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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43639 ***
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= and italic
+text is surrounded by _underscores_.]
+
+
+
+Our Little Swiss Cousin
+
+
+
+
+The Little Cousin Series
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates
+    in tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover,
+    per volume, 60 cents.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+LIST OF TITLES
+
+BY MARY HAZELTON WADE (unless otherwise indicated)
+
+    =Our Little African Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Brown Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Canadian Cousin=
+        By Elizabeth R. Macdonald
+
+    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
+        By Isaac Taylor Headland
+
+    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little English Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little French Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little German Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Indian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Irish Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Italian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Japanese Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Jewish Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Korean Cousin=
+        By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
+        By Edward C. Butler
+
+    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
+        By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Russian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Scotch Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Siamese Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Spanish Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Swedish Cousin=
+        By Claire M. Coburn
+
+    =Our Little Swiss Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Turkish Cousin=
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
+    New England Building,     Boston, Mass.
+
+[Illustration: CARL.]
+
+
+
+
+    Our Little Swiss
+    Cousin
+
+    By
+    Mary Hazelton Wade
+
+    _Illustrated by_
+    L. J. Bridgman
+
+    [Illustration]
+
+    Boston
+    L. C. Page & Company
+    _MDCCCCIII_
+
+    _Copyright, 1903_
+
+    BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
+
+    (INCORPORATED)
+
+    _All rights reserved_
+
+
+    Published, July, 1903
+    _Fourth Impression, December, 1906_
+
+
+    Colonial Press
+    Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co.
+    Boston, Mass., U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+
+IN the very heart of Europe lies a small country nestling among the
+mountains. It is unlike any other in the world. Its people speak
+four different languages; they believe in different religions; the
+government is not alike in different parts; yet the Swiss states are
+bound together by a bond stronger than unity of language or creed can
+possibly make.
+
+Our brave Swiss cousins believe in liberty for all and brotherly love.
+These make the most powerful of ties.
+
+In their mountains and valleys they have fought against the enemies who
+would have destroyed them, and the tyrants who would have made them
+slaves. They have driven out their foes again and again, for their
+cause was noble and unselfish, and to-day the republic formed by them
+can teach other countries many wise and worthy lessons.
+
+How the stories of William Tell and Arnold von Winkelried stir
+our hearts whenever we hear them repeated! These were only two of
+many heroes who have made the country famous for its bravery and
+unselfishness.
+
+Surely we shall be glad to turn our minds for a while to its fertile
+valleys, beautiful lakes, and the noble mountains among which the good
+monks live with their trusty dogs, that they may give aid and comfort
+to unfortunate travellers overtaken by cold and storm.
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                PAGE
+       I. CARL'S HOLIDAY                      9
+      II. THE MOUNTAIN PASTURE               27
+     III. THE SCHOOLMASTER'S VISIT           43
+      IV. THE BRAVE ARCHER                   51
+       V. THE HAYMAKERS                      63
+      VI. THE MARMOT                         76
+     VII. GLACIER AND AVALANCHE              92
+    VIII. SANTA CLAUS NIGHT                 105
+      IX. THE WONDERFUL ABBEY               110
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+                                                      PAGE
+    CARL                                     _Frontispiece_
+    THE CHALET                                          30
+    "'FOLLOWING ITS MASTER ABOUT JUST LIKE A DOG'"      49
+    CLIMBING THE MATTERHORN                             79
+    "IT WAS A RIVER OF SOLID ICE!"                      95
+    ON THE LAKE                                        121
+
+
+
+
+Our Little Swiss Cousin
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+CARL'S HOLIDAY
+
+
+"TO-MORROW, to-morrow!" Carl kept repeating to himself.
+
+He was standing at the window of the little cottage and looking out
+toward the great mountain. He had lived under its shadow all his life.
+Its snowy summit was coloured a fiery red as it stood against the sky
+in the sunset light. People in far-away lands would give a great deal
+to see such a glorious sight.
+
+But Carl saw another picture in his mind. It was the grand procession
+of the next day, that would celebrate the close of school before the
+summer vacation. Thousands of children would march in the line. They
+would carry the flag of Switzerland,--the white cross on a red ground.
+It was the emblem of their country's freedom, and they loved it well.
+
+There would be bands of music; there would be a speech by the mayor
+of the city. Feasts would be spread, to which all the children were
+invited. Yes, the glorious day was near, and Carl was very happy.
+
+"Carl, my boy, are you thinking of the good time to-morrow?" said a
+voice at the other side of the room.
+
+Carl started, and, turning round, he saw his father standing in the
+doorway.
+
+"O father, is that you? How glad I am to see you!" and the little boy
+rushed into the good man's arms.
+
+"Yes, I am all ready for the festival. Mother has my best clothes laid
+out on the bed. She is planning to go, too, and now you are home just
+in time to go with us. I am very, very glad." Carl was so excited that
+he talked faster than usual.
+
+"I am tired of working in a hotel in the city, the country is so much
+pleasanter," answered his father. "And now I shall spend the summer
+with your mother and you. The people of the village wish me to take the
+cows to the mountain pasture. You shall go, too, and we will have a
+good time together."
+
+"That will be fine. I never spent the whole summer there before. How
+soon are we to start, father?"
+
+"Next week. The days are growing warmer and the flowers must already be
+in bloom upon the Alps. But now we must see your mother and talk about
+to-morrow. On my way home I heard in the village that you were going to
+the festival. Nearly all the neighbours are going too, aren't they?"
+
+At this moment the door opened and a kind-faced woman came in, bringing
+a pail of milk in each hand. Her eyes were as blue as the sky, and her
+hair was nearly as fair as Carl's. It was easy to see that she was the
+boy's mother.
+
+A happy smile lighted her face when she saw who was in the room. It
+was as much a surprise to her as it had been to Carl. She supposed her
+husband was still working in the big hotel at Lucerne, where so many
+strangers came from other lands.
+
+When her husband told her of the work he had been doing, the heavy
+trunks which he had to lift till his back had grown lame, her face grew
+full of pity.
+
+"It was too hard for you, Rudolf," she cried. "It is far better for you
+to take care of the cows this summer. We will go with you, Carl and I,
+and we shall have a merry time."
+
+She moved quickly about the room as she strained the milk into the
+crocks and made ready the simple supper. In a few minutes the little
+family gathered around the table. There was sweet, fresh milk from the
+cows. There was the black rye bread which Carl had been used to eating
+all his life,--indeed, he had never seen white bread in his home.
+Besides these, there was a round cheese, from which each one cut a
+slice as he wished.
+
+Best of all, there was a sort of cake made of dough and chopped dried
+fruits. Apples and cherries and almonds were all mixed in this cake
+and Carl thought it was very nice. It was put on the table to-night in
+honour of his father's home-coming.
+
+Night after night Carl had a supper like this. Morning after morning,
+the breakfast was the same. The only difference was that sometimes
+there was the cake with the dried fruits.
+
+Yet Carl was very happy and healthy. To be sure, he had meat and coffee
+for dinner only once a week. This was on Sunday. It was no wonder
+that he looked forward to that day as the best of all, for it seemed a
+feast day to him. At the noon meal on other days there was only soup
+or potatoes with the bread and cheese. There was little change through
+the year except at the time when the fruit and nuts were ripe and they
+could be eaten fresh.
+
+After the supper was over, the family sat a while longer around the
+table and talked about the school festival. Carl's father had just come
+from Lucerne. He told the boy how the buildings were decorated. He
+named the bands that would furnish the music.
+
+"I am to march, father," Carl said. "And I am to carry the flag of my
+country. Children from all the villages around the lake are to take
+part, I hear. Just think! although we are back in the country, our
+school has its place in the procession."
+
+Carl's mother showed her husband the bright red skirt that she was
+going to wear. It would reach to the tops of her shoes. There was a
+white waist with big sleeves that she had starched and ironed. There
+was a new black bodice she had just made; it would be laced about the
+waist, and it fitted her finely. She had polished the bands of silver
+to fasten across the back of her head above the long braids of glossy
+hair. She would certainly look very well in her finery, and her husband
+would be proud of her. Oh, yes, that was certain.
+
+What kind of a hat would she wear? None at all! There was no need, and
+it would be a shame to hide the silver bands; they were too pretty.
+What did it matter if some of the women of Switzerland dressed like
+the people of other lands? Carl's mother was not ready to follow new
+fashions yet awhile. The old customs of her village were good enough
+for her.
+
+It was a small room where Carl and his parents sat and talked.
+Everything was fresh and clean; the floor had been scrubbed so that no
+spot could be seen upon it. The table was unpainted. The chairs had
+straight, stiff backs; no rocking-chair or lounge had ever found a
+place here. Carl's mother had never rested herself on such a piece of
+furniture in her life.
+
+There was one strange-looking object in the room. It was large and
+white. It reached far up toward the ceiling, and was made of porcelain.
+It was the family stove. It had belonged to Carl's great-grandfather,
+and had stood in this very place, summer and winter, for a hundred
+years at least. It would not seem like home without it.
+
+When baby Carl was first old enough to notice things around him, he
+used to creep up to the stove and try to touch the pictures painted
+on its sides. One was the scene of a battle where the Swiss were
+driving their enemies down a mountain. On the other side, a hunter was
+painted. He was bringing home a chamois that hung from his shoulders.
+
+When the boy grew older, he used to climb the steps that led up to the
+top of the stove. It was so nice and warm there behind the curtains
+that hung from the ceiling down to the front edge. It made a cosy
+little room where Carl could lie and warm himself after a walk in the
+winter air. Sometimes the boy slept there all night long; but that was
+only in the coldest weather.
+
+In the daytime his mother often put her fruit there to dry, or perhaps
+she hung wet clothes there. It had many uses.
+
+There were no real stairs in the house. There was an upper room,
+however, and when a person wished to enter it he must first climb on
+top of the stove and then pass through a hole in the ceiling. It was a
+strange way of building the house; don't you think so?
+
+Perhaps you wonder that Carl did not get burned when he lay on top
+of the stove. That was because there was never any fire in it! This
+probably seems the strangest thing about it, but you must understand
+that the fire was built in a sort of furnace out in the hall. The
+heat passed from this furnace into the porcelain stove, so it was not
+unpleasantly warm when one touched it.
+
+After talking a while with his father, Carl climbed up to the top of
+the stove, and creeping through the hole in the ceiling, he entered
+his bedroom. He quickly said his prayers and then jumped into bed. He
+must get to sleep as early as possible, for he would be called before
+daybreak. At least, his mother promised to call him, but she did not
+need to do so,--he was the first one in the house to wake.
+
+"Father! mother!" he shouted, before the clock cried "cuckoo," three
+times.
+
+It was none too early; lights moving from room to room could already be
+seen in the neighbours' houses. The whole village was astir.
+
+There was a walk of several miles for all who were going to the
+celebration. This walk would bring them to the shores of the lake. A
+steamer would be waiting at the pier to take them across to the city of
+Lucerne on the other side. A party of merry people moved along the road
+just as the sunrise coloured the mountain-tops. Every one was dressed
+in his Sunday best.
+
+There were many little girls, all in white, their yellow hair hanging
+in long braids. Some of them had immense wreaths of flowers or laurel
+leaves to carry in the procession, but the flags were carried by the
+boys.
+
+See! there is the beautiful lake just ahead. How blue its waters are!
+The shadows of lofty mountains can be seen if you look down upon the
+clear surface. Brave men have lived on its shores. Noble deeds have
+been done near by. Every Swiss loves this lake, as he thinks of the
+history of his country.
+
+The little steamer was quickly loaded with its gay passengers, and made
+its way over the waters. Other steamers soon came in sight, but all
+were moving in the same direction,--toward the city of Lucerne.
+
+Such a festival is not held every year. Each village generally
+celebrates the close of school by a picnic or steamer-ride. There is
+usually something pleasant for the children, but not always a time like
+this.
+
+When the day was over, it was hard for Carl to tell what he had enjoyed
+most. In the morning, after the children had marched around the city
+to lively music, they went out to a large open space where the feast
+was served. Every one had all the coffee and cakes he wished. There
+were many odd little cakes that only Swiss women know how to make. The
+children enjoyed them hugely.
+
+After the feast games were played, and there were rides on the flying
+horses. You will laugh when you hear the name of one of the games. It
+is "Blind Cow." Carl is very fond of it. It is much like our "Blind
+Man's Buff." Carl and his friend Franz chose one corner of a large
+field. Marie, Franz's sister, and Freda, another little friend, were
+with them. They were soon joined by other children, and they had a
+lively game.
+
+Carl was the cow oftener than any one else. He didn't care. It was
+great fun stumbling around with blinded eyes, and trying to catch the
+others. When they thought they were quite safe and out of reach, one of
+them was sure to laugh and show where he was. Then Carl would make a
+sudden spring, and catch the laugher.
+
+Before the afternoon was over, the mayor spoke to the children about
+the kind teacher who had helped not only the Swiss, but children all
+over the world. That teacher's name was Pestalozzi. Carl knew the story
+well, but he loved to hear it over and over again.
+
+More than a hundred years ago there was a good man who lived in
+Switzerland very near Carl's house. It was a time of war. Soldiers from
+other countries had chosen Switzerland for their battle-field. They
+took possession of the homes of the people. They destroyed their crops.
+They ate their supplies of food. The Swiss suffered greatly. After
+these enemies had gone away, they found themselves poor, and many of
+them were starving.
+
+Pestalozzi was not a rich man, but his heart was filled with pity. He
+went among the poor and gave them all he had. He was especially fond of
+the children. He cared for them as well as he could; he got them bread
+to eat and clothes to wear; best of all, he taught them and kept their
+minds busy. But at last his money was all spent. What could he do now?
+
+He gathered the ragged, hungry boys around him. They had grown to love
+him, and were willing to do anything he directed. He showed them how to
+sew and spin and do many other kinds of work. They were soon able to
+earn enough money to support themselves and their school.
+
+Pestalozzi did not teach in the way others did. He said:
+
+"It is not enough for these children to study their lessons from books
+and then be whipped if they do not get them. They must see how real
+things are; they must study from objects. The living birds and flowers
+should help them. They must learn to shape things for themselves, and
+see as much as possible with their own eyes. Then they will love to
+study; they will enjoy their schools, and be happiest when there."
+
+He set a new fashion for the world. His pupils learned so fast and well
+that other teachers came to watch and learn his ways. His fame spread
+to other countries, to England and America. They also copied his manner
+of teaching. Not only Swiss children, but those of different lands,
+began to enjoy their schools better. It all came about through the kind
+and loving work of Pestalozzi.
+
+Carl has never known of a boy being whipped in his school. Such a
+punishment is seldom given in Switzerland. The teacher tries love and
+kindness first. If these fail, the boy is turned out of school. It is a
+terrible disgrace; it will follow the boy all his life, and he dreads
+it above everything.
+
+After the mayor had spoken of Pestalozzi to the children, he bade them
+be proud of their schools and their school-buildings, which were finer
+than even the council-houses. He told them to be glad that all children
+of Switzerland, no matter how poor they were, could go to these schools
+and learn of the great world around them.
+
+As he spoke, he could see in the faces of thousands of little ones that
+they were proud indeed.
+
+Carl whispered to Franz, who stood beside him:
+
+"There is no country like ours, is there, Franz? We could not be happy
+anywhere else, I'm sure."
+
+His friend replied, "No, indeed, Carl. It is the home of free men, and
+we must grow up to keep it so. I don't care if we do have to study for
+six hours every school-day. We learn all the faster and, besides, we
+have ever so many holidays."
+
+The best part of the holiday came in the evening, for that was the
+time for fireworks. There was a grand display on the shore of the
+lake. There were rockets, and Roman candles, and fire-pictures, and
+many other beautiful pieces which lighted the sky and were reflected
+in the waters of the lake. Many of the people watched the display from
+the decks of the little steamers, which were also bright with coloured
+lights.
+
+The time came all too soon for the homeward journey.
+
+"What a lovely time I've had," sighed Carl, as he reached his own door.
+"I only wish it were going to be to-morrow instead of to-day."
+
+"It was a fine show indeed," said his father. "Everybody looked well
+and happy. But I must say that I liked the dress of the people of our
+own village better than that of any other."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE MOUNTAIN PASTURE
+
+
+"HERE, Carl, take this kettle, and you, Franz, may carry the other,"
+said Carl's mother.
+
+It was two days after the school holiday, and again the village was
+astir before sunrise. There was a great jingling of cow-bells as the
+men and boys moved about from farm to farm and gathered the cattle
+together.
+
+Rudolf was to take all the cows in the village to the mountain pastures
+for the summer. Carl and his friend Franz would help him in taking care
+of them. Carl's mother would make the cheese. In the autumn, they would
+bring the cows back and divide the cheese according to the number of
+cows each family owned.
+
+It was a joyful time and well deserving a holiday. Almost every one in
+the village would keep the herder and his family company on his way
+up the mountainside. Their food and cooking dishes must be carried;
+the cows must be kept in the right path, while their friends, who were
+leaving them for months, must be cheered and kept in good heart.
+
+At last everything was made ready. Brown Katze, the handsomest cow in
+the village, led the line. She tossed her head as though she could
+already sniff the fresh air of the uplands. How the bells jingled! What
+gay songs rang out! Carl was a fine singer himself, and if you listened
+you could hear his voice above all the rest.
+
+The procession at first followed a narrow path through the woods. There
+were many beech and chestnut trees where Carl would go nutting in the
+fall. After a while these were left behind, and evergreens were the
+only trees to be seen.
+
+It was already growing cooler and the cows pushed onward. They seemed
+to know of the pleasure before them,--the sweet grass and herbs which
+they would soon be able to eat to their hearts' content.
+
+Ah! the woods came to an end at last, and the beautiful pastures were
+reached. There is nothing in the world like them. It is no wonder that
+the cheeses made here are noted all over the world.
+
+Here were thousands of the lovely Alpine roses, royal red-purple in
+colour. Here too, harebells, violets, and pansies were growing wild.
+It was difficult to walk without stepping on some delicate, beautiful
+flower.
+
+The party followed a narrow path through the meadow. They soon came to
+the little cottage where Carl would pass the summer. The building was
+broad and low, and had a wide, overhanging roof on which great rocks
+were lying, here and there. They were needed to keep it from blowing
+off during the hard storms of the winter.
+
+[Illustration: THE CHALET.]
+
+Carl's father opened the door and looked carefully around to see if
+everything had remained safe since the summer before. Yes, it was all
+right; no one would know from the appearance that people had not been
+inside the room for eight months at least.
+
+There was the stove over which the milk would be heated before it could
+be made into cheese. The rough table stood in the corner, while at the
+farther end was a supply of hay to be used in case the cattle had need
+of it.
+
+It was a large room, but there were many low windows, so it would be
+bright and cheerful when the shutters had been taken down. Just back of
+this room was the stable, where the cows could find shelter at night.
+
+Shouldn't you think Carl would be lonely here? No other houses could
+be seen, no matter in what direction he turned. He might not look upon
+any human faces except those of Franz and his father and mother for
+days at a time. In whatever way he might turn, his eyes would meet
+mountains,--mountains everywhere. But he loved to be here; he loved
+these mountains with all his heart. They gave him a feeling of freedom
+and of strength, and he would often say to himself:
+
+"Ah! the good God has given us a wonderful world to live in, and we are
+a part of it all."
+
+Day after day of the short summer Carl and Franz would drive the cows
+higher and higher in search of new feeding-grounds. At last they would
+come to the bare, brown rocks near the summit, and they would know that
+the season's work was nearly over.
+
+The villagers who had come with the family had a picnic dinner at the
+chalet, as the Swiss call a mountain cottage like Carl's. Then a few
+songs were sung with a hearty good-will. The time passed so quickly
+that the people came near forgetting how late it was growing when one
+of the party, standing in the doorway, heard the clock strike four.
+
+"Good friends, we must start homeward at once," he cried. "Think of the
+long climb down and the dark path through the woods."
+
+What a bustle and commotion there was now! What hearty hand-shakings
+were given! Then away they went, calling back from time to time, or
+blowing another farewell upon their horns when they were hidden from
+sight by the trees below.
+
+Carl and Franz turned to help Rudolf in the care of the cows, for the
+milking must be done before nightfall. Carl's mother made up fresh beds
+from the hay and put away the provisions. She would soon have plenty to
+do besides, for the cheese-making would be her work.
+
+"Carl," she said to her boy that night, "you will be old enough to be
+a herder yourself before long. In four or five years you and Franz can
+bring the cows here to pasture by yourselves, and do all the work, too.
+You must learn how to make cheese this summer."
+
+So it was that the two boys took their first lessons, and before many
+days they had become good helpers inside the house as well as outdoors.
+
+They would lift the great kettles of milk and place them over the fire
+to heat. At just the right moment, the rennet must be put in to curdle
+the milk and separate the curds from the whey. Now for the beating with
+a clean pine stick. Carl's strong arms could aid his mother well in
+this work, upon which the goodness of the cheese depended.
+
+"Well done," the herder's wife would say. "It is easy enough to make
+cheese with two such good lads to help me."
+
+She was very fond of Franz, and loved him like a son. The faces of both
+boys grew bright when they were praised like this, and they were all
+the more eager to work. There was plenty to do yet, for the boiling and
+pressing must come next.
+
+At last a big mould was ready to set away; but even now it must be
+watched and turned, day after day.
+
+Carl's mother proudly watched her store grow larger as the weeks passed
+by. Those cheeses would bring large sums of money,--at least, it
+seemed so to her. But, of course, the money would be divided among the
+different families, according to the number of cows each sent to the
+pasture.
+
+One morning as Carl was watching the herd, he looked down the
+mountainside and saw a party of strangers coming up the winding path.
+Then he heard a voice call:
+
+"Hullo, hullo, little boy! Is your home near by? And can we get a
+little something to eat? We are very hungry."
+
+It was a gentleman who spoke these words. A lady and a little girl
+about ten years old were with him. They looked like Americans. Carl had
+seen many strangers from other lands, and he said to himself:
+
+"Yes, they must be Americans."
+
+The little girl was very pretty, and she gave Carl a sweet smile when
+he ran to help her up over a rough place.
+
+"Yes, sir, I'm sure my mother will welcome you," said our little Swiss
+cousin. "There she is, now." And he pointed to the cottage a short way
+off, where his mother sat knitting in the doorway.
+
+When Carl went home to dinner an hour afterward, he found the strangers
+still there. They had lunched on bread and cheese and the rich sweet
+milk, and they declared they had never tasted anything nicer in their
+lives.
+
+"Oh, my!" said the little girl, "I believe I was never so hungry in my
+life before."
+
+"Carl," she went on, for his mother had told her his name, "do you
+ever carve little houses to look like this one? If you do, I will ask
+my father to buy one. He told me that Swiss boys do carve all sorts of
+things."
+
+"I am sorry," answered Carl, "but I never did work of that kind. Over
+to the west of us are villages where every one carves. The men do so as
+well as the boys. One family will make the toy houses all their lives;
+another will carve chamois and nothing else; still another will cut out
+toy cows. But we in our village have other work."
+
+"But why don't the wood-carvers change? I should think they would get
+tired of always doing the same thing," said Ruth, for this was the
+child's name.
+
+"I suppose they never think about it. It is hard work living among
+these mountains of ours. People wish to earn all they can, and if one
+makes the same kind of thing, over and over again, he learns how to do
+it very quickly."
+
+"I understand now," answered Ruth. "And I see, too, why the Swiss have
+such a queer way of making watches. One man in a village keeps making
+one part of the works; another man works steadily, year after year,
+on another part, and so on. All these different parts are sent to the
+factory in the city, and quickly put together into complete watches.
+That is what my father told me, and he must know, I'm sure."
+
+"Yes, that is the work of the people around Geneva," answered Carl. "I
+have never been to that city yet, but I hope to go there before long."
+
+"We stayed there a week. Nearly every one I met spoke in French, while
+you talk German all the time, Carl. That seems so queer. You live in
+the same country, and yet you speak in different languages. Why, father
+says we shall soon visit another part of Switzerland where I shall hear
+nothing but Italian."
+
+"I suppose it must seem strange to you," replied Carl, thoughtfully,
+"yet we all love our country, and each other. We would fight promptly
+to save Switzerland, or to help any part in time of danger. We even
+have different religious beliefs; but while we of our village are
+Catholics, and try to do as the good priests tell us, there are many
+others not far away who are Protestants. Yet we are at peace with one
+another. Oh, I believe our country is the freest and best in all the
+world. Excuse me, please; I can't help thinking so."
+
+Ruth laughed. "I like you all the better, Carl, for feeling in this
+way. Of course, I love America the best, and shall be glad to get home
+again after we have travelled awhile longer. But I think your country
+is the most beautiful I have ever seen. And father says we Americans
+can learn some good lessons from Switzerland. I shall understand more
+about that, however, when I am older."
+
+"How long have you been here in Switzerland?" Carl asked.
+
+"It is two months, I think. But we haven't been travelling all the
+time. Mother wasn't well and we stayed most of the time at the queerest
+place I ever heard of. This was so mother could drink the waters and
+get cured."
+
+"Do you remember the name of the place?" asked Carl.
+
+"Yes, it is called the Leuken Baths."
+
+"I've often heard of those waters. They are boiling as they come
+bursting out of the ground, aren't they?"
+
+"Yes, but that is not the odd part of it, because there are many other
+boiling springs in the world. It is the way that people are cured at
+these baths that made me laugh. Why, Carl, some of them stay in the
+water _all day long_! They wear flannel gowns and sit soaking while
+they play games on floating tables, and even eat their dinners there.
+The men smoke, while the women laugh and chat. The hot water brings out
+a rash all over the body, and the blood, after a while, becomes purer."
+
+Carl laughed when he pictured the food on floating tables and people
+sitting around them with only heads and shoulders out of water.
+
+"Did your mother do like these others?" he asked, and he turned his
+head toward the beautifully dressed lady who sat talking with his
+parents.
+
+"No, she said that was too much, but she drank a good deal of the
+water, and she feels better than she has for years," replied Ruth.
+
+"Come, come, my dear, we have stayed a long time. I fear we have kept
+these good people from their work. We must thank them, and go back to
+the town."
+
+It was Ruth's father who said these words. He was standing in the
+doorway, and ready to start.
+
+"I shall not forget you, Carl," said the little girl. "I shall often
+think of this little cottage up on the mountain, with the pretty
+flowers growing around it and the cows feeding near by."
+
+After they had gone, Carl hastily picked a bunch of Alpine roses.
+
+"She thought they were beautiful," he said to himself. "Perhaps she
+will press one of them, and keep it to remember me by."
+
+Then with strong bounds and leaps the little boy overtook the party
+before they had gone very far. When he reached them, however, he was
+suddenly overcome with shyness. He hastily put the flowers into the
+hands of Ruth's mother, and was far away again before she could thank
+him.
+
+"He is a dear little fellow," said the lady. "He will make a strong
+man, and a good one, too, I believe. We will always keep these
+beautiful flowers. Perhaps we may come here again in a year or two,
+Ruth. Then we can tell Carl how much we thought of his little gift."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE SCHOOLMASTER'S VISIT
+
+
+"GOOD news! good news!" cried Carl, as he came running into the house,
+quite out of breath.
+
+"The schoolmaster is coming, mother. I know it must be he. Come, Franz,
+let's go to meet him."
+
+The sun was just hiding his head behind the mountain-tops, and the
+little family were about to sit down to their evening meal.
+
+"Do go at once, my dear boys," said Carl's mother. "Tell the good
+teacher how glad we are at his coming."
+
+It was not a complete surprise, for the schoolmaster had promised Carl
+to spend a week with him on the mountain pastures, if it were possible.
+
+Another place was quickly set at the table. In a few minutes the boys
+returned, and with them was a man with a kind face and a hearty voice.
+
+"Welcome, welcome! my friend," said Rudolf. "It is indeed a pleasure to
+see you here. What news is there from the good folks of our village?"
+
+"They are all well, and send greetings. Even poor little Gretel, the
+cretin, seemed to understand where I was coming, and she sent you her
+love."
+
+What is a cretin, you wonder? A person of weak mind is so called in
+Switzerland. You often find such people who are not as bright as they
+should be. The mind is dull and dark, it cannot see and understand like
+others.
+
+Why is it that cretins are often found in the homes of the poor? Some
+think it is because the Swiss are such hard workers, and yet do not
+have the nourishing food they should.
+
+"Have you been at home all summer?" asked Rudolf.
+
+"No, I had business that took me over the St. Bernard Pass. It was a
+hard journey, even in this summer-time, for I travelled most of the way
+on foot."
+
+"O, how I wish I could have gone with you," cried Franz. "I have always
+longed to visit the good monks and see their brave dogs."
+
+"It must be a terrible tramp over the mountain in winter," the
+schoolmaster went on. "Yet every year there are some people who need
+to go that way at that season. How much worse it would be, however, if
+the monastery were not there, with the priests living in it and giving
+their lives to help others."
+
+"They say that the cold is so great that the monks cannot stand more
+than a few years of such a life," said Rudolf.
+
+"It is true," replied the schoolmaster. "Many of them die before their
+time, while others must after a while go down to warmer lands. The
+noble dogs that they raise stand the cold much better."
+
+"I have often made a picture for myself of a snow-storm on the St.
+Bernard," said Carl, thoughtfully. He had not spoken for a long time.
+"How the drifts pile up and fill the pathway. The snow falls thick and
+fast, and after a while the poor traveller cannot tell which way to
+turn. He grows cold and numb; he is quite tired out. At last he gives
+up hope, and perhaps he sinks down, and perhaps he loses all sense of
+where he is. Now is the very time that the good monks, watching the
+storm, loose the dogs. But first, food and reviving drink are fastened
+to the collars of the trusty animals.
+
+"Off they bound, down the mountainside, scenting the air on every side.
+They understand their duty and work faithfully. They find the poor
+traveller in time to save his life and guide him to the home of the
+priests. Ah! how I love these good men and their faithful dogs."
+
+"Your cheeks have grown quite rosy with the story, my boy," said the
+schoolmaster. "The picture in your mind must be bright, indeed. But
+we cannot praise too highly both the monks and their loving deeds.
+Sometimes, alas! the dogs do not find the travellers in time, however.
+Then they can only drag their dead bodies to the monastery, where they
+will stay till friends of the travellers come to claim them. But enough
+of this sad thought for to-night; let us talk of other things."
+
+"Dear master," said Franz, "please tell us of other things you have
+seen this summer. We always love to hear your stories."
+
+"Let me see. O, yes, now I think of something that will interest you
+boys. I travelled for quite a distance with a hunter. He had been in
+search of chamois, but he says they are getting very scarce now. He was
+bringing home only one."
+
+[Illustration: "'FOLLOWING ITS MASTER ABOUT JUST LIKE A DOG.'"]
+
+"It seems a shame to kill the poor creatures," said Carl's father.
+"They are gentle and harmless, and take pleasure in living where others
+find only danger. Once I came suddenly upon a herd of them. They seemed
+to be having a game of chase together, and were frolicking gaily. But
+at the sound of my footstep they fled like the wind over the snow and
+ice. In a moment, almost, they were out of sight."
+
+"Why can they climb where no one else is able to go?" asked Carl.
+
+"Behind each hoof there is another called the false hoof," replied the
+schoolmaster. "I looked at those of the dead chamois the hunter was
+carrying home. These extra hoofs give the creature the power to hold
+himself in places which would not be safe without their aid. Their
+bodies are very light and their legs are slim, while they seem to be
+entirely without fear of anything save men."
+
+"Poor little things," exclaimed Franz. "We are taught to be kind to
+the birds and to protect them in every way. I never in my life knew of
+a Swiss harming a bird's nest. We ought to be kind to the chamois as
+well. I once knew a boy who had a tame one for a pet. His father caught
+it when it was very young. It was the dearest little thing, following
+its master about just like a dog. In summer its hair was yellowish
+brown, but in winter it grew darker and was almost black."
+
+"Did you know that the chamois always have a sentinel on guard while
+they are feeding?" asked the schoolmaster.
+
+"No, sir," said both boys together.
+
+"Yes, it is true, the hunters have told me so. If this chamois guard
+hears the slightest sound or discovers even a footprint, he at once
+gives an alarm. Away flees the herd in search of safety.
+
+"But, dear me! it is growing late and you must be up early in the
+morning. Then you must show me your store of cheeses," he added,
+turning to Carl's mother. "The cows are looking fine; they must enjoy
+the pastures here. And now, good night. May you all sleep well in the
+care of the loving Father."
+
+In a few minutes every one in the little cottage was resting quietly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE BRAVE ARCHER
+
+
+IT was a bright summer day. In the morning Carl's father had said to
+the boys:
+
+"You may have a holiday and may go where you please with the
+schoolmaster. I will attend to the cows all the day."
+
+So they had taken a lunch and had climbed to the summit of the
+mountain. Their kind teacher had told them stories of the flowers and
+the stones.
+
+"They never seemed so much alive to me before," said Carl, as they sat
+resting on a big gray rock, far up above the pastures. "I like to hear
+you talk in school, dear master, but it is far better up here among the
+grand mountains and in the fresh air. Perhaps William Tell himself once
+stood on this very spot."
+
+"It is quite likely," replied the schoolmaster. "You know that his home
+was not many miles from our village. He was never so happy as when
+wandering among the mountains. Those were wonderful times in which he
+lived. But there is the same feeling now as then. We Swiss love freedom
+best of all, and are ever ready to give our lives for it, if there be
+need."
+
+"How cruel the Austrians were! They thought that because theirs was a
+large and powerful country they could do with us as they pleased. But
+they found themselves mistaken after awhile, didn't they?" said Franz.
+
+"Yes, my boy, but never forget that our freedom started in the work of
+_three_ men, and three only, who joined together with brave hearts.
+They worked with no selfish feeling, and, before the end came, they had
+filled all Switzerland with the daring to be free."
+
+"Yes, yes, we will always remember that. And only think! one of those
+three men lived here in our Canton. I am always proud to think of it."
+
+"Boys, look at our country now, and then turn back to the sad times
+long ago. Can you imagine the way those three men felt when they met
+in the dark night on the field of Rütli? Can you not see them pledging
+themselves to their country in throwing off the yoke of Austria?
+
+"They hated their rulers so much that a peacock was not allowed to live
+in Switzerland. That was, you know, because a peacock feather was the
+emblem of Austria."
+
+"Wasn't it about that time that William Tell lived?" asked Carl.
+
+"Yes, and he was known through all the country as a brave man and a
+skilful archer. It was very natural that he should refuse to show
+honour to the Austrian governor."
+
+"It makes me angry whenever I think of Gessler," cried Franz. "It
+seems to me only another name for cruel power. But is it possible
+that he really had his hat stuck up on a pole in the market-place of
+Altdorf, and that every Swiss who passed by was ordered to bow down
+before it?"
+
+"I believe so, although some people think the whole story of William
+Tell is only a legend, and that is a part of it. Our history shows,
+however, that this brave man really lived."
+
+"Won't you repeat the story?" asked Franz. "I love to hear it over and
+over again."
+
+"Yes, if you like."
+
+"After Gessler's hat had been stuck on the pole, William Tell was one
+of those who passed by. Bow before the hat of the cruel tyrant! It was
+not to be thought of. Tell took no notice of it whatever. He did not
+appear to know it was there.
+
+"Now it happened that one of Gessler's spies stood near by. He watched
+Tell closely. He sent word to his master at once that there was one
+Swiss who would not give him proper honour. You know what followed, my
+boys. Tell was seized and bound.
+
+"Gessler must have said to himself, 'I will make an example of this
+insolent peasant.' For Tell was brought before him and ordered to stand
+at a great distance from his little son and shoot at an apple on the
+boy's head. If he struck the apple he was to be allowed to go free.
+
+"Do you think Tell feared he could not do it? No, he was too good an
+archer. But his child was so dear to him that his very love might make
+his hand tremble. Think again! the boy might move from fright, and then
+the arrow would enter his body instead of the apple on his head.
+
+"It was a terrible thing to think of. But William Tell made ready for
+the trial. The time came. A crowd of people gathered to see the test.
+The boy did not move a muscle. The arrow went straight to its mark. The
+people shouted with joy.
+
+"Then it was that Gessler, who had been watching closely, noticed that
+Tell held a second arrow.
+
+"'Why didst thou bring more than one, thou proud peasant?' angrily
+asked the tyrant.
+
+"'That I might shoot thee had I failed in cleaving the apple,' was the
+quick answer.
+
+"'Seize him! Bind him hand and foot, and away with him to the dungeon!'
+shouted the enraged governor.
+
+"His men seized Tell, and strong chains made the noble Swiss helpless.
+He was carried to a boat already waiting on the shore, for the dungeon
+was across the deep, blue waters of Lake Lucerne.
+
+"Ah! how sad must have been the hearts of our people as they watched
+Gessler and his servants get into the boat and row away. They thought
+they would never see the brave archer again.
+
+"But this was not God's will. A sudden storm arose before the party
+had gone very far. The wind blew fearfully, and the little boat was
+tossed about on the waves as though it were a feather. The rowers could
+not keep the boat in her course. It seemed as though, every moment,
+she would be dashed against the rocks and destroyed. Then it was that
+Gessler remembered that Tell was as skilful with a boat as he was with
+a bow and arrow.
+
+"'Take off the peasant's chains,' he cried. 'Let him guide us to a safe
+landing-place. It is our only chance of being saved.'
+
+"Tell was made free. His quick mind told him what to do. He seized
+the oars, and with strong strokes soon brought the boat close to the
+shore. Then, springing out, he pushed the boat off into the water.
+
+"Would Gessler be saved? Tell wondered if it were possible. Then he
+said to himself, 'If the tyrant is not destroyed, he must go home
+through the pass in the mountains.'
+
+"With this thought, he hurried up over the crags, and hid himself
+behind a great rock. He waited patiently. At last he heard footsteps
+and voices. His enemy was drawing near. He stood ready with bent bow.
+As Gessler came into view, whizz! flew the arrow straight into the
+tyrant's heart! He could never again harm Switzerland or the Swiss."
+
+"Brave Tell! Brave Tell!" shouted Carl. "Dear master, have you ever
+visited the chapel which stands to-day in honour of this great
+countryman of ours?"
+
+"Yes, Carl, and when you come back to the lowlands in the fall, you
+shall visit it with me. You and Franz must also go to look at the
+stone on which Tell stepped as he sprang from Gessler's boat. Even now,
+we can seem to feel Tell's joy when he wandered among the mountains,
+and thought of plans by which he could help his country. For after
+Gessler was killed, there was the whole army of Austria to be driven
+out."
+
+"People needn't tell me that the story of William Tell and the apple
+is only a legend," exclaimed Franz. "I believe every word of it, don't
+you, Carl?"
+
+"Indeed I do. Won't you tell us another story? Look! the sun is still
+high in the sky. We need not go home for an hour yet."
+
+"Let me see, boys. Shall it be a tale of old Switzerland and of her
+struggles with her enemies?"
+
+"Yes, yes," cried both boys. "We are never tired of hearing of the
+lives of our great men."
+
+"Very well, then, you shall listen to the story of Arnold of Winkelried.
+
+"It was a time of great danger. The Austrians were pouring into our
+country. Their soldiers, protected by the strongest steel armour, bore
+fearful weapons. Our people were poor, and had only slings or bows and
+arrows with which to defend themselves. What should be done? There was
+the Austrian army, closely drawn up, with shields glistening in the
+sunlight,--here were the Swiss, few and unprotected, but burning with
+love for their country.
+
+"It seemed as though all chance of saving Switzerland was hopeless.
+Then the brave Arnold spoke.
+
+"'Friends,' said he, 'I am ready to give my life for my country. I
+will rush into the ranks of our enemies and make an entrance for
+you. Be ready; follow with all your might, and you may throw them
+into confusion. You who live after me must take care of my wife and
+children when I am gone.'
+
+"There was not a moment to be lost.
+
+"'Make way for Liberty!' cried Arnold, then ran with arms extended
+wide, as if to clasp his dearest friend.
+
+"A hundred spears were thrust toward him. He gathered as many as he
+could in his hands and arms. They entered his body on all sides, but
+before the hero fell he had made an opening into the ranks of the enemy
+through which his comrades dashed. Thrown into confusion, the Austrians
+fled, and were driven out of our loved country.
+
+"Switzerland was saved for us, my lads, through the sacrifice of that
+noble man, Arnold von Winkelried. May you live to do him honour!"
+
+"I can see him now, as he rushed into the midst of the cruel
+Austrians," cried Carl, jumping to his feet. "Noble, noble Arnold! I
+do not believe any other land has such a hero. Dear master, I will try
+to be braver and truer all my life, and be ready to serve my country
+faithfully in time of need."
+
+"I, too," exclaimed Franz, "will be more of a man from this very
+moment."
+
+"Well said, my dear boys. But come, it is growing late and you will be
+needed at home."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE HAYMAKERS
+
+
+"MOTHER! mother! here come the mowers," called Carl, as he came toward
+the house with a pail of milk in each hand. The wooden milking-stool
+was still strapped around the boy's waist, and its one leg stuck out
+behind like a little stiff tail. You would have laughed at the sight,
+as did the two haymakers who had by this time reached the hut.
+
+"What, ho! Carl," said one of the men, "are you changing into a monkey
+now you have come up to the highlands for the summer?"
+
+"I was so busy thinking," replied the boy, "that I forgot to leave the
+stool in the stable when I had finished the milking. I am glad you are
+here to-night. How does the work go?"
+
+"Pretty hard, my boy, pretty hard, but I love it," answered the younger
+man of the two mowers. "Still, I shouldn't advise you to be a haymaker
+when you grow up. It is too dangerous a business."
+
+"It isn't such hard work gathering the hay in these parts as it is in
+most places," said the older man. "Ah! many a time I have worked all
+day long on the edge of a precipice; it is a wonder I am living now."
+
+"It is not strange that the law allows only one person in a family to
+be a haymaker," said Carl's mother, who had come to the door to welcome
+her visitors. "I am very glad my husband never chose the work. I should
+fret about him all through the summer. But come in, friends, and lay
+down your scythes. We are glad to see you."
+
+The two mowers were on their way to higher places up on the mountain.
+They were cutting the wild hay which could be found here and there in
+little patches among the rocks and cliffs.
+
+Could this work be worth while? We wonder if it is possible. But the
+Swiss value the mountain hay greatly. It is sweet and tender and full
+of fine herbs, while the higher it grows, the better it is. The cattle
+have a treat in the winter-time when they have a dinner of this wild
+mountain hay.
+
+Carl's friends had large nets tied up in bundles and fastened to their
+backs. Their shoes had iron spikes in the strong soles. These would
+keep their feet from slipping, as they reached down over the edge of a
+sharp cliff or held themselves on some steep slope while they skilfully
+gathered the hay and put it in the nets. But, even then, they must not
+make a false step or grow dizzy, or let fear enter their heads. If any
+of these things should happen, an accident, and probably a very bad
+one, too, would surely follow.
+
+When all the nets were filled, they would be stored in safe nooks until
+the snow should come. Then for the sport! For the mowers would climb
+the mountains with their sledges, load them with the nets full of hay,
+and slide down the slopes with their precious stores.
+
+"May I go with you when you collect the hay in November?" Carl asked
+his friends. "I won't be afraid, and it is such fun travelling like the
+wind."
+
+"It will take your breath away, I promise you," said the boy's father.
+He had come into the house just in time to hear what was being said.
+"I will risk you, Carl, however. You would not be afraid, and he who
+is not afraid is generally safe. It is fear that causes most of the
+accidents. But come, my good wife has made the supper ready. Let us sit
+down; then we can go on talking."
+
+"How good this is!" said one of the visitors, as he tasted the bread on
+which toasted cheese had been spread.
+
+Carl's mother did not sit down to the table with the others. She had
+said to herself, "I will give the mowers a treat. They are not able to
+have the comforts of a home very often." So she stood by the fire and
+held a mould of cheese close to the flames. As fast as it softened,
+she scraped it off and spread it on the slices of bread. Every one was
+hungry, so she was kept busy serving first one, then another.
+
+She smiled at the men's praise. They told her they had spent the night
+before with two goatherds who lived in a cave. It was only a few miles
+away on the west slope of the mountain.
+
+"They have a fine flock of goats," said one of the men, "and they are
+getting quantities of rich milk for cheese. But it cannot be good for
+them to sleep two or three months in such a wretched place. They look
+pale, even though they breathe this fine mountain air all day long."
+
+"Carl and Franz don't look sickly, by any means," laughed Rudolf, as he
+pointed to the boys' brown arms. The sleeves of their leather jackets
+were short and hardly reached to their elbows. The strong sunshine and
+wind had done their work and changed the colour of the fair skin to a
+deep brown.
+
+"You will have good weather for haying, to-morrow," said Franz, who was
+standing at the window and looking off toward a mountain-top in the
+distance. "Pilatus has his hood on to-night."
+
+"A good sign, surely," said Rudolf. "We shall probably see a fine
+sunrise in the morning. You all know the old verse,
+
+    "'If Pilatus wears his hood,
+      Then the weather's always good.'"
+
+The "hood" is a cloud which spreads out over the summit of the mountain
+and hides it from sight. Carl has often looked for this the night
+before a picnic or festival. If he saw it, he would go to bed happy,
+for he felt sure it would be pleasant the next day.
+
+"I shouldn't think Pilatus would be happy with such a name," said
+Franz. "I wonder if it is really true that Pilate's body was buried in
+the lake up near its summit."
+
+"That is the story I heard when I was a little boy at my mother's
+knee," said the old hay-cutter. "I have heard it many times since. It
+may be only a legend, but it seems true to me, at any rate."
+
+"Tell it to us again," said Rudolf. "There are no stories like the ones
+we heard in our childhood."
+
+"It was after the death of our Master," said the mower, in a low, sad
+voice. "Pilate saw too late what he had done. He had allowed the Wise
+One to be put to death. He himself was to blame, for he could have
+saved Him. He could not put the thought out of his mind. At last, he
+could bear it no longer, and he ended his own life.
+
+"His body was thrown into the Tiber, a river that flows by the city of
+Rome. The river refused to let it stay there, for it was the body of
+too wicked a man, so it cast it up on the shore. Then it was carried
+to the Rhine, but this river would not keep it, either. What should be
+tried now? Some one said, 'We will take it to the summit of a mountain
+where there is a deep lake, and drop it in the dark waters.'
+
+"It was done, and the body found a resting-place at last."
+
+"You did not finish the story," said Rudolf. "It is said that the
+restless spirit of Pilate is allowed to arise once each year and roam
+through the mountains for a single night on a jet-black horse. On that
+night the waters of the lake surge and foam as if a terrible storm were
+raging."
+
+"Are you going to the party to-morrow night?" asked the younger mower.
+"The goatherds told me about it. I wish we could be there, but our work
+is too far away. The villagers are getting ready for a good time."
+
+"What party?" cried Carl and Franz together. They were excited at the
+very idea.
+
+"Why, haven't you heard about it? You know there is a little village
+about two miles below the pasture where those goatherds live. The
+young folks have planned to have a dance and a wrestling match. I am
+surprised you have not heard about it. They expect all the herders and
+mowers to come from near and far. You will certainly be invited in the
+morning."
+
+And so it was. Before the cows were let out to pasture, a horn was
+heard in the distance.
+
+"Hail, friends!" it seemed to call.
+
+Carl rushed into the house for his own horn and gave a strong, clear
+blast, then another and another. It was an answering cry of welcome and
+good-will.
+
+A boy about twelve years old soon came into view. He wore a
+tight-fitting leather cap and heavy shoes with iron-spiked soles like
+Carl's. He came hurrying along.
+
+"There is to be a party at our village to-night," he said, as soon as
+he was near enough for Carl to hear. "It will be moonlight, you know,
+and we will have a jolly time. All your folks must come, too."
+
+Carl and Franz were soon talking with the boy as though they had always
+known him, yet they had never met before.
+
+"My folks came near forgetting there was any one living here this
+summer," the strange boy said. "They only thought about it last night,
+but they very much wish you to come."
+
+He stayed only a few moments, as he had been told to return at once.
+
+"There is plenty to do, you know, to get ready for a party," he said.
+"Besides, it will take me a good hour to go back by the shortest path
+around the slope, it winds up and down so much. But you will come,
+won't you?"
+
+Carl's father and mother were as much pleased by the invitation as were
+the boys. The milking was done earlier than usual, and the cows were
+locked up in the stable before the sunset light had coloured the snowy
+tops of the distant mountains.
+
+It was quite a long tramp for Carl's mother, but she only thought how
+nice it would be to join in dance and song again. The wrestling match
+took place in the afternoon. The father would not have missed that for
+a good deal, so he left home three hours, at least, before the others.
+The boys stayed behind to help the mother in the milking and to show
+her the way to the village afterward.
+
+The party was a merry one. They drank cup after cup of coffee, and all
+the good old songs of Switzerland were sung with a will. Carl's mother
+showed she had not forgotten how to dance. Carl and Franz were too shy
+to join in the dancing, but it was fun enough for them to watch the
+others. Oh, yes, it was a merry time, and the moon shone so brightly
+that it lighted the path homeward almost as plainly as though it were
+daytime.
+
+"Next week we return to our own little village in the valley," said
+Rudolf, as the family walked back after the party. "Our old friends
+will be glad to see us as well as the fine store of cheese we shall
+bring. Then for another merrymaking. Carl, you must show us then what
+you learned at the gymnasium last year."
+
+The boy's father was proud of Carl's strength and grace. "How fine it
+is," he often said to himself, "that every school in our country has
+a gymnasium, so that the boys are trained in body as well as in mind.
+That is the way to have strong men to defend our country and to govern
+it. I will buy Carl a rifle for his very own. The boy deserves it, he
+has worked so hard and so well all summer. He can shoot well already,
+and I will train him myself this winter, and in a year or two more he
+can take part in the yearly rifle match. I am very glad I have a son."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE MARMOT
+
+
+IT was the week after Carl got back to the village. What a busy day it
+had been for his mother! You would certainly think so if you had looked
+at the wide field back of the house. A great part of it was covered
+with the family wash. Sheets, sheets, sheets! And piece after piece of
+clothing! What could it all mean?
+
+And did this little family own so much linen as lay spread out on the
+grass to-day? It was indeed so. In Carl's village it is the custom to
+wash only twice a year. Of course, chests full of bedding are needed to
+last six months, if the pieces are changed as often in Switzerland as
+they are in our country.
+
+When Carl's mother was married, she brought enough linen to her new
+home to last for the rest of her life. Carl's grandmother had been busy
+for years getting it ready for her daughter. A Swiss woman would feel
+ashamed if she did not have a large quantity of such things with which
+to begin housekeeping.
+
+When the washing had been spread out on the grass, Carl's mother went
+into the house feeling quite tired from her day's work. The two women
+who had been helping her had gone home. She sat down in a chair to rest
+herself, and closed her eyes. Just then she heard steps outside.
+
+"It is Carl getting home from school," she thought, and she did not
+look up, even when the door opened.
+
+"Well, wife, we have caught you sleeping, while it is still day. Wake
+up, and see who has come to visit us."
+
+She opened her eyes, and there stood not only her husband and Carl, but
+a dear brother whom she had not seen for years. How delighted she was!
+He had changed from a slim young fellow into a big, strong man.
+
+[Illustration: CLIMBING THE MATTERHORN.]
+
+"O, Fritz, how glad I am to see you," she cried. "Do tell us about all
+that has happened. We have not heard from you for a long time. What
+have you been doing?"
+
+"I have spent part of my time as a guide among the highest mountains of
+the Alps. There is not much work of that kind to do around here; the
+passes are not dangerous, you know. Most of the travellers who come
+to this part of Switzerland are satisfied if they go up the Rigi in
+a train. But I have taken many dangerous trips in other parts of the
+country, and been well paid for them."
+
+"Have you ever been up the Matterhorn?" asked Carl.
+
+"Only once, my boy. It was the most fearful experience of my whole
+life. I shudder when I think of it. There was a party of three
+gentlemen besides another guide and myself. You know it is the shape of
+that mountain that makes it so dangerous to climb. It reaches up toward
+the heavens like a great icy wedge.
+
+"Of course, we had a long, stout rope to pass from one to another. It
+was fastened around the waist of each of us, as soon as we reached
+the difficult part. Our shoes had iron spikes in the soles to help us
+still more, while each one carried a stout, iron-shod staff. The other
+guide and myself had hatchets to use in cutting steps when we came to a
+smooth slope of ice.
+
+"Think of it, as we sit here in this cozy, comfortable room. There were
+several times that I was lowered over a steep, ice-covered ridge by a
+rope. And while I hung there, I had to cut out steps with my hatchet.
+
+"There was many a time, too, that only one of us dared to move at a
+time. In case the footing was not safe, the others could pull him back
+if he made a misstep and fell."
+
+"Did you climb that dangerous mountain in one day?" asked Rudolf. "I
+thought it was impossible."
+
+"You are quite right. We went the greater part of the distance the
+first day, and then camped out for the night. Early the next morning we
+rose to finish the fearful undertaking. And we did succeed, but I would
+never attempt it again for all the money in the world."
+
+"O, Fritz, how did you feel when you had reached the summit?" asked
+Carl's mother.
+
+"In the first place, I was terribly cold. My heart was beating so
+rapidly I could scarcely think. It was not from fear, though. It was
+because the air was so thin that it made the blood rush rapidly through
+the lungs to get enough of it.
+
+"But I can never forget the sight that was before us. Everything we had
+ever known seemed so little now, it was so far below us. Towns, lakes,
+and rivers were tiny dots or lines, while we could look across the
+summits of other snow-capped peaks."
+
+"Was it easy coming down?" asked Carl, "that is, of course, did it seem
+easy beside the upward climb?"
+
+"I believe the descent was more terrible, my boy. It was hard to keep
+from growing dizzy, and it would have been so easy to make a false step
+and slide over some cliff and fall thousands of feet. I couldn't keep
+out of my mind the story of the first party who climbed to the summit
+of the Matterhorn."
+
+"I do not wonder, my dear brother, the whole world sorrowed over their
+fate," said Carl's mother. "Only think of their pride at succeeding,
+and then of the horrible death of four of the party."
+
+"Do tell us about it; I never heard the story," said Carl.
+
+"A brave man named Whymper was determined to climb the mountain,"
+answered his father. "Every one else had failed. He said to himself: 'I
+will not give up. I will keep trying even if the storms and clouds and
+ice-walls drive me back again and again.'
+
+"He kept on trying, but each time with no success. At last Whymper
+formed a party with three Englishmen. They hired the trustiest
+guides known in the country, besides two men to carry the tents and
+provisions. After great trouble they reached the summit and planted a
+flag there to tell the story of their coming.
+
+"But on their way down one of the Englishmen slipped. He struck the
+guide as he fell and the two men hung over the precipice. They were
+fastened to the others by the rope; surely they could be saved! But,
+alas! the rope broke under the sudden weight. Not only those men, but
+two others, were swept down four thousand feet!
+
+"The others who were left were filled with such horror they could not
+move for a long while. Their skilful guide had been killed; could they
+descend the mountain safely now? It looked impossible; they were dizzy
+and faint. It seemed as though there were only one thing left: they
+would have to stay where they were till death should come.
+
+"After a while, however, their courage returned and they succeeded in
+reaching the foot of the mountain at last without any other accident,
+but with a sad and fearful story to tell of those who started out with
+them."
+
+"I should think we would have heard of your climbing the Matterhorn,
+Fritz," said Rudolf. "It was a great thing to do, and few have dared
+it. We are proud of you, indeed. How would you have liked to be in
+your uncle's place, Carl?"
+
+"I wish I could have been with him, father. When I am older, I hope I
+may have a chance to do such daring deeds. I'll be glad to try, anyway."
+
+Carl's mother shivered, as she quickly said:
+
+"There are other kinds of brave deeds, Carl, which I hope you will be
+ever ready to do. Speak the truth and be an honest man in all things.
+That kind of bravery in you will satisfy me. But be willing for your
+mother's sake to stay away from icy mountain peaks."
+
+The loving woman's eyes had filled with tears. Carl ran to her and put
+his arms around her neck.
+
+"Don't fret, my dear mother, I will always try to do what you wish."
+And he kissed her again and again. As he did so, he began to cough.
+
+"I believe Carl has the whooping-cough," said his father. "He never had
+it when he was little, and every now and then he gives a regular whoop."
+
+"I wish we had some marmot fat; that would cure him quickly," said his
+mother. "At any rate, it would make him feel better."
+
+"I have a bottle of the oil in my satchel," said his uncle. "It is good
+for so many things, I keep it on hand. Here, Carl, open the bag and
+take a dose at once. I got it from the fat of the last marmot I killed."
+
+"O, uncle, I never saw one in my life. I've heard so much about
+marmots, I would rather hear you tell about them than take the
+medicine."
+
+"You may have both the medicine and the story, Carl. While we sit
+around the stove this evening you shall hear of the fun I have had
+hunting the shy little creature."
+
+Uncle Fritz was certainly good company. He helped Rudolf and Carl in
+doing the night's work about the little farm while the supper was made
+ready. Two or three of the neighbours came in after that. They had
+heard of Fritz's arrival, and wished to welcome him. It was a very
+pleasant evening, for Fritz was glad to see his old friends and had
+much to tell.
+
+Before bedtime came, Carl asked his uncle to tell about marmot hunting.
+"You know you promised me before supper," he said.
+
+"What shall I tell?" laughed Fritz. "You all know, to begin with, what
+a shy little creature it is, and how it passes the winter."
+
+"It lies asleep month after month, doesn't it?" asked Carl. "The
+schoolmaster told us so."
+
+"Yes, my dear. It lives high up on the mountainsides and close to the
+snow-line. Of course, the summer season is very short there. All
+through the long winter of six or eight months the marmot lies in his
+burrow and does not move. You would hardly call it sleep, though. The
+little creature scarcely breathes; if you should see him then, you
+would think he was dead.
+
+"But as soon as there is warmer weather he begins to rouse himself. How
+thin he is now! At the beginning of winter he was quite fat. That fat
+has in some wonderful way kept him alive through the long months."
+
+"Does he stay in this burrow all alone, uncle?"
+
+"O, no. Marmots live together in families in the summer-time, and when
+the time comes for a long rest, a whole family enter the burrow and
+stretch themselves out close together on the hay."
+
+"Where does the hay come from?" asked one of the visitors.
+
+"Why, the marmots carry it into the burrow and line it as carefully as
+birds prepare their nests."
+
+"I have heard," said Rudolf, "that one marmot lies on his back and
+holds a bundle of hay between his legs, while two or three others drag
+him through the long tunnel into the burrow. That is the reason the
+hair is worn off the backs of so many of them."
+
+Fritz held his sides with laughter.
+
+"Did you believe such a silly story as that, Rudolf? I thought you knew
+more about the animals of our mountains than that, surely.
+
+"When a marmot's back is bare, you may know it is because the roof of
+his burrow is not high enough. His hair has rubbed off against it as he
+moved while asleep."
+
+"How large do the marmots grow?" asked Carl. "Are they pretty
+creatures, uncle; and are they clever?"
+
+"They are rather stupid, it seems to me, Carl, and they are not as
+pretty as squirrels. They are larger, however. The colour of their fur
+is a yellowish-gray. Their tails are short, like those of rabbits. They
+move about in a slow, clumsy way."
+
+"Why are they so hard to catch, if that is so?" said Carl's mother.
+
+"While they are feeding, there is always one of them acting as a guard.
+He stands near the opening into the burrow, and gives a cry of alarm if
+he hears the slightest strange sound. Then all the others scamper with
+him through the passageway into their home."
+
+"But can't the hunters easily dig it out and reach them?" asked Carl.
+
+"Sometimes the tunnel that leads to the burrow is many feet long. A
+friend of mine unearthed one that was actually thirty feet from the
+outside opening of the burrow."
+
+"How did you manage to catch them? You have killed quite a number,
+haven't you?" asked Rudolf.
+
+"Yes, I have been quite successful, and this is the way I worked: If I
+found any tracks or signs of their burrows, I crept along very softly.
+I kept looking ahead in all directions. Away off in the distance,
+perhaps, I saw something looking like a family of marmots asleep in the
+sunshine.
+
+"I crept nearer and nearer. I must not make a sound or I would lose
+my chance. At last, when I was close upon them, I lifted a stone and
+blocked the opening to their burrow. Then I whistled. The poor little
+things waked up too late and saw that their way home was cut off. They
+gave a shrill cry, like a whistle, and fled together into the nearest
+cranny. There they cowered while I drew near and pinned one of them to
+the ground. It was an easy matter to end its life after that.
+
+"If I wished to carry it home alive, I seized it by its hind legs and
+dropped it into a bag; the poor little thing was helpless then."
+
+"You will stay with us for a while, won't you, Fritz?" asked one of the
+neighbours. "You have been a long time away, and have been living a
+rough and dangerous life as a guide. It seems good, indeed, to see you
+back again."
+
+"Yes, I shall rest here for a month or so with my good sister and
+Rudolf. Then I must be away among my mountains again. I am never so
+happy as when I am climbing some difficult slope."
+
+"It is growing late, friends," said one of the visitors. "We must bid
+you good night, for to-morrow brings its work to each of us."
+
+"Good night, good night, then. But let us first have a song in memory
+of old days," said Fritz.
+
+All joined with a good-will. Half an hour afterward the lights were out
+in the little house and every one was settled for a good night's rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+GLACIER AND AVALANCHE
+
+
+IT was cold weather now. Some snow had already fallen, and Carl had
+helped his father and mother in getting ready for the long, cold winter.
+
+Uncle Fritz had been gone for quite a while, and the family had settled
+down to their old quiet life. One evening Carl was sitting by the big
+stove and telling his mother about the day's work at school, when the
+door opened, and who should stand there but Fritz. Carl rushed into his
+arms, exclaiming:
+
+"I knew you would come back, because you promised, Uncle Fritz."
+
+"Yes, but I shall stay only a day or two. Then I must be off again.
+There is a little village up in the mountains about twenty miles away.
+I must go there before the weather grows any colder, for if a big
+snow-storm should come up it would make hard walking."
+
+"Will you go all the way on foot, uncle?" asked Carl. "I do believe you
+never ride in a train if you can help it."
+
+Fritz laughed. "I must say I enjoy the walking best. But, anyhow, this
+time my way lies across country. How would you like to go too? I have
+to cross a glacier before I get there. Did you ever see a glacier, my
+boy?"
+
+"No, Uncle Fritz, and I have always longed to do so. O, mother, may I
+go? I will study hard at school, and make up all the lessons I lose
+while I am away."
+
+"How long will you be gone, Fritz?" asked his sister.
+
+"Not over three days, if the weather is good; and after that I shall
+not stay in this part of the country. I am going to Geneva, so it will
+be Carl's last chance for a long time to go with me."
+
+[Illustration: "IT WAS A RIVER OF SOLID ICE!"]
+
+In this way it came to pass that Carl went with his uncle.
+
+"Do take good care of him, Fritz," the loving mother called, as the man
+and boy left the little cottage the next morning. "You know he is my
+only child."
+
+"Never fear, sister. I will watch well, and try to keep danger away,"
+Fritz promised.
+
+Soon after the two travellers had left the village, the way became
+quite rough. Fritz told many stories of his wild life as a guide, and
+Carl was so interested he had no time to think about himself.
+
+After three hours of hard walking, the two travellers stopped to rest
+and eat the lunch of bread and cheese Carl's mother had given them. A
+long tramp was still before them, and the way grew rougher at every
+step. The sun was just setting when the little mountain village at
+last came in sight.
+
+It looked, at first, like a small bunch of black dots high up on the
+steep slope before them. But before it could be reached, the glacier
+must be crossed.
+
+It was a river, indeed, but not like most other rivers in the world. It
+was a river of solid ice! When it first came in sight, it seemed like a
+broad, smooth sheet. Carl was a little bit disappointed. He turned to
+his uncle, and said:
+
+"I don't see anything wonderful or dangerous in a glacier, I'm sure."
+
+"Wait till you get a little nearer," was the answer. "It is not as easy
+to cross it as it at first seems."
+
+"Why does it stay a river of ice all the time, uncle? I should think it
+would melt in the summer-time, and be like other rivers," Carl went on.
+
+"High up in the mountains the snow stays all the year round. You know
+that?"
+
+"O, yes, Uncle Fritz."
+
+"Very well, then. The mass gets heavier and heavier, and much of it is
+gradually changed into ice."
+
+"Yes, I know that, too."
+
+"The great weight makes it begin to slide down. It comes very slowly,
+of course,--so slowly that it does not seem to move at all. But it does
+move, and brings with it rocks and trees and whatever is in its way."
+
+"I see now why it is called a _river_ of ice, uncle. But it doesn't
+move as fast in the winter as in the summer, does it?"
+
+"O, no, it can hardly be said to move at all during the coldest months
+of the year. In the summer-time, however, it moves much faster than it
+seems to do. I have been crossing a glacier more than once when I was
+suddenly startled by a tremendous noise. It would seem like the roar
+of thunder; but as the sky was clear, it was certainly not thunder. It
+was a sound made by the glacier itself as it passed over uneven ground.
+It is very likely that deep cracks opened in the ice at the same time,
+making a noise like an explosion.
+
+"But here we are, my dear, on the edge of the ice river. Don't you
+think now that it is a wonderful sight?"
+
+"Yes, indeed. How beautiful the colour is! It is such a lovely blue.
+But dear me! look at this mass of rocks all along the edge. The glacier
+is a giant, isn't it, to make these great stones prisoners and bring
+them along in its course? They look strong and ugly, yet they are
+helpless in its clutches. It isn't easy walking over them, either, is
+it?"
+
+After some hard climbing they found themselves on the glacier. It was
+not smooth, as Carl had at first thought, but was often cut into deep
+furrows or piled into rough masses.
+
+"Look out, now, Carl. We must cross that deep chasm ahead of us very
+carefully. It is wider than it looks. Here! Follow me."
+
+Fritz led the way to a place where the chasm was narrow enough for him
+to spring across with the aid of his mountain staff. Carl followed,
+while Fritz reached over from the other side and seized the boy as he
+landed. Carl laughed. He wasn't the least bit frightened.
+
+"I think you did that because of what mother said, Uncle Fritz. You act
+as though I were a child, but I am very sure-footed and have been in
+slippery places before."
+
+"No doubt of that, Carl. You are a brave boy, too. But it is very easy
+to make a misstep in such a place. I shouldn't like it very much if you
+were down at the bottom of that chasm at this moment. It wouldn't be
+easy getting you up again, even though it is not deep."
+
+Here and there the two travellers met little streams of water flowing
+along over the surface. The day had been quite warm for this time of
+the year, the ice had melted a little, and the water was running off in
+these streams.
+
+"O, uncle, look!" cried Carl, as they came near another chasm in the
+glacier. "Here is another bridge of ice over which we can cross. How
+clear it is; it looks like glass."
+
+By this time the moon was shining in all her glory. "It is like
+fairy-land," said Carl to himself as he looked back at the glacier
+which they were just leaving, and then onward to the mountain-tops in
+the distance, lighted up by the soft yellow light.
+
+"The mountains are God's true temples, aren't they?" said Fritz, after
+a few moments. "But come, my dear, it is getting late. We must move
+quickly now, even though we are tired. The lights in the village above
+us are calling, 'Hurry, hurry, good people, before we sleep for the
+night!'"
+
+It had been a long, hard day, but Carl had enjoyed every moment. That
+night as he lay in the warm bed prepared for him, he thought it all
+over before he slept.
+
+How kind these new friends were, too. Although he and his uncle had
+reached the village so late, a warm supper was made ready for them at
+once and everything done for their comfort. Why, the good woman of the
+house had even taken a hot stone from the hearth and put it into Carl's
+bed.
+
+"I want you to sleep warm, my boy," she said, as she kissed him good
+night, "and it must be colder up here than in your own home in the
+valley."
+
+The next day Carl had a chance to look around the little village. You
+would hardly call it a village, either. There were only six or eight
+houses. Their roofs were weighted down with rocks, like the cottage
+where Carl had stayed through the summer. It was the only way to be
+sure of safety, for the winter winds blew fiercely here; Carl knew
+that. There were long months when the cows must stay in their stable,
+week after week.
+
+"But how neat the barn is!" exclaimed the boy. "It is almost like a
+sitting-room. Your father has a table and chairs here, as though he
+stayed here a good deal of the time."
+
+"Yes, father likes his cattle so much, he wishes to be with them all he
+can," answered Marie, who was the only child in the house where Carl
+and his uncle were staying.
+
+"Don't you think our cows are lovely, and did you notice the big black
+one in the first stall? She is the queen of the herd. Father let me
+name her, and so I called her 'Marie,' after myself."
+
+"O, yes, I noticed her first of all," answered Carl. "I should think
+you would like it here better in summer than in winter. Aren't you ever
+afraid of avalanches, Marie?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, Carl. Sometimes I lie awake and tremble all night. I
+can't help it. That is when the wind blows very hard and the house
+rocks to and fro. Then I think of the great drifts of snow above us
+on the mountain. What if they should start down and come in this
+direction! There would be an end of us; the whole village would be
+buried.
+
+"Once last winter, I was wakened by a terrible noise. I knew what it
+was at once. It was an avalanche. It was coming this way with a sound
+like thunder. I ran into mother's room; she and father were on their
+knees, praying. The danger lasted only a few minutes and then all was
+still. But, do you know, Carl, in the morning we had sad news.
+
+"The house of a neighbour had been carried away. His cattle were buried
+somewhere in the great snowslide and were never heard of again. But he
+and his family were safe because they happened to be spending the night
+with another neighbour."
+
+"Was it a strong wind that caused the avalanche that night?" asked Carl.
+
+"No, father said that could not have been the reason. But you know that
+sometimes even the cracking of a whip is enough to start the dry snow
+in the winter-time. Then, as it sweeps downward like a waterfall, more
+and more is added to it and in a short time it becomes a snowy torrent.
+O, it is fearful then!" and Marie pressed her hands together in fright
+at the very thought.
+
+"You poor little girl. Don't talk about it any more. I'm so sorry I
+said a word about avalanches," said Carl. His voice was very gentle,
+because he felt so sorry for Marie. "Perhaps there won't be any more
+coming down this side of the mountain," he added. "Then you will be
+just as safe as I am in my home in the valley."
+
+"Carl, Carl! where are you?" The words came from the direction of the
+house. It was Carl's uncle, who had wondered what had become of the
+boy. The children came hurrying out of the barn.
+
+"It is growing dark, my dear, and I was afraid you had wandered off
+somewhere," said Fritz. "I promised your mother to look out for you,
+Carl, so you see I am doing my duty. Come into the house now. We will
+have a pleasant evening with our good friends. Then, with morning
+light, we must start on our homeward way."
+
+That night many stories were told of the fairies and the gnomes. It is
+no wonder that when Carl went to sleep he dreamed he was living in a
+cave with the fairies, and that the gnomes brought him a pile of gold
+heavy enough to make him rich all the rest of his life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+SANTA CLAUS NIGHT
+
+
+IT was two weeks before Christmas. Carl had been back from his visit to
+the mountain village for more than a month. No harm had come to him on
+his way home, although heavy snow had fallen, which made hard walking.
+It was worst of all in crossing the glacier, but the boy's uncle took
+great care, and no accident came to either of them.
+
+And now the joyful day had come which Carl liked best of all the year.
+He had saved up money for months beforehand to buy presents for his
+parents and his friend Franz.
+
+What would he receive, himself? He thought sometimes, "I wonder if
+father will buy me a rifle. He thinks I can shoot pretty well now, I
+know that. But a rifle of my own! That would be too good to be true."
+
+It was the custom of Carl's village to have the Christmas tree on Saint
+Claus's Day, two weeks before the real Christmas Day. They did not wait
+for the time at which we give the presents. Christmas was a holiday,
+of course, but it was somewhat like Sunday; everybody went to church.
+There was a sermon, and a great deal of music.
+
+Saint Claus's Day was the time for fun and frolic. Good children looked
+forward to that day with gladness; but the bad children! dear me! they
+trembled for fear they would be carried off to some dreadful place by
+Saint Claus's servant.
+
+All the day before Carl was greatly excited. He could hardly wait for
+night to come, but it did come at last. The supper-table was scarcely
+cleared before a loud knocking and stamping of feet could be heard
+outside.
+
+Rudolf hurried to open the door, while Carl clapped his hands. Who
+should enter but a jolly-looking old fellow with rosy cheeks and
+twinkling eyes. He was dressed from head to foot in furs. Surely this
+was Santa Claus himself. There was a great pack of goodies on his back.
+Carl could see the red apples and bags of candy sticking out.
+
+But who was the creature that followed Santa Claus? His face was black,
+his clothes were black, everything about him was black as soot. He
+carried a broom over his shoulder.
+
+"This is my servant," said Santa in a big, strong voice. "I hope the
+child in this house has been good. I just called at a place where there
+was a boy who had not minded his mother. I was going to let my servant
+carry him off, but he promised to be good, so I forgave him this time."
+Santa Claus tried to scowl fiercely while he said these words.
+
+"Have you been a good boy?" he cried, suddenly turning toward Carl.
+
+"O, yes, sir, I have tried hard," answered the boy, who was half
+afraid, although, somehow, this same Santa Claus spoke very much like a
+friend of the family who lived near by.
+
+"Very well, then." With this, Santa covered the floor with nuts and
+fruit which he shook out of his pack. A party of men who had followed
+him and his servant into the house, and were dressed up in all sorts of
+funny ways, laughed and joked with Carl's father and mother.
+
+After a few moments of fun, Santa Claus went away, first wishing the
+boy and his parents good night and a merry day on the morrow. They had
+many more calls to make before their work would be done, and they must
+hurry on their way, they said.
+
+When the door was closed, Carl said, "Father, I don't believe that is
+the real Santa Claus; it is neighbour Hans, who has dressed up like
+him. I knew his voice, too."
+
+Carl danced around the room laughing, while his father and mother
+laughed, too.
+
+"When I was a little tot," Carl went on, "I used to be scared, I tell
+you. I was afraid of doing naughty things all the year for fear mother
+would tell Santa Claus, and his servant would then sweep me away with
+his broom. Oh, I know better now." And Carl ran first to his father,
+and then to his mother, and gave each of them a hearty kiss.
+
+The next morning, when he came downstairs, there was the dearest little
+fir-tree in the corner of the room, and under it lay some mittens and
+stockings, besides the rifle for which Carl had hoped and longed.
+
+"Santa Claus helped me get them," said Rudolf, and they all sat down to
+breakfast laughing at the merry joke.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE WONDERFUL ABBEY
+
+
+IT was the beautiful spring-time, and the country had begun to look
+green and fresh again after the long months of snow and frost.
+
+"Carl, my dear, how would you like to go on a pilgrimage to the Blessed
+Abbey?" asked his father one night as they finished milking the cows.
+"Easter Sunday is almost here, and the people of the village are
+talking of going to Einsiedeln together."
+
+"O, father, that would make me happier than anything else in the world.
+What a fine time we can have! And only to think that I can see the
+place with my own eyes. Do you really mean it?"
+
+"Yes, my boy, but do you think you can walk so far without getting
+tired out?"
+
+Carl laughed. "Look at me, father; see how I have grown since last
+summer," and the boy stretched to make himself seem as tall as possible.
+
+"Very well, then. Your mother knows about it, and is getting things
+ready for the journey now."
+
+The next three days Carl could think of nothing else. He was full of
+excitement. The night before they were to start, he said to his father:
+
+"Please tell me the story of the Wonderful Abbey again. I wish to have
+the picture still brighter in my mind as we journey along our way
+to-morrow."
+
+Rudolf leaned back in his chair. His face was lighted by a happy smile
+as he said:
+
+"Carl, my dear child, I love to think of the good souls who have made
+this world so beautiful by living in it. Yes, they have made it more
+beautiful than the grandest mountains or the loveliest lakes can make
+it.
+
+"One of those good men was the holy Meinrad, who lived over a thousand
+years ago. He came from Germany to teach the priests at a small convent
+on the Lake of Zurich. After a while he said, 'I will live the life of
+a hermit in a little cell in the forest. I can best worship God if I
+live alone.'
+
+"So he went up on the mountainside and made a hut, where he prayed
+and fasted day after day. It is said that the wild beasts felt his
+goodness, and would do him no harm. Whenever there was need, he went
+out to do good deeds among men. People heard of him through all the
+country round. They came to ask his advice when they were in trouble,
+or to seek help in other ways.
+
+"But one day two robbers came to Meinrad's cell. They came with a bad
+purpose; they thought he must have a store of gold hidden away, and
+they wished to get it. The holy man gave them food and drink, but what
+do you think these wicked men did in return for such kindness? They
+cruelly murdered him! Then, finding no money, they hurried away.
+
+"Meinrad had two birds who kept him company in the lonely forest. They
+were ravens, and had grown very tame, loving their master dearly.
+
+"When the murderers fled, these birds followed them down the
+mountainside, across the lake, and into the town. The men stopped
+at an inn for food and rest. The birds flapped their wings against
+the windows, and kept up shrill cries. Every one in the inn wondered
+what it could mean. When this had kept up for several hours, the men
+thought, 'This is a warning to us from Heaven. We will confess what we
+have done.'
+
+"They told the fearful story, and were put to death by the angry
+people who heard it. Ever since that time the place has been called the
+Ravens' Inn, and two ravens were carved out of stone and placed upon
+the wall. When we go to Zurich, Carl, you shall see those stone ravens,
+for they are still there."
+
+"Now, please tell me about the holy abbey, father," said Carl, "and how
+it was blessed by the angels."
+
+"After a while," his father went on, "the priests, who had heard the
+story of Meinrad's death, decided to build a grand church. It was to
+be on the very spot where Meinrad's cell had stood and he had been
+murdered. It was a beautiful building. When it was entirely finished,
+bishops and knights came to consecrate it to the Lord. People gathered
+from far and near to listen to the service.
+
+"Now, it was the custom of the good Bishop Conrad to pray at midnight.
+On the night before the great day of consecration, he arose for his
+usual prayer, and, as he did so, was surprised to hear beautiful music
+in the air around him. He listened closely. Behold! it was the chorus
+of angels; they were consecrating the chapel. He bowed his head in
+wonder and awe.
+
+"The next morning, when the people had come together for the sacred
+service, the bishop waited in silence till nearly noon, and then he
+told the crowd of listeners what had happened during the night. There
+was nothing for him to do now; the angels had already made this a holy
+place.
+
+"But the people would not, could not, believe it. They still pressed
+the bishop to go on with the service. At last, he felt that he could
+not satisfy them in any other way, so had already begun, when a clear
+voice was heard to say, 'Brother, do not go on; for see, it is already
+consecrated.'
+
+"Then the people were able to understand that the bishop had spoken
+truly, and the place was indeed a holy one now. Ever since that time
+good Catholics of France and Germany, as well as from our own country,
+make pilgrimages to the abbey of Einsiedeln. It is now a very grand
+building. Thousands and thousands of dollars have been spent to make it
+beautiful.
+
+"And Carl, dear, you shall see there the very image of Jesus and Mary
+which the good priest Meinrad brought to the place when he first sought
+his home there. Better still, my boy, you shall drink from the fountain
+from which Jesus himself once drank, as I have been told."
+
+Carl listened closely to his father's words. Others might tell him
+afterward that this was only a legend, but he was an earnest little
+Catholic, and believed that every word of it was true.
+
+The moment of starting came at last. Rudolf, with his wife and Carl,
+was joined by several others of the village people. Franz was among
+them, together with his parents. There were many, many miles to walk,
+and several days must be spent upon the way. The nights were passed at
+taverns along the roadside. As our friends journeyed onward, they were
+joined by other parties, all going in the same direction,--to the abbey
+blessed by the angels.
+
+In one party there was a blind man, who hoped to see again after he had
+drunk from the wonderful fountain. In another, there was a person who
+was lame, and who moved painfully along on crutches. He believed he
+would be able to leave these crutches behind him if he could once reach
+the abbey.
+
+As Carl drew nearer and nearer, he could see that thousands and
+thousands of people were all going the same way. And now as they began
+to climb the mountainside, there were crosses at every turn in the
+road. He never passed them by without stopping to kneel and pray.
+
+He was a stout little fellow, as we know, but he was growing very tired
+now. His feet were quite sore, and there were deep cuts in the soles.
+This showed that he had walked very many miles over the hard roads. But
+there were many others like him who had never travelled so far from
+home before; and some of them were old and feeble, too. He would not
+let his mother think he was tired. Oh, no, not for the world.
+
+Ah! the spires were at last in sight, and every one hurried forward.
+
+It was very, very beautiful, Carl thought, when he had passed through
+the great doorway, and looked upon the wonderful sight within. He had
+never before seen anything half so grand. The walls and ceilings were
+richly gilded, and there were many statues in the nooks and corners.
+
+But best of all was the precious image of the Divine Child and His
+mother. It was only a clumsy-looking little wooden figure, and was
+black with age, but it was adorned with precious stones that sparkled
+brilliantly.
+
+Before Carl entered the sacred building, he first stopped at the
+fountain, and drank from each one of the fourteen spouts. This alone
+would make his life better, he thought. But after he had received a
+blessing from the priest within the church, and had touched the marble
+on which the image of Jesus rested, he could go away perfectly happy.
+
+There were many small inns in the village, and you may be sure that
+they were well filled at this time. Carl's family were together with
+their friends at one of them, and they had a merry time. When they were
+well rested, however, Carl's father said to the boy:
+
+"We will take a trip to Zurich before going home. It is only a few
+miles away, and I promised to show you the stone ravens, you know. An
+old friend of mine lives right on the shore of the lake, and he will be
+glad to have us lodge with him."
+
+[Illustration: ON THE LAKE.]
+
+What a lively place Zurich seemed to the little country boy. Every one
+was so busy, and there was so much going on all the time.
+
+"Why is it such a busy place, father?" asked Carl.
+
+"It is largely because of the business in silk, Carl. We do not raise
+silk in Switzerland; it is too cold. But the cocoons are brought here
+from Italy, and thousands of people are kept busy in spinning, weaving
+and dyeing the precious stuff.
+
+"The wife of my good friend is at her loom every moment she can spare
+from the work of her house. But she tells me the pay is very poor, yet
+the rich man who gives her the work sells the silk for great prices.
+Ah! it is hard to be poor."
+
+Yes, it was true. Nearly every little home around the lake had its
+loom, and one could hear the whirr and the click in the houses as he
+passed along.
+
+Carl took trips on the pretty steamboats on the lake. They had been
+built in the city and Rudolf took the boy to the shipyard where others
+were being made.
+
+"All the iron steamers of Switzerland are built here," he said,
+"besides others which are sent to Italy and Austria. Yes, it is a great
+and busy place."
+
+"Our schoolmaster told us once that people call these lakes of ours
+'the eyes of the earth.' Don't you think that is a pretty idea, father?
+They are very bright and clear, as they lie walled in between the
+mountains.
+
+"And, father, he says that there were people living on these lakes ages
+and ages ago. It was before any history was written, even."
+
+"Then how do they know that such people lived on the lakes?" asked
+Rudolf.
+
+"Whole rows of piles have been discovered under the water. Many were
+found right here in Lake Zurich. They must once have reached up much
+higher, but have rotted away!"
+
+"Is that the only proof that people built their houses out over the
+water, Carl?"
+
+"O, no, the schoolmaster says that many tools have been found in the
+beds of earth between the piles. They were almost all of stone. Besides
+these, there were things to use in housekeeping, and nets for fishing,
+and cloth, and even embroidery."
+
+"Dear me! I never happened to hear of these strange people before,"
+exclaimed Rudolf. "What name did the master give them, Carl?"
+
+"He called them Lake-dwellers, because they built their houses out over
+the water."
+
+"Does he know any more about them and why they chose such queer places
+for their homes instead of the pretty valleys or mountainsides?"
+
+"He said it must have been in a warlike time and probably these people
+felt safer to dwell in this way. You see they could easily defend
+themselves in such places. Yet they had some farms and gardens, so they
+did not stay there all the time.
+
+"They had very queer homes. The floors were made of round sticks, laid
+side by side. The chinks were filled in with clay and rushes. The roofs
+were made of straw and rushes put on in layers."
+
+"How strange this all is. I don't really see how so much could be
+discovered," said Rudolf, half to himself. Then he went on, "I suppose
+they had no cows or other domestic animals, of course."
+
+"O, yes, they had, father." Carl was proud to think he could tell his
+father so many things about them. "They had cattle, and sheep, and
+goats, and pigs; and they kept them in stalls in these lake dwellings.
+
+"Why, only think! though it was three thousand years ago, probably,
+these people not only fished and hunted, but they spun flax and wove
+cloth. They made bread of wheat and other grains to eat with the fish
+they caught and the deer they killed. They must have known quite a deal
+to do that, even if they didn't write books to tell about themselves.
+Don't you think so?"
+
+"Yes, Carl, I certainly think so. But come, it is getting late and we
+must go back to your mother and our friends. To-morrow we shall leave
+them and turn our faces toward our own little home. Are you ready for
+the long tramp?"
+
+"Yes, my feet are tough now, and I don't believe they will get so sore
+as they did in coming. What a lovely time I have had. You are such a
+good, kind father to bring me here, as well as to the chapel of the
+holy Meinrad."
+
+Carl looked up at Rudolf with such a happy face that his father bent
+down and kissed him.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES
+
+
+The most delightful and interesting accounts possible of child-life in
+other lands, filled with quaint sayings, doings, and adventures.
+
+Each 1 vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with six or more full-page
+illustrations in color.
+
+    Price per volume      $0.60
+
+
+_By MARY HAZELTON WADE (unless otherwise indicated)_
+
+    =Our Little African Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Brown Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Canadian Cousin=
+        By Elizabeth R. Macdonald
+
+    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
+        By Isaac Taylor Headland
+
+    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little English Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little French Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little German Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Indian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Irish Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Italian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Japanese Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Jewish Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Korean Cousin=
+        By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
+        By Edward C. Butler
+
+    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
+        By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Russian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Scotch Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Siamese Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Spanish Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Swedish Cousin=
+        By Claire M. Coburn
+
+    =Our Little Swiss Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Turkish Cousin=
+
+
+
+
+THE GOLDENROD LIBRARY
+
+
+The Goldenrod Library contains only the highest and purest
+literature,--stories which appeal alike both to children and to their
+parents and guardians.
+
+Each volume is well illustrated from drawings by competent artists,
+which, together with their handsomely decorated uniform binding,
+showing the goldenrod, usually considered the emblem of America, is a
+feature of their manufacture.
+
+    Each one volume, small 12mo, illustrated, decorated
+        cover, paper wrapper                               $0.35
+
+LIST OF TITLES
+
+    =Aunt Nabby's Children.= By Frances Hodges White.
+    =Child's Dream of a Star, The.= By Charles Dickens.
+    =Flight of Rosy Dawn, The.= By Pauline Bradford Mackie
+    =Findelkind.= By Ouida.
+    =Fairy of the Rhone, The.= By A. Comyns Carr.
+    =Gatty and I.= By Frances E. Crompton.
+    =Great Emergency, A.= By Juliana Horatia Ewing.
+    =Helena's Wonderworld.= By Frances Hodges White.
+    =Jackanapes.= By Juliana Horatia Ewing.
+    =Jerry's Reward.= By Evelyn Snead Barnett.
+    =La Belle Nivernaise.= By Alphonse Daudet.
+    =Little King Davie.= By Nellie Hellis.
+    =Little Peterkin Vandike.= By Charles Stuart Pratt.
+    =Little Professor, The.= By Ida Horton Cash.
+    =Peggy's Trial.= By Mary Knight Potter.
+    =Prince Yellowtop.= By Kate Whiting Patch.
+    =Provence Rose, A.= By Ouida.
+    =Rab and His Friends.= By Dr. John Brown.
+    =Seventh Daughter, A.= By Grace Wickham Curran.
+    =Sleeping Beauty, The.= By Martha Baker Dunn.
+    =Small, Small Child, A.= By E. Livingston Prescott.
+    =Story of a Short Life, The.= By Juliana Horatia Ewing.
+    =Susanne.= By Frances J. Delano.
+    =Water People, The.= By Charles Lee Sleight.
+    =Young Archer, The.= By Charles E. Brimblecom.
+
+
+
+
+COSY CORNER SERIES
+
+
+     It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall
+     contain only the very highest and purest literature,--stories
+     that shall not only appeal to the children themselves, but be
+     appreciated by all those who feel with them in their joys and
+     sorrows.
+
+     The numerous illustrations in each book are by well-known artists,
+     and each volume has a separate attractive cover design.
+
+    Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth      $0.50
+
+
+_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
+
+
+=The Little Colonel.= (Trade Mark.)
+
+The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small
+girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied
+resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and
+old family are famous in the region.
+
+
+=The Giant Scissors.=
+
+This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a
+great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with
+her the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."
+
+
+=Two Little Knights of Kentucky.=
+
+WHO WERE THE LITTLE COLONEL'S NEIGHBORS.
+
+In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but
+with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of
+the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."
+
+
+=Mildred's Inheritance.=
+
+A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America
+and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by
+her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled
+to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and
+thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one.
+
+
+=Cicely and Other Stories for Girls.=
+
+The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn
+of the issue of this volume for young people.
+
+
+=Aunt 'Liza's Hero and Other Stories.=
+
+A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all
+boys and most girls.
+
+
+=Big Brother.=
+
+A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Steven, himself a small
+boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.
+
+
+=Ole Mammy's Torment.=
+
+"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern
+life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells
+how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.
+
+
+=The Story of Dago.=
+
+In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey,
+owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the
+account of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.
+
+
+=The Quilt That Jack Built.=
+
+A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed
+the course of his life many years after it was accomplished.
+
+
+=Flip's Islands of Providence.=
+
+A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final
+triumph, well worth the reading.
+
+
+_By EDITH ROBINSON_
+
+
+=A Little Puritan's First Christmas.=
+
+A story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented
+by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother
+Sam.
+
+
+=A Little Daughter of Liberty.=
+
+The author's motive for this story is well indicated by a quotation
+from her introduction, as follows:
+
+"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution,
+the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation
+is another ride,--the ride of Anthony Severn,--which was no less
+historic in its action or memorable in its consequences."
+
+
+=A Loyal Little Maid.=
+
+A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the
+child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George
+Washington.
+
+
+=A Little Puritan Rebel.=
+
+This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the
+gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts.
+
+
+=A Little Puritan Pioneer.=
+
+The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at
+Charlestown. The little girl heroine adds another to the list of
+favorites so well known to the young people.
+
+
+=A Little Puritan Bound Girl.=
+
+A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to
+youthful readers.
+
+
+=A Little Puritan Cavalier.=
+
+The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish
+enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.
+
+
+_By OUIDA (Louise de la Ramée)_
+
+
+=A Dog Of Flanders=: A CHRISTMAS STORY.
+
+Too well and favorably known to require description.
+
+
+=The Nurnberg Stove.=
+
+This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.
+
+
+_By FRANCES MARGARET FOX_
+
+
+=The Little Giant's Neighbours.=
+
+A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbours were the
+creatures of the field and garden.
+
+
+=Farmer Brown and the Birds.=
+
+A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best
+friends.
+
+
+=Betty of Old Mackinaw.=
+
+A charming story of child-life, appealing especially to the little
+readers who like stories of "real people."
+
+
+=Brother Billy.=
+
+The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty
+herself.
+
+
+=Mother Nature's Little Ones.=
+
+Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood,"
+of the little creatures out-of-doors.
+
+
+=How Christmas Came to the Mulvaneys.=
+
+A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children, with an
+unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. The wonderful never-to-be
+forgotten Christmas that came to them is the climax of a series of
+exciting incidents.
+
+
+_By MISS MULOCK_
+
+
+=The Little Lame Prince.=
+
+A delightful story of a little boy who has many adventures by means of
+the magic gifts of his fairy godmother.
+
+
+=Adventures of a Brownie.=
+
+The story of a household elf who torments the cook and gardener, but is
+a constant joy and delight to the children who love and trust him.
+
+
+=His Little Mother.=
+
+Miss Mulock's short stories for children are a constant source of
+delight to them, and "His Little Mother," in this new and attractive
+dress, will be welcomed by hosts of youthful readers.
+
+
+=Little Sunshine's Holiday.=
+
+An attractive story of a summer outing. "Little Sunshine" is another
+of those beautiful child-characters for which Miss Mulock is so justly
+famous.
+
+
+_By MARSHALL SAUNDERS_
+
+
+=For His Country.=
+
+A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved his country;
+written with that charm which has endeared Miss Saunders to hosts of
+readers.
+
+
+=Nita, the Story of an Irish Setter.=
+
+In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how dear to her heart
+are all of God's dumb creatures.
+
+
+=Alpatok, the Story of an Eskimo Dog.=
+
+Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen from his master
+and left to starve in a strange city, but was befriended and cared for,
+until he was able to return to his owner. Miss Saunders's story is
+based on truth, and the pictures in the book of "Alpatok" are based on
+a photograph of the real Eskimo dog who had such a strange experience.
+
+
+_By WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE_
+
+
+=The Farrier's Dog and His Fellow.=
+
+This story, written by the gifted young Southern woman, will appeal to
+all that is best in the natures of the many admirers of her graceful
+and piquant style.
+
+
+=The Fortunes of the Fellow.=
+
+Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm of "The Farrier's Dog
+and His Fellow" will welcome the further account of the adventures of
+Baydaw and the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith.
+
+
+=The Best of Friends.=
+
+This continues the experiences of the Farrier's dog and his Fellow,
+written in Miss Dromgoole's well-known charming style.
+
+
+=Down in Dixie.=
+
+A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of Alabama children
+who move to Florida and grow up in the South.
+
+
+_By MARIAN W. WILDMAN_
+
+
+=Loyalty Island.=
+
+An account of the adventures of four children and their pet dog on
+an island, and how they cleared their brother from the suspicion of
+dishonesty.
+
+
+=Theodore and Theodora.=
+
+This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mischievous twins,
+and continues the adventures of the interesting group of children in
+"Loyalty Island."
+
+
+_By CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS_
+
+
+=The Cruise of the Yacht Dido.=
+
+The story of two boys who turned their yacht into a fishing boat to
+earn money to pay for a college course, and of their adventures while
+exploring in search of hidden treasure.
+
+
+=The Lord of the Air=
+
+THE STORY OF THE EAGLE
+
+
+=The King of the Mamozekel=
+
+THE STORY OF THE MOOSE
+
+
+=The Watchers of the Camp-fire=
+
+THE STORY OF THE PANTHER
+
+
+=The Haunter of the Pine Gloom=
+
+THE STORY OF THE LYNX
+
+
+=The Return to the Trails=
+
+THE STORY OF THE BEAR
+
+
+=The Little People of the Sycamore=
+
+THE STORY OF THE RACCOON
+
+
+_By OTHER AUTHORS_
+
+
+=The Great Scoop.=
+
+_By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL_
+
+A capital tale of newspaper life in a big city, and of a bright,
+enterprising, likable youngster employed thereon.
+
+
+=John Whopper.=
+
+The late Bishop Clark's popular story of the boy who fell through the
+earth and came out in China, with a new introduction by Bishop Potter.
+
+
+=The Dole Twins.=
+
+_By KATE UPSON CLARK_
+
+The adventures of two little people who tried to earn money to buy
+crutches for a lame aunt. An excellent description of child-life about
+1812, which will greatly interest and amuse the children of to-day,
+whose life is widely different.
+
+
+=Larry Hudson's Ambition.=
+
+_By JAMES OTIS_, author of "Toby Tyler," etc.
+
+Larry Hudson is a typical American boy, whose hard work and enterprise
+gain him his ambition,--an education and a start in the world.
+
+
+=The Little Christmas Shoe.=
+
+_By JANE P. SCOTT WOODRUFF_
+
+A touching story of Yule-tide.
+
+
+=Wee Dorothy.=
+
+_By LAURA UPDEGRAFF_
+
+A story of two orphan children, the tender devotion of the eldest,
+a boy, for his sister being its theme and setting. With a bit of
+sadness at the beginning, the story is otherwise bright and sunny, and
+altogether wholesome in every way.
+
+
+=The King of the Golden River=: A LEGEND OF STIRIA. _By JOHN RUSKIN_
+
+Written fifty years or more ago, and not originally intended for
+publication, this little fairy-tale soon became known and made a place
+for itself.
+
+
+=A Child's Garden of Verses.=
+
+_By R. L. STEVENSON_
+
+Mr. Stevenson's little volume is too well known to need description. It
+will be heartily welcomed in this new and attractive edition.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+
+    THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
+
+    Each, 1 vol. large, 12mo, cloth decorative, per vol.      $1.50
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel Stories.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated.
+
+Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The
+Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant
+Scissors," put into a single volume.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel's House Party.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by Louis Meynell.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel's Holidays.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by L. J. Bridgman.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel's Hero.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel at Boarding School.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel in Arizona.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel's Christmas Vacation.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel, Maid of Honour.=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
+
+Since the time of "Little Women," no juvenile heroine has been better
+beloved of her child readers than Mrs. Johnston's "Little Colonel."
+
+
+    =The Little Colonel.=
+          (Trade-Mark)
+
+
+=Two Little Knights of Kentucky.=
+
+
+=The Giant Scissors.=
+
+A Special Holiday Edition of Mrs. Johnston's most famous books.
+
+    Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto,      $1.25
+
+New plates, handsomely illustrated, with eight full-page drawings in
+color.
+
+     "There are no brighter or better stories for boys and girls than
+     these."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
+
+     "The books are as satisfactory to the small girls, who find them
+     adorable, as for the mothers and librarians, who delight in their
+     influence."--_Christian Register._
+
+These three volumes, boxed as a three-volume set to complete the
+library editions of The Little Colonel books, $3.75
+
+
+=In the Desert of Waiting=: THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN.
+
+
+=The Three Weavers=: A FAIRY TALE FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS
+FOR THEIR DAUGHTERS.
+
+
+=Keeping Tryst.=
+
+    Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative      $0.50
+    Paper boards                                        .35
+
+There has been a constant demand for publication in separate form
+of these three stories, which were originally included in three of
+the "Little Colonel" books, and the present editions, which are very
+charmingly gotten up, will be delightful and valued gift-books for both
+old and young.
+
+
+=Joel: A Boy of Galilee.= By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. Illustrated by L.
+J. Bridgman.
+
+    New illustrated edition, uniform with the Little Colonel
+        Books, 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth decorative            $1.50
+
+A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author's best-known
+books, and which has been translated into many languages, the last
+being Italian.
+
+
+=Asa Holmes=; OR, AT THE CROSS-ROADS. A sketch of Country Life and
+Country Humor. By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. With a frontispiece by Ernest
+Fosbery.
+
+    Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top      $1.00
+
+     "'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most delightful, most
+     sympathetic and wholesome book that has been published in a long
+     while. The lovable, cheerful, touching incidents, the descriptions
+     of persons and things, are wonderfully true to nature."--_Boston
+     Times._
+
+
+=The Rival Campers=; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY BURNS. By RUEL P.
+SMITH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by A. B. Shute    $1.50
+
+Here is a book which will grip and enthuse every boy reader. It is
+the story of a party of typical American lads, courageous, alert, and
+athletic, who spend a summer camping on an island off the Maine coast.
+
+     "The best boys' book since 'Tom Sawyer.'"--_San Francisco
+     Examiner._
+
+     "Henry Burns, the hero, is the 'Tom Brown' of America."--_N. Y.
+     Sun._
+
+
+=The Rival Campers Afloat=; OR, THE PRIZE YACHT VIKING. By RUEL P.
+SMITH, author of "The Rival Campers."
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated       $1.50
+
+This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on
+their prize yacht _Viking_. Every reader will be enthusiastic over the
+adventures of Henry Burns and his friends on their sailing trip. They
+have a splendid time, fishing, racing, and sailing, until an accidental
+collision results in a series of exciting adventures, culminating in a
+mysterious chase, the loss of their prize yacht, and its recapture by
+means of their old yacht, _Surprise_, which they raise from its watery
+grave.
+
+
+=The Young Section-hand=; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST. By BURTON
+E. STEVENSON, author of "The Marathon Mystery," etc.
+
+    12mo, cloth, illustrated by L. J. Bridgman      $1.50
+
+Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is given a chance
+as a section-hand on a big Western railroad, and whose experiences are
+as real as they are thrilling.
+
+     "It appeals to every boy of enterprising spirit, and at the same
+     time teaches him some valuable lessons in honor, pluck, and
+     perseverance."--_Cleveland Plain Dealer._
+
+
+=The Young Train Despatcher.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON, author of "The
+Young Section-hand," etc.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+A new volume in the "Railroad Series," in which the young section-hand
+is promoted to a train despatcher. Another branch of railroading is
+presented, in which the young hero has many chances to prove his
+manliness and courage in the exciting adventures which befall him in
+the discharge of his duty.
+
+
+=Jack Lorimer.= By WINN STANDISH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by A. B. Shute    $1.50
+
+Jack Lorimer, whose adventures have for some time been one of the
+leading features of the _Boston Sunday Herald_, is the popular favorite
+of fiction with the boys and girls of New England, and, now that Mr.
+Standish has made him the hero of his book, he will soon be a favorite
+throughout the country.
+
+Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy.
+He has the sturdy qualities boys admire, and his fondness for clean,
+honest sport of all kinds will strike a chord of sympathy among
+athletic youths.
+
+
+=The Roses of Saint Elizabeth.= By JANE SCOTT WOODRUFF, author of "The
+Little Christmas Shoe."
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+        in color by Adelaide Everhart                          $1.00
+
+This is a charming little story of a child whose father was caretaker
+of the great castle of the Wartburg, where Saint Elizabeth once had her
+home, with a fairy-tale interwoven, in which the roses and the ivy in
+the castle yard tell to the child and her playmate quaint old legends
+of the saint and the castle.
+
+
+=Gabriel and the Hour Book.= By EVALEEN STEIN.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+        in colors by Adelaide Everhart                        $1.00
+
+Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who assisted the
+monks in the long ago days, when all the books were written and
+illuminated by hand, in the monasteries. It is a dear little story, and
+will appeal to every child who is fortunate enough to read it.
+
+
+=The Enchanted Automobile.= Translated from the French by MARY J.
+SAFFORD.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+        in colors by Edna M. Sawyer                           $1.00
+
+The enchanted automobile was sent by the fairy godmother of a lazy,
+discontented little prince and princess to take them to fairyland,
+where they might visit their old story-book favorites.
+
+Here they find that Sleeping Beauty has become a famously busy queen;
+Princess Charming keeps a jewelry shop, where she sells the jewels that
+drop from her lips; Hop-o'-My-Thumb is a farmer, too busy even to see
+the children, and Little Red Riding Hood has trained the wolf into a
+trick animal, who performs in the city squares for his mistress.
+
+They learn the lesson that happy people are the busy people, and they
+return home cured of their discontent and laziness.
+
+
+=Beautiful Joe's Paradise=; OR, THE ISLAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE. A
+sequel to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful
+Joe," "For His Country," etc. With fifteen full-page plates and many
+decorations from drawings by Charles Livingston Bull.
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, cloth decorative      $1.50
+
+     "Will be immensely enjoyed by the boys and girls who read
+     it."--_Pittsburg Gazette._
+
+     "Miss Saunders has put life, humor, action, and tenderness
+     into her story. The book deserves to be a favorite."--_Chicago
+     Record-Herald._
+
+     "This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally. It is
+     fairly riotous with fun, and as a whole is about as unusual as
+     anything in the animal book line that has seen the light. It is a
+     book for juveniles--old and young."--_Philadelphia Item._
+
+
+='Tilda Jane.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe," etc.
+
+    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth, decorative cover,  $1.50
+
+     "No more amusing and attractive child's story has appeared for a
+     long time than this quaint and curious recital of the adventures
+     of that pitiful and charming little runaway.
+
+     "It is one of those exquisitely simple and truthful books that
+     win and charm the reader, and I did not put it down until I had
+     finished it--honest! And I am sure that every one, young or old,
+     who reads will be proud and happy to make the acquaintance of the
+     delicious waif.
+
+     "I cannot think of any better book for children than this. I
+     commend it unreservedly."--_Cyrus Townsend Brady._
+
+
+=The Story of the Graveleys.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of
+"Beautiful Joe's Paradise," "'Tilda Jane," etc.
+
+    Library 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by E. B. Barry   $1.50
+
+Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and triumphs, of a
+delightful New England family, of whose devotion and sturdiness it will
+do the reader good to hear. From the kindly, serene-souled grandmother
+to the buoyant madcap, Berty, these Graveleys are folk of fibre and
+blood--genuine human beings.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Page 10, "red cross on a white ground" changed to "white cross on red
+ground"
+
+Page 100, closing single quotation mark added. (for the night!'")
+
+Page A-14, "Boston Sunday <i>Herald</i>" changed to "<i>Boston Sunday Herald</i>"
+
+Page A-15, "By" made mixed case instead of smallcaps to follow rest of
+advertising pages layout.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Our Little Swiss Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43639 ***