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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>LULU'S LIBRARY, VOLUME III</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Lulu's Library, Volume III (of 3)" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Louisa M. Alcott" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1889" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="40683" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-09-05" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Lulu's Library, Volume III (of 3)" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Lulu's Library, Volume III (of 3)" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="lulu3.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2012-09-06T03:11:18.811814+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40683" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Louisa \M. Alcott" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2012-09-05" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="lulu-s-library-volume-iii"> -<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">LULU'S LIBRARY, VOLUME III</h1> - -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en noindent pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst">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 <a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a> -included with this eBook or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container noindent white-space-pre-line" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst white-space-pre-line"><span class="white-space-pre-line">Title: Lulu's Library, Volume III (of 3)<br /> -<br /> -Author: Louisa M. Alcott<br /> -<br /> -Release Date: September 05, 2012 [EBook #40683]<br /> -<br /> -Language: English<br /> -<br /> -Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>LULU'S LIBRARY, VOLUME III (OF 3)</span> ***</p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 73%" id="figure-86"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Cover</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None center container titlepage white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line x-large">LULU'S LIBRARY.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">BY</p> -<p class="large pnext white-space-pre-line">LOUISA M. ALCOTT,</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst small white-space-pre-line">AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," "LITTLE MEN,"<br /> -"EIGHT COUSINS," "ROSE IN BLOOM," "UNDER THE LILACS," "JACK<br /> -AND JILL," "JO'S BOYS," "HOSPITAL SKETCHES," "WORK, A STORY<br /> -OF EXPERIENCE," "MOODS, A NOVEL," "PROVERB STORIES,"<br /> -"SILVER PITCHERS," "SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES,"<br /> -"A GARLAND FOR GIRLS," "AUNT<br /> -JO'S SCRAP-BAG."</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="large pfirst white-space-pre-line">VOL. III.</p> -<p class="medium pnext white-space-pre-line">RECOLLECTIONS OF MY CHILDHOOD.<br /> -A CHRISTMAS TURKEY, AND HOW IT CAME.<br /> -THE SILVER PARTY.<br /> -THE BLIND LARK.<br /> -MUSIC AND MACARONI.<br /> -THE LITTLE RED PURSE.<br /> -SOPHIE'S SECRET.<br /> -DOLLY'S BEDSTEAD.<br /> -TRUDEL'S SIEGE.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">BOSTON:<br /> -ROBERTS BROTHERS.<br /> -1889.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None center container verso white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Copyright, 1889,</em><br /> -BY J. S. P. ALCOTT.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line">University Press:<br /> -JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container plainpage"> -<p class="center large pfirst">CONTENTS.</p> -<ol class="left medium upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#recollections-of-my-childhood">Recollections of My Childhood</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-christmas-turkey-and-how-it-came">A Christmas Turkey, and How It Came</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-silver-party">The Silver Party</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-blind-lark">The Blind Lark</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#music-and-macaroni">Music and Macaroni</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-little-red-purse">The Little Red Purse</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#sophie-s-secret">Sophie's Secret</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#dolly-s-bedstead">Dolly's Bedstead</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#trudel-s-siege">Trudel's Siege</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-87"> -<span id="recollections-of-my-childhood"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-007.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Louisa May Alcott</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">I.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">RECOLLECTIONS OF MY CHILDHOOD.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">One of my earliest memories is of playing -with books in my father's study,--building -towers and bridges of the big dictionaries, -looking at pictures, pretending to read, and -scribbling on blank pages whenever pen or -pencil could be found. Many of these first -attempts at authorship still exist; and I often -wonder if these childish plays did not influence -my after-life, since books have been my greatest -comfort, castle-building a never-failing delight, -and scribbling a very profitable amusement.</p> -<p class="pnext">Another very vivid recollection is of the day -when running after my hoop I fell into the Frog -Pond and was rescued by a black boy, becoming -a friend to the colored race then and there, -though my mother always declared that I was -an abolitionist at the age of three.</p> -<p class="pnext">During the Garrison riot in Boston the -portrait of George Thompson was hidden under a -bed in our house for safekeeping; and I am -told that I used to go and comfort "the good -man who helped poor slaves" in his captivity. -However that may be, the conversion was -genuine; and my greatest pride is in the fact that I -have lived to know the brave men and women -who did so much for the cause, and that I had -a very small share in the war which put an end -to a great wrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">Being born on the birthday of Columbus, I -seem to have something of my patron saint's -spirit of adventure, and running away was one -of the delights of my childhood. Many a social -lunch have I shared with hospitable Irish beggar -children, as we ate our crusts, cold potatoes, -and salt fish on voyages of discovery among -the ash heaps of the waste land that then lay -where the Albany station now stands.</p> -<p class="pnext">Many an impromptu picnic have I had on -the dear old Common, with strange boys, pretty -babies, and friendly dogs, who always seemed -to feel that this reckless young person needed looking after.</p> -<p class="pnext">On one occasion the town-crier found me fast -asleep at nine o'clock at night, on a doorstep -in Bedford Street, with my head pillowed on -the curly breast of a big Newfoundland, who -was with difficulty persuaded to release the -weary little wanderer who had sobbed herself -to sleep there.</p> -<p class="pnext">I often smile as I pass that door, and never -forget to give a grateful pat to every big dog I -meet, for never have I slept more soundly than -on that dusty step, nor found a better friend -than the noble animal who watched over the -lost baby so faithfully.</p> -<p class="pnext">My father's school was the only one I ever -went to; and when this was broken up because -he introduced methods now all the fashion, our -lessons went on at home, for he was always sure -of four little pupils who firmly believed in their -teacher, though they have not done him all the -credit he deserved.</p> -<p class="pnext">I never liked arithmetic or grammar, and -dodged these branches on all occasions; but -reading, composition, history, and geography -I enjoyed, as well as the stories read to us with -a skill which made the dullest charming and useful.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pilgrim's Progress," Krummacher's "Parables," -Miss Edgeworth, and the best of the -dear old fairy tales made that hour the -pleasantest of our day. On Sundays we had a simple -service of Bible stories, hymns, and conversation -about the state of our little consciences and -the conduct of our childish lives which never -will be forgotten.</p> -<p class="pnext">Walks each morning round the Common -while in the city, and long tramps over hill and -dale when our home was in the country, were a -part of our education, as well as every sort of -housework, for which I have always been very -grateful, since such knowledge makes one -independent in these days of domestic -tribulation with the help who are too often only -hindrances.</p> -<p class="pnext">Needle-work began early; and at ten my skilful -sister made a linen shirt beautifully, while at -twelve I set up as a dolls' dressmaker, with -my sign out, and wonderful models in my -window. All the children employed me; and my -turbans were the rage at one time, to the great -dismay of the neighbor's hens, who were hotly -hunted down that I might tweak out their -downiest feathers to adorn the dolls' head-gear.</p> -<p class="pnext">Active exercise was my delight from the time -when a child of six I drove my hoop round the -Common without stopping, to the days when I -did my twenty miles in five hours and went to -a party in the evening.</p> -<p class="pnext">I always thought I must have been a deer or -a horse in some former state, because it was -such a joy to run. No boy could be my friend -till I had beaten him in a race, and no girl if -she refused to climb trees, leap fences, and be a tomboy.</p> -<p class="pnext">My wise mother, anxious to give me a strong -body to support a lively brain, turned me loose -in the country and let me run wild, learning of -Nature what no books can teach, and being led, -as those who truly love her seldom fail to be,</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"Through Nature up to Nature's God."</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">I remember running over the hills just at -dawn one summer morning, and pausing to rest -in the silent woods, saw, through an arch of -trees, the sun rise over river, hill, and wide green -meadows as I never saw it before.</p> -<p class="pnext">Something born of the lovely hour, a happy -mood, and the unfolding aspirations of a child's -soul seemed to bring me very near to God; and -in the hush of that morning hour I always felt -that I "got religion," as the phrase goes. A -new and vital sense of His presence, tender and -sustaining as a father's arms, came to me then, -never to change through forty years of life's -vicissitudes, but to grow stronger for the sharp -discipline of poverty and pain, sorrow and success.</p> -<p class="pnext">Those Concord days were the happiest of -my life, for we had charming playmates in the -little Emersons, Channings, Hawthornes, and -Goodwins, with the illustrious parents and -their friends to enjoy our pranks and share -our excursions.</p> -<p class="pnext">Plays in the barn were a favorite amusement, -and we dramatized the fairy tales in great style. -Our giant came tumbling off a loft when Jack -cut down the squash-vine running up a ladder -to represent the immortal bean. Cinderella -rolled away in a vast pumpkin; and a long black -pudding was lowered by invisible hands to fasten -itself on the nose of the woman who wasted her -three wishes.</p> -<p class="pnext">Little pilgrims journeyed over the hills with -scrip and staff, and cockle-shells in their hats; -elves held their pretty revels among the pines, -and "Peter Wilkins'" flying ladies came -swinging down on the birch tree-tops. Lords and -ladies haunted the garden, and mermaids -splashed in the bath-house of woven willows -over the brook.</p> -<p class="pnext">People wondered at our frolics, but enjoyed -them; and droll stories are still told of the -adventures of those days. Mr. Emerson and -Margaret Fuller were visiting my parents one -afternoon; and the conversation having turned -to the ever-interesting subject of education, Miss -Fuller said,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, Mr. Alcott, you have been able to -carry out your methods in your own family, and -I should like to see your model children."</p> -<p class="pnext">She did in a few moments,--for as the -guests stood on the doorsteps a wild uproar -approached, and round the corner of the house -came a wheelbarrow holding baby May arrayed -as a queen; I was the horse, bitted and bridled, -and driven by my elder sister Anna, while -Lizzie played dog and barked as loud as her -gentle voice permitted.</p> -<p class="pnext">All were shouting, and wild with fun, which, -however, came to a sudden end as we espied -the stately group before us, for my foot tripped, -and down we all went in a laughing heap, while -my mother put a climax to the joke by saying -with a dramatic wave of the hand,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here are the model children, Miss Fuller!"</p> -<p class="pnext">My sentimental period began at fifteen, when -I fell to writing romances, poems, a "heart -journal," and dreaming dreams of a splendid -future.</p> -<p class="pnext">Browsing over Mr. Emerson's library, I found -"Goethe's Correspondence with a Child," and -was at once fired with the desire to be a second -Bettine, making my father's friend my Goethe. -So I wrote letters to him, but was wise enough -never to send them, left wild flowers on the -doorsteps of my "Master," sung Mignon's -song in very bad German under his window, and -was fond of wandering by moonlight, or sitting -in a cherry-tree at midnight till the owls scared -me to bed.</p> -<p class="pnext">The girlish folly did not last long, and the -letters were burned years ago; but Goethe is still -my favorite author, and Emerson remained my -beloved "Master" while he lived, doing more -for me, as for many another young soul, than -he ever knew, by the simple beauty of his life, -the truth and wisdom of his books, the example -of a good great man untempted and unspoiled -by the world which he made nobler while in it, -and left the richer when he went.</p> -<p class="pnext">The trials of life began about this time, and -my happy childhood ended. Money is never -plentiful in a philosopher's house; and even -the maternal pelican could not supply all our -wants on the small income which was freely -shared with every needy soul who asked for help.</p> -<p class="pnext">Fugitive slaves were sheltered under our roof; -and my first pupil was a very black George -Washington whom I taught to write on the -hearth with charcoal, his big fingers finding -pen and pencil unmanageable.</p> -<p class="pnext">Motherless girls seeking protection were -guarded among us; hungry travellers sent on -to our door to be fed and warmed; and if the -philosopher happened to own two coats, the best -went to a needy brother, for these were practical -Christians who had the most perfect faith in -Providence, and never found it betrayed.</p> -<p class="pnext">In those days the prophets were not honored -in their own land, and Concord had not yet -discovered her great men. It was a sort of refuge -for reformers of all sorts, whom the good natives -regarded as lunatics, harmless but amusing.</p> -<p class="pnext">My father went away to hold his classes and -conversations, and we women folk began to feel -that we also might do something. So one -gloomy November day we decided to move to -Boston and try our fate again after some years -in the wilderness.</p> -<p class="pnext">My father's prospect was as promising as a -philosopher's ever is in a money-making world; -my mother's friends offered her a good salary -as their missionary to the poor; and my sister -and I hoped to teach. It was an anxious -council; and always preferring action to discussion, -I took a brisk run over the hill and then -settled down for "a good think" in my favorite retreat.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was an old cart-wheel, half hidden in grass -under the locusts where I used to sit to wrestle -with my sums, and usually forget them scribbling -verses or fairy tales on my slate instead. -Perched on the hub, I surveyed the prospect and -found it rather gloomy, with leafless trees, sere -grass, leaden sky, and frosty air; but the hopeful -heart of fifteen beat warmly under the old red -shawl, visions of success gave the gray clouds a -silver lining, and I said defiantly, as I shook my -fist at fate embodied in a crow cawing dismally -on a fence near by,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I <em class="italics">will</em> do something by-and-by. Don't care -what, teach, sew, act, write, anything to help -the family; and I'll be rich and famous and -happy before I die, see if I won't!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Startled by this audacious outburst, the crow -flew away; but the old wheel creaked as if it -began to turn at that moment, stirred by the -intense desire of an ambitious girl to work for -those she loved and find some reward when the -duty was done.</p> -<p class="pnext">I did not mind the omen then, and returned -to the house cold but resolute. I think I began -to shoulder my burden then and there, for when -the free country life ended, the wild colt soon -learned to tug in harness, only breaking loose -now and then for a taste of beloved liberty.</p> -<p class="pnext">My sisters and I had cherished fine dreams of -a home in the city; but when we found ourselves -in a small house at the South End with not a -tree in sight, only a back yard to play in, and -no money to buy any of the splendors before -us, we all rebelled and longed for the country again.</p> -<p class="pnext">Anna soon found little pupils, and trudged -away each morning to her daily task, pausing at -the corner to wave her hand to me in answer -to my salute with the duster. My father went to -his classes at his room down town, mother to -her all-absorbing poor, the little girls to school, -and I was left to keep house, feeling like a -caged sea-gull as I washed dishes and cooked -in the basement kitchen, where my prospect was -limited to a procession of muddy boots.</p> -<p class="pnext">Good drill, but very hard; and my only -consolation was the evening reunion when all met -with such varied reports of the day's adventures, -we could not fail to find both amusement and -instruction.</p> -<p class="pnext">Father brought news from the upper world, -and the wise, good people who adorned it; -mother, usually much dilapidated because she -<em class="italics">would</em> give away her clothes, with sad tales of -suffering and sin from the darker side of life; -gentle Anna a modest account of her success as -teacher, for even at seventeen her sweet nature -won all who knew her, and her patience quelled -the most rebellious pupil.</p> -<p class="pnext">My reports were usually a mixture of the -tragic and the comic; and the children poured -their small joys and woes into the family bosom, -where comfort and sympathy were always to be found.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then we youngsters adjourned to the kitchen -for our fun, which usually consisted of writing, -dressing, and acting a series of remarkable plays. -In one I remember I took five parts and Anna -four, with lightning changes of costume, and -characters varying from a Greek prince in silver -armor to a murderer in chains.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was good training for memory and fingers, -for we recited pages without a fault, and made -every sort of property from a harp to a fairy's -spangled wings. Later we acted Shakespeare; -and Hamlet was my favorite hero, played with -a gloomy glare and a tragic stalk which I have -never seen surpassed.</p> -<p class="pnext">But we were now beginning to play our parts -on a real stage, and to know something of the -pathetic side of life, with its hard facts, irksome -duties, many temptations, and the daily sacrifice -of self. Fortunately we had the truest, -tenderest of guides and guards, and so learned the -sweet uses of adversity, the value of honest -work, the beautiful law of compensation which -gives more than it takes, and the real significance -of life.</p> -<p class="pnext">At sixteen I began to teach twenty pupils, -and for ten years learned to know and love -children. The story-writing went on all the -while with the usual trials of beginners. Fairy -tales told the Emersons made the first printed -book, and "Hospital Sketches" the first -successful one.</p> -<p class="pnext">Every experience went into the caldron to -come out as froth, or evaporate in smoke, till -time and suffering strengthened and clarified -the mixture of truth and fancy, and a -wholesome draught for children began to flow -pleasantly and profitably.</p> -<p class="pnext">So the omen proved a true one, and the wheel -of fortune turned slowly, till the girl of fifteen -found herself a woman of fifty, with her -prophetic dream beautifully realized, her duty done, -her reward far greater than she deserved.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 34%" id="figure-88"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-021.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter I tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 57%" id="figure-89"> -<span id="a-christmas-turkey-and-how-it-came"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-022.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Kitty gives the bunch of holly to the little girl.--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id1">36</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">II.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">A CHRISTMAS TURKEY, AND HOW IT CAME.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"I know we could n't do it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say we could, if we all helped."</p> -<p class="pnext">"How can we?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I've planned lots of ways; only you mustn't -laugh at them, and you must n't say a word to -mother. I want it to be all a surprise."</p> -<p class="pnext">"She 'll find us out."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, she won't, if we tell her we won't get -into mischief."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Fire away, then, and let's hear your fine plans."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We must talk softly, or we shall wake father. -He's got a headache."</p> -<p class="pnext">A curious change came over the faces of the -two boys as their sister lowered her voice, with -a nod toward a half-opened door. They looked -sad and ashamed, and Kitty sighed as she -spoke, for all knew that father's headaches -always began by his coming home stupid or -cross, with only a part of his wages; and mother -always cried when she thought they did not see -her, and after the long sleep father looked as -if he did n't like to meet their eyes, but went -off early.</p> -<p class="pnext">They knew what it meant, but never spoke of -it,--only pondered over it, and mourned with -mother at the change which was slowly altering -their kind industrious father into a moody -man, and mother into an anxious over-worked -woman.</p> -<p class="pnext">Kitty was thirteen, and a very capable girl, -who helped with the housekeeping, took care -of the two little ones, and went to school. -Tommy and Sammy looked up to her and -thought her a remarkably good sister. Now, -as they sat round the stove having "a go-to-bed -warm," the three heads were close together; -and the boys listened eagerly to Kitty's plans, -while the rattle of the sewing-machine in -another room went on as tirelessly as it had done -all day, for mother's work was more and more -needed every month.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well!" began Kitty, in an impressive tone, -"we all know that there won't be a bit of Christmas -in this family if we don't make it. Mother's -too busy, and father don't care, so we must see -what we can do; for I should be mortified to -death to go to school and say I had n't had any -turkey or plum-pudding. Don't expect -presents; but we <em class="italics">must</em> have some kind of a decent -dinner."</p> -<p class="pnext">"So I say; I'm tired of fish and potatoes," -said Sammy, the younger.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But where's the dinner coming from?" -asked Tommy, who had already taken some of -the cares of life on his young shoulders, and -knew that Christmas dinners did not walk into -people's houses without money.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We 'll earn it;" and Kitty looked like a -small Napoleon planning the passage of the -Alps. "You, Tom, must go early to-morrow -to Mr. Brisket and offer to carry baskets. He -will be dreadfully busy, and want you, I know; -and you are so strong you can lug as much as -some of the big fellows. He pays well, and if -he won't give much money, you can take your -wages in things to eat. We want everything."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What shall I do?" cried Sammy, while -Tom sat turning this plan over in his mind.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Take the old shovel and clear sidewalks. -The snow came on purpose to help you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's awful hard work, and the shovel's half -gone," began Sammy, who preferred to spend -his holiday coasting on an old tea-tray.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't growl, or you won't get any dinner," -said Tom, making up his mind to lug baskets -for the good of the family, like a manly lad as -he was.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I," continued Kitty, "have taken the hardest -part of all; for after my work is done, and the -babies safely settled, I 'm going to beg for the -leavings of the holly and pine swept out of -the church down below, and make some wreaths -and sell them."</p> -<p class="pnext">"If you can," put in Tommy, who had tried -pencils, and failed to make a fortune.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not in the street?" cried Sam, looking alarmed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, at the corner of the Park. I 'm bound -to make some money, and don't see any other -way. I shall put on an old hood and shawl, -and no one will know me. Don't care if they -do." And Kitty tried to mean what she said, -but in her heart she felt that it would be a trial -to her pride if any of her schoolmates should -happen to recognize her.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't believe you 'll do it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"See if I don't; for I <em class="italics">will</em> have a good dinner -one day in the year."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, it does n't seem right for us to do it. -Father ought to take care of us, and we only -buy some presents with the little bit we earn. -He never gives us anything now." And -Tommy scowled at the bedroom door, with a -strong sense of injury struggling with affection -in his boyish heart.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hush!" cried Kitty. "Don't blame him. -Mother says we never must forget he's our -father. I try not to; but when she cries, it's -hard to feel as I ought." And a sob made the -little girl stop short as she poked the fire to -hide the trouble in the face that should have -been all smiles.</p> -<p class="pnext">For a moment the room was very still, as the -snow beat on the window, and the fire-light -flickered over the six shabby little boots put -up on the stove hearth to dry.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tommy's cheerful voice broke the silence, -saying stoutly, "Well, if I 've got to work all -day, I guess I 'll go to bed early. Don't fret, -Kit. We 'll help all we can, and have a good -time; see if we don't."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll go out real early, and shovel like fury. -Maybe I 'll get a dollar. Would that buy a -turkey?" asked Sammy, with the air of a -millionnaire.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, dear; one big enough for us would -cost two, I 'm afraid. Perhaps we 'll have one -sent us. We belong to the church, though -folks don't know how poor we are now, and we -can't beg." And Kitty bustled about, clearing -up, rather exercised in her mind about going -and asking for the much-desired fowl.</p> -<p class="pnext">Soon all three were fast asleep, and nothing -but the whir of the machine broke the quiet -that fell upon the house. Then from the inner -room a man came and sat over the fire with his -head in his hands and his eyes fixed on the -ragged little boots left to dry. He had heard the -children's talk; and his heart was very heavy -as he looked about the shabby room that used -to be so neat and pleasant. What he thought no -one knows, what he did we shall see by-and-by; -but the sorrow and shame and tender silence -of his children worked a miracle that night -more lasting and lovely than the white beauty -which the snow wrought upon the sleeping city.</p> -<p class="pnext">Bright and early the boys were away to their -work; while Kitty sang as she dressed the little -sisters, put the house in order, and made her -mother smile at the mysterious hints she gave -of something splendid which was going to -happen. Father was gone, and though all -rather dreaded evening, nothing was said; but -each worked with a will, feeling that Christmas -should be merry in spite of poverty and care.</p> -<p class="pnext">All day Tommy lugged fat turkeys, roasts of -beef, and every sort of vegetable for other -people's good dinners on the morrow, -wondering meanwhile where his own was coming from. -Mr. Brisket had an army of boys trudging here -and there, and was too busy to notice any -particular lad till the hurry was over, and only a -few belated buyers remained to be served. It -was late; but the stores kept open, and though -so tired he could hardly stand, brave Tommy -held on when the other boys left, hoping to -earn a trifle more by extra work. He sat down -on a barrel to rest during a leisure moment, -and presently his weary head nodded sideways -into a basket of cranberries, where he slept -quietly till the sound of gruff voices roused him.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was Mr. Brisket scolding because one -dinner had been forgotten.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I told that rascal Beals to be sure and carry -it, for the old gentleman will be in a rage if -it does n't come, and take away his custom. -Every boy gone, and I can't leave the store, -nor you either, Pat, with all the clearing up -to do."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here's a by, sir, slapin illigant forninst the -cranberries, bad luck to him!" answered Pat, -with a shake that set poor Tom on his legs, -wide awake at once.</p> -<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Good</em> luck to him, you mean. Here, -What's-your-name, you take this basket to that number, -and I 'll make it worth your while," said -Mr. Brisket, much relieved by this unexpected help.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right, sir;" and Tommy trudged off as -briskly as his tired legs would let him, cheering -the long cold walk with visions of the turkey -with which his employer might reward him, for -there were piles of them, and Pat was to have -one for his family.</p> -<p class="pnext">His brilliant dreams were disappointed, -however, for Mr. Brisket naturally supposed Tom's -father would attend to that part of the dinner, -and generously heaped a basket with vegetables, -rosy apples, and a quart of cranberries.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There, if you ain't too tired, you can take -one more load to that number, and a merry -Christmas to you!" said the stout man, -handing over his gift with the promised dollar.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank you, sir; good-night," answered -Tom, shouldering his last load with a grateful -smile, and trying not to look longingly at the -poultry; for he had set his heart on at least a -skinny bird as a surprise to Kit.</p> -<p class="pnext">Sammy's adventures that day had been more -varied and his efforts more successful, as we -shall see, in the end, for Sammy was a most -engaging little fellow, and no one could look -into his blue eyes without wanting to pat his -curly yellow head with one hand while the other -gave him something. The cares of life had not -lessened his confidence in people; and only the -most abandoned ruffians had the heart to -deceive or disappoint him. His very tribulations -usually led to something pleasant, and whatever -happened, sunshiny Sam came right side up, -lucky and laughing.</p> -<p class="pnext">Undaunted by the drifts or the cold wind, he -marched off with the remains of the old shovel -to seek his fortune, and found it at the third -house where he called. The first two sidewalks -were easy jobs; and he pocketed his ninepences -with a growing conviction that this was his -chosen work. The third sidewalk was a fine -long one, for the house stood on the corner, and -two pavements must be cleared.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It ought to be fifty cents; but perhaps they -won't give me so much, I'm such a young one. -I'll show 'em I can work, though, like a man;" -and Sammy rang the bell with the energy of a -telegraph boy.</p> -<p class="pnext">Before the bell could be answered, a big boy -rushed up, exclaiming roughly, "Get out of -this! I'm going to have the job. You can't -do it. Start, now, or I'll chuck you into a snow-bank."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I won't!" answered Sammy, indignant at -the brutal tone and unjust claim. "I got here -first, and it's my job. You let me alone. I -ain't afraid of you or your snow-banks either."</p> -<p class="pnext">The big boy wasted no time in words, for -steps were heard inside, but after a brief scuffle -hauled Sammy, fighting bravely all the way, -down the steps, and tumbled him into a deep -drift. Then he ran up the steps, and respectfully -asked for the job when a neat maid opened -the door. He would have got it if Sam had -not roared out, as he floundered in the drift, -"I came first. He knocked me down 'cause -I 'm the smallest. Please let me do it; please!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Before another word could be said, a little old -lady appeared in the hall, trying to look stern, -and failing entirely, because she was the picture -of a dear fat, cosey grandma.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Send that <em class="italics">bad</em> big boy away, Maria, and -call in the poor little fellow. I saw the whole -thing, and <em class="italics">he</em> shall have the job if he can do it."</p> -<p class="pnext">The bully slunk away, and Sammy came -panting up the steps, white with snow, a great -bruise on his forehead, and a beaming smile on -his face, looking so like a jolly little Santa Claus -who had taken a "header" out of his sleigh -that the maid laughed, and the old lady -exclaimed, "Bless the boy! he's dreadfully hurt, -and does n't know it. Come in and be brushed -and get your breath, child, and tell me how -that scamp came to treat you so."</p> -<p class="pnext">Nothing loath to be comforted, Sammy told -his little tale while Maria dusted him off on the -mat, and the old lady hovered in the doorway -of the dining-room, where a nice breakfast -smoked and smelled so deliciously that the boy -sniffed the odor of coffee and buckwheats like -a hungry hound.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He 'll get his death if he goes to work till -he's dried a bit. Put him over the register, -Maria, and I 'll give him a hot drink, for it's -bitter cold, poor dear!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Away trotted the kind old lady, and in a -minute came back with coffee and cakes, on -which Sammy feasted as he warmed his toes -and told Kitty's plans for Christmas, led on by -the old lady's questions, and quite unconscious -that he was letting all sorts of cats out of the bag.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mrs. Bryant understood the little story, and -made her plans also, for the rosy-faced boy was -very like a little grandson who died last year, -and her sad old heart was very tender to -all other small boys. So she found out where -Sammy lived, and nodded and smiled at him -most cheerily as he tugged stoutly away at the -snow on the long pavements till all was done, -and the little workman came for his wages.</p> -<p class="pnext">A bright silver dollar and a pocketful of -gingerbread sent him off a rich and happy boy to -shovel and sweep till noon, when he proudly -showed his earnings at home, and feasted the -babies on the carefully hoarded cake, for Dilly -and Dot were the idols of the household.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, Sammy dear, I want you to take my -place here this afternoon, for mother will have -to take her work home by-and-by, and I must -sell my wreaths. I only got enough green for -six, and two bunches of holly; but if I can sell -them for ten or twelve cents apiece, I shall be -glad. Girls never <em class="italics">can</em> earn as much money as -boys somehow," sighed Kitty, surveying the -thin wreaths tied up with carpet ravellings, and -vainly puzzling her young wits over a sad problem.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll give you some of my money if you -don't get a dollar; then we'll be even. Men -always take care of women, you know, and -ought to," cried Sammy, setting a fine example -to his father, if he had only been there to profit -by it.</p> -<p class="pnext">With thanks Kitty left him to rest on the -old sofa, while the happy babies swarmed over -him; and putting on the shabby hood and -shawl, she slipped away to stand at the Park -gate, modestly offering her little wares to the -passers-by. A nice old gentleman bought two, -and his wife scolded him for getting such bad -ones; but the money gave more happiness than -any other he spent that day. A child took a -ten-cent bunch of holly with its red berries, -and there Kitty's market ended. It was very -cold, people were in a hurry, bolder hucksters -pressed before the timid little girl, and the -balloon man told her to "clear out."</p> -<p class="pnext">Hoping for better luck, she tried several -other places; but the short afternoon was soon -over, the streets began to thin, the keen wind -chilled her to the bone, and her heart was very -heavy to think that in all the rich, merry -city, where Christmas gifts passed her in every -hand, there were none for the dear babies and -boys at home, and the Christmas dinner was a failure.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I must go and get supper anyway; and I 'll -hang these up in our own rooms, as I can't sell -them," said Kitty, wiping a very big tear from -her cold cheek, and turning to go away.</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id1">A smaller, shabbier girl than herself stood -near, looking at the bunch of holly with wistful -eyes; and glad to do to others as she wished -some one would do to her, Kitty offered the -only thing she had to give, saying kindly, "You -may have it; merry Christmas!" and ran away -before the delighted child could thank her.</p> -<p class="pnext">I am very sure that one of the spirits who -fly about at this season of the year saw the -little act, made a note of it, and in about fifteen -minutes rewarded Kitty for her sweet remembrance -of the golden rule.</p> -<p class="pnext">As she went sadly homeward she looked up -at some of the big houses where every window -shone with the festivities of Christmas Eve, and -more than one tear fell, for the little girl found -life pretty hard just then.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There don't seem to be any wreaths at these -windows; perhaps they 'd buy mine. I can't -bear to go home with so little for my share," -she said, stopping before one of the biggest and -brightest of these fairy palaces, where the -sound of music was heard, and many little -heads peeped from behind the curtains as if -watching for some one.</p> -<p class="pnext">Kitty was just going up the steps to make -another trial, when two small boys came racing -round the corner, slipped on the icy pavement, -and both went down with a crash that would -have broken older bones. One was up in a -minute, laughing; the other lay squirming and -howling, "Oh, my knee! my knee!" till Kitty -ran and picked him up with the motherly -consolations she had learned to give.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's broken; I know it is," wailed the small -sufferer as Kitty carried him up the steps, while -his friend wildly rang the doorbell.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was like going into fairy-land, for the house -was all astir with a children's Christmas party. -Servants flew about with smiling faces; open -doors gave ravishing glimpses of a feast in one -room and a splendid tree in another; while a -crowd of little faces peered over the balusters -in the hall above, eager to come down and -enjoy the glories prepared for them.</p> -<p class="pnext">A pretty young girl came to meet Kitty, and -listened to her story of the accident, which -proved to be less severe than it at first -appeared; for Bertie, the injured party, forgot -his anguish at sight of the tree, and hopped -upstairs so nimbly that every one laughed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He said his leg was broken, but I guess -he's all right," said Kitty, reluctantly turning -from this happy scene to go out into the night -again.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Would you like to see our tree before the -children come down?" asked the pretty girl, -seeing the wistful look in the child's eyes, and -the shine of half-dried tears on her cheek.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, yes; I never saw anything so lovely. -I 'd like to tell the babies all about it;" and -Kitty's face beamed at the prospect, as if the -kind words had melted all the frost away.</p> -<p class="pnext">"How many babies are there?" asked the -pretty girl, as she led the way into the brilliant -room. Kitty told her, adding several other -facts, for the friendly atmosphere seemed to -make them friends at once.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I will buy the wreaths, for we have n't any," -said the girl in silk, as Kitty told how she was -just coming to offer them when the boys fell.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was pretty to see how carefully the little -hostess laid away the shabby garlands and -slipped a half-dollar into Kitty's hand; prettier -still, to watch the sly way in which she tucked -some bonbons, a red ball, a blue whip, two -china dolls, two pairs of little mittens, and some -gilded nuts into an empty box for "the babies;" -and prettiest of all, to see the smiles and tears -make April in Kitty's face as she tried to tell -her thanks for this beautiful surprise.</p> -<p class="pnext">The world was all right when she got into the -street again and ran home with the precious -box hugged close, feeling that at last she had -something to make a merry Christmas of.</p> -<p class="pnext">Shrieks of joy greeted her, for Sammy's nice -old lady had sent a basket full of pies, nuts and -raisins, oranges and cake, and--oh, happy -Sammy!--a sled, all for love of the blue eyes -that twinkled so merrily when he told her about -the tea-tray. Piled upon this red car of triumph, -Dilly and Dot were being dragged about, while -the other treasures were set forth on the table.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I must show mine," cried Kitty; "we 'll -look at them to-night, and have them -to-morrow;" and amid more cries of rapture <em class="italics">her</em> box -was unpacked, <em class="italics">her</em> money added to the pile in -the middle of the table, where Sammy had laid -his handsome contribution toward the turkey.</p> -<p class="pnext">Before the story of the splendid tree was -over, in came Tommy with his substantial -offering and his hard-earned dollar.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'm afraid I ought to keep my money for -shoes. I 've walked the soles off these to-day, -and can't go to school barefooted," he said, -bravely trying to put the temptation of skates -behind him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We 've got a good dinner without a turkey, -and perhaps we 'd better not get it," added -Kitty, with a sigh, as she surveyed the table, and -remembered the blue knit hood marked seventy-five -cents that she saw in a shop-window.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, we <em class="italics">must</em> have a turkey! we worked so -hard for it, and it's so Christmasy," cried Sam, -who always felt that pleasant things ought to -happen.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Must have turty," echoed the babies, as -they eyed the dolls tenderly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You <em class="italics">shall</em> have a turkey, and there he is," -said an unexpected voice, as a noble bird fell -upon the table, and lay there kicking up his -legs as if enjoying the surprise immensely.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was father's voice, and there stood father, -neither cross nor stupid, but looking as he used -to look, kind and happy, and beside him was -mother, smiling as they had not seen her smile -for months. It was not because the work was -well paid for, and more promised, but because -she had received a gift that made the world -bright, a home happy again,--father's promise -to drink no more.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 've been working to-day as well as you, -and you may keep your money for yourselves. -There are shoes for all; and never again, please -God, shall my children be ashamed of me, or -want a dinner Christmas Day."</p> -<p class="pnext">As father said this with a choke in his voice, -and mother's head went down on his shoulder -to hide the happy tears that wet her cheeks, -the children did n't know whether to laugh or -cry, till Kitty, with the instinct of a loving heart, -settled the question by saying, as she held out -her hands, "We have n't any tree, so let's -dance around our goodies and be merry."</p> -<p class="pnext">Then the tired feet in the old shoes forgot -their weariness, and five happy little souls -skipped gayly round the table, where, in the -midst of all the treasures earned and given, -father's Christmas turkey proudly lay in state.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 58%" id="figure-90"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-042.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter II tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 60%" id="figure-91"> -<span id="the-silver-party"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-043.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"Grandpapa Ladle cheered them on, like a fine old gentleman as he was."--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id2">55</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">III.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE SILVER PARTY.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"Such a long morning! Seems as if -dinner-time would never come!" sighed -Tony, as he wandered into the dining-room for -a third pick at the nuts and raisins to beguile -his weariness with a little mischief.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was Thanksgiving Day. All the family -were at church, all the servants busy preparing -for the great dinner; and so poor Tony, who -had a cold, had not only to stay at home, but -to amuse himself while the rest said their -prayers, made calls, or took a brisk walk to get -an appetite. If he had been allowed in the -kitchen, he would have been quite happy; but -cook was busy and cross, and rapped him on -the head with a poker when he ventured near -the door. Peeping through the slide was also -forbidden, and John, the man, bribed him with -an orange to keep out of the way till the table -was set.</p> -<p class="pnext">That was now done. The dining-room was -empty and quiet, and poor Tony lay down on -the sofa to eat his nuts and admire the fine -sight before him. All the best damask, china, -glass, and silver was set forth with great care. -A basket of flowers hung from the chandelier, -and the sideboard was beautiful to behold with -piled-up fruit, dishes of cake, and many-colored -finger-bowls and glasses.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's all very nice, but the eating part is -what <em class="italics">I</em> care for. Don't believe I 'll get my -share to-day, because mamma found out about -this horrid cold. A fellow can't help sneezing, -though he can hide a sore throat. Oh, hum! nearly -two more hours to wait;" and with a -long sigh Tony closed his eyes for a luxurious -yawn.</p> -<p class="pnext">When he opened them, the strange sight he -beheld kept him staring without a thought of -sleep. The big soup-ladle stood straight up at -the head of the table with a face plainly to be -seen in the bright bowl. It was a very heavy, -handsome old ladle, so the face was old, but -round and jolly; and the long handle stood -very erect, like a tall thin gentleman with a big head.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, upon my word that's queer!" said -Tony, sitting up also, and wondering what would -happen next.</p> -<p class="pnext">To his great amazement the ladle began to -address the assembled forks and spoons in a -silvery tone very pleasant to hear:--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ladies and gentlemen, at this festive season -it is proper that we should enjoy ourselves. -As we shall be tired after dinner, we will at -once begin our sports by a grand promenade. -Take partners and fall in!"</p> -<p class="pnext">At these words a general uprising took place; -and before Tony could get his breath a long -procession of forks and spoons stood ready. -The finger-bowls struck up an airy tune as if -invisible wet fingers were making music on their -rims, and led by the stately ladle like a -drum-major, the grand march began. The forks were -the gentlemen, tall, slender, and with a fine -curve to their backs; the spoons were the -ladies, with full skirts, and the scallops on the -handles stood up like silver combs; the large -ones were the mammas, the teaspoons were the -young ladies, and the little salts the children. -It was sweet to see the small things walk at the -end of the procession, with the two silver rests -for the carving knife and fork trotting behind -like pet dogs. The mustard-spoon and pickle-fork -went together, and quarrelled all the way, -both being hot-tempered and sharp-tongued. -The steel knives looked on, for this was a very -aristocratic party, and only the silver people -could join in it.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here 's fun!" thought Tony, staring with -all his might, and so much interested in this -remarkable state of things that he forgot hunger -and time altogether.</p> -<p class="pnext">Round and round went the glittering train, to -the soft music of the many-toned finger-bowls, -till three turns about the long oval table had -been made; then all fell into line for a -contradance, as in the good old times before every -one took to spinning like tops. Grandpa Ladle -led off with his oldest daughter, Madam Gravy -Ladle, and the little salts stood at the bottom -prancing like real children impatient for their -turn. When it came, they went down the middle -in fine style, with a cling! clang! that made -Tony's legs quiver with a longing to join in.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was beautiful to see the older ones twirl -round in a stately way, with bows and -courtesies at the end, while the teaspoons and small -forks romped a good deal, and Mr. Pickle and -Miss Mustard kept every one laughing at their -smart speeches. The silver butter-knife, who -was an invalid, having broken her back and -been mended, lay in the rack and smiled sweetly -down upon her friends, while the little Cupid -on the lid of the butter-dish pirouetted on one -toe in the most delightful manner.</p> -<p class="pnext">When every one had gone through the dance, -the napkins were arranged as sofas and the -spoons rested, while the polite forks brought -sprigs of celery to fan them with. The little -salts got into grandpa's lap; and the silver dogs -lay down panting, for they had frisked with -the children. They all talked; and Tony could -not help wondering if real ladies said such -things when they put <em class="italics">their</em> heads together and -nodded and whispered, for some of the remarks -were so personal that he was much confused. -Fortunately they took no notice of him, so he -listened and learned something in this queer way.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have been in this family a hundred years," -began the soup-ladle; "and it seems to me that -each generation is worst than the last. My first -master was punctual to a minute, and madam -was always down beforehand to see that all was -ready. Now master comes at all hours; mistress -lets the servants do as they like; and the -manners of the children are very bad. Sad -state of things, very sad!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear me, yes!" sighed one of the large -spoons; "we don't see such nice housekeeping -now as we did when we were young. Girls -were taught all about it then; but now it is all -books or parties, and few of them know a -skimmer from a gridiron."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I 'm sure the poor things are much -happier than if they were messing about in -kitchens as girls used to do in your day. It is -much better for them to be dancing, skating, -and studying than wasting their young lives -darning and preserving, and sitting by their -mammas as prim as dishes. <em class="italics">I</em> prefer the present -way of doing things, though the girls in this -family <em class="italics">do</em> sit up too late, and wear too high -heels to their boots."</p> -<p class="pnext">The mustard-spoon spoke in a pert tone, and -the pickle-fork answered sharply,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I agree with you, cousin. The boys also -sit up too late. I 'm tired of being waked to -fish out olives or pickles for those fellows when -they come in from the theatre or some dance; -and as for that Tony, he is a real pig,--eats -everything he can lay hands on, and is the -torment of the maid's life."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes," cried one little salt-spoon, "we saw -him steal cake out of the sideboard, and he -never told when his mother scolded Norah."</p> -<p class="pnext">"So mean!" added the other; and both the -round faces were so full of disgust that Tony -fell flat and shut his eyes as if asleep to hide -his confusion. Some one laughed; but he -dared not look, and lay blushing and listening -to remarks which plainly proved how careful -we should be of our acts and words even when -alone, for who knows what apparently dumb -thing may be watching us.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have observed that Mr. Murry reads -the paper at table instead of talking to his -family; that Mrs. Murry worries about the -servants; the girls gossip and giggle; the boys -eat, and plague one another; and that small -child Nelly teases for all she sees, and is never -quiet till she gets the sugar-bowl," said Grandpa -Ladle, in a tone of regret. "Now, useful and -pleasant chat at table would make meals -delightful, instead of being scenes of confusion and -discomfort."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I bite their tongues when I get a chance, -hoping to make them witty or to check unkind -words; but they only sputter, and get a lecture -from Aunt Maria, who is a sour old spinster, -always criticising her neighbors."'</p> -<p class="pnext">As the mustard-spoon spoke, the teaspoons -laughed as if they thought <em class="italics">her</em> rather like Aunt -Maria in that respect.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I gave the baby a fit of colic to teach her to -let pickles alone, but no one thanked me," said -the pickle-fork.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps if we keep ourselves so bright that -those who use us can see their faces in us, we -shall be able to help them a little; for no one -likes to see an ugly face or a dull spoon. The -art of changing frowns to smiles is never -old-fashioned; and lovely manners smooth away the -little worries of life beautifully." A silvery voice -spoke, and all looked respectfully at Madam -Gravy Ladle, who was a very fine old spoon, -with a coat of arms on it, and a polish that all envied.</p> -<p class="pnext">"People can't always be remembering how -old and valuable and bright they are. Here in -America we just go ahead and make manners -and money for ourselves. <em class="italics">I</em> don't stop to ask -what dish I 'm going to help to; I just pitch in -and take all I can hold, and don't care a bit -whether I shine or not. My grandfather was a -kitchen spoon; but I'm smarter than he was, -thanks to my plating, and look and feel as good -as any one, though I have n't got stags' heads -and big letters on my handle."</p> -<p class="pnext">No one answered these impertinent remarks -of the sauce-spoon, for all knew that she was -not pure silver, and was only used on occasions -when many spoons were needed. Tony was -ashamed to hear her talk in that rude way to the -fine old silver he was so proud of, and resolved -he 'd give the saucy spoon a good rap when he -helped himself to the cranberry.</p> -<p class="pnext">An impressive silence lasted till a lively fork -exclaimed, as the clock struck, "Every one is -coasting out-of-doors. Why not have our share -of the fun inside? It is very fashionable this -winter, and ladies and gentlemen of the best -families do it, I assure you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We will!" cried the other forks; and as the -dowagers did not object, all fell to work to -arrange the table for this agreeable sport. Tony -sat up to see how they would manage, and was -astonished at the ingenuity of the silver people. -With a great clinking and rattling they ran to -and fro, dragging the stiff white mats about; the -largest they leaned up against the tall caster, -and laid the rest in a long slope to the edge of -the table, where a pile of napkins made a nice -snowdrift to tumble into.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What <em class="italics">will</em> they do for sleds?" thought Tony; -and the next minute chuckled when he saw them -take the slices of bread laid at each place, pile -on, and spin away, with a great scattering of -crumbs like snowflakes, and much laughter as -they landed in the white pile at the end of the -coast.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Won't John give it to 'em if he comes in -and catches 'em turning his nice table topsy-turvy!" -said the boy to himself, hoping nothing -would happen to end this jolly frolic. So he -kept very still, and watched the gay forks and -spoons climb up and whiz down till they were -tired. The little salts got Baby Nell's own -small slice, and had lovely times on a short -coast of their own made of one mat held up by -grandpa, who smiled benevolently at the fun, -being too old and heavy to join in it.</p> -<p class="pnext">They kept it up until the slices were worn -thin, and one or two upsets alarmed the ladies; -then they rested and conversed again. The -mammas talked about their children, how sadly -the silver basket needed a new lining, and what -there was to be for dinner. The teaspoons -whispered sweetly together, as young ladies -do,--one declaring that rouge powder was not as -good as it used to be, another lamenting the sad -effect of eggs upon her complexion, and all -smiled amiably upon the forks, who stood about -discussing wines and cigars, for both lived in -the sideboard, and were brought out after dinner, -so the forks knew a great deal about such -matters, and found them very interesting, as all -gentlemen seem to do.</p> -<p class="pnext">Presently some one mentioned bicycles, and -what fine rides the boys of the family told about. -The other fellows proposed a race; and before -Tony could grasp the possibility of such a thing, -it was done. Nothing easier, for there stood a -pile of plates, and just turning them on their -edges, the forks got astride, and the big wheels -spun away as if a whole bicycle club had -suddenly arrived.</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id2">Old Pickle took the baby's plate, as better -suited to his size. The little salts made a -tricycle of napkin-rings, and rode gayly off, -with the dogs barking after them. Even the -carving-fork, though not invited, could not resist -the exciting sport, and tipping up the wooden -bread-platter, went whizzing off at a great pace, -for his two prongs were better than four, and his -wheel was lighter than the china ones. -Grand-papa Ladle cheered them on, like a fine old -gentleman as he was, for though the new craze -rather astonished him, he liked manly sports, -and would have taken a turn if his dignity and -age had allowed. The ladies chimed their -applause, for it really was immensely exciting -to see fourteen plates with forks astride racing -round the large table with cries of, "Go it, -Pickle! Now, then, Prongs! Steady, Silver-top! -Hurrah for the twins!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The fun was at its height when young Prongs -ran against Pickle, who did not steer well, and -both went off the table with a crash. All -stopped at once, and crowded to the edge to -see who was killed. The plates lay in pieces, -old Pickle had a bend in his back that made -him groan dismally, and Prongs had fallen down -the register.</p> -<p class="pnext">Wails of despair arose at that awful sight, for -he was a favorite with every one, and such a -tragic death was too much for some of the -tender-hearted spoons, who fainted at the idea -of that gallant fork's destruction in what to them -was a fiery volcano.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Serves Pickle right! He ought to know he -was too old for such wild games," scolded Miss -Mustard, peering anxiously over at her friend, -for they were fond of one another in spite of -their tiffs.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now let us see what these fine folks will do -when they get off the damask and come to grief. -A helpless lot, I fancy, and those fellows deserve -what they 've got," said the sauce-spoon, nearly -upsetting the twins as she elbowed her way to -the front to jeer over the fallen.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I think you will see that gentle people are -as brave as those who make a noise," answered -Madam Gravy, and leaning over the edge of the -table she added in her sweet voice, "Dear -Mr. Pickle, we will let down a napkin and pull you -up if you have strength to take hold."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pull away, ma'am," groaned Pickle, who well -deserved his name just then, and soon, thanks -to Madam's presence of mind, he was safely laid -on a pile of mats, while Miss Mustard put a -plaster on his injured back.</p> -<p class="pnext">Meanwhile brave Grandpapa Ladle had slipped -from the table to a chair, and so to the floor -without too great a jar to his aged frame; then -sliding along the carpet, he reached the register. -Peering down that dark, hot abyss he cried, -while all listened breathlessly for a reply, -"Prongs, my boy, are you there?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, ay, sir; I 'm caught in the wire screen. -Ask some of the fellows to lend a hand and get -me out before I 'm melted," answered the fork, -with a gasp of agony.</p> -<p class="pnext">Instantly the long handle of the patriarchal -Ladle was put down to his rescue, and after a -moment of suspense, while Prongs caught firmly -hold, up he came, hot and dusty, but otherwise -unharmed by that dreadful fall. Cheers greeted -them, and every one lent a hand at the napkin -as they were hoisted to the table to be embraced -by their joyful relatives and friends.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What did you think about down in that -horrid place?" asked one of the twins.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I thought of a story I once heard master -tell, about a child who was found one cold day -sitting with his feet on a newspaper, and when -asked what he was doing, answered, 'Warming -my feet on the "Christian Register."' I hoped -my register would be Christian enough not to -melt me before help came. Ha! ha! See -the joke, my dears?" and Prongs laughed as -gayly as if he never had taken a header into -a volcano.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What did you see down there?" asked the -other twin, curious, as all small people are.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Lots of dust and pins, a doll's head baby -put there, Norah's thimble, and the big red -marble that boy Tony was raging about the -other day. It's a regular catch-all, and shows -how the work is shirked in this house," answered -Prongs, stretching his legs, which were a little -damaged by the fall.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What shall we do about the plates?" asked -Pickle, from his bed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let them lie, for we can't mend them. -John will think the boy broke them, and he'll -get punished, as he deserves, for he broke a -tumbler yesterday, and put it slyly in the -ash-barrel," said Miss Mustard, spitefully.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh! I say, that's mean," began Tony; but -no one listened, and in a minute Prongs answered -bravely,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'm a gentleman, and I don't let other -people take the blame of my scrapes. Tony has -enough of his own to answer for."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll have that bent fork for mine, and make -John keep it as bright as a new dollar to pay for -this. Prongs is a trump, and I wish I could tell -him so," thought Tony, much gratified at this -handsome behavior.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Right, grandson. I am pleased with you; -but allow me to suggest that the Chinese -Mandarin on the chimney-piece be politely requested -to mend the plates. He can do that sort of -thing nicely, and will be charmed to oblige us, -I am sure."</p> -<p class="pnext">Grandpapa's suggestion was a good one; -and Yam Ki Lo consented at once, skipped to -the floor, tapped the bits of china with his fan, -and in the twinkling of an eye was back on his -perch, leaving two whole plates behind him, -for he was a wizard, and knew all about blue china.</p> -<p class="pnext">Just as the silver people were rejoicing over -this fine escape from discovery, the clock struck, -a bell rang, voices were heard upstairs, and it -was very evident that the family had arrived. -At these sounds a great flurry arose in the -dining-room, as every spoon, fork, plate, and -napkin flew back to its place. Pickle rushed to -the jar, and plunged in head first, regardless of -his back; Miss Mustard retired to the caster; -the twins scrambled into the salt-cellar; and the -silver dogs lay down by the carving knife and -fork as quietly as if they had never stirred a -leg; Grandpapa slowly reposed in his usual -place; Madam followed his example with -dignity; the teaspoons climbed into the holder, -uttering little cries of alarm; and Prongs stayed -to help them till he had barely time to drop -down at Tony's place, and lie there with his -bent leg in the air, the only sign of the great -fall, about which he talked for a long time -afterward. All was in order but the sauce-spoon, -who had stopped to laugh at the Mandarin till -it was too late to get to her corner; and before -she could find any place of concealment, John -came in and caught her lying in the middle of -the table, looking very common and shabby -among all the bright silver.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What in the world is that old plated thing -here for? Missis told Norah to put it in the -kitchen, as she had a new one for a present -to-day--real silver--so out you go;" and as he -spoke, John threw the spoon through the -slide,--an exile forevermore from the good society -which she did not value as she should.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tony saw the glimmer of a smile in Grand-papa -Ladle's face, but it was gone like a flash, -and by the time the boy reached the table -nothing was to be seen in the silver bowl but his -own round rosy countenance, full of wonder.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't think any one will believe what I 've -seen, but I mean to tell, it was so <em class="italics">very</em> curious," -he said, as he surveyed the scene of the late -frolic, now so neat and quiet that not a wrinkle -or a crumb betrayed what larks had been going on.</p> -<p class="pnext">Hastily fishing up his long-lost marble, the -doll's head, and Norah's thimble, he went -thoughtfully upstairs to welcome his cousins, -still much absorbed by this very singular affair.</p> -<p class="pnext">Dinner was soon announced; and while it -lasted every one was too busy eating the good -things before them to observe how quiet the -usually riotous Tony was. His appetite for -turkey and cranberries seemed to have lost its -sharp edge, and the mince-pie must have felt -itself sadly slighted by his lack of appreciation -of its substance and flavor. He seemed in a -brown-study, and kept staring about as if he -saw more than other people did. He examined -Nelly's plate as if looking for a crack, smiled at -the little spoon when he took salt, refused -pickles and mustard with a frown, kept a certain -bent fork by him as long as possible, and tried -to make music with a wet finger on the rim of -his bowl at dessert.</p> -<p class="pnext">But in the evening, when the young people -sat around the fire, he amused them by telling -the queer story of the silver party; but he very -wisely left out the remarks made upon himself -and family, remembering how disagreeable the -sauce-spoon had seemed, and he privately -resolved to follow Madam Gravy Ladle's advice -to keep his own face bright, manners polite, and -speech kindly, that he might prove himself to -be pure silver, and be stamped a gentleman.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 62%" id="figure-92"> -<span id="the-blind-lark"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-063.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"Presently she sat down and let them tap her cheeks."--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id3">82</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">IV.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE BLIND LARK.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">High up in an old house, full of poor -people, lived Lizzie, with her mother and -Baby Billy. The street was a narrow, noisy -place, where carts rumbled and dirty children -played; where the sun seldom shone, the fresh -wind seldom blew, and the white snow of -winter was turned at once to black mud. One bare -room was Lizzie's home, and out of it she -seldom went, for she was a prisoner. We all pity -the poor princesses who were shut up in towers -by bad fairies, the men and women in jails, and -the little birds in cages, but Lizzie was a sadder -prisoner than any of these.</p> -<p class="pnext">The prince always comes to the captive princess, -the jail doors open in time, and the birds -find some kind hand to set them free; but there -seemed no hope of escape for this poor child. -Only nine years old, and condemned to -life-long helplessness, loneliness, and -darkness,--for she was blind.</p> -<p class="pnext">She could dimly remember the blue sky, -green earth, and beautiful sun; for the light -went out when she was six, and the cruel fever -left her a pale little shadow to haunt that room -ever since. The father was dead; the mother -worked hard for daily bread; they had no friends; -and the good fairies seemed to have forgotten -them. Still, like the larks one sees in Brittany, -whose eyes cruel boys put out that they may -sing the sweeter, Lizzie made music in her cage, -singing to baby; and when he slept, she sat -by the window listening to the noise below for -company, crooning to herself till she too fell -asleep and forgot the long, long days that had -no play, no school, no change for her such as -other children know.</p> -<p class="pnext">Every morning mother gave them their porridge, -locked the door, and went away to work, -leaving something for the children's dinner, and -Lizzie to take care of herself and Billy till -night. There was no other way, for both were -too helpless to be trusted elsewhere, and there -was no one to look after them. But Lizzie -knew her way about the room, and could find -the bed, the window, and the table where the -bread and milk stood. There was seldom any -fire in the stove, and the window was barred, so -the little prisoners were safe; and day after day -they lived together a sad, solitary, unchildlike -life that makes one's heart ache to think of.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie watched over Billy like a faithful little -mother, and Billy did his best to bear his trials -and comfort sister like a man. He was not a -rosy, rollicking fellow, like most year-old boys, -but pale and thin and quiet, with a pathetic -look in his big blue eyes, as if he said, -"Something is wrong; will some one kindly put it -right for us?" But he seldom complained -unless in pain, and would lie for hours on the old -bed, watching the flies, which were his only -other playmates, stretching out his little hands -to the few rays of sunshine that crept in now -and then, as if longing for them, like a flower in -a cellar. When Lizzie sang, he hummed softly; -and when he was hungry, cold, or tired, he -called, "Lib! Lib!" meaning "Lizzie," and -nestled up to her, forgetting all his baby woes -in her tender arms.</p> -<p class="pnext">Seeing her so fond and faithful, the poor -neighbors loved as well as pitied her, and did -what they could for the afflicted child. The busy -women would pause at the locked door to ask -if all was right; the dirty children brought her -dandelions from the park; and the rough -workmen of the factory opposite, with a kind word, -would toss an apple or a cake through the open -window. They had learned to look for the -little wistful face behind the bars, and loved to -listen to the childish voice which caught and -imitated the songs they sang and whistled, like -a sweet echo. They called her "the blind lark;" -and though she never knew it, many were the -better for the pity they gave her.</p> -<p class="pnext">Baby slept a great deal, for life offered him -few pleasures, and like a small philosopher, he -wisely tried to forget the troubles which he -could not cure; so Lizzie had nothing to do -but sing, and try to imagine how the world -looked. She had no one to tell her, and the -few memories grew dimmer and dimmer each -year. She did not know how to work or to -play, never having been taught, and mother was -too tired at night to do anything but get supper -and go to bed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The child will be an idiot soon, if she does -not die," people said; and it seemed as if this -would be the fate of the poor little girl, since -no one came to save her during those three -weary years. She often said, "I'm of <em class="italics">some</em> -use. I take care of Billy, and I could n't live -without him."</p> -<p class="pnext">But even this duty and delight was taken -from her, for that cold spring nipped the poor -little flower, and one day Billy shut his blue -eyes with a patient sigh and left her all alone.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then Lizzie's heart seemed broken; and -people thought she would soon follow him, now -that her one care and comfort was gone. All -day she lay with her cheek on Billy's pillow, -holding the battered tin cup and a little worn-out -shoe, and it was pitiful to hear her sing the -old lullabies as if baby still could hear them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It will be a mercy if the poor thing does n't -live; blind folks are no use and a sight of -trouble," said one woman to another as they -gossiped in the hall after calling on the child -during her mother's absence, for the door was -left unlocked since she was ill.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, Mrs. Davis would get on nicely if she -had n't such a burden. Thank Heaven, my -children are n't blind," answered the other, -hugging her baby closer as she went away.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie heard them, and hoped with all her -sad little soul that death would set her free, since -she was of no use in the world. To go and be -with Billy was all her desire now, and she was -on her way to him, growing daily weaker and -more content to be dreaming of dear baby well -and happy, waiting for her somewhere in a -lovely place called heaven.</p> -<p class="pnext">The summer vacation came; and hundreds of -eager children were hurrying away to the -mountains and seashore for two months of healthful -pleasure. Even the dirty children in the lane -felt the approach of berry-time, and rejoiced in -their freedom from cold as they swarmed like -flies about the corner grocery where over-ripe -fruit was thrown out for them to scramble over.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie heard about good times when some of -these young neighbors were chosen to go on -the poor children's picnics, and came back with -big sandwiches buttoned up in their jackets, -pickles, peanuts, and buns in their pockets, -hands full of faded flowers, and hearts brimming -over with childish delight at a day in the -woods. She listened with a faint smile, -enjoyed the "woodsy" smell of the green things, -and wondered if they had nice picnics in -heaven, being sorry that Billy had missed them -here. But she did not seem to care much, or -hope for any pleasure for herself except to see -baby again.</p> -<p class="pnext">I think there were few sadder sights in that -great city than this innocent prisoner waiting so -patiently to be set free. Would it be by the -gentle angel of death, or one of the human angels -who keep these little sparrows from falling to -the ground?</p> -<p class="pnext">One hot August day, when not a breath came -into the room, and the dust and noise and evil -smells were almost unendurable, poor Lizzie lay -on her bed singing feebly to herself about "the -beautiful blue sea." She was trying to get to -sleep that she might dream of a cool place, and -her voice was growing fainter and fainter, when -suddenly it seemed as if the dream had come, -for a sweet odor was near, something damp and -fresh touched her feverish cheek, and a kind -voice said in her ear,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here is the little bird I 've been following. -Will you have some flowers, dear?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is it heaven? Where's Billy?" murmured -Lizzie, groping about her, half awake.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not yet. I'm not Billy, but a friend who -carries flowers to little children who cannot go -and get them. Don't be afraid, but let me sit -and tell you about it," answered the voice, as a -gentle hand took hers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I thought maybe I 'd died, and I was glad, -for I do want to see Billy so much. He's baby, -you know." And the clinging hands held the -kind one fast till it filled them with a great bunch -of roses that seemed to bring all summer into the -close, hot room with their sweetness.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, how nice! how nice! I never had such a -lot. They 're bigger 'n' better 'n dandelions, -are n't they? What a good lady you must be -to go 'round giving folks posies like these!" -cried Lizzie, trying to realize the astonishing fact.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then, while the new friend fanned her, she -lay luxuriating in her roses, and listening to the -sweet story of the Flower Mission which, like -many other pleasant things, she knew nothing of -in her prison. Presently she told her own little -tale, never guessing how pathetic it was, till -lifting her hand to touch the new face, she -found it wet with tears.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Are you sorry for me?" she asked. "Folks -are very kind, but I 'm a burden, you know, -and I 'd better die and go to Billy; I was some -use to him, but I never can be to any one else. -I heard 'em say so, and poor mother would do -better if I was n't here."</p> -<p class="pnext">"My child, I know a little blind girl who is -no burden but a great help to her mother, and -a happy, useful creature, as you might be if you -were taught and helped as she was," went on -the voice, sounding more than ever like a good -fairy's as it told fresh wonders till Lizzie was -sure it <em class="italics">must</em> be all a dream.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Who taught her? Could I do it? Where's -the place?" she asked, sitting erect in her -eagerness, like a bird that hears a hand at the -door of its cage.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then, with the comfortable arm around her, -the roses stirring with the flutter of her heart, -and the sightless eyes looking up as if they -could see the face of the deliverer, Lizzie heard -the wonderful story of the House Beautiful -standing white and spacious on the hill, with -the blue sea before it, the fresh wind always -blowing, the green gardens and parks all about, -and inside, music, happy voices, shining faces, -busy hands, and year after year the patient -teaching by those who dedicate themselves to -this noble and tender task.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It must be better'n heaven!" cried Lizzie, -as she heard of work and play, health and -happiness, love and companionship, usefulness -and independence,--all the dear rights and -simple joys young creatures hunger for, and -perish, soul and body, without.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was too much for her little mind to grasp -at once, and she lay as if in a blissful dream -long after the kind visitor had gone, promising -to come again and to find some way for Lizzie -to enter into that lovely place where darkness -is changed to light.</p> -<p class="pnext">That visit was like magic medicine, and the -child grew better at once, for hope was born in -her heart. The heavy gloom seemed to lift; -discomforts were easier to bear; and solitude was -peopled now with troops of happy children -living in that wonderful place where blindness -was not a burden. She told it all to her -mother, and the poor woman tried to believe -it, but said sadly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't set your heart on it, child. It's easy -to promise and to forget. Rich folks don't -trouble themselves about poor folks if they can help it."</p> -<p class="pnext">But Lizzie's faith never wavered, though the -roses faded as day after day went by and no -one came. The mere thought that it was -possible to teach blind people to work and study -and play seemed to give her strength and -courage. She got up and sat at the window again, -singing to herself as she watched and waited, -with the dead flowers carefully arranged in -Billy's mug, and a hopeful smile on the little -white face behind the bars.</p> -<p class="pnext">Every one was glad she was better, and -nodded to one another as they heard the soft -crooning, like a dove's coo, in the pauses of the -harsher noises that filled the street. The -workmen tossed her sweeties and whistled their -gayest airs; the children brought their -dilapidated toys to amuse her; and one woman -came every day to put her baby in Lizzie's lap, -it was such a pleasure to her to feel the soft -little body in the loving arms that longed for Billy.</p> -<p class="pnext">Poor mother went to her work in better -spirits, and the long hot days were less -oppressive as she thought, while she scrubbed, of -Lizzie up again; for she loved her helpless -burden, heavy though she found it.</p> -<p class="pnext">When Saturday came around, it rained hard, -and no one expected "the flower lady." Even -Lizzie said with a patient sigh and a hopeful -smile,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't believe she 'll come; but maybe -it will clear up, and then I guess she will."</p> -<p class="pnext">It did not clear up, but the flower lady came; -and as the child sat listening to the welcome -sound of her steps, her quick ear caught the -tread of two pairs of feet, the whisper of two -voices, and presently two persons came in to -fill her hands with midsummer flowers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"This is Minna, the little girl I told you of. -She wanted to see you very much, so we -paddled away like a pair of ducks, and here we -are," said Miss Grace, gayly; and as she spoke, -Lizzie felt soft fingers glide over her face, and -a pair of childish lips find and kiss her own. -The groping touch, the hearty kiss, made the -blind children friends at once, and dropping -her flowers, Lizzie hugged the new-comer, -trembling with excitement and delight. Then they -talked; and how the tongues went as one asked -questions and the other answered them, while -Miss Grace sat by enjoying the happiness of -those who do <em class="italics">not</em> forget the poor, but seek them -out to save and bless.</p> -<p class="pnext">Minna had been for a year a pupil in the -happy school, where she was taught to see with -her hands, as one might say; and the tales she -told of the good times there made Lizzie cry -eagerly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can I go? Oh, <em class="italics">can</em> go?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Alas, no, not yet," answered Miss Grace, -sadly. "I find that children under ten cannot -be taken, and there is no place for the little -ones unless kind people care for them."</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie gave a wail, and hid her face in the -pillow, feeling as if she could not bear the -dreadful disappointment.</p> -<p class="pnext">Minna comforted her, and Miss Grace went -on to say that generous people were trying to -get another school for the small children; that -all the blind children were working hard to help -on the plan; that money was coming in; and -soon they hoped to have a pleasant place for -every child who needed help.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie's tears stopped falling as she listened, -for hope was not quite gone.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll not be ten till next June, and I don't -see how I <em class="italics">can</em> wait 'most a year. Will the little -school be ready 'fore then?" she asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I fear not, dear, but I will see that the long -waiting is made as easy as possible, and perhaps -you can help us in some way," answered Miss -Grace, anxious to atone for her mistake in -speaking about the school before she had -made sure that Lizzie could go.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, I 'd love to help; only I can't do -anything," sighed the child.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You can sing, and that is a lovely way to -help. I heard of 'the blind lark,' as they call -you, and when I came to find her, your little -voice led me straight to the door of the cage. -That door I mean to open, and let you hop out -into the sunshine; then, when you are well and -strong, I hope you will help us get the home -for other little children who else must wait -years before <em class="italics">they</em> find the light. Will you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">As Miss Grace spoke, it was beautiful to see -the clouds lift from Lizzie's wondering face, till -it shone with the sweetest beauty any face can -wear,--the happiness of helping others. She -forgot her own disappointment in the new -hope that came, and held on to the bedpost -as if the splendid plan were almost too much -for her.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Could I help that way?" she cried. -"Would anybody care to hear me sing? Oh, -how I 'd love to do anything for the poor little -ones who will have to wait."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You shall. I 'm sure the hardest heart -would be touched by your singing, if you look -as you do now. We need something new for -our fair and concert, and by that time you will -be ready," said Miss Grace, almost afraid she -had said too much; for the child looked so -frail, it seemed as if even joy would hurt her.</p> -<p class="pnext">Fortunately her mother came in just then; -and while the lady talked to her, Minna's childish -chatter soothed Lizzie so well that when -they left she stood at the window smiling down -at them and singing like the happiest bobolink -that ever tilted on a willow branch in spring-time.</p> -<p class="pnext">All the promises were kept, and soon a new -life began for Lizzie. A better room and -well-paid work were found for Mrs. Davis. Minna -came as often as she could to cheer up her -little friend, and best of all, Miss Grace taught -her to sing, that by and by the little voice might -plead with its pathetic music for others less -blest than she. So the winter months went by, -and Lizzie grew like mayflowers underneath the -snow, getting ready to look up, sweet and rosy, -when spring set her free and called her to be -glad. She counted the months and weeks, and -when the time dwindled to days, she could -hardly sleep or eat for thinking of the happy -hour when she could go to be a pupil in the -school where miracles were worked.</p> -<p class="pnext">Her birthday was in June, and thanks to Miss -Grace, her coming was celebrated by one of the -pretty festivals of the school, called Daisy Day. -Lizzie knew nothing of this surprise, and when -her friends led her up the long flight of steps -she looked like a happy little soul climbing to -the gates of heaven.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Constantine, the ruler of this small -kingdom, was a man whose fatherly heart had room -for every suffering child in the world, and it -rejoiced over every one who came, though the -great house was overflowing, and many waited -as Lizzie had done.</p> -<p class="pnext">He welcomed her so kindly that the strange -place seemed like home at once, and Minna -led her away to the little mates who proudly -showed her their small possessions and filled -her hands with the treasures children love, while -pouring into her ears delightful tales of the -study, work, and play that made their lives so -happy.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie was bewildered, and held fast to Minna, -whose motherly care of her was sweet to see. -Kind teachers explained rules and duties with -the patience that soothes fear and wins love; -and soon Lizzie began to feel that she was a -"truly pupil" in this wonderful school where -the blind could read, sew, study, sing, run, and -play. Boys raced along the galleries and up -and down the stairs as boldly as if all had eyes; -girls swept and dusted like tidy housewives; -little fellows hammered and sawed in the -workshop and never hurt themselves; small girls -sewed on pretty work as busy as bees; and in -the schoolroom lessons went on as if both -teachers and pupils were blessed with eyes.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie could not understand it, and was -content to sit and listen wherever she was placed, -while her little fingers fumbled at the new -objects near her, and her hungry mind opened -like a flower to the sun. She had no tasks that -day, and in the afternoon was led away with a -flock of children, all chattering like magpies, on -the grand expedition. Every year, when the -fields were white with daisies, these poor little -souls were let loose among them to enjoy the -holy day of this child's flower. Ah, but was n't -it a pretty sight to see the meeting between -them, when the meadows were reached, and the -children scattered far and wide with cries of -joy as they ran and rolled in the white sea, or -filled their eager hands, or softly felt for the -dear daisies and kissed them like old friends? -The flowers seemed to enjoy it too, as they -danced and nodded, while the wind rippled the -long grass like waves of a green sea, and the -sun smiled as if he said,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here's the sort of thing I like to see. Why -don't I find more of it?"</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id3">Lizzie's face looked like a daisy, it was so -full of light as she stood looking up, with the -wide brim of her new hat like the white petals -all round it. She did not run nor shout, but -went slowly wading through the grass, feeling -the flowers touch her hands, yet picking none, -for it was happiness enough to know that they -were there. Presently she sat down and let -them tap her cheeks and rustle about her ears -as though telling secrets that made her smile. -Then, as if weary with so much happiness, she -lay back and let the daisies hide her with their -pretty coverlet.</p> -<p class="pnext">Miss Grace was watching over her, but left -her alone, and by and by, like a lark from its -nest in the grass, the blind girl sent up her -little voice, singing so sweetly that the children -gathered around to hear, while they made chains -and tied up their nosegays.</p> -<p class="pnext">This was Lizzie's first concert, and no little -prima donna was ever more pelted with -flowers than she; for when she had sung all her -songs, new and old, a daisy crown was put -upon her head, a tall flower for a sceptre in -her hand, and all the boys and girls danced -around her as if she had been Queen of the May.</p> -<p class="pnext">A little feast came out of the baskets, that -they might be empty for the harvest to be -carried home, and while they ate, stories were -told and shouts of laughter filled the air, for all -were as merry as if there was no darkness, pain, -or want in the world. Then they had games; -and Lizzie was taught to play,--for till now -she never knew what a good romp meant. Her -cheeks grew rosy, her sad little face waked up, -she ran and tumbled with the rest, and actually -screamed, to Minna's great delight.</p> -<p class="pnext">Two or three of the children could see a little, -and these were very helpful in taking care of -the little ones. Miss Grace found them playing -some game with Lizzie, and observed that all -but she were blindfolded. When she asked -why, one whispered, "We thought we should -play fairer if we were all alike." And another -added, "It seems somehow as if we were proud -if we see better than the rest."</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie was much touched by this sweet spirit, -and a little later showed that she had already -learned one lesson in the school, when she -gathered about her some who had never seen, -and told them what she could remember of -green fields and daisy-balls before the light went -out forever.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely my little lark was worth saving, if -only for this one happy day," thought Miss -Grace, as she watched the awakened look in the -blind faces, all leaning toward the speaker, -whose childish story pleased them well.</p> -<p class="pnext">In all her long and useful life, Lizzie never -forgot that Daisy Day, for it seemed as if she were -born anew, and like a butterfly had left the -dark chrysalis all behind her then. It was the -first page of the beautiful book just opening -before the eyes of her little mind,--a lovely -page, illustrated with flowers, kind faces, -sunshine, and happy hopes. The new life was so -full, so free, she soon fell into her place and -enjoyed it all. People worked there so heartily, -so helpfully, it was no wonder things went as if -by magic, and the poor little creatures who came -in so afflicted went out in some years independent -people, ready to help themselves and often -to benefit others.</p> -<p class="pnext">There is no need to tell all Lizzie learned and -enjoyed that summer, nor how proud her mother -was when she heard her read in the curious -books, making eyes of the little fingers that felt -their way along so fast; when she saw the neat -stitches she set, the pretty clay things she -modelled, the tidy way she washed dishes, swept, and -dusted, and helped keep her room in order. -But the poor woman's heart was too full for -words when she heard the child sing,--not as -before, in the dreary room, sad, soft lullabies to -Billy, but beautiful, gay songs, with flutes and -violins to lift and carry the little voice along on -waves of music.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lizzie really had a great gift; but she was -never happier than when they all sang together, -or when she sat quietly listening to the band as -they practised for the autumn concert. She -was to have a part in it; and the thought that -she could help to earn money for the Kindergarten -made the shy child bold and glad to do -her part. Many people knew her now, for she -was very pretty, with the healthful roses in her -cheeks, curly yellow hair, and great blue eyes -that seemed to see. Her mates and teachers -were proud of her, for though she was not as -quick as some of the pupils, her sweet temper, -grateful heart, and friendly little ways made her -very dear to all, aside from the musical talent -she possessed.</p> -<p class="pnext">Every one was busy over the fair and the -concert; and fingers flew, tongues chattered, feet -trotted, and hearts beat fast with hope and fear -as the time drew near, for all were eager to -secure a home for the poor children still waiting -in darkness. It was a charity which appealed -to all hearts when it was known; but in this -busy world of ours, people have so many cares -of their own that they are apt to forget the wants -of others unless something brings these needs -very clearly before their eyes. Much money was -needed, and many ways had been tried to add to -the growing fund, that all might be well done.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We wish to interest children in this charity -for children, so that they may gladly give a part -of their abundance to these poor little souls who -have nothing. I think Lizzie will sing some of -the pennies out of their pockets, which would -otherwise go for bonbons. Let us try; so make -her neat and pretty, and we 'll have a special song for her."</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Constantine said this; and Miss Grace -carried out his wish so well that when the time -came, the little prima donna did her part better -even than they had hoped.</p> -<p class="pnext">The sun shone splendidly on the opening day -of the fair, and cars and carriages came rolling -out from the city, full of friendly people with -plump purses and the sympathetic interest we -all take in such things when we take time to see, -admire, and reproach ourselves that we do so -little for them.</p> -<p class="pnext">There were many children; and when they -had bought the pretty handiwork of the blind -needle-women, eaten cake and ices, wondered -at the strange maps and books, twirled the big -globe in the hall, and tried to understand how -so many blind people could be so busy and so -happy, they all were seated at last to hear the -music, full of expectation, for "the pretty little -girl was going to sing."</p> -<p class="pnext">It was a charming concert, and every one -enjoyed it, though many eyes grew dim as they -wandered from the tall youths blowing the -horns so sweetly to the small ones chirping -away like so many sparrows, for the blind faces -made the sight pathetic, and such music touched -the hearts as no other music can.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now she's coming!" whispered the eager -children, as a little girl climbed up the steps and -stood before them, waiting to begin.</p> -<p class="pnext">A slender little creature in a blue gown, with -sunshine falling on her pretty hair, a pleading -look in the soft eyes that had no sign of -blindness but their steadfastness, and a smile on the -lips that trembled at first, for Lizzie's heart beat -fast, and only the thought, "I 'm helping the -poor little ones," gave her courage for her task.</p> -<p class="pnext">But when the flutes and violins began to play -like a whispering wind, she forgot the crowd -before her, and lifting up her face, sang in clear -sweet tones.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">THE BLIND LARK'S SONG.</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="line">We are sitting in the shadow</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Of a long and lonely night,</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Waiting till some gentle angel</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Comes to lead us to the light;</div> -</div> -<div class="line">For we know there is a magic</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">That can give eyes to the blind.</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Oh, well-filled hands, be generous!</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Oh, pitying hearts, be kind!</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line">Help stumbling feet that wander</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">To find the upward way;</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Teach hands that now lie idle</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">The joys of work and play.</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Let pity, love, and patience</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Our tender teachers be,</div> -</div> -<div class="line">That though the eyes be blinded,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">The little souls may see.</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line">Your world is large and beautiful,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Our prison dim and small;</div> -</div> -<div class="line">We stand and wait, imploring,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">"Is there not room for all?</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Give us our children's garden,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Where we may safely bloom,</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Forgetting in God's sunshine</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Our lot of grief and gloom."</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line">A little voice comes singing;</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Oh, listen to its song!</div> -</div> -<div class="line">A little child is pleading</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">For those who suffer wrong.</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Grant them the patient magic</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">That gives eyes to the blind!</div> -</div> -<div class="line">Oh, well-filled hands, be generous!</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Oh, pitying hearts, be kind!</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">It was a very simple little song, but it proved -wonderfully effective, for Lizzie was so carried -away by her own feeling that as she sang the -last lines she stretched out her hands -imploringly, and two great tears rolled down her -cheeks. For a minute many hands were too -busy fumbling for handkerchiefs to clap, but the -children were quick to answer that gesture and -those tears; and one impetuous little lad tossed -a small purse containing his last ten cents at -Lizzie's feet, the first contribution won by her -innocent appeal. Then there was great applause, -and many of the flowers just bought were thrown -to the little lark, who was obliged to come back -and sing again and again, smiling brightly as she -dropped pretty courtesies, and sang song after -song with all the added sweetness of a grateful -heart.</p> -<p class="pnext">Hidden behind the organ, Miss Grace and -Mr. Constantine shook hands joyfully, for this -was the sort of interest they wanted, and they -knew that while the children clapped and threw -flowers, the wet-eyed mothers were thinking -self-reproachfully, "I must help this lovely -charity," and the stout old gentlemen who -pounded with their canes were resolving to go -home and write some generous checks, which -would be money invested in God's savings-bank.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was a very happy time for all, and made -strangers friends in the sweet way which teaches -heart to speak to heart. When the concert was -over, Lizzie felt many hands press hers and -leave something there, many childish lips kiss -her own, with promises to "help about the -Kindergarten," and her ears were full of kind -voices thanking and praising her for doing her -part so well. Still later, when all were gone, -she proudly put the rolls of bills into -Mr. Constantine's hand, and throwing her arms -about Miss Grace's neck, said, trembling with -earnestness, "I 'm not a burden any more, and -I can truly help! How can I ever thank you -both for making me so happy?"</p> -<p class="pnext">One can fancy what their answer was and how -Lizzie helped; for long after the Kindergarten -was filled with pale little flowers blooming slowly -as she had done, the Blind Lark went on singing -pennies out of pockets, and sweetly reminding -people not to forget this noble charity.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-93"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-091.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter IV tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 60%" id="figure-94"> -<span id="music-and-macaroni"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-092.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Tino runs away from home.--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id4">105</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">V.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">MUSIC AND MACARONI.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Among the pretty villages that lie along the -wonderful Cornice road which runs from -Nice to Genoa, none was more beautiful than -Valrose. It deserved its name, for it was indeed -a "valley of roses." The little town with its old -church nestled among the olive and orange -trees that clothed the hillside, sloping up to -purple mountains towering behind. Lower -down stretched the vineyards; and the valley -was a bed of flowers all the year round. There -were acres of violets, verbenas, mignonette, and -every sweet-scented blossom that grows, while -hedges of roses, and alleys of lemon-trees with -their white stars made the air heavy with perfume. -Across the plain, one saw the blue sea rolling to -meet the bluer sky, sending fresh airs and soft -rains to keep Valrose green and beautiful even -through the summer heat. Only one ugly thing -marred the lovely landscape, and that was the -factory, with its tall chimneys, its red walls, and -ceaseless bustle. But old ilex-trees tried to -conceal its ugliness; the smoke curled gracefully -from its chimney-tops; and the brown men -talked in their musical language as they ran -about the busy courtyard, or did strange things -below in the still-room. Handsome black-eyed -girls sang at the open windows at their -pretty work, and delicious odors filled the place; -for here the flowers that bloomed outside were -changed to all kinds of delicate perfumes to -scent the hair of great ladies and the -handkerchiefs of dainty gentlemen all the world over.</p> -<p class="pnext">The poor roses, violets, mignonette, orange-flowers, -and their sisters, were brought here in -great baskets to yield up their sweet souls in -hot rooms where, fires burned and great vats -boiled; then they were sent up to be imprisoned -in pretty flasks of all imaginable shapes and -colors by the girls, who put gilded labels on them, -packed them in delicate boxes, and sent them -away to comfort the sick, please the rich, and -put money in the pockets of the merchants.</p> -<p class="pnext">Many children were employed in the light -work of weeding beds, gathering flowers, and -running errands; among these none were busier, -happier, or more beloved than Florentino and -his sister Stella. They were orphans, but they -lived with old Mariuccia in her little stone -house near the church, contented with the small -wages they earned, though their clothes were -poor, their food salad, macaroni, rye bread, and -thin wine, with now and then a taste of meat -when Stella's lover or some richer friend gave -them a treat on gala days.</p> -<p class="pnext">They worked hard, and had their dreams of -what they would do when they had saved up a -little store; Stella would marry her Beppo and -settle in a home of her own; but Tino was more -ambitious, for he possessed a sweet boyish voice -and sang so well in the choir, at the merrymakings, -and about his work, that he was called -the "little nightingale," and much praised and -petted, not only by his mates, but by the good -priest who taught him music, and the travellers -who often came to the factory and were not -allowed to go till Tino had sung to them.</p> -<p class="pnext">All this made the lad vain; and he hoped one -day to go away as Baptista had gone, who now -sang in a fine church at Genoa and sent home -gold napoleons to his old parents. How this -was to come about Tino had not the least idea, -but he cheered his work with all manner of wild -plans, and sang his best at Mass, hoping some -stranger would hear, and take him away as -Signor Pulci had taken big Tista, whose voice -was not half so wonderful as his own, all had -said. No one came, however, and Tino at -thirteen was still at work in the valley,--a happy -little lad, singing all day long as he carried his -fragrant loads to and fro, ate his dinner of bread -and beans fried in oil, with a crust, under the -ilex-trees, and slept like a dormouse at night on -his clean straw in the loft at Mariuccia's, with -the moon for his candle and the summer warmth -for his coverlet.</p> -<p class="pnext">One day in September, as he stood winnowing -mignonette seed in a quiet corner of the vast -garden, he was thinking deeply over his hopes -and plans, and practising the last chant Father -Angelo had taught him, while he shook and -held the sieve high, to let the wind blow away -the dead husks, leaving the brown seeds behind.</p> -<p class="pnext">Suddenly, as he ended his lesson with a clear -high note that seemed to rise and die softly -away like the voice of an angel in the air, the -sound of applause startled him; and turning, he -saw a gentleman sitting on the rude bench -behind him,--a well-dressed, handsome, smiling -gentleman, who clapped his white hands and -nodded and said gayly, "Bravo, my boy, that -was well done! You have a wonderful voice; -sing again."</p> -<p class="pnext">But Tino was too abashed for the moment, -and could only stand and stare at the stranger, -a pretty picture of boyish confusion, pleasure, -and shyness.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come, tell me all about it, my friend. Who -taught you so well? Why are you here, and -not where you should be, learning to use this -fine pipe of yours, and make fame and money -by it?" said the gentleman, still smiling as he -leaned easily in his seat and swung his gloves.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino's heart began to beat fast as he thought, -"Perhaps my chance has come at last! I must -make the most of it." So taking courage, he -told his little story; and when he ended, the -stranger gave a nod, saying,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, you are the 'little nightingale' they -spoke of up at the inn. I came to find you. -Now sing me something gay, some of your -folk-songs. That sort will suit you best."</p> -<p class="pnext">Anxious to make the most of his chance, -Tino took courage and sang away as easily as a -bird on a bough, pouring out one after another -the barcaroles, serenades, ballads, and drinking-songs -he had learned from the people about him.</p> -<p class="pnext">The gentleman listened, laughed, and -applauded as if well pleased, and when Tino -stopped to take breath, he gave another nod -more decided than the first, and said with his -engaging smile,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"You are indeed a wonder, and quite wasted -here. If <em class="italics">I</em> had you I should make a man of -you, and put money in your pocket as fast as -you opened your mouth."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino's eyes sparkled at the word "money," -for sweet as was the praise, the idea of having -full pockets bewitched him, and he asked -eagerly, "How, signor?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well," answered the gentleman, idly tapping -his nose with a rose-bud which he had pulled -as he came along, "I should take you to my -hotel at Nice; wash, brush, and trim you up a -little; put you into a velvet suit with a lace -collar, silk stockings, and buckled shoes; teach -you music, feed you well, and when I thought -you fit carry you with me to the <em class="italics">salons</em> of the -great people, where I give concerts. There you -would sing these gay songs of yours, and be -petted, praised, and pelted with bonbons, francs, -and kisses perhaps,--for you are a pretty lad -and these fine ladies and idle gentlemen are -always ready to welcome a new favorite. Would -you fancy that sort of life better than this? -You can have it if you like."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino's black eyes shone; the color deepened -in his brown cheeks; and he showed all his -white teeth as he laughed and exclaimed with -a gesture of delight,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Mio Dio! but I <em class="italics">would</em>, signor! I 'm tired -of this work; I long to sing, to see the world, to -be my own master, and let Stella and the old -woman know that I am big enough to have -my own way. Do you really mean it? When -can I go? I'm ready now, only I had better -run and put on my holiday suit and get my guitar."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good! there 's a lad of spirit. I like that -well. A guitar too? Bravo, my little -troubadour, we shall make a sensation in the -drawing-rooms, and fill our pockets shortly. But there -is no haste, and it would be well to ask these -friends of yours, or there might be trouble. I -don't <em class="italics">steal</em> nightingales, I buy them; and I -will give the old woman, whoever she may be, -more than you would earn in a month. See, -I too am a singer, and this I made at Genoa in -a week." As he spoke, Signor Mario pulled -a well-filled purse from one pocket, a handful -of gold and silver coin from the other, and -chinked them before the boy's admiring eyes.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let us go!" cried Tino, flinging down the -sieve as if done with work forever. "Stella is -at home to-day; come at once to Mariuccia,--it -is not far; and when they hear these fine plans, -they will be glad to let me go, I am sure."</p> -<p class="pnext">Away he went across the field of flowers, -through the courtyard, up the steep street, -straight into the kitchen where his pretty sister -sat eating artichokes and bread while the old -woman twirled her distaff in the sun. Both -were used to strangers, for the cottage was a -picturesque place, half hidden like a bird's nest -in vines and fig-trees, with a gay little plot of -flowers before it; travellers often came to taste -Mariuccia's honey, for her bees fared well, and -their combs were running over with the sweetness -of violets and roses, put up in dainty little -waxen boxes made by better workmen than any -found at the factory.</p> -<p class="pnext">The two women listened respectfully while -Signor Mario told his plan in his delightfully -gracious way; and Stella was much impressed -by the splendor of the prospect before her -brother. But the wise old woman shook her -head, and declared decidedly that the boy was -too young to leave home yet. Father Angelo -was teaching him well; he was safe and happy -where he was; and there he should remain, for -she had sworn by all the saints to his dying -mother that she would guard him as the apple -of her eye till he was old enough to take care -of himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">In vain Mario shook his purse before her -eyes, Stella pleaded, and Tino stormed; the -faithful old soul would not give up, much as -she needed money, loved Stella, and hated to -cross the boy who was in truth "the apple of her -eye" and the darling of her heart. There was -a lively scene in the little room, for every one -talked at once, gesticulated wildly, and grew -much excited in the discussion; but nothing -came of it, and Signor Mario departed wrathfully, -leaving Mariuccia looking as stern as fate -with her distaff, Stella in tears, and Tino in such -a rage he could only dash up to the loft and -throw himself on his rude bed, there to kick -and sob and tear his hair, and wish there might -be ten thousand earthquakes to swallow that -cruel old woman up in the twinkling of an eye.</p> -<p class="pnext">Stella came to beg him to be comforted and -eat his supper, but he drew the wooden bolt -and would not let her in, saying sternly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I <em class="italics">never</em> will come down till Mariuccia says -I may go; I will starve first. I am not a child -to be so treated. Go away, and let me alone; -I hate you both!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Poor Stella retired, heart-broken, and when -all her entreaties failed to change their -guardian's decision, she went to consult Father -Angelo. He agreed with the old woman that -it was best to keep the boy safe at home, as they -knew nothing of the strange gentleman nor -what might befall Tino if he left the shelter of -his own humble home and friends.</p> -<p class="pnext">Much disappointed, Stella went to pray -devoutly in the church, and then, meeting her -Beppo, soon forgot all about the poor little lad -who had sobbed himself to sleep upon his straw.</p> -<p class="pnext">The house was quiet when he awoke; no -lights shone from any neighbor's windows; and -all was still except the nightingales singing in -the valley. The moon was up; and her friendly -face looked in at the little window so brightly -that the boy felt comforted, and lay staring at -the soft light while his mind worked busily. -Some evil spirit, some naughty Puck bent on -mischief must have been abroad that night, for -into Tino's head there suddenly popped a -splendid idea; at least <em class="italics">he</em> thought it so, and in his -rebellious state found it all the more tempting -because danger and disobedience and defiance -all had a part in it.</p> -<p class="pnext">Why not run away? Signor Mario was not -to leave till next morning. Tino could easily -slip out early and join the kind gentleman -beyond the town. This would show the women -that he, Tino, had a will of his own and was -not to be treated like a child any more. It -would give them a good fright, make a fine -stir in the place, and add to his glory when he -returned with plenty of money to display -himself in the velvet suit and silk stockings,--a -famous fellow who knew what he was about and -did not mean to be insulted, or tied to an old -woman's apron-string forever.</p> -<p class="pnext">The longer he thought the more delightful -the idea became, and he resolved to carry it out, -for the fine tales he had heard made him more -discontented than ever with his present simple, -care-free life. Up he got, and by the light of the -moon took from the old chest his best suit. -Moving very softly, he put on the breeches and -jacket of rough blue cloth, the coarse linen -shirt, the red sash, and the sandals of russet -leather that laced about his legs to the knee. -A few clothes, with his rosary, he tied up in a -handkerchief, and laid the little bundle ready -with his Sunday hat, a broad-brimmed, pointed-crowned -affair with a red band and cock's -feather to adorn it.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then he sat at the window waiting for dawn -to come, fearing to sleep lest he be too late. -It seemed an almost endless night, the first he -had ever spent awake, but red streaks came in -the east at last, and he stole to the door, -meaning to creep noiselessly downstairs, take a good -hunch of bread and a gourd full of wine and -slip off while the women slept.</p> -<p class="pnext">To his dismay he found the door barred on -the outside. His courage had ebbed a little as -the time for action came; but at this new insult -he got angry again, and every dutiful impulse -flew away in a minute.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, they think to keep me, do they? -Behold, then, how I cheat the silly things! -They have never seen me climb down the -fig-tree, and thought me safe. Now I will vanish, -and leave them to tear their hair and weep for -me in vain."</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id4">Flinging out his bundle, and carefully lowering -his old guitar, Tino leaned from the little -window, caught the nearest branch of the tree -that bent toward the wall, and swung himself -down as nimbly as a squirrel. Pausing only to -pick several bunches of ripe grapes from the -vine about the door, he went softly through the -garden and ran away along the road toward -Nice as fast as his legs could carry him.</p> -<p class="pnext">Not till he reached the top of the long hill a -mile away, did he slacken his lively pace; then -climbing a bank, he lay down to rest under -some olive-trees, and ate his grapes as he -watched the sun rise. Travellers always left the -Falcone Inn early to enjoy the morning -freshness, so Tino knew that Signor Mario would -soon appear; and when the horses paused to -rest on the hill-top, the "little nightingale" -would present himself as unexpectedly as if he -had fallen from heaven.</p> -<p class="pnext">But Signor Mario was a lazy man; and Tino -had time to work himself into a fever of -expectation, doubt, and fear before the roll of -wheels greeted his longing ears. Yes, it was -the delightful stranger!--reading papers and -smoking as he rode, quite blind to the beauty -all around him, blind also to the sudden -appearance of a picturesque little figure by the -roadside, as the carriage stopped. Even when -he looked, he did not recognize shabby Tino in -the well-dressed beggar, as he thought him, -who stood bare-headed and smiling, with hat in -one hand, bundle in the other, and guitar slung -on his back. He waved his hand as if to say, -"I have nothing for you," and was about to -bid the man drive on, but Tino cried out boldly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Behold me, signor! I am Tino, the singing -boy of Valrose. I have run away to join you -if you will have me. Ah, please do! I wish so -much to go with you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bravo!" cried Mario, well pleased. "That -is a lad of spirit; and I am glad to have you. -I don't steal nightingales, as I told you down -yonder; but if they get out of their cages and -perch on my finger, I keep them. In with you, -boy! there is no time to lose."</p> -<p class="pnext">In scrambled happy Tino, and settling -himself and his property on the seat opposite, -amused his new master with a lively account of -his escape. Mario laughed and praised him; -Luigi, the servant, grinned as he listened from -the coach-box; and the driver resolved to tell -the tale at the Falcone, when he stopped there -on his return to Genoa, so the lad's friends -might know what had become of him.</p> -<p class="pnext">After a little chat Signor Mario returned to -his newspapers, and Tino, tired with his long -vigil and brisk run, curled himself up on the -seat, pillowed his head on his bundle and fell -fast asleep, rocked by the motion of the -carriage as it rolled along the smooth road.</p> -<p class="pnext">When he waked, the sun was high, the -carriage stood before a wayside inn, the man and -horses were gone to their dinners, and the -signor lay under some mulberry-trees in the -garden while Luigi set forth upon the grass -the contents of a well-filled hamper which they -had brought with them, his master being one -who looked well after his own comfort. The sight -of food drew Tino toward it as straight as a -honey-jar draws flies, and he presented himself -with his most engaging air. Being in a good -humor, the new master bade the hungry lad sit down -and eat, which he did so heartily that larded fowl, -melon, wine, and bread vanished as if by magic. -Never had food tasted so good to Tino; and -rejoicing with true boyish delight in the prospect -of plenty to eat, he went off to play Morso -with the driver, while the horses rested and -Mario took a siesta on the grass.</p> -<p class="pnext">When they set forth again, Tino received his -first music lesson from the new teacher, who -was well pleased to find how quickly the boy -caught the air of a Venetian boat-song, and -how sweetly he sang it. Then Tino strummed -on his guitar and amused his hearers with all -the melodies he knew, from church chants to -drinking-songs. Mario taught him how to -handle his instrument gracefully, speak a few -polite phrases, and sit properly instead of -sprawling awkwardly or lounging idly.</p> -<p class="pnext">So the afternoon wore away; and at dusk they -reached Nice. To Tino it looked like an -enchanted city as they drove down to it from the -soft gloom and stillness of the country. The -sea broke gently on the curving shore, sparkling -with the lights of the Promenade des Anglais -which overlooks it. A half circle of brilliant -hotels came next; behind these the glimmer of -villas scattered along the hillside shone like -fireflies among gardens and orange groves; and -higher still the stars burned in a violet sky. -Soon the moon would be up, to hang like a great -lamp from that splendid dome, turning sea and -shore to a magic world by her light. Tino -clapped his hands and looked about him with -all the pleasure of his beauty-loving race as they -rattled through the gay streets and stopped at -one of the fine hotels.</p> -<p class="pnext">Here Mario put on his grand air, and was -shown to the apartment he had ordered from -Genoa. Tino meekly followed; and Luigi -brought up the rear with the luggage. Tino -felt as if he had got into a fairy tale when he -found himself in a fine parlor where he could -only sit and stare about him, while his master -refreshed in the chamber beyond, and the man -ordered dinner. A large closet was given the -boy to sleep in, with a mattress and blanket, a -basin and pitcher, and a few pegs to hang his -clothes on. But it seemed very nice after the -loft; and when he had washed his face, shaken -the dust off, and smoothed his curly head as -well as he could, he returned to the parlor to -gloat over such a dinner as he had never eaten before.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mario was in a good humor and anxious to -keep the lad so, therefore he plied him with good -things to eat, fine promises, and the praise in -which that vain little soul delighted. Tino went -to bed early, feeling that his fortune was made, -and his master went off to amuse himself at a -gaming-table, for that was his favorite pastime.</p> -<p class="pnext">Next day the new life began. After a late -breakfast, a music lesson was given which both -interested and dismayed Tino, for his master -was far less patient than good old Father Angelo, -and swore at him when he failed to catch a new -air as quickly as he expected. Both were tired -and rather cross when it ended, but Tino soon -forgot the tweaking of his ear and the scolding, -when he was sent away with Luigi to buy the -velvet suit and sundry necessary articles for the -young troubadour.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was a lovely day; and the gay city was all -alive with the picturesque bustle which always -fills it when the season begins. Red-capped -fishermen were launching their boats from the -beach, flower-girls hastening from the gardens -with their fragrant loads to sell on the -Promenade, where invalids sunned themselves, nurses -led their rosy troops to play, fine ladies strolled, -and men of all nations paced to and fro at -certain hours. In the older part of the city, work -of all sorts went on,--coral-carvers filled their -windows with pretty ornaments; pastry-cooks -tempted with dainty dishes; milliners showed -hats fresh from Paris; and Turkish merchants -hung out rich rugs and carpets at their doors. -Church-bells chimed; priests with incense and -banners went through the streets on holy -errands; the Pifferoni piped gayly; orange-women -and chestnut-sellers called their wares -in musical voices; even the little scullions who -go about scouring saucepans at back doors -made a song of their cry, "Casserola!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino had a charming time, and could hardly -believe his senses when one fine thing after -another was bought for him and ordered home. -Not only the suit, but two ruffled shirts, a -crimson tie for the lace collar, a broad new ribbon -for the guitar, handkerchiefs, hose, and delicate -shoes, as if he was a gentleman's son. When -Luigi added a little mantle and a hat such as -other well-dressed lads of his age wore, Tino -exclaimed, "This also! Dio mio, never have I -known so kind a man as Signor Mario. I shall -serve him well and love him even better than -you do."</p> -<p class="pnext">Luigi shrugged his shoulders and answered -with a disagreeable laugh, "Long may you -think so, poverino; I serve for money, not -love, and look to it that I get my wages, else -it would go ill with both of us. Keep all -you can get, boy; our master is apt to forget -his servants."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino did not like the look, half scornful, half -pitiful, which Luigi gave him, and wondered why -he did not love the good signor. Later he -found out; but all was pleasant now, and lunch -at a café completed the delights of that long morning.</p> -<p class="pnext">The rooms were empty when they returned; -and bidding him keep out of mischief, Luigi -left Tino alone for several hours. But he found -plenty of amusement in examining all the -wonders the apartment contained, receiving the -precious parcels as they arrived, practising his -new bow before the long mirror, and eating the -nuts that he had bought of a jolly old woman -at a street corner.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then he went to lounge on the balcony that -ran along the front of the hotel, and watched -the lively scene below, till sunset sent the -promenaders home to dress for dinner. Feeling a -sudden pang of homesickness as he thought of -Stella, Tino got his guitar and sang the old -songs to comfort his loneliness.</p> -<p class="pnext">The first was hardly ended before one after -the other five little heads popped out of a -window farther down the balcony; and presently -a group of pretty children were listening and -smiling as the nice boy played and sang to -them. A gentleman looked out; and a lady -evidently listened, for the end of a lace flounce -lay on the threshold of the long window, and a -pair of white hands clapped when he finished -a gay air in his best style.</p> -<p class="pnext">This was his first taste of applause, and he -liked it, and twanged away merrily till his -master's voice called him in just as he was -beginning to answer the questions the eager children -asked him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Go and dress! I shall take you down to -dinner with me presently. But mind this, <em class="italics">I</em> -will answer questions; do <em class="italics">you</em> keep quiet, and -leave me to tell what I think best. Remember, -or I pack you home at once."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino promised, and was soon absorbed in -getting into his new clothes; Luigi came to help -him, and when he was finished off, a very -handsome lad emerged from the closet to make his -best bow to his master, who, also in fine array, -surveyed him with entire approval.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very good! I thought you would make a -passable butterfly when you shed your grub's -skin. Stand up and keep your hands out of -your pockets. Mind what I told you about -supping soup noisily, and don't handle your -fork like a shovel. See what others do, smile, -and hold your tongue. There is the gong. -Let us go."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino's heart beat as he followed Mario down -the long hall to the great <em class="italics">salle à manger</em> with its -glittering <em class="italics">table d'hôte</em> and many guests. But the -consciousness of new clothes sustained him, so -he held up his head, turned out his toes, and -took his place, trying to look as if everything -was not very new and dazzling to him.</p> -<p class="pnext">Two elderly ladies sat opposite, and he heard -one say to the other in bad Italian, "Behold the -lovely boy, Maria; I should like to paint him."</p> -<p class="pnext">And the other answered, "We will be -amiable to him, and perhaps we may get him for -a model. Just what I want for a little Saint -John."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino smiled at them till his black eyes -sparkled and his white teeth shone, for he -understood and enjoyed their praise. The artistic -ladies smiled back, and watched him with -interest long after he had forgotten them, for that -dinner was a serious affair to the boy, with a -heavy silver spoon and fork to manage, a -napkin to unfold, and three glasses to steer clear -of for fear of a general upset, so awkward did -he feel.</p> -<p class="pnext">Every one else was too busy to mind his -mistakes; and the ladies set them down to -bashfulness, as he got red in the face, and dared not -look up after spilling his soup and dropping a roll.</p> -<p class="pnext">Presently, while waiting for dessert, he forgot -himself in something Mario was saying to his -neighbor on the other side:--</p> -<p class="pnext">"A poor little fellow whom I found starving -in the streets at Genoa. He has a voice; -I have a heart, and I adore music. I took him -to myself, and shall do my best for him. Ah, -yes! in this selfish world one must not forget -the helpless and the poor."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino stared, wondering what other boy the -good signor had befriended, and was still more -bewildered when Mario turned to him with a -paternal air, to add in that pious tone so new -to the boy,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"This is my little friend, and he will gladly -come and sing to your young ladies after dinner. -Many thanks for the honor; I shall bring him -out at my parlor concerts, and so fit him for his -place by and by. Bow and smile, quick!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The last words were in a sharp whisper; and -Tino obeyed with a sudden bob of the head -that sent his curls over his eyes, and then -laughed such a boyish laugh as he shook them -back that the gentleman leaning forward to -look at him joined in it, and the ladies smiled -sympathetically as they pushed a dish of -bonbons nearer to him. Mario gave him an -indulgent look, and went on in the same benevolent -tone telling all he meant to do, till the kindly -gentleman from Rome was much interested, -having lads of his own and being fond of music.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino listened to the fine tales told of him and -hoped no one would ask him about Genoa, for -he would surely betray that he had never been -there and could not lie as glibly as Mario did. -He felt rather like the little old woman who did -not know whether she was herself or not, but -consoled himself by smiling at the ladies and -eating a whole plateful of little cakes standing -near him.</p> -<p class="pnext">When they rose, Tino made his bow, and -Mario walked down the long hall with his hand -on the boy's shoulder and a friendly air very -impressive to the spectators, who began at once -to gossip about the pretty lad and his kind -protector, just as the cunning gentleman planned -to have them.</p> -<p class="pnext">As soon as they were out of sight, Mario's -manner changed; and telling Tino to sit down -and digest his dinner or he would n't be able to -sing a note, he went to the balcony to smoke -till the servant came to conduct them to Conte -Alborghetti's salon.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now mind, boy; do exactly as I tell you, or -I 'll drop you like a hot chestnut and leave you -to get home as you can," said Mario, in a -sharp whisper, as they paused on the threshold -of the door.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I will, signor, indeed I will!" murmured -Tino, scared by the flash of his master's black -eye and the grip of his hand, as he pulled the -bashful boy forward.</p> -<p class="pnext">In they went, and for a moment Tino only -perceived a large light room full of people, -who all looked at him as he stood beside Mario -with his guitar slung over his shoulder, red -cheeks, and such a flutter at his heart that he -felt sure he could never sing there. The -amiable host came to meet and present them to a -group of ladies, while a flock of children drew -near to look at and listen to the "nice singing -boy from Genoa."</p> -<p class="pnext">Mario, having paid his thanks and compliments -in his best manner, opened the little concert by -a grand piece upon the piano, proving that he -was a fine musician, though Tino already began -to fancy he was not quite so good a man as he -wished to appear. Then he sang several airs -from operas; and Tino forgot himself in listening -delightedly to the mellow voice of his master, -for the lad loved music and had never heard -any like this before.</p> -<p class="pnext">When Tino's turn came, he had lost his first -shyness, and though his lips were dry and breath -short, and he gave the guitar an awkward bang -against the piano as he pulled it round ready -to play upon, the curiosity in the faces of the -children and the kindly interest of the ladies -gave him courage to start bravely off with -"Bella Monica,"--the easiest as well as gayest -of his songs. It went well; and with each verse -his voice grew clearer, his hand firmer, and his -eyes fuller of boyish pleasure in his own power -to please.</p> -<p class="pnext">For please he did, and when he ended with -a loud twang and kissed his hand to the -audience as he always used to do to the girls at -home, every one clapped heartily, and the -gentlemen cried, "Bravo, piccolo! He sings -in truth like a little nightingale; encore, -encore!"</p> -<p class="pnext">These were sweet sounds to Tino; and he -needed no urging to sing "Lucia" in his softest -tones, "looking like one of Murillo's angels!" -as a young lady said, while he sang away with -his eyes piously lifted in the manner Mario had -taught him.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then followed a grand march from the master -while the boy rested; after which Tino gave -more folk-songs, and ended with a national air -in which all joined like patriotic and enthusiastic -Italians, shouting the musical chorus, "Viva -Italia!" till the room rang.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino quite lost his head at that, and began -to prance as if the music had got into his heels. -Before Mario could stop him, he was showing -one of the little girls how to dance the Salterello -as the peasants dance it during Carnival; -and all the children were capering gayly about -the wide polished floor with Tino strumming -and skipping like a young fawn from the woods.</p> -<p class="pnext">The elder people laughed and enjoyed the -pretty sight till trays of ices and bonbons -came in; and the little party ended in a general -enjoyment of the good things children most -delight in. Tino heard his master receiving the -compliments of the company, and saw the host -slip a paper into his hand; but, boylike, he -contented himself with a pocket full of sweetmeats, -and the entreaties of his little patrons to come -again soon, and so backed out of the room, -after bowing till he was dizzy, and bumping -against a marble table in a very painful manner.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, how do you like the life I promised -you? Is it all I said? Do we begin to fill our -pockets, and enjoy ourselves even sooner than -I expected?" asked Mario, with a good-natured -slap of the shoulder, as they reached his -apartment again.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is splendid! I like it much, very much! and -I thank you with all my heart," cried Tino, -gratefully kissing the hand that could tweak -sharply, as well as caress when things suited its -owner.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You did well, even better than I hoped; -but in some things we must improve. Those -legs must be taught to keep still; and you must -not forget that you are a peasant when among -your betters. It passed very well to-night with -those little persons, but in some places it would -have put me in a fine scrape. Capers! but I -feared at one moment you would have -embraced the young contessa, when she danced -with you."</p> -<p class="pnext">Mario laughed as poor Tino blushed and -stammered, "But, signor, she was so little, only -ten years old, and I thought no harm to hold -her up on that slippery floor. See, she gave -me all these, and bade me come again. I would -gladly have kissed her, she was so like little -Annina at home."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, well, no harm is done; but I see the -pretty brown girls down yonder have spoiled -you, and I shall have to keep an eye on my -gallant young troubadour. Now to bed, and -don't make yourself ill with all those -confections. Felice notte, Don Giovanni!" and away -went Mario to lose at play every franc of the -money the generous count had given him "for -the poor lad."</p> -<p class="pnext">That was the beginning of a new and charming -life for Tino, and for two months he was a -busy and a happy boy, with only a homesick fit -now and then when Mario was out of temper, -or Luigi put more than his fair share of work -upon his shoulders. The parlor concerts went -well, and the little nightingale was soon a -favorite toy in many salons. Night after night Tino -sang and played, was petted and praised, and -then trotted home to dream feverishly of new -delights; for this exciting life was fast -spoiling the simple lad who used to be so merry -and busy at Valrose. The more he had, the -more he wanted, and soon grew discontented, -jealous, and peevish. He had cause to complain -of some things; for none of the money earned -ever came to him, and when he plucked up -courage to ask for his promised share, Mario -told him he only earned his food and clothes as -yet. Then Tino rebelled, and got a beating, -which made him outwardly as meek as a lamb, -but inwardly a very resentful, unhappy boy, and -spoiled all his pleasure in music and success.</p> -<p class="pnext">He was neglected all day and left to do what -he liked till needed at night, so he amused -himself by lounging about the hotel or wandering -on the beach to watch the fishermen cast their -nets. Lazy Luigi kept him doing errands when -he could; but for hours the boy saw neither -master nor man, and wondered where they were. -At last he found out, and his dream of fame and -fortune ended in smoke.</p> -<p class="pnext">Christmas week was a gay one for -everybody, and Tino thought good times had come -again; for he sang at several childrens' fêtes, -received some pretty gifts from the kind -Alborghettis, and even Mario was amiable enough to -give him a golden napoleon after a run of good -luck at the cards. Eager to show his people -that he was getting on, Tino begged Antoine, -the friendly waiter who had already written one -letter to Stella for him, to write another, and -send by a friend going that way a little parcel -containing the money for Mariuccia, a fine -Roman sash for Stella, and many affectionate -messages to all his old friends.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was well he had that little satisfaction, for -it was his last chance to send good news or -exult over his grand success. Troubles came -with the new year; and in one week our poor -little jay found himself stripped of all his -borrowed plumes, and left a very forlorn bird -indeed.</p> -<p class="pnext">Trotting about late at night in silk stockings, -and getting wet more than once in the winter -rains, gave Tino a bad cold. No one cared for -it; and he was soon as hoarse as a crow. His -master forced him to sing several times in spite -of the pain he suffered, and when at the last -concert he broke down completely, Mario swore at -him for "a useless brat," and began to talk of -going to Milan to find a new set of singers and -patrons. Had Tino been older, he would have -discovered some time sooner that Signor Mario -was losing favor in Nice, as he seldom paid a -bill, and led a very gay, extravagant life. But, -boylike, Tino saw only his own small troubles, -and suspected nothing when Luigi one day -packed up the velvet suit and took it away "to -be repaired," he said. It <em class="italics">was</em> shabby, and Tino, -lying on the sofa with a headache and sharp -cough, was glad no one ordered him to go with -it, for the Tramontana was blowing, and he -longed for old Mariuccia's herb tea and Stella's -cosseting, being quite ill by this time.</p> -<p class="pnext">That night as he lay awake in his closet -coughing, feverish and restless, he heard his -master and Luigi moving about till very late, -evidently packing for Paris or Milan, and Tino -wondered if he would like either place better -than Nice, and wished they were not so far from -Valrose. In the midst of his meditations he fell -asleep, and when he woke, it was morning. He -hurried up and went out to see what the order -of the day was to be, rather pleased at the idea -of travelling about the world.</p> -<p class="pnext">To his surprise no breakfast appeared; the -room was in confusion, every sign of Mario had -vanished but empty bottles and a long hotel -bill lying unpaid upon the table. Before Tino -could collect his wits, Antoine came flying in to -say with wild gesticulations and much French -wrath that "the rascal Mario had gone in the -night, leaving immense debts behind him, and -the landlord in an apoplexy of rage."</p> -<p class="pnext">Poor Tino was so dismayed he could only sit -and let the storm pelt about his ears; for not -only did the waiter appear, but the chambermaid, -the coachman, and at last the indignant -host himself, all scolding at once as they -rummaged the rooms, questioned the bewildered -boy, and wrung their hands over the escape of -these dishonest wretches.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You also, little beast, have grown fat upon -my good fare! and who is to pay me for all you -have eaten, not to mention the fine bed, the -washing, the candles, and the coaches you have -had? Ah, great heavens! what is to become -of us when such things occur?" and the poor -landlord tore his hair with one hand while he -shook his other fist at Tino.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear sir, take all I have; it is only an old -guitar, and a few clothes. Not a centime do I -own; but I will work for you. I can clean -saucepans and run errands. Speak for me, -Antoine; you are my only friend now."</p> -<p class="pnext">The lad looked so honest and ill and pathetic, -as he spoke with his poor hoarse voice, and -looked beseechingly about him, that Antoine's -kind heart was melted, and he advised the boy -to slip away home as soon as possible, and so -escape all further violence and trouble. He -slipped two francs into Tino's empty pocket, -and as soon as the room was cleared, helped -him tie up the few old clothes that remained. -The host carried off the guitar as the only thing -he could seize, so Tino had less to take away -than he brought, when Antoine led him out by -the back way, with a good sandwich of bread -and meat for his breakfast, and bade him go to -the square and try to beg a ride to Valrose -on some of the carriages often going thither on -the way to Genoa.</p> -<p class="pnext">With many thanks Tino left the great hotel, -feeling too miserable to care much what -became of him, for all his fine dreams were spoiled -like the basket of china the man kicked over in -the "Arabian Nights," while dreaming he was a -king. How could he go home, sick, poor, and -forsaken, after all the grand tales he had lately -told in his letter? How they would laugh at -him, the men and girls at the factory! How -Mariuccia would wag her old head and say, -"Ecco! is it not as I foretold?" Even Stella -would weep over him and be sorry to see her -dear boy in such a sad plight, yet what could -he do? His voice was gone and his guitar, or -he might sing about the streets, as Mario -described his doing at Genoa, and so earn his -daily bread till something turned up. Now he -was quite helpless, and much against his will, -he went to see if any chance of getting home -appeared.</p> -<p class="pnext">The day was showery, and no party was -setting off for the famous drive along the Cornice -road. Tino was glad of it, and went to lie on -a bench at the café where he had often been -with Luigi. His head ached, and his cough -left him no peace, so he spent some of his -money in syrup and water to quell the trouble, -and with the rest paid for a good dinner and -supper.</p> -<p class="pnext">He told his sad tale to the cook, and was -allowed to sleep in the kitchen after scrubbing -saucepans to pay for it. But no one wanted -him; and in the morning, after a cup of coffee -and a roll he found himself cast upon the world -again. He would not beg, and as dinner time -approached, hunger reminded him of a humble -friend whom he had forgotten in his own days -of plenty.</p> -<p class="pnext">He loved to stroll along the beach, and read -the names on the boats drawn up there, for all -were the names of saints; and it was almost as -good as going to church to read the long list of -Saint Brunos, Saint Francises, and Saint Ursulas. -Among the fishermen was one who had always -a kind word for the lad, who enjoyed a sail or -a chat with Marco whenever nothing better -turned up to amuse his leisure hours. Now in -his trouble he remembered him, and went to -the beach to ask help, for he felt ill as well as -sad and hungry.</p> -<p class="pnext">Yes, there sat the good fellow eating the -bread and macaroni his little daughter had -brought for his dinner, and a smile welcomed -poor Tino as he sat down beside this only friend -to tell his story.</p> -<p class="pnext">Marco growled in his black beard and shook -his knife with an awful frown when he heard -how the lad had been deserted. Then he -smiled, patted Tino's back, thrust the copper -basin of food into one hand and a big lump -of the brown-bread into the other, inviting him -to eat in such a cordial way that the poor -meal tasted better than the dainty fare at the -hotel.</p> -<p class="pnext">A draught of red wine from the gourd -cheered Tino up, as did the good and kind -words, and when Marco bade him go home -with little Manuela to the good wife, he gladly -went, feeling that he must lie down somewhere, -his head was so giddy and the pain in the -breast so sharp.</p> -<p class="pnext">Buxom Teresa received him kindly, put him -straight to bed in her own boy's little room, -laid a cool cloth on his hot head, a warm one -on his aching chest, and left him to sleep, much -comforted by her motherly care. It was well -the good soul befriended him, for he needed -help sorely, and would have fared ill if those -humble folk had not taken him in.</p> -<p class="pnext">For a week or two he lay in Beppo's bed -burning with fever, and when he could sit up -again was too feeble to do anything but smile -gratefully and try to help Manuela mend nets. -Marco would hear of no thanks, saying, "Good -deeds bring good luck. Behold my haul of -fish each day thou hast been here, poverino! -I am well paid, and Saint Peter will bless my -boat for thy sake."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino was very happy in the little dark, -shabby house that smelt of onions, fish, and tar, -was full of brown children, and the constant -clack of Teresa's lively tongue as she gossiped -with her neighbors, or fried polenta for the -hungry mouths that never seemed filled.</p> -<p class="pnext">But the time came when Tino could go about, -and then he begged for work, anxious to be -independent and earn a little so that in the spring -he could go home without empty pockets.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have taken thought for thee, my son, and -work warm and easy is ready if thou wilt do it. -My friend Tommaso Neri, makes the good -macaroni near by. He needs a boy to mind the -fire and see to the donkey who grinds below -there. Food, shelter, and such wages as thou art -able to earn, he will give thee. Shall it be?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino gratefully accepted, and with hearty -embraces all round went off one day to see his -new place. It was in the old part of Nice, -a narrow, dirty street, a little shop with one -window full of the cheaper sorts of this favorite -food of all Italians, and behind the shop a room -where an old woman sat spinning while two -little boys played with pine cones and pretty -bits of marble at her feet.</p> -<p class="pnext">A fat jolly man, with a shining face and loud -voice, greeted Marco and the lad, saying he -"was worn to a thread with much work, since -that bad imp of a donkey-boy had run away -leaving the blessed macaroni to spoil, and -poor Carmelita to perish for want of care. -Come below at once, and behold the -desolation of the place."</p> -<p class="pnext">With that he led the way to the cellar, where -a small furnace-fire burned, and an old gray -donkey went round and round, turning a wheel -which set some unseen machinery in motion -with a dismal creaking sound. Down through -many holes in one part of the wooden floor -overhead came long pipes of macaroni, hardening -as they hung quivering in the hot air till stiff -enough to be cut off in handfuls and laid to -dry on wire trays over the furnace.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino had never seen the good macaroni -made before, and was much interested in the -process, though it was of the rudest kind. In -a room upstairs a great vat of flour and water -was kept stirring round and round and forced -down to the place below by the creaking wheel -which patient Carmelita turned all day. The -cellar was dark but warm; and Tino felt that it -would be comfortable there with the old donkey -for a comrade, jolly Tommaso for a master, -and enough to eat,--for it was evident the family -lived well, so plump and shining were all the -faces, so cheery the tempers of the old women -and little lads.</p> -<p class="pnext">There Marco left him, well satisfied that he -had done his best for the poor boy; and there -Tino lived for three months, busy, well fed, and -contented, till spring sunshine made him long -for the sweet air, the green fields, and dear -faces at Valrose. Tommaso was lazy but kind, -and if the day's work was done in time, let Tino -out to see Marco's children or to run on the -beach with little Jacopo and Seppi. The -grandmother gave him plenty of rye bread, thin -wine, and macaroni fried in oil; old Carmelita -learned to love him and to lean her gray head -on his shoulder with joyful waggings of her -long ears as he caressed her, and each week -increased the little hoard in an old shoe hidden -behind a beam.</p> -<p class="pnext">But it was a dull life for a boy who loved -music, flowers, light, and freedom; and he soon -grew tired of seeing only a procession of legs -go by the low windows level with the street; -the creak of the wheel was not half so welcome -as the brisk rattle of the mill at home, and the -fat little lads always climbing over him could -not be so dear as sister Stella and pretty -Annina, the wine-maker's daughter, at Valrose. -Even the kind old woman who often saved an -orange for him, and gave him a gay red cotton -handkerchief on his birthday, was less to his -taste than Mariuccia, who adored him in spite -of her scolding and stern ways.</p> -<p class="pnext">So he looked about for travellers going to -Genoa; and one happy day as he returned from -church, he saw, sitting under two red umbrellas -before two easels beside the road, the two -elderly ladies of the hotel. Both wore brown -hats like mushrooms; both had gray curls -bobbing in the wind; and both were painting away -for dear life, trying to get a good sketch of the -ruined gateway, where passion-flowers climbed, -and roses nodded through the bars.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino stopped to look, as many another passer-by -had done; and glancing up to see if he -admired their work, the good ladies recognized -their "Saint John," as they called the pretty -boy who had vanished before they could finish -the pictures they had begun of him.</p> -<p class="pnext">They were so glad to see him that he opened -his heart to them, and found to his great joy -that in a week they were to drive to Genoa, and -would gladly take him along if he would sit to -them meantime. Of course he agreed, and -ran home to tell his master that he must go. -Tommaso bewailed his loss, but would not keep -him; and as Marco's son Beppo was willing to -take his place till another lad could be found, -Tino was free to sit in a sheepskin for the -Misses Blair as often as they liked.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was a very happy week; and when the -long-desired day came at last, Tino was so gay he -danced and sang till the dingy cellar seemed to -be full of birds in high spirits. Poor Carmelita -gratefully ate the cabbage he gave her as a -farewell offering; the old woman found her box -full of her favorite snuff; and each small boy -grew more shiny than ever over a new toy -presented by Tino. Tommaso wept as he held -him in his fat arms, and gave him a bundle of -half-baked macaroni as a reward for his faithful -service, while Marco and all his family stood -at the hotel door to see the carriage depart.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Really quite like a wedding, with all those -orange-flowers and roses," said Miss Priscilla, -as Teresa and Manuela threw great bunches of -flowers into their laps, and kissed their hands -to the departing travellers.</p> -<p class="pnext">Sitting proudly aloft, Tino waved his old hat -to these good friends till he could see them no -more, then having, with some difficulty, -bestowed his long bundle from Tommaso, his -basket of fish from Marco, his small parcel of -clothes, and the immense bouquet the children -had made for him, he gave himself up to the -rapture of that lovely April day.</p> -<p class="pnext">The kind ladies had given him a new suit of -clothes like the old ones, and paid him well -besides; so he felt quite content with the -picturesque peasant garments he wore, having had -enough of fine feathers, and gayly jingled the -money in his pocket, though it was not the -fortune he had foolishly hoped to make so -easily. He was a wiser boy than the one who -went over that road six months before, and -decided that even if his voice did come back -in time, he would be in no hurry to leave home -till he was sure it was the wisest thing to do. -He had some very serious thoughts and -sensible plans in his young head, and for a time -was silent and sober. But soon the delicious -air, the lovely scenery, and the many questions -of the ladies raised his spirits, and he chattered -away till they stopped for dinner.</p> -<p class="pnext">All that long bright day they drove along -the wonderful road, and as night fell, saw -Valrose lying green and peaceful in the valley as -they paused on the hill-top to enjoy its beauty. -Then they went slowly down to the Falcone, -and the moment the luggage was taken in, rooms -secured, and dinner ordered, Tino, who had been -quivering with impatience, said eagerly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear signoras, now I go to my own people -to embrace them; but in the morning we come -to thank you for your great kindness to me."</p> -<p class="pnext">Miss Priscilla opened her mouth to send some -message; but Tino was off like an arrow, and -never stopped till he burst into the little kitchen -where Mariuccia sat shelling dry beans, and -Stella was packing mandarinas in dainty baskets -for market. Like an affectionate little bear did -the boy fall upon and embrace the two -astonished women; while Stella laughed and cried, -and Mariuccia called on all the saints to behold -how tall and fat and beautiful her angel had -become, and to thank them for restoring him -to their arms. The neighbors rushed in; and -till late that night there was the sound of many -voices in the stone cottage under the old fig-tree.</p> -<p class="pnext">Tino's adventures were listened to with the -deepest interest, and a very hearty welcome -given him. All were impressed with the -splendors he had seen, afflicted by his trials, and -grateful for his return. No one laughed or -reproached, but regarded him as a very -remarkable fellow, and predicted that whether his -voice came back or not, he was born for good -luck and would prosper. So at last he got to -bed in the old loft, and fell asleep with the same -friendly moon looking in at him as it did -before, only now it saw a quiet face, a very happy -heart, and a contented boy, glad to be safe again -under the humble roof that was his home.</p> -<p class="pnext">Early next morning a little procession of -three went to the Falcone bearing grateful offerings -to the dear signoras who sat on the portico -enjoying the balmy air that blew up from the -acres of flowers below. First came Tino, bearing -a great basket of the delicious little oranges -which one never tastes in their perfection unless -one eats them fresh from the tree; then Stella -with two pretty boxes of perfume; and bringing -up the rear, old Mariuccia with a blue jar of her -best honey, which like all that of Valrose was -famous.</p> -<p class="pnext">The ladies were much delighted with these -gifts, and promised to stop and see the givers -of them on their return from Genoa, if they -came that way. Tino took a grateful farewell -of the good souls; Stella kissed their hands, -with her dark eyes full of tender thanks, and -Mariuccia begged the saints to have them in -their special keeping by land and by sea, for -their kindness to her boy.</p> -<p class="pnext">An hour later, as the travellers drove down -the steep road from the village, they were -startled by a sudden shower of violets and roses -which rained upon them from a high bank -beside the path. Looking up, they saw Tino -and his sister laughing, waving their hands, and -tossing flowers as they called in their musical -language,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"A rivederla, signoras! Grazia, grazia!" -till the carriage rolled round the corner looking -as if it were Carnival-time, so full was it of -fragrant violets and lovely roses.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nice creatures! how prettily they do things! -I hope we <em class="italics">shall</em> see them again; and I wonder -if the boy will ever be famous. Such a pity -to lose that sweet voice of his!" said Miss Maria, -the younger of the sisters, as they drove along -in a nest of sweet and pretty gifts.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I hope not, for he will be much safer and -happier in this charming place than wandering -about the world and getting into trouble as -these singers always do. <em class="italics">I</em> hope he will be -wise enough to be contented with the place in -which his lot is cast," answered Miss Priscilla, -who knew the world and had a good old-fashioned -love for home and all it gives us.</p> -<p class="pnext">She was right; Tino <em class="italics">was</em> wise, and though -his voice did come back in time, it was no -longer wonderful; and he was contented to live -on at Valrose, a busy, happy, humble gardener -all his life, saying with a laugh when asked -about his runaway adventures,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, I have had enough of music and macaroni; -I prefer my flowers and my freedom."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-95"> -<span id="the-little-red-purse"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-142.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"Fortunately aunty came down in time to see what was going on, and found Lu busily buttoning the waterproof."--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id5">152</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">VI.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE LITTLE RED PURSE.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Among the presents which Lu found on -her tenth birthday was a pretty red plush -purse with a steel clasp and chain, just like -mamma's, only much smaller. In it were ten -bright new cents, that being the sum Lu -received each week to spend as she liked. She -enjoyed all her gifts very much; but this one -seemed to please her even more than the -French doll in blue silk, the pearl ring, or -"Alice in Wonderland,"--three things which -she had wanted for a long time.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is <em class="italics">so</em> cunning, and the snap makes such -a loud noise, and the chain is so nice on my -arm, and the plush so red and soft, I can't help -loving my dear little purse. I shall spend all -the money for candy, and eat it every bit -myself, because it is my birthday, and I must -celebrate it," said Lu, as she hovered like a bee -round a honey-pot about the table where the -gifts were spread.</p> -<p class="pnext">Now she was in a great hurry to go out -shopping, with the new purse proudly carried in her -small fat hand. Aunty was soon ready, and -away they went across the pleasant Park, where -the pretty babies were enjoying the last warm -days of autumn as they played among the -fallen leaves.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You will be ill if you eat ten cents' worth -of candy to-day," said aunty.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll sprinkle it along through the day, -and eat each kind seppyrut; then they won't -intersturb me, I am sure," answered Lu, who -still used funny words, and always got <em class="italics">interrupt</em> -and <em class="italics">disturb</em> rather mixed.</p> -<p class="pnext">Just then a poor man who had lost his legs -came creeping along with a tray of little -flower-pots to sell.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Only five cents, miss. Help an unfortnit -man, please, mum."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let me buy one for my baby-house. It -would be sweet. Cora Pinky May would love -to have that darling little rose in her best -parlor," cried Lu, thinking of the fine new doll.</p> -<p class="pnext">Aunty much preferred to help the poor man -than to buy candy, so the flower-pot was soon -bought, though the "red, red rose" was unlike -any ever seen in a garden.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now I 'll have five cents for my treat, and -no danger of being ill," said Lu, as they went -on again.</p> -<p class="pnext">But in a few moments a new beggar appeared, -and Lu's tender heart would not let her pass -the old woman without dropping two of her -bright cents in the tin cup.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do come to the candy-place at once, or I -never shall get any," begged Lu, as the red -purse grew lighter and lighter every minute.</p> -<p class="pnext">Three sticks of candy were all she could buy, -but she felt that she could celebrate the -birthday on that, and was ready to go home and -begin at once.</p> -<p class="pnext">As they went on to get some flowers to dress -the cake at tea-time, Lu suddenly stopped short, -lifted both hands, and cried out in a tone of -despair,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"My purse! my purse! I 've lost it. Oh, -I 've lost it!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Left it in the store probably. Come and -look for it," said aunty; and back they turned, -just in time to meet a shabby little girl running -after them with the precious thing in her hand.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ain't this yours? I thought you dropped -it, and would hate to lose it," she said, smiling -pleasantly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, I should. It's spandy new, and I love -it dearly. I 've got no more money to pay -you, only this candy; do take a stick," and Lu -presented the red barley sugar.</p> -<p class="pnext">The little girl took it gladly, and ran off.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, two sticks will do. I 'd rather lose -every bit of it than my darling purse," said Lu, -putting it carefully in her pocket.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I love to give things away and make people -happy," began Lu, but stopped to watch a dog -who came up to her, wagging his tail as if he -knew what a kind little girl she was, and wanted -to be made happy. She put out her hand to -pat him, quite forgetting the small parcel in it; -but the dog snapped it up before she could -save it.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, my last stick! I did n't mean to give -it to him. You naughty dog, drop it this -minute!" cried poor Lu.</p> -<p class="pnext">But the beautiful pink cream candy was forever -lost, and the ungrateful thief ran off, after -a vain attempt to eat the flower-pot also. It -was so funny that aunty laughed, and Lu joined -her, after shaking her finger at the dog, who -barked and frisked as if he felt that he had -done a clever thing.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now <em class="italics">I</em> am quite satisfied, and you will have -a pleasanter birthday for having made four -people and a dog happy, instead of yourself -sick with too many goodies. Charity is a nice -sort of sweetie; and I hope you will buy that -kind with your pocket-money now and then, -my dear," said aunty, as they walked on again.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Could I do much with ten cents a week?" -asked Lu.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, indeed; you could buy a little book -for lame Sammy, who loves to read, or a few -flowers for my sick girl at the hospital, or a -loaf of bread for some hungry person, or milk -for a poor baby, or you could save up your -money till Christmas, and get presents for -children who otherwise would have none."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Could I do all those things? I'd like to -get presents best, and I will--I will!" cried -Lu, charmed with the idea of playing Santa -Claus. "I did n't think ten cents would be so -useful. How long to Christmas, aunty?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"About ten weeks. If you save all your -pocket-money till then, you will have a -dollar to spend."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A truly dollar! How fine! But all that -time I should n't have any candy. I don't think -I could get along without <em class="italics">some</em>. Perhaps if I -was <em class="italics">very</em> good some one would give me a bit -now and then;" and Lu looked up with her -most engaging smile and a twinkle in her eye.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We will see about that. Perhaps 'some -one' will give extra cents for work you may do, -and leave you to decide which kind of sweeties -you would buy."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What can I do to earn money?" asked Lu.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, you can dry and fold the paper every -morning for grandpa. I will pay you a cent for -that, because nurse is apt to forget it, and he -likes to have it nicely ready for him after -breakfast. Then you might run up and down for -mamma, and hem some towels for me, and take -care of Jip and the parrot. You will earn a good -deal if you do your work regularly and well."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I shall have dreadful trials going by the -candy-shops and never buying any. I do long -so to go in that I have to look away when you -say No. I want to be good and help poor -people, but I 'm afraid it will be too hard for -me," sighed Lu, foreseeing the temptations before her.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We might begin to-day, and try the new -plan for a while. If it is too hard, you can give -it up; but I think you will soon like my way -best, and have the merriest Christmas you ever -knew with the money you save."</p> -<p class="pnext">Lu walked thoughtfully home, and put the -empty purse away, resolved to see how long she -could hold out, and how much she could earn. -Mamma smiled when she heard the plan, but at -once engaged the little girl to do errands about -the house at a cent a job, privately quite sure -that her pretty express would soon stop running. -Grandpapa was pleased to find his paper ready, -and nodded and patted Lu's curly head when -she told him about her Christmas plans. Mary, -the maid, was glad to get rid of combing Jip and -feeding Polly, and aunty made towel hemming -pleasant by telling stories as the little -needle-woman did two hems a day.</p> -<p class="pnext">Every cent went into the red purse, which Lu -hung on one of the gilt pegs of the easel in the -parlor, for she thought it very ornamental, and -hoped contributions might drop in occasionally. -None did; but as every one paid her -in bright cents, there was soon a fine display, -and the little bag grew heavy with delightful rapidity.</p> -<p class="pnext">Only once did Lu yield to temptation, and -that was when two weeks of self-denial made -her trials so great that she felt as if she really -must reward herself, as no one else seemed to -remember how much little girls loved candy.</p> -<p class="pnext">One day she looked pale, and did not want -any dinner, saying she felt sick. Mamma was -away, so aunty put her on the bed and sat by -her, feeling very anxious, as scarlet-fever was -about. By and by Lu took her handkerchief -out, and there, sticking to it, was a large brown -cough-drop. Lu turned red, and hid her face, -saying with a penitent sob, "I don't deserve -to be cuddled. I 've been selfish and silly, and -spent some of my money for candy. I had a -little cold, and I thought cough-drops would do -me good. I ate a good many, and they were -bitter and made me sick, and I 'm glad of it."</p> -<p class="pnext">Aunty wanted to laugh at the dear little -sinner and her funny idea of choosing bitter candy -as a sort of self-denial; but she comforted her -kindly, and soon the invalid was skipping about -again, declaring that she never would do so -any more.</p> -<p class="pnext">Next day something happened which helped -her very much, and made it easier to like the -new kind of sweeties better than the old. She -was in the dining-room getting an apple for her -lunch, when she saw a little girl come to the -lower door to ask for cold food. The cook was -busy, and sent her away, telling her begging -was forbidden. Lu, peeping out, saw the little -girl sit down on the steps to eat a cold potato -as if she was very hungry, and while she ate she -was trying to tie on a pair of very old boots -some one had given her. It was a rainy day, -and she had only a shawl over her head; her -hands were red with cold; her gown was a faded -cotton one; and her big basket seemed to have -very few scraps in it. So poor, so sad, and -tired did she look, that Lu could not bear to -see it, and she called out in her pitiful child's -voice,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come in and get warm, little girl. Don't -mind old Sarah. I 'll give you something to -eat, and lend you my rubber boots and -waterproof to go home in."</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id5">The poor child gladly went to sit by the -comfortable fire, while Lu with hospitable haste got -crackers and cheese and cake and apples, and -her own silver mug of milk, for her guest, -forgetting, in her zeal, to ask leave. Fortunately -aunty came down for her own lunch in time to -see what was going on, and found Lu busily -buttoning the waterproof, while the little girl -surveyed her rubber boots and small umbrella -with pride.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'm only <em class="italics">lending</em> my things, and she will -return them to-morrow, aunty. They are too -small for me, and the umbrella is broken; and -I 'd love to <em class="italics">give</em> them all to Lucy if I could. -<em class="italics">She</em> has to go out in the rain to get food for her -family, like a bird, and I don't."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Birds don't need waterproofs and umbrellas," -began aunty; and both children laughed -at the idea of sparrows with such things, but -looked a little anxious till aunty went on to say -that Lucy could have these comforts, and to fill -the basket with something better than cold -potatoes, while she asked questions and heard -the sad little story: how father was dead, and the -baby sick, so mother could not work, and the -boys had to pick up chips and cinders to burn, -and Lucy begged food to eat. Lu listened with -tears in her blue eyes, and a great deal of pity -as well as admiration for poor little Lucy, who -was only nine, yet had so many cares and -troubles in her life. While aunty went to get some -flannel for baby, Lu flew to her red purse and -counted out ten cents from her store, feeling so -rich, so glad to have it instead of an empty -bonbon box, and a headache after a candy feast.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Buy some nice fresh milk for little Totty, -and tell her I sent it--all myself--with my -love. Come again to-morrow, and I will tell -mamma all about you, and you shall be my -poor people, and I 'll help you if I can," she -said, full of interest and good-will, for the sight -of this child made her feel what poverty really -was, and long to lighten it if she could.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lucy was smiling when she went away, snug -and dry in her comfortable clothes, with the -full basket on her arm; and all that day Lu -talked and thought about her "own poor -people," and what she hoped to do for them. -Mamma inquired, and finding them worthy of -help, let her little girl send many comforts to -the children, and learn how to be wisely -charitable.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I shall give <em class="italics">all</em> my money to my 'Lucy -children' on Christmas," announced Lu, as that -pleasant time drew near. "I know what they -want, and though I can't save money enough to -give them half the things they need, maybe I -can help a good deal, and really have a nice -bundle to s'prise them with."</p> -<p class="pnext">This idea took possession of little Lu, and she -worked like a beaver in all sorts of funny ways -to fill her purse by Christmas-time. One thing -she did which amused her family very much, -though they were obliged to stop it. Lu danced -very prettily, and often had what she called -ballets before she went to bed, when she tripped -about the parlor like a fairy in the gay costumes -aunty made for her. As the purse did not fill -as fast as she hoped, Lu took it into her head -one fine day to go round the square where she -lived, with her tambourine, and dance as some -of the girls with the hand-organ men did. So -she dressed herself in her red skirt and black -velvet jacket, and with a fur cap on her head -and a blue cloak over her shoulders, slipped -out into the quiet square, and going to the -farther corner, began to dance and beat her -tambourine on the sidewalk before a house -where some little children lived.</p> -<p class="pnext">As she expected, they soon came running to -the window, and were charmed to see the pretty -dancer whirling to and fro, with her ribbons -flying and her tambourine bells ringing, till her -breath was gone. Then she held up the -instrument and nodded smilingly at them; and -they threw down cents wrapped in paper, -thinking her music much better than any the organ -men made. Much encouraged, Lu went on -from house to house, and was doing finely, -when one of the ladies who looked out -recognized the child, and asked her if her mother -knew where she was. Lu had to say "No;" and -the lady sent a maid to take her home at once.</p> -<p class="pnext">That spoiled all the fun; and poor Lu did not -hear the last of her prank for a long time. But -she had made forty-two cents, and felt comforted -when she added that handsome sum to her store. -As if to console her for this disappointment, after -that day several bright ten-cent pieces got into -the red purse in a most mysterious manner. -Lu asked every one in the house, and all -declared that they did not do it. Grandpa could -not get out of his chair without help, and nurse -said she never took the purse to him; so of -course it could not be he who slipped in those -welcome bits of silver. Lu asked him; but he -was very deaf that day, and did not seem to -understand her at all.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It must be fairies," she said, pondering over -the puzzle, as she counted her treasure and -packed it away, for now the little red purse was -full. "Aunty says there are no fairies; but I -like to think so. Perhaps angels fly around at -Christmas-time as they did long ago, and love -to help poor people, and put those beautiful -bright things here to show that they are pleased -with me." She liked that fancy, and aunty -agreed that some good spirit must have done -it, and was sure they would find out the secret -some time.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lucy came regularly; and Lu always tried to -see her, and so learned what she and Totty and -Joe and Jimmy wanted, but never dreamed of -receiving Christmas morning. It did both little -girls much good, for poor Lucy was comforted -by the kindness of these friends, and Lu learned -about far harder trials than the want of -sugarplums. The day before Christmas she went on -a grand shopping expedition with aunty, for the -purse now held three dollars and seven cents. -She had spent some of it for trifles for her -"Lucy children," and had not earned as much -as she once hoped, various fits of idleness and -other more amusing but less profitable work -having lessened her wages. But she had enough, -thanks to the good spirit, to get toys and books -and candy for her family, and went joyfully away -Christmas Eve to carry her little basket of gifts, -accompanied by aunty with a larger store of -comforts for the grateful mother.</p> -<p class="pnext">When they got back, Lu entertained her -mother with an account of the delight of the -children, who never had such a Christmas -before.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They could n't wait till morning, and I -could n't either, and we opened the bundles -right away; and they <em class="italics">screamed</em>, mamma, and -jumped for joy and ate everything and hugged -me. And the mother cried, she was so pleased; -and the boys can go to school all neat now, and -so could Lucy, only she has to take care of -Totty while her mother goes to work. Oh, it -was lovely! I felt just like Santa Claus, only -he does n't stay to see people enjoy their things, -and I did."</p> -<p class="pnext">Here Lu stopped for breath, and when she -got it, had a fine ballet as the only way to work -off her excitement at the success of her "s'prise." It -was a trial to go to bed, but she went at last, -and dreamed that her "Lucy children" all had -wings, and were flying round her bed with -tambourines full of heavenly bonbons, which they -showered down upon her; while aunty in an -immense nightcap stood by clapping her hands -and saying, "Eat all you like, dear; this sort -won't hurt you."</p> -<p class="pnext">Morning came very soon; and she popped up -her head to see a long knobby stocking hanging -from the mantel-piece. Out of bed skipped -the little white figure, and back again, while -cries of joy were heard as the treasures -appeared one by one. There was a tableful -beside the stocking, and Lu was so busy looking -at them that she was late to breakfast. But -aunty waited for her, and they went down -together some time after the bell rang.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let me peep and see if grandpa has found -the silk handkerchief and spectacle-case I -made for him," whispered Lu, as they passed -the parlor door, which stood half open, -leaving a wide crack for the blue eyes to spy -through.</p> -<p class="pnext">The old gentleman sat in his easy-chair as -usual, waiting while nurse got his breakfast; -but what was he doing with his long staff? Lu -watched eagerly, and to her great surprise saw -him lean forward, and with the hook at the end -take the little red purse off the easel, open it, -and slip in a small white parcel, then hang it -on the gilt peg again, put away the cane, and -sit rubbing his hands and laughing to himself -at the success of his little trick, quite sure that -this was a safe time to play it. Lu was about -to cry out, and rush in, but aunty whispered, -"Don't spoil his fun yet. Go and see what is -in the purse, then thank him in the way he -likes best."</p> -<p class="pnext">So Lu skipped into the parlor, trying to look -very innocent, and ran to open the dear red -purse, as she often did, eager to see if the good -fairy had added to the charity fund.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why, here 's a great gold medal, and some -queer, shaky writing on the paper. Please see -what it is," said Lu, very loud, hoping grandpa -would hear her this time, for his face was -hidden behind the newspaper he pretended to -read.</p> -<p class="pnext">"For Lu's poor's purse, from Santa Claus," -read aunty, glad that at last the kind old fairy -was discovered and ready for his reward.</p> -<p class="pnext">Lu had never seen a twenty-dollar gold-piece -before; but she could not stop to find out -whether the shining medal was money or a -locket, and ran to grandpa, crying as she pulled -away the paper and threw her arms about his -neck,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 've found you out, I 've found you out, -my dear old Santa Claus! Merry Christmas, -grandpa, and lots of thanks and kisses!"</p> -<p class="pnext">It was pretty to see the rosy cheek against -the wrinkled one, the golden and the silver -heads close together, as the old man and the -little girl kissed and laughed, and both talked -at once for a few minutes.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Tell me all about it, you sly grandpa. -What made you think of doing it that way, and -not let any one know?" cried Lu, as the -old gentleman stopped to rest after a kindly -"cuddle," as Lu called these caresses.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, dear, I liked to see you trying to do -good with your little pennies, and I wanted to -help. I 'm a feeble old man, tied to my chair -and of no use now; but I like a bit of fun, and -love to feel that it is not quite too late to make -some one happy."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why, grandpa, you do heaps of good, and -make many, many people happy," said Lu, with -another hug. "Mamma told me all about the -hospital for little children you built, and the -money you gave to the poor soldiers in the war, -and ever so many more good things you 've -done. I won't have you say you are of no use -now. We want you to love and take care of; -and we could n't do without you, could we, -aunty?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Aunty sat on the arm of the chair with her -arm round the old man's shoulder, and her only -answer was a kiss. But it was enough, and -grandpa went on quite cheerfully, as he held -two plump hands in his own, and watched the -blooming face that looked up at him so eagerly:</p> -<p class="pnext">"When I was younger, I loved money, and -wanted a great deal. I cared for nothing else, -and worked hard to get it, and did get it after -years of worry. But it cost me my health, and -then I saw how foolish I had been, for all my -money could not buy me any strength or -pleasure and very little comfort. I could not take -it with me when I died, and did not know what -to do with it, because there was so much. So -I tried to see if giving it away would not amuse -me, and make me feel better about having -wasted my life instead of using it wisely. The -more I gave away the better I felt; and now -I'm quite jolly, though I'm only a helpless -old baby just fit to play jokes and love little -girls. You have begun early at this pretty -game of give-away, my dear, and aunty will see -that you keep it up; so that when you are old -you will have much treasure in the other world -where the blessings of the poor are more -precious than gold and silver."</p> -<p class="pnext">Nobody spoke for a minute as the feeble old -voice stopped; and the sunshine fell on the -white head like a blessing. Then Lu said very -soberly, as she turned the great coin in her -hand, and saw the letters that told its worth,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"What shall I do with all this money? I -never had so much, and I 'd like to spend it in -some very good and pleasant way. Can you -think of something, aunty, so I can begin at -once to be like grandpa?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"How would you like to pay two dollars a -month, so that Totty can go to the Sunnyside -Nursery, and be taken care of every day while -Lucy goes to school? Then she will be safe -and happy, and Lucy be learning, as she longs -to do, and the mother free to work," said aunty, -glad to have this dear child early learn to help -those less blessed than herself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Could I? How splendid it would be to -pay for a real live baby all myself! How long -would my money do it?" said Lu, charmed -with the idea of a living dolly to care for.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All winter, and provide clothes besides. -You can make them yourself, and go and see -Totty, and call her your baby. This will be a -sweet charity for you; and to-day is a good day -to begin it, for this is the birthday of the Divine -Child, who was born in a poorer place even than -Lucy's sister. In His name pity and help this -baby, and be sure He will bless you for it."</p> -<p class="pnext">Lu looked up at the fine picture of the Good -Shepherd hanging over the sofa with holly-leaves -glistening round it, and felt as if she too -in her humble way was about to take a helpless -little lamb in her arms and comfort it. Her -childish face was very sweet and sober as she -said softly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, I will spend my Christmas money so; -for, aunty, I do think your sort of sweetie is -better than mine, and making people happy a -much wiser way to spend my pennies than in -buying the nicest candy in the world."</p> -<p class="pnext">Little Lu remembered that morning long -after the dear old grandfather was gone, and -kept her Christmas promise so well that very -soon a larger purse was needed for charity -money, which she used so wisely and so -happily. But all her life in one corner of her desk -lay carefully folded up, with the bit of paper -inside, the little red purse.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 58%" id="figure-96"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-164.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter VI tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-97"> -<span id="sophie-s-secret"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-165.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"Sophie came and sat beside her while she dried her curly hair." PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id6">178</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">VII.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">SOPHIE'S SECRET.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">,, class:: center medium</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst">I.</p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">A party of young girls, in their gay -bathing-dresses, were sitting on the -beach waiting for the tide to rise a little -higher before they enjoyed the daily frolic which -they called "mermaiding."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I wish we could have a clam-bake; but we -have n't any clams, and don't know how to cook -them if we had. It's such a pity all the boys -have gone off on that stupid fishing excursion," -said one girl, in a yellow-and-black striped suit -which made her look like a wasp.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What is a clam-bake? I do not know that -kind of fête," asked a pretty brown-eyed girl, -with an accent that betrayed the foreigner.</p> -<p class="pnext">The girls laughed at such sad ignorance, and -Sophie colored, wishing she had not spoken.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Poor thing! she has never tasted a clam. -What <em class="italics">should</em> we do if we went to Switzerland?" -said the wasp, who loved to tease.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We should give you the best we had, and -not laugh at your ignorance, if you did not -know all our dishes. In <em class="italics">my</em> country, we have -politeness, though not the clam-bake," answered -Sophie, with a flash of the brown eyes which -warned naughty Di to desist.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We might row to the light-house, and have -a picnic supper. Our mammas will let us do -that alone," suggested Dora from the roof of -the bath-house, where she perched like a -flamingo.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's a good idea," cried Fanny, a slender -brown girl who sat dabbling her feet in the -water, with her hair streaming in the wind. -"Sophie should see that, and get some of the -shells she likes so much."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You are kind to think of me. I shall be -glad to have a necklace of the pretty things, as -a souvenir of this so charming place and my -good friend," answered Sophie, with a grateful -look at Fanny, whose many attentions had won -the stranger's heart.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Those boys have n't left us a single boat, so -we must dive off the rocks, and that is n't half -so nice," said Di, to change the subject, being -ashamed of her rudeness.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A boat is just coming round the Point; -perhaps we can hire that, and have some fun," -cried Dora, from her perch. "There is only -a girl in it; I 'll hail her when she is near -enough."</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie looked about her to see where the -<em class="italics">hail</em> was coming from; but the sky was clear, -and she waited to see what new meaning this -word might have, not daring to ask for fear of -another laugh.</p> -<p class="pnext">While the girls watched the boat float around -the farther horn of the crescent-shaped beach, -we shall have time to say a few words about -our little heroine.</p> -<p class="pnext">She was a sixteen-year-old Swiss girl, on a -visit to some American friends, and had come -to the seaside for a month with one of them -who was an invalid. This left Sophie to the -tender mercies of the young people; and they -gladly welcomed the pretty creature, with her -fine manners, foreign ways, and many -accomplishments. But she had a quick temper, a -funny little accent, and dressed so very plainly -that the girls could not resist criticising and -teasing her in a way that seemed very ill-bred -and unkind to the new-comer.</p> -<p class="pnext">Their free and easy ways astonished her, -their curious language bewildered her; and their -ignorance of many things she had been taught -made her wonder at the American education she -had heard so much praised. All had studied -French and German; yet few read or spoke -either tongue correctly, or understood her easily -when she tried to talk to them. Their music -did not amount to much, and in the games they -played, their want of useful information amazed -Sophie. One did not know the signs of the -zodiac; another could only say of cotton that -"it was stuff that grew down South;" and a -third was not sure whether a frog was an animal -or a reptile, while the handwriting and -spelling displayed on these occasions left much to -be desired. Yet all were fifteen or sixteen, -and would soon leave school "finished," as -they expressed it, but not <em class="italics">furnished</em>, as they -should have been, with a solid, sensible -education. Dress was an all-absorbing topic, -sweetmeats their delight; and in confidential moments -sweethearts were discussed with great freedom. -Fathers were conveniences, mothers comforters, -brothers plagues, and sisters ornaments or -playthings according to their ages. They were not -hard-hearted girls, only frivolous, idle, and fond -of fun; and poor little Sophie amused them -immensely till they learned to admire, love, and -respect her.</p> -<p class="pnext">Coming straight from Paris, they expected to -find that her trunks contained the latest fashions -for demoiselles, and begged to see her dresses -with girlish interest. But when Sophie -obligingly showed a few simple, but pretty and -appropriate gowns and hats, they exclaimed with -one voice,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why, you dress like a little girl! Don't -you have ruffles and lace on your dresses; and -silks and high-heeled boots and long gloves -and bustles and corsets, and things like ours?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I <em class="italics">am</em> a little girl," laughed Sophie, hardly -understanding their dismay. "What should I -do with fine toilets at school? My sisters go -to balls in silk and lace; but I--not yet."</p> -<p class="pnext">"How queer! Is your father poor?" asked -Di, with Yankee bluntness.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We have enough," answered Sophie, slightly -knitting her dark brows.</p> -<p class="pnext">"How many servants do you keep?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But five, now that the little ones are grown up."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Have you a piano?" continued undaunted -Di, while the others affected to be looking at -the books and pictures strewn about by the -hasty unpacking.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We have two pianos, four violins, three -flutes, and an organ. We love music, and all -play, from papa to little Franz."</p> -<p class="pnext">"My gracious, how swell! You must live in -a big house to hold all that and eight brothers -and sisters."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We are not peasants; we do not live in a -hut. <em class="italics">Voilà</em>, this is my home." And Sophie -laid before them a fine photograph of a large -and elegant house on lovely Lake Geneva.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was droll to see the change in the faces of -the girls as they looked, admired, and slyly -nudged one another, enjoying saucy Di's -astonishment, for she had stoutly insisted that the -Swiss girl was a poor relation.</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie meanwhile was folding up her plain -piqué and muslin frocks, with a glimmer of -mirthful satisfaction in her eyes, and a tender -pride in the work of loving hands now far away.</p> -<p class="pnext">Kind Fanny saw a little quiver of the lips -as she smoothed the blue corn-flowers in the -best hat, and put her arm around Sophie, -whispering,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Never mind, dear, they don't mean to be -rude; it's only our Yankee way of asking -questions. I like <em class="italics">all</em> your things, and that hat -is perfectly lovely."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Indeed, yes! Dear mamma arranged it for -me. I was thinking of her and longing for my -morning kiss."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do you do that every day?" asked Fanny, -forgetting herself in her sympathetic interest.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely, yes. Papa and mamma sit always -on the sofa, and we all have the hand-shake and -the embrace each day before our morning -coffee. I do not see that here," answered Sophie, -who sorely missed the affectionate respect -foreign children give their parents.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Have n't time," said Fanny, smiling too, at -the idea of American parents sitting still for -five minutes in the busiest part of the busy day -to kiss their sons and daughters.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is what you call old-fashioned, but a -sweet fashion to me; and since I have not -the dear warm cheeks to kiss, I embrace my -pictures often. See, I have them all." And -Sophie unfolded a Russia-leather case, displaying -with pride a long row of handsome brothers -and sisters with the parents in the midst.</p> -<p class="pnext">More exclamations from the girls, and -increased interest in "Wilhelmina Tell," as they -christened the loyal Swiss maiden, who was -now accepted as a companion, and soon became -a favorite with old and young.</p> -<p class="pnext">They could not resist teasing her, however,--her -mistakes were so amusing, her little flashes -of temper so dramatic, and her tongue so quick -to give a sharp or witty answer when the new -language did not perplex her. But Fanny -always took her part, and helped her in many -ways. Now they sat together on the rock, a -pretty pair of mermaids with wind-tossed hair, -wave-washed feet, and eyes fixed on the -approaching boat.</p> -<p class="pnext">The girl who sat in it was a great contrast to -the gay creatures grouped so picturesquely on -the shore, for the old straw hat shaded a very -anxious face, the brown calico gown covered a -heart full of hopes and fears, and the boat that -drifted so slowly with the incoming tide carried -Tilly Reed like a young Columbus toward the -new world she longed for, believed in, and was -resolved to discover.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was a weather-beaten little boat, yet very -pretty; for a pile of nets lay at one end, a creel -of red lobsters at the other, and all between -stood baskets of berries and water-lilies, purple -marsh rosemary and orange butterfly-weed, -shells and great smooth stones such as artists -like to paint little sea-views on. A tame gull -perched on the prow; and the morning sunshine -glittered from the blue water to the bluer sky.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, how pretty! Come on, please, and -sell us some lilies," cried Dora, and roused -Tilly from her waking dream.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pushing back her hat, she saw the girls -beckoning, felt that the critical moment had come, -and catching up her oars, rowed bravely on, -though her cheeks reddened and her heart beat, -for this venture was her last hope, and on its -success depended the desire of her life. As -the boat approached, the watchers forgot its -cargo to look with surprise and pleasure at its -rower, for she was not the rough country lass -they expected to see, but a really splendid girl -of fifteen, tall, broad-shouldered, bright-eyed, -and blooming, with a certain shy dignity of her -own and a very sweet smile, as she nodded and -pulled in with strong, steady strokes. Before -they could offer help, she had risen, planted -an oar in the water, and leaping to the shore, -pulled her boat high up on the beach, offering -her wares with wistful eyes and a very expressive -wave of both brown hands.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Everything is for sale, if you 'll buy," said she.</p> -<p class="pnext">Charmed with the novelty of this little -adventure, the girls, after scampering to the -bathing-houses for purses and portemonnaies, -crowded around the boat like butterflies about -a thistle, all eager to buy, and to discover who -this bonny fisher-maiden might be.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, see these beauties!" "A dozen lilies -for me!" "All the yellow flowers for me, -they'll be so becoming at the dance to-night!" -"Ow! that lob bites awfully!" "Where do -you come from?" "Why have we never seen -you before?"</p> -<p class="pnext">These were some of the exclamations and -questions showered upon Tilly, as she filled -little birch-bark panniers with berries, dealt out -flowers, or dispensed handfuls of shells. Her -eyes shone, her cheeks glowed, and her heart -danced in her bosom; for this was a better -beginning than she had dared to hope for, and as -the dimes tinkled into the tin pail she used for -her till, it was the sweetest music she had ever -heard. This hearty welcome banished her -shyness; and in these eager, girlish customers she -found it easy to confide.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'm from the light-house. You have never -seen me because I never came before, except -with fish for the hotel. But I mean to come -every day, if folks will buy my things, for I -want to make some money, and this is the only -way in which I can do it."</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie glanced at the old hat and worn shoes -of the speaker, and dropping a bright half-dollar -into the pail, said in her pretty way:</p> -<p class="pnext">"For me all these lovely shells. I will make -necklaces of them for my people at home as -souvenirs of this charming place. If you will -bring me more, I shall be much grateful to you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, thank you! I 'll bring heaps; I know -where to find beauties in places where other -folks can't go. Please take these; you paid -too much for the shells;" and quick to feel the -kindness of the stranger, Tilly put into her -hands a little bark canoe heaped with red -raspberries.</p> -<p class="pnext">Not to be outdone by the foreigner, the other -girls emptied their purses and Tilly's boat also -of all but the lobsters, which were ordered for -the hotel.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is that jolly bird for sale?" asked Di, as -the last berry vanished, pointing to the gull -who was swimming near them while the chatter -went on.</p> -<p class="pnext">"If you can catch him," laughed Tilly, whose -spirits were now the gayest of the party.</p> -<p class="pnext">The girls dashed into the water, and with -shrieks of merriment swam away to capture the -gull, who paddled off as if he enjoyed the fun -as much as they.</p> -<p class="pnext">Leaving them to splash vainly to and fro, -Tilly swung the creel to her shoulder and went -off to leave her lobsters, longing to dance and -sing to the music of the silver clinking in her -pocket.</p> -<p class="pnext">When she came back, the bird was far out of -reach and the girls diving from her boat, which -they had launched without leave. Too happy -to care what happened now, Tilly threw herself -down on the warm sand to plan a new and still -finer cargo for next day.</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id6">Sophie came and sat beside her while she -dried her curly hair, and in five minutes her -sympathetic face and sweet ways had won Tilly -to tell all her hopes and cares and dreams.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I want schooling, and I mean to have it. -I 've got no folks of my own; and uncle has -married again, so he does n't need me now. -If I only had a little money, I could go to -school somewhere, and take care of myself. -Last summer I worked at the hotel, but I did n't -make much, and had to have good clothes, and -that took my wages pretty much. Sewing is -slow work, and baby-tending leaves me no time -to study; so I 've kept on at home picking -berries and doing what I could to pick up -enough to buy books. Aunt thinks I 'm a -fool; but uncle, he says, 'Go ahead, girl, and -see what you can do.' And I mean to show him!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Tilly's brown hand came down on the sand -with a resolute thump; and her clear young -eyes looked bravely out across the wide sea, as -if far away in the blue distance she saw her -hope happily fulfilled.</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie's eyes shone approval, for she -understood this love of independence, and had come -to America because she longed for new scenes -and greater freedom than her native land could -give her. Education is a large word, and both -girls felt that desire for self-improvement that -comes to all energetic natures. Sophie had -laid a good foundation, but still desired more; -while Tilly was just climbing up the first steep -slope which rises to the heights few attain, yet -all may strive for.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That is beautiful! You will do it! I am -glad to help you if I may. See, I have many -books; will you take some of them? Come to -my room to-morrow and take what will best -please you. We will say nothing of it, and it -will make me a truly great pleasure."</p> -<p class="pnext">As Sophie spoke, her little white hand -touched the strong, sunburned one that turned -to meet and grasp hers with grateful warmth, -while Tilly's face betrayed the hunger that -possessed her, for it looked as a starving girl's -would look when offered a generous meal.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I <em class="italics">will</em> come. Thank you so much! I -don't know anything, but just blunder along -and do the best I can. I got so discouraged I -was real desperate, and thought I 'd have one -try, and see if I could n't earn enough to get -books to study this winter. Folks buy berries -at the cottages; so I just added flowers and -shells, and I 'm going to bring my boxes of -butterflies, birds' eggs, and seaweeds. I 've got -lots of such things; and people seem to like -spending money down here. I often wish I -had a little of what they throw away."</p> -<p class="pnext">Tilly paused with a sigh, then laughed as an -impatient movement caused a silver clink; and -slapping her pocket, she added gayly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I won't blame 'em if they 'll only throw their -money in here."</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie's hand went involuntarily toward her -own pocket, where lay a plump purse, for papa -was generous, and simple Sophie had few wants. -But something in the intelligent face opposite -made her hesitate to offer as a gift what she -felt sure Tilly would refuse, preferring to earn -her education if she could.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come often, then, and let me exchange -these stupid bills for the lovely things you -bring. We will come this afternoon to see you -if we may, and I shall like the butterflies. I -try to catch them; but people tell me I am too -old to run, so I have not many."</p> -<p class="pnext">Proposed in this way, Tilly fell into the little -trap, and presently rowed away with all her -might to set her possessions in order, and put -her precious earnings in a safe place. The -mermaids clung about the boat as long as they -dared, making a pretty tableau for the artists -on the rocks, then swam to shore, more than -ever eager for the picnic on Light-house Island.</p> -<p class="pnext">They went, and had a merry time; while -Tilly did the honors and showed them a room -full of treasures gathered from earth, air, and -water, for she led a lonely life, and found friends -among the fishes, made playmates of the birds, -and studied rocks and flowers, clouds and waves, -when books were wanting.</p> -<p class="pnext">The girls bought gulls' wings for their hats, -queer and lovely shells, eggs and insects, -seaweeds and carved wood, and for their small -brothers, birch baskets and toy ships, made by -Uncle Hiram, who had been a sailor.</p> -<p class="pnext">When Tilly had sold nearly everything she -possessed (for Fanny and Sophie bought -whatever the others declined), she made a fire of -drift-wood on the rocks, cooked fish for supper, -and kept them till moonrise, telling sea stories -or singing old songs, as if she could not do -enough for these good fairies who had come to -her when life looked hardest and the future -very dark. Then she rowed them home, and -promising to bring loads of fruit and flowers -every day, went back along a shining road, to -find a great bundle of books in her dismantled -room, and to fall asleep with wet eyelashes and -a happy heart.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">,, class:: center medium</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst">II.</p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">For a month Tilly went daily to the Point -with a cargo of pretty merchandise, for her -patrons increased; and soon the ladies engaged -her berries, the boys ordered boats enough to -supply a navy, the children clamored for shells, -and the girls depended on her for bouquets and -garlands for the dances that ended every -summer day. Uncle Hiram's fish was in demand -when such a comely saleswoman offered it; so -he let Tilly have her way, glad to see the old -tobacco-pouch in which she kept her cash fill -fast with well-earned money.</p> -<p class="pnext">She really began to feel that her dream was -coming true, and she would be able to go to the -town and study in some great school, eking out -her little fund with light work. The other girls -soon lost their interest in her, but Sophie never -did; and many a book went to the island in the -empty baskets, many a helpful word was said -over the lilies or wild honeysuckle Sophie loved -to wear, and many a lesson was given in the -bare room in the light-house tower which no -one knew about but the gulls and the sea-winds -sweeping by the little window where the two -heads leaned together over one page.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You will do it, Tilly, I am very sure. Such -a will and such a memory will make a way for -you; and one day I shall see you teaching as -you wish. Keep the brave heart, and all will -be well with you," said Sophie, when the grand -breaking-up came in September, and the girls -were parting down behind the deserted bathhouses.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, Miss Sophie, what should I have done -without you? Don't think I have n't seen and -known all the kind things you have said and -done for me. I 'll never forget 'em; and I do -hope I 'll be able to thank you some day," cried -grateful Tilly, with tears in her clear eyes that -seldom wept over her own troubles.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I am thanked if you do well. Adieu; write -to me, and remember always that I am your friend."</p> -<p class="pnext">Then they kissed with girlish warmth, and -Tilly rowed away to the lonely island; while -Sophie lingered on the shore, her handkerchief -fluttering in the wind, till the boat vanished and -the waves had washed away their footprints on the sand.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">,, class:: center medium</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst">III.</p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">December snow was falling fast, and the -wintry wind whistled through the streets; but it -was warm and cosey in the luxurious parlor -where Di and Do were sitting making -Christmas presents, and planning what they would -wear at the party Fanny was to give on Christmas Eve.</p> -<p class="pnext">"If I can get mamma to buy me a new dress, -I shall have something yellow. It is always -becoming to brunettes, and I 'm so tired of -red," said Di, giving a last touch to the lace that -trimmed a blue satin <em class="italics">sachet</em> for Fanny.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That will be lovely. I shall have pink, with -roses of the same color. Under muslin it is -perfectly sweet." And Dora eyed the sunflower -she was embroidering as if she already saw the -new toilet before her.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Fan always wears blue, so we shall make a -nice contrast. She is coming over to show me -about finishing off my banner-screen; and I -asked Sophie to come with her. I want to -know what <em class="italics">she</em> is going to wear," said Di, -taking a little sniff at the violet-scented bag.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That old white cashmere. Just think! I -asked her why she did n't get a new one, and -she laughed and said she could n't afford it. -Fan told me Sophie's father sent her a hundred -dollars not long ago, yet she has n't got a thing -that we know of. I do think she 's mean."</p> -<p class="pnext">"She bought a great bundle of books. I was -there when the parcel came, and I peeped while -she was out of the room, because she put it away -in a great hurry. I 'm afraid she <em class="italics">is</em> mean, for -she never buys a bit of candy, and she wears -shabby boots and gloves, and she has made over -her old hat instead of having that lovely one with -the pheasant's breast in it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"She's very queer; but I can't help liking -her, she's so pretty and bright and obliging. -I 'd give anything if I could speak three -languages and play as she does."</p> -<p class="pnext">"So would I. It seems so elegant to be able -to talk to foreigners. Papa had some -Frenchmen to dinner the other day, and they were so -pleased to find they need n't speak English to -Sophie. I could n't get on at all; and I was -so mortified when papa said all the money he -had spent on my languages was thrown away."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I would n't mind. It's so much easier to -learn those things abroad, she would be a goose -if she did n't speak French better than we do. -There's Fan! she looks as if something had -happened. I hope no one is ill and the party spoiled."</p> -<p class="pnext">As Dora spoke, both girls looked out to see -Fanny shaking the snow from her seal-skin sack -on the doorstep; then Do hastened to meet her, -while Di hid the <em class="italics">sachet</em>, and was hard at work -on an old-gold sofa cushion when the new-comer -entered.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's the matter? Where's Sophie?" -exclaimed the girls together, as Fan threw off -her wraps and sat down with a tragic sigh.</p> -<p class="pnext">"She will be along in a few minutes. I 'm -disappointed in her! I would n't have believed -it if I had n't seen them. Promise not to breathe -a word to a living soul, and I 'll tell you -something dreadful," began Fanny, in a tone that -caused her friends to drop their work and draw -their chairs nearer, as they solemnly vowed -eternal silence.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 've seen Sophie's Christmas presents,--all -but mine; and they are just nothing at all! She -has n't bought a thing, not even ribbons, lace, -or silk, to make up prettily as we do. Only -a painted shell for one, an acorn emery for -another, her ivory fan with a new tassel for a -third, and I suspect one of those nice -handkerchiefs embroidered by the nuns for me, or her -silver filigree necklace. I saw the box in the -drawer with the other things. She's knit -woollen cuffs and tippets for the children, and got -some eight-cent calico gowns for the servants. I -don't know how people do things in Switzerland, -but I do know that if <em class="italics">I</em> had a hundred dollars -in my pocket, I would be more generous than that!"</p> -<p class="pnext">As Fanny paused, out of breath, Di and Do -groaned in sympathy, for this was indeed a sad -state of things; because the girls had a code -that Christmas being the season for gifts, -extravagance would be forgiven then as at no -other time.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have a lovely smelling-bottle for her; but -I 've a great mind not to give it now," cried Di, -feeling defrauded of the bracelet she had plainly -hinted she would like.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I shall heap coals of fire on her head by -giving her <em class="italics">that</em>;" and Dora displayed a very -useless but very pretty apron of muslin, lace, -and carnation ribbon.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is n't the worth of the things. I don't care -for that so much as I do for being disappointed -in her; and I have been lately in more ways than -one," said Fanny, listlessly taking up the screen -she was to finish. "She used to tell me everything, -and now she does n't. I 'm sure she has -some sort of a secret; and I do think <em class="italics">I</em> ought to -know it. I found her smiling over a letter one -day; and she whisked it into her pocket and -never said a word about it. I always stood by -her, and I do feel hurt."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I should think you might! It's real naughty -of her, and I shall tell her so! Perhaps she 'll -confide in you then, and you can just give <em class="italics">me</em> a -hint; I always liked Sophie, and never thought -of not giving <em class="italics">my</em> present," said Dora, persuasively, -for both girls were now dying with -curiosity to know the secret.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll have it out of her, without any dodging -or bribing. I 'm not afraid of any one, and I -shall ask her straight out, no matter how much -she scowls at me," said dauntless Di, with a -threatening nod.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There she is! Let us see you do it now!" -cried Fanny, as the bell rang, and a clear voice -was heard a moment later asking if -Mademoiselle was in.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You shall!" and Di looked ready for any -audacity.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll wager a box of candy that you don't -find out a thing," whispered Do.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Done!" answered Di, and then turned to -meet Sophie, who came in looking as fresh as -an Alpine rose with the wintry wind.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You dear thing! we were just talking of you. -Sit here and get warm, and let us show you our -gifts. We are almost done, but it seems as if it -got to be a harder job each Christmas. Don't -you find it so?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But no; I think it the most charming work -of all the year," answered Sophie, greeting her -friend, and putting her well-worn boots toward -the fire to dry.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps you don't make as much of Christmas -as we do, or give such expensive presents. -That would make a great difference, you know," -said Di, as she lifted a cloth from the table -where her own generous store of gifts was set -forth.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I had a piano last year, a set of jewels, and -many pretty trifles from all at home. Here is -one;" and pulling the fine gold chain hidden -under her frills, Sophie showed a locket set -thick with pearls, containing a picture of her -mother.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It must be so nice to be rich, and able to -make such fine presents. I 've got something -for you; but I shall be ashamed of it after I see -your gift to me, I 'm afraid."</p> -<p class="pnext">Fan and Dora were working as if their bread -depended on it, while Di, with a naughty twinkle -in her eye, affected to be rearranging her pretty -table as she talked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do not fear that; my gifts this year are -very simple ones. I did not know your custom, -and now it is too late. My comfort is that -you need nothing, and having so much, you -will not care for my--what you call--coming short."</p> -<p class="pnext">Was it the fire that made Sophie's face look -so hot, and a cold that gave a husky sort of tone -to her usually clear voice? A curious expression -came into her face as her eyes roved from the -table to the gay trifles in her friend's hands; and -she opened her lips as if to add something -impulsively. But nothing came, and for a moment -she looked straight out at the storm as if she -had forgotten where she was.</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Shortcoming' is the proper way to speak -it But never mind that, and tell me why you -say 'too late'?" asked Di, bent on winning her -wager.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Christmas comes in three days, and I have -no time," began Sophie.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But with money one can buy plenty of -lovely things in one day," said Di.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, it is better to put a little love and hard -work into what we give to friends, I have done -that with my trifles, and another year I shall be -more ready."</p> -<p class="pnext">There was an uncomfortable pause, for Sophie -did not speak with her usual frankness, but -looked both proud and ashamed, and seemed -anxious to change the subject, as she began to -admire Dora's work, which had made very little -progress during the last fifteen minutes.</p> -<p class="pnext">Fanny glanced at Di with a smile that made -the other toss her head and return to the charge -with renewed vigor.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Sophie, will you do me a favor?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"With much pleasure."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do has promised me a whole box of French -bonbons, and if you will answer three questions, -you shall have it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Allons</em>," said Sophie, smiling.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Haven't you a secret?" asked Di, gravely.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Will you tell us?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No."</p> -<p class="pnext">Di paused before she asked her last question, -and Fan and Dora waited breathlessly, while -Sophie knit her brows and looked uneasy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why not?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Because I do not wish to tell it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Will you tell if we guess?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Try."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You are engaged."</p> -<p class="pnext">At this absurd suggestion Sophie laughed -gayly, and shook her curly head.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do you think we are betrothed at sixteen -in my country?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I <em class="italics">know</em> that is an engagement ring,--you -made such a time about it when you lost it in -the water, and cried for joy when Tilly dived -and found it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, yes, I was truly glad. Dear Tilly, never -do I forget that kindness!" and Sophie kissed -the little pearl ring in her impulsive way, while -her eyes sparkled and the frown vanished.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I <em class="italics">know</em> a sweetheart gave it," insisted Di, -sure now she had found a clew to the secret.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He did," and Sophie hung her head in a -sentimental way that made the three girls crowd -nearer with faces full of interest.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do tell us all about it, dear. It's so interesting -to hear love-stories. What is his name?" cried Dora.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hermann," simpered Sophie, drooping still -more, while her lips trembled with suppressed -emotion of some sort.</p> -<p class="pnext">"How lovely!" sighed Fanny, who was very romantic.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Tell on, do! Is he handsome?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"To me the finest man in all the world," -confessed Sophie, as she hid her face.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you love him?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I adore him!" and Sophie clasped her -hands so dramatically that the girls were a little -startled, yet charmed at this discovery.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Have you his picture?" asked Di, feeling -that she had won her wager now.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes," and pulling out the locket again, -Sophie showed in the other side the face of -a fine old gentleman who looked very like herself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's your father!" exclaimed Fanny, rolling -her blue eyes excitedly. "You are a humbug!" -cried Dora. "Then you fibbed about the ring," -said Di, crossly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Never! It is mamma's betrothal ring; but -her finger grew too plump, and when I left home -she gave the ring to me as a charm to keep me -safe. Ah, ha! I have my little joke as well as -you, and the laugh is for me this time." And -falling back among the sofa cushions, Sophie -enjoyed it as only a gay girl could. Do and -Fanny joined her; but Di was much disgusted, -and vowed she <em class="italics">would</em> discover the secret and -keep all the bonbons to herself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You are most welcome; but I will not tell -until I like, and then to Fanny first. She will -not have ridicule for what I do, but say it is -well, and be glad with me. Come now and -work. I will plait these ribbons, or paint a -wild rose on this pretty fan. It is too plain -now. Will you that I do it, dear Di?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The kind tone and the prospect of such an -ornament to her gift appeased Di somewhat; -but the mirthful malice in Sophie's eyes made -the other more than ever determined to be even -with her by and by.</p> -<p class="pnext">Christmas Eve came, and found Di still in -the dark, which fact nettled her sadly, for -Sophie tormented her and amused the other girls -by pretended confidences and dark hints at the -mystery which might never, never be disclosed.</p> -<p class="pnext">Fan had determined to have an unusually -jolly party; so she invited only her chosen -friends, and opened the festivities with a Christmas -tree, as the prettiest way of exchanging gifts -and providing jokes for the evening in the shape -of delusive bottles, animals full of candy, and -every sort of musical instrument to be used in -an impromptu concert afterward. The presents -to one another were done up in secure parcels, -so that they might burst upon the public eye in -all their freshness. Di was very curious to know -what Fan was going to give her,--for Fanny -was a generous creature and loved to give. Di -was a little jealous of her love for Sophie, and -could n't rest till she discovered which was to -get the finer gift.</p> -<p class="pnext">So she went early and slipped into the room -where the tree stood, to peep and pick a bit, as -well as to hang up a few trifles of her own. She -guessed several things by feeling the parcels; -but one excited her curiosity intensely, and she -could not resist turning it about and pulling -up one corner of the lid. It was a flat box, -prettily ornamented with sea-weeds like red -lace, and tied with scarlet ribbons. A tantalizing -glimpse of jeweller's cotton, gold clasps, -and something rose-colored conquered Di's last -scruples; and she was just about to untie the -ribbons when she heard Fanny's voice, and had -only time to replace the box, pick up a paper -that had fallen out of it, and fly up the back -stairs to the dressing-room, where she found -Sophie and Dora surveying each other as girls -always do before they go down.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You look like a daisy," cried Di, admiring -Dora with great interest, because she felt -ashamed of her prying, and the stolen note in -her pocket.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you like a dandelion," returned Do, -falling back a step to get a good view of Di's -gold-colored dress and black velvet bows.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Sophie is a lily of the valley, all in green -and white," added Fanny, coming in with her -own blue skirts waving in the breeze.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It does me very well. Little girls do not -need grand toilets, and I am fine enough for a -'peasant,'" laughed Sophie, as she settled the -fresh ribbons on her simple white cashmere and -the holly wreath in her brown hair, but secretly -longing for the fine dress she might have had.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why didn't you wear your silver necklace? -It would be lovely on your pretty neck," said -Di, longing to know if she had given the trinket -away.</p> -<p class="pnext">But Sophie was not to be caught, and said -with a contented smile, "I do not care for -ornaments unless some one I love gives me them. -I had red roses for my <em class="italics">bouquet de corsage</em>; but -the poor Madame Page was so <em class="italics">triste</em>, I left them -on her table to remember her of me. It seemed -so heartless to go and dance while she had only -pain; but she wished it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear little Sophie, how good you are!" -and warm-hearted Fan kissed the blooming -face that needed no roses to make it sweet and gay.</p> -<p class="pnext">Half an hour later, twenty girls and boys -were dancing round the brilliant tree. Then -its boughs were stripped. Every one seemed -contented; even Sophie's little gifts gave -pleasure, because with each went a merry or -affectionate verse, which made great fun on being -read aloud. She was quite loaded with pretty -things, and had no words to express her -gratitude and pleasure.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, you are all so good to me! and I have -nothing beautiful for you. I receive much and -give little, but I cannot help it! Wait a little -and I will redeem myself," she said to Fanny, -with eyes full of tears, and a lap heaped with -gay and useful things.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Never mind that now; but look at this, for -here's still another offering of friendship, and a -very charming one, to judge by the outside," -answered Fan, bringing the white box with the -sea-weed ornaments.</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie opened it, and cries of admiration -followed, for lying on the soft cotton was a lovely -set of coral. Rosy pink branches, highly -polished and fastened with gold clasps, formed -necklace, bracelets, and a spray for the bosom. -No note or card appeared, and the girls crowded -round to admire and wonder who could have -sent so valuable a gift.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can't you guess, Sophie?" cried Dora, -longing to own the pretty things.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I should believe I knew, but it is too costly. -How came the parcel, Fan? I think you must -know all," and Sophie turned the box about, -searching vainly for a name.</p> -<p class="pnext">"An expressman left it, and Jane took off the -wet paper and put it on my table with the other -things. Here's the wrapper; do you know -that writing?" and Fan offered the brown paper -which she had kept.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; and the label is all mud, so I cannot -see the place. Ah, well, I shall discover some -day, but I should like to thank this generous -friend at once. See now, how fine I am! I do -myself the honor to wear them at once."</p> -<p class="pnext">Smiling with girlish delight at her pretty -ornaments, Sophie clasped the bracelets on her -round arms, the necklace about her white throat, -and set the rosy spray in the lace on her bosom. -Then she took a little dance down the room and -found herself before Di, who was looking at her -with an expression of naughty satisfaction on -her face.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't you wish you knew who sent them?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Indeed, yes;" and Sophie paused abruptly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, <em class="italics">I</em> know, and <em class="italics">I</em> won't tell till I like. -It's my turn to have a secret; and I mean to -keep it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But it is not right," began Sophie, with -indignation.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Tell me yours, and I 'll tell mine," said Di, -teasingly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I will not! You have no right to touch my -gifts, and I am sure you have done it, else how -know you who sends this fine <em class="italics">cadeau</em>?" cried -Sophie, with the flash Di liked to see.</p> -<p class="pnext">Here Fanny interposed, "If you have any -note or card belonging to Sophie, give it up at -once. She shall not be tormented. Out with -it, Di. I see your hand in your pocket, and -I 'm sure you have been in mischief."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Take your old letter, then. I know what's -in it; and if I can't keep my secret for fun, -Sophie shall not have hers. That Tilly sent -the coral, and Sophie spent her hundred -dollars in books and clothes for that queer girl, -who'd better stay among her lobsters than try -to be a lady," cried Di, bent on telling all she -knew, while Sophie was reading her letter -eagerly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is it true?" asked Dora, for the four girls -were in a corner together, and the rest of the -company busy pulling crackers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just like her! I thought it was that; but -she would n't tell. Tell us now, Sophie, for <em class="italics">I</em> -think it was truly sweet and beautiful to help -that poor girl, and let us say hard things of -you," cried Fanny, as her friend looked up with -a face and a heart too full of happiness to help -overflowing into words.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes; I will tell you now. It was foolish, -perhaps; but I did not want to be praised, and -I loved to help that good Tilly. You know she -worked all summer and made a little sum. So -glad, so proud she was, and planned to study -that she might go to school this winter. Well, -in October the uncle fell very ill, and Tilly gave -all her money for the doctors. The uncle had -been kind to her, she did not forget; she was -glad to help, and told no one but me. Then I -said, 'What better can I do with my father's gift -than give it to the dear creature, and let her lose -no time?' I do it; she will not at first, but I -write and say, 'It must be,' and she submits. -She is made neat with some little dresses, and -she goes at last, to be so happy and do so well -that I am proud of her. Is not that better than -fine toilets and rich gifts to those who need -nothing? Truly, yes! yet I confess it cost me -pain to give up my plans for Christmas, and to -seem selfish or ungrateful. Forgive me that."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, indeed, you dear generous thing!" -cried Fan and Dora, touched by the truth.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But how came Tilly to send you such a -splendid present?" asked Di. "Should n't -think you 'd like her to spend your money in -such things."</p> -<p class="pnext">"She did not. A sea-captain, a friend of the -uncle, gave her these lovely ornaments, and she -sends them to me with a letter that is more -precious than all the coral in the sea. I cannot -read it; but of all my gifts <em class="italics">this</em> is the dearest -and the best!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Sophie had spoken eagerly, and her face, her -voice, her gestures, made the little story -eloquent; but with the last words she clasped the -letter to her bosom as if it well repaid her for -all the sacrifices she had made. They might -seem small to others, but she was sensitive and -proud, anxious to be loved in the strange -country, and fond of giving, so it cost her many tears -to seem mean and thoughtless, to go poorly -dressed, and be thought hardly of by those she -wished to please. She did not like to tell of her -own generosity, because it seemed like boasting; -and she was not sure that it had been wise to -give so much. Therefore, she waited to see -if Tilly was worthy of the trust reposed in her; -and she now found a balm for many wounds in -the loving letter that came with the beautiful -and unexpected gift.</p> -<p class="pnext">Di listened with hot cheeks, and when Sophie -paused, she whispered regretfully,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Forgive me, I was wrong! I 'll keep your -gift all my life to remember you by, for you are -the best and dearest girl I know."</p> -<p class="pnext">Then with a hasty kiss she ran away, carrying -with great care the white shell on which Sophie -had painted a dainty little picture of the -mermaids waiting for the pretty boat that brought -good fortune to poor Tilly, and this lesson to -those who were hereafter her faithful friends.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 48%" id="figure-98"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-204.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter VII tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-99"> -<span id="dolly-s-bedstead"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-205.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"Everything is quite clean; I am sure of that, for I washed the sheets and coverlet myself not long ago."--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id7">207</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">VIII.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">DOLLY'S BEDSTEAD.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"Aunt Pen, where is Ariadne to sleep, -please? I wanted to bring her cradle, -but mamma said it would take up so much -room I could not."</p> -<p class="pnext">And Alice looked about her for a resting-place -for her dolly as anxiously as if Ariadne -had been a live baby.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can't she lie on the sofa?" asked Aunt -Pen, with that sad want of interest in such -important matters which grown-up people so often -show.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, indeed! Some one would sit down on -her, of course; and I won't have my darling -smashed. You would n't like it yourself, aunty, -and I 'm surprised at your proposing such a -thing!" cried Alice, clasping her babe with a -face full of maternal indignation.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I beg your pardon! I really forgot that -danger. I 'm not so used to infants as you are, -and that accounts for it. Now I think of it, -there's a little bedstead up garret, and you -can have that. You will find it done up in a -paper in the great blue chest where all our old -toys are kept."</p> -<p class="pnext">Appeased by Aunt Pen's apology, Alice -trotted to the attic, found the bedstead, and -came trotting back with a disappointed look -on her face.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is such a funny, old-fashioned thing I -don't know that Ariadne will consent to lie in -it. Anyway, I must air the feather-bed and -pillows first, or she will get cold. I wish I -could wash the sheets too, they are so yellow; -but there is no time now," said the little girl, -bustling round as she spoke, and laying the -little bed-furniture out on the rug.</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id7">"Everything is quite clean, my dear; I am -sure of that, for I washed the sheets and coverlet -myself not long ago, because I found a nest -of little mice there the last time I looked," -answered Aunt Pen, with her eyes fixed thoughtfully -on the small bedstead.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I guess you used to be fond of it when you -were a little girl; and that's why you keep it so -nicely now, isn't it?" asked Alice, as she -dusted the carved posts and patted the canvas -sacking.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, there's quite a little romance about -that bed; and I love it so that I never can give -it away, but keep it mended up and in order -for the sake of old times and poor Val," said -Aunt Pen, smiling and sighing in the same -breath.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, tell about it! I do like to hear stories, -and so does Ariadne!" cried Alice, hastily -opening dolly's eyes, that she might express -her interest in the only way permitted her.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, dear, I 'll tell you this true tale of -long ago; and while you listen you can be -making a new blanket for the bed. Mrs. Mouse -nibbled holes in the other one, and her babies -made a mess of it, so I burned it up. Here is -a nice little square of flannel, and there are -blue, red, and green worsteds for you to work -round the edges with."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now that is just splendid! I love to work -with crewels, and I 'll put little quirls and things -in the corners. I can do it all myself, so tell -away, please, aunty." And Alice settled -herself with great satisfaction, while Ariadne sat -bolt upright in her own armchair and stared -at Aunt Pen in a way that would have been -very embarrassing if her round blue eyes had -had a particle of expression in them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"When I was about ten years old, it was the -joy of my heart to go every Saturday afternoon -to see my nurse, Betsey Brown. She no longer -lived out, but was married to a pilot, and had -a home of her own down in what we used to -call 'the watery part' of the city. A funny -little house, so close to the wharves that when -one looked out there were masts going to and -fro over the house-tops, and from the upper -windows I could see the blue ocean.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Betsey had a boy with club feet, and a -brother who was deformed; but Bobby was my -pet playmate, and Valentine my best friend. -My chief pleasure was in seeing him work at -his turning-lathe, for he was very ingenious, and -made all sorts of useful and pretty things.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But the best thing he did was to cure the -lame feet of his little nephew. In those days -there were few doctors who attended to such -troubles, and they were very expensive; so -poor Bobby had gone hobbling about ever since -he was born with his little feet turned in.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Uncle Val could sympathize with him; and -though he knew there was no cure for his own -crooked back, he did his best to help the boy. -He made a very simple apparatus for straightening -the crippled feet (just two wooden splints, -with wooden screws to loosen or tighten the -pressure), and with patience, hope, and faith, -he worked over the child till the feet were -right, and Bobby could run and play like other -children."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, Aunt Pen, was n't that lovely? And did -he really do it all himself? How clever he -must have been!" cried Alice, puckering the -new blanket in the pleasant interest of the -moment.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He was very clever for a lad of eighteen. -But that was not all he did. Bobby's cure was -a long one, and I only saw the happy end of it; -yet I remember how we all rejoiced, and how -proud Betsey was of her brother. My father -wrote an account of it for some medical journal, -and it was much talked about in our little -circle; so much, indeed, that an aunt of ours who -had a lame boy came to see Val and talked it -all over with him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Val was much pleased, and offered to try -and cure her son if she would let the boy come -and live with him; for it needed great skill and -constant care to work the screws just right, and -tend the poor little feet gently.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Aunt Dolly said no at once to that plan; -for how could she let her precious boy go and -live in that little house down in the poor part -of the city?</p> -<p class="pnext">"There was no other way, however, for Val -would not leave his sister and his beloved lathe, -and was wise enough to see how impossible it -would be to have his own way with the child in -a house where every one obeyed his whims and -petted him, as such afflicted children usually -are petted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"So Val stood firm, and for a time nothing -was done.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I was much interested in the affair, and -every time I saw my cousin Gus I told him -what nice times I had down there; how strong -and lively Bobby was, and declared my firm -belief that Val could cure every disease under -the sun.</p> -<p class="pnext">"These glowing accounts made Gus want to -go, and when he set his heart on anything he -always got it; so in the end Aunt Dolly -consented, and Gus went to board in the little -house, much to the wonder of some folks.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The plan succeeded capitally, however, and -Gus thrived like a dandelion in springtime; -for simple food, plenty of air, no foolish -indulgence, and the most faithful care, built up the -little lad in a way that astonished and delighted -us all.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The feet improved slowly; and Val was -sure that in time they would be all right, for -everything helped on the good work.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear me, what happy days I used to spend -at Betsey's! Sometimes Isaac, the jolly, bluff -pilot, would take us out in his boat; and then -what rosy cheeks and good appetites we got! -Sometimes we played in Val's shop, and -watched him make pretty things or helped him -in some easy job, for he liked to have us near -him. And, oh, my heart, what delicious -suppers Betsey used to get us in the front room, -where all sorts of queer sea treasures were -collected,--shells, coral, and seaweed; odd -pictures of ships and fish, and old books full of -sailor songs and thrilling tales of wrecks."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I wish I had been there!" interrupted -Alice. "Is the house all gone, aunty?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"All gone, dear, and every one of that merry -party but myself," answered Aunt Pen, with a sigh.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't think about the sad part of it, but go -on and tell about the bed, please," said Alice, -feeling that it was about time this interesting -piece of furniture appeared in the story.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, that was made to comfort me when -Gus went home, as he did after staying two -years. Yes, he went home with straight feet, -the heartiest, happiest little lad I ever saw.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I was heart-broken at losing my playmate, -and mourned for him as bitterly as a child -could, till Val comforted me, not only by the -cunning bedstead for my doll, but by a hundred -kindly words and acts, for which I never -thanked him half enough.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Aunt Dolly and my father were so grateful -and pleased at Val's success with Gus that they -helped him in a plan he had some years later, -when he took a larger house in a better place, -and with Betsey as nurse, opened a small hospital -for the cure of deformed feet. It was an -excellent plan; and all was going well, when -poor Val wasted rapidly away, and died just as -his work began to bring him money and some -honor."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That was very bad! But what became of -Bobby and Gus?" asked Alice, who was not -of an age to care much about the "sad part" -of any story.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bob became a sea-captain, and was an excellent -fellow till he went down with his ship in -a storm after rescuing all his crew, even to the -cabin-boy. I'm proud of Bob, and keep those -two great pearly shells in memory of him, for -he brought them to me after his first voyage."</p> -<p class="pnext">Aunt Pen's eyes lit up, and her voice rose as -she spoke with real pride and affection of -honest Captain Brown, who to her was always little Bob.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I like that, it was so brave and good; but -I do wish he had been saved, for then I could -have seen him. And maybe he would have -brought me a big green parrot that could say -funny things. What became of Gus?" asked -Alice, after a moment spent in the delightful -thought of owning a green parrot with a red tail.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, my dear, I wish I knew!" exclaimed -Aunt Pen, so earnestly that Alice dropped her -work, astonished at the change in that usually -quiet face.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't tell any more if you 'd rather not," -said the little girl, feeling instinctively that she -had touched some tender string.</p> -<p class="pnext">But Aunt Pen only stroked her curly head -and went on in a softer tone, with her eyes fixed -upon a faded picture that had hung over her -work-table ever since Alice could remember.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I like to tell you, dear, because I want you -to love the memory of this old friend of mine. -Gus went to sea also, much against his mother's -will, for the years spent in the little house near -the wharf had given the boy a taste for salt -water, and he could not overcome it, though he tried.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He sailed with Captain Bob all round the -world, and would have been with him on that -last voyage if a sudden whim had not kept him -ashore. More than this we don't know; and -for seven years have had no tidings of him. -The others give him up, feeling sure that he -was lost in the wild hill-country of India, whither -he went in search of adventures. I suppose -they are right; but <em class="italics">I</em> cannot make it true, and -still hope to see the dear boy back, or at least -to hear some news of him."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Would n't he be rather an old boy now, -Aunt Pen?" asked Alice, softly; for she wanted -to chase away the load of pain with a smile if -she could.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bless my heart, so he would! Forty, at -least. Well, well, he never will seem old to me, -though his hair should be gray when he comes -home." And Aunt Pen did smile as her eyes -went back to the faded picture with a tender -look that made Alice say timidly, while she laid -her blooming cheek against her aunt's hand,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Would you mind if I asked if it was Gus -who gave you this pretty ring, and was your -sweetheart once? Mamma told me you had -one, and he was dead; so I must never ask -why you did n't marry as she did."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, he gave me this, and was to come back -in a year or two; but I have never seen him -since, and never shall, I fear, till we all meet -over the great sea at last."</p> -<p class="pnext">There Aunt Pen broke down, and spreading -her hands before her face, sat so still that Alice -feared to stir.</p> -<p class="pnext">Even her careless child's heart was full of -pity now; and two great tears rolled down upon -the little blanket, to lie sparkling like drops of -dew in the heart of the very remarkable red -rose she was working in the middle.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then it was that Ariadne distinguished -herself, and proved beyond a doubt that her blue -china eyes were worth something. A large, -brown, breezy-looking man had been peeping -in from the door for several moments, and -listening in the most improper manner. No one -saw him but Ariadne, and how could she warn -the others, poor thing, when she had n't a -tongue in her head? Don't tell me that dolls -have n't hearts somewhere in their sawdust -bosoms! I know better; and I am firmly -convinced that Ariadne's was full of sympathy for -Aunt Pen; else why should she, a well-bred -doll, suddenly and without the least apparent -cause, slip out of her chair and fall upon her -china nose with a loud whack?</p> -<p class="pnext">Alice jumped up to catch her darling, and -Aunt Pen lifted her head to see what was the -matter, and the big brown man, giving his hat -a toss, came into the room like a whirlwind!</p> -<p class="pnext">Alice, Ariadne, bedstead, and blanket, were -suddenly swept into a corner by some mysterious -means, and lay there in a heap, while the -two grown people fell into each other's arms, -exclaiming,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pen!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Gus!"</p> -<p class="pnext">I don't know which stared the hardest at this -dreadful proceeding, Alice or Ariadne, but I do -know that every one was very happy afterward, -and that the precious little bedstead was not -smashed, for I have seen it with my own eyes.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-100"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-218.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter VIII tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-101"> -<span id="trudel-s-siege"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-219.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"Well, dear, this is the story."--PAGE <a class="reference internal" href="#id8">220</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst">IX.</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">TRUDEL'S SIEGE.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"Grandmother, what is this curious -picture about?" said little Gertrude, or -"Trudel," as they called her, looking up from -the red book that lay on her knee, one Sunday -morning, when she and the grandmother sat -sadly together in the neat kitchen; for the -father was very ill, and the poor mother seldom -left him.</p> -<p class="pnext">The old woman put on her round spectacles, -which made her look as wise as an owl, and -turned to answer the child, who had been as -quiet as a mouse for a long time, looking at -the strange pictures in the ancient book.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, my dear, that tells about a very famous -and glorious thing that happened long ago at -the siege of Leyden. You can read it for -yourself some day."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Please tell me now. Why are the houses -half under water, and ships sailing among them, -and people leaning over the walls of the city? -And why is that boy waving his hands on the -tower, where the men are running away in a -great smoke?" asked Trudel, too curious to -wait till she could read the long hard words on -the yellow pages.</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id8">"Well, dear, this is the story: and you shall -hear how brave men and women, and children -too, were in those days. The cruel Spaniards -came and besieged the city for many months; -but the faithful people would not give up, -though nearly starved to death. When all the -bread and meat were gone and the gardens -empty, they ate grass and herbs and horses, -and even dogs and cats, trying to hold out till -help came to them."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Did little girls really eat their pussies? Oh, -I 'd die before I would kill my dear Jan," cried -Trudel, hugging the pretty kitten that purred in -her lap.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, the children ate their pets. And so -would you if it would save your father or mother -from starving. <em class="italics">We</em> know what hunger is; but -we won't eat Jan yet."</p> -<p class="pnext">The old woman sighed as she glanced from the -empty table to the hearth where no fire burned.</p> -<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Did</em> help come in the ships?" asked the -child, bending her face over the book to hide -the tears that filled her eyes, for she was very -hungry, and had had only a crust for breakfast.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Our good Prince of Orange was trying to -help them; but the Spaniards were all around -the city and he had not men enough to fight -them by land, so he sent carrier-doves with -letters to tell the people that he was going to cut -through the great dikes that kept the sea out, -and let the water flow over the country so as to -drive the enemy from his camp, for the city -stood upon high ground, and would be safe. -Then the ships, with food, could sail over the -drowned land and save the brave people."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, I 'm glad! I 'm glad! These are the -bad Spaniards running away, and these are -poor people stretching out their hands for the -bread. But what is the boy doing, in the funny -tower where the wall has tumbled down?" cried -Trudel, much excited.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The smoke of burning houses rose between -the city and the port so the people could not -see that the Spaniards had run away; and -they were afraid the ships could not get safely -by. But a boy who was scrambling about as -boys always are wherever there is danger, fire, -and fighting, saw the enemy go, and ran to the -deserted tower to shout and beckon to the ships -to come on at once,--for the wind had changed -and soon the tide would flow back and leave -them stranded."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nice boy! I wish I had been there to see -him and help the poor people," said Trudel, -patting the funny little figure sticking out of -the pepper-pot tower like a jack-in-the-box.</p> -<p class="pnext">"If children keep their wits about them and -are brave, they can always help in some way, -my dear. We don't have such dreadful wars -now; but the dear God knows we have troubles -enough, and need all our courage and faith to -be patient in times like these;" and the -grandmother folded her thin hands with another sigh, -as she thought of her poor son dying for want -of a few comforts, after working long and -faithfully for a hard master who never came to offer -any help, though a very rich man.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Did they eat the carrier-doves?" asked -Trudel, still intent on the story.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, child; they fed and cared for them -while they lived, and when they died, stuffed -and set them up in the Staat Haus, so grateful -were the brave burghers for the good news the -dear birds brought."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That is the best part of all. I like that -story very much!" And Trudel turned the -pages to find another, little dreaming what a -carrier-dove she herself was soon to become.</p> -<p class="pnext">Poor Hans Dort and his family were nearly -as distressed as the besieged people of Leyden, -for poverty stood at the door, hunger and -sickness were within, and no ship was anywhere -seen coming to bring help. The father, who -was a linen-weaver, could no longer work in the -great factory; the mother, who was a -lace-maker, had to leave her work to nurse him; -and the old woman could earn only a trifle by -her knitting, being lame and feeble. Little -Trudel did what she could,--sold the stockings -to get bread and medicine, picked up wood for -the fire, gathered herbs for the poor soup, and -ran errands for the market-women, who paid her -with unsalable fruit, withered vegetables, and -now and then a bit of meat.</p> -<p class="pnext">But market-day came but once a week; and -it was very hard to find food for the hungry -mouths meantime. The Dorts were too proud -to beg, so they suffered in silence, praying that -help would come before it was too late to save -the sick and old.</p> -<p class="pnext">No other picture in the quaint book interested -Trudel so much as that of the siege of -Leyden; and she went back to it, thinking over -the story till hunger made her look about for -something to eat as eagerly as the poor starving burghers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here, child, is a good crust. It is too hard -for me. I kept it for you; it's the last except -that bit for your mother," said the old woman, -pulling a dry crust from her jacket with a -smile; for though starving herself, the brave -old soul thought only of her darling.</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel's little white teeth gnawed savagely at -the hard bread, and Jan ate the crumbs as if -he too needed food. As she saw him purring -about her feet, there came into the child's head -a sudden idea, born of the brave story and of -the cares that made her old before her time.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Poor Jan gets thinner and thinner every day. -If we are to eat him, we must do it soon, or he -will not be worth cooking," she said with a -curious look on the face that used to be so round -and rosy, and now was white, thin, and anxious.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bless the child! we won't eat the poor -beast! but it would be kind to give him away -to some one who could feed him well. Go now, -dear, and get a jug of fresh water. The father -will need it, and so will you, for that crust is a -dry dinner for my darling."</p> -<p class="pnext">As she spoke, the old woman held the little -girl close for a minute; and Trudel clung to her -silently, finding the help she needed for her -sacrifice in the love and the example grandma -gave her.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then she ran away, with the brown jug in one -hand, the pretty kitten on her arm, and courage -in her little heart. It was a poor neighborhood -where the weavers and lace-makers lived; but -nearly every one had a good dinner on Sunday, -and on her way to the fountain Trudel saw many -well-spread tables, smelled the good soup in -many kettles, and looked enviously at the plump -children sitting quietly on the doorsteps in -round caps and wooden shoes, waiting to be -called in to eat of the big loaves, the brown -sausages, and the cabbage-soup smoking on the hearth.</p> -<p class="pnext">When she came to the baker's house, her -heart began to beat; and she hugged Jan so -close it was well he was thin, or he would have -mewed under the tender farewell squeezes his -little mistress gave him. With a timid hand -Trudel knocked, and then went in to find Vrow -Hertz and her five boys and girls at table, with -good roast meat and bread and cheese and -beer before them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, the dear cat! the pretty cat! Let me -pat him! Hear him mew, and see his soft -white coat," cried the children, before Trudel -could speak, for they admired the snow-white -kitten very much, and had often begged for it.</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel had made up her mind to give up to -them at last her one treasure; but she wished -to be paid for it, and was bound to tell her -plan. Jan helped her, for smelling the meat, -he leaped from her arms to the table and began -to gnaw a bone on Dirck's plate, which so -amused the young people that they did not -hear Trudel say to their mother in a low voice, -with red cheeks and beseeching eyes,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear Vrow Hertz, the father is very ill; the -mother cannot work at her lace in the dark -room; and grandma makes but little by knitting, -though I help all I can. We have no food; can -you give me a loaf of bread in exchange for Jan? -I have nothing else to sell, and the children -want him much."</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel's eyes were full and her lips trembled, -as she ended with a look that went straight to -stout Mother Hertz's kind heart, and told the -whole sad story.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bless the dear child! Indeed, yes; a loaf -and welcome; and see here, a good sausage -also. Brenda, go fill the jug with milk. It is -excellent for the sick man. As for the cat, let -it stay a while and get fat, then we will see. It -is a pretty beast and worth many loaves of -bread; so come again, Trudel, and do not -suffer hunger while I have much bread."</p> -<p class="pnext">As the kind woman spoke, she had bustled -about, and before Trudel could get her breath, -a big loaf, a long sausage, and a jug of fresh -milk were in her apron and hands, and a -motherly kiss made the gifts all the easier to take. -Returning it heartily, and telling the children to -be kind to Jan, she hastened home to burst into -the quiet room, crying joyfully,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"See, grandmother, here is food,--all mine. -I bought it! Come, come, and eat!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, dear Heaven, what do I see? Where -did the blessed bread come from?" asked the -old woman, hugging the big loaf, and eying the -sausage with such hunger in her face that Trudel -ran for the knife and cup, and held a draught of -fresh milk to her grandmother's lips before she -could answer a single question.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Stay, child, let us give thanks before we eat. -Never was food more welcome or hearts more -grateful;" and folding her hands, the pious old -woman blessed the meal that seemed to fall -from heaven on that bare table. Then Trudel -cut the crusty slice for herself, a large soft one -for grandmother, with a good bit of sausage, -and refilled the cup. Another portion and cup -went upstairs to mother, whom she found asleep, -with the father's hot hand in hers. So -leaving the surprise for her waking, Trudel crept -down to eat her own dinner, as hungry as a little -wolf, amusing herself with making the old -woman guess where and how she got this fine feast.</p> -<p class="pnext">"This is our siege, grandmother; and we are -eating Jan," she said at last, with the merriest -laugh she had given for weeks.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Eating Jan?" cried the old woman, staring -at the sausage, as if for a moment she feared the -kitten had been turned into that welcome shape -by some miracle. Still laughing, Trudel told -her story, and was well rewarded for her childish -sacrifice by the look in grandmother's face as -she said with a tender kiss,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thou art a carrier-dove, my darling, coming -home with good news and comfort under thy -wing. God bless thee, my brave little heart, -and grant that our siege be not a long one -before help comes to us!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Such a happy feast! and for dessert more -kisses and praises for Trudel when the mother -came down to hear the story and to tell how -eagerly father had drank the fresh milk and -gone to sleep again. Trudel was very well -pleased with her bargain; but at night she -missed Jan's soft purr for her lullaby, and cried -herself to sleep, grieving for her lost pet, being -only a child, after all, though trying to be a -brave little woman for the sake of those she loved.</p> -<p class="pnext">The big loaf and sausage took them nicely -through the next day; but by Tuesday only -crusts remained, and sorrel-soup, slightly -flavored with the last scrap of sausage, was all -they had to eat.</p> -<p class="pnext">On Wednesday morning, Trudel had plaited -her long yellow braids with care, smoothed -down her one blue skirt, and put on her little -black silk cap, making ready for the day's work. -She was weak and hungry, but showed a bright -face as she took her old basket and said,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now I am off to market, grandmother, to -sell the hose and get medicine and milk for -father. I shall try to pick up something for -dinner. The good neighbors often let me run -errands for them, and give me a kuchen, a bit of -cheese, or a taste of their nice coffee. I will bring -you something, and come as soon as I can."</p> -<p class="pnext">The old woman nodded and smiled, as she -scoured the empty kettle till it shone, and -watched the little figure trudge away with the -big empty basket, and, she knew, with a still -emptier little stomach. "Coffee!" sighed the -grandmother; "one sip of the blessed drink -would put life into me. When shall I ever taste -it again?" and the poor soul sat down to her -knitting with hands that trembled from weakness.</p> -<p class="pnext">The Platz was a busy and a noisy scene when -Trudel arrived,--for the thrifty Dutchwomen -were early afoot; and stalls, carts, baskets, and -cans were already arranged to make the most -attractive display of fruit, vegetables, fish, -cheese, butter, eggs, milk, and poultry, and the -small wares country people came to buy.</p> -<p class="pnext">Nodding and smiling, Trudel made her way -through the bustle to the booth where old -Vrow Schmidt bought and sold the blue woollen -hose that adorn the stout legs of young and old.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, child! I am glad to see thee -and thy well-knit stockings, for I have orders -for three pairs, and promised thy grandmother's, -they are always so excellent," said the -rosy-faced woman, as Trudel approached.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have but one pair. We had no money to -buy more yarn. Father is so ill mother -cannot work; and medicines cost a deal," said -the child, with her large hungry eyes fixed on -the breakfast the old woman was about to -eat, first having made ready for the business -of the day.</p> -<p class="pnext">"See, then, I shall give thee the yarn and -wait for the hose; I can trust thee, and shall -ask a good price for the good work. Thou -too wilt have the fever, I 'm afraid!--so pale -and thin, poor child! Here, drink from my -cup, and take a bite of bread and cheese. The -morning air makes one hungry."</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel eagerly accepted the "sup" and the -"bite," and felt new strength flow into her as -the warm draught and good brown bread went -down her throat.</p> -<p class="pnext">"So many thanks! I had no breakfast. I -came to see if I could get any errands here -to-day, for I want to earn a bit if I can," she said -with a sigh of satisfaction, as she slipped half -of her generous slice and a good bit of cheese -into her basket, regretting that the coffee could -not be shared also.</p> -<p class="pnext">As if to answer her wish, a loud cry from fat -Mother Kinkle, the fish-wife, rose at that -moment, for a thievish cur had run off with a fish -from her stall, while she gossiped with a neighbor.</p> -<p class="pnext">Down went Trudel's basket, and away went -Trudel's wooden shoes clattering over the stones -while she raced after the dog, dodging in and -out among the stalls till she cornered the thief -under Gretchen Horn's milk-cart; for at sight -of the big dog who drew the four copper-cans, -the cur lost heart and dropped the fish and -ran away.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well done!" said buxom Gretchen, when -Trudel caught up the rescued treasure a good -deal the worse for the dog's teeth and the dust -it had been dragged through.</p> -<p class="pnext">All the market-women laughed as the little -girl came back proudly bearing the fish, for the -race had amused them. But Mother Kinkle -said with a sigh, when she saw the damage -done her property,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is spoiled; no one will buy that torn, dirty -thing. Throw it on the muck-pile, child; your -trouble was in vain, though I thank you for it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Give it to me, please, if you don't want it. -We can eat it, and would be glad of it at home," -cried Trudel, hugging the slippery fish with joy, -for she saw a dinner in it, and felt that her run -was well paid.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Take it, then, and be off; I see Vrow von -Decken's cook coming, and you are in the -way," answered the old woman, who was not -a very amiable person, as every one knew.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's a fine reward to make a child for -running the breath out of her body for you," -said Dame Troost, the handsome farm-wife who -sat close by among her fruit and vegetables, -as fresh as her cabbages, and as rosy as her -cherries.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Better it, then, and give her a feast fit for -a burgomaster. <em class="italics">You</em> can afford it," growled -Mother Kinkle, turning her back on the other -woman in a huff.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That I will, for very shame at such meanness! -Here, child, take these for thy fish-stew, -and these for thy little self," said the kind soul, -throwing half a dozen potatoes and onions into -the basket, and handing Trudel a cabbage-leaf -full of cherries.</p> -<p class="pnext">A happy girl was our little house-wife on her -way home, when the milk and medicine and -loaf of bread were bought; and a comfortable -dinner was quickly cooked and gratefully eaten -in Dort's poor house that day.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely the saints must help you, child, and -open people's hearts to our need; for you -come back each day with food for us,--like -the ravens to the people in the wilderness," said -the grandmother when they sat at table.</p> -<p class="pnext">"If they do, it is because you pray to them -so heartily, mother. But I think the sweet -ways and thin face of my Trudel do much to -win kindness, and the good God makes her -our little house-mother, while I must sit idle," -answered Vrow Dort; and she filled the child's -platter again that she, at least, might have -enough.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I like it!" cried Trudel, munching an onion -with her bread, while her eyes shone and a -pretty color came into her cheeks. "I feel so -old and brave now, so glad to help; and things -happen, and I keep thinking what I will do -next to get food. It's like the birds out -yonder in the hedge, trying to feed their little ones. -I fly up and down, pick and scratch, get a bit -here and a bit there, and then my dear <em class="italics">old</em> -birds have food to eat."</p> -<p class="pnext">It really was very much as Trudel said, for -her small wits were getting very sharp with -these new cares; she lay awake that night -trying to plan how she should provide the next -day's food for her family.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Where now, thou dear little mother-bird?" -asked the "Grossmutter" next morning, when -the child had washed the last dish, and was -setting away the remains of the loaf.</p> -<p class="pnext">"To Gretti Jansen's, to see if she wants me to -water her linen, as I used to do for play. She -is lame, and it tires her to go to the spring so -often. She will like me to help her, I hope; -and I shall ask her for some food to pay me. -Oh, I am very bold now! Soon will I beg if -no other way offers." And Trudel shook her -yellow head resolutely, and went to settle the -stool at grandmother's feet, and to draw the -curtain so that it would shield the old eyes -from the summer sun.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Heaven grant it never comes to that! It -would be very hard to bear, yet perhaps we -must if no help arrives. The doctor's bill, the -rent, the good food thy father will soon need, -will take far more than we can earn; and what -will become of us, the saints only know!" -answered the old woman, knitting briskly in -spite of her sad forebodings.</p> -<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">I</em> will do it all! I don't know how, but I -shall try; and, as you often say, 'Have faith -and hold up thy hands; God will fill them.'"</p> -<p class="pnext">Then Trudel went away to her work, with a -stout heart under her little blue bodice; and all -that summer day she trudged to and fro along -the webs of linen spread in the green meadow, -watering them as fast as they dried, knitting -busily under a tree during the intervals.</p> -<p class="pnext">Old Gretti was glad to have her, and at noon -called her in to share the milk-soup, with cherries -and herrings in it, and a pot of coffee,--as well -as Dutch cheese, and bread full of coriander-seed. -Though this was a feast to Trudel, one -bowl of soup and a bit of bread was all she ate; -then, with a face that was not half as "bold" as -she tried to make it, she asked if she might run -home and take the coffee to grandmother, who -longed for and needed it so much.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, indeed; there, let me fill that pewter -jug with a good hot mess for the old lady, and -take this also. I have little to give, but I -remember how good she was to me in the winter, -when my poor legs were so bad, and no one else -thought of me," said grateful Gretti, mixing more -coffee, and tucking a bit of fresh butter into half -a loaf of bread with a crusty end to cover the hole.</p> -<p class="pnext">Away ran Trudel; and when grandmother -saw the "blessed coffee," as she called it, she -could only sip and sigh for comfort and content, -so glad was the poor old soul to taste her -favorite drink again. The mother smelled it, and -came down to take her share, while Trudel -skipped away to go on watering the linen till -sunset with a happy heart, saying to herself -while she trotted and splashed,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"This day is well over, and I have kept my -word. Now what <em class="italics">can</em> I do to-morrow? Gretti -does n't want me; there is no market; I must -not beg yet, and I cannot finish the hose so soon.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I know! I 'll get water-cresses, and sell them -from door to door. They are fresh now, and -people like them. Ah, thou dear duck, thank -thee for reminding me of them," she cried, as -she watched a mother-duck lead her brood -along the brook's edge, picking and dabbling -among the weeds to show them where to feed.</p> -<p class="pnext">Early next morning Trudel took her basket -and went away to the meadows that lay just out -of the town, where the rich folk had their -summer houses, and fish-ponds, and gardens. These -gardens were gay now with tulips, the delight of -Dutch people; for they know best how to cultivate -them, and often make fortunes out of the -splendid and costly flowers.</p> -<p class="pnext">When Trudel had looked long and carefully -for cresses, and found very few, she sat down to -rest, weary and disappointed, on a green bank -from which she could overlook a fine garden all -ablaze with tulips. She admired them heartily, -longed to have a bed of them her own, and -feasted her childish eyes on the brilliant colors -till they were dazzled, for the long beds of purple -and yellow, red and white blossoms were splendid -to see, and in the midst of all a mound of -dragon-tulips rose like a queen's throne, scarlet, green, -and gold all mingled on the ruffled leaves that -waved in the wind.</p> -<p class="pnext">Suddenly it seemed as if one of the great -flowers had blown over the wall and was -hopping along the path in a very curious way! In -a minute, however, she saw that it was a gay -parrot that had escaped, and would have flown -away if its clipped wings and a broken chain on -one leg had not kept it down.</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel laughed to see the bird scuttle along, -jabbering to itself, and looking very mischievous -and naughty as it ran away. She was just -thinking she ought to stop it, when the garden-gate -opened, and a pretty little boy came out, calling -anxiously,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Prince! Prince! Come back, you bad bird! -I never will let you off your perch again, sly rascal!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I will get him;" and Trudel ran down the -bank after the runaway, for the lad was small -and leaned upon a little crutch.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Be careful! He will bite!" called the boy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'm not afraid," answered Trudel; and she -stepped on the chain, which brought the "Prince -of Orange" to a very undignified and sudden -halt. But when she tried to catch him up by -his legs, the sharp black beak gave a nip and -held tightly to her arm. It hurt her much, but -she did not let go, and carried her captive back -to its master, who thanked her, and begged her -to come in and chain up the bad bird, for he was -evidently rather afraid of it.</p> -<p class="pnext">Glad to see more of the splendid garden, -Trudel did what he asked, and with a good deal -of fluttering, scolding, and pecking, the Prince -was again settled on his perch.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Your arm is bleeding! Let me tie it up for -you; and here is my cake to pay you for -helping me. Mamma would have been very angry -if Prince had been lost," said the boy, as he wet -his little handkerchief in a tank of water near by, -and tied up Trudel's arm.</p> -<p class="pnext">The tank was surrounded by pots of tulips; -and on a rustic seat lay the lad's hat and a -delicious large kuchen, covered with comfits and -sugar. The hungry girl accepted it gladly, but -only nibbled at it, remembering those at home. -The boy thought she did not like it, and being a -generous little fellow and very grateful for her -help, he looked about for something else to give -her. Seeing her eyes fixed admiringly on a -pretty red jar that held a dragon-tulip just ready -to bloom, he said pleasantly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Would you like this also? All these are -mine, and I can do as I like with them. Will -you have it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, yes, with thanks! It is <em class="italics">so</em> beautiful! -I longed for one, but never thought to get it," -cried Trudel, receiving the pot with delight.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then she hastened toward home to show her -prize, only stopping to sell her little bunches of -cresses for a few groschen, with which she bought -a loaf and three herrings to eat with it. The -cake and the flower gave quite the air of a feast -to the poor meal, but Trudel and the two women -enjoyed it all, for the doctor said that the father -was better, and now needed only good meat and -wine to grow strong and well again.</p> -<p class="pnext">How to get these costly things no one knew, -but trusted they would come, and all fell to work -with lighter hearts. The mother sat again at -her lace-work, for now a ray of light could be -allowed to fall on her pillow and bobbins by the -window of the sick-room. The old woman's -fingers flew as she knit at one long blue -stocking; and Trudel's little hands tugged away at -the other, while she cheered her dull task by -looking fondly at her dear tulip unfolding in the sun.</p> -<p class="pnext">She began to knit next day as soon as the -breakfast of dry bread and water was done; but -she took her work to the doorstep and thought -busily as the needles clicked, for where <em class="italics">could</em> -she get money enough for meat and wine? The -pretty pot stood beside her, and the tulip showed -its gay leaves now, just ready to bloom. She -was very proud of it, and smiled and nodded -gayly when a neighbor said in passing, "A fine -flower you have there."</p> -<p class="pnext">Soon she forgot it, however, so hard was her -little brain at work, and for a long time she sat -with her eyes fixed on her busy hands so -intently that she neither heard steps approaching, -nor saw a maid and a little girl looking over the -low fence at her. Suddenly some words in a -strange language made her look up. The child -was pointing at the tulip and talking fast in -English to the maid, who shook her head and -tried to lead her on.</p> -<p class="pnext">She was a pretty little creature, all in white -with a gay hat, curly locks, and a great doll in -one arm, while the other held a box of bonbons. -Trudel smiled when she saw the doll; and as if -the friendly look decided her, the little girl ran -up to the door, pointed to the flower, and asked -a question in the queer tongue which Trudel -could not understand. The maid followed, and -said in Dutch, "Fräulein Maud wishes the -flower. Will you give it to her, child?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, no, no! I love it. I will keep it, for -now Jan is gone, it is all I have!" answered -Trudel, taking the pot in her lap to guard her one treasure.</p> -<p class="pnext">The child frowned, chattered eagerly, and -offered the box of sweets, as if used to having her -wishes gratified at once. But Trudel shook -her head, for much as she loved "sugar-drops," -she loved the splendid flower better, like a true -little Dutchwoman.</p> -<p class="pnext">Then Miss Maud offered the doll, bent on -having her own way. Trudel hesitated a -moment, for the fine lady doll in pink silk, with -a feather in her hat, and tiny shoes on her feet, -was very tempting to her childish soul. But -she felt that so dainty a thing was not for her, -and her old wooden darling, with the staring -eyes and broken nose, was dearer to her than -the delicate stranger could ever be. So she -smiled to soothe the disappointed child, but -shook her head again.</p> -<p class="pnext">At that, the English lassie lost her temper, -stamped her foot, scolded, and began to cry, -ordering the maid to take the flower and come -away at once.</p> -<p class="pnext">"She <em class="italics">will</em> have it; and she must not cry. -Here, child, will you sell it for this?" said the -maid, pulling a handful of groschen out of her -deep pocket, sure that Trudel would yield now.</p> -<p class="pnext">But the little house-mother's quick eye saw -that the whole handful would not buy the meat -and wine, much as it looked, and for the third -time she shook her yellow head. There was a -longing look in her face, however; and the -shrewd maid saw it, guessed that money would -win the day, and diving again into her -apron-pocket, brought out a silver gulden and held -it up.</p> -<p class="pnext">"For this, then, little miser? It is more than -the silly flower is worth; but the young fräulein -must have all she wants, so take it and let us be -done with the crying."</p> -<p class="pnext">A struggle went on in Trudel's mind; and -for a moment she did not speak. She longed -to keep her dear tulip, her one joy, and it -seemed so hard to let it go before she had even -seen it blossom once; but then the money -would do much, and her loving little heart -yearned to give poor father all he needed. -Just then her mother's voice came down from -the open window, softly singing an old hymn to -lull the sick man to sleep. That settled the -matter for the dutiful daughter; tears rose to -her eyes, and she found it very hard to say -with a farewell caress of the blue and yellow -pot as she gave it up,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"You may have it; but it <em class="italics">is</em> worth more than -a gulden, for it is a dragon-tulip, the finest we -have. Could you give a little more? my father -is very sick, and we are very poor."</p> -<p class="pnext">The stout maid had a kind heart under her -white muslin neckerchief; and while Miss -Maud seized the flower, good Marta put -another gulden into Trudel's hand before she -hastened after her charge, who made off with -her booty, as if fearing to lose it.</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel watched the child with the half-opened -tulip nodding over her shoulder, as though it -sadly said "good-by" to its former mistress, -till her dim eyes could see no longer. Then -she covered her face with her apron and sobbed -very quietly, lest grandmother should hear and -be troubled. But Trudel was a brave child, and -soon the tears stopped, the blue eyes looked -gladly at the money in her hand, and presently, -when the fresh wind had cooled her cheeks, -she went in to show her treasure and cheer up -the anxious hearts with her good news.</p> -<p class="pnext">She made light of the loss of her flower, and -still knitting, went briskly off to get the meat -and wine for father, and if the money held out, -some coffee for grandmother, some eggs and -white rolls for mother, who was weak and worn -with her long nursing.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely, the dear God does help me," -thought the pious little maid, while she trudged -back with her parcels, quite cheery again, -though no pretty kitten ran to meet her, and -no gay tulip stood full-blown in the noonday sun.</p> -<p class="pnext">Still more happy was she over her small -sacrifices when she saw her father sip a little -of the good broth grandmother made with such -care, and saw the color come into the pale -cheeks of the dear mother after she had taken -the eggs and fine bread, with a cup of coffee -to strengthen and refresh her.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We have enough for to-day, and for father -to-morrow; but on Sunday we must fast as well -as pray, unless the hose be done and paid for -in time," said the old woman next morning, -surveying their small store of food with an -anxious eye.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I will work hard, and go to Vrow Schmidt's -the minute we are done. But now I must run -and get wood, else the broth will not be ready," -answered Trudel, clattering on her wooden -shoes in a great hurry.</p> -<p class="pnext">"If all else fails, I too shall make my -sacrifice as well as you, my heart's darling. I -cannot knit as I once did, and if we are not done, or -Vrow Schmidt be away, I will sell my ring and -so feed the flock till Monday," said the -grandmother, lifting up one thin old hand, where -shone the wedding-ring she had worn so many years.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, no,--not that! It was so sad to see -your gold beads go, and mother's ear-rings and -father's coat and Jan and my lovely flower! -We will not sell the dear old ring. I will find -a way. Something will happen, as before; so -wait a little, and trust to me," cried Trudel, -with her arms about the grandmother, and such -a resolute nod that the rusty little black cap fell -over her nose and extinguished her.</p> -<p class="pnext">She laughed as she righted it, and went -singing away, as if not a care lay heavy on her -young heart. But when she came to the long -dike which kept the waters of the lake from -overflowing the fields below, she walked slowly -to rest her tired legs, and to refresh her eyes -with the blue sheet of water on one side and -the still bluer flax-fields on the other,--for -they were in full bloom, and the delicate -flowers danced like fairies in the wind.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was a lonely place, but Trudel liked it, and -went on toward the wood, turning the heel of -her stocking while she walked,--pausing now -and then to look over at the sluice-gates which -stood here and there ready to let off the water -when autumn rains made the lake rise, or in -the spring when the flax-fields were overflowed -before the seed was sown. At the last of these -she paused to gather a bunch of yellow -stone-crop growing from a niche in the strong wall -which, with earth and beams, made the dike. -As she stooped, the sound of voices in the -arch below came up to her distinctly. Few -people came that way except little girls, like -herself, to gather fagots in the wood, or truant -lads to fish in the pond. Thinking the hidden -speakers must be some of these boys, she knelt -down behind the shrubs that grew along the -banks, and listened with a smile on her lips to -hear what mischief the naughty fellows were -planning. But the smile soon changed to a -look of terror; and she crouched low behind the -bushes to catch all that was said in the echoing -arch below.</p> -<p class="pnext">"How did I think of the thing? Why, that -is the best part of the joke! Mein Herr von -Vost put it into my head himself," said a man's -gruff voice, in answer to some question. "This -is the way it was: I sat at the window of the -beer-house, and Von Vost met the burgomaster -close by and said, 'My friend, I hear that the -lower sluice-gate needs looking to. Please see -to it speedily, for an overflow now would ruin -my flax-fields, and cause many of my looms to -stand still next winter.' 'So! It shall be looked -to next week. Such a misfortune shall not -befall you, my good neighbor,' said the burgomaster; -and they parted. 'Ah, ha!' thinks I to -myself, 'here we have a fine way to revenge -ourselves on Master von Vost, who turned us -off and leaves us to starve. We have but to see -that the old gate gives way <em class="italics">between</em> now and -<em class="italics">Monday</em>, and that hard man will suffer in the -only place where he <em class="italics">can</em> feel,--his pocket.'"</p> -<p class="pnext">Here the gruff voice broke into a low laugh, -and another man said slowly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"A good plan; but is there no danger of -being found out, Peit Stensen?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a chance of it! See here, Deitrich, a -quiet blow or two, at night when none can hear -it, will break away these rotten boards and let -the water in. The rest--it will do itself; and -by morning those great fields will be many feet -under water, and Von Vost's crop ruined. Yes, -we <em class="italics">will</em> stop his looms for him, and other men -besides you and I and Niklas Haas will stand -idle with starving children round them. Come, -will you lend a hand? Niklas is away looking -for work, and Hans Dort is sick, or they might -be glad to help us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hans would never do it. He is sober, and -so good a weaver he will never want work when -he is well. I <em class="italics">will</em> be with you, Peit; but swear -not to tell it, whatever happens, for you and -I have bad names now, and it would go hard -with us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I 'll swear anything; but have no fear. We -will not only be revenged on the master, but get -the job of repairing; since men are scarce and -the need will be great when the flood is -discovered. See, then, how fine a plan it is! and -meet me here at twelve to-night with a shovel -and pick. Mine are already hidden in the wood -yonder. Now, come and see where we must -strike, and then slip home the other way; we -must not be seen here by any one."</p> -<p class="pnext">There the voices stopped, and steps were -heard going deeper into the arch. Trudel, pale -with fear, rose to her feet, slipped off her sabots, -and ran away along the dike like a startled -rabbit, never pausing till she was safely round -the corner and out of sight. Then she took -breath, and tried to think what to do first. It -was of no use to go home and tell the story -there. Father was too ill to hear it or to help; -and if she told the neighbors, the secret would -soon be known everywhere and might bring -danger on them all. No, she must go at once -to Mein Herr von Vost and tell him alone, -begging him to let no one know what she had -heard, but to prevent the mischief the men -threatened, as if by accident. Then all would -be safe, and the pretty flax-fields kept from -drowning. It was a long way to the "master's," -as he was called, because he owned the linen -factories, where all day many looms jangled, -and many men and women worked busily to fill -his warehouses and ships with piles of the fine -white cloth, famous all the world over.</p> -<p class="pnext">But forgetting the wood, father's broth, granny's -coffee, and even the knitting which she still -held, Trudel went as fast as she could toward -the country-house, where Mein Herr von Vost -would probably be at his breakfast.</p> -<p class="pnext">She was faint now with hunger and heat, for -the day grew hot, and the anxiety she felt made -her heart flutter while she hurried along the -dusty road till she came to the pretty house in -its gay garden, where some children were -playing. Anxious not to be seen, Trudel slipped -up the steps, and in at the open window of a -room where she saw the master and his wife -sitting at table. Both looked surprised to see a -shabby, breathless little girl enter in that -curious fashion; but something in her face told -them that she came on an important errand, -and putting down his cup, the gentleman said -quickly,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, girl, what is it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">In a few words Trudel told her story, adding -with a beseeching gesture, "Dear sir, please do -not tell that I betrayed bad Peit and Deitrich. -They know father, and may do him some harm -if they discover that I told you this. We are -so poor, so unhappy now, we cannot bear any -more;" and quite overcome with the troubles -that filled her little heart, and the fatigue and -the hunger that weakened her little body, -Trudel dropped down at Von Vost's feet as if -she were dead.</p> -<p class="pnext">When she came to herself, she was lying on a -velvet sofa and the sweet-faced lady was holding -wine to her lips, while Mein Herr von Vost -marched up and down the room with his flowered -dressing-gown waving behind him, and a -frown on his brow. Trudel sat up and said she -was quite well; but the little white face and the -hungry eyes that wandered to the breakfast-table, -told the truth, and the good frau had a -plate of food and a cup of warm milk before -her in a moment.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Eat, my poor child, and rest a little, while -the master considers what is best to be done, -and how to reward the brave little messenger -who came so far to save his property," said the -motherly lady, fanning Trudel, who ate heartily, -hardly knowing what she ate, except that it was -very delicious after so much bread and water.</p> -<p class="pnext">In a few moments Herr von Vost paused -before the sofa and said kindly, though his eyes -were stern and his face looked hard,--</p> -<p class="pnext">"See, then, thus shall I arrange the affair, and -all will be well. I will myself go to see the old -gate, as if made anxious lest the burgomaster -should forget his promise. I find it in a -dangerous state, and at once set my men at work. -The rascals are disappointed of both revenge -and wages, and I can soon take care of them -in other ways, for they are drunken fellows, and -are easily clapped into prison and kept safely -there till ready to work and to stop plotting -mischief. No one shall know your part in it, my -girl; but I do not forget it. Tell your father -his loom waits for him. Meanwhile, here is -something to help while he must be idle."</p> -<p class="pnext">Trudel's plate nearly fell out of her hands as -a great gold-piece dropped into her lap; and she -could only stammer her thanks with tears of -joy, and a mouth full of bread and butter.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He is a kind man, but a busy one, and -people call him 'hard.' You will not find him -so hereafter, for he never forgets a favor, -nor do I. Eat well, dear child, and wait till -you are rested. I will get a basket of comforts -for the sick man. Who else needs help at home?"</p> -<p class="pnext">So kindly did Frau von Vost look and speak -that Trudel told all her sad tale freely, for the -master had gone at once to see to the dike, -after a nod and a pat on the child's head, which -made her quite sure that he was not as hard -as people said.</p> -<p class="pnext">When she had opened her heart to the -friendly lady, Trudel was left to rest a few -moments, and lay luxuriously on the yellow sofa -staring at the handsome things about her, and -eating pretzels till Frau von Vost returned with -the promised basket, out of which peeped the -neck of a wine-bottle, the legs of a chicken, -glimpses of grapes, and many neat parcels of -good things.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My servant goes to market and will carry -this for you till you are near home. Go, little -Trudel; and God bless you for saving us from -a great misfortune!" said the lady; and she -kissed the happy child and led her to the back -door, where stood the little cart with an old -man to drive the fat horse, and many baskets to -be filled in town.</p> -<p class="pnext">Such a lovely drive our Trudel had that day! -no queen in a splendid chariot ever felt prouder, -for all her cares were gone, gold was in her -pocket, food at her feet, and friends secured to -make times easier for all. No need to tell how -joyfully she was welcomed at home, nor what -praises she received when her secret was -confided to mother and grandmother, nor what a -feast was spread in the poor house that -day,--for patience, courage, and trust in God had won -the battle, the enemy had fled, and Trudel's -hard siege was over.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 49%" id="figure-102"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-258.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Chapter IX tailpiece</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line">*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>LULU'S LIBRARY, VOLUME III (OF 3)</span> ***</p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">A Word from Project Gutenberg</h2> -<p class="pfirst">We will update this book if we find any errors.</p> -<p class="pnext">This book can be found under: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40683"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40683</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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