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diff --git a/43639-8.txt b/43639-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 07b3b9b..0000000 --- a/43639-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3534 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Our Little Swiss Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Our Little Swiss Cousin - -Author: Mary Hazelton Wade - -Illustrator: L. J. Bridgman - -Release Date: September 4, 2013 [EBook #43639] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUR LITTLE SWISS COUSIN *** - - - - -Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - -[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 THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUR LITTLE SWISS COUSIN *** - -***** This file should be named 43639-8.txt or 43639-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/6/3/43639/ - -Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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