number of dark passages, that I was fairly bewildered with the size and
+variety of the smooth-walled tunnels.
+
+"'Why do you have so many?' I inquired, when we paused, quite out of
+breath, in a kind of central chamber.
+
+"'Oh!' he replied, 'one must have a large house to run about in; and
+after all it is not so much work to make it. Besides, I can hide
+securely here, in ever so many different places, if necessary. This is
+the nursery,' he added, pausing before a really large cavity, which was
+much nearer the surface of the ground than the rest of his habitation.
+It was a fine apartment, nicely prepared for the reception of some two
+or three hundred yellow eggs.
+
+"'I build this so much nearer the surface,' explained the Mole-cricket,
+'so that the eggs may have the benefit of the sun's warmth, although I
+dislike it so much myself, that I always burrow deep in the earth while
+the daylight lasts.'
+
+"All this time I observed the Field-cricket grew more ill at ease,--now
+giving an anxious croak, then skipping back a pace, if the Mole-cricket
+only looked at him. He had some cause, sure enough. When we arrived at
+the entrance once more, I saluted our host courteously, thanking him
+for the pleasure he had given us. The Mole-cricket, instead of replying
+politely, made a sudden rush at his cousin, with his large jaws wide
+open. I stepped between them just in time to save the Field-cricket, who
+ran away as fast as ever he could; and that is the last I ever saw of
+him.
+
+"'You had better go home again,' I said to the disappointed
+Mole-cricket. 'All I regret is that I should have seen you do such a
+thing, for I did not suppose you were so much of a barbarian.'
+
+"'Ho, ho!' he growled, in a sulky tone. 'I would eat you up for your
+impudence, were you not so tough-looking.'
+
+"'I am afraid you would have a nightmare afterward,' I rejoined; and
+then we parted, never to meet again.
+
+"My attention was next attracted to a globe, about the size of a
+cricket-ball, suspended from the head of a thistle by several stout
+grass stems. It was woven together firmly, and presented no opening that
+I could perceive; yet the walls were so delicately thin, that the forms
+of some tiny animals, packed snugly together in this secure, though
+airy nest, were to be seen. Presently I beheld a pretty little creature,
+clothed in thick, soft fur, marked with white, nimbly climbing the stem
+of a plant, to pounce upon an unsuspicious fly, which it did as swiftly
+and accurately as a swallow.
+
+"'What do you want here?' said the Harvest-mouse suspiciously.
+
+"'I am only seeking a night's lodging; so I will creep into this
+harebell, I think.'
+
+"I slept soundly; the wind rocked my cradle delightfully. The next
+morning my curiosity was gratified, when I peeped out, by seeing the
+Harvest-mouse pay a visit to the baby mice. Her own body was so slender,
+that she could easily crawl through any space in the nest: which she
+did; and, when she came out again, the opening was carefully covered by
+the meshes of fine grass blades, so that the ball was apparently entire
+as before.
+
+"'Ah, ha! my lady,' I cried, jumping down beside her. 'That is the way
+you do it, eh?'
+
+"The mother-mouse gave a little shriek of terror; but then, seeing it
+was only a Spider that spoke, she laughed good-naturedly.
+
+"'I am not afraid of harm from you,' she said 'but there are so many
+horrible creatures about, ready to destroy us, that my nerves are often
+sadly shaken.'
+
+"'Pooh! you must not be so timid,' I urged. 'Now, for my part, I have
+travelled a long distance; yet I have found no peril that I could not
+easily escape from.'
+
+"'Never mind,' returned the Harvest-mouse, shaking her head. 'You will
+be frightened yet, depend upon it.'
+
+"I soon found, to my sorrow, that I was to be not only frightened, but
+in serious danger. I was nearly killed the next moment by the ant-lion."
+
+"What is an ant-lion?" inquired the Teapot.
+
+"Ah! I know," sighed the Wasp.
+
+"And I also," echoed the Cricket.
+
+"But what is it?" chimed in the eager Saucepan, by this time quite
+interested in the Spider's narrative.
+
+"I will tell you," pursued the Spider. "The ant-lion is a beautiful kind
+of insect, resembling the dragon-fly in its larval or imperfect state.
+It feeds chiefly upon active insects; and, as it is too slow of motion
+to catch them otherwise, it resorts to a very clever expedient,--it
+makes all food come within reach; thus saving a world of trouble. The
+head is furnished with a pair of long, curved mandibles, which gives to
+the inner jaws a free play. The grub makes a pitfall to entrap any
+passing prey, by tracing a shallow trench, the circle varying from one
+to two inches in diameter. It then makes another round, starting just
+within the first circle; and so it proceeds, continually scooping up the
+sand with its head, and jerking it outside the trench. By continuing
+this process, always tracing smaller and smaller circles, the ant-lion
+at last completes a conical pit, buries itself in the sand, and waits.
+
+"Like many another inquisitive ant, beetle, or spider, I went along to
+the edge of the pit, and peeped in to see what it might contain, when to
+my horror the sand gave way, and I slid down, down, almost into the jaws
+opened wide to receive me. I turned faint with fright for a moment; then
+strength returned, and I scrambled up the side again. This was not easy,
+as may be imagined: the sand loosened more and more every step I took,
+and, even faster than I showered it down, the ant-lion flung it back,
+endeavoring to keep the sides steep, and prevent my escape.
+
+"I just struggled to the brink, when who should come to my assistance
+but the good-hearted Harvest-mouse, who had witnessed the whole affair
+from her overhanging nest. She kindly extended her long tail for my
+benefit, which I eagerly clutched, and so was dragged out alive.
+
+"Ugh! I never see a dragon-fly floating along, without thinking of that
+dreadful pit where the ant-lion lurked in waiting for victims. I felt
+too much exhausted to move after that, and, while in so miserably
+helpless a state, a bird snapped me up, to carry me through the air by
+three legs, as food for the young birds. They were very
+hungry,--children generally are,--but they would not give me so much as
+a peck of their greedy bills.
+
+"'Why did you not bring a nice, fat-bodied garden-spider, while you were
+about it?' said the robin-mother reproachfully.
+
+"I was then flung out of the nest, and fortunately caught upon a
+projecting twig as I fell. I hid under a leaf to rest awhile,
+congratulating myself that I was so rough and ugly.
+
+"Several pretty young squirrels were whisking about the branches, while
+their parents gravely watched their sports with tails curled up over
+their backs in repose; or joined in the fun, chasing to loftier perches,
+where it made me giddy to watch them swaying about, and leaping from
+tree to tree, then returning to my immediate vicinity again.
+
+"'Do you live out here?' I inquired, going towards them.
+
+"'Yes,' they said, 'this is our summer house, you know; and very
+comfortable we find it for the heat of the season.'
+
+"'I wish you would let me look at it.'
+
+"'Oh! you can do that, certainly. It is built in sight of all the world.
+This is not the case with our winter house, however.'
+
+"The cage was made of very slight materials, and placed upon the
+extremity of a frail branch, that swayed with every gust of wind. 'I
+should think you would be shaken out,' I remarked.
+
+"'Not a bit of it,' returned the mother Squirrel. 'We could not be
+reached by any animal, the branch is so slender; and I am seldom
+frightened by the cries of boys,--unless, indeed, a stone should rudely
+strike the cage, when I take each of my young ones in my mouth, and
+deposit them in a place of safety.'
+
+"'Where, then, is your winter home?' I next asked.
+
+"'Ah! that is a question,' replied the father Squirrel, rubbing his nose
+with one little paw, in a knowing way.
+
+"'I do not wish to make any impertinent inquiries, but I should like
+very much to know something more of your interesting family,' I said
+modestly.
+
+"Upon this the two parents whispered and nodded together for a time,
+then turned to me again. 'If you promise not to tell any cat afterward,
+you can see it,' they said.
+
+"Of course I consented. The winter cage was located in the fork of a
+tree, where the boughs concealed it from view, and served to shelter
+from the wind as well. The nest was quite large, being composed of
+moss, leaves, and grass.
+
+"'Come in and see how nice and warm it is,' invited the hospitable
+Squirrels.
+
+"'Do you build a new house every year?'
+
+"'No: that would be too much trouble; so we generally occupy one for
+several seasons.'
+
+"Bidding the amiable Squirrel family good-by, I crawled down the tree to
+the earth once more. I began to weary of this rough-and-tumble sort of
+life. In the struggle with the ant-lion I had sprained my back, which
+malady was severely aggravated by the rude treatment of the bird that
+carried me through the air, only to throw me away when the nestlings
+declined tasting of me.
+
+"I reached the bank of the stream where I had first seen the Kingfisher;
+then, as the day was cloudy and cool, I sat down in a nut-shell, that
+served to keep me warm. While I lazily watched the fish dart through the
+crystal waters, and the birds flutter overhead, a curious object came
+floating towards me. What do you suppose it was? Why, nothing less than
+a snug raft of dried leaves and twigs, fastened together with silken
+threads, that bobbed along right merrily, bearing the sailor who
+constructed it easily and securely. He was really a remarkably handsome
+fellow, of a dark, chocolate-brown color, marked with a broad, orange
+band, and with pale-red legs. This was the floating palace of the
+Raft-spider, who not only pursues insects on shore, but trots out upon
+the water after them just as well. In doing this he requires some
+resting-place, and so builds the raft that excited my wonder and
+admiration. When he saw me sitting in the nut-shell on the shore, he
+laughed loudly; while I was only too glad to attract his attention, for
+I had a favor to ask.
+
+"'Will you take me on board?' I inquired.
+
+"'Yes: run ahead to yonder large pebble; then you can jump on when I
+pass by.'
+
+"I did so; and when he came alongside I sprang aboard of the raft, which
+was amply large enough to receive both of us. I thought there never was
+better fun than sailing down the stream in this style. We danced along
+smoothly on the current when the water was calm, or we whirled round
+eddies and rapids; but we passed through all these dangers in safety.
+The Raft-spider conversed pleasantly. He frequently dashed overboard
+after some unlucky insect that had fallen into the water, moths, flies,
+and beetles; or he snapped up some tiny wanderer that rose to the
+surface for air; sometimes even crawling down the stems of plants for
+prey to the depth of several inches. He always returned to the raft with
+these spoils, and cordially invited me to share them, which I did with
+relish.
+
+"'Eat away,' he urged. 'I can get plenty more at any time, while you
+look as thin as a starved grasshopper.'
+
+"We had already become excellent friends, when we suddenly beheld a
+large boat steering swiftly towards us. The Raft-spider is extremely
+cautious; so, bidding me follow, he slid overboard to hide, as he was in
+the habit of doing when any danger threatened. Now this was all very
+well for him, as he could live under water for some time; but what was
+to become of me? The water bubbled up into my ears; I opened my jaws to
+scream, only to have more gurgle down my throat. I sputtered and gasped
+and floundered, until my companion took compassion upon me, and held my
+head up until the boat had passed, when he dragged me on to the raft
+again, more dead than alive.
+
+"'To be sure,' he remarked gayly, 'I forgot you were not the same kind
+of a Spider as myself. You are only a landsman, after all.'
+
+"'Do you have to jump overboard in that fashion often?' I faintly asked.
+
+"'Bless you! I have done so every five minutes sometimes.'
+
+"'I should like to land, then, if you please.'
+
+"The Raft-spider made fun of my fears; but I was determined to get away
+from the water as soon as possible, so he put me ashore, and went on his
+way, still laughing."
+
+Here the narrator was interrupted by the entrance of Hulda, who whisked
+the Teapot and Saucepan off to a high shelf across the room. The
+Cricket, Wasp, and Caterpillar fled in opposite directions, but the
+unfortunate Spider was not quick enough to escape. The thrifty
+housekeeper espied him with her keen eyes, and, pouncing upon him,
+caught, and threw him out of the window.
+
+Here was an abrupt close to the story. The others could do nothing but
+sigh over this misfortune, and finally the Cricket said,--
+
+"I propose, for one, that we do not meet again until the family have
+gone to bed; as, by so doing, we will not run the risk of being thrown
+out of the window."
+
+To this they agreed; and then they separated, the Wasp and Caterpillar
+accepting an invitation to visit the Cricket in his mansion behind the
+brick.
+
+The next night, when the household had retired, the Kettle Club resumed
+their places about the hearth. The Teapot had been left beside the fire,
+fortunately; but the poor Saucepan, to her great vexation, still rested
+on the shelf. They had hoped to hear something of the fate of the
+Spider; but, although the Cricket had been out of doors, prowling about
+that day, he could find no trace of the missing member.
+
+"Such an interesting Spider as he was, too," commented the Kettle.
+
+"Yes, indeed," assented the Teapot amiably; "I did not suppose one of
+his race could be so agreeable."
+
+"There is no use groaning, since it cannot bring him back again," said
+the Wasp sharply. "Who is to speak to-night?"
+
+"We should be delighted to hear you," said the crafty Cricket, desirous
+of keeping the Wasp in a good humor.
+
+"Perhaps you will not find my history interesting, after that of the
+Spider," said he with affected modesty: he thought it would be much more
+so all the time.
+
+"I am sure we shall," cordially returned the Cricket.
+
+
+
+
+THE AMBITIOUS WASP.
+
+
+"To begin then," commenced the Wasp, "I must first describe to you how I
+was born. Did any of you ever see, very early in the spring, one of my
+tribe flying slowly about, pausing to examine every earth bank, now
+exploring the burrow of a field-mouse, or perhaps entering the tunnel of
+a boring insect, all the while buzzing in a fussy way?"
+
+"I now remember watching a Wasp during my travels, that behaved in a
+very curious manner," said the Cricket. "It alighted upon a wood-pile,
+and gnawed off a quantity of fibres, which were kneaded together
+carefully into a ball; and then the Wasp flew away with the ball to a
+hole near by. I did not dare ask any questions; because I feared
+receiving a sting for my curiosity, and I have heard such a wound is
+most painful."
+
+"Ah! that is always the way," said the other in an aggrieved tone. "We
+are thought by man to be good for nothing but to steal sugar, or other
+sweets; and gnaw holes in fruit, to disfigure the ripe beauty of
+peaches, plums, and apricots. We are called lazy fellows, going about to
+give any one a sharp thrust; when in reality a sting often causes death,
+by tearing the poison-bag. This belief is partly true; still not
+altogether, for we are also of some good in the world. We do not live
+solely upon the juices of flowers and fruits: we are very fond of the
+hosts of flies that swarm about and render themselves so annoying in the
+summer season. For instance, if you notice the pigs in the farm-yard any
+warm day, you will observe that the flies cluster thickly over their
+skins, tormenting the poor animals terribly. This torment is greatly
+lessened by the wasps, who skim over the fence every now and then, and
+capture a fly inevitably in their fatal grasp."
+
+"Is it possible!" exclaimed the Teapot.
+
+"Yes, indeed," returned the Wasp complacently. "But I must tell you how
+I was born. The Wasp you saw on the wood-pile was selecting a home,
+like a careful matron, and was bundling the fibres together to use in
+the construction of her nest. This she was obliged to do without any
+help whatever, for all the other wasps had died the previous autumn,
+while she was left to sleep through the winter in some warm nook, then
+found a new colony in the spring. Having brought the fibres to her
+burrow, she runs up the side of the chamber, clinging to the roof with
+the last pair of legs, while with the first pair aided by the jaws, she
+fixes the woody pulp to the roof, forming a little pillar. Other pellets
+are attached, until this pillar, like a stalactite in a cave, is
+completed. At the end of the pillar she places three very shallow cups,
+lays an egg in each, and makes a roof over them. More cells are then
+added, eggs laid in them, and the roof extended over the whole. By the
+time all this is done, the eggs laid in the first three cells are
+hatched into tiny grubs, who are terribly hungry, requiring ever so many
+flies from the mother Wasp. At last they cease to feed; spin a silken
+cover over their cells; and, after spending a short time in this
+retirement, tear away the covering with their jaws, emerging perfect
+insects.
+
+"They now repay the mother Wasp for her care, by assisting in all heavy
+labors, so that she really has little to do, but lay eggs as fast as
+cells can be made for their accommodation. Before long the first terrace
+is completely filled with cells, and more room is needed. The wasps next
+construct several more pillars exactly like the first one; and, by
+adding cells to these, another terrace is built below the first one.
+Three or four more terraces continue to form, the cells of these last
+being so small, that the mother Wasp cannot put her head into them. The
+inmates of these cradles are very much smaller than their parent, and
+are known as the workers, their lives being devoted to labor. These
+workers make excellent nurses, always feeding and tending the baby wasps
+with jealous care. Towards the close of the summer their conduct
+changes, however; they feel that a quick death for those nurslings who
+will not have time to grow up before cold weather is best, so they pull
+the helpless white things out of their beds, and carry them outside to
+die. I am glad I was able to grow to wasphood."
+
+"Please raise your voice a trifle," said the Saucepan, in a vexed tone.
+"I cannot hear half that you say, over there."
+
+"You had better use an ear-trumpet," remarked the Wasp impertinently. "I
+am already as hoarse as a raven from shouting so loudly."
+
+"When the nest is abandoned the workers die; and so do almost all of the
+others, save a few of the females."
+
+"How is it that you are alive, then?" interrupted the Teapot.
+
+"One thing at a time, if you please," said the Wasp pettishly; "I am
+telling you as fast as ever I can. When I first spread my wings to fly
+out into the warm, bright sunshine, I was half-wild with delight at my
+new strength and beauty. The world seemed such a wonderful place! The
+air was so fresh, the flowers so fragrant and varied in coloring, and
+the hills so grand in height, that I could only flutter from place to
+place, bewildered with happiness. I alighted finally upon a
+catalpa-tree, whose branches were covered with splendid blossoms."
+
+"'You feel very gay,' rustled the tree.
+
+"'Yes, I am only just born; so I may well be gay.' I answered.
+
+"'Ah! dance while you may,' said the Catalpa gravely. 'Your life lasts a
+few hours, but mine for years.'
+
+"My fine spirits were chilled in a moment, and I dropped to the grass,
+feeling utterly miserable. I could only enjoy all this pleasure for a
+few hours after all! There was so much to see, and so little time to see
+it in, where should I turn first? While I sat there thinking after this
+fashion, a pansy slowly unfolded, and out of it stepped a tiny figure,
+no longer than one of my legs. I was not very wise, but I knew it must
+be a fairy or elf that now stood before me. He wore knee-breeches, a
+jacket to match, and a funny little cobweb cap.
+
+"'So we are sad, eh?' he said, winking one eye drolly.
+
+"'I have such a short time to live, that I do not know which way to turn
+first,' I replied.
+
+"'That is a pity,' said the sprite, rocking himself upon a stem of
+seed-grass, as if it were a hobby horse. 'What would you do if you
+could live longer?'
+
+"'What would I not do?' I exclaimed. 'I should try to see every thing
+beautiful and curious in the whole world.'
+
+"'Stop a bit,' he interposed. 'You shall do this if you desire it so
+much.' He took off his cobweb cap and threw it at me, saying, 'This will
+make you invisible, if you put it on your head, when any danger
+threatens.'
+
+"Before I had time to thank him the elf turned a somersault in the air,
+and plunged head first into his pansy mansion, which closed upon him."
+
+Just at this moment the Kettle Club was startled by a sudden thump,
+thump in the room.
+
+"What was that?" whispered the Teapot; and all the others listened,
+without daring to look over their shoulders, for the fire was rather
+low.
+
+"It is only I," said the Saucepan. "I have jumped off the shelf to hear
+better."
+
+"You must have hurt yourself," said the Kettle.
+
+"Oh, no: I only feel a trifle jarred. I am made of tin, you know."
+
+How were they to move the Saucepan nearer to the hearth?
+
+"I think I could be rolled over, if any one would be so kind as to push
+me," she suggested eagerly.
+
+So the Cricket, Caterpillar, and Wasp trotted out, and by pushing
+together succeeded in moving the Saucepan to the fireside.
+
+"We can never turn you over," panted the Caterpillar.
+
+"I can rest on my side," said the Saucepan cheerily.
+
+"Your lid lies out yonder on the floor," said the Cricket.
+
+"That is not the least matter. It would not stay on my head if I had it.
+Go on with the story, please; I am sorry to have made so much trouble."
+
+"Where was I?" inquired the Wasp.
+
+"The pansy fairy had just disappeared," said the Kettle, who for a
+wonder remembered the story.
+
+"To be sure," resumed the Wasp briskly. "I skipped with delight at my
+brighter prospects, and started forward again with renewed courage. I
+first encountered some of my brothers and sisters, to whom I at once
+communicated my good fortune. Strange to say they none of them seemed to
+appreciate my superior advantages.
+
+"'For my part I do not wish to live any longer than the sunlight lasts,'
+said one; and to this sentiment the others agreed.
+
+"'My ambition leads me further,' I answered, and flew onward, never to
+see them more.
+
+"I passed over the broad expanse of land, until I saw the sea glittering
+like a polished mirror in the distance. How I should like to make a
+voyage! I paused to rest upon a cliff that rose steep and smooth, with
+the ocean foaming about the base. There were a great number of
+bird-nests drilled in the surface of the rock, and by peering over the
+brink I could see the young birds, that were the funniest little balls
+of white down imaginable. Suddenly a parent bird came swooping home,
+and hopped into the very nest that I was examining.
+
+"'Don't tumble me into the water,' I cried, clutching at the slippery
+stone, for the rapid flutter of the bird's wings made me giddy.
+
+"'I will not hurt you,' said the other. 'I have been a long way to-day,
+and I have really gained little to eat for my trouble. I followed a
+great ship for hours, and only caught up a few crumbs, after all.'
+
+"'Why, I do believe you are one of Mother Carey's chickens,' I
+exclaimed.
+
+"'My proper name is the Stormy Petrel; still the sailors call me Mother
+Carey's chicken. I do not know why, but then sailors have queer ideas.
+Bless you, I can frighten them terribly by just skimming round and round
+on the wind: they then reef all sails, thinking I am about to bring a
+storm by my presence. Ha, ha!' laughed the bird merrily, 'only think of
+little me being dreaded by great, strong men. I can generally tell when
+a storm is coming,--they are right in supposing that much,--and oh! how
+I enjoy it! Why, friend Wasp, you have no idea what life really is,
+just fluttering about among the flowers and trees: I should gasp for
+breath where every thing is only still sunshine. What I call life is to
+see the clouds piled in dark masses overhead, the waves rearing
+mountains high, and to have the wind blow a hurricane.'
+
+"'I should imagine such exposure would beat the life out of you,' I
+remarked.
+
+"'Not at all,' replied the Petrel. 'I like to be tossed about, and
+spread my wings on the gale, although it may nearly take my breath
+away.'
+
+"'I never dreamed of such a life,' I said; 'please tell me more about
+yourself.'
+
+"'First I must feed my young one, as I have been away all day. We never
+lay but one egg, fortunately, for we have to feed them ourselves. We
+secrete a kind of oil in the digestive organs for them. Indeed, we are
+such oily birds, that in some parts of the world the natives thrust a
+stick through our bodies, and use us for lamps.'
+
+"'You are gone so long,' piped the nursling.
+
+"'That is to find something to eat, my dear.'
+
+"'The time is so long, doing nothing but sit alone, staring out at the
+sea,' clamored the nursling.
+
+"'Very true,' assented the mother Petrel quietly; 'but there is no help
+for it, except to grow strong and fly for yourself.'
+
+"Upon this the young one began to strut and tumble about the nest, to
+the great delight of the parent, who encouraged such exertions. We
+became excellent friends, and talked over my plans of travel.
+
+"'I dare not venture upon the ocean; because, if I grew tired of flying,
+I must fall into the waves and be drowned.'
+
+"'You would soon be fatigued. Supposing I carried you?' said the Petrel.
+
+"Here was a splendid idea. If I could only be taken to other lands, what
+pleasures would be in store for me. The Petrel promised to bear me over
+the seas, if I would wait until the nestling was able to take care of
+itself. I lived inland while I waited, and visited the birds every day
+in their rocky home. When the time approached for our departure, the
+mother bird proposed I should take a sail, just to accustom myself to
+the voyage by way of trial. I climbed upon her back, and she made a dart
+straight out into the air, that drove every particle of bravery out of
+my body.
+
+"'Now, then,' said Mother Carey's chicken, 'hold on tight, and I will
+show you some better fun still.'
+
+"I begged her to return to land; but the wind blew so strongly, that she
+did not hear my faint voice. She whirled in circles, pattered upon the
+water surface unconcernedly, and rose in the air with the rapidity of
+the arrow shot from a bow. I closed my eyes, and clung about the bird's
+neck, fearing every moment a fall into the great green billows that
+rolled away into space, as far as sight could reach. When we landed once
+more, I fainted away. The Petrel was dancing on one leg, and laughed at
+me, when I opened my eyes again.
+
+"'I have a great mind to give up the journey,' I said in a pet. 'I can
+never cling to you in this way. If I had been content to lead the life
+of an ordinary wasp, I might have escaped all this trouble and
+vexation.'
+
+"'It is never well to quarrel with destiny,' remarked my companion.
+'Still, I would not give up because of a first sea-sickness.'
+
+"Presently I regained my courage somewhat, and we began to ponder how I
+could be fastened on. I flew to land, and procured several long
+horse-hairs. These I wound about the bird's slender throat, and strapped
+myself tightly to her body. What a journey we made of it! The faithful
+Petrel must have carried me an immense distance. Sometimes she perched
+on the rigging of a ship, sometimes we rode on the waves, or we paused
+for the night at some rocky isle; yet Mother Carey's chicken never
+seemed to weary of the scenery about us."
+
+"What did you have to eat?" inquired the Caterpillar, who, like all
+caterpillars, had a famous appetite of his own.
+
+"Very little, indeed," said the Wasp. "A stray insect now and then, but
+never a sip of honey the whole way. I took the precaution, before
+starting, of fastening a blade of grass about my waist; in the same way
+that Indians gird themselves before making a journey, to prevent any
+feeling of hunger. At last land was seen in the distance, and I again
+stood on firm, dry ground.
+
+"'Good-by,' said Mother Carey's chicken, spreading her wings as though
+ready for a fresh journey. 'I wish you good luck. Should you ever desire
+to go back north, any of us will give you a passage.'
+
+"So saying the pretty, good-natured Petrel flew away, leaving me alone.
+I did not feel very happy just then: I almost wished myself still a baby
+wasp in my wax cradle again, with nothing to do but eat and sleep. I was
+afraid at finding myself so far from home; and besides that I was very,
+very hungry: there is nothing like a sea-voyage to give one an appetite.
+Beyond the barren sand beach there rose a stately forest, which I
+determined to visit; but just then my attention was attracted by a
+beautiful object in the water. It was a flower of the most exquisite
+coloring, with a rich purplish-crimson outer edge and a disk of the same
+hue, the stout, short tentacles of which were marked with pellucid rings
+of white and lilac. Floating just beneath a crystal film of sea, it
+expanded temptingly under my wistful gaze. What a wonderful place, I
+thought, where delicious flowers were borne to hungry travellers! I
+fluttered nearer, longing for a sip of honey; and in another moment
+should have been lost, had not a little fish come along, to be stung and
+devoured by the anemone before I fell into its clutches. I afterwards
+learned that many a bee or wasp was enticed to death, as I had so nearly
+been; for the beautiful flower was only a greedy zoophyte, after all,
+swallowing every thing that came in its way.
+
+"Trembling at my narrow escape, I next flew towards the forest, taking
+the precaution of assuming my magic night-cap in starting, for I did not
+know what dangers might be in store. Arriving within the boundary of the
+forest, I alighted upon a blade of grass to rest. The air was
+delightfully fresh and pure, while the sun already slanted, in tropical
+splendor, towards the western horizon. Palm trees extended about me in
+every direction; the fan-leaved miriti towered to an immense height; the
+graceful assai showed its feathery masses against the rounder foliage;
+and the jupati threw its shaggy fronds into broad arches, while from the
+branches swept ribbons of clinging plants, hanging air roots as ladders
+to climb by. Here and there a long crimson blossom on spikes, or yellow
+and violet trumpet-flowers, relieved the sombre green by their brighter
+hues.
+
+"Presently I saw a slender, pale-green snake, that was twined about a
+tree like a vine, with only the bright eyes sparkling and fixed upon an
+unsuspicious, plump tree-frog.
+
+"'Good evening, friend,' I buzzed in the snake's ear. 'How pretty your
+coat is!'
+
+"'Who speaks?' exclaimed the snake, looking complacently upon his
+beautiful, frosted armor.
+
+"'Never mind,' was my wicked response, 'By your vanity you have lost
+your supper.'
+
+"The snake's eyes flashed angrily. Sure enough, the tree-frog had taken
+alarm, and was hobbling away out of reach.
+
+"I continued my way until I reached the brink of a broad, placid pool,
+where I hoped to make the acquaintance of some of the many creatures I
+saw congregated about the margin. Dark-striped herons, snowy egrets, and
+storks stood gravely at the brink, or strode over the water-plants on
+their long legs. Flocks of whistling ducks flew above my head, macaws
+chattered in the trees, and a pretty canary chirped in the bushes. Upon
+the surface of the water floated the magnificent Victoria water-lily,
+the broad leaves extending for six or ten feet, and the flowers just
+closing their alabaster cups in sleep. I now removed my cap; but I was
+so small an object, that I attracted no notice whatever.
+
+"'Ahem!' I began. Whereupon some of the birds turned about and stared at
+me. 'My home is very far north of your country,' I said; 'but a good
+fairy has kindly given me permission to visit you all.'
+
+"'Indeed,' exclaimed an old stork. 'How extraordinary! If you was a
+bird, now, it would not seem so strange.'
+
+"'A bird brought me,--Mother Carey's chicken.'
+
+"'Could you not find a better bearer than one of those fussy, bustling
+little bodies?' said a handsome egret scornfully.
+
+"'Do not despise the petrel because she is not so strong and beautiful
+as yourself,' I replied.
+
+"'Ha, ha!' laughed a macaw from his high perch. 'How fine it is to be a
+water-fowl, and have such long legs.'
+
+"At this all the storks, herons, and egrets ruffled their plumes, and
+prepared for an angry dispute with the saucy macaw; but I hastened to
+interfere.
+
+"'I should be sorry to make any trouble among you. If you would tell me
+any wonders to be seen here, or show me any of your homes, I should be
+greatly obliged.'
+
+"A black nose was poked out of the water, and a turtle, in a shrill
+little voice, piped,--
+
+"'Did you ever see us lay eggs? We shall be about it soon,' then sank
+out of sight again.
+
+"'As to that, the world is full of wonders wherever you may turn,' said
+the stork, who had first spoken. 'You should visit our ants'--
+
+"What more the stork would have said, I cannot tell; for just then a
+crashing noise was heard in the thicket, and all my companions took
+flight on the approach of the lord of the forest. Presently the jaguar
+appeared close beside me, and stooped to quench his thirst in the pool,
+so I had an opportunity of seeing what a fine creature he was, with his
+soft striped fur, velvet paws, and glowing, cruel eyes. I did not dare
+move even so much as to put on my cap, while my wings seemed paralyzed
+with fear. Startled by some sound, for he is a very shy, cautious
+animal, the jaguar retired again, and I only just escaped a severe
+crushing from his powerful foot as he passed.
+
+"I must now describe to you my first night in a tropical land. As
+darkness increased I sought shelter on a spreading shrub, and the
+insects began a tremendous noise. 'They will grow sleepy by and by,' I
+thought drowsily.
+
+"But not a wink of sleep did they take, or allow me, that whole long
+night. The howling monkeys began the concert, the tree-frogs and
+crickets trilled occasionally, and the owls hooted dismally. When I
+tried to stop my ears to these sounds, the fire-flies, resembling
+crystal drops of fire, flared their torches in my face with blinding
+brilliancy.
+
+"'Don't, please,' I pleaded.
+
+"The naughty fire-flies only laughed at my misery, and danced around me
+in bewildering circles of flame, until my eyes ached.
+
+"'I wish you would be quiet,' I said crossly.
+
+"'Quiet,' echoed the fire-flies. 'Not we. There is all to-morrow for
+naps.'
+
+"It was not long, with such an experience, before I found I could not
+live in the tropics. I never had a sound night's rest while there.
+
+"I strolled on through the cool, shady forest, which formed a delightful
+contrast to the hot, sunny landscape without. What most amused me was to
+see the little, striped-faced monkeys poke a cluster of inquisitive
+heads out of the holes of trees where they were sleeping, if any sound
+disturbed them. They paid dearly for their curiosity, as I shall
+presently tell you. I had paused to admire the butterflies that
+clustered in the sunlight here and there, as if desirous to display
+their gorgeous coloring to the best advantage. Some were of a velvet
+blackness, relieved by rose-colored and green shadings; others were of a
+blue, metallic lustre; and others floated on outspread wings,
+transparent as glass, spangled with lines of violet, silver, and gold.
+No wonder the lovely insects were vain of their gaudy dress! When I told
+them I was a stranger, they danced and pirouetted in their giddy flight,
+until they resembled the wandering petals of falling flowers. Suddenly a
+handsome dragon-fly, whose armor glittered with a golden refulgence,
+swooped down to capture one of the butterflies, then retired to a
+neighboring branch, and prepared to devour his prey.
+
+"'Why don't you stay at home with your sober wife, instead of whisking
+about where I can catch you?' said the dragon-fly, shaking his pretty
+captive.
+
+"Just then there approached a very singular-looking person indeed. He
+wore a broad hat, blue spectacles, and had a great many curious tin
+cases slung about his belt and over his shoulder. In his hand he carried
+a dip-net, which he threw cleverly over our heads, and entangled us in
+the bag. We could do nothing but stare helplessly at one another in
+dismay.
+
+"'Oh, dear!' cried a young butterfly piteously, 'We shall now have pins
+driven through us, and be speared to a cardboard platter for ever. I
+have heard my mother say so.'
+
+"We all shivered,--even the dragon-fly, who had been captured also. Of
+course the striped-faced monkeys came peeping out in the wrong time,
+and, after a good deal of poking into the tree, one of them was caught.
+Thus the naturalist gentleman returned home with his treasures, the
+little monkey alone of us all being destined to live.
+
+"The first thing, upon taking us from the net, was to politely hold a
+bottle to our noses, which caused a few feeble kicks in the air, then a
+fainting fit. When I again opened my eyes, I was lying upon a board,
+surrounded by my companions, who were transfixed with pins upon paper,
+as the young butterfly had said. I certainly thought my end had come,
+and that hereafter my body was destined to adorn some cabinet. I
+pretended to be still unconscious, and so lay quite motionless under
+the large microscope through which the naturalist gentleman regarded me,
+now poking my ribs, now turning my head to one side, and all the while
+making remarks on my personal appearance.
+
+"'I don't believe that you belong here at all,' he exclaimed. 'I must
+dissect what may prove a new species.'
+
+"Here seemed my last chance of escape; so, watching an opportunity, when
+he was selecting a suitable knife to carve me up with, I drew my elf's
+cap from under my wing. The naturalist gentleman was too quick for me:
+he seized my night-cap with his tweezers, and began eagerly to examine
+it. I was sorry enough for the loss. Still one had better part with the
+fairy's gift than life itself: so I flew away. I dare say the naturalist
+gentleman may have carefully preserved the cobweb cap, to puzzle science
+with for a long time.
+
+"Journeying on, I came to the bank of one of the largest rivers in the
+world. I paused to view the waves dash against the shore in foam, the
+vessels flit past on the strong breeze, and the distant villages on the
+other side. There were several low strips of sand reaching out from near
+where I rested, and I observed groups of natives making camp-fires, or
+erecting a kind of watch-tower overlooking the land. I inquired what
+they were doing, of a monkey who sat stroking his sandy whiskers with an
+indolent air.
+
+"'Ah! don't you know?' he returned. 'They are waiting for the turtles to
+lay their eggs.'
+
+"The next morning I beheld a curious sight. In the first gray dawn,
+myriads of turtles were creeping down the sandy slope, and flapping into
+the water again, their duties of depositing eggs for that season being
+accomplished. No sooner had they departed, than the natives gave
+signals, and from every direction crowded the boats to receive the eggs,
+which would then be prepared as turtle oil, and sold in jars.
+
+"I decided to try and find the ants next, as I had been recommended to
+do so by the stork. The monkey could tell me but little of them, and
+advised my searching farther inland, I next encountered the iguana, who
+poked his head out from among the creeping vines of a tree as I passed.
+Any thing so monstrous in a lizard I had never dreamed of. It must have
+been five feet long, was very fat, and the skin changed color like that
+of a chameleon. The Indians are fond of the eggs of this species, which
+they eat mixed with farinha. When I asked about the ants, the iguana
+answered,--
+
+"'I do not trouble myself much about those busy fellows; still, you will
+find them almost everywhere, I dare say.'
+
+"I bid him good-by hastily, for I was half afraid of such a great
+creature, and left him winking lazily on the branch as before. If the
+Spider was here, I could tell him of some relatives that I met,--rough,
+hairy spiders, with fierce looks; soft, plump things that melt away
+almost at the touch; and others of gorgeous hues, that double themselves
+into cunning shapes to resemble flowers and buds. At last I came upon an
+army of Saueba ants, each one carrying a bit of green leaf daintily as a
+parasol. Although on the march, the whole company treated me most
+cordially.
+
+"'We cannot stop now,' said one of the soldiers. 'Come with us.'
+
+"So I followed in the train, curious to know what they were about.
+Presently they paused; and a detachment turned aside to overrun an
+orange-tree, from which they stripped the foliage with incredible
+rapidity. Having performed this duty, they rejoined the main army, and
+the whole moved on to their incomplete nest. Here the leaf-bearers
+merely threw down their burdens, and the workers placed them in proper
+order.
+
+"'We use the bits of leaf to thatch the dome of our house, thus
+preventing the loose earth from falling in,' said an ant near by,
+pausing to take breath in the midst of his labors.
+
+"He then led me through the vast subterranean galleries of their
+dwelling, which extended an immense distance, as may be imagined, for
+the exterior of the nest must have been at least forty feet in diameter.
+The ants promised, if I would return after their day's work was done,
+they would give me some interesting accounts of themselves. Leaving the
+busy throng, I crept into a flower-bell to take a nap. When I returned,
+the Saueba ants were actually resting themselves,--a luxury that I did
+not suppose an ant ever indulged in. Some of them were strolling about
+at their ease; and others were diligently scrubbing their coats after
+their work, or were assisting each other in the friendly task of
+brushing such portions of the body as could not be reached by the owner.
+They were very chatty and agreeable, so we enjoyed ourselves very much.
+
+"'Have you met the foraging ant?' asked one. 'They sally forth with
+officers to direct the movement. They are rather hot-tempered and cross,
+to be sure, attacking any one fiercely that may come in their path; yet
+they do a world of good. When it is known they are approaching, people
+open every closet, drawer, and box in their houses, that the ants may
+search and cleanse them. What digestions they have! Scorpions,
+cockroaches, lizards, rats, and snakes are devoured in a trice; while
+into every crack and cranny where a stray insect may have hidden pour
+the army until all is cleared: then on they go again.'
+
+"'How wonderful!' I exclaimed.
+
+"'I can tell you of a wiser race yet,' chimed in another. 'The
+agricultural ant of Texas plants and reaps for itself. The nest is
+surrounded by a mound, and then the land is cleared for several feet
+beyond. A grain-bearing grass is sowed by the insect, and afterward
+tended with great care, the ant cutting away all other grasses or weeds
+that may spring up,--like the good farmer it is. When the small, white
+seed is ripe, it is carefully harvested, and carried into the granary,
+where it is cleared of the chaff, which is thrown outside as worthless.
+Should the rain wet the winter stores, the ant brings the grain out into
+the sun to dry, that the damp may not cause sprouting among the
+provisions. What do you think of all that?' concluded the ant, with a
+triumphant manner.
+
+"'I think you are the most wonderful insects in the world.'
+
+"At this the Saueba ants all looked highly pleased, and they richly
+deserved the compliment; so there was really no harm in it. I found
+myself exposed to so many dangers, without my magic cap, that I finally
+concluded to fly to the seashore, and see if I could take passage
+homeward again. Here I found no other a bird than the Petrel's baby, now
+a handsome young fellow enough, who readily agreed to carry me
+northward.
+
+"I strapped myself to my bearer with the horse-hairs, and found myself
+rather a better sailor than on my first voyage. I am now on my way to
+the pansy fairy, with the petition that he will give me another cap. If
+he consents, I shall next visit Europe and the East," said the ambitious
+Wasp pompously, in conclusion.
+
+The whole Club were so much entertained by this history, that the
+Saucepan never once complained of her uncomfortable position, rolling on
+her side. Hulda was much surprised to find her in this attitude next
+morning; but the maid servant wisely concluded the rats must have
+visited the shelf, and whisked the Saucepan off with their long tails.
+
+When it came time for the disappointed Caterpillar, they were surprised
+by the entrance of a welcome guest: the Spider came sidling in, looking
+gay as possible. Of course they all spoke at the same time, and asked a
+hundred questions before he could answer one; especially the Teapot, who
+had never appeared so excited on any previous occasion.
+
+"I am all right again, thank you," said the Spider gruffly. "I got a few
+bruises by my fall from the window; but, being used to tumbles of all
+sorts, I have now recovered somewhat, although I felt rather stiff the
+next day."
+
+"I am not fond of talking," said the Caterpillar, with humility, "nor
+can I do so well. In my present state of caterpillarhood, I am aware
+that I do not please,--that I am not, in fact, any thing but an
+uninteresting glutton. There! the Spider is laughing already."
+
+"I should be sorry to do any thing so rude," said the Spider slyly;
+"only you are rather fond of leaf-salad, I have heard."
+
+"True," replied the Caterpillar, smacking his lips at the thought. "What
+could be more delicious! Still I must not dwell upon topics of food, for
+fear I should never have done describing such delicacies as suit my
+palate. I shall not find much in my own personal history to entertain
+you this evening. Never having travelled, like my two distinguished
+companions, I cannot bring to your notice the wonders of other lands, as
+they have so ably done."
+
+Here the Wasp and Spider arose, laid one foreleg upon the heart, and
+made a low bow in acknowledgment of the compliment.
+
+This ceremony over, the Caterpillar proceeded:--
+
+
+
+
+THE DISAPPOINTED CATERPILLAR.
+
+
+"I have had no occasion to stroll farther away than the garden of this
+house. I am sadly puzzled for something to talk about. The Wasp has
+anticipated me, even, in a description of butterflies,--a state I am in
+hopes of attaining some time, when you will not be able to recognize me.
+My world has been limited, so far; yet I have seen some wonderful
+things, too. Did any of you ever see a humming-bird?"
+
+"Yes," said the Cricket, Spider, and Wasp in a breath.
+
+"Did any of you ever converse with one?"
+
+"I did not suppose they ever stopped buzzing about long enough to
+speak," remarked the Spider.
+
+"I have talked with one," said the Caterpillar triumphantly. "When I was
+just hatched, some week or more ago, I crawled for the first time out
+of the soft, warm bed my good mother had made me in the curve of a leaf.
+I stretched myself upon the leaf which had been my cradle, to enjoy the
+warm sunlight, and looked about upon the various forms of life and
+beauty to be seen on a summer morning. The buttercups and daisies
+laughed up at me from the grass, the insects floated about on gauzy
+wings, while the birds darted from branch to branch in merry sport.
+
+"Close beside my leaf couch was a knot, or natural excrescence in the
+branch; and this tiny cavity held a nest, lined with fibres from mullein
+leaves and fern-down, containing two pearly eggs no larger than peas.
+
+"Suddenly a glittering object shot up into the air until it was almost
+lost to sight; then descended upon the nest I was just examining. No
+wonder the eggs resembled pearls, when the parent bird could not have
+been more than two inches in length. When I beheld the lovely, fragile
+thing, with its diamond-bright eyes, and the plumage of the graceful
+curved throat, glittering like burnished metal in changing hues of
+orange and ruby, I felt ready to cry with vexation that I was such an
+ugly, worm-like creature. True, I shall be handsomer sometime; but I can
+never be a humming-bird. Besides, I belong to a sober species. A robin
+came hopping along jauntily from twig to twig, with a morsel of cherry
+in his beak.
+
+"'Such a fright as I have had,' twittered the humming-bird. 'A great
+stupid man was peering about to find my nest a long while, and to-day he
+has followed me. Ah! but I gave him a long journey. I fluttered right
+and left, or darted ahead; then finally rose in the air so high he could
+hardly see my wee body; then dashed down here safe enough.'
+
+"'A wise plan,' commented the robin. 'Thank fortune, I am not in such
+demand.'
+
+"Interested in the conversation, I crept too near the margin of the
+leaf, lost my balance, and fell upon the nest.
+
+"'You awkward thing,' said the bird, giving me a contemptuous poke
+aside. 'How ugly you are!'
+
+"'I know it,' I replied; 'it was my admiration of your superior beauty
+that caused my fall. Excuse the clumsiness of a caterpillar just born.'
+
+"'Go away with your nonsense and flattery I feared I was shot when you
+fell.'
+
+"'Who would hurt you?' I asked, slowly climbing back to my leaf.
+
+"'Plenty of enemies. That man is watching below, and nothing would
+delight his cruel soul so much as to carry away my family.'
+
+"'Tell me something amusing, or I will inform him where you live.'
+
+"'He would not believe a caterpillar,' laughed Madame Humming-bird.
+'However, I will tell you any thing in my power.'
+
+"'If it is all about your distinguished relations in the South, I have
+heard enough on that subject already,' said the spiteful robin.
+
+"At this the other grew very angry, inflating her tiny throat, and
+snapping her bill. I tried to soothe her wrath, for I dislike any thing
+irritating.
+
+"'I always did despise robins. My great family, indeed! One should
+learn better than to associate with plebeians.'
+
+"'The robin was jealous of your superior beauty.'
+
+"This made the humming-bird good-natured again; so she went on:--
+
+"'Did you ever hear of my first cousin the Chimborazian hill-star? Ah!
+there is a fine bird for you. Not afraid to expose his frail form to the
+cold of higher latitudes, he dearly loves mountain air. I will tell you
+a story about him sometime. The hermits are so clever at building nests,
+they would laugh at this rude cradle of mine; still, as I cannot find
+any suitable leaf to suspend my nest from, bound by elastic
+spider-threads, I just use this knot, which answers the purpose after
+all. Some of them form a felt-like substance of moss and bark woven
+together; others use a fungus resembling buff-leather; while the Sappho
+comet lines her nest with the long hairs of the clamas. My relatives can
+boast the greatest variety of coloring. They have black diadems,
+purple-shaded patches, or vivid scarlet, blue, and crimson aigrettes. I
+do not know why people need invent fairies and gnomes when they can
+have us for subjects, flashing about among the flowers, as gay as the
+brightest of them, or bathing in some secluded nook of the brook, under
+the fern-leaves that form a tiny bower.'
+
+"We were so much interested in the subject under discussion, that we
+never heeded the approach of danger. I looked up and saw a man's face
+close beside me. He was climbing cautiously along, his gaze fixed upon
+my pretty companion. Before I could give any warning, I was shaken to
+the ground, and the humming-bird continued to talk of her great
+relations, unobservant of my fall. I watched eagerly, and presently the
+man came down again, with his captive and her nest uninjured.
+
+"'Oh, my dear Caterpillar!' she sighed, looking through the meshes of
+the fine net which covered her little head; 'I wish you were strong
+enough to help me. However, promise to find my husband, and tell him of
+my sad fate.'
+
+"I have never found him," said the disappointed Caterpillar. "I presume
+he has consoled himself with another wife by this time. I searched
+faithfully, crawling over whole trees in hopes of seeing him, and
+exposing myself to many dangers. I met other caterpillars in plenty.
+That of the looper-moth supports itself for hours on the hinder feet,
+raising the body high in air, and, by a resemblance to the twigs of the
+tree, succeeds in deceiving the birds that would devour it. Some I found
+to be protected from injury by tufts of hair, acrid secretions, and
+stinging powers. Others so closely resembled brown, crumpled leaves, or
+green, fresh ones, that I should never have known them had they not
+spoken; while some of the number arm their dwellings with thorns. I have
+even heard of another species, called bombardiers, who fire off little
+guns when pursued, accompanied by a blue smoke and disagreeable scent.
+
+"I liked to watch the ermine-moth community the best. They spin a
+commodious tent; and, wherever they wander over the tree, they carry a
+thread with them, so that they may not lose the way. Birds can do no
+more than strike their wings against the elastic bridges thus formed:
+they cannot penetrate the lines.
+
+"Well, all the caterpillars laughed at my folly in searching for the
+humming-bird's husband; and perhaps they were right. I now have reason
+to despair of ever meeting him, for he never returned to where the nest
+had been; and a slow crawling caterpillar cannot hope to pursue the
+flight of a bird."
+
+Here the Caterpillar paused abruptly: the Wasp, interested alone in
+startling incident or romantic adventure, was yawning.
+
+"Really, I beg your pardon," he had the grace to say; "I did not sleep
+well last night."
+
+But apologies or entreaties did no manner of good. The Caterpillar
+steadfastly refused to continue his tale.
+
+"Very likely I was growing tiresome," he replied in an injured tone. Yet
+he made no further remark; for the Caterpillar, like other slow persons,
+was apt to be obstinate. This made affairs rather stiff and
+uncomfortable; so they were all glad to retire for the night.
+
+The next evening, the Caterpillar was still sulky, and resisted all
+attempts of the Teapot to coax him into better humor. The Cricket
+wisely concluded to divert matters, by inviting the Spider to entertain
+them.
+
+"I believe I am something of an author," said the Spider, "although I
+have never written for any of the magazines of the day. I will tell you
+a story I composed last summer, if you like."
+
+
+
+
+THE FOUR SILVER PEACHES.
+
+
+"Beyond the Frith of Clyde, the Kyles of Bute cleaving their way among
+gray cliffs, tapestried with mosses and richly clothed with lichens,
+past Loch Ridan's clear waters, past the peninsula of Cantyre, on the
+bosom of the Atlantic, lies a group of islets, varied in hue and
+form,--the Hebrides.
+
+"To this isolated region, where the ocean hurls in winter storms against
+the rock walls, or ripples in caressing waves under summer skies, we
+will turn; for children have been born on that rugged shore, scenting
+the heather and wild thyme with their first breath.
+
+"On the island of Iona, near Port St. Ronain, there once lived a good
+man, who had three strong sons, and two ruddy, blue-eyed daughters. One
+thing troubled him: little Neil, his nephew, did not thrive so well;
+for he was a cripple, and it saddened the uncle's heart to see the boy
+droop and pine away.
+
+"Little Neil was an orphan; and he missed a good mother so much, that he
+was not happy, like his sturdy cousins. He could never run along the
+stretch of white sand, flecked with quartz and shells from the Ross of
+Mull. No: he could only creep painfully to the brink of the green,
+crystal waters, to peep into their clear depths; or climb to some higher
+eminence, and watch the sea-birds in their rapid flight, the distant
+outline of cliffs shining in the sunlight, and the light breeze curling
+the waves crisply about the bows of many a little craft that skimmed
+over the azure sea only to melt into the hazy distance.
+
+"Neil loved the ocean and the sky above it, embracing between them his
+island home. Everybody thought him a strange child, and this naturally
+gave him very bitter feelings: it seemed to him he should like so much
+to be his cousin Angus, who hunted the otter and tended the sheep,
+sleeping many a night upon the open hillside, wrapped in his plaid.
+
+"The lame child had never been at school; yet he had heard the
+traditions of his home often related about the winter fireside. He had
+heard the grandeur of Fingal's Cave described; the stone cairn that
+marks the last resting-place of the Scandinavian woman, whose wish it
+was to be buried in the pathway of the Norway wind; and the castle of
+Duart, where a lord of the isles left his wife to be overwhelmed by the
+rising tide. Then, too, he had shuddered with fear over many a tale of
+ghosts and goblins haunting ruined houses; for the Scotch people are
+superstitious.
+
+"The great day of the year arrived, and all the cousins went to the fair
+held at Broadford, on the Isle of Skye. Little Neil had once been there,
+to see the women with smart caps and scarlet tartans grouped about their
+cows and sheep, while the men and boys passed in restless, changing
+crowds; but the noise and bustle wearied him, so he remained at home.
+
+"Now I am coming to the real matter of the story: the kernel shall be
+ready for your appetite, if you have but the patience to crack the
+shell. We will see what kind of entertainment was prepared for the
+lonely cripple, who told his thoughts to no one, and chose the
+whispering winds for companions.
+
+"When the sun sank over the broad ocean, little Neil sought a favorite
+nook in which to watch the long day die. Fainter grew the rich hues of
+the western sky, more distant the line of rocks, here outlined in creamy
+whiteness, there abruptly riven by some black precipice, until Neil
+fancied strange forms were flitting about the bases of the cliffs, and
+rose to go; but he was stayed by a curious sight. The sea was glimmering
+with a phosphorescent light, and the waves that broke upon the shore
+were gemmed with globules of living fire, which melted away almost
+imperceptibly into rosy shades. The boy had often seen the ocean thus
+illuminated; but his gaze was attracted to a certain point, where the
+brilliancy centred in a wave of beautiful transparency, through which
+glittered emerald and golden flashes, appearing and disappearing in
+rapid succession, until Neil was dazzled by the splendid sight.
+
+"The wave throne upreared slowly, creamed over, and deposited at the
+boy's feet a casket of delicate frost-work, glittering with a wonderful
+radiance. Neil reached forward and touched it, when the lid flew open,
+disclosing four silver peaches, resting in separate filigree spaces of
+the same precious metal. Across the fruit lay a small case-knife, the
+handle studded with precious stones, and the diamond blade wearing a
+keen edge.
+
+"'This casket contains four wishes, from which you may choose. They are
+the gifts of the Wind Sisters,' said a water spirit; then sank in a
+circle of foam bubbles.
+
+"In the sky appeared a ring of blended colors, which descended rapidly,
+taking the form of four globes,--one rose pink, one gold, one green, and
+the last pale blue. The radiance of these globes of light spread far
+over the ocean. They parted slowly as they neared him, the outline of
+the separate forms melted into soft masses, and upon the vapor rested
+the Wind Sisters.
+
+"The South Wind, whose misty chariot took the shape of a magnolia
+blossom with pink-tinted petals half-opened, shook her rosy mantle, and
+a breath of balmy perfume was wafted to Neil, like the scent of a garden
+after a summer shower.
+
+"The East Wind floated on a couch of golden cloud, her black hair waving
+over a fleecy amber robe down to her sandalled feet, while her presence
+breathed a richer odor than the delicate fragrance of the southern
+sister: it came from spice-groves and orange-trees.
+
+"The West Wind stood erect upon her throne of emerald, her fair head
+bound with ivy tendrils, her green mantle fluttering sparkling breaths
+of health, flower-scented too, with the violet and anemone, and in her
+eyes a promise not found in those of her languid companions. Lastly, on
+the right rested the North Wind, her stately form supported on
+snowy-white pinnacle and fret-work of vapor, sharply defined as the ice
+cliffs that frown upon the Polar Sea. She wafted little Neil no perfume
+of flower or shrub from her lily draperies; yet he felt a keener joy
+kindle in his heart at the frosty stillness of her presence, than when
+the others lavished their treasures upon his senses.
+
+"'Open the first peach,' commanded the North Wind in a grave, stern
+voice.
+
+"Neil raised the fruit, divided it, and found it to be lined with pure
+gold.
+
+"'I can give you wealth,' said the East Wind, in a rich, soft voice.
+'Look!'
+
+"A scroll of mist rolled from her chariot to the surface of the water,
+taking the form of a mirror as it expanded; and upon the polished
+surface little Neil fixed his eyes.
+
+"First there appeared a garden, the like of which the Highland boy had
+never dreamed of. Upon lawns of velvet smoothness rose wonderful
+trees,--the palm, towering into feathery crests; the lemon, drooping a
+grateful shade of snowy blossoms; and the palmetto,--all interlaced by
+climbing plants. In this delightful retreat, wearing robes of satin, and
+reclining upon magnificent carpets, within hearing of trickling streams
+or the twitter of brilliant birds, was a man resembling Neil's own self.
+Servants flitted about him, bearing flagons of sherbet, or held tempting
+fruits in their cool leaves,--the delicious pomegranate and juicy date;
+while grave men, slaves only to his wealth, bowed in homage.
+
+"The scene melted gradually into a palace of splendid appearance, where
+Neil still held a place, his turban spangled with diamond, his pipe-stem
+encrusted with emeralds, and the dagger hilt, half concealed in a
+Cashmere sash, glistened with amethyst and carbuncle. From the lofty
+hall, vaulted passages and pavilion extended, each more rich in
+coloring, more gorgeous in ornament, than the last; while beyond a
+balustrade of delicately carved marble sloped a terrace, blooming with
+roses and jasmine vines. Again the rich man was surrounded by servile
+homage and flattery; but Neil saw he was nothing but a cripple, after
+all.
+
+"The East Wind sat in her couch of sunshine, with a triumphant smile
+upon her dark face.
+
+"'Ah! it is all very grand, lady,' said Neil sadly; 'only must I be lame
+still?'
+
+"'Yes.'
+
+"'What good would the riches do me, then, with the pain also?'
+
+"'Much good. Think of the power you can wield. The whole world would
+open her countless treasures. You could obtain knowledge; you could see
+every thing that is beautiful or interesting; and you could relieve the
+needy by your bounty. Better be a rich cripple than a poor one.'
+
+"Little Neil thought so, too; but he concluded to cut another peach
+before he decided the question. He did so; and the interior of the
+second was lined with crystals of great brilliancy, that shimmered in
+points of light like a rainbow prism, yet their gleam was cold as ice.
+
+"'I can give you fame,' said the West Wind in musical tones. 'Look!'
+
+"She unfurled her green mantle, which grew into a mirror like the
+previous one, only of an intense, steely brightness. Neil saw a range of
+mountains, snow-capped, their steep slopes skirted by pine-trees; while
+far below spread a sunny landscape, ripening vineyard, tracts of waving
+grain, and olive-groves. Through the narrow defiles, down the
+precipitous heights, hewing a passage for their clumsy elephants by fire
+and vinegar, came an army, and in their midst moved a man, the master
+spirit of it all.
+
+"'Hannibal,' whispered the West Wind.
+
+"The picture changed to a succession of views,--battle-fields swathed in
+smoke; soldiers moving across the plain, their arms glittering in the
+sunlight, their banners fluttering; a city burning in wreaths of flame
+against a northern sky; a nation crowning their chief with laurels.
+
+"'Napoleon,' whispered the West Wind again.
+
+"Then the boy saw travellers exploring unknown regions, statesmen and
+authors toiling over vast schemes.
+
+"'Could I be like these, lady?' he asked.
+
+"'Yes.'
+
+"'Would I be happy?'
+
+"'That is for you to decide. Fame is a greater gift than that of my
+sister here: any fool can be rich. But every man cannot have what these
+men possessed, because God gave them what gold never can buy,' said the
+West Wind, her proud eyes brightening.
+
+"'I should only be a cripple, and men would laugh at me,' sighed Neil,
+taking up the third peach, and opening it.
+
+"The lining was composed of opals, quivering in tremulous rays of purple
+and pink more beautiful than words can describe.
+
+"'I can grant you the love of all,' said the South Wind, in a voice like
+the chime of silver bells. 'Look!'
+
+"Her scarf floated downward a mirror still retaining a rosy tinge, that
+was a relief to the eye after the glitter of fame's glass, or the golden
+haze of wealth's vision.
+
+"Neil saw himself on the river bank, surrounded by children, some
+playing games, and others reading in the shade. Upon his shoulder
+perched a white dove, which appeared to whisper wise counsel in his ear;
+for, whenever dispute arose among his companions, he quieted their anger
+by soothing words.
+
+"Again Neil saw himself a young man, traversing the suburbs of a great
+city, where gardens bloomed with purple grapes, peaches, and golden
+pears. The dove rested upon his head, seeming to attract other birds
+that perched on Neil's hand to preen their feathers. Sleek-crested
+horses tossed their manes at his approach, and the dogs crouched to be
+caressed. As he entered the crowded streets, children laughed, fair
+women smiled; and on every face was a kindly greeting for the man with
+the invisible dove.
+
+"Lastly, Neil saw himself a very old man, seated before the open door,
+as the sun was setting in the west. About him were gathered kind friends
+ministering to his wants, the little ones weaving a crown of tender lily
+sprays to place upon his head; but the dove, instead of perching upon
+his shoulder, as it had done when a boy, now hovered afar, ready to take
+flight. The journey of life was almost over.
+
+"'Dear South Wind, let me have this wish,' cried Neil eagerly.
+
+"'You shall have it. Who can live without love?'
+
+"He was so sure of liking this gift, that he pushed aside the casket,
+and the last peach rolled on the ground.
+
+"'Wait,' said the North Wind, 'until you know my gift. I am not sure you
+will prefer it; still you must decide.'
+
+"Neil severed the peach, and in it were reflected the fleeting shadows
+of angel forms.
+
+"'I can grant immortality,' said the North Wind, holding up a shield of
+pure ice, and Neil saw a strange spectacle.
+
+"He beheld a vast amphitheatre, crowded with cruel, hard-featured
+people, all watching eagerly a boy standing in the arena alone, yet
+wearing on his upturned face a light that shone upon none of the heathen
+about him. Above him poised an angel, whispering words of encouragement,
+as a handsome tiger sprang into the circle from an iron gateway, and
+approached the boy with crouching, stealthy step. The tiger made a
+sudden leap, the heathen crowd shouted, and _two_ angels winged their
+way above the palaces and temples of Rome.
+
+"Next there rolled a dark stream across the mirror, bearing upon the
+current a woman, with hands roughly bound together. Dark figures loomed
+against the eastern sky, watching her; but another watcher was there
+also,--the same angel, shedding a radiance from her golden wings upon
+the drowning head. Neil saw a great man before a haughty council,--Dr.
+Martin Luther; he saw many of a humbler class teaching the poor and
+ignorant, whether in the wilds of savage Africa, or the city streets, it
+mattered little which; and with each hovered the angel companion.
+Children, too, there were who were patient and unselfish, doing what
+they could in little acts of kindness, while the angel smiled even more
+tenderly upon them. Upon all their faces beamed a joy that separated
+them from the world.
+
+"'Riches do not always bring happiness,' said the North Wind. 'Fame
+seldom does, and mere earthly love must fade before the presence of
+death.'
+
+"'Let me be like those you have shown me,' cried Neil, stretching out
+his hands towards her.
+
+"The other sisters rose slowly, floating south, east, and west, until
+they became balls of light again; but the North Wind took the little
+cripple in her sheltering arms, and bore him swiftly away. Over the sea
+they went, the North Wind sweeping gracefully along; and Neil felt no
+fear of her, as he had done when she stood on her cloud throne.
+
+"At first he could see nothing but one vast expanse of water, domed by
+the clear sky; then, at length, he noticed a dark line on the horizon,
+which grew more distinct, and proved to be land.
+
+"'You must begin the journey for yourself now,' said the North Wind,
+alighting on the shore.
+
+"'Oh, don't leave me!' cried the child, clinging timidly to her white
+draperies.
+
+"'Do not fear: I shall still be with you;' and then she rose above,
+leading him on the path he should go. She had now become the angel that
+guided the others.
+
+"So Neil began the toilsome, painful journey. The way led across an
+arid, desert waste, where waves of yellow sand glowed under the sun's
+fierce heat. Neil hobbled along slowly, the hot earth scorching his
+feet, the brazen sky without clouds, and the air stirring from a heavy,
+pulseless stillness, into sultry wind puffs. The child might have
+drooped and fainted by the road, had not the North Wind spread her cool
+wings to shade him from the sun's vertical rays. She also gave him a
+crystal flask of pure water, and a loaf of bread; but, although his own
+lips were parched with thirst, he gave the precious draught to others
+who implored the refreshment. The supply never failed; yet, when the
+child looked into the flask, there never appeared to be but a few drops
+remaining. So, too, with his loaf of bread. There was always more to
+give when he broke a piece; yet there never seemed enough to eat any
+himself.
+
+"'Never mind,' he thought bravely. 'All these poor people have not the
+North Wind to shelter them, as I have.'
+
+"At last the desert plain ended, and Neil began to ascend a steep
+mountain-side, that was clouded in a mist of snow at the summit. He
+found the way still more difficult. Now he had to climb slopes smooth as
+glass; now he trod a narrow ledge above a frightful precipice, where
+many fell; or he was obliged to cross glaciers, where the rough points
+hurt his feet, and the ice yawned treacherously about him. The cold air
+whistled by; and the sleet drifted in sheets, so that he could hardly
+see his way.
+
+"The North Wind gave him a fur cloak. How deliciously warm and soft it
+felt! A shivering old man came by, and Neil gave him the garment.
+
+"'Never mind,' he thought, 'he is so old; and, besides, I have only to
+look up into the North Wind's kind eyes, to be both warmed and fed.'
+
+"Half frozen with cold, he finally descended the other side of the
+mountain, to the brink of a wide river, upon the opposite side of which
+bloomed a fair country.
+
+"'You must swim the stream,' said the North Wind; so Neil plunged in
+boldly. The waves curled up over his head at times; great monsters swam
+towards him with fierce looks,--serpents and alligators opening their
+huge jaws as if to devour him; yet he panted on until he was cast upon
+the shore.
+
+"When he awoke, Neil found himself lying upon the soft grass, near a
+spring of water that gurgled from a moss-grown rock, with a pleasant
+sound, and tinkled along in mimic cascades beside him. He was surrounded
+by a group of fair children, who bade him drink of the spring. Neil
+drank deeply, and immediately he felt a new life. His limbs were no
+longer distorted, his back bowed: he was well at last.
+
+"'Where is the North Wind?' he asked.
+
+"The children led him to the gates of a palace, which had been before
+concealed from his view.
+
+"'We have brought another child,' said his companions; and the gates
+flew open to admit them.
+
+"In the court of the palace stood the North Wind, looking more radiant
+than the sun.
+
+"'Do you know me?' she said, kissing Neil.
+
+"'Oh yes,' he replied joyfully. 'You are my own dear mother, who died so
+long ago.'
+
+"The North Wind was indeed his mother. Little Neil was in heaven."
+
+The Spider heaved a deep sigh when he had finished, although his
+countenance glowed with the radiance of an inborn genius. "I wish I had
+ever been able to screw up my courage sufficiently to attempt
+publishing any of the ideas which occupy my brain," he said.
+
+"Why have you not?" buzzed the Wasp.
+
+"Ah," returned the other, "who ever heard of a Spider turning author,
+and walking into the office of some magazine with a manuscript under one
+arm?"
+
+"It is an age of improvement, you know," remarked the Cricket.
+
+"I perceive you have a fine mind," said the Kettle; "only we are not
+much used to considering the winds in a poetical light, especially when
+they howl down the chimney winter nights."
+
+"No, indeed," assented the Saucepan, who had been thinking of a story
+for some time. "I can tell you something plain and homely enough if--"
+
+Here the Saucepan paused, coughed, and waited to be urged.
+
+The next evening they were ready to listen, and Saucepan began:--
+
+
+
+
+GOING MAYING.
+
+
+"There was a general rising, as the teacher dismissed her section, the
+pupils clicking desk-lids, dropping books, and chirping like a flock of
+busy swallows, as they rushed down the broad stairway to the street.
+Among the crowd were two little girls, who presently detached themselves
+from the rest, and entered the Common, talking earnestly. The smaller
+was listening with an air of grave attention to the animated
+conversation of her companion.
+
+"'But, Nellie,' she said, with a doubtful shake of the head, as she
+glanced at the bare branches of the trees, that rustled in the breeze
+with rather a wintry sound, 'I think it would be too cold.'
+
+"'Too cold!' echoed Nellie, tossing her head contemptuously; 'and pray
+did you ever read of May-day being any thing but warm and lovely, with
+wild-flowers, green grass, and running brooks? Nonsense, you really know
+nothing about the matter here in town.'
+
+"Finding that her prudent little schoolmate still hesitated, Miss Nellie
+produced a brilliant-covered book from her satchel, which she had been
+perusing behind her grammar with great relish that very morning, and so
+dazzled Bessie's eyes with a pictured May-queen in white muslin and pink
+ribbons, that all her scruples faded, and she agreed to an excursion
+next day, in honor of the first of May.
+
+"Accordingly, at an early hour on Saturday, without the knowledge or
+consent of her parents, Bessie Morton proceeded to the house of Nellie
+Wray, whom she found in a state of great excitement. With their dinner
+packed in a basket, and various extra receptacles wherein to carry
+flowers and other treasures they might discover, they set forth bravely.
+At first little Bessie ventured to suggest the propriety of taking the
+cars to some suburban town, at least; but Nellie scorned such every-day
+affairs, or she pretended to, although I am inclined to the opinion
+that she had not a penny in her pocket at the time, and disliked owning
+to such extreme poverty. So they trudged along, swinging their baskets;
+Nellie enlivening her friend by scraps of information on the topic of
+spring-time, until Bessie was warmed to an equal amount of enthusiasm on
+the subject. The sky was clear, the sun shone brightly; and what matter
+if the wind was a trifle frosty, causing a slight purple tinge in the
+tip of their noses, so long as it was May-day. Besides, in the country
+it would be different. And without doubt it was. As the blocks of houses
+were succeeded by scattered dwellings, the landscape became bleak: brown
+earth, sprinkled here and there with tufts of grass, budding trees, and
+bare shrubs, surrounded by sombre, wind-swept hills, presented a
+chilling disappointment to the children.
+
+"Nellie surveyed the scene rather blankly; then affirmed that green
+valleys must be farther on. Presently she saw a little brook in a
+distant meadow, and announced her firm conviction, that upon its banks
+wild-flowers grew in abundance. They climbed over the fence after some
+difficulty, and proceeded across the field, looking eagerly on all
+sides for the coveted anemones and violets. They did not notice that at
+the farther extremity of the pasture were some horses, quietly rubbing
+their heads on the bars of a gate.
+
+"Soon the ardent little botanists were searching on the bank for floral
+treasures, and were rewarded by a few sparse clumps of pale,
+frozen-looking violets. With an exclamation of triumph, Nellie stooped
+to pluck one bunch; while Bessie, no less delighted, pounced upon
+another. In the midst of these labors, as they chatted merrily over
+every tiny, dew-tipped cup that reared its fragile head, they were
+alarmed by a rumbling sound, that seemed to shake the very earth under
+their feet. Upon raising their heads, they discovered that the horses,
+with manes and tails streaming on the breeze, were scampering over the
+ground, with all the graceful movements of unrestrained freedom. A
+slender-limbed, fleet-footed bay led the others in circles around the
+inclosure, a world of mischievous fun sparkling in his bright eye, as he
+pranced and curveted along.
+
+"The children clung together in speechless dismay, as they saw the
+animals become wilder with every bound, knowing their only means of
+escape was at the wall where they had entered, or the opposite gate.
+While they were hesitating about what course to adopt, the leader, for
+the first time apparently, noticed them, and with a wicked shake of the
+head came dancing towards them. Then, without losing a moment's time,
+they fled across the field, dropping flowers and gloves; conscious of
+nothing but that the horses were neighing and snorting close behind
+them, and that they must reach the gate soon, or be eaten alive. Nellie
+arriving at it first, pushed through with frantic haste, just as the bay
+thrust his nose playfully over Bessie's shoulder. Nellie rescued her
+terrified companion, by dragging her over the boundary, and closing the
+gate unceremoniously in their pursuer's face. With a low,
+half-apologetical whinny, Master Bay began to rub his head on the bars
+again, as quietly as when they had first entered his dominions.
+
+"Still panting with fright, the young pleasure-seekers next glanced
+about for a means of escape from present difficulties; only to discover
+that the narrow lane they had entered led in quite an opposite direction
+from the road they had left. What was to be done? They never could
+attempt passing those awful horses again, and the lane must lead out
+somewhere, so they would explore it. They found it turned into a
+barnyard, which they decided to cross, hoping to find their way out
+beyond.
+
+"The yard contained a lively population. There were waddling ducks, with
+tufted feathers on their heads; there were noisy, cackling geese,
+strutting roosters; and several large families of pigs, who strolled in
+and out of their houses, the little pink ones, with their tails in a
+very tight curl, peering out from amid the straw of their beds: while
+pretty, brown-eyed calves lowed in adjoining sheds for their absent
+mothers. Entering the place, the children cautiously picked out their
+footsteps around the mud puddles, until they reached the centre, when
+the ire of a turkey-cock was excited by Nellie's red cloak. His angry
+note, as he flapped his wings defiantly at her, was echoed not only by
+his own family, but by the whole goose and duck tribe, until there was
+a general clamor of indignation against the intruders.
+
+"At this juncture, there appeared on the scene a choleric goat, with
+venerable beard and sharply curved horns, who, after surveying the field
+of action for a time, advanced with bent head and glowering visage.
+Again they were compelled to take refuge in flight,--this time entering
+a large barn which flanked the inclosure on one side, and closing the
+door after them. By this act they excluded all light from the place,
+save where a few rays penetrated the chinks of the boards, throwing
+vague, uncertain lines over the hay-loft and into the darkness below.
+They groped about the place in search of another door, but without
+success; then they returned to the entrance, and peeped through a hole
+in the woodwork, to see if it was possible to retrace their steps. The
+goat had assumed a warlike attitude, giving hints of unabated rancor by
+butting at the closed door; while the turkey-cock still puffed with
+rage, and even the little pigs had ventured forth to see what was the
+matter.
+
+"'Oh, dear! what shall we do?' exclaimed Nellie most dismally. 'Will we
+have to stay here until somebody comes?'
+
+"'We must find another door,' said Bessie resolutely, as she led her
+discouraged schoolmate on a second exploring expedition. Finally, after
+stumbling down unexpected steps, knocking their heads against heavy
+beams, and sneezing with dust, they found a small aperture, half choked
+by rubbish, through which they crawled into a shed, and so out into a
+meadow. Once more they clambered over a wall into the main road,
+somewhat dilapidated and dusty after their adventures.
+
+"'O Nellie! your shoes are covered with mud, your dress is torn, and
+your face quite dirty,' cried Bessie.
+
+"'O Bessie! your hat is crushed on one side, and your hair covered with
+hay-seed,' retorted Nellie, who could not refrain from laughing, as she
+contemplated their sorry plight.
+
+"'Don't you think we had better go home?' said Bessie ruefully,
+attempting to bend her disabled hat into shape.
+
+"'Go home before noon, when we have had no fun yet?' replied Nellie, her
+spirits reviving now that all danger was past; 'oh, no! we have our
+dinner to eat, and lots of nice things to do.'
+
+"Once more yielding to her playmate's superior sagacity, little Bessie
+trotted along cheerfully, until they espied a fine rock on a sloping
+hillside, which they immediately proposed converting into a
+dining-table. To reach the spot, they were obliged to pass through a
+piece of rough, ploughed ground, recently sown, near a little cottage,
+with gray, overhanging roof, and narrow, closed windows.
+
+"Spreading a napkin for table-cloth on the rock, they were soon
+arranging their provisions; here a sandwich rested upon a pedestal of
+apple, to prevent its tilting over a slice of custard pie; there a small
+bottle, containing a mysterious fluid, suggestive of weak molasses and
+water, dripped through its broken cork into a store of pickled limes.
+But what matter if the gingerbread did taste of mustard, or if the
+chicken was encrusted with spilled sugar, on a first of May picnic?
+
+"After surveying the result of their labors with great satisfaction,
+they were just preparing to enjoy the result, with appetites only
+sharpened by previous misfortunes, when Bessie's attention was attracted
+by the curtain of one of the cottage-windows being drawn aside, and a
+head appearing behind the glass. It was such a hideous head, with
+tangled white hair surmounted by a queer cap, and the face was so
+sharp-nosed and wrinkled, that the little girl paused, with a chicken
+wing elevated half-way to her mouth, to stare at the apparition fixedly.
+
+"Nellie, noticing her sudden silence, turned also; and, when she saw the
+face, gave a shriek, and commenced tumbling cakes, pies, and pickles
+into the basket. Then the head disappeared from the window, and a
+comical little old man, in a dressing-gown, popped out of the door, like
+a spider from its hole. He hobbled towards them, shaking his cane, and
+croaking like a hoarse old raven.
+
+"'Get out, will ye, a-tramping of my rye, and a-bringing of your traps
+under my very nose. Hullo, there! just wait till I catch ye.'
+
+"He looked so wild and angry, as he came towards them, all the time
+wagging his head, and tapping the ground spitefully with his cane, that
+they ran away across the rye as fast as ever they could; the old man
+shrieking and chattering after them all the while, until they reached
+the wall and stumbled over into the highway, Bessie still clutching her
+chicken wing.
+
+"Hurrying along as rapidly as possible, to escape from their dreadful
+pursuer, they came to a place of cross roads, and, puzzled which
+direction to take, they decided on a pleasant road turning to the right.
+When they had proceeded a short distance, they noticed a high fence
+running parallel with the road, in which was a door. Impelled by her
+usual heedless curiosity, Nellie turned the knob and peeped into the
+inclosure. The view of winding paths and shrubbery proved so inviting,
+that they entered. They saw broad avenues bordered by rows of fine elms,
+trim hedges, and flower parterres, all leading to a large mansion with
+closed windows and doors, as if nobody lived there, while a dome of
+glittering glass conservatories rose on one side. The children strolled
+about, every moment discovering something new to admire,--now it was a
+graceful-arched bridge; now it was a white statue gleaming through the
+shrubbery; now it was a massive carved urn, filled with hardy, clinging
+ivy vines.
+
+"Seeing no one near, they determined once more to eat their dinner; and
+so, selecting a pleasant bank for the purpose, were soon discussing
+their good things.
+
+"'Now you will find that May-day is nice, after all,' said Nellie
+triumphantly, her mouth full of cake, as she poured some of the contents
+of the bottle into a cup the size of a thimble.
+
+"Oh, false hope! There was a crackling of dry twigs behind them, and,
+with an alarming growl, a large, savage-looking dog bounded directly
+into their midst. To see a huge black nose appear over one's head, and a
+double row of sharp, white teeth displayed within a few inches of one's
+eyes, is trying to the courage,--at least our little friends found it
+so; for they not only abandoned their baggage to the enemy, but beat a
+hasty retreat, Nellie rushing wildly down one alley, while Bessie
+escaped by another.
+
+"The dog, instead of following them, began to devour their repast,
+selecting such dainty morsels from the _debris_ as best suited his
+palate.
+
+"Bessie found herself, she scarcely knew how, behind a summer-house,
+where she crouched trembling for a time, until, summoning courage, she
+ventured to call, in a quavering little voice, to her missing friend.
+Receiving no response, she began a search, frightened that she was
+alone. She peered about on every side, entreating Nellie to
+appear,--first from under a bush that would not have concealed a cat;
+then lifting a watering-pot left by the gardener, as though she expected
+to find her companion rolled in a ball below the spout; until, with
+heaving sobs, she paused by a bridge, and made a last desperate effort.
+This time she heard a faint response, as Nellie presently crawled forth
+from under an arch of the bridge, sadly splashed with water, her hat
+gone, and her ankle sprained. What need to tell how they wandered
+through avenue, grove, and by-way, hopelessly bewildered and
+lost?--how, utterly discouraged and terrified at last, as the sun began
+to slant towards the western horizon, they sat down by the road-side, to
+indulge in a flood of tears?
+
+"'It's not a bit like story-books,' sobbed Nellie. 'I am so hungry and
+tired and cold. Oh, dear!'
+
+"Just as they were preparing to rouse themselves to try and find their
+way, a gayly painted express wagon came rattling along at a smart pace.
+The good-natured driver stopped readily enough to answer their questions
+as to the way home; and, when he had gleaned a few particulars of their
+story, he took them into his conveyance, and carried them safely within
+the city limits.
+
+"When the sun had set, and the evening shadows fell cold and gray
+through the narrow streets, two forlorn little forms, all travel-stained
+and weary, crept along to their respective homes; ready to beg
+forgiveness for their truancy, ready to acknowledge their folly, and
+nestle into their soft, warm beds, to dream of the smiling woodland or
+pleasant meadows in the story-books first of May."
+
+"Where did you hear that?" asked the Spider.
+
+"Who knows but I may be an author, too?" responded the Saucepan airily.
+"Surely it is my own affair."
+
+"I have been thinking of this story for a month," said the Spider, in a
+patronizing tone. "Still I am glad you had the pleasure of telling it."
+
+This was malicious on the part of the Spider, and of course the Saucepan
+was in danger of losing her temper in consequence. The Caterpillar had
+by this time recovered somewhat from his low spirits, and determined to
+distinguish himself, because he feared they all must consider him a
+person of inferior ability. When they again met, the Cricket hoped to
+talk a little, as he had not had a single opportunity to do so since the
+arrival of the three travellers; but he was again doomed to
+disappointment.
+
+"Allow me to speak," said the Caterpillar, with a dignified manner.
+
+Then he commenced:--
+
+
+
+
+GRANDPAPA MOUSE AND HIS FAMILY.
+
+
+"Grandpapa mouse was quite an old gentleman at the time of which I
+write. He and his wife lived in a nice, large granary belonging to a
+rich farmer, which would have made them a splendid home, but for one
+reason. Do you know what that was? Why, they did not have to scamper all
+about to find their living, as some mice do; for they had every thing
+that was good piled up about them. They could nip a kernel from an ear
+of corn here, or taste a bit of barley there; until they were so fat
+they hardly knew what to do with themselves.
+
+"Grandpapa was taken with the gout, and had to sit all day with one leg
+wrapped in a wisp of hay, besides having to take nothing but water
+gruel, which seemed to him a very sad case indeed.
+
+"As for Grandmamma, she was so large round the waist, her grandchildren
+had to nibble a hole twice the usual size for her to pass through, when
+she wished to take the air.
+
+"They were seated one winter's night each side of the fire, which
+consisted of some shreds of corn-husk upon a pebble, and certainly made
+as bright a blaze as need be. Grandpapa was feeling better; for the
+mouse doctor had been to see him that day, and had given him a new
+liniment of great virtue. He was whistling quite a gay tune, and staring
+at the fire, when suddenly he exclaimed,--
+
+"'It is almost Christmas time, my dear.'
+
+"Grandmamma had been dozing over her knitting-work; so she rubbed her
+eyes, and said,--
+
+"'What?'
+
+"'It is almost Christmas,' he repeated louder, for she was a trifle
+deaf. 'I heard the farmer say so to-day, when he was counting his
+turkeys out there. I think we had better give a dinner-party, and invite
+all our children home.'
+
+"'Perhaps we had,' assented Grandmamma with a sigh: she knew how much
+work it would make. 'We have not enough spare rooms, though, I am
+afraid.'
+
+"'We can easily gnaw a few new ones,' said Grandpapa briskly. 'Let us
+send our invitations by the postman to-morrow.'
+
+"So they wrote to all their children; and the next morning the little
+servant mouse had to watch under a bush until the letter-carrier came.
+Now this postman was a snow-bird, who had promised always to take
+messages for the mice, if they would steal him bits of bread and cake
+from the pantry.
+
+"'If you please, sir, my master has got some letters for you,' called
+the little servant, in a wee, piping voice, for her nose was getting
+cold out of doors.
+
+"'Put them into my bag,' said the snow-bird, hopping along jauntily.
+
+"So the little servant stood upon her hind legs to place the letters in
+the tiny bag which the snow-bird carried under his left wing; then she
+threw her apron over her head, and ran home.
+
+"I suppose there never was such a sweeping and scratching and gnawing in
+any other mouse family, as went on in this one for the next two weeks.
+All of them worked so hard, making new holes for their expected guests,
+that the little servant had an attack of mumps at the last minute, and
+had to have her head tied up in a rag of cobweb.
+
+"Christmas Eve came at last. Grandpapa had his coat of fur nicely
+brushed, and Grandmamma wore a new cap with a ruffle round it.
+
+"Presently there sounded the patter of little footsteps, which announced
+the arrival of the eldest son, and his family of six children.
+Grandmamma had scarcely kissed them all round, when in walked the eldest
+daughter, with her husband and baby. She had only just been shown to her
+room to take off her bonnet, when all the rest came,--a son from the
+city; a daughter from the next village; and the youngest child, who
+lived in a distant town, and was an old bachelor.
+
+"What a time there was! Grandpapa grew quite hoarse with shouting at his
+different sons; and as for the children, there were so many of them
+tumbling about, it is only a wonder their mothers ever could tell them
+apart.
+
+"At last the elder ones had their supper and were sent to bed, where
+they soon forgot every thing in sound sleep. Then all the mothers began
+to talk together in one corner with Grandmamma about their houses and
+cook-books, while the gentlemen discussed mouse politics in another. So
+the evening passed away very pleasantly; and by ten o'clock they were
+all asleep, too, except Grandpapa: he was so excited, that his wife had
+to give him a Dover's powder before he could shut an eye.
+
+"The next morning the children were awake bright and early, wanting all
+sorts of things to eat, and poking into odd places where they should not
+have gone.
+
+"'O Grandpapa! is there no ice this morning?' cried an eager young
+mouse; 'I have such a prime pair of skates!'
+
+"'Can you cut a pigeon wing backwards?' asked one of the city cousins.
+'I will show you how to do it in style.'
+
+"'May we go, too?' urged all the little mice in chorus.
+
+"Grandpapa consented: so the small servant went to show them the way;
+and they soon reached the pond, which was in reality a frozen puddle,
+about twelve inches square, and very smooth, on the edge of a wood.
+
+"All the country mice put on their skates, made of beech-nuts, with
+crooked pins for runners, and began to caper about in a great way. The
+vain young city mouse then fastened on his, which were tiny apple-seeds
+beautifully polished, and strapped with gray horse-hairs.
+
+"'See,' said he, 'my skates are rockers;' and sure enough they were, for
+he soon toppled over backwards, while all the others laughed to behold
+his fall. If a cat had happened to spy them, what a dainty Christmas
+dinner she might have had! But no cat did; so they had a splendid time,
+and went home as hungry as mice can be.
+
+"As for the ladies, they had enjoyed the quiet in-doors very much
+indeed. You must not suppose that all the children were able to scamper
+out. There were ever so many babies, that looked just like little bits
+of pink pigs. Those from the city had nurses, but those from the country
+had not.
+
+"'It is time for my baby's morning nap,' said the city mouse, looking at
+her watch. 'Dear me! is there no cradle?'
+
+"Then Grandmamma sent to the lumber room, and had one her children once
+used brought out. It was half of a peach-pit, which, when lined with
+soft paper, made an excellent bed for the fretful baby mouse.
+
+"So the day wore on, and at last they began to get sniffs of nice things
+cooking. Grandmamma bustled about with her cap-strings flying, and grew
+very red in the face from scolding the little servant, who was all the
+while going the wrong way, because she could do nothing but stare at the
+finery of the nursery maids.
+
+"At last dinner was quite ready; so Grandpapa took his place at the head
+of the table, and Grandmamma hers at the foot: yet they could see
+nothing but the tips of each other's noses, the pile of good things was
+so high. Before the old gentleman was placed a dish of toasted cheese,
+that made every mouse present smack his lips with delight; while before
+his wife was a fine large egg; and the rest of the table held bits of
+meat, cracker, and blades of wheat. The children had a smaller table to
+themselves, with just as much to eat as their parents. They behaved
+pretty well at first, until one roguish little mouse thrust his nose
+into the cheese, and the next one gave him a push that sent him
+sprawling across the table. This made all the others frolic, too, so
+that the city mouse had to come and box their ears all around.
+
+"While she was doing this, the little servant happened to come along,
+carrying a nut-shell of honey; and what did she do but catch her foot in
+the beautiful long tail of the city mouse, and spill the honey all down
+her back. There was a regular uproar at this: the city mouse was so
+angry, it seemed as though she never would take any more dinner.
+
+"Grandpapa had been very still all this time: he was eating as if he
+never expected to have the gout again. If his doctor had only seen him,
+I am sure I do not know what in the world he would have said.
+
+"When they had finished the meal, they made a circle around the fire;
+and, the ladies not objecting, the gentlemen lit their cigars, which
+were in reality straw tubes.
+
+"'I wish somebody would tell a story,' said a little lame mouse, who had
+been obliged to stay in the house all day, because it could not run and
+jump like the others, but had to hobble along on a crutch made of a
+lucifer match.
+
+"'Yes, yes, Grandpapa, tell us a story,' cried all the other young mice
+in a breath.
+
+"'I don't know any stories,' said Grandpapa, puffing away at his straw
+cigar. 'Ask your uncle.'
+
+"So they began to clamor at the bachelor uncle, and he finally consented
+to amuse them. Now, of all the family, he was the most doleful mouse
+imaginable; and before he began his story Grandmamma whispered to one of
+her daughters-in-law, that he had been disappointed in love, which
+accounted for his melancholy. Whether this was true or not, I do not
+know; but he also suffered from dyspepsia, and that is apt to make one
+sad, it is said: so perhaps it was his liver, and not his heart, that
+was affected. He now drew his seat closer to the fire, and began:--
+
+"'I fear I shall not be able to tell you any thing very wonderful: still
+I can give you some description of my own life since I left home; and,
+when I have finished, I hope some of my brothers and sisters will also
+tell us what they have been about. When I was a young mouse, my health
+was very delicate: the doctor feared a throat affection, so I decided to
+go farther south for change of air. There was no need for me to settle
+anywhere: I was not a marrying mouse.' [Here Grandmamma nodded and
+winked, as much as to say, "I told you so."]
+
+"'Ordinary society did not suit me at all: to hear a mouse talk of
+nothing but his dinner, seemed very tame. That reminds me it is time to
+take my medicine two hours after eating. Dear, dear, I nearly forgot!'
+
+"The bachelor unfastened a bit of goose quill, corked at both ends, that
+was hung about his neck with a string, and took a pill from it. He then
+resumed his story:--
+
+"'I journeyed on in frequent danger, until I reached the handsome town
+where I now live. I had to cross a broad beach, and saw the ocean
+rolling in great waves of foam, before I came to the houses. It was
+night, and the stars shone brightly overhead; but I was so tired with my
+day's tramp, that I crawled into a stone wall, to rest. I was soon
+disturbed by a squirrel's scrambling in after me.
+
+"'"Good evening, sir," I said; for my mother had always taught me to be
+especially polite to strangers. "Will you tell me where I can find a
+night's lodging?"
+
+"'"Do you like gay company?" replied the squirrel, peering at me with
+his bright eyes.
+
+"'"I like grave people better."
+
+"'"Why, then, I know the very place," cried he. "Go to the town library,
+where you can find a set of students."
+
+"'I thanked him, and went on until I arrived at the library, where I was
+received most courteously by the society of literary mice, to which I
+now belong. Perhaps you may have noticed the leather medal I wear upon
+my left shoulder. Never shall I forget their kindness that night. They
+first inquired if I was married, because they did not admit such
+parties; and when I satisfied them I was not, they at once gave me the
+hole recently occupied by a brother, who had died of brain fever,
+brought on by overwork.
+
+"'What a delightful time we have of it there! We spend the day getting
+in stores of provisions, strolling about out of doors, or taking a nap;
+then when evening comes, and the old librarian places all the books in
+order before going home, we begin to scamper about, having the place all
+to ourselves.
+
+"'Our president (he has nibbled more books than any of us, and that is
+why we elected him) calls us about him after a while, and asks what we
+have seen that is interesting or new. This is a most agreeable
+arrangement; since one of us is always appointed to be about the library
+during the day, to hear what the people may say there. I have been
+particularly useful in this way, and that is one reason I am so much of
+a favorite.
+
+"'One thing troubles me greatly at present, so that I must make off home
+again as soon as ever I can: I left the whole of the society in such a
+state of mind over it, that they were not going to allow themselves any
+Christmas dinner.'
+
+"'Pray what is the important question?' inquired Grandpapa.
+
+"'Why, about a month ago,' replied the bachelor, warming one foot at the
+blaze, 'it was my turn to visit the reading-room. I had crept around
+very quietly for some time, hearing old gentlemen talk over their
+newspapers, or watching ladies rustle in and out, when a young man and a
+little girl came in. With them was a tan terrier, which began to trot
+around, snuffing such mischief as he might, when he suddenly spied me
+seated at my ease upon a large book, and leaped up at me, barking
+furiously. If the young man had not seized him by the collar, I do not
+know what would have become of me. As it was, there he sat under his
+master's chair, winking, and ready to eat me alive any minute.
+
+"'The little girl kept asking her brother strange questions about
+different things, until he said,--
+
+"'"Did you know, Mimi, that the moon is made of green cheese?"
+
+"'She said, "No."
+
+"'"It is," he continued. "The wise men that study the stars have just
+found it out."
+
+"'I pricked up my ears at this, and as I had a chance soon after to make
+my escape, I did so.'
+
+"'What!' exclaimed the whole mouse family. 'Is the moon nothing but a
+big slice of cheese, then?'
+
+"'Do you believe it, my son?' inquired Grandpapa, rubbing his nose with
+a puzzled air.
+
+"'Dear me, dear me!' sighed Grandmamma, wiping her spectacles, 'what
+next?'
+
+"'I don't know what to believe,' continued the bachelor. 'I told the
+others of it that night, and I do not believe the president has slept a
+wink since. We have searched everywhere to learn if it is really true;
+we have set an extra watch of four to listen in the library; and if they
+have not found out something when I go back, I, for one, shall start
+direct for Harvard University, to settle the matter.
+
+"'Now, you see, if the moon is really made of green cheese,' he added,
+shaking his head wisely, 'I should suppose it would have been eaten up
+long ago.'
+
+"Here he stopped suddenly. Every one of his nephews and nieces had
+fallen asleep, some in their mothers' laps, and others huddled together
+in little balls upon the floor. A great deal they cared about the moon!
+
+"The lame mouse, however, had listened to every word with bright eyes,
+and this pleased the bachelor so much, that he patted her upon the head,
+saying,--
+
+"'You are a good child, my dear; I shall leave you something in my
+will.'
+
+"The others were then roused up, and trundled off to bed; but they were
+so sleepy they did not once think to ask their uncle's pardon.
+
+"'I've been thinking,' said Grandpapa, 'of the time when my gray cousin
+and I made a trip together. We were both very gay, and one hot summer
+morning he said to me,--
+
+"'"Every one is bound to the mountains: let us go, too."
+
+"'"But," said I, "you know my father is away on business, and I am the
+eldest son, left in charge of the family."
+
+"'"Never mind," rejoined he, "we can have such splendid fun!"
+
+"'Well, we ran away from home (my cousin lived with us, as he had been
+left an orphan at a tender age). We travelled along bravely for a time,
+although the sun was dreadfully hot upon our backs.'
+
+"'"Oh, dear!" I panted, "I never was so warm in my life."
+
+"'"What is easier than to carry an umbrella, then?" suggested my
+companion; and with that he nibbled the stems of two toad-stools until
+they separated, and carrying one above his own head, gave me the other.
+This was a delightful change, for the toad-stools spread so as to
+shelter our faces from the sun. We trotted along comfortably after this,
+and finally came to the brink of a brook, where we paused, because we
+did not know how to get across.
+
+"'"The mountains look such a little way off," said my cousin dismally;
+yet the brook still whirled on, seeming to laugh at our discomfiture.
+
+"'"I believe we could skip from stone to stone," urged the gray mouse,
+who was determined not to turn back, if he could possibly help it.
+
+"'So I tried the bits of stone for some distance; and then I found
+myself away out where the water was ever so deep, and I was seized with
+fright, not daring to move an inch either way, but clinging to the wet,
+slimy rock. Presently a beautiful trout came swimming towards me, its
+sides all clothed in variegated scales, and its handsome eyes sparkling
+with fun.
+
+"'"What is the matter; are you sea-sick?" laughed the trout, splashing
+the foam from its tail in my face.
+
+"'"Oh! don't, if you please, I am so giddy now," I cried, and then
+tumbled headlong into the water.
+
+"'Ugh! what a cold bath that was: it makes me shiver only to think of
+it. The wicked fish took me on his back, and gave me such a sail as I
+hope I may never have again in this world. It went up and down, and up
+and down again, approaching the shore occasionally only to dart off for
+a fresh trip, until I fairly squealed with fright, clasping its slippery
+back the while. At last it flung me off, and I landed by my cousin, who
+did nothing but laugh at me. I was very cross by this time; so, after
+trying to dry myself upon some blades of grass, I determined to return
+home. Just then a fat old bull-frog paddled lazily towards the bank.
+
+"'"Will you carry us across the brook?" inquired my cousin eagerly.
+
+"'"How much do you weigh?" asked the bull-frog, winking slowly.
+
+"Just take up this fellow, and see." He then lifted me upon the
+bull-frog's back, who carried me safely across before I could say a
+single word. Afterward he brought my cousin over also, and we were able
+to resume our journey.
+
+"'Fortunately we overtook a field mouse soon after, who invited us to
+visit his family in the stump of a tree, which we were glad enough to
+do, as we were both hungry and tired. That night I was very ill with
+chills and fever,--probably owing to the cold bath I had taken; and the
+field mice had to give me a dose of some kind of bark that they always
+kept in the house, as they lived in a swampy region, which made me
+better. They none of them thought I could go on the next morning; and,
+as the gray mouse was so anxious to climb the mountains, I proposed his
+starting without me. This he consented to do, when one of the young
+field mice offered to be his guide; and if I felt well enough, I was to
+join them after a while. I had a very nice visit, indeed: the field mice
+were so hospitable and kind. I spent most of my time in the house with
+the ladies, and the eldest daughter was--who do you think? Why, your
+mother, of course; and a prettier young mouse I never saw.'
+
+"'Don't be foolish,' interrupted Grandmamma.
+
+"'Yes; but you were just as pretty as ever you could be,' urged
+Grandpapa, politely.
+
+"'I know I was considered the belle of our society;' and Grandmamma
+tossed her head when she thought of the admirers of her youth.
+
+"'I concluded I would not join my cousin at all,' went on Grandpapa;
+'but this I was finally obliged to do, for days passed on and they did
+not return. At this we all began to look grave; so the father
+field-mouse told me that he was afraid something had happened, and he
+thought we had better search for them. We made a party of eight, and set
+out towards the mountains, anticipating something dreadful must have
+befallen the travellers. Ah, what a time we had!
+
+"'We came to a place where the rock rose so steep and straight before
+us, that I did not consider it possible to climb it. What do you suppose
+we did? We tied ourselves together, as travellers do when ascending the
+Alps in Switzerland, although not with such ropes as they use; we
+fastened the tips of our tails together with bits of grass, then marched
+along side by side. This was an excellent arrangement, as we afterwards
+found; for at one time they all slipped, obliging me to bear their
+weight upon my tail. It was a terrible moment: I feared it would break,
+or be pulled out from the roots entirely!
+
+"'At last we reached a shelf of rock where we could rest awhile. The
+view from this place was splendid. The valleys lay below blooming with
+verdure, many-colored flowers, and golden grain almost ready for the
+harvest; the rivers sparkled under the clear sunlight in silvery
+threads; and of the towns scattered along the the hillside as far as I
+could see, the church steeples looked like mere arrowy spikes. When I
+gazed down upon this beautiful smiling earth, and up at the blue sky
+where the soft white clouds were floating idly along, it seemed to me
+very wonderful that the good God, who had made such grand things, had
+made also little me.
+
+"'We climbed up and up for several days, following footprints that were
+certainly those of mice; and we hoped belonged to our friends. At last,
+even such traces ceased; and we were fairly at our wits' end, when we
+heard faint sounds behind a large leaf. Peering cautiously around the
+corner, we saw the gray mouse and his companion stretched upon a bed of
+moss, groaning in the most dismal manner. They were overjoyed to see us
+again, for they had supposed they must die up there alone. My cousin
+had slipped, and sprained his ankle terribly; while the field-mouse had
+lost his balance, in trying to assist him, and fallen down a precipice
+some twenty inches high, thus injuring his spine. It was all very well
+having found them; but how were we to get them away, when neither of
+them could move a step? We sat for a long time looking at each other in
+doubt, and then a bright idea struck me.
+
+"'"We can braid this sword-grass together, and lower them down by it," I
+said.
+
+"'We soon joined a quantity in this way, then fastened one end about the
+waist of my cousin, and let him down to the next ledge. In this way we
+got them both to the foot of the mountain. Now it remained to carry them
+across the country; so we tore a mullein leaf in two halves, and,
+placing the pieces upon birch twigs, formed excellent litters for our
+invalids. We reached the stump of the field-mice again, after an absence
+of a month. The surgeon mended my cousin's ankle, which was broken; and,
+as for the young field-mouse, I am told he has not known what it was to
+feel well a day since.
+
+"'During the period that we remained, I made a proposal of marriage to
+your mother, and was accepted; so, with the understanding that I should
+return in the spring, we finally started home. My mother forgot to scold
+us, she was so frightened by our long absence. Besides, she received
+very sad news just at this time. My father, who was away on business, as
+I have said, was taken with the cholera suddenly, after eating a late
+supper of bacon rinds, and died. I tried to be a good son ever after,'
+concluded he, wiping a tear from his left eye, 'although if I had not
+been naughty this time, I should never have known your mother.'
+
+"'For my part,' remarked the city mouse, 'I have had rather a tough time
+of it so far. Now, indeed, I enjoy my ease; but, as I have said, it has
+been hardly earned. My desire in going to town was, first, to learn
+something of life, and then aspire to belonging to the class of business
+mice, which seemed to me the most enviable lot imaginable. I was very
+near losing sight of this aim once; still I persevered, until now I am
+reckoned among the most influential people. When I began my career, I
+was extremely gay; that is, I enjoyed the company of a number of other
+young mice, who did nothing but frolic the whole day. I might have kept
+on in this way for any length of time, had I not been suddenly checked.
+
+"'I was invited to a ball given by a wealthy mouse at his country
+residence, which was located in a nook of the wall of an ice-house. It
+was really the finest place for the time of year I ever visited, and the
+wealthy mouse had spared no expense in fitting it up nicely. The
+coolness of the house was so refreshing in the sultry heat of July; for,
+if one was too hot, all one had to do was to skip down where the great
+blocks of ice were piled, and soon get cooled off again. Well, we were
+all to attend the silver wedding of the old couple. The young mice had
+the greatest time at the tailor's, wondering what to wear; for we were
+expected to assume the character of some distinguished person, as it was
+to be a fancy masquerade. I thought the tailor would have been crazed
+with getting our costumes made, we altered our minds so often; but,
+finally, all was ready, and, with our dresses wrapped in brown paper,
+we started.
+
+"'At the entrance door,--a crack in the stonework,--we were shown by two
+waiters, in white jackets and aprons, to the dressing-room, where any
+number of guests were tying on their masks, made of scraps of various
+colored silks, that certainly had a very stylish appearance. The
+reception rooms below were truly magnificent. The walls were hung with
+strips of red and blue paper, gnawed into all manner of fanciful shapes,
+while a row of glow-worms, placed at intervals, lit up the place in the
+most beautiful way. At one end of the room stood the host and hostess
+upon a platform an inch high (she wearing her wedding-dress of lily
+leaves, which had a very old-fashioned effect, because every one wears
+swan's-down nowadays), to receive the company, who marched up to make a
+bow, each in turn. I represented Bluebeard, with a green turban round my
+head, a red sash with a dagger of a rose-thorn, and a pair of yellow
+Turkish trousers. This was all very elegant; but I found I could not
+dance the polka very well, I was so much bundled up. A friend of mine
+was dressed in a long-tailed coat of scarlet plush, with gold
+knee-breeches; another had on for armor half of a nutmeg-grater, with a
+tin shield made of the top of a spice-box, and a thistle-cup for helmet.
+
+"'As for the ladies' toilets, I cannot begin to describe them, there was
+such a variety of beauty and elegance. One lady's costume I remember
+especially, however: it was so very dainty. She was equipped as a
+flower-girl, with a short dress of sea-lettuce, looped by tufts of
+dandelion down; she wore pink slippers, laced across the instep, a
+bodice of wasp-wings, and a hat made of a silver three-cent piece,
+ornamented by a flower in the side. I danced with this lady a great many
+times, although, as she was masked, I could not see her face at all; and
+we became quite well acquainted. The dancing-room grew very hot; and the
+band played splendidly (they were katydids, and worked so hard with
+their fiddles, it is only a wonder their legs were not worn out
+entirely), when I proposed to the young lady-mouse to take a walk in the
+moonlight. We found a good many others strolling along arm in arm; and
+she had just consented to give me a whisker (as mortals would exchange a
+lock of hair), when we heard a shrill voice behind us in the distance.
+
+"'"Oh, that is my grandmother!" exclaimed my lovely companion in a
+whisper, and then she fainted away.
+
+"'The grandmother hobbled up, and she was certainly the ugliest little
+old mouse I ever saw in my life. Her nose was very long, she wore green
+spectacles, and used a cane in walking. When she beheld the insensible
+form of her grand-daughter, she fairly shook her cane at me.
+
+"'"What do you mean?" she said in a hoarse, croaking voice. "I came to
+the ball to watch this young mouse; and now you have skipped out into
+the moonlight to take cold, have you?"
+
+"'She attempted to box my ears, while I tried to dodge her sharp claws;
+and, in so doing, the fair young mouse fell to the ground, thus ruining
+her pretty hat. The grandmother screamed with rage to see so nice a
+costume spoiled, and this sent all the guests out to find what was the
+matter. The noise brought still another guest to the scene that we did
+not expect: a great cat, with eyes like green fire, came creeping
+through the grass; but we never noticed her, we were so busy bickering
+and quarrelling among ourselves.
+
+"'Suddenly she gave a pounce into our midst; and we all ran for our
+lives, tearing our dresses, losing caps and shoes, tumbling over each
+other, until we arrived breathless under shelter. We then began to count
+our number, and found that the poor flower-girl mouse was missing. I
+peeped out of the crack fearfully, and sure enough the horrible cat was
+stepping away lightly with our poor companion in her cruel mouth.
+
+"'Of course the ball was closed after this dreadful accident; and as for
+the grandmother, I have heard she was crazy afterward, so that she had
+to be confined in an egg-shell with wire bars at the entrance. This
+event sobered me very much. I began to think that there was something
+more to be done in the world than frisk about and dress finely.
+
+"'When I returned to the city, I went to a merchant mouse of great
+reputation to seek employment. After some delay, I was shown into his
+counting-room (behind the fireplace of a lawyer's office), where I found
+him, as was to be expected, busily engaged at his desk. I told him I
+should like to be appointed one of his clerks, as I hoped to rise, like
+himself, to the rank of wealth and importance. He put his pen behind his
+ear,--it was the pin-feather of a bird,--and smiled rather grimly, as
+though he fancied a good many mice would enjoy growing as great as he
+had. The salary I should receive was very small, he told me, and I would
+have to work very hard for it; still I was not discouraged by all this,
+so the next morning I entered his store.
+
+"'He was one of the most influential provision mice in the city, doing a
+large wholesale business with other cities, and the country as well. I
+belonged at first to the number of young clerks whose duty it was to go
+about the streets and houses with bags, like rag-pickers, to find odd
+scraps of bread, cheese, sugar, nuts, raisins, and starch, which we
+brought to the warehouse, where they were taken in charge by other
+clerks, who packed them to be carried away, or sold them in piles at a
+time.
+
+"'It was terribly fatiguing, for we were expected to bring a full bag
+always by nightfall; but I determined to be industrious; so I
+persevered, although the time seemed _so_ long before I was promoted to
+the rank of clerk in the receiving department. From this I have
+progressed slowly enough, yet I have gained much knowledge. Dear me! I
+could tell you where a crumb of cheese came from in the dark. Now I am
+the head of the house; for my employer has retired from business,
+leaving me in charge. I have also married his only daughter,' said the
+city mouse, with a proud air.
+
+"'I am glad you have succeeded;' commented Grandpapa kindly; 'only be
+careful that prosperity does not make you arrogant, as it is apt to.
+
+"'Now, my dear daughter;' he added, turning to the mouse who had arrived
+second on Christmas Eve, 'what have you been doing this long time?'
+
+"'I went to visit my cousin, as you will doubtless remember. She is a
+great matchmaker, and perhaps you knew that when you sent me to her; for
+I was then quite mature in age, and did not inherit any of my mother's
+beauty, besides. Well, she found me plenty of suitors, and before long I
+married. I enjoyed life very much at first; but sorrows in plenty
+awaited me,' sighed the daughter, arranging her crape head-dress.
+
+"'I had four beautiful children; and my pride in them was so great that
+I decided to take them to the mouse fair, where prizes were to be given
+to the handsomest babies. The mice were flocking from all quarters to
+this splendid exhibition, which was given in order to raise funds for an
+orphan asylum that was much needed in the region.
+
+"'The place selected was under a rock on the margin of a wood. The tent
+was made of rags joined together; and at the entrance we all paid the
+admittance fee,--a kernel of corn, which was to go towards the fund. The
+collection within was very fine. There were a few grains of maize
+brought all the way from Egypt at immense expense. There was a portrait
+of one of our distinguished ancestors, painted in brickdust by a young
+mouse artist of great talent; there was a scrap of bacon sent from
+England; and there were two whole figs given to the fair by a wealthy
+mouse of high rank. There were also a number of articles to be sold by
+lottery; a work-box formed of a filbert hollowed out, and lined with
+moss, besides being fitted up with needles and scissors of fish-bone; a
+pony carriage made of a scallop shell upon spool wheels, the most
+luxurious thing to drive in I ever beheld; a candlestick of brown sugar,
+beautifully nibbled into filigree work by a blind mouse of large
+experience; and a blanket composed of a sheep's tail, embroidered with
+cat-whiskers.
+
+"'These are a few of the things I remember, because I nearly ruined my
+husband by taking shares in them all; and I actually drew nothing, so
+all that money, or corn rather, was lost.
+
+"'Behind the tables stood rows of young lady-mice, all dressed alike,
+with buttercup caps upon their heads, and wearing aprons, the pockets
+trimmed with gold thread. This gave them a very pretty appearance; and
+they sold much more among the gentlemen mice than they would have done,
+had they been more plainly dressed.
+
+"'At last it was time for the prizes to be given to the finest children;
+and the committee of ten old mice, who were to decide the important
+question took their places, and all mothers were told to come forward.
+How lovely my dear babies did look! They never cried, or crumpled their
+little white bibs in the least; and I felt so proud of them I could
+hardly stand.
+
+"'Well, they took all the prizes: one for his large weight, one for the
+size of his nose, which was very remarkable for his age; one for the
+smallness of his feet; and the last for the great length of his tail.
+Oh! the other mothers were so enraged and jealous, I was afraid they
+would tear my eyes out.'
+
+"Here the daughter mouse began to sob and cry, while all of the family
+tried to comfort her.
+
+"'I will tell the rest: she will not be able,' piped her husband,
+holding a smelling-bottle to her nose.
+
+"'No, no,' she said in a faint voice, while Grandmamma fanned her: 'I
+will finish.
+
+"'We started home again with the little dears, and on our way paused to
+rest for the purpose of eating a few wild berries in the wood, as a
+luncheon, leaving our nurse at some little distance in charge of the
+children. We were startled by a sudden squeal, and beheld the nurse
+trotting towards us, her eyes wild with fright.
+
+"'"Where are the babies?" I shrieked in terror.
+
+"'Alas! I soon discovered what a misfortune had befallen me. A dog had
+found them as they lay asleep, and was now tossing them rudely about in
+sport, and I could not defend them. I have never been the same mouse
+since their sad death, and I do not expect ever to wear any thing but
+mourning.
+
+"They were all very much affected by the sorrows of the eldest daughter.
+When she had finished, the city mouse used her handkerchief several
+times, while Grandmamma's spectacles were quite dim with tears.
+
+"'Could you give us some items of your experience, also?' inquired
+Grandpapa of his eldest son, sleepily but politely.
+
+"'I have really nothing of importance to tell;' and perhaps he was
+right, for he certainly had been very quiet all this time, although it
+may have been because he ate so much dinner.
+
+"'I have lived a very uneventful life,' he went on, 'not having wandered
+further than the next village, where I live in a barn very comfortably.
+I have no learned tastes, like my bachelor brother; I do not care in the
+least whether the moon is green cheese or not,--as long as I stay on
+earth it need not trouble me; I am not a business mouse, like my city
+brother; I have never made a journey, like my father here; and all my
+children have lived to grow up, so that I have not the same misfortunes
+as my poor sister.
+
+"'That is all I can say for myself; and, if it is agreeable to you all,
+I propose we go to bed, as some of us will have to make an early start
+in the morning,' he said, rising with a yawn of fatigue.
+
+"They consented to this last arrangement, and thus Christmas Day closed
+on Grandpapa Mouse and his family."
+
+Public favor was universally awarded the Caterpillar after this effort.
+
+The Cricket next received a reward for all his patience and good humor,
+by having an opportunity of telling--
+
+
+
+
+THE ENCHANTED BABY-HOUSE.
+
+
+"Yes, it was a pleasant day, after all! The bright sunlight danced
+through the parted crimson curtains down upon the nursery floor, down
+upon curly heads nestled among the pillows, tinging the canary bird's
+golden feathers, as he ruffled himself upon the perch before skipping
+down to the dining-room of his cage for a stray seed or sip of water,
+and blinking straight into the eyes of little Milly, as she first opened
+them upon her sixth birthday. The other children were still napping; but
+Hannah, the nurse, thought of it, and came to kiss the pet who had first
+rested in her arms, a wee bundle of flannel, with a tiny red face. Nurse
+thought Milly a great deal prettier and bonnier, as she crept out of bed
+now to stand upon the warm hearth-rug in her white night-dress, warming
+her little pink toes at the blaze, than when she was only that little
+bundle of flannel on the day of her birth.
+
+"'Come, dears,' said nurse, rousing the others: 'it is Milly's birthday,
+you know; so be up bright and early.'
+
+"'Yes, yes,' sang Milly, merrily whirling about the room to the step her
+dancing-master had last taught her. 'Get up! I am six years old to-day:
+only think; and you but four, Miss Pet,--such a little, little girl.'
+
+"'No: I aint,' answered Pet, indignantly, rolling out upon the floor
+like a rosy ball of an apple: 'I am so big I can see over the table,
+anyhow.'
+
+"Upon this Milly caught the small sister by both hands, and whirled her
+round the room so fast, that Pet had not a particle of breath left in
+her fat little body. The noise made all the other children open their
+eyes, and join in the fun; while even the baby sat up in its crib, to
+crow, and pat its dimpled hands together, because the rest did: babies
+can never give any better reasons for their actions. Nurse Hannah and
+her assistant, Sarah, never had such work to dress their charges, as on
+that morning. First, Tom put on his soldier's cap, which Santa Claus had
+given him only a few weeks before, and strapped the sword about his
+waist, which certainly made him look very funny indeed, considering that
+he still wore only his night-clothes; while all the rest strutted after
+him in single file, Dick beating a drum, Milly carrying a tin musket,
+and Pet bringing up the rear, staggering under the weight of a knapsack.
+In this way, they marched about, always slipping like eels when Nurse
+Hannah touched them, and making so much noise the while, that she could
+scarcely hear herself speak. At last, Sarah pounced upon Pet, and bore
+her away shrieking and struggling to the bath-room, whence, after a good
+deal of gurgling and splashing, she returned, looking as fresh as a
+rosebud that the dew has just kissed into fragrance. Milly now began to
+behave better; for she thought she must set Pet a good example, since
+she was so much the elder of the two. Tom and Dick, however, grew wilder
+and gayer as they dressed themselves. They hid Milly's boots so that she
+could not find them; they whisked the baby out of his crib, where he
+sat contentedly sucking one thumb, and perched him upon the bureau; and
+Tom leaped upon the table with a newspaper, which he held upside down,
+and pretended to read, with Nurse Hannah's steel-bowed spectacles upon
+his little pug nose.
+
+"At this they all laughed so loudly that mamma came to the door to
+inquire what was the matter, and tell them it was breakfast-time.
+
+"'O Sarah! please brush my hair, quick,' implored Milly. 'I want to
+begin my year in season for every thing, if I possibly can.'
+
+"So Sarah brushed her hair, and smoothed down the nice new dress and
+crisp muslin apron prepared for the occasion; then Milly ran downstairs,
+and climbed into her high chair, just before papa was ready to ask the
+blessing, feeling very gay and happy. After breakfast, mamma proposed
+that they should all go out to play for a time, as the morning was so
+fine.
+
+"'Then,' she said with a smile, patting her eldest daughter's soft round
+cheek, 'we will see what we can do to amuse Milly in the house.'
+
+"Mamma then went away, and Milly turned to the window with a half sigh
+of disappointment. The view from where she stood was beautiful enough to
+make any child's eyes sparkle with delight. The earth was hidden by a
+soft covering of fresh snow; the trees and shrubs were powdered with
+icicle fringes, that gleamed and sparkled in the sun like so many
+crystal pendants; and the Hudson River swept along, bearing upon its
+surface, now a stately steamboat, ploughing its way swiftly along
+through sheets of foam-flakes, and now a flitting sail-boat, with white
+sail spread like a bird's wings upon the wind. But, for the moment,
+Milly did not enjoy this splendid winter landscape; nor did she notice
+the little snow-birds, hopping about the frozen ground on their
+frail-looking little legs, and cocking their bright eyes up at her, as
+if begging a crumb from the plenty of the table. A cloud had come over
+her bright face, causing it for the time to look sullen and sad. Do you
+know what she was thinking of? Precisely what you or any other little
+child might in her place. She had expected a birthday gift, and now
+nothing of the kind was presented to her from papa even down to the
+baby.
+
+"'I always had one,' reflected Milly, growing more and more aggrieved as
+she thought of this injustice, until a tear rolled down her cheek. 'I
+always had one,'--this with a sob,--'even when I was ever so little. I
+had a rag doll, and a tin horse and cart, and a picture book, and all
+sorts of things; but to-day'--
+
+"Here Pet came running in with her arms full of wrappings, followed by
+Sarah also carrying Milly's warm cloak, hat, and mittens.
+
+"'Come,' said Pet, 'we are to slide on the pond with the boys, and have
+such fun.'
+
+"'I don't want to slide,' pouted Milly, turning away to the window
+again.
+
+"'What a naughty girl!' exclaimed Sarah, as she tied on Pet's hat, who
+could do nothing but stare at Milly in amazement, with big, bright eyes.
+
+"'Not do,' piped the little sister. 'Oh! I know somethin', Mil',' she
+added, puffing out her cheeks with an important air. 'You are not to go
+up-stairs at all, mamma said.'
+
+"'Oh, you silly little goose!' said Tom, overhearing the last sentence
+as he entered the room: 'I shall box your ears for that, Miss.'
+
+"Then Tom pretended to carry out his threat, and Milly forgot her tears
+to join in the romp; while Sarah tried to defend poor Pet, who became so
+tumbled and out of breath, with her hat knocked over one eye, that she
+looked very funny indeed, though I do not believe she was very much hurt
+after all.
+
+"Well, they went out into the frosty air, which nipped their little
+noses, stung their round cheeks into a warmer glow, and caused the blood
+to course through their young veins like sparkling champagne. Tom and
+Dick meant to be very good and patient to-day, because they loved their
+little sister much, although they were sometimes rough and rude to her;
+but then she was only a girl. Milly's uncle had sent her a beautiful
+pair of skates Christmas, all buckles and straps and sharp-curved
+runners. They were really splendid; but Milly did not make very much
+progress in using them, after all. Her ankles _would_ turn; and she felt
+so helpless standing upon the smooth, glaring surface of ice alone,
+with her two feet planted close together, while her brothers whizzed
+past her in circles that made her head spin to watch, and asked her why
+she did not "strike out,--so!" Then when she followed their advice, and
+did strike out, her skates were sure to flash up in the air, where her
+head ought to have been, while her head went down bump, bump, where her
+skates should have been. This was the way Milly skated. When they
+reached the pond, Tom and Dick strapped on their skates; then Dick
+said,--
+
+"'Now, Milly, we will teach you real nice to-day: we are going to be
+awfully good.'
+
+"'No, I thank you,' said Milly, with a grand air: 'I am not going to
+tumble about, and get so vexed on my birthday. Pet and I will be ladies,
+and you shall be our horses.'
+
+"At first, the two boys looked surprised; but Milly quite coolly seated
+herself upon Tom's sled, tucked her little petticoats snugly about her,
+and sat nodding at them both.
+
+"'Upon my word, that's cool!' cried Tom; but he harnessed himself with
+the rope, nevertheless, and away they started, the silver bells
+attached to the sled tinkling merrily. They had a grand time of it for
+an hour or so, until Milly suddenly remembered what Pet had said about
+not going up-stairs; and then she wondered what it all could mean. They
+finally started for the house; and when they saw their mamma standing at
+the dining-room window watching, Pet and Milly joined hands, and ran as
+fast as they could towards home: they could not tell exactly why, except
+that they felt like it.
+
+"'Can Milly go up-stairs now, mamma?' asked Pet eagerly.
+
+"Mamma assented; and Milly, wondering very much what was coming,
+followed her mother into a little room that had never before been used,
+and which was now furnished in the most beautiful manner. There was a
+fresh muslin curtain, looped with gay ribbons, at the window; the carpet
+looked as if it had just been strewn with rosebuds; the tiny bedstead,
+of carved wood, had the daintiest linen and crimped hangings; while
+there was a little bookcase in one corner, containing all kinds of
+pretty books; upon the table bloomed a bouquet of sweet-scented
+violets; and by the table was the loveliest rocking-chair imaginable,
+just large enough to hold a little girl of six years old. Upon the wall,
+in a wreath of evergreen, were written these words: 'Milly's room.'
+
+"Milly gazed about her, feeling as if she was in a dream. Having
+examined all the fine furniture which was from this time to be all her
+own, Pet pointed to a large object in a corner, concealed by a sheet
+curtain.
+
+"'What's that?' dancing about with delight.
+
+"'Let her guess,' said Tom, putting his hand over foolish little Pet's
+rosy lips, to keep her from telling the important secret.
+
+"'It's a ba-by,' gurgled Pet; but Tom put his jacket over her head, and
+extinguished her entirely.
+
+"'Can you guess what it is?' asked mamma.
+
+"'It looks like an elephant,' said Dick.
+
+"'I should think it might be a bookcase, only there is one; and Pet said
+it was a baby-house,' replied Milly hesitatingly.
+
+"'Right, right!' cried all the children, clapping their hands.
+
+"Then papa drew aside the curtain, and Milly's eyes fairly danced with
+delight at the sight disclosed.
+
+"It was the most splendid baby-house she had ever seen in her life,
+although she had always considered that of her Cousin May very fine
+before. The roof reached nearly to the ceiling of the room, boasting
+gables and chimneys; there was a large front door, wearing the number of
+the house upon a brass plate; and the windows with the parted curtains
+temptingly invited a glimpse into the interior. Mamma then told Milly to
+open the door, which she did half shyly, as though she did not know what
+to expect next. First, she sat down upon the carpet to look at the
+kitchen, with its shining painted floor, its stove, dresser, teakettles,
+saucepans, flat-irons, and other implements of that department, over
+which reigned Dinah, in a yellow turban and smart red dress, with ever
+so many assistant darkies, from her daughter Sue down to tiny doll
+grandchildren, not more than an inch long, all as black as ebony. Next
+came the dining-room, which was certainly as handsome as the most
+fastidious doll could wish for. There were two mahogany sideboards, with
+a grand array of frosted cakes, pies, and ice-cream pyramids, only they
+were all made of painted wood; and there was a table with a beautiful
+gilt tea-service, and a large coffee-urn upon it. On the neatly papered
+wall hung several choice pictures about an inch square, and a veritable
+cuckoo clock, with the bird all ready to pop out when you pulled a silk
+tag. A genteel waitress, in a muslin cap and apron, stood by the table.
+
+"Milly now stood up to view the second story, and by so doing just
+brought her small nose on a level with the bedroom. She found this to be
+furnished exactly like her own. The same carpet was spread upon the
+floor; the bureau, the bedstead, and washstand, were precisely similar.
+The baby-house had many more articles of furniture, however, than did
+the larger apartment; for it was not only adorned by a toilet-table, a
+wee bath-tub, and a wardrobe, but there were ever so many cradles and
+high-chairs for the children.
+
+"'Now look at the parlor,' cried Pet.
+
+"I cannot begin to describe the magnificence of this drawing-room. Every
+thing was gilt and crimson in the appointments, which is certainly very
+good taste, whether doll or human being. There was a gilt chandelier,
+with pink wax candles ready to light at any time, gilt chairs, and
+centre-table holding vases filled with flowers, while the carpet and
+walls were crimson. Before the open piano was seated a very pretty doll
+in a flounced blue silk dress, trimmed with crystal drops; upon the sofa
+reclined her two sisters, one wearing white with a green sash, and the
+other pink barege; while the mother, in purple satin edged with white
+lace, occupied a large arm-chair, with her feet upon a footstool. At the
+billiard-table in the corner were several more dolls, one holding the
+cue ready to play a game.
+
+"This is all that I can remember of the wonderful baby-house (it is a
+long time since I saw it last); but if there was any thing else that I
+have not mentioned, you may be sure Milly discovered it before
+nightfall, that birthday when she was six years old. When she had seen
+all these things, little Milly jumped up with a flush on her cheek, and
+turned to all the kind faces that were watching her surprise and
+pleasure. First, she gave her parents a kiss of thanks; then there was
+Sarah smiling in the doorway, and Nurse Hannah holding the baby, who
+looked quite solemn, with one thumb in its mouth, baby fashion. The boys
+then ran away to their skating again, for they thought they were too big
+and old, to show much interest in a baby-house; and the sisters were
+left to their play undisturbed. Of course there was no end of fun for
+the rest of that long, happy day. Milly and Pet had hardly leisure to
+eat their dinner, they were so absorbed with their new playthings. Such
+a confusion as they made in the neat little rooms, house-cleaning,
+re-arranging furniture and dollies! Such a number of meals as were
+served in that one afternoon alone! It is only a wonder that a single
+doll had any digestion left, or that Dinah could still show her white
+teeth in that contented smile; for any other cook would have given
+warning that she was about to leave, I am sure, who had to serve the
+quantities of sweetened water, scraped apple, and chalk dishes that she
+did. But Dinah did not lose her temper, although it was so severely
+tried, one would think; and the day's pleasure closed with a grand
+tea-party, to which Tom and Dick were invited. Then the baby-house was
+arranged, and the door closed for the night.
+
+"When it was bedtime, Milly realized, for the first time, what a large
+girl she had grown, to have a place all to herself. Sarah brought a
+light, and prepared to put her charge to bed; but this Milly resisted
+indignantly. She was going to undress, and take care of herself; so she
+bade Sarah good-night very ceremoniously, and the nursery-maid went away
+laughing. There was a good deal of pattering to and from the nursery,
+however, after that. First, Milly ran across her mother's room, and
+along the passage, to make a call upon the other children; and she
+looked back with a little shiver at comfortable Miss Pet sitting on the
+hearth-rug like a soft white kitten, and the baby asleep in the crib, as
+she returned to her _own room_ once more. Then the others made her a
+call, and envied her new dignity: only Pet whispered in an awed tone,--
+
+"'Wont you be afraid when the light goes out, Milly?'
+
+"'No, indeed,' said Milly bravely.
+
+"Then she blew out the candle, and sprang into bed, just to show Pet how
+much she enjoyed it all. But when they had trotted back, and it was all
+dark, she began to see strange shapes from out of the darkness, and to
+hear rustlings all about that she had never noticed in the shelter of
+the nursery, until she fell asleep. She was awakened by a noise that
+made her heart leap into her throat with a single bound. It was
+something between a gurgle and a groan; and so frightened grew little
+Milly, that she stole out of her warm bed, and paused, trembling, on the
+threshold of her mother's room to listen. What do you suppose the noise
+was, after all? Milly almost laughed at herself when she discovered; it
+was her papa snoring loudly. She was so glad that no one knew of her
+fright, the first night she slept alone, that she nestled into bed
+again, and pulled the blankets almost over her curly head. The moonlight
+came peeping into the window in silvery beams; and, after looking out
+upon the clear sky, where a few stars twinkled, Milly saw a wonderful
+sight. Down the moonbeam, which formed a pathway paved with sparkling
+hues, floated tiny fairy figures, bearing in their midst upon a litter,
+formed of a lily-cup, their queen. Milly thought she had never dreamed
+of any thing half so beautiful. Shimmering colors wrapped each little
+sprite in a misty glow, while their wings were frosted like those of a
+butterfly. As for the queen, she was ten times more radiant than any of
+her subjects, as a queen should be; and, when she moved, a faint musical
+sound tinkled from the chains of turquoises, which were fastened about
+her waist; from thence they twined in festoons all about her small
+person. She was further distinguished from the rest by a starry crown
+upon her head, and a wand tipped with the same radiance in her hand.
+
+"'Here we are, at last,' said the moonbeam fairy in the sweetest voice.
+'Give me your hand, Milly.'
+
+"The little girl extended it half-fearfully, and the fairy leaped into
+the outspread palm, dancing lightly over the pink-tipped fingers in
+doing so.
+
+"'Don't be afraid of me,' she said. 'I never hurt any child in my life,
+I assure you.'
+
+"The other fairies climbed upon the bed also, some clinging to the
+curtain tassels, some perched among Milly's curls, and others sat at
+their ease on the footboard.
+
+"'It is Milly's birthday,' rustled the elves, like the soft patter of
+raindrops among forest leaves.
+
+"'Yes: we have come a long way to see you, for we live in the moon,'
+said the fairy; 'and it is only when she lowers silver ladders to the
+earth, that we can make a visit down here.'
+
+"'I am so glad you all came to-night,' exclaimed Milly; 'only how did
+you know, away up there, that it was my birthday?'
+
+"'Ah!' returned the fairy smiling, 'we always know every thing, you may
+be sure. The angels tell us, especially about those that are good upon
+the earth. Now to-night my twelve sisters are also down here somewhere;
+this one flitting into the attic windows of the city streets, where
+there is sickness and sorrow; that one whispering words of comfort in
+dreams of warmth and plenty to the little wayfarer, sleeping upon a
+cold doorstep; while another is hovering over the broad sea, to lead the
+poor, rude sailor's thoughts home.'
+
+"'Do you live in a palace?' asked Milly.
+
+"'Yes: we live in a palace beside a silver lake; and we are called the
+twelve sisters of the fairy lake, because we all sprang into life from a
+single bubble of foam, blown through the reed of our Father, the water
+god, who rules over rivers and fountains in the moon.'
+
+"'How wonderful!' commented Milly.
+
+"'Let us be doing something, mistress,' piped a restless elf, who had
+never been at rest a moment, but who skipped and danced about like a
+firefly; once, indeed, turning a summersault, and landing upon Milly's
+nose.
+
+"'What shall we do?' said the queen.
+
+"'Oh! any thing else but talk, please; we can do that at home,' replied
+the elf.
+
+"'Shall I show you my new baby-house?' inquired Milly, who supposed that
+the fairies must find as much to interest them in it as she did
+herself.
+
+"At this the restless elf darted off, and was followed by the others;
+while the queen waved her wand, and, to Milly's astonishment, the door,
+which she had carefully locked, flew wide open. The fairy again waved
+her wand; and from every tiny chandelier sprang jets of light, that
+shone through the windows, and sparkled over the handsome furniture in
+the most beautiful manner.
+
+"'Will you come to see the fun?' asked the fairy; and Milly, all
+curiosity, followed her midnight guests across the room.
+
+"The restless elf next borrowed the queen's wand, and, stepping into the
+window of the bedroom, tapped each of the sleeping dolls with it upon
+the head.
+
+"'Come, come! get up, you lazy creatures!' cried the roguish elf,
+enjoying himself immensely.
+
+"All the dolls began to move about and yawn, as if they were just waking
+up. Milly thought she had never imagined any thing so delightfully funny
+as the little babies winking their bright black eyes, and crying so that
+the nurses had to rock the cradles to keep them quiet.
+
+"'Now, then,' said the elf, 'you all dress yourselves as quickly as
+possible, and then I will tell you what to do.'
+
+"He left them in the bedroom, roused Dinah in the kitchen, and the
+genteel waitress in the dining-room; then he returned to the parlor,
+tried the piano, whistling a tune, at the same time winking so drolly at
+Milly, that she laughed with delight; played a round or so at the
+billiard-table, and then seated himself in the large arm-chair. In the
+mean while, the dolls were grumbling over the whole affair.
+
+"'I never heard of such a thing,' said the fat mamma, smoothing her hair
+before the looking-glass, 'to turn us all out of bed at this time of
+night, and set all babies crying, too!'
+
+"'Never mind, mamma,' said the daughter in blue silk, shaking out her
+flounces: 'it is the little lady's birthday, and we can take a nap
+to-morrow.'
+
+"'Yes,' chimed in the pink-barege sister; 'and she never has broken us,
+you know.'
+
+"'I am sure I am afraid of my legs, if that Miss Pet only looks at me,
+for fear they will be smashed,' echoed the white-muslin lady, looking
+mournfully at her china boots.
+
+"'If Pet could only hear her talk!' whispered Milly to the fairy queen;
+when lo! in toddled the young lady, and, putting her arm about Milly's
+neck, stood looking at the wonderful sight also.
+
+"'I am so glad you can see it too, Pet!'
+
+"'By this time the dolls had made their toilets; all except the babies
+that were left in charge of their nurses, some of whom trotted them upon
+their knees, or fed them with pap out of tin mugs, while others still
+rocked the cradles, and the seamstress stitched upon the sewing-machine.
+
+"'First, we will have a dance,' said the elf, cutting a caper in mid
+air. 'You stupid dolls! why don't you act as though you were made of
+something better than wood?'
+
+"'We are made of the best French china and kid,' retorted the dolls
+indignantly, as they all huddled together in the corner, and stared at
+the elf with their round eyes.
+
+"'They are afraid of you; join your companions on the roof,' commanded
+the queen.
+
+"The elf made a wry face, for he desired to play pranks upon the
+dollies; but he flew up at the royal command to where the others were
+clustered about the chimneys, and hung himself by one leg from an eave,
+with his queer little face and twinkling eyes close to Milly. Left to
+themselves, the inmates of the baby-house felt more at their ease. The
+blue-silk daughter commenced to play a lively air upon the piano, to
+which all the younger dolls began to dance; and such waltzes, polkas,
+and quadrilles as were performed never were seen before.
+
+"'You would think they had been to dancing-school all their lives,' said
+the fairy.
+
+"'What fun we are having!' exclaimed a pretty doll, with red cheeks,
+mincing along. 'I was only made last week, and I had no idea the world
+was such a nice place.'
+
+"'You need not think you are to go on in this way all your life,'
+snapped another, who was rather ill-natured, because her nose was
+broken. 'We are all bewitched to-night.'
+
+"'Are we?' returned rosy-cheeks. 'I should like to be so always, then.'
+
+"In the mean while, the stout mamma had done nothing but doze and nod
+upon the sofa, with a fine lace pocket-handkerchief over her head, while
+all the music and dancing had gone on so merrily about her. But no
+sooner had the genteel waitress arranged every thing below stairs, and
+tinkled the little silver bell, than she whisked off the covering from
+her face, and rose briskly to go to supper.
+
+"Such a feast as awaited them! There was _real_ tea and coffee bubbling
+in the urns; the wooden cakes, pies, and ices, were wooden no longer;
+or, if they were, the dolls certainly found them delicious. As for
+Dinah, the cook, she was as busy as possible, not only making various
+dishes over the fire, but boxing the ears of her children, and scolding
+them when they did not bring her pepper or salt just to the minute.
+Then, what a pet she was in when any thing burned upon the stove!
+
+"Milly watched all the busy little figures until her very eyes ached,
+and the clock, upon the dining-room wall of the baby-house, struck one,
+two, when out popped the bird above, without any one's pulling the silk
+tag, and chirped 'cuckoo' quite distinctly. At this the moonbeam fairies
+fluttered from their perch upon the gables, and circled in rings of
+flame and purple and gold and blue, quickly succeeding each other; while
+the moonlight streamed brighter and brighter, wrapping every thing in a
+dazzling cloud.
+
+"What do you suppose this dazzling light really was, my dear little
+reader? Why, it was nothing but another day's sun kissing Milly's
+eyelids and curls with golden caresses. Yes, every thing was undisturbed
+in her room. The baby-house was closed; and, when she peeped in, all the
+dolls were as stupid as though they never had skipped, or eaten a late
+supper the previous night, while all the wooden cakes stood upon the
+sideboard untouched.
+
+"'Never mind; the fairies _were_ here,' thought Milly, 'for Pet saw
+them, too.'
+
+"At the breakfast-table, she tried to tell her story; but Tom and Dick
+laughed at her so, she did not get through with it very well.
+
+"'But the fairies were here,' cried Milly, half vexed. 'Pet saw them.'
+
+"The little sister, who was eating bread and butter contentedly,
+stopped, with her mouth and eyes wide open, which made everybody laugh
+the more.
+
+"'I never did!' said Pet, indignantly: 'I only slept the whole time.'
+
+"Poor Milly said no more; but she never saw the moon climb her
+sparkling, star-strewn pathway afterward, without wishing that the
+fairies might spread their rainbow wings, and flutter down into her
+little chamber again, as they did the night when she was six years old."
+
+It stormed heavily all day. The Teapot and Saucepan, sitting on the
+shelf in a state of idleness, agreed together, that, if the rain dashed
+against the windows in that way, the Club would not be able to hear each
+other speak when night came.
+
+On the hearth stood an intruder; a dilapidated old umbrella was in the
+corner, drops of dirty water trickling in streams across the hearth from
+the damp folds.
+
+"I have wet my feet in this muddy river," said the Wasp.
+
+"The hearth was so clean before," sighed the Caterpillar.
+
+"I am really very sorry my master the peddler left me in your way," said
+the Umbrella, meekly. "Only I cannot help it."
+
+"To be sure not," said the Kettle. "You look like an old traveller,
+friend; will you tell us something of yourself?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the Umbrella, and began his history:--
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF AN UMBRELLA.
+
+
+"You will hardly believe it when I say that I was once as handsome as an
+umbrella need to be; I am so faded and stained by old age or rough
+exposure now. Yet I actually was; for in the large manufactory where I
+was born, no stouter whalebone frame or finely carved handle could be
+found.
+
+"My ribs have been broken in several places since, and clumsily mended
+again, which naturally gives me a bungling appearance. Ah, well! beauty
+must fade.
+
+"I remember very well my debut in life. I was standing in the rack of a
+larger shop, one fine summer morning, when a very natty young gentleman
+entered, and purchased me without delay.
+
+"Of course, as I was inexperienced and foolish, I was only too glad to
+exchange the monotony of the warehouse for any novelty.
+
+"Allow me to remark, in commencing, that I have one complaint to urge
+against fate for having made me what I am. The life of an umbrella is a
+most aggravated form of slavery. One can never be sure of having a
+moment's peace. In stormy weather, no matter how heavily the rain falls,
+or the snow sleet drives, one must be on duty, shivering in wet corners
+neglected, or dragged out to brave the tempest again; while on clear
+days one may be under the bed, or behind the wardrobe likely
+enough,--that at least was my experience, but then my master was a
+bachelor.
+
+"I wondered what duty I should perform on this bright, pleasant morning;
+for there was not so much as a cloud in the sky to be seen. I soon
+discovered I was to be of service on an excursion of some kind; for the
+gentleman walked up an avenue leading to a handsome house, and upon the
+steps, under the clustering rose-vines, stood a fair lady, awaiting his
+arrival apparently.
+
+"Presently they drove away in a pretty basket carriage, drawn by a fat
+little pony, and I accompanied them, together with the luncheon parcels
+and fruit baskets.
+
+"It was a pleasant route along a shady road; and I amused myself
+listening to the conversation of the young people (it was of a very
+interesting nature to themselves!), or I flirted with the lady's
+parasol,--a dainty bit of silk that ruffled its lace flounce
+coquettishly upon the breeze, and showed the pink-tinted lining to
+advantage.
+
+"'You are extremely handsome,' I remarked to the Parasol.
+
+"'Yes,' she replied complacently; 'I was imported from Paris, you know,
+and cost very dear, as my lace is _real_. But what are you doing here?'
+
+"'That I cannot tell myself,' I answered. 'Perhaps we shall know before
+the day is over.'
+
+"At length we reached the end of our drive; the master assisted his
+companion to alight; the luncheon, parasol, and myself, followed to
+where the grass bank, soft as velvet, sloped to the brink of a merry
+little brook, which sparkled laughingly in the sunlight for a time, then
+hid among the ferns that fringed the distance.
+
+"An umbrella never was exposed to more contempt than I received on that
+occasion. No sooner had my master brought me upon the scene, than the
+company began to laugh and jest. It seemed so absurd to these silly
+people, that I should be needed. Even the Parasol, resting in the lap of
+her mistress, smirked contemptuously at me where I stood disconsolately
+against a tree. For three long hours I remained unoccupied; while all
+the gay people strolled among the trees to gather wild flowers, or
+reclined in the shade to enjoy strawberries and ice-cream.
+
+"Gradually the sun became obscured behind masses of swiftly rising
+cloud; but no one noticed it except myself, and, as no refreshments were
+offered me, I had nothing better to do than to watch the change of the
+weather. Suddenly there sounded a peal of thunder, followed by a flash
+of lightning; then down pattered the rain, making delicious music among
+the leaves overhead.
+
+"I never felt so wicked in my life. I longed to dance, only an umbrella
+cannot do that without losing its balance. I longed to shout aloud, but
+an umbrella cannot do this either for the want of a pair of lungs. I
+spread my grateful shelter above the heads of the group to whom I
+belonged, and I even took the naughty Parasol under my protection, which
+was certainly a generous act, although one ought never to make a merit
+of such things: I should be ashamed to suspose any of my race would have
+behaved differently under the circumstances.
+
+"There was no house or shelter at hand, and all the pretty pony
+carriages were no protection against the storm. How flabby the muslin
+dresses of the ladies became, how limp the white coats of the gentlemen,
+as they crowded under the shelter of the oak-trees pretending to think
+it very funny indeed! But they did not, I could see that plainly enough.
+The young ladies' hair came out of curl, and the brims of their hats
+were crushed out of shape from attempting to keep them dry; while the
+piles of frosted confectionery melted into a mass that might as well
+have been soaked brown paper, or any thing else tough and disagreeable.
+The strawberries tumbled about in crimson pyramids, followed by stray
+golden lemons; and cakes, with white caps on, popped out of their place,
+to join in the general ruin.
+
+"How proud I felt! Soft words and tender glances were exchanged by the
+young couple I protected; for I managed to screen them from the rest, so
+they could enjoy themselves the more.
+
+"'Dear Umbrella,' entreated the Parasol, 'do save my tassels; they are
+growing quite wet, and the color has changed.'
+
+"'Yes, indeed, Madam Butterfly: you are not good for much.'
+
+"'I am so new to be thrown aside,' sobbed the Parasol. 'All for a stupid
+shower, too!'
+
+"'There, don't cry,' I urged. 'Your tassels can be changed or dyed.'
+
+"'Dyed!' shrieked the Parasol, indignantly. 'I hope I have not come to
+that.'
+
+"'Do not be so proud,' I said. 'You will certainly come to grief. At
+least men do, and I see no reason why the same rule should not apply to
+parasols as well.'
+
+"I have never seen the parasol, lady, or any of the gay company that
+laughed in the sunshine, or shivered in the rain since. I suppose my
+young master must have married the lady, for I saw him slip a beautiful
+diamond ring upon her finger at the picnic. I hope they are all very
+happy, and that the frail parasol is still in existence; yet I have no
+means of knowing. Alas! an umbrella cannot move without being carried.
+
+"For a short time I resided in the young gentleman's apartments, where I
+formed some very pleasant acquaintances. There was a porcelain standard
+on the mantel-piece, holding a meerschaum pipe; and a tobacco vase, with
+a little Hindoo god perched on the lid. There was an embroidered
+smoking-cap with a gold tassel, hanging over the arm of a parian statue
+of Juno; a bronze clock, a silver-knobbed cane, and a riding-whip on the
+wall.
+
+"The smoking-cap and riding-whip were very spicy in their conversation,
+and waged continual war with the tobacco vase or pipe, who were true
+Germans.
+
+"'That stupid maid very nearly broke my head with the handle of her
+duster,' said Juno, angrily. 'My heart flutters still with the fright it
+gave me.'
+
+"'She soiled my lining with her dirty fingers, too,' said the
+smoking-cap.
+
+"'Thank fortune! I do not require dusting, warbled the canary bird,
+spreading his golden feathers in the sunlight, and flirting a seed at
+the Hindoo god on the lid of the tobacco vase, who only grinned a
+broader smile at the attention.
+
+"'My face is cracked,' chimed in the pretty, good-natured clock; and at
+this, the canary bird, jealous of any sound save his own voice, poured
+forth a flood of music from his tiny throat.
+
+"'Hush!' rustled an ivy-plant, that drooped in graceful tendrils about
+the open window. 'We have not received the new-comer politely.'
+
+"'What new-comer? Oh, the Umbrella!'
+
+"'Yah, ze Umbrella,' echoed the meerschaum, speaking very broken
+English.
+
+"So they all welcomed me cordially, to my great relief; for I was
+beginning to feel dreadfully shy and awkward, not being accustomed to
+society. I endeavored to make myself agreeable, by describing to them
+the incident of the shower, at which they all laughed heartily.
+
+"My thoughts frequently revert to the life I led in that delightful
+home, where I was surrounded by so many refinements. Alas! it was too
+soon brought to a close. My master made a journey; and, although I had
+not the least idea of it, I accompanied him. I was scarcely allowed time
+to look farewell at the various inmates of the room; the clock and
+canary chirping good-by in duet, and I was gone.
+
+"I next found myself upon a large steamboat. Any thing more wretched
+than the night we passed there, I cannot imagine. I rolled about in the
+most uncomfortable fashion, the lights bobbing up and down, the cabin
+floor rocking giddily, and my careless master took no heed to my safety.
+
+"A tattered, rusty-looking man came prowling along, then, stooping over
+me, adroitly managed to drop a clumsy, cotton umbrella, and carry me off
+instead. What must have been my master's disgust, when he discovered
+that horrid, faded thing, instead of my slim, genteel self!
+
+"There was no help for it, because an umbrella cannot raise any outcry;
+so the thief took possession of me without struggle.
+
+"We arrived in a large city; and I was carried ashore by the rusty man,
+who made his way along many narrow, dirty streets, to a small dingy
+shop, which he entered. It was a musty, dark place, crowded with
+many strange articles of sale, from mended furniture, silver
+watches, odd crockery, and picture frames, to china vases, and silk
+pocket-handkerchiefs.
+
+"Here, I was sold to the owner of the shop, a wrinkled, old man, with a
+white beard, who placed me in company with others of my class in a rack.
+At first I was too unhappy in my altered circumstances to attempt any
+conversation with those about me. The sun came peeping in the
+dust-stained window; and each stray, gilded beam seemed a blessing in
+that sad, gloomy place. How every thing brightened under the heavenly,
+glorifying touch! The wreaths of artificial flowers took the bright hues
+of life; and a gray parrot, in a battered cage, shook himself to peer
+about more cheerfully.
+
+"'How pleasant the sun is!' remarked the parrot. 'If it only would shine
+here all day, as it does in my native India, instead of creeping away
+over the roofs so soon, leaving us chill and dark again!'
+
+"Then I inquired, 'You have not lived here always?'
+
+"'I should rather think not,' retorted the parrot, sharply. 'Do you take
+me for a common bird, sir? I belonged to one of the best families at
+home; only it was my misfortune to be caught by a sailor, who brought me
+over the seas to this great city, when he was taken ill, poor fellow,
+and died. I heard him say I was to be a present for his sweetheart up in
+the country; but I never saw her, because the lodging-house woman sold
+me, with the rest of the sailor's effects, to the old Jew here.'
+
+"'As to that,' said a rosewood arm-chair, with a faded cover, 'I once
+adorned a magnificent drawing-room myself.'
+
+"' And we,' sighed a wreath of artificial roses, 'once nestled among the
+curls of beauty.'
+
+"'I was stolen,' said an alabaster vase, standing in graceful purity
+among the surrounding common objects.
+
+"'I was, also,' echoed a velvet portmonnaie, an ivory fan, and a
+crystal perfume-bottle, with silver top.
+
+"Then with the parrot for conductor, holding a bit of straw in his left
+claw, as the leader of an orchestra wields his baton, they all commenced
+a song, the words of which were composed by the ivory fan, and set to
+music by the parrot.
+
+        'Our varnish is cracked,
+        Our colors are worn,
+        In this den we are packed,
+        All our glory is gone.
+
+    _Chorus_. We have seen better days,
+              Tra, la, la, tra, la, la.'
+
+"The parrot was so much affected by this sad yet beautiful composition,
+that he shed tears.
+
+"Just then the old Jew shopkeeper came to show the bird to a purchaser,
+but the parrot was most obstinate. He would not move or speak, although
+coaxed and even threatened to do so. The customer turned away, saying,--
+
+"'What a stupid bird! he does not speak a word.'
+
+"This touched our friend's pride, who cocked his head over his shoulder,
+and replied,--
+
+"'I think the more.'
+
+"The customer was so much delighted, that he at once bought the parrot,
+who departed in triumph.
+
+"'I spoke because I thought I could not do worse than stay here,' he
+remarked, with a sage nod of the head.
+
+"Soon after, a little beggar-boy peeped into the door, and, as I stood
+near by, seized me. He did not know what to do with me; so, after riding
+on me as a hobby horse a while, he exchanged me with a larger boy for a
+green apple. It is said the wheel of fortune constantly revolves; and,
+if such is the case, my luck must have been very low just then. I was
+knocked about from one person to another. Now it was a boot-black owned
+me, now it was a news-vender, or perhaps for a space I belonged to a
+street sweep. At last I was taken from this miserable existence in the
+most curious way.
+
+"I tumbled out of the window in an attic where I had been carelessly
+left, and crashed down upon the pavement. I was severely injured in my
+whalebone parts, yet my ivory handle remained unbroken. For a long
+while I lay unnoticed; then an old lady, carrying a shawl and carpet-bag
+upon her arm, came along to rescue me. She took me a journey in the
+cars, and at last I saw the fresh, smiling country once more.
+
+"The old lady lived in a pretty cottage, surrounded by a pleasant
+garden, where the tulips and lilies nodded in the breeze all day long.
+The old lady was thrifty, so she had my ribs mended by some village
+tinker; but it was not well done, which accounts for the loss of my fine
+figure.
+
+"It was a delightful home,--every thing was so neat about it; and I
+should have been contented to remain there all my life, had I been
+consulted.
+
+"The old lady's nephew came home from school for a holiday; and, after
+shocking our nerves in that quiet spot a week, he departed again, in a
+rain-storm. The good aunt insisted upon my being made use of, although
+the young master did not wish it at all. When the rain ceased, he
+carelessly threw me out by the road-side,--then drove on to his
+destination.
+
+"I remained in the ditch several days, all soaked and muddy as you now
+see me. Finally the peddler, who is stopping here to-night, discovered
+me, while he was driving his wagon slowly along, and raised me from my
+lowly position.
+
+"I do not know where I may go next," said the Umbrella, mournfully. "We
+are all born, but we are not all dead, you know."
+
+"A new thought, certainly," remarked the Kettle, drowsily. "Follow an
+umbrella from the cradle to the grave."
+
+It was now time for the Wasp to distinguish himself.
+
+"I can repeat something, in the fairy-tale style, which was told me by
+Mother Carey's chicken, when we were waiting for the nestling to grow
+strong enough for us to make our journey. It is:--
+
+
+
+
+THE GODMOTHER'S GIFTS.
+
+
+"On the edge of the wood there once lived a poor woman, and her three
+children. On the opposite bank of the broad clear river rose the king's
+palace of marble, with a flag floating proudly from the battlements; but
+the poor woman's children never had crossed the river, or dared to
+venture into the magnificent gardens which surrounded the royal
+residence. Ah, no! they were too poor for that.
+
+"This made the widow's heart very heavy at times, when she watched the
+setting sun gild the arched dome, and silken pennant, or make the lofty
+windows flash in a thousand glittering sparkles of light, in answer to
+his golden beams.
+
+"'My children are as handsome and good as any that visit there,' she
+said to herself. Yes, even as brave as the king's son and daughters
+themselves, no doubt; yet I can never earn enough to give them fine
+clothes, so they just have to stay alone in the woods. To-morrow is the
+great festival, when all are at liberty to bring some curiosity, for
+which they will receive a prize, if it prove the most worthy, from his
+majesty. What have my little ones to display?'
+
+"She called them to her and said,--
+
+"'A distant relation of your father's, who is a fairy, was present at
+your birth, my dears. Perhaps she may visit you again, sometime; so if
+any person should call in my absence, treat them very politely. Remember
+that fairies are easily vexed.'
+
+"Soon after the mother departed to the mill, and the children seated
+themselves under a large tree to enjoy their breakfast of brown bread
+and milk.
+
+"Across the water the king's children, all glistening in jewels and
+embroidery, were plucking fruit from the laden boughs, or tossing
+flowers to one another in fragrant showers.
+
+"'What fun that must be!' exclaimed the poor woman's son Small, his
+little round face dimpled with laughter. 'I should like to marry the
+princess in a blue scarf.'
+
+"'She is not so handsome as her sister with the red net over her black
+curls,' said the older brother, Perke.
+
+"'For my part, the young prince seems perfection,' added Elfie.
+
+"At this they all laughed together, and finished the brown bread. A
+black hawk paused on outspread wings in the air, and dropped a large
+gold ring from his beak, which fell to the ground near the children.
+Before they could stoop to touch it, from within the circle sprang three
+tulips, rising on slender, enamelled stalks, their gorgeous variegated
+buds closed.
+
+"'There is one a-piece, any way,' said Perke, plucking one.
+
+"Small and Elfie did the same.
+
+"'Let us save them until mother returns,' said the sister.
+
+"'It must be a gift from our godmother,' whispered Small, wisely.
+
+"'I shall see what mine contains,' said Perke, boldly.
+
+"He pulled at the folded leaves, but they resisted all his endeavors,
+and clung firmly together.
+
+"Small concluded to hold his bud under the spring that gurgled into a
+mossy basin, yet it did not open for the crystal drops that fringed it
+with fragrant dew.
+
+"Then little Elfie pressed her warm lips gently upon the tulip, and like
+magic it flew open, disclosing a tiny gold trumpet.
+
+"Her brothers then kissed their flowers as well, and found each to
+contain a similar gift.
+
+"Within the golden circle now sprang up still another tulip, which
+opened of its own accord, and forth stepped a quaint little figure. She
+wore a red-peaked cap, high-heeled shoes, and a tight-laced bodice. Her
+hair was bright yellow, and the tip of her sharp nose had a blue tinge,
+which would have been unbecoming to any other person than a fairy. Her
+carriage consisted of a sweet-pea blossom, drawn by two spirited
+cockchafers. The children could not but admire the skilful manner in
+which she handled the ribbons and whip, made of a spider's leg,
+ornamented with tassels.
+
+"'Here I am at last, dears,' said Madam Pug briskly. 'Whoa! Trot is a
+most vicious bug. Be still, sir!'
+
+"'Are you our godmother?' asked Elfie, timidly.
+
+"'Certainly,' answered the fairy, putting on her spectacles, the better
+to examine them.
+
+"'You have grown to be nice, plump children; I hope no giant may catch
+and eat you up. I am here to grant whatever you may wish, which can be
+obtained by blowing the request through the trumpets to be found in the
+flowers. Use the power wisely; so that, when I come again, I may find
+the gift has proved a blessing instead of a curse.'
+
+"She then cracked her whip, hoisted a tiny umbrella, which served the
+purpose of a sail as she rose in the air, and the cockchafers spread
+their wings.
+
+"'It is slow travelling along the rough earth,' she remarked, when she
+reached a level with the children's noses, 'so I will fly for a time,
+especially as important business calls me to the North Pole just now.'
+
+"The children were left to examine their trumpets, and look at each
+other in wonder at the good fortune which had befallen them. What do you
+suppose they at once did?
+
+"'First, let us wish for clothes handsomer than those of the royal
+family across the water,' proposed Elfie.
+
+"They blew through the trumpets, and instantly their coarse garments
+were changed to magnificent satin and velvet, with fringes of lace,
+pearls, and silver tassels. They could do nothing but caper about in the
+sunshine, now admiring each other's plumed caps, now comparing shoes on
+which sparkled radiant jewels, until the court paused to watch their
+bright forms, in amazement; for, in the distance, the poor widow's
+children resembled brilliant meteors flashing about among the trees.
+
+"'Now let us wish for a boat, to visit the palace before mother
+returns,' cried Small.
+
+"The next moment saw them speeding across the water in the most
+beautiful little boat imaginable. It was made of ivory, lined with a
+delicate pink shading, like the cavities of sea-shells, and a sail of
+pink silk, held by gold cords, expanded like a rose-leaf to the soft
+breeze. The court clapped their hands at the wonderful sight.
+
+"All at once the children looked down at themselves: they wore their
+rough clothes again, which only seemed the uglier from contrast with the
+elegant ship.
+
+"'We can never visit his majesty in these rags,' said Elfie. 'Let us
+wish for even more splendid dresses than those we just had on the bank.'
+
+"White robes spangled with diamond drops enveloped them; but the boat
+glided from beneath their feet at the same time, leaving them to sink
+through the water to the very river bed. This brought them unexpectedly
+into the presence of the river fairy, a sworn enemy of their godmother,
+who caressed them, and coiled her floating hair about them in slender
+rings, which served to bind them captives.
+
+"'Stay with me always,' coaxed the river spirit, in her sweet voice;
+'life is so pleasant under the cool, clear waters here.'
+
+"'I like the sunshine better,' said Small, rubbing his eyes with two
+chubby little fists.
+
+"'You can bask on the surface,' laughed the fairy. 'Come with me to the
+neighboring ocean and see all the wonderful forms one can assume.'
+
+"She gathered them in her arms, and swept down the stream swiftly until
+the ocean opened broad gates of welcome, and she paused on the threshold
+of the great deep. She waved her fair arms, and a forest of sea-weeds,
+some thick-stemmed as trees, others mere tangles of silky threads, rose
+before them. In shaded nooks scuttled crabs, looking like awkward
+spiders; marine worms twined about in ribbons of green or brown; and
+upon the drooping fronds clung gorgeous mollusks, their variegated
+shells displaying the fringed edge of no less gorgeous mantles.
+
+"'If you would rather swim about than live at the bottom, look at the
+fishes,' said the water spirit.
+
+"'Forthwith approached a finny host. The whale cleaved the waters with
+his powerful tail; the sword-fish flashed swiftly past followed by the
+stealthy white shark, who showed his terrible teeth. Then came the
+graceful dolphin, quivering in long tracts of silvery light, the
+indolent porpoise, the handsome salmon, the greedy cod, the pretty
+mackerel, and a countless multitude of beautiful fish, their scales
+tinged with a golden lustre, or dyed in crimson and purple tints.
+
+"Little Elfie clapped her hands when she beheld some lovely medusae
+dancing lightly along on the surface, their feathery tentacles drifting
+idly on the current; so the fairy changed her to a crystal globe of a
+jelly-fish, propelled by several tiny oars, like spun glass, that
+reflected all colors of the rainbow in flashing motion.
+
+"'O you silly bubble!' exclaimed Small; 'I had rather be a herring than
+that,' and he immediately began to swim about a pretty herring.
+
+"'As to that, I believe I should like to try a state of lobsterhood,'
+said Perke; and his desire was at once gratified. The thoughtless
+children had forgotten the importance of retaining their magic trumpets,
+in case they should ever need them again; so, when they changed forms,
+the godmother's gifts were carelessly allowed to sink to the bottom, and
+the water spirit laughed triumphantly.
+
+"'Now I have you, Madam Pug,' she said to herself. 'Your pets are in the
+sea; let me see you reclaim them.'
+
+"The trumpets lay on the bottom beside a rock, where there lived a
+colony of oysters. The oysters are good-natured, save when a hungry
+star-fish pokes a ray into their shells to scoop out the
+delicious-flavored inmate; then they are very apt to close the doors
+smartly with a sudden clap that snips off the intruder's paw, leaving
+the star-fish to hobble away, and grow a new one. The grandfather of the
+colony had listened to all that transpired between the fairy and her
+visitors with much interest; and now that the trumpets fell to the
+bottom, he began to wonder how they were to be rescued from harm.
+
+"Presently a cockle came skipping gayly along by means of a beautiful
+scarlet foot, protruded from between the valves of the shell for the
+purpose of locomotion; and the grandfather oyster hailed him for a chat.
+
+"'If you would only push the trumpets nearer we might swallow them,'
+urged the former, when he had explained matters.
+
+"'Wait a bit,' said the cockle, 'until I fetch a few of my brothers, who
+are prowling about here somewhere.'
+
+"He darted off, and soon returned with the requisite assistance. So the
+cockles nimbly pushed and rolled the trumpets close to the oysters.
+
+"'Can you accommodate the others, my sons?' inquired the grandfather of
+two no less plump children.
+
+"'It will be inconvenient; still'--here the little waves gathered in a
+sparkling heap, and swept the trumpets into the oysters' mouths; who,
+with a gulp or two, succeeded in swallowing them. None too soon was all
+this labor accomplished.
+
+"The fairy amused herself watching the children for a while, and then
+she despatched some of her attendants to search for Madam Pug's gifts. A
+rare search they made of it, too. The tiny courtiers, clothed in rainbow
+frills and scales, poked about everywhere, peering into the anemones'
+mouths, which made the sea-flowers very angry, as they were not used to
+such liberties; tumbling the crabs about, and pushing the lazy
+flat-fish into motion. They even knocked on the oysters' houses with
+their little knuckles; but the oysters said never a word, so they were
+obliged to relinquish the search, and return to their queen.
+
+"Elfie and her brother splashed about, thinking it great fun to live in
+the sea. One day they altered their minds; and this is how it all
+happened:--
+
+"Perke, the lobster, became very hungry (lobsters are generally hungry);
+and he sniffed about in search of food, until he smelt a most savory
+odor, which proceeded from a wicker sort of cage, that bobbed up and
+down in the most tempting manner. Had Perke been born a lobster, his
+mother would probably have taught him wisdom. Not knowing any better, he
+now swam about until he discovered a neat tunnel just large enough to
+admit him, and leading straight to the meat he coveted. In he slipped
+for a nibble; but, having entered, he found to his sorrow he could not
+get out again; so there he sat, looking out through the slats, as
+miserable an object as one would wish to behold, when Small came darting
+by.
+
+"'Oh! why did we ever leave home?' groaned Perke.
+
+"'Hulloa!' exclaimed his brother, pausing. 'How did you get there?'
+
+"'I am caught in a trap,' cried Perke. 'When the fisherman hauls me up,
+I shall be boiled alive and eaten.'
+
+"Small flashed up to the surface, where Elfie was sporting with her
+companions, and said, dryly,--
+
+"'It is all very pleasant for you; but, in the mean while, Perke is a
+captive down yonder.'
+
+"'I am so sorry,' said Elfie. 'How can we free him?'
+
+"The tender-hearted sister began to cry; and the other jelly-fish, who
+were tender-hearted also, began to cry from sheer sympathy.
+
+"'I will go to the fairy, and beg her to change them,' sobbed Elfie.
+
+"'It will do no good,' sobbed the jelly-fish chorus, in reply; 'she is
+so cruel.'
+
+"Tears made Small, the mackerel, nervous, as they would have done Small,
+the boy. He determined to find the trumpets, which could alone relieve
+them from the present trouble; and, accordingly, dived to the bottom,
+where, of course, he did not find them.
+
+"At last the oysters took compassion upon his sorrow,--for he feared
+Perke might be taken at any moment by the fishermen,--and opened their
+shells, when out rolled the trumpets.
+
+"Small did not recognize them: they were covered by a coating of
+mother-o'-pearl. When it was explained, he was overjoyed at his good
+fortune in recovering them at all. He also thanked the oysters warmly
+for their kindness.
+
+"'We have not eaten any thing; we were afraid to open our mouths,' said
+the grandfather. 'Still a fast, now and then, does one no harm.'
+
+"In less time than it takes to write the fact, Small had taken one
+trumpet in his mouth, and rejoined Perke, who eagerly seized it, in one
+claw, through the bars of his cage.
+
+"'Wait five minutes for Elfie and I, then wish yourself out of the
+water,' advised the zealous little brother, hastening back for his
+sister's trumpet, which he presented in the same way.
+
+"Simultaneously the children wished themselves out of the water. The
+desire was gratified certainly, for they were suspended between heaven
+and earth, held by some invisible chain, the links of which bound them
+firmly; yet they felt a terrible fear of being dashed headlong on the
+sharp-pointed rocks below. There they swayed about, the sun laughing at
+them, the winds tossing them on every breath, and the birds swooping in
+giddy circles over their heads.
+
+"'Let us wish for land,' said Elfie.
+
+"They closed their eyes, blew through the trumpets, and then their feet
+rested on a firm surface once more.
+
+"'Oh, I am so glad!' laughed Elfie.
+
+"Yes, they had land; but such a land! Not a tree; not a spring of fresh,
+cool water; not a blade of green grass; only a barren wilderness, a
+dreary waste. The children toiled along wearily, yet they seemed to make
+no progress towards a fairer landscape; for as far as the eye could see
+stretched the blank of earth.
+
+"'What shall we do next?' asked Perke, in perplexity.
+
+"'Let us go home. Mother will advise us,' said Small; and, with the aid
+of Madam Pug's gifts, they again stood at the door of their humble
+cottage, which had never looked so pleasant to them before. Their mother
+was not in the house; but they saw her coming along the road, bending
+under the weight of the meal-bag, from the mill.
+
+"They had not been absent a day, and so much had happened! The two
+little sons ran to her assistance, bearing between them the bag of meal;
+and, as they did so, Small inserted his trumpet into a fold of it,
+whispering,--
+
+"'I wish this meal might be changed into a feast for my poor mother.'
+
+"When they entered the door, Perke wished, 'Let us have a fine large
+table, if you please.'
+
+"The mother looked at him in surprise; and then she saw that something
+unusual had occurred during her absence, for a spacious table of
+polished rosewood occupied the centre of the room.
+
+"'I should like an arm-chair,' said Elfie; and when it appeared, they
+seated the astonished mother in it, suffering her tired frame to enjoy
+luxury and ease.
+
+"Next, they emptied the meal-bag of its contents, and Small's bright
+eyes danced with delight at the fulfilment of his wish. Such savory
+viands! such puffs and tarts of delicate pastry! such delicious fruits
+and sweet-perfumed flower garlands! such tempting nuts, and many-colored
+candies in all manner of fantastic shapes,--pink horses, lemon castles,
+green birds, and blue ships,--had never before been seen in the widow's
+cottage. She did not forget those who were poor; so, reserving some of
+the choice articles of the feast, the mother sent her children to many
+neighbors, who would have otherwise gone to bed supperless.
+
+"When all this was done, the children gave a long history of their
+adventures beneath the waters. The mother uttered a prayer of gratitude
+for their safe return; then she said,--
+
+"'Your godmother wished to test your character. One desire brings
+another always. Vanity caused all your troubles; you wished to be as
+handsome as the king's children, and the boat vanished, as you have
+described. Give me the trumpets, and learn to be happy without them.'
+
+"They did as she desired, only, first, Elfie begged to have one more
+wish gratified. What do you suppose it was? Why, that night the mother
+slept in a soft bed of eider down, with satin curtains, and an
+embroidered coverlet fit for a duchess, while the children sought their
+pallets of straw, light-hearted and happy, thinking how comfortable she
+was.
+
+"All this pleased Madam Pug, who had heard of it from her trusty allies
+the gnats; and she now came flying along in the moonlight, mounted on a
+moth. She crept through the keyhole leaving her moth outside; and the
+water spirit changed herself into an ugly gray bat for the purpose of
+devouring Madam Pug's horse: so that she had to sit on the chimney all
+night, after paying the visit, until one of the gnats had flown away for
+another moth. This made the water spirit, down under the waves, laugh.
+
+"Having entered the cottage, Madam Pug squeezed a drop of some precious
+balsam out of a diminutive flask upon the eyelids of her slumbering
+godchildren, which served to make their dreams pleasant, and would
+prepare them for any disappointment the next day. She next looked about
+to see what was to be done afterward, and espied the trumpets on the
+shelf, where the careful mother had placed them. These the fairy changed
+to three little boxes, one of a rusty steel, another of lead, and the
+third of iron; then, placing them on the children's pillows, crept out
+by the keyhole to perch on the chimney, as I have said, to await the
+arrival of another moth-charger.
+
+"Next morning Elfie and her brothers peeped into the boxes, and found
+each to contain a small cake. On the cakes were baked these words:--
+
+     FOR THE KING'S FESTIVAL.
+
+"The godmother gave them no donation of handsome clothes this time; so
+the mother, after dressing them fresh and clean, sent them away on the
+journey. Elfie plucked a few wild roses on the way, which Perke twined
+among her curls for a head-dress.
+
+"They were ferried across the river in a royal barge, with other
+guests, and then found themselves before the gates of the king's palace.
+A vast crowd of people thronged the way, bringing rare gifts; and all
+were finely robed, except the poor widow's children. The soldiers
+presented the glittering points of their lances, asking rudely,--
+
+"'What do you bring?'
+
+"'Curiosities to show the king,' replied Small, bravely.
+
+"'What if there should be nothing in the cakes, after all,' remarked
+Perke.
+
+"'Let us open them and see,' proposed Elfie.
+
+"'No,' said Perke. 'Wait until we are in the presence of the court.'
+
+"The palace now rose before them, and was even more splendid than they
+had supposed. Entering an archway, the children paused in a spacious
+apartment, the dome of which was supported on marble pillars, wrought
+with flowers. The king occupied a throne of mosaic-work, under a canopy
+of crimson velvet. He wore a stiff mantle of some rich material, had a
+long, yellow beard, and such fierce eyes, that little Elfie trembled
+when he looked at her. Perke and Small said they did not mind it much.
+
+"First, there approached an old woman, black as ebony, with a gorgeous
+yellow turban on her head, a broad purple sash about her waist, and red
+slippers on her feet. She was a very gay old African lady indeed. In her
+hand she carried a shrine of beautiful, fragrant wood; and from it she
+took an idol of pure amber, carved with marvellous skill.
+
+"Next, came an old man, with bent form and silver hair, who drew a case
+from his girdle, and displayed, to the delight of the whole court, a
+ruby the size of a hen's egg of so brilliant a color that it filled the
+palace with a soft, rosy glow.
+
+"Upon this, a young man hastened forward to hold up before the throne a
+diamond chain of rare purity, that absorbed the lustre of the ruby's
+splendor, and twinkled like pendent dew-drops.
+
+"Others brought precious stones also, sapphires, amethysts, and
+emeralds, until it would seem as though the world had been sifted for
+the costliest gems. Then there were urns of pungent spices, censers of
+incense, keen-tempered weapons, cloth-of-gold, heavy damask, and
+specimens of lace.
+
+"What seemed to Small the most wonderful thing, was a scroll of tapestry
+upon which appeared moving figures, weaving into fantastic forms.
+Whatever the king desired to see rehearsed, was there depicted.
+
+"Afterward approached a fair lady, wearing a green gauze mantle, from
+which dripped little rills of water with a musical splash, and wherever
+they fell upon the pavement there formed pearls. She displayed a snake
+that twined his enamelled body about in graceful coils, at her bidding,
+and even licked the king's foot,--an act of homage which made his
+majesty rather nervous. The children recognized their enemy, the water
+spirit.
+
+"It now came their turn, and they advanced, the water spirit smiling
+maliciously all the time. When they opened the boxes, each cake said, in
+a smothered little voice,--
+
+"'Break me!'
+
+"This they did, when lo! out of Elfie's stepped a goat, wearing a broad
+gold collar, and holding a tambourine. He walked up to the throne on his
+hind legs, and made a very profound bow. At this everybody laughed; but
+what was their astonishment to behold a quaint monkey emerge from
+Small's box, with a smart cravat on, and carrying a cocked hat under one
+paw. The monkey, instead of following the goat's ceremonious example,
+leaped upon Small's shoulder, put on his hat, and winked at the king in
+so droll a manner as to entirely disarm any wrath at his impertinence.
+
+"As for Perke, a bird was already perched upon his finger, whose plumage
+resembled spun gold, relieved by an emerald green crest, and patch upon
+the breast.
+
+"'What can your animals do to amuse me?' inquired the king.
+
+"'If it please your highness,' said the goat, 'the bird will sing while
+we dance.'
+
+"The king assenting, the bird began to sing a lively air; and the other
+two executed a quadrille in excellent style, the goat gracefully tapping
+his tambourine with one hoof to the music. Nor was this the full extent
+of their accomplishments; for the three then performed a tragedy, in
+which the bird was a stern father, the goat his daughter, and the
+monkey, who was naturally the best actor, took several parts, with
+admirable skill.
+
+"All this would have been very amusing, only that the proud king could
+not forget that the children belonged only to a poor widow after all.
+Perhaps they might have received some prize, as a token of royal favor,
+had not the water spirit's snake darted forward, hissing spitefully, and
+twined about them.
+
+"The monkey seized the monster by the throat with his little black paws,
+the bird pecked at its eyes, and the goat rapped the tambourine over its
+head with a right good-will.
+
+"Thus defended, the children escaped from the palace safely, still
+accompanied by their favorites.
+
+"'Dear children,' said the bird, as they approached home once more, 'do
+not be disappointed that the king has treated you with no more kindness.
+Madam Pug allows us to remain with you so long as you are good, and
+find happiness in the home God has given you.'
+
+"'We can have a great deal more fun here than with those stupid people
+in the palace yonder,' added the monkey, cutting a caper. 'The goat and
+I can dance all day for your amusement.'
+
+"'As to that,' said the goat, stroking his beard gravely, 'we might do
+something more profitable.'
+
+"These were the godmother's gifts after all, which, in course of time,
+became famous throughout the country. If any thing was stolen, the
+monkey could detect the thief at once. If any debate arose among the
+wise men, the goat could settle the argument to their satisfaction, for
+he was classically educated. If any person was ill, the bird could
+prescribe for them, as he was skilled in the knowledge of medicine.
+
+"The king could never obtain these three with all the wealth in the
+world."
+
+The Wasp went his way again, the Caterpillar and Spider did the same,
+leaving the others alone as before.
+
+The Saucepan's day was over, and the Teapot was so badly cracked as to
+be unfit for use.
+
+One day, as the Kettle was swinging lazily on the hook in the chimney, a
+lovely butterfly, with wings like shaded brown velvet, poised on a
+rose-spray outside the window. It was the Caterpillar transformed!
+
+The Kettle called to the Cricket, but he did not find his crutch in time
+to hobble out (for he was growing infirm) before the butterfly had
+flitted out into the sunshine again.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Cricket's Friends, by Virginia W. Johnson
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRICKET'S FRIENDS ***
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