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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43908 ***
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= and
+italic text is surrounded by _underscores_.]
+
+
+
+Our Little Siamese Cousin
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+Little Cousin Series
+
+(TRADE MARK)
+
+    Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in
+    tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover,
+    per volume, 60 cents
+
+
+LIST OF TITLES
+
+    BY MARY HAZELTON WADE
+    (unless indicated otherwise)
+
+    =Our Little African Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Arabian Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Argentine Cousin=
+        By Eva Cannon Brooks
+
+    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Australian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Belgian Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Bohemian Cousin=
+        By Clara V. Winlow
+
+    =Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Canadian Cousin=
+        By Elizabeth R. MacDonald
+
+    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
+        By Isaac Taylor Headland
+
+    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Danish Cousin=
+        By Luna May Innes
+
+    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Egyptian 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 Grecian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Hindu Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =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 Malayan (Brown) Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
+        By Edward C. Butler
+
+    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
+        By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Persian Cousin=
+        By E. C. Shedd
+
+    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Polish Cousin=
+        By Florence E. Mendel
+
+    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Portuguese Cousin=
+        By Edith A. Sawyer
+
+    =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=
+
+
+    L. C PAGE & COMPANY
+    53 Beacon Street,      Boston, Mass.
+
+[Illustration: CHIN.]
+
+
+
+
+    Our Little
+    Siamese Cousin
+
+    By
+    Mary Hazelton Wade
+
+    _Illustrated by_
+
+    L. J. Bridgman
+
+    [Illustration]
+
+    Boston
+    L. C. Page & Company
+    _PUBLISHERS_
+
+
+
+
+    _Copyright, 1903_
+
+    BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
+
+    (INCORPORATED)
+
+    _All rights reserved_
+
+    Published June, 1903
+
+    Fourth Impression, June, 1909
+    Fifth Impression, November, 1912
+
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+
+MANY years ago there came to America two young men who were looked upon
+as the greatest curiosities ever seen in this country.
+
+They belonged to another race than ours. In fact, they were of two
+races, for one of their parents was a Chinese, and therefore of the
+Yellow Race, while the other was a Siamese, belonging to the Brown Race.
+
+These two young men left their home in far-away Siam and crossed the
+great ocean for the purpose of exhibiting the strange way in which
+nature had joined them together. A small band of flesh united them from
+side to side.
+
+Thus it was that from the moment they were born to the day of their
+death the twin brothers played and worked, ate and slept, walked and
+rode, at the same time.
+
+Thousands of people became interested in seeing and hearing about
+these two men. Not only this, but they turned their attention to the
+home of the brothers, the wonderful land of Siam, with its sacred
+white elephants and beautiful temples, its curious customs and strange
+beliefs.
+
+Last year the young prince of that country, wishing to learn more of
+the life of the white people, paid a visit to America. He was much
+interested in all he saw and heard while he was here.
+
+Now let us, in thought, return his visit, and take part in the games
+and sports of the children of Siam.
+
+We will attend some of their festivals, take a peep into the royal
+palace, enter the temples, and learn something about the ways and
+habits of that far-away eastern country.
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                PAGE
+       I. THE FIRST BIRTHDAY                  9
+      II. LITTLE CHIE LO                     25
+     III. NIGHT ON THE RIVER                 36
+      IV. WORK AND PLAY                      47
+       V. NEW YEAR'S                         55
+      VI. WHITE ELEPHANTS                    61
+     VII. IN THE TEMPLE                      67
+    VIII. THE LEGEND OF THE PEACE-OFFERING   78
+      IX. QUEER SIGHTS                       87
+       X. THE QUEEN'S CITY                   98
+      XI. THE MONSOON                       104
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+                                                                PAGE
+    CHIN                                               _Frontispiece_
+    CHIN'S HOME                                                   29
+    THE GREAT TEMPLE AT BANGKOK                                   40
+    "THEY CARRIED SOME OF THEIR FLOWERS TO THE STATUE OF BUDDHA"  57
+    "'THEY WOULD PICK UP THE LOGS WITH THEIR TRUNKS'"             63
+    SIAMESE ACTORS                                                92
+
+
+
+
+Our Little Siamese Cousin
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE FIRST BIRTHDAY
+
+
+IF you had seen Chin when he was born, you would have thought his skin
+yellow enough to suit anybody.
+
+But his mother wasn't satisfied, for the baby's nurse was told to rub
+him with a queer sort of paste from top to toe. This paste was made
+with saffron and oil, and had a pleasant odour. It made Chin's skin
+yellower and darker than ever.
+
+It did not seem to trouble him, however, for he closed his big brown
+eyes and went to sleep before the nurse had finished her work.
+
+After this important thing had been done, the tiny baby was laid in his
+cradle and covered over. This does not appear very strange until you
+learn that he was _entirely_ covered. Not even the flat little nose was
+left so the boy could draw in a breath of fresh air.
+
+It is a wonder that he lived, for his home is very near the equator
+and the weather is extremely warm there all the time. But he did live,
+and grew stronger and healthier every day. Each morning he was rubbed
+afresh and stowed away under the covers of his crib.
+
+He had one comfort, although he did not realize it. The mosquitoes
+could not reach him, and that was a greater blessing than you can,
+perhaps, imagine. There are millions of these insects in Siam,--yes,
+billions, trillions,--and the people of that country are not willing to
+kill one of them!
+
+"Destroy the life of a living creature! It is a dreadful idea," Chin's
+mother would exclaim. "Why, it is against the laws of our religion. I
+could never think of doing such a thing, even if my darling boy's face
+were covered with bites."
+
+If she were to see one of Chin's American cousins killing a fly or a
+spider, she would have a very sad opinion of him.
+
+She was only fourteen years old when Chin was born. People in our
+country might still call her a little girl, yet she kept house for her
+husband, and cooked and sewed and spun, and watched over her new baby
+with the most loving care.
+
+The father was only a little older than the mother. He was so glad that
+his first baby was a boy that he hardly knew what to do. He was quite
+poor and had very little money, but he said:
+
+"I am going to celebrate as well as I can. Rich people have grand
+parties and entertainments at such times. I will hire some actors to
+give a little show, at any rate."
+
+He invited his friends, who were hardly more than boys themselves, to
+come to the show. The actors dressed themselves up in queer costumes,
+and went through with a play that was quite clever and witty. Every
+one laughed a great deal, and when it was over the guests told the new
+father they had enjoyed themselves very much.
+
+After a few months, Chin had grown strong enough to walk alone. He did
+not need to be covered and hidden away any longer. His straight black
+hair was shaved off, with the exception of a round spot on the top of
+his head, and he was allowed to do as he pleased after his morning bath
+in the river was over.
+
+The bath did not last long, and was very pleasant and comfortable.
+There was no rubbing afterward with towels, for the hot sunshine did
+the drying in a few moments.
+
+Nor was there any dressing to be done, for the brown baby was left to
+toddle about in the suit Dame Nature had given him. It was all he could
+possibly desire, for clothing is never needed in Siam to keep one from
+catching cold.
+
+Chin's mother herself wears only a wide strip of printed cloth fastened
+around her waist and hanging down to the knees. Sometimes, but not
+always, she has a long scarf draped across her breast and over one
+shoulder.
+
+There are no shoes on her little feet, nor is there a hat on her head
+except in the hottest sunshine. There are many ornaments shining on her
+dark skin, even though she is not rich; and baby Chin did not have his
+toilet made till a silver bracelet had been fastened on his arms, and
+rings placed on his fingers.
+
+After a year or two the boy's ears were bored so that gilt, pear-shaped
+earrings could be worn there. Soon after that a kind relative made him
+a present of silver anklets, and then he felt very much dressed indeed.
+Few boys as poor as he could boast of as much jewelry.
+
+Chin was born on the river Meinam in a house-boat. There was nothing
+strange about that, for the neighbours and friends of the family had
+homes like his. It was cool and pleasant to live on the water. It was
+convenient when one wished to take a bath, and it was easy for the
+children to learn to swim so near home.
+
+Yes, there were many reasons why Chin's parents preferred to make their
+home on the water. Perhaps the strongest one of all was that they did
+not have to pay any rent for the space taken up by the boat. A piece of
+land would have cost money. Then, again, if they should not like their
+neighbours, they could very easily move to a new place on the river.
+
+Chin's father built the house, or the boat, just before he was married.
+He had some help from his friends, but it was not such hard work that
+he could not have done it all alone.
+
+A big raft of bamboo was first made. This served as the floating
+platform on which the house should stand. The framework of the little
+home was also made of bamboo, which could be got from the woods not far
+away, and was very light and easy to handle.
+
+How should the roof be protected from the heavy rains that fell
+during a portion of the year? That could be easily managed by getting
+quantities of the leaves of the atap palm-tree for thatching. These
+would make a thick, close covering, and would keep out the storms for a
+long time if they were carefully cemented with mud.
+
+The broad, overhanging eaves would give shade to baby Chin when he was
+old enough to play in the outdoor air, and yet not strong enough to
+bear the burning sunshine.
+
+Of course, there were many windows in the little house, you would
+think. There were openings in the walls in the shape of windows,
+certainly, but they were openings only, for they were not filled with
+glass, nor any other transparent substance. Chin's father would say:
+
+"We must have all the air we can get. At night-time, when the rain
+falls heavily, we can have shutters on the windows. They are easily
+taken down whenever we wish."
+
+Why, the whole front of the house was made so it could be opened up to
+the air and sunshine, as well as the view of passers-by. The family
+have few secrets, and do not mind letting others see how they keep
+house.
+
+At this very moment, perhaps, Chin's mother is sitting on the edge of
+the bamboo platform, washing her feet in the river; his grandmother
+may be there preparing the vegetables for dinner; or, possibly, Chin
+himself is cleaning his teeth with a stick of some soft wood.
+
+The boy's mother has taught him to be very careful of his teeth. It is
+a mark of beauty with her people to have them well _blacked_. They will
+tell you, "Any dog can have white teeth." But there is nothing they
+admire more than bright red gums showing plainly with two rows of even,
+dark-coloured teeth.
+
+How do they make their gums such a fiery red? It is caused by chewing
+a substance called betel, obtained from a beautiful kind of palm-tree
+very common in Siam.
+
+Many of Chin's brown cousins chew betel, as well as the people of
+his own land. It is even put in the mouths of babies. Betel-chewing
+grows to be such a habit with them that they become unhappy and
+uncomfortable if long without it. Even now, although Chin is only ten
+years old, he would say:
+
+"I can go without food for a long time, if need be, but I must have my
+betel."
+
+Let us go back to the boy's home.
+
+If we should count the windows, we should find their number to be
+uneven. The Siamese believe something terrible would be sure to happen
+if this were not so. They seem to think "There is luck in odd numbers,"
+for not only the steps leading to the houses, but the stairs leading
+from one floor to another must be carefully counted and made uneven.
+
+There are three rooms in Chin's home. First, there is the sitting-room,
+where friends are received, although there is much less visiting done
+in Siam than in many other countries. It took little time and money to
+furnish the room. There are no pictures or ornaments here. There are
+two or three mats on which one may sit, and there is a tray filled
+with betel from which every one is invited to help himself.
+
+If callers should arrive and the betel were not offered to them, they
+would feel insulted and would go away with the intention of never
+coming to that house again.
+
+The second room is that set apart for sleeping. Very little furniture
+is found here, as well, for all that Chin's father had to prepare was
+a number of long, narrow mattresses, stuffed with tree-cotton. Some
+pillows were made in the shape of huge bricks. They were also packed
+full of tree-cotton, and were stiff, uncomfortable-looking things; but
+Chin and his parents like them, so we should certainly not find fault.
+
+You remember there are great numbers of mosquitoes in the country. How
+do they manage to sleep when the air around them is filled with the
+buzzing, troublesome creatures? Coarse cotton curtains hang from the
+roof down over the beds. While these keep the mosquitoes away from the
+sleepers, they also keep out the air, so it is really a wonder that one
+can rest in any comfort.
+
+When Chin is in the house during the day, he spends most of his time in
+the kitchen, which is also the eating-room. But, dear me! it is a smoky
+place, for the boy's father never thought of building a chimney.
+
+The cooking is done over a little charcoal stove and, as the flames
+rise, the smoke rises, too, and settles on the ceiling and walls. Chin
+has had many good meals cooked over the little fire, and eaten as the
+family squatted around the tiny table.
+
+Just think! It stands only four inches above the floor, and is not
+large enough to hold many dishes. That does not matter, for each one
+has his own rice-bowl on the floor in front of him. Chin has been
+brought up so that he is satisfied with one or two things at a time.
+The little table is quite large enough to hold the dish of curried fish
+or meat from which each one helps himself.
+
+Chin is a very nice boy, yet I shall have to confess that he usually
+eats with his fingers! Yes, not only he, but his father and mother and
+sister, and even grandmother, do the same thing. One after another
+helps himself from the same dish and thinks nothing of it.
+
+People who are a little richer use pretty spoons of mother-of-pearl;
+Chin's mother owns one of these useful articles herself, but of course,
+that won't serve for five persons, so it is seldom seen on the table.
+As for knives and forks, she never even saw any.
+
+One of her friends once watched a stranger from across the great ocean
+eating with these strange things. She laughed quietly when she told of
+it, and said:
+
+"It must take a long, long time before one can get used to them. They
+are very clumsy."
+
+As Chin squats at his dinner he can look down through the split bamboos
+and see the water of the river beneath the house. It does not matter
+if he drops some crumbs or grains of rice. They can be easily pushed
+through the cracks, when down they will fall into the water to be
+seized by some waiting fish.
+
+The good woman doesn't even own a broom. Her house-cleaning is done in
+the easiest way possible. Anything that is no longer useful is thrown
+into the river, while the dirt is simply pushed between the wide cracks
+of the floor.
+
+The dish-washing is a simple matter, too. Each one has his own
+rice-bowl, and after the meal is over it is his duty to clean it and
+then turn it upside down in some corner of the kitchen. It is left
+there to drain until it is needed again.
+
+Chin's mother cooks such delicious rice that he wonders any one can
+live without it. He needs no bread when he can have that, for it is a
+feast in itself. When poured out, it looks like a mountain of snow;
+each grain is whole and separate from the others.
+
+It is cooked in an earthen pot with the greatest care, and, when it is
+done, never fails to look beautiful and delicate. Chin's mother would
+think herself a very poor housekeeper if she should make a mistake in
+preparing the rice.
+
+When a dish of rat or bat stew is added to the meal, Chin feels that
+there is nothing more in the world that he could wish. He knows that
+the rich people in the city often have feasts where twenty or thirty
+different dainties are served. But he does not envy them. A person can
+taste only one thing at a time, and nothing can be better than a stew
+with plenty of curry and vegetables to flavour it. We don't need to
+think of the rats and bats if it is an unpleasant idea.
+
+As for Chin, if he had seen you shudder when they were spoken of, he
+could not have imagined what was the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+LITTLE CHIE LO
+
+
+"CHIE LO! Chie Lo! come out quickly, or you won't see it before it
+passes," called Chin to his sister.
+
+She was playing with her dolls in the sitting-room, but when she heard
+Chin calling she put them down and came out on the platform where her
+brother sat dangling his feet in the water and holding his pet parrot.
+
+"Chie Lo! Chie Lo!" screamed the parrot, when she appeared. He was a
+bright-looking bird with a shining coat of green feathers and a red
+tuft on his head. He must have loved Chie Lo, for he reached up for her
+to pat him as she squatted beside her brother.
+
+"Look, look," said Chin, "isn't that grand?"
+
+The boy pointed to a beautiful boat moving rapidly down the river.
+
+"It is the king's, you know," he whispered. "Do you see him there under
+the canopy, with his children around him?"
+
+"Yes, yes, Chin, but don't talk; I just want to look."
+
+It was no wonder that Chie Lo wished to keep still, for it was a
+wonderful sight. The boat was shaped like a huge dragon, whose carved
+head, with its fierce eyes, could be seen reaching out from the high
+bow. The stern was made in the shape of the monster's tail. The sides
+of the royal barge were covered with gilded scales, inlaid with pearls,
+and these scales shone and sparkled in the sunlight.
+
+A hundred men dressed in red were rowing the splendid boat, and they
+must have had great training, for they kept together in perfect time.
+
+"Isn't the canopy over the king the loveliest thing you ever saw?" said
+Chin, who could not keep still. "It is made of cloth-of-gold, and so
+are the curtains. Look at the gold embroidery on the king's coat. Oh,
+Chie Lo, it doesn't seem as though he could be like us at all. I feel
+as though he must be a god.
+
+"The young prince who took the long journey across the ocean last year
+is there with him," Chin went on. "Father told me that he visited
+strange lands where all the people have skins as white as pearls, and
+that he has seen many wonderful sights. But, Chie Lo, there is nothing
+in the world grander than our king and his royal boat, I'm sure."
+
+As the barge drew nearer, the children threw themselves face downward
+on the platform until it had passed down the river. It was their way
+of showing honour to the ruler of the land.
+
+[Illustration: CHIN'S HOME.]
+
+In the olden times all who came into the presence of the king, did so
+in one way only. They _crawled_. Even his own little children were
+obliged to do this. No one dared to stand in his presence.
+
+But such things have been changed now. The king loves his people and
+has grown wiser since he has learned the ways of other countries. When
+he was a little boy, an English lady was his teacher for a long time,
+and she taught him much that other Kings of Siam had never known.
+
+It is partly because of this that he is the best ruler Chin's people
+have ever had.
+
+The royal barge was decorated with beautiful white and yellow
+umbrellas, many stories high. There was also a huge jewelled fan, such
+as no boat was allowed to carry except the king's.
+
+Other dragon-shaped boats followed the royal barge, but they were
+smaller and less beautiful. They were the king's guard-boats, and moved
+along in pairs.
+
+Many other interesting sights could be seen on the river this morning.
+Vessels were just arriving from distant lands, while here and there
+Chinese junks were scattered along the shores. Chin and his sister can
+always tell such boats from any others. An eye is always painted on the
+bow.
+
+A Chinaman who was once asked why he had the eye there, answered, "If
+no have eye, how can see?"
+
+It is so much pleasanter outside, it is no wonder that Chin and his
+sister do not spend much time indoors.
+
+After the royal procession had passed out of sight, Chie Lo went into
+the house and brought out her family of dolls. Of course they did not
+look like American dolls; you wouldn't expect it.
+
+Some of them were of baked mud and wore no clothes. Others were of
+stuffed cotton and made one think of the rag dolls of Chie Lo's white
+cousins. The father and mother dolls were dressed in strips of cloth
+wound around their bodies, just like the real grown-up people of Siam,
+but the baby dolls had no more clothes than the children of the country.
+
+Chie Lo talked to her dolls and sang queer little songs to them. She
+"made believe" they were eating, just as other little girls play, far
+away across the great ocean. Then she kissed them and put them to bed
+on tiny mattresses under the shady eaves of the house.
+
+Perhaps you wouldn't have known that Chie Lo was kissing them, however,
+for the fashions of Siam are quite different from those of our country.
+She simply touched the dolls' noses with her own little flat one and
+drew in a long breath each time she did so. That was her way of
+showing her love,--gentle little Chie Lo.
+
+Chin didn't laugh, of course. He was used to seeing his sister playing
+with her dolls, and as for the kissing, that was the only way of doing
+it that he knew himself.
+
+"Chie Lo, I saw some beautiful dolls in a store yesterday," he said, as
+he stopped working for a minute. He was making a new shuttlecock for a
+game with his boy friends the next day.
+
+"What kind were they, Chin?" asked his sister.
+
+"They were lovely wooden ones. Only rich children could buy them, for
+they cost a great deal. I wish I could get one for you, Chie Lo, but
+you know I haven't any money."
+
+"What else did you see, Chin?"
+
+"There were doll-temples in the store, and boats filled with sailors,
+and lovely ivory furniture for the doll-houses. You must see the
+things yourself."
+
+Chie Lo went on with her play. She finished putting her own toy house
+in order. It was one Chin had made for her. It looked like her own
+home,--it stood on a bamboo platform, it had a high, slanting roof,
+covered with palm leaves, and there were three rooms inside. Chin was a
+good boy to make it. All brothers were not as kind as he.
+
+"Yes, I should like to see all those things," Chie Lo answered, after
+awhile. "But I am happy here with my own toys. I must row up the river
+to-morrow and sell some fruit for father. I won't have any time for
+play then."
+
+"Come to dinner, children," called their mother. "Chin, take this jug
+and get some fresh water before you come in."
+
+She handed a copper jug to Chin. He quickly filled it by reaching over
+the platform, and followed his sister into the kitchen a moment later.
+
+Every one was thirsty, and the jug was passed from one to another for
+each to help himself. There were no tumblers nor cups. Chin had made
+small dishes for his mother by cutting cocoanuts in halves and scooping
+out the delicious cream from the inside; but they did not use them for
+drinking the water.
+
+Nor did they put their lips to the jug. Each one cleverly twisted a
+palm leaf into the shape of a funnel and received the water through
+this. It was done more quickly than I can tell you about it.
+
+Chin and his sister thought it was a fine dinner. The evening dews were
+falling, and a gentle breeze came floating down the river. The terrible
+heat of the day was over and it was the very time to enjoy eating.
+
+In the first place, there was the dish of steaming rice. There was also
+a sort of stew made of meat chopped very fine and seasoned with red
+pepper. If you had tasted it, you would probably have cried:
+
+"Oh dear, my mouth is burnt; give me a drink of water at once."
+
+But Chin and Chie Lo thought it very nice indeed, and not a bit too hot.
+
+"Isn't this pickled turnip fine?" said Chin's mother. "I bought it this
+morning from a passing store."
+
+What could she mean by these words? It was a very common thing for
+these little brown cousins to see not only houses but stores moving
+past them down the river. The storekeepers were always ready to stop
+and sell their goods to any one who wished them.
+
+Chin's mother never made bread, nor pies, nor cake, nor puddings. She
+bought most of the vegetables already cooked from the floating stores,
+so you can see she had quite an easy time in preparing her meals.
+
+But to-day, after the rice and stew had been cooked, she laid bananas
+to roast in the hot coals, and these were now taken out and handed to
+her family as they squatted on the mats around the table.
+
+If the children had no bread with their dinner, they ought to have had
+milk, you think. But they never drink it. The cows of Siam are not
+milked at all, and so the rich children of the country are brought up
+in the same way as Chin and his sister.
+
+When the meal was finished, Chie Lo did not forget that her dear pussy
+must still be fed. It was an odd-looking little creature. Although it
+was a grown-up cat, yet its eyes were as blue as those of a week-old
+American kitten. It had a funny little tail twisted up into a knot. It
+was better off than many other cats of Siam, however, who go about with
+none at all.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+NIGHT ON THE RIVER
+
+
+AFTER Chie Lo had watched her pussy eat all the fish she could possibly
+wish, the children went outdoors again to sit in the cool evening air.
+
+The night was already pitch-dark, for there was no moon, and there is
+no long twilight in the tropics at any season of the year.
+
+But what a beautiful sight now met the children's eyes! It seemed
+almost like fairy-land, there were so many lights to be seen in every
+direction.
+
+Their home stood just below the great city of Bangkok, and along the
+shores of the river the houses and palaces and temples could be seen
+almost as plainly as in the daytime. Floating theatres were passing
+by, each one lighted with numbers of coloured paper lanterns.
+
+"Look! look!" cried Chin. "There are some actors giving a show outside.
+They want to tempt people to stop and come in to the play. See the
+beautiful pointed finger-nails on that one. What fine care he must take
+of them!"
+
+It is no wonder Chin noticed the man's finger-nails, for they were at
+least five inches long.
+
+"See the wings on the other actor, Chin," said his sister. "I suppose
+he represents some strange being who does wonderful deeds. I should
+like to go to the play. Look! there is a party of people who are going
+on board of the theatre."
+
+The children now turned their eyes toward the small boat of a Chinaman
+who was calling aloud to the passers-by:
+
+"Come here and buy chouchou; it is a fine dish, indeed."
+
+A moment afterward he was kept so busy that he had no time to call. His
+canoe was fairly surrounded by other boats, for many people were eager
+to taste the delicious soup he served from an odd little stove in front
+of him.
+
+It is hard to tell how chouchou is made. Many kinds of meat and all
+sorts of vegetables are boiled down to jelly and seasoned with salt and
+pepper. He must have had a good recipe, for every one that tasted his
+chouchou seemed to like it and want more.
+
+"Listen to the music, Chie Lo," said her brother, as he turned
+longingly away from the chouchou seller.
+
+It seemed more like _noise_ than music. Two men stood on a bamboo raft
+causing loud, wailing sounds to come from some queer reed instruments.
+A third player was making the loudest noise of all. He sat in the
+middle of a musical wheel, as it is called. This wheel is made of metal
+cups of different sizes placed next each other in a circle.
+
+It seems strange that Chin and his sister should enjoy such "music,"
+and stranger still that the grown-up people should also like it; but
+they seemed to do so. Were they doing it for their own pleasure? Oh no,
+they had dainties to sell as well as the chouchou maker, and this was
+their way of attracting attention.
+
+New sights could be seen constantly. Here were the beautifully-trimmed
+boats of the rich people taking a ride for pleasure after the heat of
+the day. There were the canoes of the poor, who were also out to enjoy
+the sights, for Bangkok is a city built upon the water.
+
+The river Meinam flows through its very centre. The name of the river
+means "Mother of Waters," just as the name of our own Mississippi means
+"The Father of Waters." It is well named, for many canals reach out
+from it in different directions.
+
+[Illustration: THE GREAT TEMPLE AT BANGKOK.]
+
+If a person is going to a temple to worship, if he has shopping to do,
+or a visit to make, he does not take a car or carriage, nor does he
+often walk. He steps into a boat, and after a pleasant sail or row, he
+finds himself at his journey's end.
+
+"Let's go down the river before we go to bed," said Chin, who had grown
+tired of sitting still.
+
+He stepped from the platform into his own little canoe and Chie Lo
+followed him.
+
+The children looked very much alike. Their faces were of the same
+shape, their eyes were of the same colour, and the two little round
+heads were shaved in exactly the same way. A tuft of hair had been left
+on the top of each and was coiled into a knot.
+
+When Chin grew a little older there would be a great celebration
+over the shaving of his tuft. It would mark his "coming of age," but
+that would not be for two or three years yet. He was only eleven years
+old now and was left to do much as he pleased.
+
+The little canoe made its way in and out among the big boats and soon
+left the city behind. Tall palm-trees lined the banks of the river and
+waved gently in the evening breeze.
+
+Suddenly there was a loud sound, like a big drum, in the water directly
+under the boat. "Tom, tom! Tom, tom!" It startled Chie Lo, and she
+exclaimed:
+
+"What is it, Chin? What is it?"
+
+"It must be a drum-fish, Chie Lo. Nothing else could make a sound like
+that."
+
+"Of course, Chin. It was all so quiet, and then the sound was so
+sudden, I didn't think for a moment what it could be."
+
+They had often seen this ugly-looking fish, which is never eaten by
+the people of their country. It is able to make a loud noise by means
+of a sort of bladder under its throat, and it is well called the
+"drum-fish."
+
+The children still went onward, keeping time with their sculls.
+Suddenly the air around them blazed with countless lights, and a moment
+afterward the darkness seemed blacker than ever. Then, again the lights
+appeared, only to be lost as suddenly, while Chin and his sister held
+their oars and watched.
+
+"Aren't they lovely?" said Chie Lo. "I never get tired of looking at
+the fireflies."
+
+It is no wonder she thought so. The fireflies of Siam are not only
+very large and brilliant, but they are found in great numbers. And,
+strange to say, they seem fond of gathering together on certain kinds
+of trees only. There they send forth their light and again withdraw it
+at exactly the same moment. It seems as though they must be under the
+orders of some leader. How else do they keep together?
+
+"I can hear the trumpeter beetle calling along the shore," said Chin,
+as the boat floated about. "He makes a big noise for his size, and
+takes his part in the song of the night. There must be hundreds of
+lizards singing up there among the bushes, too, and I don't know what
+else."
+
+"I suppose the parrots are asleep in the tree-tops by this time, as
+well as the monkeys. Don't you love to go about in the woods, Chin?"
+
+"It is almost the best fun in the world, I think. Oh, Chie Lo, I saw
+something the other day I didn't tell you about. You made me think of
+it when you spoke of the monkeys. Father and I had gone a long way up
+the river in the canoe to get wild bananas. We had just turned to come
+home when I saw a crocodile ahead of us, lying close to the shore. His
+wicked mouth was wide open and his eyes were glittering.
+
+"All at once I saw what was the matter. A chain of monkeys was hanging
+from a tree-top above him. They were having sport with the monster.
+The lowest monkey would suddenly strike out with his paw and touch the
+crocodile's head when he was off his guard. Then the whole chain of
+monkeys would swing away as quick as a flash, and the crocodile would
+snap too late.
+
+"Oh, he did get so angry after awhile, it made me laugh, Chie Lo. The
+monkeys grew bolder after awhile, and chattered more and more loudly.
+
+"Then the crocodile began to play a game himself. He shut his eyes and
+pretended to be asleep. Down swung the monkeys, straight over his head.
+His jaws opened suddenly in time to seize the little fellow who had
+been teasing him. That was the last of the silly little monkey, whose
+brothers and sisters fled up into the tree-tops as fast as they could
+go. I didn't see them again, but we could hear them crying and wailing
+as long as we stayed near the place."
+
+"I wish I had been there," sighed Chie Lo. "It must have made you laugh
+to watch the monkeys before they were caught. But they are easily
+scared. I shouldn't be afraid of monkeys anywhere."
+
+Chin smiled when his sister said these words.
+
+"If there were enough monkeys together, Chie Lo, and if they were all
+angry and chasing you, I don't think you would exactly enjoy it.
+
+"Father told me of a time when he was off with a party of men in a
+deep forest. They caught a baby monkey, and one of the men was going
+to bring it home. It made the mother wild to have her child taken from
+her. She raised a loud cry and started after the men. Her friends and
+relatives joined her, crying and screaming.
+
+"But this was not all, for every other monkey in the forest seemed to
+get the idea of battle. On they came by the hundreds and the thousands.
+Do you think those men weren't scared? They hurried along as fast as
+they could, stumbling over bushes and floundering in the mud. They were
+only too glad to reach the bank of the river, where they jumped into
+the canoes and paddled quickly away. The monkeys crowded on the shore
+and screamed at them. I wish I could have seen them."
+
+Chin lay back and laughed as he finished the story.
+
+"We mustn't stop to talk any more, for it is getting late," said Chie
+Lo. "But I love to hear you tell these stories, Chin. I hope you will
+remember some more to-morrow night. Now we must paddle home as fast as
+we can go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+WORK AND PLAY
+
+
+THE next morning the children were awakened early by the cawing
+of large flocks of crows. These noisy birds were leaving their
+resting-places in the trees near by, and starting out to search for
+breakfast in the fields and gardens of the country.
+
+Chie Lo and her brother jumped out of bed, and a moment afterward were
+taking a refreshing swim in the waters of the river. The water felt
+cool and pleasant before the hot sunshine had warmed it.
+
+"Come to breakfast," called their mother, as they were in the midst of
+a game of chase around the platform. "Come and eat the fine hoppers I
+have just bought from the baker."
+
+The children did not need to be called twice, for they loved the
+delicious cakes made of rice flour and cocoanut milk. The breakfast was
+soon eaten, and then Chin and his sister made haste to load Chie Lo's
+boat with the fruit she must sell on the river.
+
+The mangosteens were placed in the first pile. They would surely be
+sold, because they were not only beautiful to look at, but fragrant to
+smell and delicious to taste. You may look for them in many parts of
+the world, but you will fail to find them unless you visit Chin and
+Chie Lo in their own country, or go to the islands near by.
+
+The rind is of a brownish purple that changes its tints in the
+sunlight. Cut the fruit carefully in halves and you will find a creamy,
+white pulp, with a dark-red rim.
+
+"They look too good to eat," you say. But if you have once tasted
+them, you will long for more.
+
+Chin and his sister are very fond of mangosteens, and so is nearly
+every person who has the pleasure of eating them.
+
+But Chie Lo likes the durions better still. When she sorted the
+boat-load this morning, she was very careful to place this fruit so it
+should not touch any other kind. What an odour came from it! Ugh! It
+makes one think of bad eggs and everything else unpleasant.
+
+But people who stop to-day to buy from the little girl will not
+consider that. If they have lived in the country for only a short time,
+they have grown to think of it as the finest of all fruits.
+
+Picture the nicest things you have ever eaten,--walnuts, and cream and
+strawberries, and a dozen other delicious things,--they are all mingled
+together in the flavour of the durion.
+
+Besides the durions and the mangosteens, there were great luscious
+oranges, noble pineapples, mangoes and bananas, breadfruit and
+sour-sops. Chie Lo would certainly have no trouble in selling her goods.
+
+When she had rowed away from the house, Chin went inside and got his
+shuttlecock. He must find his boy friends and have a game before the
+day grew too hot. You mustn't blame him for letting his sister work
+while he played. It is the way of his people, and the idea never
+entered his head that girls should have, at least, as easy a life as
+boys. Yet this cousin of ours is gentle and good-natured and loving.
+
+An hour after Chie Lo had gone away, Chin and his friends were having
+a lively game in the shade of some tall palm-trees, near the bank of
+the river. It was great sport. The shuttlecock was made of bamboo and
+was very light and easy to toss. But it took great skill to keep it
+moving through the air for ten minutes at a time. The boys did not once
+touch it with their hands. As it came bounding toward Chin, he held the
+sole of his foot to receive it, and kicked it off in another direction.
+Perhaps the next boy struck at it with his heel, and the next with the
+side of his ankle or his knee. Forward and back it flew from one to
+another.
+
+These naked boys of Siam were wonderfully graceful in their play. They
+must have spent many days of their short lives in gaining such skill as
+this.
+
+There was little noise about it. There are places in the world where
+children think they are not having much fun unless there is a good deal
+of shouting and yelling. Siam is not such a country, and Chin is not
+that kind of a boy. He has many good times and many pleasures, although
+he enjoys them in a quiet manner.
+
+How was Chie Lo getting along with her load of fruit this morning? She
+paddled down the river among the vessels which had come to anchor there.
+
+"Fine oranges! Ripe durions!" her sweet voice called. And the people on
+the decks of the English steamers and the queer Chinese boats looked
+down at the little girl in her canoe.
+
+Many of them smiled at the tiny fruit-seller, and beckoned to her to
+bring some of her fruit on board.
+
+By noontime her wares were all sold and Chie Lo started homeward with
+a bag of odd-looking coins to give her father. It was very hot and the
+sunlight was so bright as it sparkled on the river that the little girl
+kept shutting her eyes.
+
+All at once she felt a tremendous thump and the next moment she found
+herself far down under the surface of the water. The boat had been
+overturned and was bobbing around over her head.
+
+Do you suppose she tried to scream, or that she lost her senses from
+fright? Certainly not. As soon as she got her breath, she began to swim
+with one arm; with the other she reached out for the boat and quickly
+righted it.
+
+After half a dozen strokes, she was able to spring into the canoe, and
+was soon paddling homeward as if nothing had happened.
+
+What had caused her boat to upset? A passing fisherman had carelessly
+run into her. The accident did not seem to worry him, however. He did
+not even stop to see if Chie Lo needed help, but kept straight on his
+way. He did not mean to be unkind. He simply did not think there was
+any danger to the little girl. And there was none, for swimming is as
+natural as walking to the children of Siam, who have no fear of the
+water.
+
+All that Chie Lo thought of was her precious coins, and those were safe
+in the little bag hanging around her neck. The next day would be a
+holiday and she knew her father would wish the money to spend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+NEW YEAR'S
+
+
+IT was the 27th of March, but to Chin and his sister it was the first
+day of a new year.
+
+They woke up happy and smiling, for they would have much fun for three
+whole days. It is all very well for some people to be satisfied with
+a festival which lasts only twelve hours, but it is not so with the
+Siamese. They think they cannot do justice to such a joyful time unless
+they frolic and feast three times as long as that, at least.
+
+On the first day the children must go to the temple and carry
+offerings. This duty should certainly not be forgotten. But before they
+left home that morning they helped their mother give dishes of rice to
+the yellow-robed priests who rowed slowly down the river as the sun
+was rising.
+
+[Illustration: "THEY CARRIED SOME OF THEIR FLOWERS TO THE STATUE OF
+BUDDHA."]
+
+These priests in their long yellow gowns looked alike. Each one held
+before him a begging-bowl. He did not ask for food or money. It was the
+duty of the people to feed him and give what was needed to keep him
+from want.
+
+This was what Chin and those of his country believed. And so, when each
+night was over, the priests left their cells and entered their boats.
+They passed along the river and through the canals. Some people gave to
+one, and some to another; some gave money, and some, food. But each one
+thought as he gave, "I am gaining merit by this deed of kindness." And
+he felt better for doing so.
+
+When the priests had passed along, Chin and his sister began to think
+of their friends. They had presents of sweetmeats for them. They
+had saved all their spare coins for many days to buy them. These
+sweetmeats looked very tempting as they divided them up and placed them
+in tiny baskets they had woven out of grasses.
+
+Some of them were made of sugar and cocoanut. Others were rich with
+glutinous rice and peanuts. Their friends would be delighted with their
+gifts.
+
+Before the day was over, Chin and Chie Lo had received many presents
+themselves, for the poorest people in the country manage to remember
+the New Year's festival.
+
+The day was noisier than usual. The children laughed and shouted more
+than Siamese children commonly do. They danced and they sang. They went
+into the country and gathered flowers. They made wreaths and garlands.
+They carried some of their flowers to the statue of Buddha and placed
+them in the open palms of their saint.
+
+They played tricks on each other. Chin and Chie Lo were both caught
+by their playmates before the day was over and their faces blackened,
+and then they were shoved into the river. But they took the joke with
+perfect good nature, and laughed over it as merrily as their friends.
+
+The best sport of the day was with their dear old grandmother. As she
+sat on the platform by the water's edge, Chin came up suddenly and
+dashed water all over her. After that, he sprinkled her with perfume
+and a sweet-smelling powder.
+
+But this was not all, for he ran into the house and brought her out a
+new waist-cloth and a scarf to throw over her old shoulders. At the
+same time Chie Lo pressed two silver coins into her hand, and shouted
+with delight at the smile on the dear grandmother's face.
+
+Without doubt the New Year's festival was very merry. Best of all, the
+children were allowed to do just as they pleased for the three long,
+happy days. It is no wonder they were sorry when it was over.
+
+"It is even better than the Swing Days," Chie Lo said to her brother,
+as they settled themselves for a good night's rest.
+
+"Yes, I think so, too, yet we have a great deal of fun then," answered
+her brother, sleepily.
+
+Girls never take part in the exercises of the Swing Days, but Chin had
+been training for two or three years to try his skill when he should be
+a little older.
+
+A part of the city is set aside for the entertainment, and it is there
+that the swings are set up on high poles. A short distance away stands
+another pole marked with a waving banner. Just below this banner hangs
+a purse filled with gold.
+
+Each person who enters the swing is allowed to work it back and forth
+till he brings himself near the precious purse. He has one chance
+given him to reach out and seize it in his mouth. If he succeeds, it
+is his to keep, and he goes down to the ground on a rope ladder by the
+side of the pole, while the bystanders greet him with shouts and cheers.
+
+If he fails, however, he is obliged to jump from the swing and slide
+down to the ground on the pole, while every one joins in a laugh at his
+awkwardness.
+
+On Swing Days there are many processions through the streets. Banners
+and flags are waving everywhere, no work is done, and every one is
+gaily dressed and full of joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+WHITE ELEPHANTS
+
+
+"I NEVER rode on an elephant in my life," said Chie Lo with a sigh.
+
+Chin had just been telling her of a trip he had made with his father.
+He had gone into the teak forest, and had travelled every bit of the
+way on an elephant.
+
+"Perhaps you wouldn't like it if you had a chance to try," answered her
+brother. "You would feel safe enough, and the howdah is big enough for
+you to lie down in and take a nap. But the elephant swings from side to
+side as he walks, and the motion might make you feel sick until you get
+used to it."
+
+"It looks comfortable, anyway," said Chie Lo. "A howdah looks like a
+tiny house, and the bamboo top keeps off the hot sun nicely. Doesn't
+it ever slip on the elephant's back, Chin?"
+
+[Illustration: "'THEY WOULD PICK UP THE LOGS WITH THEIR TRUNKS.'"]
+
+"Of course not. It is fastened behind by a crupper that goes under the
+tail, while it is held in front by a band of rattan passed around the
+neck. So it is perfectly safe."
+
+"Elephants are very wise animals, and I love them. Mother told me that
+a long time ago there was an elephant in the city that used to ladle
+out rice to the priests as they came out of the temple. He did it every
+morning, and was as careful about it as any person could be. He made
+no mistakes, for he never gave the rice to any people unless they were
+priests. Wasn't that wonderful, Chin?"
+
+"It was very wise, at any rate, Chie Lo. But, of course, he could
+tell the priests because of their long yellow robes. I've heard more
+wonderful stories than that, though.
+
+"I've watched elephants at work in a lumber yard, myself. They would
+pick up the logs with their trunks, and carry them to the place where
+they were to be piled up. Then they would lay them down, one on top
+of another, and each time they would place them in such good order
+that the ends of the pile would be kept perfectly even. They are very
+careful workers; men couldn't do any better."
+
+"Weren't you afraid when you crossed the river on the elephant's back,
+Chin? I heard you speaking about it to father when you got home."
+
+"Not the least bit. The water grew deeper until at last only my howdah
+and the animal's head were above the surface. But he went on slowly and
+surely, and as he felt safe, I did, too. In a few minutes we were on
+dry land again, and climbed up the steep bank without stopping to rest.
+
+"It was great fun whenever we went down hill. The big clumsy fellow
+knelt on his fore legs, and actually slid down, with his hind legs
+dragging behind him."
+
+"What good times you have, Chin. I wish I were a boy!" and Chie Lo
+sighed again.
+
+"They say that the white elephants are going to march through the
+streets to-day. Let's go up in the city to see them," said Chin.
+
+He was always glad to have his sister go about with him.
+
+The home of our Siamese cousins is a strange country. It is often
+spoken of as the "Land of the White Elephant." You shall hear the
+reason.
+
+Whenever a white elephant is seen in the forests, word is at once sent
+to the king, and parties of hunters go forth to secure him. He is
+looked upon as a sacred animal, for many of the people believe that the
+soul of some great and wise person has come back to dwell for a while
+in his body.
+
+In the olden times there was a great celebration after a white elephant
+had been caught and was brought into the city. The king and his nobles,
+as well as hundreds of priests, went out to meet him with bands of
+music. He was led to the royal stables, and large pictures of the
+forests were hung around him, so he should not grow lonesome and long
+for his home in the jungle.
+
+It is even said that he was fed from golden dishes, and that only the
+sweetest sugar-cane, the ripest bananas, and the tenderest grasses were
+given him as food. He was loaded with gifts.
+
+The ways of the people are changing now, however, and both the king
+and his people are wiser than they used to be. Yet the white elephants
+are still treated with honour, and kept in the royal stables, while on
+great days they march in state through the streets of the city.
+
+It is hardly right, however, to speak of them as white. Some of them
+are of a pale, pinkish gray colour. Others are ashy gray. Their
+eyes look washed-out and dull. They are not nearly as grand and
+noble-looking as their brothers, for it seems as though Mother Nature
+were tired and had not finished her work, when one looks at them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+IN THE TEMPLE
+
+
+AFTER the children had watched the procession of white elephants, Chin
+said:
+
+"Let us go to the temple, Chie Lo. It will be a pleasant walk. And,
+besides, father said we ought to go to-day. He gave me these coins to
+carry there." Chin held up two pieces of silver. "One of them is for
+you, Chie Lo, and the other is for me."
+
+The place where the temple stood had been set apart from the rest of
+the city. It was divided up into large fields surrounded by walls. In
+each of these fields there was at least one large temple, and several
+small ones, besides the buildings where the priests lived with their
+pupils. Such a place is called a wat.
+
+As Chin and his sister drew near one of these wats, they found many
+little stands from which men were busily selling gold-leaf to those who
+were on their way to the temples.
+
+What would the people do with this gold-leaf, you wonder.
+
+They would use it to cover any bare spots on their favourite images.
+It would "make merit" for them, as they would say; or, in other words,
+they would at some time be rewarded for the act of goodness.
+
+It is in this way that the images are kept richly gilded, and many of
+them are fairly loaded with the precious stuff.
+
+"We can't buy any to-day," said Chin, "we haven't money enough. But I
+wish I could get one of those rings that man is selling. They are made
+of hairs out of the manes and tails of the sacred horses. It would
+bring good fortune, I'm sure."
+
+Poor ignorant Chin! As though anything but his own honest little heart
+and good deeds would bring him happiness and success.
+
+And now the children passed through the gateway and into the beautiful
+grounds. Stately trees grew on every side, and flowering plants were to
+be seen in every direction. Here and there stood large stone statues.
+They were ugly-looking figures, but were supposed to be the guardians
+of this holy place.
+
+"After we come out, let's have a game of hide-and-seek with those
+children," said Chin.
+
+He pointed to some boys and girls playing among the trees and statues,
+and having a merry time.
+
+As the children turned toward the buildings, they passed under some
+trees from whose branches hung pieces of wood, stone, and porcelain.
+
+"People hung those offerings there because they are going to build a
+home," said Chin. "Or perhaps they are just married, and are beginning
+housekeeping."
+
+"I know that, of course," answered Chie Lo.
+
+As the boy and girl entered the temple, they stopped at the cistern of
+water near the door. Wooden dippers were handed to them, which they
+were to fill. They must wash their hands and rinse their mouths before
+they dared to draw near the statue of the holy Buddha or knelt in
+prayer. They must do it as a symbol that their tongues were pure.
+
+After this was done, they threw their coins into a large money-box, and
+passed into the main part of the temple. There were no seats, but the
+worshippers sat together on the floor in little circles.
+
+The altar was beautifully carved, and built up in the shape of a
+pyramid. Many offerings could be seen lying upon it. There were lovely
+flowers, luscious fruits, and piles of snow-white rice. These had all
+been brought here to-day by those who had come to worship and to pray.
+Behind the altar were high panels on which the life of Buddha was
+pictured.
+
+Chin and his sister loved to study these pictures and dream of the Holy
+One in whom they believed.
+
+Their mother had taught them that long ago a great being lived in this
+world. He was born in a palace, and was the son of a king. He knew only
+joy and comfort until one day, when he met a poor old man. His heart
+went out in pity to him, and he said to himself:
+
+"I will not live in comfort any longer if others in the world suffer
+and are poor."
+
+He went out from the palace and spent the rest of his life teaching and
+giving help.
+
+Chin and his sister did not stop to look at the pictures now. They
+joined one of the groups sitting cross-legged upon the floor. A moment
+afterward their heads were bent, and their small hands were pressed
+together in prayer.
+
+From time to time, one of the worshippers rose and stepped over to a
+big bronze bell, and rung it violently. This was because he felt that
+his prayers were not heard, and he wished to call attention.
+
+Listen! A priest is reading from a palm-leaf book; and now he chants a
+prayer with his face hidden behind a big fan. He keeps time by striking
+a bell, or beating on a block of wood. The people rise upon their knees
+and bow to the ground as he chants. There is no music in the strange
+service.
+
+As Chin got up to go away, he turned to Chie Lo and whispered:
+
+"I love to look at the bronze elephants carved on the walls. They look
+very wise and strong. They are the symbols of the Buddha, who taught
+men to be patient and faithful."
+
+"I always love to look at the flag of our country, too," answered Chie
+Lo. "The great white elephant pictured on the red cloth makes me think
+of the same thing."
+
+"I believe I shall like it when I am old enough to come here to study
+with the priests," her brother went on. "I shall like to serve them,
+and they will teach me many good things. But I don't believe I shall
+ever be a priest myself."
+
+It is the custom of Chin's country for all the boys to live awhile in
+the wats, as soon as they are old enough to have their heads shaved.
+They help the priests in the temples, and serve them in different ways.
+They are also taught to write and cipher. After they have stayed a
+certain time, they may choose for themselves what they will do. They
+may study to become priests themselves, or they may go back to their
+homes and choose some kind of work.
+
+As for Chie Lo, what would she do when Chin went away from home? Her
+parents were too poor to send her to a school for girls. She would sell
+fruits and vegetables in her little boat until she was old enough to
+get married.
+
+Poor little child! She turned to her brother as they left the temple,
+and said:
+
+"I wish, Chin, that I could go to school and be able to recite poems
+and stories."
+
+For in that strange country of Siam, few girls learn either to read or
+write, even if they are able to go to school.
+
+Their teacher recites some lines and the pupils repeat them after him
+until the whole piece is learned. Then another is taken up in the same
+way, and still another. But every child must be sure of one thing: she
+must know an _odd number_ of pieces when she has finished.
+
+You remember the Siamese seem to be afraid of even numbers in anything
+whatsoever.
+
+As for geography, or history, or any other pleasant study, such as you
+have, very few of the children of that country have even heard of them.
+I doubt if Chin and his sister know anything about the great, beautiful
+country on the other side of the world, where their American cousins
+are living.
+
+But Siam is slowly changing, and, as I have already said, the king who
+now rules is wiser than those before him. He will help his people to
+become wiser, too.
+
+As the children went on their way home, they fell to talking about
+their ruler. They spoke of him as "The Lord of the Celestial Elephant,"
+and other queer titles.
+
+"He worships in the temple of the Emerald Buddha," Chin told his
+sister. He had heard others describe the beautiful place.
+
+"It seems as though I could almost see it," the boy declared. "It must
+be wonderful. Just think, Chie Lo, the floor is paved with bricks of
+brass, and the walls are covered with paintings. The altar is several
+times as high as our house. It is loaded with images from the bottom
+to the very top. They are covered with gold, except the Emerald Buddha
+itself, which is above all the rest.
+
+"Its hair is made of solid gold, in which are diamonds and rubies and
+many other kinds of precious gems. I wish I could look at it just once,
+although it is so high up, a person can hardly see it as he stands on
+the floor."
+
+"Mother said nobody made that statue," said Chie Lo when her brother
+had finished. "It was a miracle, and suddenly appeared in the world
+after a visit of Buddha."
+
+"Mother and father know a great deal," replied Chin. "When we get home
+to-night, let's ask them to tell us the story of how gold and silver
+came to be in the world."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE LEGEND OF THE PEACE-OFFERING
+
+
+IT was a beautiful moonlight night. The stars shone faintly in the
+clear sky.
+
+"They do not look as though they felt as happy as usual," said Chin to
+Chie Lo, who sat beside him on the platform of the house. "They are
+jealous because the moon is hiding them by her brightness. Here comes
+father; now we can ask him."
+
+"Father, will you tell us the story of Rosy Dawn?" said his son, as the
+boat drew up beside the platform and the man jumped out.
+
+"As soon as I fill my betel-box, Chin," was the answer.
+
+Five minutes afterward, the family gathered around the story-teller by
+the side of the quiet river.
+
+"Once upon a time," he began, "Father Sun was much nearer the earth
+than he is now. He was ever ready to advise his younger brother, the
+king of our country, and would even order his officers, the stars, to
+do anything which might help this blessed land.
+
+"It was long, long ago that all this happened. Everything was so
+different then from what it is now, that there was no sickness nor
+sorrow in the land. People lived to be hundreds of years old. Why, my
+children, the King of Siam himself was looked upon as a very young man,
+although he was at least one hundred and sixty years old.
+
+"His father, the old king, was still alive, but had grown tired of
+ruling after two hundred years of such work. He had given it into his
+son's hands, and now took his ease.
+
+"His only daughter, a beautiful maiden named Rosy Dawn, spent most of
+her time in cheering him and making his life happy. No one had ever
+looked upon her sweet face except her own family. She was as good and
+simple as she was beautiful. Her days must have passed very quietly,
+for her only amusements were singing her old father to sleep and
+wandering alone through the fields and woods.
+
+"A sad thing happened about this time. The naughty stars grew jealous
+of their lord, the Sun. They did not like it because he chose to keep
+awake all the time, and was having such pleasure with the earth and its
+people that he never thought of sleeping.
+
+"Day and night, summer and winter, he gave his bright light to the
+world; he seemed afraid that something ill might happen to his young
+brother the king, if he left him for a moment. Of course, the stars had
+no chance of showing their own beauty, and this was what put them out
+of temper. They said to each other:
+
+"'Our lord has some reason for not sleeping which we do not understand.
+We will watch him, and set a snare for him.'
+
+"So, when they themselves should have been sound asleep, for it was now
+bright noonday, they set to watch the jolly, laughing Sun.
+
+"It happened at this very time that Rosy Dawn left her sleeping
+father's side and went out for a frolic in the woods. She picked the
+wild flowers and made them into wreaths; she softly sang sweet songs to
+herself, and she watched the squirrels and lizards as they played about
+among the trees.
+
+"All at once she spied a beautiful butterfly move past her. It was
+larger and more brilliant than any she had ever seen before. She said
+to herself:
+
+"'I must have the lovely creature,' and ran after it.
+
+"On flitted the butterfly, faster and faster; on sped Rosy Dawn after
+it. But it was in vain. For after a long chase, and just as she thought
+she was about to succeed, the butterfly rose up into the air, higher
+and higher above her head.
+
+"Now the fair maiden turned back toward home, and for the first time
+she thought of how tired she was. Her dainty feet fairly ached from the
+long chase, and she stopped at a refreshing brook to bathe.
+
+"Just at this moment, the Sun's glorious chariot appeared over the
+hilltop. The warm light fell upon Rosy Dawn and made her feel quiet
+and restful. At the same time the Sun himself looked down upon the
+beautiful maiden and he fell in love with her then and there.
+
+"When she had finished her bath, Rosy Dawn left the stream and entered
+a shady cavern near by, where she might rest.
+
+"The Sun's great chariot flew through the heavens as his noble steeds
+were spurred onward. It seemed as though he could not wait a moment
+longer before he should come to the charming girl he had just seen.
+
+"You ask me if he won Rosy Dawn's love in return. Ah, yes! And, sad to
+say, trouble followed after.
+
+"You remember that the jealous stars were watching their lord's
+movements. After a while they discovered that he was making love to
+Rosy Dawn. They followed him one day when the two were fondly talking
+together in their favourite resting-place, the cavern.
+
+"Alas! the chariot was outside. The wicked stars seized it and carried
+it off, and the frightened steeds ran away. They did not turn their
+heads until they had reached home.
+
+"The angry stars did not stop here. They raised a great shout against
+their ruler, and declared they would be his subjects no longer. The
+poor old Sun began to tremble, and shed tears of gold.
+
+"The mountains were truly sorry for him. They opened up a passageway
+through which he might return home. They promised him that he might
+drive through this cavern every day and be perfectly safe. Again he
+wept, and more plentifully still.
+
+"At last he started on his way homeward, and, as he journeyed along,
+his tears fell and formed pools of gold. Those pools are now the gold
+mines of Siam.
+
+"It took twelve hours for Old Sol to reach home, after which he went
+out every day; but he came back regularly at night-time by way of the
+cavern that the mountains had given him.
+
+"After this poor Rosy Dawn wandered sadly about through the caves and
+mountains. She, too, wept, and her tears were very plentiful. Wherever
+they fell you will now find the silver mines of our country.
+
+"But you must not think her joy was at an end. The wicked stars at last
+made an agreement with their lord, the Sun. They said he might live
+with Rosy Dawn for one-half the month, if they were allowed to look at
+her beautiful face for the other half.
+
+"Ever since that time the Sun meets Rosy Dawn at the mouth of the cave
+where he first saw her, and carries her home to stay with him for two
+weeks out of each month."
+
+"You didn't mention one important thing," said Chin, as his father
+ended the story. "You forgot to say that the stars insisted on the
+Sun's never kissing Rosy Dawn when any one can see him. We know hers is
+another name for the Moon; and the Sun breaks his agreement with the
+stars once in a great while, whenever there is an eclipse."
+
+"Yes, that is why the people beat drums and fire off guns at such
+times," said the children's mother. "It is to shame the Sun, and to
+make him stop such conduct at once. Of course it takes some time for
+the sounds to reach him, but as soon as he hears, he seems to be
+ashamed, for the eclipse soon passes by."
+
+"When I was a boy, I went on a pilgrimage to the very cavern where the
+Sun first met Rosy Dawn," said the father. "I was careful to carry both
+a silver coin and a gold one. When we reached the place, I threw the
+money into the cavern. Every one else did likewise. We offered these
+coins in hopes of making merit for ourselves."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+QUEER SIGHTS
+
+
+"I AM going to the city to-day to buy a new waist-cloth," said Chin's
+father one morning. "Chin, you may go with me, if you like."
+
+A few moments afterward the two were paddling down the river past the
+temples and palaces which lined the shore.
+
+Besides the homes of the rich, surrounded by stately palm-trees and
+beautiful gardens, there were other houses belonging to poorer people.
+These last were built close to the river's edge, but were raised high
+up above the water, on posts.
+
+This was a wise thing to do for several reasons. In the first place,
+the river would rise after the fall rains began, and the houses might
+float away,--or, at least, the people inside would be flooded, unless
+they had been careful to build high enough to prepare for such times.
+
+The fine houses were of brick or wood, but the poorer ones were much
+like Chin's house-boat, woven of bamboo and thatched with leaves.
+
+The boy and his father soon left the main part of the river and turned
+into one of the canals. They were now in a part of the city where a
+good deal of business was going on. They left the boat, after fastening
+it to the bank, and walked along through the narrow street.
+
+The fronts of the houses here were all open and everything within could
+be plainly seen. In this one was a big counter, almost filling the
+room, and the merchant himself sat cross-legged upon it with his goods
+around him.
+
+There was a bakery where the cakes and bread were made and baked
+in sight of everyone who passed. Chin liked to stop and look at the
+various workmen. There was much to see and learn. The metal-workers
+were pounding and hammering away, and, as the boy watched them, he
+could see bracelets and anklets shaped, and sheets of copper formed
+into various dishes.
+
+In many places the families of the storekeepers lived in the one room
+that was both store and dwelling, but they did not seem to be troubled
+when they noticed Chin's black eyes following them.
+
+In one store a hammock hung from the ceiling and a baby was swinging
+there. What did he care if he was brought up on the street, as one
+might say? Care! He seemed to think the coming and going of so many
+people was meant all for him, and he laughed and crowed at each new
+face.
+
+"Do look, father," said Chin, as they passed a barber's shop. "There
+is a Chinaman having his head and eyebrows shaved. He won't be
+satisfied until his eyelashes have been pulled out. Other people have
+strange fashions, don't they?"
+
+His father smiled. "Yes, Chin, we are all different from each other in
+this world. But I know one thing in which we are like the Chinese. We
+love kites, don't we?"
+
+Chin's eyes sparkled. "Yes, indeed, father. There is a kite store, now.
+Let us go in and look around. The kites there are beautiful."
+
+It is no wonder Chin longed to stop. All sorts of kites were there to
+tempt the passer-by. They were in the shapes of flowers and boats,
+dragons and elephants, and I can't tell how many other odd or lovely
+patterns. Chin's father was as much interested as his son, and a
+half-hour was spent before they finally decided on buying a kite in the
+form of a butterfly.
+
+"We will have great sport in flying it this afternoon," said Chin.
+"Chie Lo must enjoy it with us."
+
+He had finished speaking when he caught sight of a procession coming in
+that direction. A moment before there had been so many children, dogs,
+and cats in the street they seemed to block the way of everything else;
+but now the children quickly turned aside and ran into the doorways.
+
+As the procession drew near, a great shouting and beating of drums
+could be heard.
+
+"Father, look quickly," said Chin. "The men are carrying a statue of
+Buddha on a litter. Isn't it beautiful? It is all covered with gilt.
+I wonder where they will carry it. Oh, now I see; they have stopped
+at that open place and are going to have a play. There are the actors
+themselves."
+
+"Some rich man is doing this," said Chin's father. "He has probably
+hired the actors, and the show will be free to all. He is making merit
+for himself, without doubt. We will join the crowd."
+
+[Illustration: SIAMESE ACTORS.]
+
+By this time the gilded statue had been set up on a sort of throne, and
+sticks of incense were lighted and placed on the rough altar in front
+of it.
+
+The strangest part came now, for the actors began to put on their queer
+costumes right before the people who had gathered around the show. Then
+came the play.
+
+There was neither stage nor curtain; nor was there any scenery, except
+that of the place itself. But Chin and his father enjoyed it as well as
+the other onlookers. They laughed and looked sad, in turn, and seemed
+to forget that it was only a play, and not real life, that was pictured
+before them.
+
+When the play was over, Chin's father said:
+
+"We must go back to the stores, for I have not bought my waist-cloth
+yet."
+
+The place they soon entered was different from any dry-goods store you
+ever saw. The room was fitted with pigeonholes, in each of which was
+folded a strip of cloth one yard wide, and three yards long. Some of
+these pa-nungs, or waist-cloths, were of silk, and others of cotton.
+Some were striped, and others figured. They form, as you know, the
+principal part of the dress of both men and women in Siam.
+
+After Chin's father had looked at a number of the cotton waist-cloths,
+he finally decided on one that was gaily striped. It was of no use for
+him to examine anything made of silk. It would cost more than the poor
+man could afford.
+
+"Now, for the tailor's," he said. "I must buy thread and needles."
+
+A few steps brought them to the tiny shop where the tailor sat, working
+busily, but on the watch for customers at the same time. He held
+the cloth on which he was sewing between his toes! That did not seem
+strange to Chin. He had often watched carpenters use their toes to hold
+boards in place. As to himself, his own toes were put to every possible
+use, so that you would almost call him four-handed.
+
+As his feet were always bare, why shouldn't he make them useful in
+other ways than walking and running, swimming and playing games? There
+was no reason at all.
+
+"I'm getting hungry, and we are a good ways from home, father. I wish
+we could buy some cakes."
+
+Chin looked longingly at a stand under a stone archway where two men
+stood in front of a movable furnace. Square griddles were on the
+furnace, and the men were busily baking cakes. Each one was made in the
+shape of the figure 8. Curlicue cakes, they were called.
+
+A crowd of boys was standing as near to the furnace as possible,
+watching the men. Some were buying the cakes as they came from the hot
+griddle; others had no money and could only look on.
+
+Each of the bakers held in his hand a terra-cotta bottle with a small
+hole in the end. He kept the bottle horizontal while he filled it with
+the batter. When the griddle was hot enough, he held the bottle upright
+for a moment with his finger over the hole, then, taking his finger
+away, he passed it quickly over the griddle with the motion you would
+use in making the figure 8. A minute afterward, a delicious curlicue
+cake was ready for a customer.
+
+"You may treat yourself here, Chin," said his father, "while I go to
+the betel stand yonder, to get my box filled."
+
+It was now noon-time, and the sun was very hot. The street, which had
+been crowded all the morning, was nearly empty. Almost every one in
+the city, except the poorer people, was now taking a midday nap in the
+shadow of some tree or veranda.
+
+"We must go home, Chin, for I am warm and tired," said his father, but
+he smiled pleasantly, for he had enjoyed the morning as much as his son.
+
+On their way to the boat they passed some jugglers treading fire and
+climbing a ladder of sharp knives with their bare feet. At most times,
+a large crowd would have been gathered around them, but there were few
+people now. It was too hot, and even Chin was glad to leave the city
+street and get into his little boat once more.
+
+Perhaps you wonder if there are no carriages in this strange city of
+the East. There are not many, since, as you remember, most of the
+travelling is done on the water. But once in a while one sees a queer
+sort of vehicle called a jinrikisha.
+
+It is much like an open buggy on two wheels and is drawn by men. It is
+more common in the land of Chin's Japanese cousins, however, than in
+his country.
+
+Then, again, if any of Chin's people are in a great hurry (but that
+very seldom happens), they may hire gharries, which are very light and
+have canvas tops. These are drawn by small horses brought from China.
+
+"The gharries are strange things," thinks Chin's father; "the idea of
+using them must have been given by those queer white people, who do not
+seem to enjoy life as we Siamese do. They move so much faster, and are
+not satisfied to do things in the quiet, happy way of my countrymen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE QUEEN'S CITY
+
+
+"I HAVE had a lovely time to-day, too," said Chie Lo, when Chin had
+told her of his walk through the city.
+
+"I sold my fruit in an hour or two, and then Pome Yik and I went off in
+my canoe to have a good time by ourselves."
+
+Chin laughed when his sister mentioned Pome Yik. She was a curly-headed
+playmate of Chie Lo's. The Siamese think that straight, wiry hair is
+the only beautiful kind in the world, and make fun of any one whose
+hair is even wavy. So the little girl spoken of came to have the
+nickname Pome Yik, which means curly-head.
+
+Her real name was almost forgotten, but, poor child, she didn't
+enjoy hearing herself called Pome Yik any more than if it had been
+"double-toe" or "hunchback," or the name given to any kind of deformed
+person by the people of her country.
+
+"We went several miles before we stopped," Chie Lo went on. "We passed
+that big rice plantation, Chin, where you often go on errands for
+father. Then we came to a field flooded with water and covered with
+lotus blossoms. They had been raised for market and the people were
+busy gathering them.
+
+"See, Chin, they gave me these to bring home. Aren't they beautiful?"
+
+Chie Lo held up a bunch of the great, delicate lilies for her brother
+to admire. Their hearts were golden; the petals, which were of a faint
+pink near the centre, were of a deep, bright red toward the tips.
+
+The flower had a great meaning to these children of Siam. It told the
+story of life, and was sacred to the Buddha, who was often pictured
+sitting on the lotus. Why should it mean so much? Let us see.
+
+The root of the plant lies embedded in the mud. That represents our
+weak human nature. As the long stems grow, they reach up through the
+deep water toward the sunlight. That is what we all do, is it not? for
+we long to do right and seek the light of love and wisdom.
+
+At length a wondrous blossom appears on the surface of the water. It is
+perfect in shape, and beautiful in colour, while its heart is golden,
+we remember. That is the blossoming of a whole life. The lotus is a
+fine symbol, we have to admit.
+
+But Chie Lo spoke of the people gathering the lotus for market. Of
+course the flowers could be readily sold, but that was not all. The
+Chinese in the city would be glad to buy the seeds, which they
+grind and make into cakes. The stems could be cooked and served as
+a delicious vegetable; the fibres of the leaf-stalks would furnish
+lamp-wicks. The plant has many uses in the country where it is raised.
+
+"Father says the king has beautiful lotus ponds in the grounds near the
+palace," said Chin, as he smelled the flowers. "He has seen them, as
+well as the fountains and statues and lovely gardens."
+
+"It must be a grand thing to be a king," replied Chie Lo, thoughtfully.
+"They say that the palace is even more wonderful than the grounds
+around it.
+
+"Just think of it! the floors are paved with marble and the tables are
+also of marble. There are all sorts of couches to lie and sit on. These
+are covered with silks and satins of beautiful colours, and there are
+pictures on the walls that have been painted to look just like people
+the king has known. Ah! what a sight it must be!"
+
+Chie Lo shut her eyes, as though she might then be able to see what she
+had been describing.
+
+"The city of the royal women is inside all the rest of the king's
+grounds," said Chin. "You know that one must pass through three walls
+before one can enter it. No man can go there except the king and the
+priests."
+
+"Yes, mother has told me about it," answered Chie Lo. "It is a real
+city, too, for it contains stores and temples, theatres and markets.
+There are all sorts of lovely trees and plants, ponds and summer
+houses. The children must have a fine time in such a lovely place. It
+must be a grand thing to be born in a king's family." Chie Lo sighed.
+
+"Tell me what else you saw beside the lily-fields this morning," said
+Chin, who was quite satisfied to be a free, careless, happy boy, and
+envied nobody.
+
+"When we were still quite a distance from home, we saw some men fishing
+in the river. They were filling their boats very fast, for they had a
+wheel set up near the bank. As one of them turned the wheel, their nets
+were spread out and sunk in the water. The other men darted right and
+left in their boats, shouting and beating drums, and making a great
+noise. The frightened fishes must have been driven into the nets in
+great numbers, for the men were obliged to pull hard to lift them into
+the boats."
+
+"That is an easy way," said Chin. "There is a good deal of sport in it,
+too, for father and I fished with a wheel once, and I liked it for a
+change. But see, there's father now. Let's go to meet him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE MONSOON
+
+
+"IT'S coming! it's coming!" cried Chin, as he sat on the floating
+platform of his home. As soon as he said these words, he jumped up and
+followed Chie Lo and the rest of the family into the house.
+
+They all moved faster than usual, for it was a time to hurry, if there
+ever was such a time in Siam. The sky had been black and overcast with
+clouds for two or three days, giving warning to the people that the
+monsoon was drawing near, but now the wind began to blow, which told
+its arrival.
+
+Did they fear? Surely not. They were only too glad there was a rest
+from the burning sunshine and the clouds of dust.
+
+Unless rain should come soon, the sugar-cane would dry up and immense
+crops would be lost. The fruits would shrivel and many people would
+become poor.
+
+But now all could take refreshing sleep after they had prepared for the
+yearly storm.
+
+Chin had helped his father mend the roof of the little home. The
+clusters of loose leaves were pulled out, and fresh ones fastened
+securely in their places. Heavy stones were laid here and there on the
+roof to make it safe when the gusts of wind should strike it. The doors
+and window-casings must also be fastened tightly.
+
+As for Chie Lo and her mother, they had been very busy carrying all the
+jars and baskets inside the house. The mats, on which spices had been
+drying, must also be put in a safe place. In fact, everything that was
+loose must be made tight.
+
+The canoes were lifted from the water, and placed on that side of the
+platform which would be protected from the rising wind.
+
+Now it was coming, as Chin said. The cocoanut and mango-trees on the
+shore began to rustle; leaves were flying in the air; the crows were
+hastening to safe resting-places.
+
+Then, all of a sudden, the rain fell in sheets, the thunder rolled
+through the heavens, lightning flashed right and left, and the wind
+roared as though in fierce anger.
+
+But Chin and Chie Lo sat in a snug corner of the kitchen and felt
+little fear.
+
+"They say that a giant lives far up in the air, and when he gets
+angry with his wife and chases her, we hear the thunder in the sky,"
+whispered Chie Lo.
+
+"He isn't angry with us, anyway," said Chin. "Listen, Chie Lo. How our
+house rocks! but it is fastened tightly, so we are all right, and the
+wind won't keep up this way very long."
+
+After an hour or two the storm passed by, and the blackness departed
+from the sky. This was only the beginning of the fall rains, however.
+Before the night was over, Chin waked up to hear the downpour on the
+roof. He went to sleep in a few moments, saying to himself, "Rain,
+rain, rain, for a week at least. I will make up now for the nights I
+couldn't rest."
+
+If Chin had been kept from sleeping, you may well believe it had been
+very hot and uncomfortable.
+
+The next day there was little to do. Chin's father did not care to
+venture out in the heavy rain, and spent a good deal of the time in
+taking refreshing naps. But when he was awake the children got him to
+tell stories of the wonderful country in which they lived.
+
+He had never been in the jungle himself, but several of his friends
+were hunters who had met the wild elephant and the tiger in the deep
+forests. They had chased the wildcat, and had had narrow escapes from
+the rhinoceros and the deadly cobra.
+
+"Did you ever see a cobra yourself, father?" asked Chin, as he listened
+to the stories with wide-open eyes.
+
+"Yes, indeed. It was only the other day that I watched a snake-charmer,
+who wound a cobra around his arm."
+
+"Please tell us about it," cried his son. "I wish I could have seen
+him. Wasn't he the least bit afraid?"
+
+"If he had been, he would probably have lost his life," was the answer.
+"He charmed the creature with music, while he swayed his body back and
+forth as he played. The serpent followed his motions as it listened to
+the strange sounds. Of course the man played with only one hand. He
+seized the cobra's neck with the other, after which he took out its
+teeth and venom-bag. When this was done the cobra was no more harmful
+than your kitten."
+
+"How did he do it, father?"
+
+"It was not very hard work, for he used a pair of pincers. Coolness is
+the most important thing. We should remember to be calm in all things,
+my son."
+
+"Yes, I must remember that, for I will soon be old enough to have my
+hair cut, and you will call me a man."
+
+"I hope I can afford to have a fine celebration. Chin, you will go to
+the temple, of course. The seven steps of the altar will be covered
+with fresh banana leaves, and figures of angels and animals will be
+placed there."
+
+"Do I have to walk around the altar three times, holding a wax candle
+in my hand?"
+
+"Yes, Chin, and then your friends will take the other candles and blow
+the lights out directly over your head.
+
+"After that you will be given a fresh cocoanut and a cup containing
+pieces of money. Music will come next."
+
+"It will be the great time of my life, father. I must think about it
+and get ready for it."
+
+"There are many kinds of people in our city, Chin. There are the
+Chinese, who live here in great numbers; there are Hindus with pride
+in themselves; there are the white people who come here on business,
+or to teach their religion to those who will listen. But Chin, we are
+Siamese, and we like the ways of our own country. We hear of different
+fashions, but ours are still the best to us."
+
+
+    THE END.
+
+
+
+
+=THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS=
+
+(Trade Mark)
+
+_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
+
+    _Each 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol._    $1.50
+
+
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The
+Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant
+Scissors," in a single volume.
+
+
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING-SCHOOL=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =MARY WARE IN TEXAS=
+
+    =MARY WARE'S PROMISED LAND=
+
+_These 12 volumes, boxed as a set, $18.00._
+
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+
+=TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY=
+
+
+=THE GIANT SCISSORS=
+
+
+=BIG BROTHER=
+
+
+Special Holiday Editions
+
+    Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto, $1.25
+
+New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page drawings in
+color, and many marginal sketches.
+
+
+
+=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=
+
+
+=THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART=
+
+
+=THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME:=
+
+A FAIRY PLAY FOR OLD AND YOUNG.
+
+
+=THE JESTER'S SWORD=
+
+    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 six stories which were originally included in six of the "Little
+Colonel" books.
+
+
+=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.
+
+
+=THE LITTLE COLONEL GOOD TIMES BOOK=
+
+    Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series    $1.50
+    Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold              3.00
+
+Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg.
+
+Published in response to many inquiries from readers of the Little
+Colonel books as to where they could obtain a "Good Times Book" such as
+Betty kept.
+
+
+=THE LITTLE COLONEL DOLL BOOK=
+
+    Large quarto, boards                              $1.50
+
+A series of "Little Colonel" dolls. There are many of them and each
+has several changes of costume, so that the happy group can be
+appropriately clad for the rehearsal of any scene or incident in the
+series.
+
+
+=ASA HOLMES;= OR, AT THE CROSS-ROADS. 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."--_Boston Times._
+
+
+=TRAVELERS FIVE: ALONG LIFE'S HIGHWAY.= By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON.
+
+With an introduction by Bliss Carman, and a frontispiece by E. H.
+Garrett.
+
+    Cloth decorative                                  $1.25
+
+"Mrs. Johnston's ... are of the character that cause the mind to grow
+gravely meditative, the eyes to shine with tender mist, and the heart
+strings to stir to strange, sweet music of human sympathy."--_Los
+Angeles Graphic._
+
+
+=THE RIVAL CAMPERS;= OR, THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY BURNS. By RUEL PERLEY
+SMITH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated        $1.50
+
+A 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 RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT;= OR, THE PRIZE YACHT VIKING. By RUEL PERLEY
+SMITH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated        $1.50
+
+This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on
+their prize yacht _Viking_.
+
+
+=THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE=
+
+By RUEL PERLEY SMITH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"As interesting ashore as when afloat."--_The Interior._
+
+
+=THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE OYSTER PIRATES;= OR, JACK HARVEY'S
+ADVENTURES. By RUEL PERLEY SMITH.
+
+    Illustrated      $1.50
+
+"Just the type of book which is most popular with lads who are in their
+early teens."--_The Philadelphia Item._
+
+
+=A TEXAS BLUE BONNET=
+
+By EMILIA ELLIOTT.
+
+    12mo, illustrated                               $1.50
+
+"The book's heroine Blue Bonnet has the very finest kind of wholesome,
+honest lively girlishness and cannot but make friends with every one
+who meets her through the book as medium."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._
+
+
+=BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY=
+
+A Sequel to "A Texas Blue Bonnet." By EMILIA ELLIOTT.
+
+    12mo, illustrated                              $1.50
+
+The new story begins where the first volume leaves off and takes
+Blue Bonnet and the "We Are Seven Club" to the ranch in Texas. The
+tables are completely turned: Blue Bonnet is here in her natural
+element, while her friends from Woodford have to learn the customs and
+traditions of another world.
+
+
+=THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE=
+
+
+OR, PEGGY RAYMOND'S SUCCESS. By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH.
+
+    12mo, illustrated                             $1.50
+
+This is a book that will gladden the hearts of many girl readers
+because of its charming air of comradeship and reality. It is a very
+interesting group of girls who live on Friendly Terrace and their good
+times and other times are graphically related by the author, who shows
+a sympathetic knowledge of girl character.
+
+
+
+
+FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES
+
+_By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON_
+
+    _Each, large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated_         $1.50
+
+
+=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS=
+
+Biographical sketches, with anecdotes and reminiscences, of the heroes
+of history who were leaders of cavalry.
+
+"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young
+readers with historical personages in a pleasant informal way."--_N. Y.
+Sun._
+
+
+=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS=
+
+In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of the Indian
+braves who have figured with prominence in the history of our own land,
+including Powhatan, the Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the
+Puritans; Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war chief
+of the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief of the Sioux;
+Geronimo, the renowned Apache Chief, etc.
+
+
+=FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA=
+
+In this volume Mr. Johnston tells interesting stories about the famous
+sailors of fortune. There are tales of Captain Otway Burns, patriot,
+privateer and legislator; Woodes Rogers, scourge of the South Sea
+trade; Captain William Death, wolf of the ocean; and of many others.
+
+
+=FAMOUS SCOUTS=
+
+"It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination for
+boys and young men and while it entertains them it will also present
+valuable information in regard to those who have left their impress
+upon the history of the country."--_The New London Day._
+
+
+=FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER=
+
+This book is devoted to a description of the adventurous lives and
+stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes who were prominently
+identified with the opening of the great west. The stories of these
+border heroes are graphically presented, and their desperate battles
+with Indians, border desperadoes, and wild beasts are splendidly told.
+
+
+=BEAUTIFUL JOE'S PARADISE;= OR, THE ISLAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE. A Sequel
+to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe."
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, cloth illustrated          $1.50
+
+"This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally. It is
+fairly riotous with fun, and is about as unusual as anything in the
+animal book line that has seen the light."--_Philadelphia Item._
+
+
+='TILDA JANE.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
+
+    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50
+
+"I cannot think of any better book for children than this. I commend it
+unreservedly."--_Cyrus T. Brady._
+
+
+='TILDA JANE'S ORPHANS.= A sequel to "'Tilda Jane." By MARSHALL
+SAUNDERS.
+
+    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50
+
+'Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as fond of her
+animal pets as ever.
+
+
+='TILDA JANE IN CALIFORNIA.= A Sequel to "'Tilda Jane," and "'Tilda
+Jane's Orphans." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
+
+    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50
+
+The scene of the story is sunny California, where the heroine, 'Tilda
+Jane, an Eastern girl of high resolves and warm impulses, goes on a
+long visit to distant relatives. Many of the other beloved characters
+in the previous "'Tilda Jane" books are introduced in this story.
+
+
+=THE STORY OF THE GRAVELYS.= 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.
+
+
+=BORN TO THE BLUE.= By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
+
+    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated               $1.25
+
+The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on every page of
+this delightful tale. The boy is the son of a captain of U. S. cavalry
+stationed at a frontier post in the days when our regulars earned the
+gratitude of a nation.
+
+
+=IN WEST POINT GRAY=
+
+By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
+
+    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated            $1.50
+
+"Singularly enough one of the best books of the year for boys is
+written by a woman and deals with life at West Point. The presentment
+of life in the famous military academy whence so many heroes have
+graduated is realistic and enjoyable."--_New York Sun._
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES=
+
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. With fifty illustrations by Ada Clendenin
+Williamson.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover                   $1.50
+
+"An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of very small
+children. It should be one of the most popular of the year's books for
+reading to small children."--_Buffalo Express._
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES=
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated    $1.50
+
+Mr. Hopkins's first essay at bedtime stories met with such approval
+that this second book of "Sandman" tales was issued for scores of eager
+children. Life on the farm, and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his
+inimitable manner.
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES=
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS, author of "The Sandman: His Farm Stories," etc.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
+
+"Children call for these stories over and over again."--_Chicago
+Evening Post._
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: HIS SEA STORIES=
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
+
+Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series of stories to be
+read to the little ones at bed time and at other times.
+
+
+=THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL=
+
+By MARION AMES TAGGART.
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, illustrated        $1.50
+
+A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her comrade father,
+written in a delightful vein of sympathetic comprehension of the
+child's point of view.
+
+"The characters are strongly drawn with a life-like realism, the
+incidents are well and progressively sequenced, and the action is so
+well timed that the interest never slackens."--_Boston Ideas._
+
+
+=SWEET NANCY=
+
+THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL. By MARION AMES
+TAGGART.
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, illustrated           $1.50
+
+In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes in fact "the
+doctor's assistant," and continues to shed happiness around her.
+
+
+=NANCY, THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE PARTNER=
+
+By MARION AMES TAGGART.
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, illustrated            $1.50
+
+In Nancy Porter, Miss Taggart has created one of the most lovable child
+characters in recent years. In the new story she is the same bright and
+cheerful little maid.
+
+
+=NANCY PORTER'S OPPORTUNITY=
+
+By MARION AMES TAGGART.
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, illustrated          $1.50
+
+Already as the "doctor's partner" Nancy Porter has won the affection of
+her readers, and in the same lovable manner she continues in the new
+book to press the key-notes of optimism and good-will.
+
+
+=ALMA AT HADLEY HALL=
+
+By LOUISE BREITENBACH.
+
+    One vol., 12mo, illustrated                         $1.50
+
+"This delightful tale of boarding-school life is one that cannot fail
+to appeal to the lover of good things in girls' books. It will take
+rank for its naturalness and truth."--_Portland Press._
+
+
+=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.
+
+"No works in juvenile fiction contain so many of the elements that
+stir the hearts of children and grown-ups as well as do the stories so
+admirably told by this author."--_Louisville Daily Courier._
+
+
+=A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE=
+
+By EVALEEN STEIN.
+
+    Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by Diantha H. Marlowe   $1.25
+
+"The story should be one of the influences in the life of every child
+to whom good stories can be made to appeal."--_Public Ledger._
+
+
+=THE LITTLE COUNT OF NORMANDY=
+
+By EVALEEN STEIN.
+
+    Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by John Goss             $1.25
+
+"This touching and pleasing story is told with a wealth of interest
+coupled with enlivening descriptions of the country where its scenes
+are laid and of the people thereof."--_Wilmington Every Evening._
+
+
+=ALYS-ALL-ALONE=
+
+By UNA MACDONALD.
+
+    Cloth, 12mo, illustrated                           $1.50
+
+"This is a most delightful, well-written, heart-stirring, happy ending
+story, which will gladden the heart of many a reader."--_Scranton
+Times._
+
+
+=ALYS IN HAPPYLAND.= A Sequel to "Alys-All Alone." By UNA MACDONALD.
+
+    Cloth, 12mo, illustrated                      $1.50
+
+"The book is written with that taste and charm that prepare younger
+readers for the appreciation of good literature when they are
+older."--_Chicago Tribune._
+
+
+=THE RED FEATHERS.= By G. E. T. ROBERTS.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated       $1.50
+
+"The Red Feathers" tells of the remarkable adventures of an Indian boy
+who lived in the Stone Age, many years ago, when the world was young.
+
+
+=FLYING PLOVER.= By G. E. THEODORE ROBERTS.
+
+    Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull   $1.00
+
+Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who lives alone with
+her grandson, "Flying Plover," to whom she tells the stories each
+evening.
+
+
+=COMRADES OF THE TRAILS.= By G. E. THEODORE ROBERTS.
+
+    Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull     $1.50
+
+The story of a fearless young English lad, Dick Ramsey, who, after the
+death of his father, crosses the seas and takes up the life of a hunter
+in the Canadian forests.
+
+
+=MARCHING WITH MORGAN.= HOW DONALD LOVELL BECAME A SOLDIER OF THE
+REVOLUTION. By JOHN V. LANE.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated       $1.50
+
+This is a splendid boy's story of the expedition of Montgomery and
+Arnold against Quebec.
+
+
+=RODNEY, THE RANGER= OR, WITH DANIEL MORGAN ON TRAIL AND BATTLEFIELD.
+By JOHN V. LANE.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+Young Rodney Allison, although but fifteen years of age, played a man's
+part in the troublous times preceding the American Revolution and in
+the War itself.
+
+
+=CHINESE PLAYMATES= By NORMAN H. PITMAN.
+
+    Small cloth 12mo, illustrated      $1.00
+
+A worth-while, happy little story about two little Chinese boys, Lo-Lo
+and Ta-Ta, and the strange fortunes that befell them when they wandered
+from home.
+
+
+=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND;= OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST. By BURTON
+E. STEVENSON.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated         $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.
+
+
+=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated              $1.50
+
+"A better book for boys has never left an American
+press."--_Springfield Union._
+
+
+=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated             $1.50
+
+"Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for boys in which the
+actualities of life are set forth in a practical way could be devised
+or written."--_Boston Herald_.
+
+
+=CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER.= By WINN STANDISH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated             $1.50
+
+Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy.
+
+
+=JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS;= OR, SPORTS ON LAND AND LAKE. By WINN
+STANDISH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated       $1.50
+
+"It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested in athletics,
+for it shows him what it means to always 'play fair.'"--_Chicago
+Tribune._
+
+
+=JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS;= OR, MILLVALE HIGH IN CAMP. By WINN STANDISH.
+
+    Illustrated                    $1.50
+
+Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to excite the
+healthy minded youngster to emulation.
+
+
+=JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE=; OR, THE ACTING CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. By
+WINN STANDISH.
+
+    Illustrated        $1.50
+
+On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling,
+tobogganing, but it is more of a school story perhaps than any of its
+predecessors.
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES
+
+(Trade Mark)
+
+    Each one vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with
+        full-page illustrations in color. Price per volume   $0.60
+
+
+_By MARY HAZELTON WADE unless otherwise indicated_
+
+    =Our Little African Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Arabian Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Argentine Cousin=
+        By Eva Cannon Brooks
+
+    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Australian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Belgian Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Bohemian Cousin=
+        By Clara V. Winlow
+
+    =Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Canadian Cousin=
+        By Elizabeth R. Macdonald
+
+    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
+        By Isaac Taylor Headland
+
+    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Danish Cousin=
+        By Luna May Innes
+
+    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Egyptian 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 Grecian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Hindu Cousin=
+        By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
+        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =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 Malayan (Brown) Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
+        By Edward C. Butler
+
+    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
+        By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Persian Cousin=
+        By E. C. Shedd
+
+    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Polish Cousin=
+        By Florence E. Mendel
+
+    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Portuguese Cousin=
+        By Edith A. Sawyer
+
+    =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=
+
+
+
+
+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 Stephen, 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 introduces this story 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.
+
+
+=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.
+
+
+=A PURITAN KNIGHT ERRANT=
+
+The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to
+carry out the high ideals of the knights of olden days.
+
+
+_By OUIDA (Louise de la Ramee)_
+
+
+=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 neighbors 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.
+
+
+=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 COUNTRY CHRISTMAS=
+
+Miss Fox has vividly described the happy surprises that made the
+occasion so memorable to the Mulvaneys, and the funny things the
+children did in their new environment.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Our Little Siamese Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43908 ***