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diff --git a/old/52900-0.txt b/old/52900-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7202c50..0000000 --- a/old/52900-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12270 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Men, by Louisa M. Alcott - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Little Men - Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys - -Author: Louisa M. Alcott - -Illustrator: Reginald Birch - -Release Date: August 26, 2016 [EBook #52900] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE MEN *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - -[Illustration: _The good Professor and his wife were taken prisoner by -many arms. See page 354. Frontispiece._] - - - - - ORCHARD HOUSE EDITION - - LITTLE MEN - - Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys - _A Sequel to “Little Women”_ - - By - Louisa M. Alcott - - _With Illustrations in Color by_ - Reginald Birch - - [Illustration] - - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY - BOSTON 1934 - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by - LOUISA M. ALCOTT, - In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. - - _Copyright, 1899, 1913,_ - BY JOHN S. P. ALCOTT. - - _Copyright, 1901,_ - BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. - - _All rights reserved_ - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - - TO - FREDDY AND JOHNNY - The Little Men - TO WHOM SHE OWES SOME OF THE BEST AND HAPPIEST - HOURS OF HER LIFE, - THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED - BY THEIR LOVING - “AUNT WEEDY.” - - - - -Contents - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. NAT 1 - - II. THE BOYS 18 - - III. SUNDAY 28 - - IV. STEPPING-STONES 49 - - V. PATTY PANS 62 - - VI. A FIRE BRAND 84 - - VII. NAUGHTY NAN 106 - - VIII. PRANKS AND PLAYS 118 - - IX. DAISY’S BALL 131 - - X. HOME AGAIN 145 - - XI. UNCLE TEDDY 164 - - XII. HUCKLEBERRIES 180 - - XIII. GOLDILOCKS 206 - - XIV. DAMON AND PYTHIAS 216 - - XV. IN THE WILLOW 239 - - XVI. TAMING THE COLT 259 - - XVII. COMPOSITION DAY 271 - - XVIII. CROPS 286 - - XIX. JOHN BROOKE 297 - - XX. ROUND THE FIRE 312 - - XXI. THANKSGIVING 336 - - - - -Illustrations - - - The good Professor and his wife were taken prisoner - by many arms _Frontispiece_ - - Miss Smith accompanied herself with a vigor which - made the old desk rattle 136 - - All were glad to gather round the hearth, as the - evenings grew longer 312 - - - - -_Little Men_ - -_Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys_ - - - - -CHAPTER I - -NAT - - -“Please, sir, is this Plumfield?” asked a ragged boy of the man who -opened the great gate at which the omnibus left him. - -“Yes; who sent you?” - -“Mr. Laurence. I have got a letter for the lady.” - -“All right; go up to the house, and give it to her; she’ll see to you, -little chap.” - -The man spoke pleasantly, and the boy went on, feeling much cheered -by the words. Through the soft spring rain that fell on sprouting -grass and budding trees, Nat saw a large square house before him,--a -hospitable-looking house, with an old-fashioned porch, wide steps, and -lights shining in many windows. Neither curtains nor shutters hid the -cheerful glimmer; and, pausing a moment before he rang, Nat saw many -little shadows dancing on the walls, heard the pleasant hum of young -voices, and felt that it was hardly possible that the light and warmth -and comfort within could be for a homeless “little chap” like him. - -“I hope the lady _will_ see to me,” he thought; and gave a timid rap -with the great bronze knocker, which was a jovial griffin’s head. - -A rosy-faced servant-maid opened the door, and smiled as she took the -letter which he silently offered. She seemed used to receiving strange -boys, for she pointed to a seat in the hall, and said, with a nod,-- - -“Sit there and drip on the mat a bit, while I take this in to missis.” - -Nat found plenty to amuse him while he waited, and stared about him -curiously, enjoying the view, yet glad to do so unobserved in the dusky -recess by the door. - -The house seemed swarming with boys, who were beguiling the rainy -twilight with all sorts of amusements. There were boys everywhere, -“up-stairs and down-stairs and in the lady’s chamber,” apparently, -for various open doors showed pleasant groups of big boys, little -boys, and middle-sized boys in all stages of evening relaxation, not -to say effervescence. Two large rooms on the right were evidently -school-rooms, for desks, maps, blackboards, and books were scattered -about. An open fire burned on the hearth, and several indolent lads -lay on their backs before it, discussing a new cricket-ground, with -such animation that their boots waved in the air. A tall youth was -practising on the flute in one corner, quite undisturbed by the racket -all about him. Two or three others were jumping over the desks, -pausing, now and then, to get their breath, and laugh at the droll -sketches of a little wag who was caricaturing the whole household on a -blackboard. - -In the room on the left a long supper-table was seen, set forth with -great pitchers of new milk, piles of brown and white bread, and perfect -stacks of the shiny gingerbread so dear to boyish souls. A flavor -of toast was in the air, also suggestions of baked apples, very -tantalizing to one hungry little nose and stomach. - -The hall, however, presented the most inviting prospect of all, for -a brisk game of tag was going on in the upper entry. One landing was -devoted to marbles, the other to checkers, while the stairs were -occupied by a boy reading, a girl singing lullaby to her doll, two -puppies, a kitten, and a constant succession of small boys sliding down -the banisters, to the great detriment of their clothes, and danger to -their limbs. - -So absorbed did Nat become in this exciting race, that he ventured -farther and farther out of his corner; and when one very lively boy -came down so swiftly that he could not stop himself, but fell off -the banisters, with a crash that would have broken any head but one -rendered nearly as hard as a cannon-ball by eleven years of constant -bumping, Nat forgot himself, and ran up to the fallen rider, expecting -to find him half-dead. The boy, however, only winked rapidly for a -second, then lay calmly looking up at the new face with a surprised -“Hullo!” - -“Hullo!” returned Nat, not knowing what else to say, and thinking that -form of reply both brief and easy. - -“Are you a new boy?” asked the recumbent youth, without stirring. - -“Don’t know yet.” - -“What’s your name?” - -“Nat Blake.” - -“Mine’s Tommy Bangs; come up and have a go, will you?” and Tommy got -upon his legs like one suddenly remembering the duties of hospitality. - -“Guess I won’t, till I see whether I’m going to stay or not,” returned -Nat, feeling the desire to stay increase every moment. - -“I say, Demi, here’s a new one. Come and see to him;” and the lively -Thomas returned to his sport with unabated relish. - -At his call, the boy reading on the stairs looked up with a pair of big -brown eyes, and after an instant’s pause, as if a little shy, he put -the book under his arm, and came soberly down to greet the new-comer, -who found something very attractive in the pleasant face of this -slender, mild-eyed boy. - -“Have you seen Aunt Jo?” he asked, as if that was some sort of -important ceremony. - -“I haven’t seen anybody yet but you boys; I’m waiting,” answered Nat. - -“Did Uncle Laurie send you?” proceeded Demi, politely, but gravely. - -“Mr. Laurence did.” - -“He is Uncle Laurie; and he always sends nice boys.” - -Nat looked gratified at the remark, and smiled, in a way that made his -thin face very pleasant. He did not know what to say next, so the two -stood staring at one another in friendly silence, till the little girl -came up with her doll in her arms. She was very like Demi, only not so -tall, and had a rounder, rosier face, and blue eyes. - -“This is my sister Daisy,” announced Demi, as if presenting a rare and -precious creature. - -The children nodded to one another; and the little girl’s face dimpled -with pleasure, as she said, affably,-- - -“I hope you’ll stay. We have such good times here; don’t we, Demi?” - -“Of course, we do; that’s what Aunt Jo has Plumfield for.” - -“It seems a very nice place indeed,” observed Nat, feeling that he must -respond to these amiable young persons. - -“It’s the nicest place in the world; isn’t it, Demi?” said Daisy, who -evidently regarded her brother as authority on all subjects. - -“No; I think Greenland, where the icebergs and seals are, is more -interesting. But I’m fond of Plumfield, and it is a very nice place -to be in,” returned Demi, who was interested just now in a book on -Greenland. He was about to offer to show Nat the pictures and explain -them, when the servant returned, saying, with a nod toward the -parlor-door,-- - -“All right; you are to stop.” - -“I’m glad; now come to Aunt Jo.” And Daisy took him by the hand with a -pretty protecting air, which made Nat feel at home at once. - -Demi returned to his beloved book, while his sister led the new-comer -into a back room, where a stout gentleman was frolicking with two -little boys on the sofa, and a thin lady was just finishing the letter -which she seemed to have been re-reading. - -“Here he is, Aunty!” cried Daisy. - -“So this is my new boy? I am glad to see you, my dear, and hope you’ll -be happy here,” said the lady, drawing him to her, and stroking back -the hair from his forehead with a kind hand and a motherly look, which -made Nat’s lonely little heart yearn toward her. - -She was not at all handsome, but she had a merry sort of face, that -never seemed to have forgotten certain childish ways and looks, any -more than her voice and manner had; and these things, hard to describe -but very plain to see and feel, made her a genial, comfortable kind of -person, easy to get on with, and generally “jolly,” as boys would say. -She saw the little tremble of Nat’s lips as she smoothed his hair, and -her keen eyes grew softer, but she only drew the shabby figure nearer -and said, laughing,-- - -“I am Mother Bhaer, that gentleman is Father Bhaer, and these are the -two little Bhaers.--Come here, boys, and see Nat.” - -The three wrestlers obeyed at once; and the stout man, with a chubby -child on each shoulder, came up to welcome the new boy. Rob and Teddy -merely grinned at him, but Mr. Bhaer shook hands, and pointing to a low -chair near the fire, said, in a cordial voice,-- - -“There is a place all ready for thee, my son; sit down and dry thy wet -feet at once.” - -“Wet? so they are! My dear, off with your shoes this minute, and I’ll -have some dry things ready for you in a jiffy,” cried Mrs. Bhaer, -bustling about so energetically, that Nat found himself in the cosy -little chair, with dry socks and warm slippers on his feet, before he -would have had time to say Jack Robinson, if he had wanted to try. He -said “Thank you, ma’am,” instead; and said it so gratefully, that Mrs. -Bhaer’s eyes grew soft again, and she said something merry, because she -felt so tender, which was a way she had. - -“These are Tommy Bangs’ slippers; but he never will remember to put -them on in the house; so he shall not have them. They are too big; but -that’s all the better; you can’t run away from us so fast as if they -fitted.” - -“I don’t want to run away, ma’am.” And Nat spread his grimy little -hands before the comfortable blaze, with a long sigh of satisfaction. - -“That’s good! Now I am going to toast you well, and try to get rid of -that ugly cough. How long have you had it, dear?” asked Mrs. Bhaer, as -she rummaged in her big basket for a strip of flannel. - -“All winter. I got cold, and it wouldn’t get better, somehow.” - -“No wonder, living in that damp cellar with hardly a rag to his poor -dear back!” said Mrs. Bhaer, in a low tone to her husband, who was -looking at the boy with a skilful pair of eyes, that marked the thin -temples and feverish lips, as well as the hoarse voice and frequent -fits of coughing that shook the bent shoulders under the patched jacket. - -“Robin, my man, trot up to Nursey, and tell her to give thee the -cough-bottle and the liniment,” said Mr. Bhaer, after his eyes had -exchanged telegrams with his wife’s. - -Nat looked a little anxious at the preparations, but forgot his fears, -in a hearty laugh, when Mrs. Bhaer whispered to him, with a droll -look,-- - -“Hear my rogue Teddy try to cough. The syrup I’m going to give you has -honey in it; and he wants some.” - -Little Ted was red in the face with his exertions by the time the -bottle came, and was allowed to suck the spoon, after Nat had manfully -taken a dose, and had the bit of flannel put about his throat. - -These first steps toward a cure were hardly completed, when a great -bell rang, and a loud tramping through the hall announced supper. -Bashful Nat quaked at the thought of meeting many strange boys, but -Mrs. Bhaer held out her hand to him, and Rob said, patronizingly, -“Don’t be ’fraid; I’ll take care of you.” - -Twelve boys, six on a side, stood behind their chairs, prancing with -impatience to begin, while the tall flute-playing youth was trying to -curb their ardor. But no one sat down, till Mrs. Bhaer was in her place -behind the teapot, with Teddy on her left, and Nat on her right. - -“This is our new boy, Nat Blake. After supper you can say, How do you -do? Gently, boys, gently.” - -As she spoke every one stared at Nat, and then whisked into their -seats, trying to be orderly, and failing utterly. The Bhaers did -their best to have the lads behave well at meal times, and generally -succeeded pretty well, for their rules were few and sensible, and -the boys, knowing that they tried to make things easy and happy, did -their best to obey. But there _are_ times when hungry boys cannot -be repressed without real cruelty, and Saturday evening, after a -half-holiday, was one of those times. - -“Dear little souls, do let them have one day in which they can howl and -racket and frolic, to their hearts’ content. A holiday isn’t a holiday, -without plenty of freedom and fun; and they shall have full swing -once a week,” Mrs. Bhaer used to say, when prim people wondered why -banister-sliding, pillow-fights, and all manner of jovial games were -allowed under the once decorous roof of Plumfield. - -It did seem at times as if the aforesaid roof was in danger of flying -off; but it never did, for a word from Father Bhaer could at any time -produce a lull, and the lads had learned that liberty must not be -abused. So, in spite of many dark predictions, the school flourished, -and manners and morals were insinuated, without the pupils exactly -knowing how it was done. - -Nat found himself very well off behind the tall pitchers, with Tommy -Bangs just round the corner, and Mrs. Bhaer close by, to fill up plate -and mug as fast as he could empty them. - -“Who is that boy next the girl down at the other end?” whispered Nat to -his young neighbor under cover of a general laugh. - -“That’s Demi Brooke. Mr. Bhaer is his uncle.” - -“What a queer name!” - -“His real name is John, but they call him Demi-John, because his -father is John too. That’s a joke, don’t you see?” said Tommy, kindly -explaining. Nat did not see, but politely smiled, and asked, with -interest,-- - -“Isn’t he a very nice boy?” - -“I bet you he is; knows lots and reads like any thing.” - -“Who is the fat one next him?” - -“Oh, that’s Stuffy Cole. His name is George, but we call him Stuffy -’cause he eats so much. The little fellow next Father Bhaer is his boy -Rob, and then there’s big Franz his nephew; he teaches some, and kind -of sees to us.” - -“He plays the flute, doesn’t he?” asked Nat as Tommy rendered himself -speechless by putting a whole baked apple into his mouth at one blow. - -Tommy nodded, and said, sooner than one would have imagined possible -under the circumstances, “Oh, don’t he, though? and we dance sometimes, -and do gymnastics to music. I like a drum myself, and mean to learn as -soon as ever I can.” - -“I like a fiddle best; I can play one too,” said Nat, getting -confidential on this attractive subject. - -“Can you?” and Tommy stared over the rim of his mug with round eyes, -full of interest. “Mr. Bhaer’s got an old fiddle, and he’ll let you -play on it if you want to.” - -“Could I? Oh, I would like it ever so much. You see I used to go round -fiddling with my father, and another man, till he died.” - -“Wasn’t that fun?” cried Tommy, much impressed. - -“No, it was horrid; so cold in winter, and hot in summer. And I -got tired; and they were cross sometimes; and I didn’t have enough -to eat.” Nat paused to take a generous bite of gingerbread, as if -to assure himself that the hard times were over; and then he added -regretfully,--“But I did love my little fiddle, and I miss it. Nicolo -took it away when father died, and wouldn’t have me any longer, ’cause -I was sick.” - -“You’ll belong to the band if you play good. See if you don’t.” - -“Do you have a band here?” And Nat’s eyes sparkled. - -“Guess we do; a jolly band, all boys; and they have concerts and -things. You just see what happens to-morrow night.” - -After this pleasantly exciting remark, Tommy returned to his supper, -and Nat sank into a blissful reverie over his full plate. - -Mrs. Bhaer had heard all they said, while apparently absorbed in -filling mugs, and overseeing little Ted, who was so sleepy that he put -his spoon in his eye, nodded like a rosy poppy, and finally fell fast -asleep, with his cheek pillowed on a soft bun. Mrs. Bhaer had put Nat -next to Tommy, because that roly-poly boy had a frank and social way -with him, very attractive to shy persons. Nat felt this, and had made -several small confidences during supper, which gave Mrs. Bhaer the -key to the new boy’s character, better than if she had talked to him -herself. - -In the letter which Mr. Laurence had sent with Nat, he had said-- - - “DEAR JO,--Here is a case after your own heart. This poor - lad is an orphan now, sick and friendless. He has been a - street-musician; and I found him in a cellar, mourning for his - dead father, and his lost violin. I think there is something in - him, and have a fancy that between us we may give this little - man a lift. You cure his over-tasked body, Fritz help his - neglected mind, and when he is ready I’ll see if he is a genius - or only a boy with a talent which may earn his bread for him. - Give him a trial, for the sake of your own boy, - - “TEDDY.” - -“Of course we will!” cried Mrs. Bhaer, as she read the letter; and when -she saw Nat, she felt at once that whether he was a genius or not, here -was a lonely, sick boy, who needed just what she loved to give, a home, -and motherly care. Both she and Mr. Bhaer observed him quietly; and in -spite of ragged clothes, awkward manners, and a dirty face, they saw -much about Nat that pleased them. He was a thin, pale boy, of twelve, -with blue eyes, and a good forehead under the rough, neglected hair; an -anxious, scared face, at times, as if he expected hard words, or blows; -and a sensitive mouth, that trembled when a kind glance fell on him; -while a gentle speech called up a look of gratitude, very sweet to see. -“Bless the poor dear, he shall fiddle all day long if he likes,” said -Mrs. Bhaer to herself, as she saw the eager, happy expression on his -face when Tommy talked of the band. - -So, after supper, when the lads flocked into the school-room for more -“high jinks,” Mrs. Jo appeared with a violin in her hand, and after a -word with her husband, went to Nat, who sat in a corner watching the -scene with intense interest. - -“Now, my lad, give us a little tune. We want a violin in our band, and -I think you will do it nicely.” - -She expected that he would hesitate; but he seized the old fiddle at -once, and handled it with such loving care, it was plain to see that -music was his passion. - -“I’ll do the best I can, ma’am,” was all he said; and then drew the bow -across the strings, as if eager to hear the dear notes again. - -There was a great clatter in the room, but as if deaf to any sounds -but those he made, Nat played softly to himself, forgetting every -thing in his delight. It was only a simple negro melody, such as -street-musicians play, but it caught the ears of the boys at once, and -silenced them, till they stood listening with surprise and pleasure. -Gradually they got nearer and nearer, and Mr. Bhaer came up to watch -the boy; for, as if he was in his element now, Nat played away and -never minded any one, while his eyes shone, his cheeks reddened, and -his thin fingers flew, as he hugged the old fiddle and made it speak to -all their hearts the language that he loved. - -A hearty round of applause rewarded him better than a shower of -pennies, when he stopped and glanced about him, as if to say-- - -“I’ve done my best; please like it.” - -“I say, you do that first rate,” cried Tommy, who considered Nat his -_protégé_. - -“You shall be first fiddle in my band,” added Franz, with an approving -smile. - -Mrs. Bhaer whispered to her husband-- - -“Teddy is right: there’s something in the child.” And Mr. Bhaer nodded -his head emphatically, as he clapped Nat on the shoulder, saying, -heartily-- - -“You play well, my son. Come now and play something which we can sing.” - -It was the proudest, happiest minute of the poor boy’s life when he was -led to the place of honor by the piano, and the lads gathered round, -never heeding his poor clothes, but eying him respectfully, and waiting -eagerly to hear him play again. - -They chose a song he knew; and after one or two false starts they got -going, and violin, flute, and piano led a chorus of boyish voices that -made the old roof ring again. It was too much for Nat, more feeble than -he knew; and as the final shout died away, his face began to work, he -dropped the fiddle, and turning to the wall, sobbed like a little child. - -“My dear, what is it?” asked Mrs. Bhaer, who had been singing with all -her might, and trying to keep little Rob from beating time with his -boots. - -“You are all so kind--and it’s so beautiful--I can’t help it,” sobbed -Nat, coughing till he was breathless. - -“Come with me, dear; you must go to bed and rest; you are worn out, and -this is too noisy a place for you,” whispered Mrs. Bhaer; and took him -away to her own parlor, where she let him cry himself quiet. - -Then she won him to tell her all his troubles, and listened to the -little story with tears in her own eyes, though it was not a new one to -her. - -“My child, you _have_ got a father and a mother now, and this is home. -Don’t think of those sad times any more, but get well and happy; and -be sure you shall never suffer again, if we can help it. This place is -made for all sorts of boys to have a good time in, and to learn how to -help themselves and be useful men, I hope. You shall have as much music -as you want, only you must get strong first. Now come up to Nursey and -have a bath, and then go to bed, and to-morrow we will lay some nice -little plans together.” - -Nat held her hand fast in his, but had not a word to say, and let his -grateful eyes speak for him, as Mrs. Bhaer led him up to a big room, -where they found a stout German woman with a face so round and cheery, -that it looked like a sort of sun, with the wide frill of her cap for -rays. - -“This is Nursey Hummel, and she will give you a nice bath, and cut -your hair, and make you all ‘comfy,’ as Rob says. That’s the bath-room -in there; and on Saturday nights we scrub all the little lads first, -and pack them away in bed before the big ones get through singing. Now -then, Rob, in with you.” - -As she talked, Mrs. Bhaer had whipped off Rob’s clothes and popped him -into a long bath-tub in the little room opening into the nursery. - -There were two tubs, besides foot-baths, basins, douche-pipes, and all -manner of contrivances for cleanliness. Nat was soon luxuriating in the -other bath; and while simmering there, he watched the performances of -the two women, who scrubbed, clean night-gowned, and bundled into bed -four or five small boys, who, of course, cut up all sorts of capers -during the operation, and kept every one in a gale of merriment till -they were extinguished in their beds. - -By the time Nat was washed and done up in a blanket by the fire, while -Nursey cut his hair, a new detachment of boys arrived and were shut -into the bath-room, where they made as much splashing and noise as a -school of young whales at play. - -“Nat had better sleep here, so that if his cough troubles him in the -night you can see that he takes a good draught of flax-seed tea,” said -Mrs. Bhaer, who was flying about like a distracted hen with a large -brood of lively ducklings. - -Nursey approved the plan, finished Nat off with a flannel night-gown, -a drink of something warm and sweet, and then tucked him into one of -the three little beds standing in the room, where he lay looking like -a contented mummy, and feeling that nothing more in the way of luxury -could be offered him. Cleanliness in itself was a new and delightful -sensation; flannel gowns were unknown comforts in his world; sips of -“good stuff” soothed his cough as pleasantly as kind words did his -lonely heart; and the feeling that somebody cared for him made that -plain room seem a sort of heaven to the homeless child. It was like a -cozy dream; and he often shut his eyes to see if it would not vanish -when he opened them again. It was too pleasant to let him sleep, and he -could not have done so if he had tried, for in a few minutes one of the -peculiar institutions of Plumfield was revealed to his astonished but -appreciative eyes. - -A momentary lull in the aquatic exercises was followed by the sudden -appearance of pillows flying in all directions, hurled by white -goblins, who came rioting out of their beds. The battle raged in -several rooms, all down the upper hall, and even surged at intervals -into the nursery, when some hard-pressed warrior took refuge there. -No one seemed to mind this explosion in the least; no one forbade it, -or even looked surprised. Nursey went on hanging up towels, and Mrs. -Bhaer looked out clean clothes, as calmly as if the most perfect order -reigned. Nay, she even chased one daring boy out of the room, and fired -after him the pillow he had slyly thrown at her. - -“Won’t they hurt ’em?” asked Nat, who lay laughing with all his might. - -“Oh dear, no! we always allow one pillow-fight Saturday night. The -cases are changed to-morrow; and it gets up a glow after the boys’ -baths; so I rather like it myself,” said Mrs. Bhaer, busy again among -her dozen pairs of socks. - -“What a very nice school this is!” observed Nat, in a burst of -admiration. - -“It’s an odd one,” laughed Mrs. Bhaer; “but you see we don’t believe -in making children miserable by too many rules, and too much study. -I forbade night-gown parties at first; but, bless you, it was of no -use. I could no more keep those boys in their beds, than so many -jacks in the box. So I made an agreement with them: I was to allow a -fifteen-minute pillow-fight, every Saturday night; and they promised to -go properly to bed, every other night. I tried it, and it worked well. -If they don’t keep their word, no frolic; if they do, I just turn the -glasses round, put the lamps in safe places, and let them rampage as -much as they like.” - -“It’s a beautiful plan,” said Nat, feeling that he should like to join -in the fray, but not venturing to propose it the first night. So he lay -enjoying the spectacle, which certainly was a lively one. - -Tommy Bangs led the assailing party, and Demi defended his own room -with a dogged courage, fine to see, collecting pillows behind him as -fast as they were thrown, till the besiegers were out of ammunition, -when they would charge upon him in a body, and recover their arms. A -few slight accidents occurred, but nobody minded, and gave and took -sounding thwacks with perfect good humor, while pillows flew like big -snowflakes, till Mrs. Bhaer looked at her watch, and called out-- - -“Time is up, boys. Into bed, every man Jack, or pay the forfeit!” - -“What is the forfeit?” asked Nat, sitting up in his eagerness to know -what happened to those wretches who disobeyed this most peculiar, but -public-spirited schoolma’am. - -“Lose their fun next time,” answered Mrs. Bhaer. “I give them five -minutes to settle down, then put out the lights, and expect order. They -are honorable lads, and they keep their word.” - -That was evident, for the battle ended as abruptly as it began--a -parting shot or two, a final cheer, as Demi fired the seventh pillow at -the retiring foe, a few challenges for next time, then order prevailed; -and nothing but an occasional giggle, or a suppressed whisper, broke -the quiet which followed the Saturday-night frolic, as Mother Bhaer -kissed her new boy, and left him to happy dreams of life at Plumfield. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE BOYS - - -While Nat takes a good long sleep, I will tell my little readers -something about the boys, among whom he found himself when he woke up. - -To begin with our old friends. Franz was a tall lad, of sixteen now, a -regular German, big, blond, and bookish, also very domestic, amiable, -and musical. His uncle was fitting him for college, and his aunt for a -happy home of his own hereafter, because she carefully fostered in him -gentle manners, love of children, respect for women, old and young, -and helpful ways about the house. He was her right-hand man on all -occasions, steady, kind, and patient; and he loved his merry aunt like -a mother, for such she had tried to be to him. - -Emil was quite different, being quick-tempered, restless, and -enterprising, bent on going to sea, for the blood of the old vikings -stirred in his veins, and could not be tamed. His uncle promised that -he should go when he was sixteen, and set him to studying navigation, -gave him stories of good and famous admirals and heroes to read, and -let him lead the life of a frog in river, pond, and brook, when lessons -were done. His room looked like the cabin of a man-of-war, for every -thing was nautical, military, and ship shape. Captain Kyd was his -delight, and his favorite amusement was to rig up like that piratical -gentleman, and roar out sanguinary sea-songs at the top of his voice. -He would dance nothing but sailors’ hornpipes, rolled in his gait, -and was as nautical in conversation as his uncle would permit. The -boys called him “Commodore,” and took great pride in his fleet, which -whitened the pond and suffered disasters that would have daunted any -commander but a sea-struck boy. - -Demi was one of the children who show plainly the effect of intelligent -love and care, for soul and body worked harmoniously together. The -natural refinement which nothing but home influence can teach, gave -him sweet and simple manners: his mother had cherished an innocent and -loving heart in him; his father had watched over the physical growth -of his boy, and kept the little body straight and strong on wholesome -food and exercise and sleep, while Grandpa March cultivated the little -mind with the tender wisdom of a modern Pythagoras,--not tasking it -with long, hard lessons, parrot-learned, but helping it to unfold as -naturally and beautifully as sun and dew help roses bloom. He was not -a perfect child, by any means, but his faults were of the better sort; -and being early taught the secret of self-control, he was not left at -the mercy of appetites and passions, as some poor little mortals are, -and then punished for yielding to the temptations against which they -have no armor. A quiet, quaint boy was Demi, serious, yet cheery, quite -unconscious that he was unusually bright and beautiful, yet quick to -see and love intelligence or beauty in other children. Very fond of -books, and full of lively fancies, born of a strong imagination and a -spiritual nature, these traits made his parents anxious to balance them -with useful knowledge and healthful society, lest they should make him -one of those pale precocious children who amaze and delight a family -sometimes, and fade away like hot-house flowers, because the young -soul blooms too soon, and has not a hearty body to root it firmly in -the wholesome soil of this world. - -So Demi was transplanted to Plumfield, and took so kindly to the life -there, that Meg and John and Grandpa felt satisfied that they had -done well. Mixing with other boys brought out the practical side of -him, roused his spirit, and brushed away the pretty cobwebs he was so -fond of spinning in that little brain of his. To be sure, he rather -shocked his mother when he came home, by banging doors, saying “by -George” emphatically, and demanding tall thick boots “that clumped like -papa’s.” But John rejoiced over him, laughed at his explosive remarks, -got the boots, and said contentedly, “He is doing well; so let him -clump. I want my son to be a manly boy, and this temporary roughness -won’t hurt him. We can polish him up by and by; and as for learning, he -will pick that up as pigeons do peas. So don’t hurry him.” - -Daisy was as sunshiny and charming as ever, with all sorts of little -womanlinesses budding in her, for she was like her gentle mother, and -delighted in domestic things. She had a family of dolls, whom she -brought up in the most exemplary manner; she could not get on without -her little work-basket and bits of sewing, which she did so nicely, -that Demi frequently pulled out his handkerchief to display her neat -stitches, and Baby Josy had a flannel petticoat beautifully made by -Sister Daisy. She liked to quiddle about the china-closet, prepare the -salt-cellars, put the spoons straight on the table; and every day went -round the parlor with her brush, dusting chairs and tables. Demi called -her a “Betty,” but was very glad to have her keep his things in order, -lend him her nimble fingers in all sorts of work, and help him with -his lessons, for they kept abreast there, and had no thought of rivalry. - -The love between them was as strong as ever; and no one could laugh -Demi out of his affectionate ways with Daisy. He fought her battles -valiantly, and never could understand why boys should be ashamed to -say “right out,” that they loved their sisters. Daisy adored her twin, -thought “my brother” the most remarkable boy in the world, and every -morning, in her little wrapper, trotted to tap at his door with a -motherly--“Get up, my dear, it’s ’most breakfast time; and here’s your -clean collar.” - -Rob was an energetic morsel of a boy, who seemed to have discovered the -secret of perpetual motion, for he never was still. Fortunately, he was -not mischievous, nor very brave; so he kept out of trouble pretty well, -and vibrated between father and mother like an affectionate little -pendulum with a lively tick, for Rob was a chatterbox. - -Teddy was too young to play a very important part in the affairs of -Plumfield, yet he had his little sphere, and filled it beautifully. -Every one felt the need of a pet at times, and Baby was always ready -to accommodate, for kissing and cuddling suited him excellently. Mrs. -Jo seldom stirred without him; so he had his little finger in all the -domestic pies, and every one found them all the better for it, for they -believed in babies at Plumfield. - -Dick Brown, and Adolphus or Dolly Pettingill, were two eight-year-olds. -Dolly stuttered badly, but was gradually getting over it, for no one -was allowed to mock him and Mr. Bhaer tried to cure it, by making him -talk slowly. Dolly was a good little lad, quite uninteresting and -ordinary, but he flourished here, and went through his daily duties -and pleasures with placid content and propriety. - -Dick Brown’s affliction was a crooked back, yet he bore his burden -so cheerfully, that Demi once asked in his queer way, “Do humps make -people good-natured? I’d like one if they do.” Dick was always merry, -and did his best to be like other boys, for a plucky spirit lived in -the feeble little body. When he first came, he was very sensitive about -his misfortune, but soon learned to forget it, for no one dared remind -him of it, after Mr. Bhaer had punished one boy for laughing at him. - -“God don’t care; for my soul is straight if my back isn’t,” sobbed Dick -to his tormentor on that occasion; and, by cherishing this idea, the -Bhaers soon led him to believe that people also loved his soul, and did -not mind his body, except to pity and help him to bear it. - -Playing menagerie once with the others, some one said, “What animal -will you be, Dick?” - -“Oh, I’m the dromedary; don’t you see the hump on my back?” was the -laughing answer. - -“So you are, my nice little one that don’t carry loads, but marches by -the elephant first in the procession,” said Demi, who was arranging the -spectacle. - -“I hope others will be as kind to the poor dear as my boys have learned -to be,” said Mrs. Jo, quite satisfied with the success of her teaching, -as Dick ambled past her, looking like a very happy, but a very feeble -little dromedary, beside stout Stuffy, who did the elephant with -ponderous propriety. - -Jack Ford was a sharp, rather a sly lad, who was sent to this school, -because it was cheap. Many men would have thought him a smart boy, -but Mr. Bhaer did not like his way of illustrating that Yankee word, -and thought his unboyish keenness and money-loving as much of an -affliction as Dolly’s stutter, or Dick’s hump. - -Ned Barker was like a thousand other boys of fourteen, all legs, -blunder, and bluster. Indeed the family called him the “Blunderbuss,” -and always expected to see him tumble over the chairs, bump against the -tables, and knock down any small articles near him. He bragged a good -deal about what he could do, but seldom did any thing to prove it, was -not brave, and a little given to tale-telling. He was apt to bully the -small boys, and flatter the big ones, and without being at all bad, was -just the sort of fellow who could very easily be led astray. - -George Cole had been spoilt by an over-indulgent mother, who stuffed -him with sweetmeats till he was sick, and then thought him too delicate -to study, so that at twelve years old, he was a pale, puffy boy, dull, -fretful, and lazy. A friend persuaded her to send him to Plumfield, and -there he soon got waked up, for sweet things were seldom allowed, much -exercise required, and study made so pleasant, that Stuffy was gently -lured along, till he quite amazed his anxious mamma by his improvement, -and convinced her that there was really something remarkable in -Plumfield air. - -Billy Ward was what the Scotch tenderly call an “innocent,” for -though thirteen years old, he was like a child of six. He had been -an unusually intelligent boy, and his father had hurried him on too -fast, giving him all sorts of hard lessons, keeping him at his books -six hours a day, and expecting him to absorb knowledge as a Strasburg -goose does the food crammed down its throat. He thought he was doing -his duty, but he nearly killed the boy, for a fever gave the poor child -a sad holiday, and when he recovered, the over-tasked brain gave out, -and Billy’s mind was like a slate over which a sponge has passed, -leaving it blank. - -It was a terrible lesson to his ambitious father; he could not bear -the sight of his promising child, changed to a feeble idiot, and he -sent him away to Plumfield, scarcely hoping that he could be helped, -but sure that he would be kindly treated. Quite docile and harmless -was Billy, and it was pitiful to see how hard he tried to learn, as -if groping dimly after the lost knowledge which had cost him so much. -Day after day, he pored over the alphabet, proudly said A and B, and -thought he knew them, but on the morrow they were gone, and all the -work was to be done over again. Mr. Bhaer had infinite patience with -him, and kept on in spite of the apparent hopelessness of the task, not -caring for book lessons, but trying gently to clear away the mists from -the darkened mind, and give it back intelligence enough to make the boy -less a burden and an affliction. - -Mrs. Bhaer strengthened his health by every aid she could invent, and -the boys all pitied and were kind to him. He did not like their active -plays, but would sit for hours watching the doves, would dig holes for -Teddy till even that ardent grubber was satisfied, or follow Silas, -the man, from place to place seeing him work, for honest Si was very -good to him, and though he forgot his letters Billy remembered friendly -faces. - -Tommy Bangs was the scapegrace of the school, and the most trying -little scapegrace that ever lived. As full of mischief as a monkey, -yet so good-hearted that one could not help forgiving his tricks; so -scatterbrained that words went by him like the wind, yet so penitent -for every misdeed, that it was impossible to keep sober when he -vowed tremendous vows of reformation, or proposed all sorts of queer -punishments to be inflicted upon himself. Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer lived in -a state of preparation for any mishap, from the breaking of Tommy’s -own neck, to the blowing up of the entire family with gunpowder; and -Nursey had a particular drawer in which she kept bandages, plasters, -and salves for his especial use, for Tommy was always being brought in -half dead; but nothing ever killed him, and he rose from every downfall -with redoubled vigor. - -The first day he came, he chopped the top off one finger in the -hay-cutter, and during the week, fell from the shed roof, was chased -by an angry hen who tried to pick his eyes out because he examined her -chickens, got run away with, and had his ears boxed violently by Asia, -who caught him luxuriously skimming a pan of cream with half a stolen -pie. Undaunted, however, by any failures or rebuffs, this indomitable -youth went on amusing himself with all sorts of tricks till no one felt -safe. If he did not know his lessons, he always had some droll excuse -to offer, and as he was usually clever at his books, and as bright as a -button in composing answers when he did not know them, he got on pretty -well at school. But out of school,--Ye gods and little fishes! how -Tommy did carouse! - -He wound fat Asia up in her own clothes line against the post, and left -her there to fume and scold for half an hour one busy Monday morning. -He dropped a hot cent down Mary Ann’s back as that pretty maid was -waiting at table one day when there were gentlemen to dinner, whereat -the poor girl upset the soup and rushed out of the room in dismay, -leaving the family to think that she had gone mad. He fixed a pail of -water up in a tree, with a bit of ribbon fastened to the handle, and -when Daisy, attracted by the gay streamer, tried to pull it down, she -got a douche bath that spoiled her clean frock and hurt her little -feelings very much. He put rough white pebbles in the sugar-bowl -when his grandmother came to tea, and the poor old lady wondered why -they didn’t melt in her cup, but was too polite to say anything. He -passed round snuff in church so that five of the boys sneezed with -such violence they had to go out. He dug paths in winter time, and -then privately watered them so that people should tumble down. He -drove poor Silas nearly wild by hanging his big boots in conspicuous -places, for his feet were enormous, and he was very much ashamed of -them. He persuaded confiding little Dolly to tie a thread to one of -his loose teeth, and leave the string hanging from his mouth when he -went to sleep, so that Tommy could pull it out without his feeling the -dreaded operation. But the tooth wouldn’t come at the first tweak, and -poor Dolly woke up in great anguish of spirit, and lost all faith in -Tommy from that day forth. The last prank had been to give the hens -bread soaked in rum, which made them tipsy and scandalized all the -other fowls, for the respectable old biddies went staggering about, -pecking and clucking in the most maudlin manner, while the family were -convulsed with laughter at their antics, till Daisy took pity on them -and shut them up in the hen-house to sleep off their intoxication. - -These were the boys, and they lived together as happily as twelve lads -could, studying and playing, working and squabbling, fighting faults -and cultivating virtues in the good old-fashioned way. Boys at other -schools probably learned more from books, but less of that better -wisdom which makes good men. Latin, Greek, and mathematics were all -very well, but in Professor Bhaer’s opinion, self-knowledge, self-help, -and self-control were more important, and he tried to teach them -carefully. People shook their heads sometimes at his ideas, even while -they owned that the boys improved wonderfully in manners and morals. -But then, as Mrs. Jo said to Nat, it was an “odd school.” - - - - -CHAPTER III - -SUNDAY - - -The moment the bell rang next morning Nat flew out of bed, and dressed -himself with great satisfaction in the suit of clothes he found on -the chair. They were not new, being half-worn garments of one of the -well-to-do boys; but Mrs. Bhaer kept all such cast-off feathers for -the picked robins who strayed into her nest. They were hardly on when -Tommy appeared in a high state of clean collar, and escorted Nat down -to breakfast. - -The sun was shining into the dining-room on the well-spread table, and -the flock of hungry, hearty lads who gathered round it. Nat observed -that they were much more orderly than they had been the night before, -and every one stood silently behind his chair while little Rob, -standing beside his father at the head of the table, folded his hands, -reverently bent his curly head, and softly repeated a short grace in -the devout German fashion, which Mr. Bhaer loved and taught his little -son to honor. Then they all sat down to enjoy the Sunday-morning -breakfast of coffee, steak, and baked potatoes, instead of the bread -and milk fare with which they usually satisfied their young appetites. -There was much pleasant talk while the knives and forks rattled -briskly, for certain Sunday lessons were to be learned, the Sunday walk -settled, and plans for the week discussed. As he listened, Nat thought -it seemed as if this day must be a very pleasant one, for he loved -quiet, and there was a cheerful sort of hush over every thing that -pleased him very much; because, in spite of his rough life, the boy -possessed the sensitive nerves which belong to a music-loving nature. - -“Now, my lads, get your morning jobs done, and let me find you ready -for church when the ’bus comes round,” said Father Bhaer, and set the -example by going into the school-room to get books ready for the morrow. - -Every one scattered to his or her task, for each had some little daily -duty, and was expected to perform it faithfully. Some brought wood and -water, brushed the steps, or ran errands for Mrs. Bhaer. Others fed the -pet animals, and did chores about the barn with Franz. Daisy washed -the cups, and Demi wiped them, for the twins liked to work together, -and Demi had been taught to make himself useful in the little house at -home. Even Baby Teddy had his small job to do, and trotted to and fro, -putting napkins away, and pushing chairs into their places. For half -an hour the lads buzzed about like a hive of bees, then the ’bus drove -round, Father Bhaer and Franz with the eight older boys piled in, and -away they went for a three mile drive to church in town. - -Because of the troublesome cough Nat preferred to stay at home with -the four small boys, and spent a happy morning in Mrs. Bhaer’s room, -listening to the stories she read them, learning the hymn she taught -them, and then quietly employing himself pasting pictures into an old -ledger. - -“This is my Sunday closet,” she said, showing him shelves filled with -picture-books, paint-boxes, architectural blocks, little diaries, and -materials for letter-writing. “I want my boys to love Sunday, to find -it a peaceful, pleasant day, when they can rest from common study and -play, yet enjoy quiet pleasures, and learn, in simple ways, lessons -more important than any taught in school. Do you understand me?” she -asked, watching Nat’s attentive face. - -“You mean to be good?” he said, after hesitating a minute. - -“Yes; to be good, and to love to be good. It is hard work sometimes, I -know very well; but we all help one another, and so we get on. This is -one of the ways in which I try to help my boys,” and she took down a -thick book, which seemed half-full of writing, and opened at a page on -which there was one word at the top. - -“Why, that’s my name!” cried Nat, looking both surprised and interested. - -“Yes; I have a page for each boy. I keep a little account of how he -gets on through the week, and Sunday night I show him the record. If it -is bad I am sorry and disappointed, if it is good I am glad and proud; -but, whichever it is, the boys know I want to help them, and they try -to do their best for love of me and Father Bhaer.” - -“I should think they would,” said Nat, catching a glimpse of Tommy’s -name opposite his own, and wondering what was written under it. - -Mrs. Bhaer saw his eye on the words, and shook her head, saying, as she -turned a leaf-- - -“No, I don’t show my records to any but the one to whom each belongs. I -call this my conscience book; and only you and I will ever know what is -to be written on the page below your name. Whether you will be pleased -or ashamed to read it next Sunday depends on yourself. I think it will -be a good report; at any rate, I shall try to make things easy for you -in this new place, and shall be quite contented if you keep our few -rules, live happily with the boys, and learn something.” - -“I’ll try, ma’am;” and Nat’s thin face flushed up with the earnestness -of his desire to make Mrs. Bhaer “glad and proud,” not “sorry and -disappointed.” “It must be a great deal of trouble to write about so -many,” he added, as she shut her book with an encouraging pat on the -shoulder. - -“Not for me, for I really don’t know which I like best, writing or -boys,” she said, laughing to see Nat stare with astonishment at the -last item. “Yes, I know many people think boys are a nuisance, but that -is because they don’t understand them. I do; and I never saw the boy -yet whom I could not get on capitally with after I had once found the -soft spot in his heart. Bless me, I couldn’t get on at all without my -flock of dear, noisy, naughty, harum-scarum little lads, could I, my -Teddy?” and Mrs. Bhaer hugged the young rogue, just in time to save the -big inkstand from going into his pocket. - -Nat, who had never heard anything like this before, really did not know -whether Mother Bhaer was a trifle crazy, or the most delightful woman -he had ever met. He rather inclined to the latter opinion, in spite of -her peculiar tastes, for she had a way of filling up a fellow’s plate -before he asked, of laughing at his jokes, gently tweaking him by the -ear, or clapping him on the shoulders, that Nat found very engaging. - -“Now, I think you would like to go into the school-room and practise -some of the hymns we are to sing to-night,” she said, rightly guessing -the thing of all others that he wanted to do. - -Alone with the beloved violin and the music-book propped up before him -in the sunny window, while Spring beauty filled the world outside, and -Sabbath silence reigned within, Nat enjoyed an hour or two of genuine -happiness, learning the sweet old tunes, and forgetting the hard past -in the cheerful present. - -When the church-goers came back and dinner was over, every one read, -wrote letters home, said their Sunday lessons, or talked quietly to -one another, sitting here and there about the house. At three o’clock -the entire family turned out to walk, for all the active young bodies -must have exercise; and in these walks the active young minds were -taught to see and love the providence of God in the beautiful miracles -which Nature was working before their eyes. Mr. Bhaer always went with -them, and in his simple, fatherly way, found for his flock “Sermons in -stones, books in the running brooks, and good in every thing.” - -Mrs. Bhaer with Daisy and her own two boys drove into town, to pay the -weekly visit to Grandma, which was busy Mother Bhaer’s one holiday and -greatest pleasure. Nat was not strong enough for the long walk, and -asked to stay at home with Tommy, who kindly offered to do the honors -of Plumfield. “You’ve seen the house, so come out and have a look at -the garden, and the barn, and the menagerie,” said Tommy, when they -were left alone with Asia, to see that they didn’t get into mischief; -for, though Tommy was one of the best-meaning boys who ever adorned -knickerbockers, accidents of the most direful nature were always -happening to him, no one could exactly tell how. - -“What is your menagerie?” asked Nat, as they trotted along the drive -that encircled the house. - -“We all have pets, you see, and we keep ’em in the corn-barn, and call -it the menagerie. Here you are. Isn’t my guinea-pig a beauty?” and -Tommy proudly presented one of the ugliest specimens of that pleasing -animal that Nat ever saw. - -“I know a boy with a dozen of ’em, and he said he’d give me one, only -I hadn’t any place to keep it, so I couldn’t have it. It was white, -with black spots, a regular rouser, and maybe I could get it for you -if you’d like it,” said Nat, feeling it would be a delicate return for -Tommy’s attentions. - -“I’d like it ever so much, and I’ll give you this one, and they can -live together if they don’t fight. Those white mice are Rob’s, Franz -gave ’em to him. The rabbits are Ned’s, and the bantams outside are -Stuffy’s. That box thing is Demi’s turtle-tank, only he hasn’t begun -to get ’em yet. Last year he had sixty-two, whackers some of ’em. He -stamped one of ’em with his name and the year, and let it go; and he -says maybe he will find it ever so long after and know it. He read -about a turtle being found that had a mark on it that showed it must be -hundreds of years old. Demi’s such a funny chap.” - -“What is in this box?” asked Nat, stopping before a large deep one, -half-full of earth. - -“Oh, that’s Jack Ford’s worm-shop. He digs heaps of ’em and keeps ’em -here, and when we want any to go a fishing with, we buy some of him. -It saves lots of trouble, only he charged too much for ’em. Why, last -time we traded I had to pay two cents a dozen, and then got little -ones. Jack’s mean sometimes, and I told him I’d dig for myself if he -didn’t lower his prices. Now, I own two hens, those gray ones with top -knots, first-rate ones they are too, and I sell Mrs. Bhaer the eggs, -but I never ask her more than twenty-five cents a dozen, never! I’d be -ashamed to do it,” cried Tommy, with a glance of scorn at the worm-shop. - -“Who owns the dogs?” asked Nat, much interested in these commercial -transactions, and feeling that T. Bangs was a man whom it would be a -privilege and a pleasure to patronize. - -“The big dog is Emil’s. His name is Christopher Columbus. Mrs. Bhaer -named him because she likes to say Christopher Columbus, and no one -minds it if she means the dog,” answered Tommy, in the tone of a -showman displaying his menagerie. “The white pup is Rob’s, and the -yellow one is Teddy’s. A man was going to drown them in our pond, and -Pa Bhaer wouldn’t let him. They do well enough for the little chaps, I -don’t think much of ’em myself. Their names are Castor and Pollux.” - -“I’d like Toby the donkey best, if I could have anything, it’s so nice -to ride, and he’s so little and good,” said Nat, remembering the weary -tramps he had taken on his own tired feet. - -“Mr. Laurie sent him out to Mrs. Bhaer, so she shouldn’t carry Teddy -on her back when we go to walk. We’re all fond of Toby, and he’s a -first-rate donkey, sir. Those pigeons belong to the whole lot of us, -we each have our pet one, and go shares in all the little ones as they -come along. Squabs are great fun; there ain’t any now, but you can go -up and take a look at the old fellows, while I see if Cockletop and -Granny have laid any eggs.” - -Nat climbed up a ladder, put his head through a trap door and took a -long look at the pretty doves billing and cooing in their spacious -loft. Some on their nests, some bustling in and out, and some sitting -at their doors, while many went flying from the sunny housetop to the -straw-strewn farmyard, where six sleek cows were placidly ruminating. - -“Everybody has got something but me. I wish I had a dove, or a hen, or -even a turtle, all my own,” thought Nat, feeling very poor as he saw -the interesting treasures of the other boys. “How do you get these -things?” he asked, when he joined Tommy in the barn. - -“We find ’em, or buy ’em, or folks give ’em to us. My father sends me -mine; but as soon as I get egg money enough, I’m going to buy a pair of -ducks. There’s a nice little pond for ’em behind the barn, and people -pay well for duck-eggs, and the little duckies are pretty, and it’s fun -to see ’em swim,” said Tommy, with the air of a millionaire. - -Nat sighed for he had neither father nor money, nothing in the wide -world but an old empty pocket-book, and the skill that lay in his ten -finger tips. Tommy seemed to understand the question and the sigh which -followed his answer, for after a moment of deep thought, he suddenly -broke out,-- - -“Look here, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you will hunt eggs for me, -I hate it, I’ll give you one egg out of every dozen. You keep account, -and when you’ve had twelve, Mother Bhaer will give you twenty-five -cents for ’em, and then you can buy what you like, don’t you see?” - -“I’ll do it! What a kind feller you are, Tommy!” cried Nat, quite -dazzled by this brilliant offer. - -“Pooh! that is not anything. You begin now and rummage the barn, and -I’ll wait here for you. Granny is cackling, so you’re sure to find one -somewhere,” and Tommy threw himself down on the hay with a luxurious -sense of having made a good bargain, and done a friendly thing. - -Nat joyfully began his search, and went rustling from loft to loft till -he found two fine eggs, one hidden under a beam, and the other in an -old peck measure, which Mrs. Cockletop had appropriated. - -“You may have one and I’ll have the other, that will just make up -my last dozen, and to-morrow we’ll start fresh. Here, you chalk your -account up near mine, and then we’ll be all straight,” said Tommy, -showing a row of mysterious figures on the smooth side of an old -winnowing machine. - -With a delightful sense of importance, the proud possessor of one egg -opened his account with his friend, who laughingly wrote above the -figures these imposing words, - - “T. Bangs & Co.” - -Poor Nat found them so fascinating that he was with difficulty -persuaded to go and deposit his first piece of portable property -in Asia’s store-room. Then they went on again, and having made the -acquaintance of the two horses, six cows, three pigs, and one Alderney -“Bossy,” as calves are called in New England, Tommy took Nat to a -certain old willow-tree that overhung a noisy little brook. From the -fence it was an easy scramble into a wide niche between the three big -branches, which had been cut off to send out from year to year a crowd -of slender twigs, till a green canopy rustled overhead. Here little -seats had been fixed, and in a hollow place a closet made big enough -to hold a book or two, a dismantled boat, and several half-finished -whistles. - -“This is Demi’s and my private place; we made it, and nobody can come -up unless we let ’em, except Daisy, we don’t mind her,” said Tommy, -as Nat looked with delight from the babbling brown water below to the -green arch above, where bees were making a musical murmur as they -feasted on the long yellow blossoms that filled the air with sweetness. - -“Oh, it’s just beautiful!” cried Nat. “I do hope you’ll let me up -sometimes. I never saw such a nice place in all my life. I’d like to -be a bird, and live here always.” - -“It is pretty nice. You can come if Demi don’t mind, and I guess he -won’t, because he said last night that he liked you.” - -“Did he?” and Nat smiled with pleasure, for Demi’s regard seemed to be -valued by all the boys, partly because he was Father Bhaer’s nephew, -and partly because he was such a sober, conscientious little fellow. - -“Yes; Demi likes quiet chaps, and I guess he and you will get on if you -care about reading as he does.” - -Poor Nat’s flush of pleasure deepened to a painful scarlet at those -last words, and he stammered out,-- - -“I can’t read very well; I never had any time; I was always fiddling -round, you know.” - -“I don’t love it myself, but I can do it well enough when I want to,” -said Tommy, after a surprised look, which said as plainly as words, “A -boy twelve years old and can’t read!” - -“I can read music, anyway,” added Nat, rather ruffled at having to -confess his ignorance. - -“I can’t;” and Tommy spoke in a respectful tone, which emboldened Nat -to say firmly,-- - -“I mean to study real hard and learn every thing I can, for I never had -a chance before. Does Mr. Bhaer give hard lessons?” - -“No, he isn’t a bit cross; he sort of explains and gives you a boost -over the hard places. Some folks don’t; my other master didn’t. If we -missed a word, didn’t we get raps on the head!” and Tommy rubbed his -own pate as if it tingled yet with the liberal supply of raps, the -memory of which was the only thing he brought away after a year with -his “other master.” - -“I think I could read this,” said Nat, who had been examining the -books. - -“Read a bit, then; I’ll help you,” resumed Tommy, with a patronizing -air. - -So Nat did his best, and floundered through a page with many friendly -“boosts” from Tommy, who told him he would soon “go it” as well as -anybody. Then they sat and talked boy-fashion about all sorts of -things, among others, gardening; for Nat, looking down from his perch, -asked what was planted in the many little patches lying below them on -the other side of the brook. - -“These are our farms,” said Tommy. “We each have our own patch, and -raise what we like in it, only we have to choose different things, and -can’t change till the crop is in, and we must keep it in order all -summer.” - -“What are you going to raise this year?” - -“Wal, I _cattle_ated to hev beans, as they are about the easiest crop -a-goin’.” - -Nat could not help laughing, for Tommy had pushed back his hat, put -his hands in his pockets, and drawled out his words in unconscious -imitation of Silas, the man who managed the place for Mr. Bhaer. - -“Come, you needn’t laugh; beans _are_ ever so much easier than corn or -potatoes. I tried melons last year, but the bugs were a bother, and the -old things wouldn’t get ripe before the frost, so I didn’t have but one -good water and two little ‘mush mellions,’” said Tommy, relapsing into -a “Silasism” with the last word. - -“Corn looks pretty growing,” said Nat, politely, to atone for his laugh. - -“Yes, but you have to hoe it over and over again. Now, six weeks’ beans -only have to be done once or so, and they get ripe soon. I’m going to -try ’em, for I spoke first. Stuffy wanted ’em, but he’s got to take -peas; they only have to be picked, and he ought to do it, he eats such -a lot.” - -“I wonder if I shall have a garden?” said Nat, thinking that even -corn-hoeing must be pleasant work. - -“Of course you will,” said a voice from below, and there was Mr. Bhaer -returned from his walk, and come to find them, for he managed to have -a little talk with every one of the lads sometime during the day, and -found that these chats gave them a good start for the coming week. - -Sympathy is a sweet thing, and it worked wonders here, for each boy -knew that Father Bhaer was interested in him, and some were readier to -open their hearts to him than to a woman, especially the older ones, -who liked to talk over their hopes and plans, man to man. When sick or -in trouble they instinctively turned to Mrs. Jo, while the little ones -made her their mother-confessor on all occasions. - -In descending from their nest, Tommy fell into the brook; being used to -it, he calmly picked himself out and retired to the house to be dried. -This left Nat to Mr. Bhaer, which was just what he wished, and, during -the stroll they took among the garden plots, he won the lad’s heart by -giving him a little “farm,” and discussing crops with him as gravely as -if the food for the family depended on the harvest. From this pleasant -topic they went to others, and Nat had many new and helpful thoughts -put into a mind that received them as gratefully as the thirsty earth -had received the warm spring rain. All supper time he brooded over -them, often fixing his eyes on Mr. Bhaer with an inquiring look, that -seemed to say,--“I like that, do it again, sir.” I don’t know whether -the man understood the child’s mute language or not, but when the boys -were all gathered together in Mrs. Bhaer’s parlor for the Sunday -evening talk, he chose a subject which might have been suggested by the -walk in the garden. - -As he looked about him Nat thought it seemed more like a great family -than a school, for the lads were sitting in a wide half-circle round -the fire, some on chairs, some on the rug, Daisy and Demi on the knees -of Uncle Fritz, and Rob snugly stowed away in the back of his mother’s -easy-chair, where he could nod unseen if the talk got beyond his depth. -Every one looked quite comfortable, and listened attentively, for the -long walk made rest agreeable, and as every boy there knew that he -would be called upon for his views, he kept his wits awake to be ready -with an answer. - -“Once upon a time,” began Mr. Bhaer, in the dear old-fashioned way, -“there was a great and wise gardener who had the largest garden ever -seen. A wonderful and lovely place it was, and he watched over it with -the greatest skill and care, and raised all manner of excellent and -useful things. But weeds would grow even in this fine garden; often the -ground was bad and the good seeds sown in it would not spring up. He -had many under gardeners to help him. Some did their duty and earned -the rich wages he gave them; but others neglected their parts and let -them run to waste, which displeased him much. But he was very patient, -and for thousands and thousands of years he worked and waited for his -great harvest.” - -“He must have been pretty old,” said Demi, who was looking straight -into Uncle Fritz’s face, as if to catch every word. - -“Hush, Demi, it’s a fairy story,” whispered Daisy. - -“No, I think it’s a arrygory,” said Demi. - -“What is a arrygory?” called out Tommy, who was of an inquiring turn. - -“Tell him, Demi, if you can, and don’t use words unless you are quite -sure you know what they mean,” said Mr. Bhaer. - -“I do know, Grandpa told me! A fable is a arrygory; it’s a story that -means something. My ‘Story without an end’ is one, because the child in -it means a soul; don’t it, Aunty?” cried Demi, eager to prove himself -right. - -“That’s it, dear; and Uncle’s story is an allegory, I am quite sure; so -listen and see what it means,” returned Mrs. Jo, who always took part -in whatever was going on, and enjoyed it as much as any boy among them. - -Demi composed himself, and Mr. Bhaer went on in his best English, for -he had improved much in the last five years, and said the boys did it. - -“This great gardener gave a dozen or so of little plots to one of his -servants, and told him to do his best and see what he could raise. Now -this servant was not rich, nor wise, nor very good, but he wanted to -help because the gardener had been very kind to him in many ways. So he -gladly took the little plots and fell to work. They were all sorts of -shapes and sizes, and some were very good soil, some rather stony, and -all of them needed much care, for in the rich soil the weeds grew fast, -and in the poor soil there were many stones.” - -“What was growing in them besides the weeds, and stones?” asked Nat; so -interested, he forgot his shyness and spoke before them all. - -“Flowers,” said Mr. Bhaer, with a kind look. “Even the roughest, most -neglected little bed had a bit of heart’s-ease or a sprig of mignonette -in it. One had roses, sweet peas, and daisies in it,”--here he pinched -the plump cheek of the little girl leaning on his arm. “Another had -all sorts of curious plants in it, bright pebbles, a vine that went -climbing up like Jack’s bean-stalk, and many good seeds just beginning -to sprout; for, you see, _this_ bed had been taken fine care of by a -wise old man, who had worked in gardens of this sort all his life.” - -At this part of the “arrygory,” Demi put his head on one side like -an inquisitive bird, and fixed his bright eye on his uncle’s face, -as if he suspected something and was on the watch. But Mr. Bhaer -looked perfectly innocent, and went on glancing from one young face to -another, with a grave, wistful look, that said much to his wife, who -knew how earnestly he desired to do his duty in these little garden -plots. - -“As I tell you, some of these beds were easy to cultivate,--that means -to take care of, Daisy,--and others were very hard. There was one -particularly sunshiny little bed, that might have been full of fruits -and vegetables as well as flowers, only it wouldn’t take any pains, and -when the man sowed, well, we’ll say melons in this bed, they came to -nothing, because the little bed neglected them. The man was sorry, and -kept on trying, though every time the crop failed, all the bed said, -was, ‘I forgot.’” - -Here a general laugh broke out, and every one looked at Tommy, who had -pricked up his ears at the word “melons,” and hung down his head at the -sound of his favorite excuse. - -“I knew he meant us!” cried Demi, clapping his hands. “You are the man, -and we are the little gardens; aren’t we, Uncle Fritz?” - -“You have guessed it. Now each of you tell me what crop I shall try to -sow in you this spring, so that next autumn I may get a good harvest -out of my twelve, no, thirteen, plots,” said Mr. Bhaer, nodding at Nat -as he corrected himself. - -“You can’t sow corn and beans and peas in us. Unless you mean we are to -eat a great many and get fat,” said Stuffy, with a sudden brightening -of his round, dull face as the pleasing idea occurred to him. - -“He don’t mean that kind of seeds. He means things to make us good; and -the weeds are faults,” cried Demi, who usually took the lead in these -talks, because he was used to this sort of thing, and liked it very -much. - -“Yes, each of you think what you need most, and tell me, and I will -help you to grow it; only, you must do your best, or you will turn out -like Tommy’s melons,--all leaves and no fruit. I will begin with the -oldest, and ask the mother what she will have in her plot, for we are -all parts of the beautiful garden, and may have rich harvests for our -Master if we love Him enough,” said Father Bhaer. - -“I shall devote the whole of _my_ plot to the largest crop of patience -I can get, for that is what I need most,” said Mrs. Jo, so soberly that -the lads fell to thinking in good earnest what they should say when -their turns came, and some among them felt a twinge of remorse, that -they had helped to use up Mother Bhaer’s stock of patience so fast. - -Franz wanted perseverance, Tommy steadiness, Ned went in for good -temper, Daisy for industry, Demi for “as much wiseness as Grandpa,” -and Nat timidly said he wanted so many things he would let Mr. Bhaer -choose for him. The others chose much the same things, and patience, -good temper, and generosity seemed the favorite crops. One boy wished -to like to get up early, but did not know what name to give that sort -of seed; and poor Stuffy sighed out,-- - -“I wish I loved my lessons as much as I do my dinner, but I can’t.” - -“We will plant self-denial, and hoe it and water it, and make it -grow so well that next Christmas no one will get ill by eating too -much dinner. If you exercise your mind, George, it will get hungry -just as your body does, and you will love books almost as much as my -philosopher here,” said Mr. Bhaer; adding, as he stroked the hair off -Demi’s fine forehead, “You are greedy also, my son, and you like to -stuff your little mind full of fairy tales and fancies, as well as -George likes to fill his little stomach with cake and candy. Both are -bad, and I want you to try something better. Arithmetic is not half so -pleasant as ‘Arabian Nights,’ I know, but it is a very useful thing, -and now is the time to learn it, else you will be ashamed and sorry by -and by.” - -“But, ‘Harry and Lucy,’ and ‘Frank,’ are not fairy books, and they are -full of barometers, and bricks, and shoeing horses, and useful things, -and I’m fond of them; ain’t I, Daisy?” said Demi, anxious to defend -himself. - -“So they are; but I find you reading ‘Roland and Maybird’ a great -deal oftener than ‘Harry and Lucy,’ and I think you are not half as -fond of ‘Frank’ as you are of ‘Sinbad.’ Come, I shall make a little -bargain with you both,--George shall eat but three times a day, and -you shall read but one story-book a week, and I will give you the new -cricket-ground; only, you must promise to play in it,” said Uncle Fritz -in his persuasive way, for Stuffy hated to run about, and Demi was -always reading in play hours. - -“But we don’t like cricket,” said Demi. - -“Perhaps not _now_, but you will when you know it. Besides, you do like -to be generous, and the other boys want to play, and you can give them -the new ground if you choose.” - -This was taking them both on the right side, and they agreed to the -bargain, to the great satisfaction of the rest. - -There was a little more talk about the gardens, and then they all sang -together. The band delighted Nat, for Mrs. Bhaer played the piano, -Franz the flute, Mr. Bhaer a bass viol, and he himself the violin. A -very simple little concert, but all seemed to enjoy it, and old Asia, -sitting in the corner, joined at times with the sweetest voice of any, -for in this family, master and servant, old and young, black and white, -shared in the Sunday song, which went up to the Father of them all. -After this they each shook hands with Father Bhaer; Mother Bhaer kissed -them every one from sixteen-year-old Franz to little Rob, who kept the -tip of her nose for his own particular kisses, and then they trooped up -to bed. - -The light of the shaded lamp that burned in the nursery shone softly on -a picture hanging at the foot of Nat’s bed. There were several others -on the walls, but the boy thought there must be something peculiar -about this one, for it had a graceful frame of moss and cones about it, -and on a little bracket underneath stood a vase of wild flowers freshly -gathered from the spring woods. It was the most beautiful picture of -them all, and Nat lay looking at it, dimly feeling what it meant, and -wishing he knew all about it. - -“That’s my picture,” said a little voice in the room. Nat popped up his -head, and there was Demi in his night-gown pausing on his way back from -Aunt Jo’s chamber, whither he had gone to get a cot for a cut finger. - -“What is he doing to the children?” asked Nat. - -“That is Christ, the Good Man, and He is blessing the children. Don’t -you know about Him?” said Demi, wondering. - -“Not much, but I’d like to, He looks so kind,” answered Nat, whose -chief knowledge of the Good Man consisted in hearing His name taken in -vain. - -“I know all about it, and I like it very much, because it is true,” -said Demi. - -“Who told you?” - -“My Grandpa, he knows _every thing_, and tells the best stories in -the world. I used to play with his big books, and make bridges, and -railroads, and houses, when I was a little boy,” began Demi. - -“How old are you now?” asked Nat, respectfully. - -“’Most ten.” - -“You know a lot of things, don’t you?” - -“Yes; you see my head is pretty big, and Grandpa says it will take a -good deal to fill it, so I keep putting pieces of wisdom into it as -fast as I can,” returned Demi, in his quaint way. - -Nat laughed, and then said soberly,-- - -“Tell on, please.” - -And Demi gladly told on without pause or punctuation. “I found a very -pretty book one day and wanted to play with it, but Grandpa said I -mustn’t, and showed me the pictures, and told me about them, and I -liked the stories very much, all about Joseph and his bad brothers, and -the frogs that came up out of the sea, and dear little Moses in the -water, and ever so many more lovely ones, but I like about the Good Man -best of all, and Grandpa told it to me so many times that I learned it -by heart, and he gave me this picture so I shouldn’t forget, and it was -put up here once when I was sick, and I left it for other sick boys to -see.” - -“What makes Him bless the children?” asked Nat, who found something -very attractive in the chief figure of the group. - -“Because He loved them.” - -“Were they poor children?” asked Nat, wistfully. - -“Yes, I think so; you see some haven’t got hardly any clothes on, and -the mothers don’t look like rich ladies. He liked poor people, and -was very good to them. He made them well, and helped them, and told -rich people they must not be cross to them, and they loved Him dearly, -dearly,” cried Demi, with enthusiasm. - -“Was He rich?” - -“Oh no! He was born in a barn, and was so poor He hadn’t any house to -live in when He grew up, and nothing to eat sometimes, but what people -gave Him, and He went round preaching to everybody, and trying to make -them good, till the bad men killed Him.” - -“What for?” and Nat sat up in his bed to look and listen, so interested -was he in this man who cared for the poor so much. - -“I’ll tell you all about it; Aunt Jo won’t mind;” and Demi settled -himself on the opposite bed, glad to tell his favorite story to so good -a listener. - -Nursey peeped in to see if Nat was asleep, but when she saw what was -going on, she slipped away again, and went to Mrs. Bhaer, saying with -her kind face full of motherly emotion,-- - -“Will the dear lady come and see a pretty sight? It’s Nat listening -with all his heart to Demi telling the story of the Christ-child, like -a little white angel as he is.” - -Mrs. Bhaer had meant to go and talk with Nat a moment before he slept, -for she had found that a serious word spoken at this time often did -much good. But when she stole to the nursery door, and saw Nat eagerly -drinking in the words of his little friend, while Demi told the sweet -and solemn story as it had been taught him, speaking softly as he sat -with his beautiful eyes fixed on the tender face above them, her own -filled with tears, and she went silently away, thinking to herself,-- - -“Demi is unconsciously helping the poor boy better than I can; I will -not spoil it by a single word.” - -The murmur of the childish voice went on for a long time, as one -innocent heart preached that great sermon to another, and no one hushed -it. When it ceased at last, and Mrs. Bhaer went to take away the lamp, -Demi was gone and Nat fast asleep, lying with his face toward the -picture, as if he had already learned to love the Good Man who loved -little children, and was a faithful friend to the poor. The boy’s face -was very placid, and as she looked at it she felt that if a single day -of care and kindness had done so much, a year of patient cultivation -would surely bring a grateful harvest from this neglected garden, which -was already sown with the best of all seed by the little missionary in -the night-gown. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -STEPPING-STONES - - -When Nat went into school on Monday morning, he quaked inwardly, for -now he thought he should have to display his ignorance before them all. -But Mr. Bhaer gave him a seat in the deep window, where he could turn -his back on the others, and Franz heard him say his lessons there, so -no one could hear his blunders or see how he blotted his copy-book. He -was truly grateful for this, and toiled away so diligently that Mr. -Bhaer said, smiling, when he saw his hot face and inky fingers,-- - -“Don’t work so hard, my boy; you will tire yourself out, and there is -time enough.” - -“But I _must_ work hard, or I can’t catch up with the others. They know -heaps, and I don’t know any thing,” said Nat, who had been reduced to a -state of despair by hearing the boys recite their grammar, history, and -geography with what he thought amazing ease and accuracy. - -“You know a good many things which they don’t,” said Mr. Bhaer, sitting -down beside him, while Franz led a class of small students through the -intricacies of the multiplication table. - -“Do I?” and Nat looked utterly incredulous. - -“Yes; for one thing, you can keep your temper, and Jack, who is quick -at numbers, cannot; that is an excellent lesson, and I think you have -learned it well. Then, you can play the violin, and not one of the -lads can, though they want to do it very much. But, best of all, Nat, -you really care to learn something, and that is half the battle. It -seems hard at first, and you will feel discouraged, but plod away, and -things will get easier and easier as you go on.” - -Nat’s face had brightened more and more as he listened, for, small as -the list of his learning was, it cheered him immensely to feel that he -had any thing to fall back upon. “Yes, I can keep my temper--father’s -beating taught me that; and I can fiddle, though I don’t know where the -Bay of Biscay is,” he thought, with a sense of comfort impossible to -express. Then he said aloud, and so earnestly that Demi heard him,-- - -“I _do_ want to learn, and I _will_ try. I never went to school, but I -couldn’t help it; and if the fellows don’t laugh at me, I guess I’ll -get on first rate--you and the lady are so good to me.” - -“They shan’t laugh at you; if they do, I’ll--I’ll--tell them not to,” -cried Demi, quite forgetting where he was. - -The class stopped in the middle of 7 times 9, and every one looked up -to see what was going on. - -Thinking that a lesson in learning to help one another was better than -arithmetic just then, Mr. Bhaer told them about Nat, making such an -interesting and touching little story out of it that the good-hearted -lads all promised to lend him a hand, and felt quite honored to be -called upon to impart their stores of wisdom to the chap who fiddled so -capitally. This appeal established the right feeling among them, and -Nat had few hindrances to struggle against, for every one was glad to -give him a “boost” up the ladder of learning. - -Till he was stronger, much study was not good for him, however, and -Mrs. Jo found various amusements in the house for him while others -were at their books. But his garden was his best medicine, and he -worked away like a beaver, preparing his little farm, sowing his -beans, watching eagerly to see them grow, and rejoicing over each -green leaf and slender stock that shot up and flourished in the warm -spring weather. Never was a garden more faithfully hoed; Mr. Bhaer -really feared that nothing would find time to grow, Nat kept up such -a stirring of the soil; so he gave him easy jobs in the flower garden -or among the strawberries, where he worked and hummed as busily as the -bees booming all about him. - -“This is the crop I like best,” Mrs. Bhaer used to say, as she pinched -the once thin cheeks now getting plump and ruddy, or stroked the bent -shoulders that were slowly straightening up with healthful work, good -food, and the absence of that heavy burden, poverty. - -Demi was his little friend, Tommy his patron, and Daisy the comforter -of all his woes; for, though the children were younger than he, his -timid spirit found a pleasure in their innocent society, and rather -shrunk from the rough sports of the elder lads. Mr. Laurence did not -forget him, but sent clothes and books, music and kind messages, and -now and then came out to see how his boy was getting on, or took him -into town to a concert; on which occasions Nat felt himself translated -into the seventh heaven of bliss, for he went to Mr. Laurence’s great -house, saw his pretty wife and little fairy of a daughter, had a good -dinner, and was made so comfortable, that he talked and dreamed of it -for days and nights afterward. - -It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a pity in a -world full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any -wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts. Feeling this, the -Bhaers gathered up all the crumbs they could find to feed their flock -of hungry sparrows, for they were not rich, except in charity. Many of -Mrs. Jo’s friends who had nurseries sent her the toys of which their -children so soon tired, and in mending these Nat found an employment -that just suited him. He was very neat and skilful with those slender -fingers of his, and passed many a rainy afternoon with his gum-bottle, -paint-box, and knife, repairing furniture, animals, and games, while -Daisy was dressmaker to the dilapidated dolls. As fast as the toys -were mended, they were put carefully away in a certain drawer which -was to furnish forth a Christmas-tree for all the poor children of the -neighborhood, that being the way the Plumfield boys celebrated the -birthday of Him who loved the poor and blessed the little ones. - -Demi was never tired of reading and explaining his favorite books, and -many a pleasant hour did they spend in the old willow, revelling over -“Robinson Crusoe,” “Arabian Nights,” “Edgeworth’s Tales,” and the other -dear immortal stories that will delight children for centuries to come. -This opened a new world to Nat, and his eagerness to see what came -next in the story helped him on till he could read as well as anybody, -and felt so rich and proud with his new accomplishment, that there was -danger of his being as much of a bookworm as Demi. - -Another helpful thing happened in a most unexpected and agreeable -manner. Several of the boys were “in business,” as they called it, for -most of them were poor, and knowing that they would have their own way -to make by and by, the Bhaers encouraged any efforts at independence. -Tommy sold his eggs; Jack speculated in live stock; Franz helped in the -teaching, and was paid for it; Ned had a taste for carpentry, and a -turning-lathe was set up for him in which he turned all sorts of useful -or pretty things, and sold them; while Demi constructed water-mills, -whirligigs, and unknown machines of an intricate and useless nature, -and disposed of them to the boys. - -“Let him be a mechanic if he likes,” said Mr. Bhaer. “Give a boy a -trade, and he is independent. Work is wholesome, and whatever talent -these lads possess, be it for poetry or ploughing, it shall be -cultivated and made useful to them if possible.” - -So when Nat came running to him one day to ask with an excited face,-- - -“Can I go and fiddle for some people who are to have a picnic in our -woods? They will pay me, and I’d like to earn some money as the other -boys do, and fiddling is the only way I know how to do it,”-- - -Mr. Bhaer answered readily,-- - -“Go, and welcome. It is an easy and a pleasant way to work, and I am -glad it is offered you.” - -Nat went, and did so well, that when he came home he had two dollars in -his pocket, which he displayed with intense satisfaction, as he told -how much he had enjoyed the afternoon, how kind the young people were, -and how they had praised his dance-music, and promised to have him -again. - -“It is so much nicer than fiddling in the street, for then I got none -of the money, and now I have it all, and a good time besides. I’m in -business now as well as Tommy and Jack, and I like it ever so much,” -said Nat, proudly patting the old pocket-book, and feeling like a -millionaire already. - -He _was_ in business truly, for picnics were plenty as summer opened, -and Nat’s skill was in great demand. He was always at liberty to go if -lessons were not neglected, and if the picnics were respectable young -people. For Mr. Bhaer explained to him that a good plain education is -necessary for every one, and that no amount of money should hire him -to go where he might be tempted to do wrong. Nat quite agreed to this, -and it was a pleasant sight to see the innocent-hearted lad go driving -away in the gay wagons that stopped at the gate for him, or to hear him -come fiddling home tired but happy, with his well-earned money in one -pocket, and some “goodies” from the feast for Daisy or little Ted, whom -he never forgot. - -“I’m going to save up till I get enough to buy a violin for myself, and -then I can earn my own living, can’t I?” he used to say, as he brought -his dollars to Mr. Bhaer to keep. - -“I hope so, Nat; but we must get you strong and hearty first, and put a -little more knowledge into this musical head of yours. Then Mr. Laurie -will find you a place somewhere, and in a few years we will all come to -hear you play in public.” - -With much congenial work, encouragement, and hope, Nat found life -getting easier and happier every day, and made such progress in his -music lessons, that his teacher forgave his slowness in some other -things, knowing very well that where the heart is the mind works best. -The only punishment the boy ever needed for neglect of more important -lessons was to hang up the fiddle and the bow for a day. The fear of -losing his bosom friend entirely made him go at his books with a will; -and having proved that _he could_ master the lessons, what was the use -of saying “I can’t”? - -Daisy had a great love of music, and a great reverence for any one who -could make it, and she was often found sitting on the stairs outside -Nat’s door while he was practising. This pleased him very much, and he -played his best for that one quiet little listener; for she never would -come in, but preferred to sit sewing her gay patchwork, or tending one -of her many dolls, with an expression of dreamy pleasure on her face -that made Aunt Jo say, with tears in her eyes,-- - -“So like my Beth,” and go softly by, lest even her familiar presence -mar the child’s sweet satisfaction. - -Nat was very fond of Mrs. Bhaer, but found something even more -attractive in the good professor, who took fatherly care of the shy -feeble boy, who had barely escaped with his life from the rough sea on -which his little boat had been tossing rudderless for twelve years. -Some good angel must have watched over him, for, though his body had -suffered, his soul seemed to have taken little harm, and came ashore -as innocent as a shipwrecked baby. Perhaps his love of music kept it -sweet in spite of the discord all about him; Mr. Laurie said so, and he -ought to know. However that might be, Father Bhaer took real pleasure -in fostering poor Nat’s virtues, and in curing his faults, finding his -new pupil as docile and affectionate as a girl. He often called Nat -his “daughter” when speaking of him to Mrs. Jo, and she used to laugh -at his fancy, for Madame liked manly boys, and thought Nat amiable but -weak, though you never would have guessed it, for she petted him as she -did Daisy, and he thought her a very delightful woman. - -One fault of Nat’s gave the Bhaers much anxiety, although they saw how -it had been strengthened by fear and ignorance. I regret to say that -Nat sometimes told lies. Not very black ones, seldom getting deeper -than gray, and often the mildest of white fibs; but that did not -matter, a lie is a lie, and though we all tell many polite untruths in -this queer world of ours, it is not right, and everybody knows it. - -“You cannot be too careful; watch your tongue, and eyes, and hands, for -it is easy to tell, and look, and act untruth,” said Mr. Bhaer, in one -of the talks he had with Nat about his chief temptation. - -“I know it, and I don’t mean to, but it’s so much easier to get along -if you ain’t very fussy about being exactly true. I used to tell ’em -because I was afraid of father and Nicolo, and now I do sometimes -because the boys laugh at me. I know it’s bad, but I forget,” and Nat -looked much depressed by his sins. - -“When I was a little lad I used to tell lies! Ach! what fibs they were, -and my old grandmother cured me of it--how, do you think? My parents -had talked, and cried, and punished, but still did I forget as you. -Then said the dear old grandmother, ‘I shall help you to remember, and -put a check on this unruly part,’ with that she drew out my tongue -and snipped the end with her scissors till the blood ran. That was -terrible, you may believe, but it did me much good, because it was -sore for days, and every word I said came so slowly that I had time to -think. After that I was more careful, and got on better, for I feared -the big scissors. Yet the dear grandmother was most kind to me in all -things, and when she lay dying far away in Nuremberg, she prayed that -little Fritz might love God and tell the truth.” - -“I never had any grandmothers, but if you think it will cure me, I’ll -let you snip my tongue,” said Nat, heroically, for he dreaded pain, yet -did wish to stop fibbing. - -Mr. Bhaer smiled, but shook his head. - -“I have a better way than that, I tried it once before and it worked -well. See now, when you tell a lie I will not punish you, but you shall -punish me.” - -“How?” asked Nat, startled at the idea. - -“You shall ferule me in the good old-fashioned way, I seldom do it -myself, but it may make you remember better to give me pain than to -feel it yourself.” - -“Strike you? Oh, I couldn’t!” cried Nat. - -“Then mind that tripping tongue of thine. I have no wish to be hurt, -but I would gladly bear much pain to cure this fault.” - -This suggestion made such an impression on Nat, that for a long time -he set a watch upon his lips, and was desperately accurate, for Mr. -Bhaer judged rightly, that love of him would be more powerful with Nat -than fear for himself. But alas! one sad day Nat was off his guard, and -when peppery Emil threatened to thrash him, if it was he who had run -over his garden and broken down his best hills of corn, Nat declared he -didn’t, and then was ashamed to own up that he did do it, when Jack was -chasing him the night before. - -He thought no one would find it out, but Tommy happened to see him, and -when Emil spoke of it a day or two later, Tommy gave his evidence, and -Mr. Bhaer heard it. School was over, and they were all standing about -in the hall, and Mr. Bhaer had just sat down on the straw settee, to -enjoy his frolic with Teddy; but when he heard Tommy, and saw Nat turn -scarlet, and look at him with a frightened face, he put the little boy -down, saying, “Go to thy mother, bübchen, I will come soon,” and taking -Nat by the hand led him into the school, and shut the door. - -The boys looked at one another in silence for a minute, then Tommy -slipped out and peeping in at the half-closed blinds, beheld a sight -that quite bewildered him. Mr. Bhaer had just taken down that long rule -that hung over his desk, so seldom used that it was covered with dust. - -“My eye! he’s going to come down heavy on Nat this time. Wish I hadn’t -told,” thought good-natured Tommy, for to be feruled was the deepest -disgrace at this school. - -“You remember what I told you last time?” said Mr. Bhaer, sorrowfully, -not angrily. - -“Yes; but please don’t make me, I can’t bear it,” cried Nat, backing -up against the door with both hands behind him, and a face full of -distress. - -“Why don’t he up and take it like a man? I would,” thought Tommy, -though his heart beat fast at the sight. - -“I shall keep my word, and you must remember to tell the truth. Obey -me, Nat, take this and give me six good strokes.” - -Tommy was so staggered by this last speech that he nearly tumbled down -the bank, but saved himself, and hung on to the window ledge, staring -in with eyes as round as the stuffed owl’s on the chimney-piece. - -Nat took the rule, for when Mr. Bhaer spoke in that tone every one -obeyed him, and, looking as scared and guilty as if about to stab his -master, he gave two feeble blows on the broad hand held out to him. -Then he stopped and looked up half-blind with tears, but Mr. Bhaer said -steadily,-- - -“Go on, and strike harder.” - -As if seeing that it must be done, and eager to have the hard task soon -over, Nat drew his sleeve across his eyes and gave two more quick hard -strokes that reddened the hand, yet hurt the giver more. - -“Isn’t that enough?” he asked in a breathless sort of tone. - -“Two more,” was all the answer, and he gave them, hardly seeing where -they fell, then threw the rule all across the room, and hugging the -kind hand in both his own, laid his face down on it sobbing out in a -passion of love, and shame, and penitence,-- - -“I will remember! Oh! I will!” - -Then Mr. Bhaer put an arm about him, and said in a tone as -compassionate as it had just now been firm,-- - -“I think you will. Ask the dear God to help you, and try to spare us -both another scene like this.” - -Tommy saw no more, for he crept back to the hall, looking so excited -and sober that the boys crowded round him to ask what was being done to -Nat. - -In a most impressive whisper Tommy told them, and they looked as if the -sky was about to fall, for this reversing the order of things almost -took their breath away. - -“He made me do the same thing once,” said Emil, as if confessing a -crime of the deepest dye. - -“And you hit him? dear old Father Bhaer? By thunder, I’d just like to -see you do it now!” said Ned, collaring Emil in a fit of righteous -wrath. - -“It was ever so long ago. I’d rather have my head cut off than do it -now,” and Emil mildly laid Ned on his back instead of cuffing him, as -he would have felt it his duty to do on any less solemn occasion. - -“How could you?” said Demi, appalled at the idea. - -“I was hopping mad at the time, and thought I shouldn’t mind a bit, -rather like it perhaps. But when I’d hit Uncle one good crack, every -thing he had ever done for me came into my head all at once somehow, -and I couldn’t go on. No, sir! if he’d laid me down and walked on me, -I wouldn’t have minded, I felt so mean;” and Emil gave himself a good -thump in the chest to express his sense of remorse for the past. - -“Nat’s crying like any thing, and feels no end sorry, so don’t let’s -say a word about it; will we?” said tender-hearted Tommy. - -“Of course we won’t, but it’s awful to tell lies,” and Demi looked as -if he found the awfulness much increased when the punishment fell not -upon the sinner, but his best Uncle Fritz. - -“Suppose we all clear out, so Nat can cut up-stairs if he wants to,” -proposed Franz, and led the way to the barn, their refuge in troublous -times. - -Nat did not come to dinner, but Mrs. Jo took some up to him, and said -a tender word, which did him good, though he could not look at her. -By and by the lads playing outside heard the violin, and said among -themselves: “He’s all right now.” He was all right, but felt shy about -going down, till, opening his door to slip away into the woods, he -found Daisy sitting on the stairs with neither work nor doll, only her -little handkerchief in her hand, as if she had been mourning for her -captive friend. - -“I’m going to walk; want to come?” asked Nat, trying to look as if -nothing was the matter, yet feeling very grateful for her silent -sympathy, because he fancied every one must look upon him as a wretch. - -“Oh, yes!” and Daisy ran for her hat, proud to be chosen as a companion -by one of the big boys. - -The others saw them go, but no one followed, for boys have a great deal -more delicacy than they get credit for, and the lads instinctively felt -that, when in disgrace, gentle little Daisy was their most congenial -friend. - -The walk did Nat good, and he came home quieter than usual, but looking -cheerful again, and hung all over with daisy-chains, made by his little -playmate while he lay on the grass and told her stories. - -No one said a word about the scene of the morning, but its effect was -all the more lasting for that reason, perhaps. Nat tried his very best, -and found much help, not only from the earnest little prayers he prayed -to his Friend in heaven, but also in the patient care of the earthly -friend, whose kind hand he never touched without remembering that it -had willingly borne pain for his sake. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -PATTY PANS - - -“What’s the matter, Daisy?” - -“The boys won’t let me play with them.” - -“Why not?” - -“They say girls can’t play football.” - -“They can, for I’ve done it!” and Mrs. Bhaer laughed at the remembrance -of certain youthful frolics. - -“I know I can play; Demi and I used to, and have nice times, but he -won’t let me now because the other boys laugh at him,” and Daisy looked -deeply grieved at her brother’s hardness of heart. - -“On the whole, I think he is right, deary. It’s all very well when you -two are alone, but it is too rough a game for you with a dozen boys; so -I’d find some nice little play for myself.” - -“I’m tired of playing alone!” and Daisy’s tone was very mournful. - -“I’ll play with you by and by, but just now I must fly about and get -things ready for a trip into town. You shall go with me and see mamma, -and if you like you can stay with her.” - -“I should like to go and see her and Baby Josy, but I’d rather come -back, please. Demi would miss me, and I love to be here, Aunty.” - -“You can’t get on without your Demi, can you?” and Aunt Jo looked as if -she quite understood the love of the little girl for her only brother. - -“’Course I can’t; we’re twins, and so we love each other more than -other people,” answered Daisy, with a brightening face, for she -considered being a twin one of the highest honors she could ever -receive. - -“Now, what will you do with your little self while I fly round?” asked -Mrs. Bhaer, who was whisking piles of linen into a wardrobe with great -rapidity. - -“I don’t know, I’m tired of dolls and things; I wish you’d make up a -new play for me, Aunty Jo,” said Daisy, swinging listlessly on the door. - -“I shall have to think of a brand new one, and it will take me some -time; so suppose you go down and see what Asia has got for your lunch,” -suggested Mrs. Bhaer, thinking that would be a good way in which to -dispose of the little hindrance for a time. - -“Yes, I think I’d like that, if she isn’t cross,” and Daisy slowly -departed to the kitchen, where Asia, the black cook, reigned -undisturbed. - -In five minutes Daisy was back again, with a wide-awake face, a bit of -dough in her hand and a dab of flour on her little nose. - -“O Aunty! please could I go and make gingersnaps and things? Asia isn’t -cross, and she says I may, and it would be such fun, please do,” cried -Daisy, all in one breath. - -“Just the thing, go and welcome, make what you like, and stay as long -as you please,” answered Mrs. Bhaer, much relieved, for sometimes the -one little girl was harder to amuse than the dozen boys. - -Daisy ran off, and while she worked, Aunt Jo racked her brain for a new -play. All of a sudden she seemed to have an idea, for she smiled to -herself, slammed the doors of the wardrobe, and walked briskly away, -saying, “I’ll do it, if it’s a possible thing!” - -What it was no one found out that day, but Aunt Jo’s eyes twinkled so -when she told Daisy she had thought of a new play, and was going to buy -it, that Daisy was much excited and asked questions all the way into -town, without getting answers that told her anything. She was left at -home to play with the new baby and delight her mother’s eyes, while -Aunt Jo went off shopping. When she came back with all sorts of queer -parcels in corners of the carry-all, Daisy was so full of curiosity -that she wanted to go back to Plumfield at once. But her aunt would not -be hurried, and made a long call in mamma’s room, sitting on the floor -with baby in her lap, making Mrs. Brooke laugh at the pranks of the -boys, and all sorts of droll nonsense. - -How her aunt told the secret Daisy could not imagine, but her mother -evidently knew it, for she said, as she tied on the little bonnet and -kissed the rosy little face inside, “Be a good child, my Daisy, and -learn the nice new play Aunty has got for you. It’s a most useful -and interesting one, and it is very kind of her to play it with you, -because she does not like it very well herself.” - -This last speech made the two ladies laugh heartily, and increased -Daisy’s bewilderment. As they drove away something rattled in the back -of the carriage. - -“What’s that?” asked Daisy, pricking up her ears. - -“The new play,” answered Mrs. Jo, solemnly. - -“What is it made of?” cried Daisy. - -“Iron, tin, wood, brass, sugar, salt, coal, and a hundred other things.” - -“How strange! what color is it?” - -“All sorts of colors.” - -“Is it large?” - -“Part of it is, and a part isn’t.” - -“Did I ever see one?” - -“Ever so many, but never one so nice as this.” - -“Oh! what can it be? I can’t wait. When _shall_ I see it?” and Daisy -bounced up and down with impatience. - -“To-morrow morning, after lessons.” - -“Is it for the boys too?” - -“No, all for you and Bess. The boys will like to see it, and want to -play one part of it. But you can do as you like about letting them.” - -“I’ll let Demi, if he wants to.” - -“No fear that they won’t all want to, especially Stuffy,” and Mrs. -Bhaer’s eyes twinkled more than ever, as she patted a queer knobby -bundle in her lap. - -“Let me feel just once,” prayed Daisy. - -“Not a feel; you’d guess in a minute and spoil the fun.” - -Daisy groaned and then smiled all over her face, for through a little -hole in the paper she caught a glimpse of something bright. - -“How _can_ I wait so long? Couldn’t I see it to-day?” - -“Oh dear, no! it has got to be arranged, and ever so many parts fixed -in their places. I promised Uncle Teddy that you shouldn’t see it till -it was all in apple-pie order.” - -“If Uncle knows about it then it _must_ be splendid!” cried Daisy, -clapping her hands; for this kind, rich, jolly uncle of hers was as -good as a fairy godmother to the children, and was always planning -merry surprises, pretty gifts, and droll amusements for them. - -“Yes; Teddy went and bought it with me, and we had such fun in the shop -choosing the different parts. He would have everything fine and large, -and my little plan got regularly splendid when he took hold. You must -give him your very best kiss when he comes, for he is the kindest uncle -that ever went and bought a charming little coo---- Bless me! I nearly -told you what it was!” and Mrs. Bhaer cut that most interesting word -short off in the middle, and began to look over her bills, as if afraid -she would let the cat out of the bag if she talked any more. Daisy -folded her hands with an air of resignation, and sat quite still trying -to think what play had a “coo” in it. - -When they got home she eyed every bundle that was taken out, and one -large heavy one, which Franz took straight up-stairs and hid in the -nursery, filled her with amazement and curiosity. Something very -mysterious went on up there that afternoon, for Franz was hammering, -and Asia trotting up and down, and Aunt Jo flying around like a -will-o’-the-wisp, with all sorts of things under her apron, while -little Ted, who was the only child admitted, because he couldn’t talk -plain, babbled and laughed, and tried to tell what the “sumpin pitty” -was. - -All this made Daisy half wild, and her excitement spread among the -boys, who quite overwhelmed Mother Bhaer with offers of assistance, -which she declined by quoting their own words to Daisy,-- - -“Girls can’t play with boys. This is for Daisy, and Bess, and me, so -we don’t want you.” Whereupon the young gentlemen meekly retired, -and invited Daisy to a game of marbles, horse, football, anything -she liked, with a sudden warmth and politeness which astonished her -innocent little soul. - -Thanks to these attentions, she got through the afternoon, went early -to bed, and next morning did her lessons with an energy which made -Uncle Fritz wish that a new game could be invented every day. Quite a -thrill pervaded the school-room when Daisy was dismissed at eleven -o’clock, for every one knew that _now_ she was going to have the new -and mysterious play. - -Many eyes followed her as she ran away, and Demi’s mind was so -distracted by this event that when Franz asked him where the desert -of Sahara was, he mournfully replied, “In the nursery,” and the whole -school laughed at him. - -“Aunt Jo, I’ve done all my lessons, and I can’t wait one single minute -more!” cried Daisy, flying into Mrs. Bhaer’s room. - -“It’s all ready, come on;” and tucking Ted under one arm, and her -work-basket under the other, Aunt Jo promptly led the way up-stairs. - -“I don’t see any thing,” said Daisy, staring about her as she got -inside the nursery door. - -“Do you hear any thing?” asked Aunt Jo, catching Ted back by his little -frock as he was making straight for one side of the room. - -Daisy did hear an odd crackling, and then a purry little sound as of a -kettle singing. These noises came from behind a curtain drawn before a -deep bay window. Daisy snatched it back, gave one joyful “Oh!” and then -stood gazing with delight at--what do you think? - -A wide seat ran round the three sides of the window; on one side hung -and stood all sorts of little pots and pans, gridirons and skillets; -on the other side a small dinner and tea set; and on the middle part -a cooking-stove. Not a tin one, that was of no use, but a real iron -stove, big enough to cook for a large family of very hungry dolls. But -the best of it was that a real fire burned in it, real steam came out -of the nose of the little tea-kettle, and the lid of the little boiler -actually danced a jig, the water inside bubbled so hard. A pane of -glass had been taken out and replaced by a sheet of tin, with a hole -for the small funnel, and real smoke went sailing away outside so -naturally, that it did one’s heart good to see it. The box of wood with -a hod of charcoal stood near by; just above hung dustpan, brush, and -broom; a little market basket was on the low table at which Daisy used -to play, and over the back of her little chair hung a white apron with -a bib, and a droll mob cap. The sun shone in as if he enjoyed the fun, -the little stove roared beautifully, the kettle steamed, the new tins -sparkled on the walls, the pretty china stood in tempting rows, and -it was altogether as cheery and complete a kitchen as any child could -desire. - -Daisy stood quite still after the first glad “Oh!” but her eyes went -quickly from one charming object to another, brightening as they -looked, till they came to Aunt Jo’s merry face; there they stopped as -the happy little girl hugged her, saying gratefully,-- - -“O Aunty, it’s a splendid new play! can I really cook at the dear -stove, and have parties and mess, and sweep, and make fires that truly -burn? I like it _so_ much! What made you think of it?” - -“Your liking to make gingersnaps with Asia made me think of it,” said -Mrs. Bhaer, holding Daisy, who frisked as if she would fly. “I knew -Asia wouldn’t let you mess in her kitchen very often, and it wouldn’t -be safe at this fire up here, so I thought I’d see if I could find a -little stove for you, and teach you to cook; that would be fun, and -useful too. So I travelled round among the toy shops, but every thing -large cost too much and I was thinking I should have to give it up, -when I met Uncle Teddy. As soon as he knew what I was about, he said he -wanted to help, and insisted on buying the biggest toy stove we could -find. I scolded, but he only laughed, and teased me about my cooking -when we were young, and said I must teach Bess as well as you, and went -on buying all sorts of nice little things for my ‘cooking class’ as he -called it.” - -“I’m so glad you met him!” said Daisy, as Mrs. Jo stopped to laugh at -the memory of the funny time she had with Uncle Teddy. - -“You must study hard and learn to make all kinds of things, for he says -he shall come out to tea very often, and expects something uncommonly -nice.” - -“It’s the sweetest, dearest kitchen in the world, and I’d rather study -with it than do anything else. Can’t I learn pies, and cake, and -macaroni, and every thing?” cried Daisy, dancing round the room with a -new saucepan in one hand and the tiny poker in the other. - -“All in good time. This is to be a useful play, I am to help you, and -you are to be my cook, so I shall tell you what to do, and show you -how. Then we shall have things fit to eat, and you will be really -learning how to cook on a small scale. I’ll call you Sally, and say you -are a new girl just come,” added Mrs. Jo, settling down to work, while -Teddy sat on the floor sucking his thumb, and staring at the stove as -if it was a live thing, whose appearance deeply interested him. - -“That will be _so_ lovely! What shall I do first?” asked Sally, with -such a happy face and willing air that Aunt Jo wished all new cooks -were half as pretty and pleasant. - -“First of all, put on this clean cap and apron. I am rather -old-fashioned, and I like my cook to be very tidy.” - -Sally tucked her curly hair into the round cap, and put on the apron -without a murmur, though usually she rebelled against bibs. - -“Now, you can put things in order, and wash up the new china. The old -set needs washing also, for my last girl was apt to leave it in a sad -state after a party.” - -Aunt Jo spoke quite soberly, but Sally laughed, for she knew who the -untidy girl was who had left the cups sticky. Then she turned up her -cuffs, and with a sigh of satisfaction began to stir about her kitchen, -having little raptures now and then over the “sweet rolling pin,” the -“darling dish-tub,” or the “cunning pepper-pot.” - -“Now, Sally, take your basket and go to market; here is the list of -things I want for dinner,” said Mrs. Jo, giving her a bit of paper when -the dishes were all in order. - -“Where is the market?” asked Daisy, thinking that the new play got more -and more interesting every minute. - -“Asia is the market.” - -Away went Sally, causing another stir in the school-room as she passed -the door in her new costume, and whispered to Demi, with a face full of -delight,--“It’s a perfectly splendid play!” - -Old Asia enjoyed the joke as much as Daisy, and laughed jollily as the -little girl came flying into the room with her cap all on one side, -the lids of her basket rattling like castanets and looking like a very -crazy little cook. - -“Mrs. Aunt Jo wants these things, and I must have them right away,” -said Daisy, importantly. - -“Let’s see, honey; here’s two pounds of steak, potatoes, squash, -apples, bread, and butter. The meat ain’t come yet; when it does I’ll -send it up. The other things are all handy.” - -Then Asia packed one potato, one apple, a bit of squash, a little pat -of butter, and a roll, into the basket, telling Sally to be on the -watch for the butcher’s boy, because he sometimes played tricks. - -“Who is he?” and Daisy hoped it would be Demi. - -“You’ll see,” was all Asia would say; and Sally went off in great -spirits, singing a verse from dear Mary Howitt’s sweet story in rhyme,-- - - “Away went little Mabel, - With the wheaten cake so fine, - The new-made pot of butter, - And the little flask of wine.” - -“Put every thing but the apple into the store-closet for the present,” -said Mrs. Jo, when the cook got home. - -There was a cupboard under the middle shelf, and on opening the door -fresh delights appeared. One half was evidently the cellar, for wood, -coal, and kindlings were piled there. The other half was full of little -jars, boxes, and all sorts of droll contrivances for holding small -quantities of flour, meal, sugar, salt, and other household stores. A -pot of jam was there, a little tin box of gingerbread, a cologne bottle -full of currant wine, and a tiny canister of tea. But the crowning -charm was two doll’s pans of new milk, with cream actually rising on -it, and a wee skimmer all ready to skim it with. Daisy clasped her -hands at this delicious spectacle, and wanted to skim immediately. But -Aunt Jo said,-- - -“Not yet; you will want the cream to eat on your apple-pie at dinner, -and must not disturb it till then.” - -“Am I going to have pie?” cried Daisy, hardly believing that such bliss -could be in store for her. - -“Yes; if your oven does well we will have two pies,--one apple and one -strawberry,” said Mrs. Jo, who was nearly as much interested in the -new play as Daisy herself. - -“Oh, what next?” asked Sally, all impatience to begin. - -“Shut the lower draught of the stove, so that the oven may heat. -Then wash your hands and get out the flour, sugar, salt, butter, and -cinnamon. See if the pie-board is clean, and pare your apple ready to -put in.” - -Daisy got things together with as little noise and spilling as could be -expected, from so young a cook. - -“I really don’t know how to measure for such tiny pies; I must guess -at it, and if these don’t succeed, we must try again,” said Mrs. Jo, -looking rather perplexed, and very much amused with the small concern -before her. “Take that little pan full of flour, put in a pinch of -salt, and then rub in as much butter as will go on that plate. Always -remember to put your dry things together first, and then the wet. It -mixes better so.” - -“I know how; I saw Asia do it. Don’t I butter the pie plates too? She -did, the first thing,” said Daisy, whisking the flour about at a great -rate. - -“Quite right! I do believe you have a gift for cooking, you take to it -so cleverly,” said Aunt Jo, approvingly. “Now a dash of cold water, -just enough to wet it; then scatter some flour on the board, work in a -little, and roll the paste out; yes, that’s the way. Now put dabs of -butter all over it, and roll it out again. We won’t have our pastry -very rich, or the dolls will get dyspeptic.” - -Daisy laughed at the idea, and scattered the dabs with a liberal hand. -Then she rolled and rolled with her delightful little pin, and having -got her paste ready, proceeded to cover the plates with it. Next the -apple was sliced in, sugar and cinnamon lavishly sprinkled over it, and -then the top crust put on with breathless care. - -“I always wanted to cut them round, and Asia never would let me. How -nice it is to do it all my ownty donty self!” said Daisy, as the little -knife went clipping round the doll’s plate poised on her hand. - -All cooks, even the best, meet with mishaps sometimes, and Sally’s -first one occurred then, for the knife went so fast that the plate -slipped, turned a somersault in the air, and landed the dear little -pie upside down on the floor. Sally screamed, Mrs. Jo laughed, Teddy -scrambled to get it, and for a moment confusion reigned in the new -kitchen. - -“It didn’t spill or break, because I pinched the edges together so -hard; it isn’t hurt a bit, so I’ll prick holes in it, and then it will -be ready,” said Sally, picking up the capsized treasure and putting it -into shape with a childlike disregard of the dust it had gathered in -its fall. - -“My new cook has a good temper, I see, and that is such a comfort,” -said Mrs. Jo. “Now open the jar of strawberry jam, fill the uncovered -pie, and put some strips of paste over the top as Asia does.” - -“I’ll make a D in the middle, and have zigzags all round; that will be -so interesting when I come to eat it,” said Sally, loading her pie with -quirls and flourishes that would have driven a real pastry cook wild. -“_Now_ I put them in!” she exclaimed, when the last grimy knob had been -carefully planted in the red field of jam, and with an air of triumph -she shut them into the little oven. - -“Clear up your things; a good cook never lets her utensils collect. -Then pare your squash and potatoes.” - -“There is only one potato,” giggled Sally. - -“Cut it in four pieces, so it will go into the little kettle, and put -the bits into cold water till it is time to cook them.” - -“Do I soak the squash too?” - -“No, indeed! just pare it and cut it up, and put it into the steamer -over the pot. It is drier so, though it takes longer to cook.” - -Here a scratching at the door caused Sally to run and open it, when Kit -appeared with a covered basket in his mouth. - -“Here’s the butcher’s boy!” cried Daisy, much tickled at the idea, as -she relieved him of his load, whereat he licked his lips and began -to beg, evidently thinking that it was his own dinner, for he often -carried it to his master in that way. Being undeceived, he departed in -great wrath and barked all the way down-stairs, to ease his wounded -feelings. - -In the basket were two bits of steak (doll’s pounds), a baked pear, -a small cake, and paper with them on which Asia had scrawled, “For -Missy’s lunch, if her cookin’ don’t turn out well.” - -“I don’t want any of her old pears and things; my cooking _will_ turn -out well, and I’ll have a splendid dinner; see if I don’t!” cried -Daisy, indignantly. - -“We may like them if company should come. It is always well to have -something in the store-room,” said Aunt Jo, who had been taught this -valuable fact by a series of domestic panics. - -“Me is hundry,” announced Teddy, who began to think what with so much -cooking going on it was about time for somebody to eat something. His -mother gave him her work-basket to rummage, hoping to keep him quiet -till dinner was ready, and returned to her housekeeping. - -“Put on your vegetables, set the table, and then have some coals -kindling ready for the steak.” - -What a thing it was to see the potatoes bobbing about in the little -pot; to peep at the squash getting soft so fast in the tiny steamer; -to whisk open the oven door every five minutes to see how the pies -got on, and at last when the coals were red and glowing, to put two -real steaks on a finger-long gridiron and proudly turn them with a -fork. The potatoes were done first, and no wonder, for they had boiled -frantically all the while. They were pounded up with a little pestle, -had much butter and no salt put in (cook forgot it in the excitement of -the moment), then it was made into a mound in a gay red dish, smoothed -over with a knife dipped in milk, and put in the oven to brown. - -So absorbed in these last performances had Sally been, that she forgot -her pastry till she opened the door to put in the potato, then a wail -arose, for, alas! alas! the little pies were burnt black! - -“Oh, my pies! my darling pies! they are all spoilt!” cried poor Sally, -wringing her dirty little hands as she surveyed the ruin of her work. -The tart was especially pathetic, for the quirls and zigzags stuck up -in all directions from the blackened jelly, like the walls and chimney -of a house after a fire. - -“Dear, dear, I forgot to remind you to take them out; it’s just my -luck,” said Aunt Jo, remorsefully. “Don’t cry, darling, it was my -fault; we’ll try again after dinner,” she added, as a great tear -dropped from Sally’s eyes and sizzled on the hot ruins of the tart. - -More would have followed, if the steak had not blazed up just then, and -so occupied the attention of cook, that she quickly forgot the lost -pastry. - -“Put the meat-dish and your own plates down to warm, while you mash -the squash with butter, salt, and a little pepper on the top,” said -Mrs. Jo, devoutly hoping that the dinner would meet with no further -disasters. - -The “cunning pepper-pot” soothed Sally’s feelings, and she dished up -her squash in fine style. The dinner was safely put upon the table; -the six dolls were seated three on a side; Teddy took the bottom, and -Sally the top. When all were settled, it was a most imposing spectacle, -for one doll was in full ball costume, another in her night-gown; -Jerry, the worsted boy, wore his red winter suit, while Annabella, -the noseless darling, was airily attired in nothing but her own kid -skin. Teddy, as father of the family, behaved with great propriety, -for he smilingly devoured every thing offered him, and did not find a -single fault. Daisy beamed upon her company like the weary, warm, but -hospitable hostess, so often to be seen at larger tables than this, and -did the honors with an air of innocent satisfaction, which we do _not_ -often see elsewhere. - -The steak was so tough, that the little carving-knife would not cut it; -the potato did not go round, and the squash was very lumpy; but the -guests appeared politely unconscious of these trifles; and the master -and mistress of the house cleared the table with appetites that any one -might envy them. The joy of skimming a jug-full of cream mitigated the -anguish felt for the loss of the pies, and Asia’s despised cake proved -a treasure in the way of dessert. - -“That is the nicest lunch I ever had; can’t I do it every day?” asked -Daisy as she scraped up and ate the leavings all round. - -“You can cook things every day after lessons, but I prefer that you -should eat your dishes at your regular meals, and only have a bit of -gingerbread for lunch. To-day, being the first time, I don’t mind, but -we must keep our rules. This afternoon you can make something for tea -if you like,” said Mrs. Jo, who had enjoyed the dinner-party very much, -though no one had invited her to partake. - -“Do let me make flapjacks for Demi, he loves them so, and it’s such fun -to turn them and put sugar in between,” cried Daisy, tenderly wiping a -yellow stain off Annabella’s broken nose, for Bella had refused to eat -squash when it was pressed upon her as good for “lumatism,” a complaint -which it is no wonder she suffered from, considering the lightness of -her attire. - -“But if you give Demi goodies, all the others will expect some also, -and then you will have your hands full.” - -“Couldn’t I have Demi come up to tea alone just this one time, and -after that I could cook things for the others if they were good,” -proposed Daisy, with a sudden inspiration. - -“That is a capital idea, Posy! We will make your little messes rewards -for the good boys, and I don’t know one among them who would not like -something nice to eat more than almost any thing else. If little men -are like big ones, good cooking will touch their hearts and soothe -their tempers delightfully,” added Aunt Jo, with a merry nod toward the -door, where stood Papa Bhaer, surveying the scene with a face full of -amusement. - -“That last hit was for me, sharp woman. I accept it, for it is true; -but if I had married thee for thy cooking, heart’s dearest, I should -have fared badly all these years,” answered the professor, laughing, -as he tossed Teddy, who became quite apoplectic in his endeavors to -describe the feast he had just enjoyed. - -Daisy proudly showed her kitchen, and rashly promised Uncle Fritz as -many flapjacks as he could eat. She was just telling about the new -rewards when the boys, headed by Demi, burst into the room snuffing the -air like a pack of hungry hounds, for school was out, dinner was not -ready, and the fragrance of Daisy’s steak led them straight to the spot. - -A prouder little damsel was never seen than Sally as she displayed her -treasures and told the lads what was in store for them. Several rather -scoffed at the idea of her cooking any thing fit to eat, but Stuffy’s -heart was won at once, Nat and Demi had firm faith in her skill, and -the others said they would wait and see. All admired the kitchen, -however, and examined the stove with deep interest. Demi offered to -buy the boiler on the spot, to be used in a steam-engine which he was -constructing; and Ned declared that the best and biggest saucepan was -just the thing to melt his lead in when he ran bullets, hatchets, and -such trifles. - -Daisy looked so alarmed at these proposals, that Mrs. Jo then and -there made and proclaimed a law that no boy should touch, use, or -even approach the sacred stove without a special permit from the -owner thereof. This increased its value immensely in the eyes of the -gentlemen, especially as any infringement of the law would be punished -by the forfeiture of all right to partake of the delicacies promised to -the virtuous. - -At this point the bell rang, and the entire population went down to -dinner, which meal was enlivened by each of the boys giving Daisy a -list of things he would like to have cooked for him as fast as he -earned them. Daisy, whose faith in her stove was unlimited, promised -every thing, if Aunt Jo would tell her how to make them. This -suggestion rather alarmed Mrs. Jo, for some of the dishes were quite -beyond her skill,--wedding-cake, for instance, bull’s-eye candy, and -cabbage soup with herrings and cherries in it, which Mr. Bhaer proposed -as his favorite, and immediately reduced his wife to despair, for -German cookery was beyond her. - -Daisy wanted to begin again the minute dinner was done, but she was -only allowed to clear up, fill the kettle ready for tea, and wash out -her apron, which looked as if she had cooked a Christmas feast. She -was then sent out to play till five o’clock, for Uncle Fritz said that -too much study, even at cooking stoves, was bad for little minds and -bodies, and Aunt Jo knew by long experience how soon new toys lose -their charm if they are not prudently used. - -Every one was very kind to Daisy that afternoon. Tommy promised her -the first fruits of his garden, though the only visible crop just then -was pig-weed; Nat offered to supply her with wood, free of charge; -Stuffy quite worshipped her; Ned immediately fell to work on a little -refrigerator for her kitchen; and Demi, with a punctuality beautiful -to see in one so young, escorted her to the nursery just as the clock -struck five. It was not time for the party to begin, but he begged so -hard to come in and help that he was allowed privileges few visitors -enjoy, for he kindled the fire, ran errands, and watched the progress -of his supper with intense interest. Mrs. Jo directed the affair as she -came and went, being very busy putting up clean curtains all over the -house. - -“Ask Asia for a cup of sour cream, then your cakes will be light -without much soda, which I don’t like,” was the first order. - -Demi tore down-stairs, and returned with the cream, also a puckered-up -face, for he had tasted it on his way, and found it so sour that he -predicted the cakes would be uneatable. Mrs. Jo took this occasion to -deliver a short lecture from the step-ladder on the chemical properties -of soda, to which Daisy did not listen, but Demi did, and understood -it, as he proved by the brief but comprehensive reply,-- - -“Yes, I see, soda turns sour things sweet, and the fizzling up makes -them light. Let’s see you do it, Daisy.” - -“Fill that bowl nearly full of flour and add a little salt to it,” -continued Mrs. Jo. - -“Oh dear, every thing has to have salt in it, seems to me,” said Sally, -who was tired of opening the pill-box in which it was kept. - -“Salt is like good-humor, and nearly every thing is better for a pinch -of it, Posy,” and Uncle Fritz stopped as he passed, hammer in hand, to -drive up two or three nails for Sally’s little pans to hang on. - -“You are not invited to tea, but I’ll give you some cakes, and I won’t -be cross,” said Daisy, putting up her floury little face to thank him -with a kiss. - -“Fritz, you must not interrupt my cooking class, or I’ll come in and -moralize when you are teaching Latin. How would you like that?” said -Mrs. Jo, throwing a great chintz curtain down on his head. - -“Very much, try it and see,” and the amiable Father Bhaer went singing -and tapping about the house like a mammoth woodpecker. - -“Put the soda into the cream, and when it ‘fizzles’ as Demi says, stir -it into the flour, and beat it up as hard as ever you can. Have your -griddle hot, butter it well, and then fry away till I come back,” and -Aunt Jo vanished also. - -Such a clatter as the little spoon made, and such a beating as the -batter got, it quite foamed, I assure you; and when Daisy poured some -on to the griddle, it rose like magic into a puffy flapjack, that made -Demi’s mouth water. To be sure, the first one stuck and scorched, -because she forgot the butter, but after that first failure all went -well, and six capital little cakes were safely landed in a dish. - -“I think I’d like maple-syrup better than sugar,” said Demi from his -arm-chair, where he had settled himself after setting the table in a -new and peculiar manner. - -“Then go and ask Asia for some,” answered Daisy, going into the -bath-room to wash her hands. - -While the nursery was empty something dreadful happened. You see, Kit -had been feeling hurt all day because he had carried meat safely and -yet got none to pay him. He was not a bad dog, but he had his little -faults like the rest of us, and could not always resist temptation. -Happening to stroll into the nursery at that moment, he smelt the -cakes, saw them unguarded on the low table, and never stopping to think -of consequences, swallowed all six at one mouthful. I am glad to say -that they were very hot, and burned him so badly that he could not -repress a surprised yelp. Daisy heard it, ran in, saw the empty dish, -also the end of a yellow tail disappearing under the bed. Without a -word she seized that tail, pulled out the thief, and shook him until -his ears flapped wildly, then bundled him down-stairs to the shed, -where he spent a lonely evening in the coal-bin. - -Cheered by the sympathy which Demi gave her, Daisy made another bowlful -of batter, and fried a dozen cakes, which were even better than the -others. Indeed, Uncle Fritz after eating two sent up word that he had -never tasted any so nice, and every boy at the table below envied Demi -at the flapjack party above. - -It was a truly delightful supper, for the little teapot lid only fell -off three times, and the milk jug upset but once; the cakes floated in -syrup, and the toast had a delicious beef-steak flavor, owing to cook’s -using the gridiron to make it on. Demi forgot philosophy, and stuffed -like any carnal boy, while Daisy planned sumptuous banquets, and the -dolls looked on smiling affably. - -“Well, dearies, have you had a good time?” asked Mrs. Jo, coming up -with Teddy on her shoulder. - -“A _very_ good time. I shall come again _soon_,” answered Demi, with -emphasis. - -“I’m afraid you have eaten too much, by the look of that table.” - -“No, I haven’t; I only ate fifteen cakes, and they were very little -ones,” protested Demi, who had kept his sister busy supplying his plate. - -“They won’t hurt him, they are so nice,” said Daisy, with such a funny -mixture of maternal fondness and housewifely pride that Aunt Jo could -only smile and say,-- - -“Well, on the whole, the new game is a success, then?” - -“_I_ like it,” said Demi, as if his approval was all that was necessary. - -“It is the dearest play ever made!” cried Daisy, hugging her little -dish-tub as she proposed to wash up the cups. “I just wish everybody -had a sweet cooking stove like mine,” she added, regarding it with -affection. - -“This play ought to have a name,” said Demi, gravely removing the syrup -from his countenance with his tongue. - -“It has.” - -“Oh, what?” asked both children, eagerly. - -“Well, I think we will call it Patty pans,” and Aunt Jo retired, -satisfied with the success of her last trap to catch a sunbeam. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A FIRE BRAND - - -“Please, ma’am, could I speak to you? It is something _very_ -important,” said Nat, popping his head in at the door of Mrs. Bhaer’s -room. - -It was the fifth head which had popped in during the last half-hour; -but Mrs. Jo was used to it, so she looked up, and said briskly,-- - -“What is it, my lad?” - -Nat came in, shut the door carefully behind him, and said in an eager, -anxious tone,-- - -“Dan has come.” - -“Who is Dan?” - -“He’s a boy I used to know when I fiddled round the streets. He sold -papers, and he was kind to me, and I saw him the other day in town, and -told him how nice it was here, and he’s come.” - -“But, my dear boy, that is rather a sudden way to pay a visit.” - -“Oh, it isn’t a visit; he wants to stay if you will let him!” said Nat, -innocently. - -“Well, but I don’t know about that,” began Mrs. Bhaer, rather startled -by the coolness of the proposition. - -“Why, I thought you liked to have poor boys come and live with you, -and be kind to ’em as you were to me,” said Nat, looking surprised and -alarmed. - -“So I do, but I like to know something about them first. I have to -choose them, because there are so many. I have not room for all. I wish -I had.” - -“I told him to come because I thought you’d like it, but if there isn’t -room he can go away again,” said Nat, sorrowfully. - -The boy’s confidence in her hospitality touched Mrs. Bhaer, and she -could not find the heart to disappoint his hope, and spoil his kind -little plan, so she said,-- - -“Tell me about this Dan.” - -“I don’t know any thing, only he hasn’t got any folks, and he’s poor, -and he was good to me, so I’d like to be good to him if I could.” - -“Excellent reasons every one; but really, Nat, the house is full, and -I don’t know where I could put him,” said Mrs. Bhaer, more and more -inclined to prove herself the haven of refuge he seemed to think her. - -“He could have my bed, and I could sleep in the barn. It isn’t cold -now, and I don’t mind, I used to sleep anywhere with father,” said Nat, -eagerly. - -Something in his speech and face made Mrs. Jo put her hand on his -shoulder, and say in her kindest tone: - -“Bring in your friend, Nat; I think we must find room for him without -giving him your place.” - -Nat joyfully ran off, and soon returned followed by a most -unprepossessing boy, who slouched in and stood looking about him, with -a half bold, half sullen look, which made Mrs. Bhaer say to herself, -after one glance,-- - -“A bad specimen, I am afraid.” - -“This is Dan,” said Nat, presenting him as if sure of his welcome. - -“Nat tells me you would like to come and stay with us,” began Mrs. Jo, -in a friendly tone. - -“Yes,” was the gruff reply. - -“Have you no friends to take care of you?” - -“No.” - -“Say, ‘No, ma’am,’” whispered Nat. - -“Shan’t neither,” muttered Dan. - -“How old are you?” - -“About fourteen.” - -“You look older. What can you do?” - -“’Most any thing.” - -“If you stay here we shall want you to do as the others do, work and -study as well as play. Are you willing to agree to that?” - -“Don’t mind trying.” - -“Well, you can stay a few days, and we will see how we get on together. -Take him out, Nat, and amuse him till Mr. Bhaer comes home, when -we will settle about the matter,” said Mrs. Jo, finding it rather -difficult to get on with this cool young person, who fixed his big -black eyes on her with a hard, suspicious expression, sorrowfully -unboyish. - -“Come on, Nat,” he said, and slouched out again. - -“Thank you, ma’am,” added Nat, as he followed him, feeling without -quite understanding the difference in the welcome given to him and to -his ungracious friend. - -“The fellows are having a circus out in the barn; don’t you want to -come and see it?” he asked, as they came down the wide steps on to the -lawn. - -“Are they big fellows?” said Dan. - -“No; the big ones are gone fishing.” - -“Fire away, then,” said Dan. - -Nat led him to the great barn and introduced him to his set, who were -disporting themselves among the half-empty lofts. A large circle was -marked out with hay on the wide floor, and in the middle stood Demi -with a long whip, while Tommy, mounted on the much-enduring Toby, -pranced about the circle playing being a monkey. - -“You must pay a pin apiece, or you can’t see the show,” said Stuffy, -who stood by the wheelbarrow in which sat the band, consisting of a -pocket-comb blown upon by Ned, and a toy drum beaten spasmodically by -Rob. - -“He’s company, so I’ll pay for both,” said Nat, handsomely, as he stuck -two crooked pins in the dried mushroom which served as money-box. - -With a nod to the company they seated themselves on a couple of boards, -and the performance went on. After the monkey act, Ned gave them a fine -specimen of his agility by jumping over an old chair, and running up -and down ladders, sailor fashion. Then Demi danced a jig with a gravity -beautiful to behold. Nat was called upon to wrestle with Stuffy, and -speedily laid that stout youth upon the ground. After this, Tommy -proudly advanced to turn a somersault, an accomplishment which he had -acquired by painful perserverance, practising in private till every -joint of his little frame was black and blue. His feats were received -with great applause, and he was about to retire, flushed with pride and -a rush of blood to the head, when a scornful voice in the audience was -heard to say,-- - -“Ho! that ain’t any thing!” - -“Say that again, will you?” and Tommy bristled up like an angry -turkey-cock. - -“Do you want to fight?” said Dan, promptly descending from the barrel -and doubling up his fists in a business-like manner. - -“No, I don’t;” and the candid Thomas retired a step, rather taken aback -by the proposition. - -“Fighting isn’t allowed!” cried the others, much excited. - -“You’re a nice lot,” sneered Dan. - -“Come, if you don’t behave, you shan’t stay,” said Nat, firing up at -that insult to his friends. - -“I’d like to see him do better than I did, that’s all,” observed Tommy, -with a swagger. - -“Clear the way, then,” and without the slightest preparation Dan turned -three somersaults one after the other and came up on his feet. - -“You can’t beat that, Tom; you always hit your head and tumble flat,” -said Nat, pleased at his friend’s success. - -Before he could say any more the audience were electrified by three -more somersaults backwards, and a short promenade on the hands, head -down, feet up. This brought down the house, and Tommy joined in the -admiring cries which greeted the accomplished gymnast as he righted -himself, and looked at them with an air of calm superiority. - -“Do you think I could learn to do it without its hurting me very much?” -Tom meekly asked, as he rubbed the elbows which still smarted after the -last attempt. - -“What will you give me if I’ll teach you?” said Dan. - -“My new jack-knife; it’s got five blades, and only one is broken.” - -“Give it here, then.” - -Tommy handed it over with an affectionate look at its smooth handle. -Dan examined it carefully, then putting it into his pocket, walked off, -saying with a wink,-- - -“Keep it up till you learn, that’s all.” - -A howl of wrath from Tommy was followed by a general uproar, which -did not subside till Dan, finding himself in a minority, proposed -that they should play stick-knife, and whichever won should have the -treasure. Tommy agreed, and the game was played in a circle of excited -faces, which all wore an expression of satisfaction, when Tommy won and -secured the knife in the depth of his safest pocket. - -“You come off with me, and I’ll show you round,” said Nat, feeling that -he must have a little serious conversation with his friend in private. - -What passed between them no one knew, but when they appeared again, Dan -was more respectful to every one, though still gruff in his speech, and -rough in his manner; and what else could be expected of the poor lad -who had been knocking about the world all his short life with no one to -teach him any better? - -The boys had decided that they did not like him, and so they left him -to Nat, who soon felt rather oppressed by the responsibility, but was -too kind-hearted to desert him. - -Tommy, however, felt that in spite of the jack-knife transaction, -there was a bond of sympathy between them, and longed to return to the -interesting subject of somersaults. He soon found an opportunity, for -Dan, seeing how much he admired him, grew more amiable, and by the end -of the first week was quite intimate with the lively Tom. - -Mr. Bhaer, when he heard the story and saw Dan, shook his head, but -only said quietly,-- - -“The experiment may cost us something, but we will try it.” - -If Dan felt any gratitude for his protection, he did not show it, and -took without thanks all that was given him. He was ignorant, but very -quick to learn when he chose; had sharp eyes to watch what went on -about him; a saucy tongue, rough manners, and a temper that was fierce -and sullen by turns. He played with all his might, and played well at -almost all the games. He was silent and gruff before grown people, and -only now and then was thoroughly social among the lads. Few of them -really liked him, but few could help admiring his courage and strength, -for nothing daunted him, and he knocked tall Franz flat on one occasion -with an ease that caused all the others to keep at a respectful -distance from his fists. Mr. Bhaer watched him silently, and did his -best to tame the “Wild Boy,” as they called him, but in private the -worthy man shook his head, and said soberly, “I _hope_ the experiment -will turn out well, but I am a little afraid it may cost too much.” - -Mrs. Bhaer lost her patience with him half a dozen times a day, yet -never gave him up, and always insisted that there was something good -in the lad, after all; for he was kinder to animals than to people, -he liked to rove about in the woods, and, best of all, little Ted was -fond of him. What the secret was no one could discover, but Baby took -to him at once--gabbled and crowed whenever he saw him--preferred his -strong back to ride on to any of the others--and called him “My Danny” -out of his own little head. Teddy was the only creature to whom Dan -showed any affection, and this was only manifested when he thought no -one else could see it; but mothers’ eyes are quick, and motherly hearts -instinctively divine who love their babies. So Mrs. Jo soon saw and -felt that there _was_ a soft spot in rough Dan, and bided her time to -touch and win him. - -But an unexpected and decidedly alarming event upset all their plans, -and banished Dan from Plumfield. - -Tommy, Nat, and Demi began by patronizing Dan, because the other lads -rather slighted him; but soon they each felt there was a certain -fascination about the bad boy, and from looking down upon him they came -to looking up, each for a different reason. Tommy admired his skill -and courage; Nat was grateful for past kindness; and Demi regarded him -as a sort of animated story book, for when he chose Dan could tell his -adventures in a most interesting way. It pleased Dan to have the three -favorites like him, and he exerted himself to be agreeable, which was -the secret of his success. - -The Bhaers were surprised, but hoped the lads would have a good -influence over Dan, and waited with some anxiety, trusting that no harm -would come of it. - -Dan felt they did not quite trust him, and never showed them his best -side, but took a wilful pleasure in trying their patience and thwarting -their hopes as far as he dared. - -Mr. Bhaer did not approve of fighting, and did not think it a proof -of either manliness or courage for two lads to pommel one another for -the amusement of the rest. All sorts of hardy games and exercises were -encouraged, and the boys were expected to take hard knocks and tumbles -without whining; but black eyes and bloody noses given for the fun of -it were forbidden as a foolish and a brutal play. - -Dan laughed at this rule, and told such exciting tales of his own -valor, and the many frays that he had been in, that some of the lads -were fired with a desire to have a regular good “mill.” - -“Don’t tell, and I’ll show you how,” said Dan; and, getting half a -dozen of the lads together behind the barn, he gave them a lesson -in boxing, which quite satisfied the ardor of most of them. Emil, -however, could not submit to be beaten by a fellow younger than -himself,--for Emil was past fourteen, and a plucky fellow,--so he -challenged Dan to a fight. Dan accepted at once, and the others looked -on with intense interest. - -What little bird carried the news to head-quarters no one ever knew, -but, in the very hottest of the fray, when Dan and Emil were fighting -like a pair of young bull-dogs, and the others with fierce, excited -faces were cheering them on, Mr. Bhaer walked into the ring, plucked -the combatants apart with a strong hand, and said, in the voice they -seldom heard,-- - -“I can’t allow this, boys! Stop it at once; and never let me see it -again. I keep a school for boys, not for wild beasts. Look at each -other and be ashamed of yourselves.” - -“You let me go, and I’ll knock him down again,” shouted Dan, sparring -away in spite of the grip on his collar. - -“Come on, come on, I ain’t thrashed yet!” cried Emil, who had been down -five times, but did not know when he was beaten. - -“They are playing be gladdy--what-you-call-’ems, like the Romans, Uncle -Fritz,” called out Demi, whose eyes were bigger than ever with the -excitement of this new pastime. - -“They were a fine set of brutes; but we have learned something since -then, I hope, and I cannot have you make my barn a Colosseum. Who -proposed this?” asked Mr. Bhaer. - -“Dan,” answered several voices. - -“Don’t you know that it is forbidden?” - -“Yes,” growled Dan, sullenly. - -“Then why break the rule?” - -“They’ll all be molly-coddles, if they don’t know how to fight.” - -“Have you found Emil a molly-coddle? He doesn’t look much like one,” -and Mr. Bhaer brought the two face to face. Dan had a black eye, and -his jacket was torn to rags; but Emil’s face was covered with blood -from a cut lip and a bruised nose, while a bump on his forehead was -already as purple as a plum. In spite of his wounds, however, he still -glared upon his foe, and evidently panted to renew the fight. - -“He’d make a first-rater if he was taught,” said Dan, unable to -withhold the praise from the boy who made it necessary for him to do -his best. - -“He’ll be taught to fence and box by and by, and till then I think he -will do very well without any lessons in mauling. Go and wash your -faces; and remember, Dan, if you break any more of the rules again, you -will be sent away. That was the bargain; do your part and we will do -ours.” - -The lads went off, and after a few more words to the spectators, Mr. -Bhaer followed to bind up the wounds of the young gladiators. Emil went -to bed sick, and Dan was an unpleasant spectacle for a week. - -But the lawless lad had no thought of obeying, and soon transgressed -again. - -On Saturday afternoon as a party of the boys went out to play, Tommy -said,-- - -“Let’s go down to the river, and cut a lot of new fish-poles.” - -“Take Toby to drag them back, and one of us can ride him down,” -proposed Stuffy, who hated to walk. - -“That means _you_, I suppose; well, hurry up, lazy-bones,” said Dan. - -Away they went, and having got the poles were about to go home, when -Demi unluckily said to Tommy, who was on Toby with a long rod in his -hand,-- - -“You look like the picture of the man in the bull-fight, only you -haven’t got a red cloth, or pretty clothes on.” - -“I’d like to see one; wouldn’t you?” said Tommy, shaking his lance. - -“Let’s have one; there’s old Buttercup in the big meadow, ride at her, -Tom, and see her run,” proposed Dan, bent on mischief. - -“No, you mustn’t,” began Demi, who was learning to distrust Dan’s -propositions. - -“Why not, little fuss-button?” demanded Dan. - -“I don’t think Uncle Fritz would like it.” - -“Did he ever say we must not have a bull-fight?” - -“No, I don’t think he ever did,” admitted Demi. - -“Then hold your tongue. Drive on, Tom, and here’s a red rag to flap at -the old thing. I’ll help you to stir her up,” and over the wall went -Dan, full of the new game, and the rest followed like a flock of sheep; -even Demi, who sat upon the bars, and watched the fun with interest. - -Poor Buttercup was not in a very good mood, for she had been lately -bereft of her calf, and mourned for the little thing most dismally. -Just now she regarded all mankind as her enemies (and I do not blame -her), so when the matadore came prancing towards her with the red -handkerchief flying at the end of his long lance, she threw up her -head, and gave a most appropriate “Moo!” Tommy rode gallantly at her, -and Toby, recognizing an old friend, was quite willing to approach; -but when the lance came down on her back with a loud whack, both cow -and donkey were surprised and disgusted. Toby backed with a bray of -remonstrance, and Buttercup lowered her horns angrily. - -“At her again, Tom; she’s jolly cross, and will do it capitally!” -called Dan, coming up behind with another rod, while Jack and Ned -followed his example. - -Seeing herself thus beset, and treated with such disrespect, Buttercup -trotted round the field, getting more and more bewildered and excited -every moment, for whichever way she turned, there was a dreadful boy, -yelling and brandishing a new and very disagreeable sort of whip. It -was great fun for them, but real misery for her, till she lost her -patience and turned the tables in the most unexpected manner. All -at once she wheeled short round, and charged full at her old friend -Toby, whose conduct cut her to the heart. Poor slow Toby backed so -precipitately that he tripped over a stone, and down went horse, -matadore, and all, in one ignominious heap, while distracted Buttercup -took a surprising leap over the wall, and galloped wildly out of sight -down the road. - -“Catch her, stop her, head her off! run, boys, run!” shouted Dan, -tearing after at his best pace, for she was Mr. Bhaer’s pet Alderney, -and if anything happened to her, Dan feared it would be all over -with him. Such a running and racing and bawling and puffing as there -was before she was caught! The fish-poles were left behind; Toby was -trotted nearly off his legs in the chase; and every boy was red, -breathless, and scared. They found poor Buttercup at last in a flower -garden, where she had taken refuge, worn out with the long run. -Borrowing a rope for a halter, Dan led her home, followed by a party -of very sober young gentlemen, for the cow was in a sad state, having -strained her shoulder in jumping, so that she limped, her eyes looked -wild, and her glossy coat was wet and muddy. - -“You’ll catch it this time, Dan,” said Tommy, as he led the wheezing -donkey beside the maltreated cow. - -“So will you, for you helped.” - -“We all did, but Demi,” added Jack. - -“He put it into our heads,” said Ned. - -“I told you not to do it,” cried Demi, who was most broken-hearted at -poor Buttercup’s state. - -“Old Bhaer will send me off, I guess. Don’t care if he does,” muttered -Dan, looking worried in spite of his words. - -“We’ll ask him not to, all of us,” said Demi, and the others assented -with the exception of Stuffy, who cherished the hope that all the -punishment might fall on one guilty head. Dan only said, “Don’t bother -about me;” but he never forgot it, even though he led the lads astray -again, as soon as the temptation came. - -When Mr. Bhaer saw the animal, and heard the story, he said very -little, evidently fearing that he should say too much in the first -moments of impatience. Buttercup was made comfortable in her stall, -and the boys sent to their rooms till supper-time. This brief respite -gave them time to think the matter over, to wonder what the penalty -would be, and to try to imagine where Dan would be sent. He whistled -briskly in his room, so that no one should think he cared a bit; but -while he waited to know his fate, the longing to stay grew stronger and -stronger, the more he recalled the comfort and kindness he had known -here, the hardship and neglect he had felt elsewhere. He knew they -tried to help him, and at the bottom of his heart he was grateful, but -his rough life had made him hard and careless, suspicious and wilful. -He hated restraint of any sort, and fought against it like an untamed -creature, even while he knew it was kindly meant, and dimly felt that -he would be the better for it. He made up his mind to be turned adrift -again, to knock about the city as he had done nearly all his life; a -prospect that made him knit his black brows, and look about the cosy -little room with a wistful expression that would have touched a much -harder heart than Mr. Bhaer’s if he had seen it. It vanished instantly, -however, when the good man came in, and said in his accustomed grave -way,-- - -“I have heard all about it, Dan, and though you have broken the rules -again, I am going to give you one more trial, to please Mother Bhaer.” - -Dan flushed up to his forehead at this unexpected reprieve, but he only -said in his gruff way,-- - -“I didn’t know there was any rule about bull-fighting.” - -“As I never expected to have any at Plumfield, I never did make such -a rule,” answered Mr. Bhaer, smiling in spite of himself at the boy’s -excuse. Then he added gravely, “But one of the first and most important -of our few laws is the law of kindness to every dumb creature on the -place. I want everybody and every thing to be happy here, to love, -and trust, and serve us, as we try to love and trust and serve them -faithfully and willingly. I have often said that you were kinder to the -animals than any of the other boys, and Mrs. Bhaer liked that trait in -you very much, because she thought it showed a good heart. But you have -disappointed us in that, and we are sorry, for we hoped to make you -quite one of us. Shall we try again?” - -Dan’s eyes had been on the floor, and his hands nervously picking at -the bit of wood he had been whittling as Mr. Bhaer came in, but when -he heard the kind voice ask that question, he looked up quickly, and -said in a more respectful tone than he had ever used before,-- - -“Yes, please.” - -“Very well, then, we will say no more, only you will stay at home from -the walk to-morrow, as the other boys will and all of you must wait on -poor Buttercup till she is well again.” - -“I will.” - -“Now, go down to supper, and do your best, my boy, more for your own -sake than for ours.” Then Mr. Bhaer shook hands with him, and Dan -went down more tamed by kindness than he would have been by the good -whipping which Asia had strongly recommended. - -Dan did try for a day or two, but not being used to it, he soon tired -and relapsed into his old wilful ways. Mr. Bhaer was called from home -on business one day, and the boys had no lessons. They liked this, and -played hard till bedtime, when most of them turned in and slept like -dormice. Dan, however, had a plan in his head, and when he and Nat were -alone, he unfolded it. - -“Look here!” he said, taking from under his bed a bottle, a cigar, and -a pack of cards, “I’m going to have some fun, and do as I used to with -the fellows in town. Here’s some beer, I got it of the old man at the -station, and this cigar; you can pay for ’em, or Tommy will, he’s got -heaps of money, and I haven’t a cent. I’m going to ask him in; no, you -go, they won’t mind you.” - -“The folks won’t like it,” began Nat. - -“They won’t know. Daddy Bhaer is away, and Mrs. Bhaer’s busy with Ted; -he’s got croup or something, and she can’t leave him. We shan’t sit up -late or make any noise, so where’s the harm?” - -“Asia will know if we burn the lamp long, she always does.” - -“No, she won’t, I’ve got the dark lantern on purpose; it don’t give -much light, and we can shut it quick if we hear any one coming,” said -Dan. - -This idea struck Nat as a fine one, and lent an air of romance to the -thing. He started off to tell Tommy, but put his head in again to say,-- - -“You want Demi, too, don’t you?” - -“No, I don’t; the Deacon will roll up eyes and preach if you tell him. -He will be asleep, so just tip the wink to Tom and cut back again.” - -Nat obeyed, and returned in a minute with Tommy half dressed, rather -tousled about the head and very sleepy, but quite ready for fun as -usual. - -“Now, keep quiet, and I’ll show you how to play a first-rate game -called ‘Poker,’” said Dan, as the three revellers gathered round the -table, on which were set forth the bottle, the cigar, and the cards. -“First we’ll all have a drink, then we’ll take a go at the ‘weed,’ and -then we’ll play. That’s the way men do, and it’s jolly fun.” - -The beer circulated in a mug, and all three smacked their lips over -it, though Nat and Tommy did not like the bitter stuff. The cigar was -worse still, but they dared not say so, and each puffed away till he -was dizzy or choked, when he passed the “weed” on to his neighbor. -Dan liked it, for it seemed like old times when he now and then had a -chance to imitate the low men who surrounded him. He drank, and smoked, -and swaggered as much like them as he could, and, getting into the -spirit of the part he assumed, he soon began to swear under his breath -for fear some one should hear him. “You mustn’t; it’s wicked to say -‘Damn’!” cried Tommy, who had followed his leader so far. - -“Oh, hang! don’t you preach, but play away; it’s part of the fun to -swear.” - -“I’d rather say ‘thunder-turtles,’” said Tommy, who had composed this -interesting exclamation and was very proud of it. - -“And I’ll say ‘The Devil;’ that sounds well,” added Nat, much impressed -by Dan’s manly ways. - -Dan scoffed at their “nonsense,” and swore stoutly as he tried to teach -them the new game. - -But Tommy was very sleepy, and Nat’s head began to ache with the beer -and the smoke, so neither of them was very quick to learn, and the game -dragged. The room was nearly dark, for the lantern burned badly; they -could not laugh loud nor move about much, for Silas slept next door in -the shed-chamber, and altogether the party was dull. In the middle of -a deal Dan stopped suddenly, called out, “Who’s that?” in a startled -tone, and at the same moment drew the slide over the light. A voice in -the darkness said tremulously, “I can’t find Tommy,” and then there was -the quick patter of bare feet running away down the entry that led from -the wing to the main house. - -“It’s Demi! he’s gone to call some one; cut into bed, Tom, and don’t -tell!” cried Dan, whisking all signs of the revel out of sight, and -beginning to tear off his clothes, while Nat did the same. - -Tommy flew to his room and dived into bed, where he lay laughing -till something burned his hand, when he discovered that he was still -clutching the stump of the festive cigar, which he happened to be -smoking when the revel broke up. - -It was nearly out, and he was about to extinguish it carefully when -Nursey’s voice was heard, and fearing it would betray him if he hid -it in the bed, he threw it underneath, after a final pinch which he -thought finished it. - -Nursey came in with Demi, who looked much amazed to see the red face of -Tommy reposing peacefully upon his pillow. - -“He wasn’t there just now, because I woke up and could not find him -anywhere,” said Demi, pouncing on him. - -“What mischief are you at now, bad child?” asked Nursey, with a -good-natured shake, which made the sleeper open his eyes to say -meekly,-- - -“I only ran into Nat’s room to see him about something. Go away, and -let me alone; I’m awful sleepy.” - -Nursey tucked Demi in, and went off to reconnoitre, but only found two -boys slumbering peacefully in Dan’s room. “Some little frolic,” she -thought, and as there was no harm done she said nothing to Mrs. Bhaer, -who was busy and worried over little Teddy. - -Tommy was sleepy, and telling Demi to mind his own business and not -ask questions, he was snoring in ten minutes, little dreaming what was -going on under his bed. The cigar did not go out, but smouldered away -on the straw carpet till it was nicely on fire, and a hungry little -flame went creeping along till the dimity bed-cover caught, then the -sheets, and then the bed itself. The beer made Tommy sleep heavily, -and the smoke stupefied Demi, so they slept on till the fire began to -scorch them, and they were in danger of being burned to death. - -Franz was sitting up to study, and as he left the school-room he smelt -the smoke, dashed up-stairs and saw it coming in a cloud from the left -wing of the house. Without stopping to call any one, he ran into the -room, dragged the boys from the blazing bed, and splashed all the water -he could find at hand on to the flames. It checked but did not quench -the fire, and the children, wakened on being tumbled topsy-turvy into -a cold hall, began to roar at the top of their voices. Mrs. Bhaer -instantly appeared, and a minute after Silas burst out of his room -shouting “Fire!” in a tone that raised the whole house. A flock of -white goblins with scared faces crowded into the hall, and for a minute -every one was panic-stricken. - -Then Mrs. Bhaer found her wits, bade Nursey see to the burnt boys, and -sent Franz and Silas down-stairs for some tubs of wet clothes which she -flung on to the bed, over the carpet, and up against the curtains, now -burning finely, and threatening to kindle the walls. - -Most of the boys stood dumbly looking on, but Dan and Emil worked -bravely, running to and fro with water from the bath-room, and helping -to pull down the dangerous curtains. - -The peril was soon over, and ordering the boys all back to bed, and -leaving Silas to watch lest the fire broke out again, Mrs. Bhaer and -Franz went to see how the poor boys got on. Demi had escaped with -one burn and a grand scare, but Tommy had not only most of his hair -scorched off his head, but a great burn on his arm, that made him -half crazy with the pain. Demi was soon made cosy, and Franz took him -away to his own bed, where the kind lad soothed his fright and hummed -him to sleep as cosily as a woman. Nursey watched over poor Tommy all -night, trying to ease his misery, and Mrs. Bhaer vibrated between him -and little Teddy with oil and cotton, paregoric and squills, saying -to herself from time to time, as if she found great amusement in the -thought, “I always _knew_ Tommy would set the house on fire, and now he -has done it!” - -When Mr. Bhaer got home next morning he found a nice state of things. -Tommy in bed, Teddy wheezing like a little grampus, Mrs. Jo quite used -up, and the whole flock of boys so excited that they all talked at -once, and almost dragged him by main force to view the ruins. Under -his quiet management things soon fell into order, for every one felt -that he was equal to a dozen conflagrations, and worked with a will at -whatever task he gave them. - -There was no school that morning, but by afternoon the damaged room was -put to rights, the invalids were better, and there was time to hear and -judge the little culprits quietly. Nat and Tommy told their parts in -the mischief, and were honestly sorry for the danger they had brought -to the dear old house and all in it. But Dan put on his devil-may-care -look, and would not own that there was much harm done. - -Now, of all things, Mr. Bhaer hated drinking, gambling, and swearing; -smoking he had given up that the lads might not be tempted to try -it, and it grieved and angered him deeply to find that the boy, with -whom he had tried to be most forbearing, should take advantage of his -absence to introduce these forbidden vices, and teach his innocent -little lads to think it manly and pleasant to indulge in them. He -talked long and earnestly to the assembled boys, and ended by saying, -with an air of mingled firmness and regret,-- - -“I think Tommy is punished enough, and that scar on his arm will remind -him for a long time to let these things alone. Nat’s fright will do for -him, for he is really sorry, and does try to obey me. But you, Dan, -have been many times forgiven, and yet it does no good. I cannot have -my boys hurt by your bad example, nor my time wasted in talking to deaf -ears, so you can say good-by to them all, and tell Nursey to put up -your things in my little black bag.” - -“Oh! sir, where is he going?” cried Nat. - -“To a pleasant place up in the country, where I sometimes send boys -when they don’t do well here. Mr. Page is a kind man, and Dan will be -happy there if he chooses to do his best.” - -“Will he ever come back?” asked Demi. - -“That will depend on himself; I hope so.” - -As he spoke, Mr. Bhaer left the room to write his letter to Mr. Page, -and the boys crowded round Dan very much as people do about a man who -is going on a long and perilous journey to unknown regions. - -“I wonder if you’ll like it,” began Jack. - -“Shan’t stay if I don’t,” said Dan, coolly. - -“Where will you go?” asked Nat. - -“I may go to sea, or out west, or take a look at California,” answered -Dan, with a reckless air that quite took away the breath of the little -boys. - -“Oh, don’t! stay with Mr. Page awhile and then come back here; do, -Dan,” pleaded Nat, much affected at the whole affair. - -“I don’t care where I go, or how long I stay, and I’ll be hanged if I -ever come back here,” with which wrathful speech Dan went away to put -up his things, every one of which Mr. Bhaer had given him. - -That was the only good-by he gave the boys, for they were all talking -the matter over in the barn when he came down, and he told Nat not to -call them. The wagon stood at the door, and Mrs. Bhaer came out to -speak to Dan, looking so sad that his heart smote him, and he said in a -low tone,-- - -“May I say good-by to Teddy?” - -“Yes, dear; go in and kiss him, he will miss his Danny very much.” - -No one saw the look in Dan’s eyes as he stooped over the crib, and saw -the little face light up at first sight of him, but he heard Mrs. -Bhaer say pleadingly,-- - -“Can’t we give the poor lad _one_ more trial, Fritz?” and Mr. Bhaer -answer in his steady way,-- - -“My dear, it is not best, so let him go where he can do no harm to -others, while they do good to him, and by and by he shall come back, I -promise you.” - -“He’s the only boy we ever failed with, and I am so grieved, for I -thought there was the making of a fine man in him, in spite of his -faults.” - -Dan heard Mrs. Bhaer sigh, and he wanted to ask for _one more_ trial -himself, but his pride would not let him, and he came out with the hard -look on his face, shook hands without a word, and drove away with Mr. -Bhaer, leaving Nat and Mrs. Jo to look after him with tears in their -eyes. - -A few days afterwards they received a letter from Mr. Page, saying that -Dan was doing well, whereat they all rejoiced. But three weeks later -came another letter, saying that Dan had run away, and nothing had been -heard of him, whereat they all looked sober, and Mr. Bhaer said,-- - -“Perhaps I ought to have given him another chance.” - -Mrs. Bhaer, however, nodded wisely and answered, “Don’t be troubled, -Fritz; the boy will come back to us, I’m sure of it.” - -But time went on and no Dan came. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -NAUGHTY NAN - - -“Fritz, I’ve got a new idea,” cried Mrs. Bhaer, as she met her husband -one day after school. - -“Well, my dear, what is it?” and he waited willingly to hear the new -plan, for some of Mrs. Jo’s ideas were so droll, it was impossible to -help laughing at them, though usually they were quite sensible, and he -was glad to carry them out. - -“Daisy needs a companion, and the boys would be all the better for -another girl among them; you know we believe in bringing up little men -and women together, and it is high time we acted up to our belief. They -pet and tyrannize over Daisy by turns, and she is getting spoilt. Then -they must learn gentle ways, and improve their manners, and having -girls about will do it better than any thing else.” - -“You are right, as usual. Now, who shall we have?” asked Mr. Bhaer, -seeing by the look in her eye that Mrs. Jo had some one all ready to -propose. - -“Little Annie Harding.” - -“What! Naughty Nan, as the lads call her?” cried Mr. Bhaer, looking -very much amused. - -“Yes, she is running wild at home since her mother died, and is too -bright a child to be spoilt by servants. I have had my eye on her for -some time, and when I met her father in town the other day I asked him -why he did not send her to school. He said he would gladly if he could -find as good a school for girls as ours was for boys. I know he would -rejoice to have her come; so suppose we drive over this afternoon and -see about it.” - -“Have not you cares enough now, my Jo, without this little gypsy to -torment you?” asked Mr. Bhaer, patting the hand that lay on his arm. - -“Oh dear, no,” said Mother Bhaer, briskly. “I like it, and never was -happier than since I had my wilderness of boys. You see, Fritz, I feel -a great sympathy for Nan, because I was such a naughty child myself -that I know all about it. She is full of spirits, and only needs to be -taught what to do with them to be as nice a little girl as Daisy. Those -quick wits of hers would enjoy lessons if they were rightly directed, -and what is now a tricksy midget would soon become a busy, happy child. -I know how to manage her, for I remember how my blessed mother managed -me, and--” - -“And if you succeed half as well as she did, you will have done a -magnificent work,” interrupted Mr. Bhaer, who labored under the -delusion that Mrs. B. was the best and most charming woman alive. - -“Now, if you make fun of my plan I’ll give you bad coffee for a week, -and then where are you, sir?” cried Mrs. Jo, tweaking him by the ear -just as if he was one of the boys. - -“Won’t Daisy’s hair stand erect with horror at Nan’s wild ways?” asked -Mr. Bhaer, presently, when Teddy had swarmed up his waistcoat, and Rob -up his back, for they always flew at their father the minute school was -done. - -“At first, perhaps, but it will do Posy good. She is getting prim and -Bettyish, and needs stirring up a bit. She always has a good time when -Nan comes over to play, and the two will help each other without -knowing it. Dear me, half the science of teaching is knowing how much -children do for one another, and when to mix them.” - -“I only hope she won’t turn out another firebrand.” - -“My poor Dan! I never can quite forgive myself for letting him go,” -sighed Mrs. Bhaer. - -At the sound of the name, little Teddy, who had never forgotten his -friend, struggled down from his father’s arms, and trotted to the -door, looked out over the sunny lawn with a wistful face, and then -trotted back again, saying, as he always did when disappointed of the -longed-for sight,-- - -“My Danny’s tummin’ soon.” - -“I really think we ought to have kept him, if only for Teddy’s sake, -he was so fond of him, and perhaps baby’s love would have done for him -what we failed to do.” - -“I’ve sometimes felt that myself; but after keeping the boys in a -ferment, and nearly burning up the whole family, I thought it safer to -remove the firebrand, for a time at least,” said Mr. Bhaer. - -“Dinner’s ready, let me ring the bell,” and Rob began a solo upon that -instrument which made it impossible to hear one’s self speak. - -“Then I may have Nan, may I?” asked Mrs. Jo. - -“A dozen Nans if you want them, my dear,” answered Mr. Bhaer, who had -room in his fatherly heart for all the naughty neglected children in -the world. - -When Mrs. Bhaer returned from her drive that afternoon, before she -could unpack the load of little boys, without whom she seldom moved, -a small girl of ten skipped out at the back of the carry-all, and ran -into the house, shouting,-- - -“Hi, Daisy! where are you?” - -Daisy came, and looked pleased to see her guest, but also a trifle -alarmed, when Nan said, still prancing, as if it was impossible to keep -still,-- - -“I’m going to stay here always, papa says I may, and my box is coming -to-morrow, all my things had to be washed and mended, and your aunt -came and carried me off. Isn’t it great fun?” - -“Why, yes. Did you bring your big doll?” asked Daisy, hoping she had, -for on the last visit Nan had ravaged the baby house, and insisted on -washing Blanche Matilda’s plaster face, which spoilt the poor dear’s -complexion for ever. - -“Yes, she’s somewhere round,” returned Nan, with most unmaternal -carelessness. “I made you a ring coming along, and pulled the hairs out -of Dobbin’s tail. Don’t you want it?” and Nan presented a horse-hair -ring in token of friendship, as they had both vowed they would never -speak to one another again when they last parted. - -Won by the beauty of the offering, Daisy grew more cordial, and -proposed retiring to the nursery, but Nan said, “No, I want to see the -boys, and the barn,” and ran off, swinging her hat by one string till -it broke, when she left it to its fate on the grass. - -“Hullo! Nan!” cried the boys as she bounced in among them with the -announcement,-- - -“I’m going to stay.” - -“Hooray!” bawled Tommy from the wall on which he was perched, for Nan -was a kindred spirit, and he foresaw “larks” in the future. - -“I can bat; let me play,” said Nan, who could turn her hand to any -thing, and did not mind hard knocks. - -“We ain’t playing now, and our side beat without you.” - -“I can beat you in running, any way,” returned Nan, falling back on her -strong point. - -“Can she?” asked Nat of Jack. - -“She runs very well for a girl,” answered Jack, who looked down upon -Nan with condescending approval. - -“Will you try?” said Nan, longing to display her powers. - -“It’s too hot,” and Tommy languished against the wall as if quite -exhausted. - -“What’s the matter with Stuffy?” asked Nan, whose quick eyes were -roving from face to face. - -“Ball hurt his hand; he howls at every thing,” answered Jack, -scornfully. - -“I don’t, I never cry, no matter how much I’m hurt; it’s babyish,” said -Nan, loftily. - -“Pooh! I could make you cry in two minutes,” returned Stuffy, rousing -up. - -“See if you can.” - -“Go and pick that bunch of nettles, then,” and Stuffy pointed to a -sturdy specimen of that prickly plant growing by the wall. - -Nan instantly “grasped the nettle,” pulled it up, and held it with a -defiant gesture, in spite of the almost unbearable sting. - -“Good for you,” cried the boys, quick to acknowledge courage even in -one of the weaker sex. - -More nettled than she was, Stuffy determined to get a cry out of her -somehow, and he said tauntingly, “You are used to poking your hands -into every thing, so that isn’t fair. Now go and bump your head real -hard against the barn, and see if you don’t howl then.” - -“Don’t do it,” said Nat, who hated cruelty. - -But Nan was off, and running straight at the barn, she gave her head a -blow that knocked her flat, and sounded like a battering-ram. Dizzy, -but undaunted, she staggered up, saying stoutly, though her face was -drawn with pain,-- - -“That hurt, but I don’t cry.” - -“Do it again,” said Stuffy, angrily; and Nan _would_ have done it, but -Nat held her; and Tommy, forgetting the heat, flew at Stuffy like a -little game-cock, roaring out,-- - -“Stop it, or I’ll throw you over the barn!” and so shook and hustled -poor Stuffy that for a minute he did not know whether he was on his -head or his heels. - -“She told me to,” was all he could say, when Tommy let him alone. - -“Never mind if she did; it is awfully mean to hurt a little girl,” said -Demi, reproachfully. - -“Ho! I don’t mind; I ain’t a little girl, I’m older than you and Daisy; -so now,” cried Nan, ungratefully. - -“Don’t preach, Deacon, you bully Posy every day of your life,” called -out the Commodore, who just then hove in sight. - -“I don’t hurt her; do I, Daisy?” and Demi turned to his sister, who was -“pooring” Nan’s tingling hands, and recommending water for the purple -lump rapidly developing itself on her forehead. - -“You are the best boy in the world,” promptly answered Daisy; adding, -as truth compelled her to do, “You do hurt me sometimes, but you don’t -mean to.” - -“Put away the bats and things, and mind what you are about, my -hearties. No fighting allowed aboard this ship,” said Emil, who rather -lorded it over the others. - -“How do you do, Madge Wildfire?” said Mr. Bhaer, as Nan came in with -the rest to supper. “Give the right hand, little daughter, and mind -thy manners,” he added, as Nan offered him her left. - -“The other hurts me.” - -“The poor little hand! what has it been doing to get those blisters?” -he asked, drawing it from behind her back, where she had put it with a -look which made him think she had been in mischief. - -Before Nan could think of any excuse, Daisy burst out with the whole -story, during which Stuffy tried to hide his face in a bowl of bread -and milk. When the tale was finished, Mr. Bhaer looked down the long -table towards his wife, and said with a laugh in his eyes,-- - -“This rather belongs to your side of the house, so I won’t meddle with -it, my dear.” - -Mrs. Jo knew what he meant, but she liked her little black sheep all -the better for her pluck, though she only said in her soberest way,-- - -“Do you know why I asked Nan to come here?” - -“To plague me,” muttered Stuffy, with his mouth full. - -“To help me make little gentlemen of you, and I think you have shown -that some of you need it.” - -Here Stuffy retired into his bowl again, and did not emerge till Demi -made them all laugh by saying, in his slow wondering way,-- - -“How can she, when she’s such a tomboy!” - -“That’s just it, she needs help as much as you, and I expect you to set -her an example of good manners.” - -“Is she going to be a little gentleman too?” asked Rob. - -“She’d like it; wouldn’t you, Nan?” added Tommy. - -“No, I shouldn’t; I hate boys!” said Nan, fiercely, for her hand still -smarted, and she began to think that she might have shown her courage -in some wiser way. - -“I am sorry you hate my boys, because they _can_ be well-mannered, and -most agreeable when they choose. Kindness in looks and words and ways -is true politeness, and any one can have it if they only try to treat -other people as they like to be treated themselves.” - -Mrs. Bhaer had addressed herself to Nan, but the boys nudged one -another, and appeared to take the hint, for that time at least, and -passed the butter; said “please,” and “thank you,” “yes, sir,” and “no, -ma’am,” with unusual elegance and respect. Nan said nothing, but kept -herself quiet and refrained from tickling Demi, though strongly tempted -to do so, because of the dignified airs he put on. She also appeared to -have forgotten her hatred of boys, and played “I spy” with them till -dark. Stuffy was observed to offer her frequent sucks of his candy-ball -during the game, which evidently sweetened her temper, for the last -thing she said on going to bed was,-- - -“When my battledore and shuttle-cock comes, I’ll let you all play with -’em.” - -Her first remark in the morning was “Has my box come?” and when told -that it would arrive sometime during the day, she fretted and fumed, -and whipped her doll, till Daisy was shocked. She managed to exist, -however, till five o’clock, when she disappeared, and was not missed -till supper-time, because those at home thought she had gone to the -hill with Tommy and Demi. - -“I saw her going down the avenue alone as hard as she could pelt,” -said Mary Ann, coming in with the hasty-pudding, and finding every one -asking, “Where is Nan?” - -“She has run home, little gypsy!” cried Mrs. Bhaer, looking anxious. - -“Perhaps she has gone to the station to look after her luggage,” -suggested Franz. - -“That is impossible, she does not know the way, and if she found it she -could never carry the box a mile,” said Mrs. Bhaer, beginning to think -that her new idea might be rather a hard one to carry out. - -“It would be like her,” and Mr. Bhaer caught up his hat to go and find -the child, when a shout from Jack, who was at the window, made every -one hurry to the door. - -There was Miss Nan, to be sure, tugging along a large band-box tied up -in a linen bag. Very hot and dusty and tired did she look, but marched -stoutly along, and came puffing up to the steps, where she dropped her -load with a sigh of relief, and sat down upon it, observing as she -crossed her tired arms,-- - -“I couldn’t wait any longer, so I went and got it.” - -“But you did not know the way,” said Tommy, while the rest stood round -enjoying the joke. - -“Oh, I found it, I never get lost.” - -“It’s a mile, how could you go so far?” - -“Well, it was pretty far, but I rested a good deal.” - -“Wasn’t that thing very heavy?” - -“It’s so round, I couldn’t get hold of it good, and I thought my arms -would break right off.” - -“I don’t see how the station-master let you have it,” said Tommy. - -“I didn’t say any thing to him. He was in the little ticket place, and -didn’t see me, so I just took it off the platform.” - -“Run down and tell him it is all right, Franz, or old Dodd will think -it is stolen,” said Mr. Bhaer, joining in the shout of laughter at -Nan’s coolness. - -“I told you we would send for it if it did not come. Another time you -must wait, for you will get into trouble if you run away. Promise me -this, or I shall not dare to trust you out of my sight,” said Mrs. -Bhaer, wiping the dust off Nan’s little hot face. - -“Well, I won’t, only papa tells me not to put off doing things, so I -don’t.” - -“That is rather a poser; I think you had better give her some supper -now, and a private lecture by and by,” said Mr. Bhaer, too much amused -to be angry at the young lady’s exploit. - -The boys thought it “great fun,” and Nan entertained them all -supper-time with an account of her adventures; for a big dog had barked -at her, a man had laughed at her, a woman had given her a doughnut, and -her hat had fallen into the brook when she stopped to drink, exhausted -with her exertion. - -“I fancy you will have your hands full now, my dear; Tommy and Nan are -quite enough for one woman,” said Mr. Bhaer, half an hour later. - -“I know it will take some time to tame the child, but she is such a -generous, warm-hearted little thing, I should love her even if she were -twice as naughty,” answered Mrs. Jo, pointing to the merry group, in -the middle of which stood Nan, giving away her things right and left, -as lavishly as if the big band-box had no bottom. - -It was those good traits that soon made little “Giddy-gaddy,” as they -called her, a favorite with every one. Daisy never complained of being -dull again, for Nan invented the most delightful plays, and her pranks -rivalled Tommy’s, to the amusement of the whole school. She buried her -big doll and forgot it for a week, and found it well mildewed when -she dug it up. Daisy was in despair, but Nan took it to the painter -who was at work about the house, got him to paint it brick red, with -staring black eyes, then she dressed it up with feathers, and scarlet -flannel, and one of Ned’s leaden hatchets; and in the character of an -Indian chief, the late Poppydilla tomahawked all the other dolls, and -caused the nursery to run red with imaginary gore. She gave away her -new shoes to a beggar child, hoping to be allowed to go barefoot, but -found it impossible to combine charity and comfort, and was ordered -to ask leave before disposing of her clothes. She delighted the boys -by making a fire-ship out of a shingle with two large sails wet with -turpentine, which she lighted, and then sent the little vessel floating -down the brook at dusk. She harnessed the old turkey-cock to a straw -wagon, and made him trot round the house at a tremendous pace. She gave -her coral necklace for four unhappy kittens, which had been tormented -by some heartless lads, and tended them for days as gently as a mother, -dressing their wounds with cold cream, feeding them with a doll’s -spoon, and mourning over them when they died, till she was consoled by -one of Demi’s best turtles. She made Silas tattoo an anchor on her arm -like his, and begged hard to have a blue star on each cheek, but he -dared not do it, though she coaxed and scolded till the soft-hearted -fellow longed to give in. She rode every animal on the place, from -the big horse Andy to the cross pig, from whom she was rescued with -difficulty. Whatever the boys dared her to do she instantly attempted, -no matter how dangerous it might be, and they were never tired of -testing her courage. - -Mr. Bhaer suggested that they should see who would study best, and Nan -found as much pleasure in using her quick wits and fine memory as her -active feet and merry tongue, while the lads had to do their best -to keep their places, for Nan showed them that girls could do most -things as well as boys, and some things better. There were no rewards -in school, but Mr. Bhaer’s “Well done!” and Mrs. Bhaer’s good report -on the conscience book, taught them to love duty for its own sake, and -try to do it faithfully, sure that sooner or later the recompense would -come. Little Nan was quick to feel the new atmosphere, to enjoy it, to -show that it was what she needed; for this little garden was full of -sweet flowers, half hidden by the weeds; and when kind hands gently -began to cultivate it, all sorts of green shoots sprung up, promising -to blossom beautifully in the warmth of love and care, the best climate -for young hearts and souls all the world over. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -PRANKS AND PLAYS - - -As there is no particular plan to this story, except to describe a few -scenes in the life at Plumfield for the amusement of certain little -persons, we will gently ramble along in this chapter and tell some -of the pastimes of Mrs. Jo’s boys. I beg leave to assure my honored -readers that most of the incidents are taken from real life, and -that the oddest are the truest; for no person, no matter how vivid -an imagination he may have, can invent anything half so droll as the -freaks and fancies that originate in the lively brains of little people. - -Daisy and Demi were full of these whims, and lived in a world of their -own, peopled with lovely or grotesque creatures, to whom they gave the -queerest names, and with whom they played the queerest games. One of -these nursery inventions was an invisible sprite called “The Naughty -Kitty-mouse,” whom the children had believed in, feared, and served for -a long time. They seldom spoke of it to any one else, kept their rites -as private as possible; and, as they never tried to describe it even -to themselves, this being had a vague mysterious charm very agreeable -to Demi, who delighted in elves and goblins. A most whimsical and -tyrannical imp was the Naughty Kitty-mouse, and Daisy found a fearful -pleasure in its service, blindly obeying its most absurd demands, -which were usually proclaimed from the lips of Demi, whose powers -of invention were great. Rob and Teddy sometimes joined in these -ceremonies, and considered them excellent fun, although they did not -understand half that went on. - -One day after school Demi whispered to his sister, with an ominous wag -of the head,-- - -“The Kitty-mouse wants us this afternoon.” - -“What for?” asked Daisy, anxiously. - -“A _sackerryfice_,” answered Demi, solemnly. “There must be a fire -behind the big rock at two o’clock, and we must all bring the things we -like best, and burn them!” he added, with an awful emphasis on the last -words. - -“Oh, dear! I love the new paper dollies Aunt Amy painted for me best -of any thing; must I burn them up?” cried Daisy, who never thought of -denying the unseen tyrant any thing it demanded. - -“Every one. I shall burn my boat, my best scrap-book, and _all_ my -soldiers,” said Demi, firmly. - -“Well, I will; but it’s too bad of Kitty-mouse to want our very nicest -things,” sighed Daisy. - -“A _sackerryfice_ means to give up what you are fond of, so we _must_,” -explained Demi, to whom the new idea had been suggested by hearing -Uncle Fritz describe the customs of the Greeks to the big boys who were -reading about them in school. - -“Is Rob coming too?” asked Daisy. - -“Yes, and he is going to bring his toy village; it is all made of wood, -you know, and will burn nicely. We’ll have a grand bonfire, and see -them blaze up, won’t we?” - -This brilliant prospect consoled Daisy, and she ate her dinner with a -row of paper dolls before her, as a sort of farewell banquet. - -At the appointed hour the sacrificial train set forth, each child -bearing the treasures demanded by the insatiable Kitty-mouse. Teddy -insisted on going also, and seeing that all the others had toys, he -tucked a squeaking lamb under one arm, and old Annabella under the -other, little dreaming what anguish the latter idol was to give him. - -“Where are you going, my chickens?” asked Mrs. Jo, as the flock passed -her door. - -“To play by the big rock; can’t we?” - -“Yes, only don’t go near the pond, and take good care of baby.” - -“I always do,” said Daisy, leading forth her charge with a capable air. - -“Now, you must all sit round, and not move till I tell you. This flat -stone is an altar, and I am going to make a fire on it.” - -Demi then proceeded to kindle up a small blaze, as he had seen the boys -do at picnics. When the flame burned well, he ordered the company to -march round it three times and then stand in a circle. - -“I shall begin, and as fast as my things are burnt, you must bring -yours.” - -With that he solemnly laid on a little paper book full of pictures, -pasted in by himself; this was followed by a dilapidated boat, and -then one by one the unhappy leaden soldiers marched to death. Not one -faltered or hung back, from the splendid red and yellow captain to the -small drummer who had lost his legs; all vanished in the flames and -mingled in one common pool of melted lead. - -“Now, Daisy!” called the high priest of Kitty-mouse, when his rich -offerings had been consumed, to the great satisfaction of the children. - -“My dear dollies, how _can_ I let them go?” moaned Daisy, hugging the -entire dozen with a face full of maternal woe. - -“You must,” commanded Demi; and with a farewell kiss to each, Daisy -laid her blooming dolls upon the coals. - -“Let me keep one, the dear blue thing, she is so sweet,” besought the -poor little mamma, clutching her last in despair. - -“More! more!” growled an awful voice, and Demi cried, “That’s the -Kitty-mouse! she must have every one, quick, or she will scratch us.” - -In went the precious blue belle, flounces, rosy hat, and all, and -nothing but a few black flakes remained of that bright band. - -“Stand the houses and trees round, and let them catch themselves; it -will be like a real fire then,” said Demi, who liked variety even in -his “sackerryfices.” - -Charmed by this suggestion, the children arranged the doomed village, -laid a line of coals along the main street, and then sat down to watch -the conflagration. It was somewhat slow to kindle owing to the paint, -but at last one ambitious little cottage blazed up, fired a tree of -the palm species, which fell on to the roof of a large family mansion, -and in a few minutes the entire town was burning merrily. The wooden -population stood and stared at the destruction like blockheads, as -they were, till they also caught and blazed away without a cry. It -took some time to reduce the town to ashes, and the lookers-on enjoyed -the spectacle immensely, cheering as each house fell, dancing like -wild Indians when the steeple flamed aloft, and actually casting one -wretched little churn-shaped lady, who had escaped to the suburbs, into -the very heart of the fire. - -The superb success of this last offering excited Teddy to such a -degree, that he first threw his lamb into the conflagration, and -before it had time even to roast, he planted poor dear Annabella on -the funeral pyre. Of course she did not like it, and expressed her -anguish and resentment in a way that terrified her infant destroyer. -Being covered with kid, she did not blaze, but did what was worse, she -_squirmed_. First one leg curled up, then the other, in a very awful -and lifelike manner; next she flung her arms over her head as if in -great agony; her head itself turned on her shoulders, her glass eyes -fell out, and with one final writhe of her whole body, she sank down a -blackened mass on the ruins of the town. This unexpected demonstration -startled every one and frightened Teddy half out of his little wits. He -looked, then screamed and fled toward the house, roaring “Marmar” at -the top of his voice. - -Mrs. Bhaer heard the outcry and ran to the rescue, but Teddy could only -cling to her and pour out in his broken way something about, “poor -Bella hurted,” “a dreat fire,” and “all the dollies dorn.” Fearing -some dire mishap, his mother caught him up and hurried to the scene of -action, where she found the blind worshippers of Kitty-mouse mourning -over the charred remains of the lost darling. - -“What have you been at? Tell me all about it,” said Mrs. Jo, composing -herself to listen patiently, for the culprits looked so penitent, she -forgave them beforehand. - -With some reluctance Demi explained their play, and Aunt Jo laughed -till the tears ran down her cheeks, the children were so solemn, and -the play was so absurd. - -“I thought you were too sensible to play such a silly game as this. If -I had any Kitty-mouse I’d have a good one who liked you to play in safe -pleasant ways, and not destroy and frighten. Just see what a ruin you -have made; all Daisy’s pretty dolls, Demi’s soldiers, and Rob’s new -village, beside poor Teddy’s pet lamb, and dear old Annabella. I shall -have to write up in the nursery the verse that used to come in the -boxes of toys,-- - - ‘The children of Holland take pleasure in making, - What the children of Boston take pleasure in breaking.’ - -Only I shall put Plumfield instead of Boston.” - -“We never will again, truly, truly!” cried the repentant little -sinners, much abashed at this reproof. - -“Demi told us to,” said Rob. - -“Well, I heard Uncle tell about the Greece people, who had altars -and things, and so I wanted to be like them, only I hadn’t any live -creatures to sackerryfice, so we burnt up our toys.” - -“Dear me, that is something like the bean story,” said Aunt Jo, -laughing again. - -“Tell about it,” suggested Daisy, to change the subject. - -“Once there was a poor woman who had three or four little children, and -she used to lock them up in her room when she went out to work, to keep -them safe. One day when she was going away she said, ‘Now, my dears, -don’t let baby fall out of the window, don’t play with the matches, and -don’t put beans up your noses.’ Now the children had never dreamed of -doing that last thing, but she put it into their heads, and the minute -she was gone, they ran and stuffed their naughty little noses full of -beans, just to see how it felt, and she found them all crying when she -came home.” - -“Did it hurt?” asked Rob, with such intense interest that his mother -hastily added a warning sequel, lest a new edition of the bean story -should appear in her own family. - -“Very much, as I know, for when _my_ mother told me this story, I was -so silly that I went and tried it myself. I had no beans, so I took -some little pebbles, and poked several into my nose. I did not like it -at all, and wanted to take them out again very soon, but one would not -come, and I was so ashamed to tell what a goose I had been that I went -for hours with the stone hurting me very much. At last the pain got so -bad I had to tell, and when my mother could not get it out the doctor -came. Then I was put in a chair and held tight, Rob, while he used his -ugly little pincers till the stone hopped out. Dear me! how my wretched -little nose did ache, and how people laughed at me!” and Mrs. Jo shook -her head in a dismal way, as if the memory of her sufferings was too -much for her. - -Rob looked deeply impressed and I am glad to say took the warning to -heart. Demi proposed that they should bury poor Annabella, and in -the interest of the funeral Teddy forgot his fright. Daisy was soon -consoled by another batch of dolls from Aunt Amy, and the Naughty -Kitty-mouse seemed to be appeased by the last offerings, for she -tormented them no more. - -“Brops,” was the name of a new and absorbing play, invented by Bangs. -As this interesting animal is not to be found in any Zoölogical Garden, -unless Du Chaillu has recently brought one from the wilds of Africa, I -will mention a few of its peculiar habits and traits, for the benefit -of inquiring minds. The Brop is a winged quadruped, with a human face -of a youthful and merry aspect. When it walks the earth it grunts, -when it soars it gives a shrill hoot, occasionally it goes erect, and -talks good English. Its body is usually covered with a substance much -resembling a shawl, sometimes red, sometimes blue, often plaid, and, -strange to say, they frequently change skins with one another. On their -heads they have a horn very like a stiff brown paper lamp-lighter. -Wings of the same substance flap upon their shoulders when they fly; -this is never very far from the ground, as they usually fall with -violence if they attempt any lofty flights. They browse over the earth, -but can sit up and eat like the squirrel. Their favorite nourishment is -the seed-cake; apples also are freely taken, and sometimes raw carrots -are nibbled when food is scarce. They live in dens, where they have a -sort of nest, much like a clothes-basket, in which the little Brops -play till their wings are grown. These singular animals quarrel at -times, and it is on these occasions that they burst into human speech, -call each other names, cry, scold, and sometimes tear off horns and -skin, declaring fiercely that they “won’t play.” The few privileged -persons who have studied them are inclined to think them a remarkable -mixture of the monkey, the sphinx, the roc, and the queer creatures -seen by the famous Peter Wilkins. - -This game was a great favorite, and the younger children beguiled -many a rainy afternoon flapping or creeping about the nursery, acting -like little bedlamites and being as merry as little grigs. To be -sure, it was rather hard upon clothes, particularly trouser-knees and -jacket-elbows; but Mrs. Bhaer only said, as she patched and darned,-- - -“We do things just as foolish, and not half so harmless. If I could -get as much happiness out of it as the little dears do, I’d be a Brop -myself.” - -Nat’s favorite amusements were working in his garden, and sitting in -the willow-tree with his violin, for that green nest was a fairy world -to him, and there he loved to perch, making music like a happy bird. -The lads called him “Old Chirper,” because he was always humming, -whistling, or fiddling, and they often stopped a minute in their work -or play to listen to the soft tones of the violin, which seemed to lead -a little orchestra of summer sounds. The birds appeared to regard him -as one of themselves, and fearlessly sat on the fence or lit among the -boughs to watch him with their quick bright eyes. The robins in the -apple-tree near by evidently considered him a friend, for the father -bird hunted insects close beside him, and the little mother brooded as -confidingly over her blue eggs as if the boy was only a new sort of -blackbird, who cheered her patient watch with his song. The brown brook -babbled and sparkled below him, the bees haunted the clover fields on -either side, friendly faces peeped at him as they passed, the old house -stretched its wide wings hospitably toward him, and with a blessed -sense of rest and love and happiness, Nat dreamed for hours in this -nook, unconscious what healthful miracles were being wrought upon him. - -One listener he had who never tired, and to whom he was more than a -mere schoolmate. Poor Billy’s chief delight was to lie beside the -brook, watching leaves and bits of foam dance by, listening dreamily to -the music in the willow-tree. He seemed to think Nat a sort of angel -who sat aloft and sang, for a few baby memories still lingered in his -mind and seemed to grow brighter at these times. Seeing the interest -he took in Nat, Mr. Bhaer begged him to help them lift the cloud from -the feeble brain by this gentle spell. Glad to do any thing to show -his gratitude, Nat always smiled on Billy when he followed him about, -and let him listen undisturbed to the music which seemed to speak -a language he could understand. “Help one another,” was a favorite -Plumfield motto, and Nat learned how much sweetness is added to life by -trying to live up to it. - -Jack Ford’s peculiar pastime was buying and selling; and he bid fair -to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, a country merchant, who sold -a little of every thing and made money fast. Jack had seen the sugar -sanded, the molasses watered, the butter mixed with lard, and things of -that kind, and labored under the delusion that it was all a proper part -of the business. His stock in trade was of a different sort, but he -made as much as he could out of every worm he sold, and always got the -best of the bargain when he traded with the boys for string, knives, -fish-hooks, or whatever the article might be. The boys, who all had -nicknames, called him “Skinflint,” but Jack did not care as long as the -old tobacco-pouch in which he kept his money grew heavier and heavier. - -He established a sort of auction-room, and now and then sold off all -the odds and ends he had collected, or helped the lads exchange things -with one another. He got bats, balls, hockey-sticks, etc., cheap, from -one set of mates, furbished them up, and let them for a few cents a -time to another set, often extending his business beyond the gates of -Plumfield in spite of the rules. Mr. Bhaer put a stop to some of his -speculations, and tried to give him a better idea of business talent -than mere sharpness in overreaching his neighbors. Now and then Jack -made a bad bargain, and felt worse about it than about any failure in -lessons or conduct, and took his revenge on the next innocent customer -who came along. His account-book was a curiosity; and his quickness at -figures quite remarkable. Mr. Bhaer praised him for this, and tried to -make his sense of honesty and honor as quick; and, by and by, when Jack -found that he could not get on without these virtues, he owned that his -teacher was right. - -Cricket and football the boys had of course; but, after the stirring -accounts of these games in the immortal “Tom Brown at Rugby,” no feeble -female pen may venture to do more than respectfully allude to them. - -Emil spent his holidays on the river or the pond, and drilled the -elder lads for a race with certain town boys, who now and then invaded -their territory. The race duly came off, but as it ended in a general -shipwreck, it was not mentioned in public; and the Commodore had -serious thoughts of retiring to a desert island, so disgusted was he -with his kind for a time. No desert island being convenient, he was -forced to remain among his friends, and found consolation in building a -boat-house. - -The little girls indulged in the usual plays of their age, improving -upon them somewhat as their lively fancies suggested. The chief and -most absorbing play was called “Mrs. Shakespeare Smith;” the name -was provided by Aunt Jo, but the trials of the poor lady were quite -original. Daisy was Mrs. S. S., and Nan by turns her daughter or a -neighbor, Mrs. Giddy-gaddy. - -No pen can describe the adventures of these ladies, for in one short -afternoon their family was the scene of births, marriages, deaths, -floods, earthquakes, tea-parties, and balloon ascensions. Millions of -miles did these energetic women travel, dressed in hats and habits -never seen before by the mortal eye, perched on the bed, driving the -posts like mettlesome steeds, and bouncing up and down till their heads -spun. Fits and fires were the pet afflictions, with a general massacre -now and then by way of change. Nan was never tired of inventing fresh -combinations, and Daisy followed her leader with blind admiration. Poor -Teddy was a frequent victim, and was often rescued from real danger, -for the excited ladies were apt to forget that he was not of the same -stuff as their long-suffering dolls. Once he was shut into a closet for -a dungeon, and forgotten by the girls, who ran off to some out-of-door -game. Another time he was half drowned in the bath-tub, playing be a -“cunning little whale.” And, worst of all, he was cut down just in time -after being hung up for a robber. - -But the institution most patronized by all was the Club. It had no -other name, and it needed none, being the only one in the neighborhood. -The elder lads got it up, and the younger were occasionally admitted -if they behaved well. Tommy and Demi were honorary members, but were -always obliged to retire unpleasantly early, owing to circumstances -over which they had no control. The proceedings of this club were -somewhat peculiar, for it met at all sorts of places and hours, had all -manner of queer ceremonies and amusements, and now and then was broken -up tempestuously, only to be re-established, however, on a firmer basis. - -Rainy evenings the members met in the school-room, and passed the time -in games: chess, morris, backgammon, fencing matches, recitations, -debates, or dramatic performances of a darkly tragical nature. -In summer the barn was the rendezvous, and what went on there no -uninitiated mortal knows. On sultry evenings the Club adjourned to the -brook for aquatic exercises, and the members sat about in airy attire, -frog-like and cool. On such occasions the speeches were unusually -eloquent, quite flowing, as one might say; and if any orator’s remarks -displeased the audience, cold water was thrown upon him till his -ardor was effectually quenched. Franz was president, and maintained -order admirably, considering the unruly nature of the members. Mr. -Bhaer never interfered with their affairs, and was rewarded for this -wise forbearance by being invited now and then to behold the mysteries -unveiled, which he appeared to enjoy much. - -When Nan came she wished to join the Club, and caused great excitement -and division among the gentlemen by presenting endless petitions, -both written and spoken, disturbing their solemnities by insulting -them through the key-hole, performing vigorous solos on the door, and -writing up derisive remarks on walls and fences, for she belonged to -the “Irrepressibles.” Finding these appeals vain, the girls, by the -advice of Mrs. Jo, got up an institution of their own, which they -called the Cosy Club. To this they magnanimously invited the gentlemen -whose youth excluded them from the other one, and entertained these -favored beings so well with little suppers, new games devised by Nan, -and other pleasing festivities, that, one by one, the elder boys -confessed a desire to partake of these more elegant enjoyments, and, -after much consultation, finally decided to propose an interchange of -civilities. - -The members of the Cosy Club were invited to adorn the rival -establishment on certain evenings, and to the surprise of the gentlemen -their presence was not found to be a restraint upon the conversation or -amusement of the regular frequenters; which could not be said of all -Clubs, I fancy. The ladies responded handsomely and hospitably to these -overtures of peace, and both institutions flourished long and happily. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -DAISY’S BALL - - -“Mrs. Shakespeare Smith would like to have Mr. John Brooke, Mr. Thomas -Bangs, and Mr. Nathaniel Blake to come to her ball at three o’clock -to-day. - -“P.S.--Nat must bring his fiddle, so we can dance, and all the boys -must be good, or they cannot have any of the nice things we have -cooked.” - -This elegant invitation would, I fear, have been declined, but for the -hint given in the last line of the postscript. - -“They _have_ been cooking lots of goodies, I smelt ’em. Let’s go,” said -Tommy. - -“We needn’t stay after the feast, you know,” added Demi. - -“I never went to a ball. What do you have to do?” asked Nat. - -“Oh, we just play be men, and sit round stiff and stupid like grown-up -folks, and dance to please the girls. Then we eat up everything, and -come away as soon as we can.” - -“I think I could do that,” said Nat, after considering Tommy’s -description for a minute. - -“I’ll write and say we’ll come;” and Demi despatched the following -gentlemanly reply,-- - -“We will all come. Please have lots to eat.--J. B. Esquire.” - -Great was the anxiety of the ladies about their first ball, because -if every thing went well they intended to give a dinner-party to the -chosen few. - -“Aunt Jo likes to have the boys play with us, if they are not rough; so -we must make them like our balls, then they will do them good,” said -Daisy, with her maternal air, as she set the table and surveyed the -store of refreshments with an anxious eye. - -“Demi and Nat will be good, but Tommy will do something bad, I know he -will,” replied Nan, shaking her head over the little cake-basket which -she was arranging. - -“Then I shall send him right home,” said Daisy, with decision. - -“People don’t do so at parties, it isn’t proper.” - -“I shall never ask him any more.” - -“That would do. He’d be sorry not to come to the dinner-ball, wouldn’t -he?” - -“I guess he would! we’ll have the splendidest things ever seen, won’t -we? Real soup with a ladle and a tureem [she meant _tureen_] and a -little bird for turkey, and gravy, and all kinds of nice vegytubbles.” -Daisy never _could_ say vegetables properly, and had given up trying. - -“It is ’most three, and we ought to dress,” said Nan, who had arranged -a fine costume for the occasion, and was anxious to wear it. - -“I am the mother, so I shan’t dress up much,” said Daisy, putting on a -night-cap ornamented with a red bow, one of her aunt’s long skirts, and -a shawl; a pair of spectacles and a large pocket handkerchief completed -her toilette, making a plump, rosy little matron of her. - -Nan had a wreath of artificial flowers, a pair of old pink slippers, a -yellow scarf, a green muslin skirt, and a fan made of feathers from the -duster; also, as a last touch of elegance, a smelling-bottle without -any smell in it. - -“I am the daughter, so I rig up a good deal, and I must sing and dance, -and talk more than you do. The mothers only get the tea and be proper, -you know.” - -A sudden very loud knock caused Miss Smith to fly into a chair, and fan -herself violently, while her mamma sat bolt upright on the sofa, and -tried to look quite calm and “proper.” Little Bess, who was on a visit, -acted the part of maid, and opened the door, saying with a smile, “Wart -in, gemplemun; it’s all weady.” - -In honor of the occasion, the boys wore high paper collars, tall -black hats, and gloves of every color and material, for they were an -afterthought, and not a boy among them had a perfect pair. - -“Good day, mum,” said Demi, in a deep voice, which was so hard to keep -up that his remarks had to be extremely brief. - -Every one shook hands and then sat down, looking so funny, yet so -sober, that the gentlemen forgot their manners, and rolled in their -chairs with laughter. - -“Oh, don’t!” cried Mrs. Smith, much distressed. - -“You can’t ever come again if you act so,” added Miss Smith, rapping -Mr. Bangs with her bottle because he laughed loudest. - -“I can’t help it, you look so like fury,” gasped Mr. Bangs, with most -uncourteous candor. - -“So do you, but I shouldn’t be so rude as to say so. He shan’t come to -the dinner-ball, shall he, Daisy?” cried Nan, indignantly. - -“I think we had better dance now. Did you bring your fiddle, sir?” -asked Mrs. Smith, trying to preserve her polite composure. - -“It is outside the door,” and Nat went to get it. - -“Better have tea first,” proposed the unabashed Tommy, winking openly -at Demi to remind him that the sooner the refreshments were secured, -the sooner they could escape. - -“No, we never have supper first; and if you don’t dance well you won’t -have any supper at all, _not one bit, sir_,” said Mrs. Smith, so -sternly that her wild guests saw she was not to be trifled with, and -grew overwhelmingly civil all at once. - -“_I_ will take Mr. Bangs and teach him the polka, for he does not know -it fit to be seen,” added the hostess, with a reproachful look that -sobered Tommy at once. - -Nat struck up, and the ball opened with two couples, who went -conscientiously through a somewhat varied dance. The ladies did well, -because they liked it, but the gentlemen exerted themselves from more -selfish motives, for each felt that he must earn his supper, and -labored manfully toward that end. When every one was out of breath they -were allowed to rest; and, indeed, poor Mrs. Smith needed it, for her -long dress had tripped her up many times. The little maid passed round -molasses and water in such small cups that one guest actually emptied -nine. I refrain from mentioning his name, because this mild beverage -affected him so much that he put cup and all into his mouth at the -ninth round, and choked himself publicly. - -“You must ask Nan to play and sing now,” said Daisy to her brother, who -sat looking very much like an owl, as he gravely regarded the festive -scene between his high collars. - -“Give us a song, mum,” said the obedient guest, secretly wondering -where the piano was. - -Miss Smith sailed up to an old secretary which stood in the room, -threw back the lid of the writing-desk, and sitting down before it, -accompanied herself with a vigor which made the old desk rattle as she -sang that new and lovely song, beginning-- - - “Gaily the troubadour - Touched his guitar, - As he was hastening - Home from the war.” - -The gentlemen applauded so enthusiastically that she gave them -“Bounding Billows,” “Little Bo-Peep,” and other gems of song, till they -were obliged to hint that they had had enough. Grateful for the praises -bestowed upon her daughter, Mrs. Smith graciously announced,-- - -“_Now_ we will have tea. Sit down carefully, and don’t grab.” - -It was beautiful to see the air of pride with which the good lady did -the honors of her table, and the calmness with which she bore the -little mishaps that occurred. The best pie flew wildly on the floor -when she tried to cut it with a very dull knife; the bread and butter -vanished with a rapidity calculated to dismay a housekeeper’s soul; -and, worst of all, the custards were so soft that they had to be drunk -up, instead of being eaten elegantly with the new tin spoons. - -I grieve to state that Miss Smith squabbled with the maid for the best -jumble, which caused Bess to toss the whole dish into the air, and -burst out crying amid a rain of falling cakes. She was comforted by a -seat at the table, and the sugar-bowl to empty; but during this flurry -a large plate of patties was mysteriously lost, and could not be found. -They were the chief ornament of the feast, and Mrs. Smith was indignant -at the loss, for she had made them herself, and they were beautiful -to behold. I put it to any lady if it was not hard to have one dozen -delicious patties (made of flour, salt, and water, with a large raisin -in the middle of each, and much sugar over the whole) swept away at one -fell swoop? - -“You hid them, Tommy; I know you did!” cried the outraged hostess, -threatening her suspected guest with the milk-pot. - -“I didn’t!” - -“You did!” - -“It isn’t proper to contradict,” said Nan, who was hastily eating up -the jelly during the fray. - -“Give them back, Demi,” said Tommy. - -“That’s a fib, you’ve got them in your own pocket,” bawled Demi, roused -by the false accusation. - -“Let’s take ’em away from him. It’s too bad to make Daisy cry,” -suggested Nat, who found his first ball more exciting than he expected. - -Daisy was already weeping, Bess like a devoted servant mingled her -tears with those of her mistress, and Nan denounced the entire race -of boys as “plaguey things.” Meanwhile the battle raged among the -gentlemen, for, when the two defenders of innocence fell upon the -foe, that hardened youth intrenched himself behind a table and pelted -them with the stolen tarts, which were very effective missiles, being -nearly as hard as bullets. While his ammunition held out the besieged -prospered, but the moment the last patty flew over the parapet, the -villain was seized, dragged howling from the room, and cast upon the -hall floor in an ignominious heap. The conquerors then returned flushed -with victory, and while Demi consoled poor Mrs. Smith, Nat and Nan -collected the scattered tarts, replaced each raisin in its proper bed, -and rearranged the dish so that it really looked almost as well as -ever. But their glory had departed, for the sugar was gone, and no one -cared to eat them after the insult offered to them. - -[Illustration: _Miss Smith accompanied herself with a vigor which made -the old desk rattle. Page 135._] - -“I guess we had better go,” said Demi, suddenly, as Aunt Jo’s voice was -heard on the stairs. - -“P’r’aps we had,” and Nat hastily dropped a stray jumble that he had -just picked up. - -But Mrs. Jo was among them before the retreat was accomplished, and -into her sympathetic ear the young ladies poured the story of their -woes. - -“No more balls for these boys till they have atoned for this bad -behavior by doing something kind to you,” said Mrs. Jo, shaking her -head at the three culprits. - -“We were only in fun,” began Demi. - -“I don’t like fun that makes other people unhappy. I am disappointed -in you, Demi, for I hoped you would never learn to tease Daisy. Such a -kind little sister as she is to you.” - -“Boys always tease their sisters; Tom says so,” muttered Demi. - -“I don’t intend that _my_ boys shall, and I must send Daisy home if you -cannot play happily together,” said Aunt Jo, soberly. - -At this awful threat, Demi sidled up to his sister, and Daisy hastily -dried her tears, for to be separated was the worst misfortune that -could happen to the twins. - -“Nat was bad too, and Tommy was baddest of all,” observed Nan, fearing -that two of the sinners would not get their fair share of punishment. - -“I am sorry,” said Nat, much ashamed. - -“I ain’t!” bawled Tommy through the key-hole, where he was listening, -with all his might. - -Mrs. Jo wanted very much to laugh, but kept her countenance, and said -impressively, as she pointed to the door,-- - -“You can go, boys, but remember, you are not to speak to or play with -the little girls till I give you leave. You don’t deserve the pleasure, -so I forbid it.” - -The ill-mannered young gentlemen hastily retired, to be received -outside with derision and scorn by the unrepentant Bangs, who would -not associate with them for at least fifteen minutes. Daisy was soon -consoled for the failure of her ball, but lamented the edict that -parted her from her brother, and mourned over his short-comings in her -tender little heart. Nan rather enjoyed the trouble, and went about -turning up her pug nose at the three, especially Tommy, who pretended -not to care, and loudly proclaimed his satisfaction at being rid of -those “stupid girls.” But in his secret soul he soon repented of the -rash act that caused this banishment from the society he loved, and -every hour of separation taught him the value of the “stupid girls.” - -The others gave in very soon, and longed to be friends, for now there -was no Daisy to pet and cook for them; no Nan to amuse and doctor them; -and, worst of all, no Mrs. Jo to make home pleasant and life easy for -them. To their great affliction, Mrs. Jo seemed to consider herself one -of the offended girls, for she hardly spoke to the outcasts, looked as -if she did not see them when she passed, and was always too busy now to -attend to their requests. This sudden and entire exile from favor cast -a gloom over their souls, for when Mother Bhaer deserted them, their -sun had set at noon-day, as it were, and they had no refuge left. - -This unnatural state of things actually lasted for three days, then -they could bear it no longer, and fearing that the eclipse might become -total, went to Mr. Bhaer for help and counsel. - -It is my private opinion that he had received instructions how to -behave if the case should be laid before him. But no one suspected -it, and he gave the afflicted boys some advice, which they gratefully -accepted and carried out in the following manner:-- - -Secluding themselves in the garret, they devoted several play-hours -to the manufacture of some mysterious machine, which took so much -paste that Asia grumbled, and the little girls wondered mightily. Nan -nearly got her inquisitive nose pinched in the door, trying to see -what was going on, and Daisy sat about, openly lamenting that they -could not all play nicely together, and not have any dreadful secrets. -Wednesday afternoon was fine, and after a good deal of consultation -about wind and weather, Nat and Tommy went off, bearing an immense flat -parcel hidden under many newspapers. Nan nearly died with suppressed -curiosity, Daisy nearly cried with vexation, and both quite trembled -with interest when Demi marched into Mrs. Bhaer’s room, hat in hand, -and said, in the politest tone possible to a mortal boy of his years,-- - -“Please, Aunt Jo, would you and the girls come out to a surprise party -we have made for you? Do, it’s a _very_ nice one.” - -“Thank you, we will come with pleasure; only, I must take Teddy with -me,” replied Mrs. Bhaer, with a smile that cheered Demi like sunshine -after rain. - -“We’d like to have him. The little wagon is all ready for the girls; -and you won’t mind walking just up to Pennyroyal Hill, will you, -Aunty?” - -“I should like it exceedingly; but are you quite sure I shall not be in -the way?” - -“Oh, no, indeed! we want you very much; and the party will be spoilt if -you don’t come,” cried Demi, with great earnestness. - -“Thank you kindly, sir;” and Aunt Jo made him a grand curtsey, for she -liked frolics as well as any of them. - -“Now, young ladies, we must not keep them waiting; on with the hats, -and let us be off at once. I’m all impatience to know what the surprise -is.” - -As Mrs. Bhaer spoke every one bustled about, and in five minutes the -three little girls and Teddy were packed into the “clothes-basket,” -as they called the wicker wagon which Toby drew. Demi walked at the -head of the procession, and Mrs. Jo brought up the rear, escorted -by Kit. It was a most imposing party, I assure you, for Toby had a -red feather-duster in his head, two remarkable flags waved over the -carriage, Kit had a blue bow on his neck, which nearly drove him wild, -Demi wore a nosegay of dandelions in his buttonhole, and Mrs. Jo -carried the queer Japanese umbrella in honor of the occasion. - -The girls had little flutters of excitement all the way; and Teddy was -so charmed with the drive that he kept dropping his hat overboard, and -when it was taken from him he prepared to tumble out himself, evidently -feeling that it behooved him to do something for the amusement of the -party. - -When they came to the hill “nothing was to be seen but the grass -blowing in the wind,” as the fairy books say, and the children looked -disappointed. But Demi said, in his most impressive manner,-- - -“Now, you all get out and stand still, and the surprise party will come -in;” with which remark he retired behind a rock, over which heads had -been bobbing at intervals for the last half-hour. - -A short pause of intense suspense, and then Nat, Demi, and Tommy -marched forth, each bearing a new kite, which they presented to the -three young ladies. Shrieks of delight arose, but were silenced by the -boys, who said, with faces brimful of merriment, “That isn’t all the -surprise;” and, running behind the rock, again emerged bearing a fourth -kite of superb size, on which was printed, in bright yellow letters, -“For Mother Bhaer.” - -“We thought you’d like one, too, because you were angry with us, and -took the girls’ part,” cried all three, shaking with laughter, for this -part of the affair evidently _was_ a surprise to Mrs. Jo. - -She clapped her hands, and joined in the laugh, looking thoroughly -tickled at the joke. - -“Now, boys, that is regularly splendid! Who did think of it?” she -asked, receiving the monster kite with as much pleasure as the little -girls did theirs. - -“Uncle Fritz proposed it when we planned to make the others; he said -you’d like it, so we made a bouncer,” answered Demi, beaming with -satisfaction at the success of the plot. - -“Uncle Fritz knows what I like. Yes, these are magnificent kites, and -we were wishing we had some the other day when you were flying yours, -weren’t we, girls?” - -“That’s why we made them for you,” cried Tommy, standing on his head as -the most appropriate way of expressing his emotions. - -“Let us fly them,” said energetic Nan. - -“I don’t know how,” began Daisy. - -“We’ll show you, we want to!” cried all the boys in a burst of -devotion, as Demi took Daisy’s, Tommy Nan’s, and Nat, with difficulty, -persuaded Bess to let go her little blue one. - -“Aunty, if you will wait a minute, we’ll pitch yours for you,” said -Demi, feeling that Mrs. Bhaer’s favor must not be lost again by any -neglect of theirs. - -“Bless your buttons, dear, I know all about it; and here is a boy who -will toss up for me,” added Mrs. Jo, as the professor peeped over the -rock with a face full of fun. - -He came out at once, tossed up the big kite, and Mrs. Jo ran off with -it in fine style, while the children stood and enjoyed the spectacle. -One by one all the kites went up, and floated far overhead like gay -birds, balancing themselves on the fresh breeze that blew steadily -over the hill. Such a merry time as they had! running and shouting, -sending up the kites or pulling them down, watching their antics in -the air, and feeling them tug at the string like live creatures trying -to escape. Nan was quite wild with the fun, Daisy thought the new play -nearly as interesting as dolls, and little Bess was so fond of her “boo -tite,” that she would only let it go on very short flights, preferring -to hold it in her lap and look at the remarkable pictures painted on it -by Tommy’s dashing brush. Mrs. Jo enjoyed hers immensely, and it acted -as if it knew who owned it, for it came tumbling down head first when -least expected, caught on trees, nearly pitched into the river, and -finally darted away to such a height that it looked a mere speck among -the clouds. - -By and by every one got tired, and fastening the kite-strings to trees -and fences, all sat down to rest, except Mr. Bhaer, who went off to -look at the cows, with Teddy on his shoulder. - -“Did you ever have such a good time as this before?” asked Nat, as -they lay about on the grass, nibbling pennyroyal like a flock of sheep. - -“Not since I last flew a kite, years ago, when I was a girl,” answered -Mrs. Jo. - -“I’d like to have known you when you were a girl, you must have been so -jolly,” said Nat. - -“I was a naughty little girl, I am sorry to say.” - -“I like naughty little girls,” observed Tommy, looking at Nan, who made -a frightful grimace at him in return for the compliment. - -“Why don’t I remember you then, Aunty? Was I too young?” asked Demi. - -“Rather, dear.” - -“I suppose my memory hadn’t come then. Grandpa says that different -parts of the mind unfold as we grow up, and the memory part of my mind -hadn’t unfolded when you were little, so I can’t remember how you -looked,” explained Demi. - -“Now, little Socrates, you had better keep that question for grandpa, -it is beyond me,” said Aunt Jo, putting on the extinguisher. - -“Well, I will, _he_ knows about those things, and _you don’t_,” -returned Demi, feeling that on the whole kites were better adapted to -the comprehension of the present company. - -“Tell about the last time you flew a kite,” said Nat, for Mrs. Jo had -laughed as she spoke of it, and he thought it might be interesting. - -“Oh, it was only rather funny, for I was a great girl of fifteen, and -was ashamed to be seen at such a play. So Uncle Teddy and I privately -made our kites, and stole away to fly them. We had a capital time, and -were resting as we are now, when suddenly we heard voices, and saw a -party of young ladies and gentlemen coming back from a picnic. Teddy -did not mind, though he was rather a large boy to be playing with a -kite, but I was in a great flurry, for I knew I should be sadly laughed -at, and never hear the last of it, because my wild ways amused the -neighbors as much as Nan’s do us. - -“‘What shall I do?’ I whispered to Teddy, as the voices drew nearer and -nearer. - -“‘I’ll show you,’ he said, and whipping out his knife he cut the -strings. Away flew the kites, and when the people came up we were -picking flowers as properly as you please. They never suspected us, and -we had a grand laugh over our narrow escape.” - -“Were the kites lost, Aunty?” asked Daisy. - -“Quite lost, but I did not care, for I made up my mind that it would be -best to wait till I was an old lady before I played with kites again; -and you see I have waited,” said Mrs. Jo, beginning to pull in the big -kite, for it was getting late. - -“Must we go now?” - -“I must, or you won’t have any supper; and that sort of surprise party -would not suit you, I think, my chickens.” - -“Hasn’t our party been a nice one?” asked Tommy, complacently. - -“Splendid!” answered every one. - -“Do you know why? It is because _your_ guests have behaved themselves, -and tried to make every thing go well. You understand what I mean, -don’t you?” - -“Yes’m,” was all the boys said, but they stole a shamefaced look -at one another, as they meekly shouldered their kites and walked -home, thinking of another party where the guests had _not_ behaved -themselves, and things had gone badly on account of it. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -HOME AGAIN - - -July had come, and haying begun; the little gardens were doing finely, -and the long summer days were full of pleasant hours. The house stood -open from morning till night, and the lads lived out of doors, except -at school time. The lessons were short, and there were many holidays, -for the Bhaers believed in cultivating healthy bodies by much exercise, -and our short summers are best used in out-of-door work. Such a rosy, -sunburnt, hearty set as the boys became; such appetites as they had; -such sturdy arms and legs, as outgrew jackets and trousers; such -laughing and racing all over the place; such antics in house and barn; -such adventures in the tramps over hill and dale; and such satisfaction -in the hearts of the worthy Bhaers, as they saw their flock prospering -in mind and body, I cannot begin to describe. Only one thing was needed -to make them quite happy, and it came when they least expected it. - -One balmy night when the little lads were in bed, the elder ones -bathing down at the brook, and Mrs. Bhaer undressing Teddy in her -parlor, he suddenly cried out, “Oh, my Danny!” and pointed to the -window, where the moon shone brightly. - -“No, lovey, he is not there, it was the pretty moon,” said his mother. - -“No, no, Danny at a window; Teddy saw him,” persisted baby, much -excited. - -“It might have been,” and Mrs. Bhaer hurried to the window, hoping it -would prove true. But the face was gone, and nowhere appeared any signs -of a mortal boy; she called his name, ran to the front door with Teddy -in his little shirt, and made him call too, thinking the baby voice -might have more effect than her own. No one answered, nothing appeared, -and they went back much disappointed. Teddy would not be satisfied with -the moon, and after he was in his crib kept popping up his head to ask -if Danny was not “tummin’ soon.” - -By and by he fell asleep, the lads trooped up to bed, the house grew -still, and nothing but the chirp of the crickets broke the soft silence -of the summer night. Mrs. Bhaer sat sewing, for the big basket was -always piled with socks, full of portentous holes, and thinking of the -lost boy. She had decided that baby had been mistaken, and did not even -disturb Mr. Bhaer by telling him of the child’s fancy, for the poor man -got little time to himself till the boys were abed, and he was busy -writing letters. It was past ten when she rose to shut up the house. As -she paused a minute to enjoy the lovely scene from the steps, something -white caught her eye on one of the hay-cocks scattered over the lawn. -The children had been playing there all the afternoon, and, fancying -that Nan had left her hat as usual, Mrs. Bhaer went out to get it. But -as she approached, she saw that it was neither hat nor handkerchief, -but a shirt sleeve with a brown hand sticking out of it. She hurried -round the hay-cock, and there lay Dan, fast asleep. - -Ragged, dirty, thin, and worn-out he looked; one foot was bare, the -other tied up in the old gingham jacket which he had taken from his -own back to use as a clumsy bandage for some hurt. He seemed to have -hidden himself behind the hay-cock, but in his sleep had thrown out -the arm that had betrayed him. He sighed and muttered as if his dreams -disturbed him, and once when he moved, he groaned as if in pain, but -still slept on quite spent with weariness. - -“He must not lie here,” said Mrs. Bhaer, and stooping over him she -gently called his name. He opened his eyes and looked at her, as if -she was a part of his dream, for he smiled and said drowsily, “Mother -Bhaer, I’ve come home.” - -The look, the words, touched her very much, and she put her hand under -his head to lift him up, saying in her cordial way,-- - -“I thought you would, and I’m so glad to see you, Dan.” He seemed -to wake thoroughly then, and started up looking about him as if he -suddenly remembered where he was, and doubted even that kind welcome. -His face changed, and he said in his old rough way,-- - -“I was going off in the morning. I only stopped to peek in, as I went -by.” - -“But why not come in, Dan? Didn’t you hear us call you? Teddy saw, and -cried for you.” - -“Didn’t suppose you’d let me in,” he said, fumbling with a little -bundle which he had taken up as if going immediately. - -“Try and see,” was all Mrs. Bhaer answered, holding out her hand and -pointing to the door, where the light shone hospitably. - -With a long breath, as if a load was off his mind, Dan took up a stout -stick, and began to limp towards the house, but stopped suddenly, to -say inquiringly,-- - -“Mr. Bhaer won’t like it. I ran away from Page.” - -“He knows it, and was sorry, but it will make no difference. Are you -lame?” asked Mrs. Jo, as he limped on again. - -“Getting over a wall a stone fell on my foot and smashed it. I don’t -mind,” and he did his best to hide the pain each step cost him. - -Mrs. Bhaer helped him into her own room, and, once there, he dropped -into a chair, and laid his head back, white and faint with weariness -and suffering. - -“My poor Dan! drink this, and then eat a little; you are at home now, -and Mother Bhaer will take good care of you.” - -He only looked up at her with eyes full of gratitude, as he drank the -wine she held to his lips, and then began slowly to eat the food she -brought him. Each mouthful seemed to put heart into him, and presently -he began to talk as if anxious to have her know all about him. - -“Where have you been, Dan?” she asked, beginning to get out some -bandages. - -“I ran off more’n a month ago. Page was good enough, but too strict. I -didn’t like it, so I cut away down the river with a man who was going -in his boat. That’s why they couldn’t tell where I’d gone. When I left -the man, I worked for a couple of weeks with a farmer, but I thrashed -his boy, and then the old man thrashed me, and I ran off again and -walked here.” - -“All the way?” - -“Yes, the man didn’t pay me, and I wouldn’t ask for it. Took it out in -beating the boy,” and Dan laughed, yet looked ashamed, as he glanced at -his ragged clothes and dirty hands. - -“How did you live? It was a long, long tramp for a boy like you.” - -“Oh, I got on well enough, till I hurt my foot. Folks gave me things -to eat, and I slept in barns and tramped by day. I got lost trying to -make a short cut, or I’d have been here sooner.” - -“But if you did not mean to come in and stay with us, what were you -going to do?” - -“I thought I’d like to see Teddy again, and you; and then I was going -back to my old work in the city, only I was so tired I went to sleep on -the hay. I’d have been gone in the morning, if you hadn’t found me.” - -“Are you sorry I did?” and Mrs. Jo looked at him with a half merry, -half reproachful look, as she knelt down to look at his wounded foot. - -The color came up into Dan’s face, and he kept his eyes fixed on his -plate, as he said very low, “No, ma’am, I’m glad, I wanted to stay, but -I was afraid you--” - -He did not finish, for Mrs. Bhaer interrupted him by an exclamation of -pity, as she saw his foot, for it was seriously hurt. - -“When did you do it?” - -“Three days ago.” - -“And you have walked on it in this state?” - -“I had a stick, and I washed it at every brook I came to, and one woman -gave me a rag to put on it.” - -“Mr. Bhaer must see and dress it at once,” and Mrs. Jo hastened into -the next room, leaving the door ajar behind her, so that Dan heard all -that passed. - -“Fritz, that boy has come back.” - -“Who? Dan?” - -“Yes, Teddy saw him at the window, and we called to him, but he went -away and hid behind the hay-cocks on the lawn. I found him there just -now fast asleep, and half dead with weariness and pain. He ran away -from Page a month ago, and has been making his way to us ever since. He -pretends that he did not mean to let us see him, but go on to the city, -and his old work, after a look at us. It is evident, however, that the -hope of being taken in has led him here through every thing, and there -he is waiting to know if you will forgive and take him back.” - -“Did he say so?” - -“His eyes did, and when I waked him, he said, like a lost child, -‘Mother Bhaer, I’ve come home.’ I hadn’t the heart to scold him, and -just took him in like a poor little black sheep come back to the fold. -I may keep him, Fritz?” - -“Of course you may! This proves to me that we have a hold on the boy’s -heart, and I would no more send him away now than I would my own Rob.” - -Dan heard a soft little sound, as if Mrs. Jo thanked her husband -without words, and, in the instant’s silence that followed, two great -tears that had slowly gathered in the boy’s eyes brimmed over and -rolled down his dusty cheeks. No one saw them, for he brushed them -hastily away; but in that little pause I think Dan’s old distrust for -these good people vanished for ever, the soft spot in his heart was -touched, and he felt an impetuous desire to prove himself worthy of the -love and pity that was so patient and forgiving. He said nothing, he -only wished the wish with all his might, resolved to try in his blind -boyish way, and sealed his resolution with the tears which neither -pain, fatigue, nor loneliness could wring from him. - -“Come and see his foot. I am afraid it is badly hurt, for he has kept -on three days through heat and dust, with nothing but water and an old -jacket to bind it up with. I tell you, Fritz, that boy is a brave lad, -and will make a fine man yet.” - -“I hope so, for your sake, enthusiastic woman, your faith deserves -success. Now, I will go and see your little Spartan. Where is he?” - -“In my room; but, dear, you’ll be very kind to him, no matter how gruff -he seems. I am sure that is the way to conquer him. He won’t bear -sternness nor much restraint, but a soft word and infinite patience -will lead him as it used to lead me.” - -“As if you ever were like this little rascal!” cried Mr. Bhaer, -laughing, yet half angry at the idea. - -“I was in spirit, though I showed it in a different way. I seem to know -by instinct how he feels, to understand what will win and touch him, -and to sympathize with his temptations and faults. I am glad I do, for -it will help me to help him; and if I can make a good man of this wild -boy, it will be the best work of my life.” - -“God bless the work, and help the worker!” - -Mr. Bhaer spoke now as earnestly as she had done, and both came in -together to find Dan’s head down upon his arm, as if he was quite -overcome by sleep. But he looked up quickly, and tried to rise as Mr. -Bhaer said pleasantly,-- - -“So you like Plumfield better than Page’s farm. Well, let us see if we -can get on more comfortably this time than we did before.” - -“Thanky, sir,” said Dan, trying not to be gruff, and finding it easier -than he expected. - -“Now, the foot! Ach!--this is not well. We must have Dr. Firth -to-morrow. Warm water, Jo, and old linen.” - -Mr. Bhaer bathed and bound up the wounded foot, while Mrs. Jo prepared -the only empty bed in the house. It was in the little guest-chamber -leading from the parlor, and often used when the lads were poorly, for -it saved Mrs. Jo from running up and down, and the invalids could -see what was going on. When it was ready, Mr. Bhaer took the boy in -his arms, and carried him in, helped him undress, laid him on the -little white bed, and left him with another hand-shake, and a fatherly -“Good-night, my son.” - -Dan dropped asleep at once, and slept heavily for several hours; then -his foot began to throb and ache, and he awoke to toss about uneasily, -trying not to groan lest any one should hear him, for he _was_ a brave -lad, and did bear pain like “a little Spartan,” as Mr. Bhaer called him. - -Mrs. Jo had a way of flitting about the house at night, to shut the -windows if the wind grew chilly, to draw mosquito curtains over Teddy, -or look after Tommy, who occasionally walked in his sleep. The least -noise waked her, and as she often heard imaginary robbers, cats, and -conflagrations, the doors stood open all about, so her quick ear -caught the sound of Dan’s little moans, and she was up in a minute. He -was just giving his hot pillow a despairing thump when a light came -glimmering through the hall, and Mrs. Jo crept in, looking like a droll -ghost, with her hair in a great knob on the top of her head, and a long -gray dressing-gown trailing behind her. - -“Are you in pain, Dan?” - -“It’s pretty bad; but I didn’t mean to wake you.” - -“I’m a sort of owl, always flying about at night. Yes, your foot is -like fire; the bandages must be wet again,” and away flapped the -maternal owl for more cooling stuff, and a great mug of ice water. - -“Oh, that’s _so_ nice!” sighed Dan, as the wet bandages went on again, -and a long draught of water cooled his thirsty throat. - -“There, now, sleep your best, and don’t be frightened if you see me -again, for I’ll slip down by and by, and give you another sprinkle.” - -As she spoke, Mrs. Jo stooped to turn the pillow and smooth the -bed-clothes, when, to her great surprise, Dan put his arm round her -neck, drew her face down to his, and kissed her, with a broken “Thank -you, ma’am,” which said more than the most eloquent speech could have -done; for the hasty kiss, the muttered words, meant, “I’m sorry, I will -try.” She understood it, accepted the unspoken confession, and did not -spoil it by any token of surprise. She only remembered that he had no -mother, kissed the brown cheek half hidden on the pillow, as if ashamed -of that little touch of tenderness, and left him, saying, what he long -remembered, “You are my boy now, and if you choose you can make me -proud and glad to say so.” - -Once again, just at dawn, she stole down to find him so fast asleep -that he did not wake, and showed no sign of consciousness as she wet -his foot, except that the lines of pain smoothed themselves away, and -left his face quite peaceful. - -The day was Sunday, and the house so still that he never waked till -near noon, and, looking round him, saw an eager little face peering in -at the door. He held out his arms, and Teddy tore across the room to -cast himself bodily upon the bed, shouting, “My Danny’s tum!” as he -hugged and wriggled with delight. Mrs. Bhaer appeared next, bringing -breakfast, and never seeming to see how shamefaced Dan looked at the -memory of the little scene last night. Teddy insisted on giving him his -“betfus,” and fed him like a baby, which, as he was not very hungry, -Dan enjoyed very much. - -Then came the doctor, and the poor Spartan had a bad time of it, for -some of the little bones of his foot were injured, and putting them to -rights was such a painful job, that Dan’s lips were white, and great -drops stood on his forehead, though he never cried out, and only held -Mrs. Jo’s hand so tight that it was red long afterwards. - -“You must keep this boy quiet, for a week at least, and not let him put -his foot to the ground. By that time, I shall know whether he may hop a -little with a crutch, or stick to his bed for a while longer,” said Dr. -Firth, putting up the shining instruments that Dan did not like to see. - -“It will get well sometime, won’t it?” he asked, looking alarmed at the -word “crutches.” - -“I hope so;” and with that the doctor departed, leaving Dan much -depressed; for the loss of a foot is a dreadful calamity to an active -boy. - -“Don’t be troubled, I am a famous nurse, and we will have you tramping -about as well as ever in a month,” said Mrs. Jo, taking a hopeful view -of the case. - -But the fear of being lame haunted Dan, and even Teddy’s caresses did -not cheer him; so Mrs. Jo proposed that one or two of the boys should -come in and pay him a little visit, and asked whom he would like to see. - -“Nat and Demi; I’d like my hat too, there’s something in it I guess -they’d like to see. I suppose you threw away my bundle of plunder?” -said Dan, looking rather anxious as he put the question. - -“No, I kept it, for I thought they must be treasures of some kind, you -took such care of them;” and Mrs. Jo brought him his old straw hat -stuck full of butterflies and beetles, and a handkerchief containing a -collection of odd things picked up on his way: birds’ eggs, carefully -done up in moss, curious shells and stones, bits of fungus, and several -little crabs, in a state of great indignation at their imprisonment. - -“Could I have something to put these fellers in? Mr. Hyde and I found -’em, and they are first-rate ones, so I’d like to keep and watch’em; -can I?” asked Dan, forgetting his foot, and laughing to see the crabs -go sidling and backing over the bed. - -“Of course you can; Polly’s old cage will be just the thing. Don’t let -them nip Teddy’s toes while I get it;” and away went Mrs. Jo, leaving -Dan overjoyed to find that his treasures were not considered rubbish, -and thrown away. - -Nat, Demi, and the cage arrived together, and the crabs were settled -in their new house, to the great delight of the boys, who, in the -excitement of the performance, forgot any awkwardness they might -otherwise have felt in greeting the runaway. To these admiring -listeners Dan related his adventures much more fully than he had done -to the Bhaers. Then he displayed his “plunder,” and described each -article so well, that Mrs. Jo, who had retired to the next room to -leave them free, was surprised and interested, as well as amused, at -their boyish chatter. - -“How much the lad knows of these things! how absorbed he is in them! -and what a mercy it is just now, for he cares so little for books, it -would be hard to amuse him while he is laid up; but the boys can supply -him with beetles and stones to any extent, and I am glad to find out -this taste of his; it is a good one, and may perhaps prove the making -of him. If he should turn out a great naturalist, and Nat a musician, -I should have cause to be proud of this year’s work;” and Mrs. Jo sat -smiling over her book as she built castles in the air, just as she used -to do when a girl, only then they were for herself, and now they were -for other people, which is the reason perhaps that some of them came -to pass in reality--for charity is an excellent foundation to build -anything upon. - -Nat was most interested in the adventures, but Demi enjoyed the beetles -and butterflies immensely, drinking in the history of their changeful -little lives as if it were a new and lovely sort of fairy tale--for, -even in his plain way, Dan told it well, and found great satisfaction -in the thought that here at least the small philosopher could learn of -him. So interested were they in the account of catching a musk rat, -whose skin was among the treasures, that Mr. Bhaer had to come himself -to tell Nat and Demi it was time for the walk. Dan looked so wistfully -after them as they ran off, that Father Bhaer proposed carrying him to -the sofa in the parlor for a little change of air and scene. - -When he was established, and the house quiet, Mrs. Jo, who sat near -by showing Teddy pictures, said, in an interested tone, as she nodded -towards the treasures still in Dan’s hands,-- - -“Where did you learn so much about these things?” - -“I always liked ’em, but didn’t know much till Mr. Hyde told me.” - -“Who was Mr. Hyde?” - -“Oh, he was a man who lived round in the woods studying these things--I -don’t know what you call him--and wrote about frogs, and fishes, and so -on. He stayed at Page’s, and used to want me to go and help him, and it -was great fun, ’cause he told me ever so much, and was uncommon jolly -and wise. Hope I’ll see him again sometime.” - -“I hope you will,” said Mrs. Jo, for Dan’s face had brightened up, and -he was so interested in the matter that he forgot his usual taciturnity. - -“Why, he could make birds come to him, and rabbits and squirrels didn’t -mind him any more than if he was a tree. He never hurt ’em, and they -seemed to know him. Did you ever tickle a lizard with a straw?” asked -Dan, eagerly. - -“No, but I should like to try it.” - -“Well, I’ve done it, and it’s so funny to see ’em turn over and stretch -out, they like it so much. Mr. Hyde used to do it; and he’d make -snakes listen to him while he whistled, and he knew just when certain -flowers would blow, and bees wouldn’t sting him, and he’d tell the -wonderfullest things about fish and flies, and the Indians and the -rocks.” - -“I think you were so fond of going with Mr. Hyde, you rather neglected -Mr. Page,” said Mrs. Jo, slyly. - -“Yes, I did; I hated to have to weed and hoe when I might be tramping -round with Mr. Hyde. Page thought such things silly, and called Mr. -Hyde crazy because he’d lay hours watching a trout or a bird.” - -“Suppose you say _lie_ instead of _lay_, it is better grammar,” -said Mrs. Jo, very gently; and then added, “Yes, Page is a thorough -farmer, and would not understand that a naturalist’s work was just as -interesting, and perhaps just as important as his own. Now, Dan, if you -really love these things, as I think you do, and I am glad to see it, -you shall have time to study them and books to help you; but I want -you to do something besides, and to do it faithfully, else you will be -sorry by and by, and find that you have got to begin again.” - -“Yes, ma’am,” said Dan, meekly, and looked a little scared by the -serious tone of the last remarks, for he hated books, yet had -evidently made up his mind to study anything she proposed. - -“Do you see that cabinet with twelve drawers in it?” was the next very -unexpected question. - -Dan did see two tall old-fashioned ones standing on either side of -the piano; he knew them well, and had often seen nice bits of string, -nails, brown paper, and such useful matters come out of the various -drawers. He nodded and smiled. Mrs. Jo went on,-- - -“Well, don’t you think those drawers would be good places to put your -eggs, and stones, and shells, and lichens?” - -“Oh, splendid, but you wouldn’t like my things ‘clutterin’ round,’ as -Mr. Page used to say, would you?” cried Dan, sitting up to survey the -old piece of furniture with sparkling eyes. - -“I like litter of that sort; and if I didn’t, I should give you the -drawers, because I have a regard for children’s little treasures, and -think they should be treated respectfully. Now, I am going to make a -bargain with you, Dan, and I hope you will keep it honorably. Here are -twelve good-sized drawers, one for each month of the year, and they -shall be yours as fast as you earn them, by doing the little duties -that belong to you. I believe in rewards of a certain kind, especially -for young folks; they help us along and though we may begin by being -good for the sake of the reward, if it is rightly used, we shall soon -learn to love goodness for itself.” - -“Do you have ’em?” asked Dan, looking as if this was new talk for him. - -“Yes, indeed! I haven’t learnt to get on without them yet. My rewards -are not drawers, or presents, or holidays, but they are things which I -like as much as you do the others. The good behavior and success of -my boys is one of the rewards I love best, and I work for it as I want -you to work for your cabinet. Do what you dislike, and do it well, and -you get two rewards,--one, the prize you see and hold; the other, the -satisfaction of a duty cheerfully performed. Do you understand that?” - -“Yes, ma’am.” - -“We all need these little helps; so you shall try to do your lessons -and your work, play kindly with all the boys, and use your holidays -well; and if you bring me a good report, or if I see and know it -without words--for I’m quick to spy out the good little efforts of my -boys--you shall have a compartment in the drawer for your treasures. -See, some are already divided into four parts, and I will have the -others made in the same way, a place for each week; and when the -drawer is filled with curious and pretty things, I shall be as proud -of it as you are; prouder, I think--for in the pebbles, mosses, and -gay butterflies, I shall see good resolutions carried out, conquered -faults, and a promise well kept. Shall we do this, Dan?” - -The boy answered with one of the looks which said much, for it showed -that he felt and understood her wish and words, although he did not -know how to express his interest and gratitude for such care and -kindness. She understood the look, and seeing by the color that flushed -up to his forehead that he was touched, as she wished him to be, she -said no more about that side of the new plan, but pulled out the upper -drawer, dusted it, and set it on two chairs before the sofa, saying -briskly,-- - -“Now, let us begin at once by putting those nice beetles in a safe -place. These compartments will hold a good deal, you see. I’d pin the -butterflies and bugs round the sides; they will be quite safe there, -and leave room for the heavy things below. I’ll give you some cotton -wool, and clean paper and pins, and you can get ready for the week’s -work.” - -“But I can’t go out to find any new things,” said Dan, looking -piteously at his foot. - -“That’s true; never mind, we’ll let these treasures do for this week, -and I dare say the boys will bring you loads of things if you ask them.” - -“They don’t know the right sort; besides, if I lay, no, _lie_ here all -the time, I can’t work and study, and earn my drawers.” - -“There are plenty of lessons you can learn lying there, and several -little jobs of work you can do for me.” - -“Can I?” and Dan looked both surprised and pleased. - -“You can learn to be patient and cheerful in spite of pain and no play. -You can amuse Teddy for me, wind cotton, read to me when I sew, and do -many things without hurting your foot, which will make the days pass -quickly, and not be wasted ones.” - -Here Demi ran in with a great butterfly in one hand, and a very ugly -little toad in the other. - -“See, Dan, I found them, and ran back to give them to you; aren’t they -beautiful ones?” panted Demi, all out of breath. - -Dan laughed at the toad, and said he had no place to put him, but the -butterfly was a beauty, and if Mrs. Jo would give him a big pin, he -would stick it right up in the drawer. - -“I don’t like to see the poor thing struggle on a pin; if it must be -killed, let us put it out of pain at once with a drop of camphor,” -said Mrs. Jo, getting out the bottle. - -“I know how to do it--Mr. Hyde always killed ’em that way--but I didn’t -have any camphor, so I use a pin,” and Dan gently poured a drop on the -insect’s head, when the pale green wings fluttered an instant, and then -grew still. - -This dainty little execution was hardly over when Teddy shouted from -the bedroom, “Oh, the little trabs are out, and the big one’s eaten ’em -all up.” Demi and his aunt ran to the rescue, and found Teddy dancing -excitedly in a chair, while two little crabs were scuttling about the -floor, having got through the wires of the cage. A third was clinging -to the top of the cage, evidently in terror of his life, for below -appeared a sad yet funny sight. The big crab had wedged himself into -the little recess where Polly’s cup used to stand, and there he sat -eating one of his relations in the coolest way. All the claws of the -poor victim were pulled off, and he was turned upside down, his upper -shell held in one claw close under the mouth of the big crab like a -dish, while he leisurely ate out of it with the other claw, pausing -now and then to turn his queer bulging eyes from side to side, and to -put out a slender tongue and lick them in a way that made the children -scream with laughter. Mrs. Jo carried the cage in for Dan to see the -sight, while Demi caught and confined the wanderers under an inverted -wash-bowl. - -“I’ll have to let these fellers go, for I can’t keep ’em in the house,” -said Dan, with evident regret. - -“I’ll take care of them for you, if you will tell me how, and they -can live in my turtle-tank just as well as not,” said Demi, who found -them more interesting even than his beloved slow turtles. So Dan gave -him directions about the wants and habits of the crabs, and Demi bore -them away to introduce them to their new home and neighbors. “What a -good boy he is!” said Dan, carefully settling the first butterfly, and -remembering that Demi had given up his walk to bring it to him. - -“He ought to be, for a great deal has been done to make him so.” - -“He’s had folks to tell him things, and to help him; I haven’t,” said -Dan, with a sigh, thinking of his neglected childhood, a thing he -seldom did, and feeling as if he had not had fair play somehow. - -“I know it, dear, and for that reason I don’t expect as much from you -as from Demi, though he is younger; you shall have all the help that we -can give you now, and I hope to teach you how to help yourself in the -best way. Have you forgotten what Father Bhaer told you when you were -here before, about wanting to be good, and asking God to help you?” - -“No, ma’am,” very low. - -“Do you try that way still?” - -“No, ma’am,” lower still. - -“Will you do it every night to please me?” - -“Yes, ma’am,” very soberly. - -“I shall depend on it, and I think I shall know if you are faithful to -your promise, for these things always show to people who believe in -them, though not a word is said. Now here is a pleasant story about a -boy who hurt his foot worse than you did yours; read it, and see how -bravely he bore his troubles.” - -She put that charming little book, “The Crofton Boys,” into his hands, -and left him for an hour, passing in and out from time to time that -he might not feel lonely. Dan did not love to read, but soon got -so interested that he was surprised when the boys came home. Daisy -brought him a nosegay of wild flowers, and Nan insisted on helping -bring him his supper, as he lay on the sofa with the door open into the -dining-room, so that he could see the lads at table, and they could nod -socially to him over their bread and butter. - -Mr. Bhaer carried him away to his bed early, and Teddy came in his -night-gown to say good-night, for he went to his little nest with the -birds. - -“I want to say my prayers to Danny; may I?” he asked; and when his -mother said, “Yes,” the little fellow knelt down by Dan’s bed, and -folding his chubby hands, said softly,-- - -“Pease Dod bess everybody, and hep me to be dood.” - -Then he went away smiling with sleepy sweetness over his mother’s -shoulder. - -But after the evening talk was done, the evening song sung, and the -house grew still with beautiful Sunday silence, Dan lay in his pleasant -room wide awake, thinking new thoughts, feeling new hopes and desires -stirring in his boyish heart, for two good angels had entered in: love -and gratitude began the work which time and effort were to finish; and -with an earnest wish to keep his first promise, Dan folded his hands -together in the darkness, and softly whispered Teddy’s little prayer,-- - -“Please God bless every one, and help me to be good.” - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -UNCLE TEDDY - - -For a week Dan only moved from bed to sofa; a long week and a hard -one, for the hurt foot was very painful at times, the quiet days very -wearisome to the active lad, longing to be out enjoying the summer -weather, and especially difficult was it to be patient. But Dan did -his best, and every one helped him in their various ways; so the time -passed, and he was rewarded at last by hearing the doctor say, on -Saturday morning,-- - -“This foot is doing better than I expected. Give the lad the crutch -this afternoon, and let him stump about the house a little.” - -“Hooray!” shouted Nat, and raced away to tell the other boys the good -news. - -Everybody was very glad, and after dinner the whole flock assembled to -behold Dan crutch himself up and down the hall a few times before he -settled in the porch to hold a sort of _levée_. He was much pleased -at the interest and good-will shown him, and brightened up more and -more every minute; for the boys came to pay their respects, the little -girls fussed about him with stools and cushions, and Teddy watched over -him as if he was a frail creature unable to do any thing for himself. -They were still sitting and standing about the steps, when a carriage -stopped at the gate, a hat was waved from it, and with a shout of -“Uncle Teddy! Uncle Teddy!” Rob scampered down the avenue as fast as -his short legs would carry him. All the boys but Dan ran after him to -see who should be first to open the gate, and in a moment the carriage -drove up with boys swarming all over it, while Uncle Teddy sat laughing -in the midst, with his little daughter on his knee. - -“Stop the triumphal car and let Jupiter descend,” he said, and jumping -out ran up the steps to meet Mrs. Bhaer, who stood smiling and clapping -her hands like a girl. - -“How goes it, Teddy?” - -“All right, Jo.” - -Then they shook hands, and Mr. Laurie put Bess into her aunt’s arms, -saying, as the child hugged her tight, “Goldilocks wanted to see you so -much that I ran away with her, for I was quite pining for a sight of -you myself. We want to play with your boys for an hour or so, and to -see how ‘the old woman who lived in a shoe, and had so many children -she did not know what to do,’ is getting on.” - -“I’m so glad! Play away, and don’t get into mischief,” answered Mrs. -Jo, as the lads crowded round the pretty child, admiring her long -golden hair, dainty dress, and lofty ways, for the little “Princess,” -as they called her, allowed no one to kiss her, but sat smiling down -upon them, and graciously patting their heads with her little, white -hands. They all adored her, especially Rob, who considered her a sort -of doll, and dared not touch her lest she should break, but worshipped -her at a respectful distance, made happy by an occasional mark of favor -from her little highness. As she immediately demanded to see Daisy’s -kitchen, she was borne off by Mrs. Jo, with a train of small boys -following. The others, all but Nat and Demi, ran away to the menagerie -and gardens to have all in order; for Mr. Laurie always took a general -survey, and looked disappointed if things were not flourishing. - -Standing on the steps, he turned to Dan, saying like an old -acquaintance, though he had only seen him once or twice before,-- - -“How is the foot?” - -“Better, sir.” - -“Rather tired of the house, aren’t you?” - -“Guess I am!” and Dan’s eyes roved away to the green hills and woods -where he longed to be. - -“Suppose we take a little turn before the others come back? That big, -easy carriage will be quite safe and comfortable, and a breath of fresh -air will do you good. Get a cushion and a shawl, Demi, and let’s carry -Dan off.” - -The boys thought it a capital joke, and Dan looked delighted, but -asked, with an unexpected burst of virtue,-- - -“Will Mrs. Bhaer like it?” - -“Oh, yes; we settled all that a minute ago.” - -“You didn’t say any thing about it, so I don’t see how you could,” said -Demi, inquisitively. - -“We have a way of sending messages to one another, without any words. -It is a great improvement on the telegraph.” - -“I know--it’s eyes; I saw you lift your eyebrows, and nod toward the -carriage, and Mrs. Bhaer laughed and nodded back again,” cried Nat, who -was quite at his ease with kind Mr. Laurie by this time. - -“Right. Now then, come on,” and in a minute Dan found himself settled -in the carriage, his foot on a cushion on the seat opposite, nicely -covered with a shawl, which fell down from the upper regions in a most -mysterious manner, just when they wanted it. Demi climbed up to the -box beside Peter, the black coachman. Nat sat next Dan in the place of -honor, while Uncle Teddy would sit opposite,--to take care of the foot, -he said, but really that he might study the faces before him--both so -happy, yet so different, for Dan’s was square, and brown, and strong, -while Nat’s was long, and fair, and rather weak, but very amiable with -its mild eyes and good forehead. - -“By the way, I’ve got a book somewhere here that you may like to see,” -said the oldest boy of the party, diving under the seat and producing a -book which made Dan exclaim,-- - -“Oh! by George, isn’t that a stunner?” as he turned the leaves, and saw -fine plates of butterflies, and birds, and every sort of interesting -insect, colored like life. He was so charmed that he forgot his thanks, -but Mr. Laurie did not mind, and was quite satisfied to see the boy’s -eager delight, and to hear his exclamations over certain old friends as -he came to them. Nat leaned on his shoulder to look, and Demi turned -his back to the horses, and let his feet dangle inside the carriage, so -that he might join in the conversation. - -When they got among the beetles, Mr. Laurie took a curious little -object out of his vest-pocket, and laying it in the palm of his hand, -said,-- - -“There’s a beetle that is thousands of years old;” and then, while -the lads examined the queer stone-bug, that looked so old and gray, -he told them how it came out of the wrappings of a mummy, after lying -for ages in a famous tomb. Finding them interested, he went on to tell -about the Egyptians, and the strange and splendid ruins they have left -behind them--the Nile, and how he sailed up the mighty river, with -the handsome dark men to work his boat; how he shot alligators, saw -wonderful beasts and birds; and afterwards crossed the desert on a -camel, who pitched him about like a ship in a storm. - -“Uncle Teddy tells stories ’most as well as Grandpa,” said Demi, -approvingly, when the tale was done, and the boys’ eyes asked for more. - -“Thank you,” said Mr. Laurie, quite soberly, for he considered Demi’s -praise worth having, for children are good critics in such cases, and -to suit them is an accomplishment that any one may be proud of. - -“Here’s another trifle or two that I tucked into my pocket as I was -turning over my traps to see if I had any thing that would amuse Dan,” -and Uncle Teddy produced a fine arrow-head and a string of wampum. - -“Oh! tell about the Indians,” cried Demi, who was fond of playing -wigwam. - -“Dan knows lots about them,” added Nat. - -“More than I do, I dare say. Tell us something,” and Mr. Laurie looked -as interested as the other two. - -“Mr. Hyde told me; he’s been among ’em, and can talk their talk, -and likes ’em,” began Dan, flattered by their attention, but rather -embarrassed by having a grown-up listener. - -“What is wampum for?” asked curious Demi, from his perch. - -The others asked questions likewise, and, before he knew it, Dan was -reeling off all Mr. Hyde had told him, as they sailed down the river -a few weeks before. Mr. Laurie listened well, but found the boy more -interesting than the Indians, for Mrs. Jo had told him about Dan, and -he rather took a fancy to the wild lad, who ran away as he himself -had often longed to do, and who was slowly getting tamed by pain and -patience. - -“I’ve been thinking that it would be a good plan for you fellows to -have a museum of your own; a place in which to collect all the curious -and interesting things that you find, and make, and have given you. -Mrs. Jo is too kind to complain, but it is rather hard for her to have -the house littered up with all sorts of rattletraps,--half-a-pint of -dor-bugs in one of her best vases, for instance, a couple of dead bats -nailed up in the back entry, wasps’ nests tumbling down on people’s -heads, and stones lying round everywhere, enough to pave the avenue. -There are not many women who would stand that sort of thing, are there, -now?” - -As Mr. Laurie spoke with a merry look in his eyes, the boys laughed and -nudged one another, for it was evident that some one told tales out of -school, else how could he know of the existence of these inconvenient -treasures. - -“Where can we put them, then?” said Demi, crossing his legs and leaning -down to argue the question. - -“In the old carriage-house.” - -“But it leaks, and there isn’t any windows, nor any place to put -things, and it’s all dust and cobwebs,” began Nat. - -“Wait till Gibbs and I have touched it up a bit, and then see how -you like it. He is to come over on Monday to get it ready; then -next Saturday I shall come out, and we will fix it up, and make the -beginning, at least, of a fine little museum. Every one can bring -his things, and have a place for them; and Dan is to be the head -man, because he knows most about such matters, and it will be quiet, -pleasant work for him now that he can’t knock about much.” - -“Won’t that be jolly?” cried Nat, while Dan smiled all over his face -and had not a word to say, but hugged his book, and looked at Mr. -Laurie as if he thought him one of the greatest public benefactors that -ever blessed the world. - -“Shall I go round again, sir?” asked Peter, as they came to the gate, -after two slow turns about the half-mile triangle. - -“No, we must be prudent, else we can’t come again. I must go over the -premises, take a look at the carriage-house, and have a little talk -with Mrs. Jo before I go”; and, having deposited Dan on his sofa to -rest and enjoy his book, Uncle Teddy went off to have a frolic with -the lads who were raging about the place in search of him. Leaving -the little girls to mess up-stairs, Mrs. Bhaer sat down by Dan, and -listened to his eager account of the drive till the flock returned, -dusty, warm, and much excited about the new museum, which every one -considered the most brilliant idea of the age. - -“I always wanted to endow some sort of an institution, and I am going -to begin with this,” said Mr. Laurie, sitting down on a stool at Mrs. -Jo’s feet. - -“You have endowed one already. What do you call this?” and Mrs. Jo -pointed to the happy-faced lads, who had camped upon the floor about -them. - -“I call it a very promising Bhaer-garden, and I’m proud to be a member -of it. Did you know I was the head boy in this school?” he asked, -turning to Dan, and changing the subject skilfully, for he hated to be -thanked for the generous things he did. - -“I thought Franz was!” answered Dan, wondering what the man meant. - -“Oh, dear no! I’m the first boy Mrs. Jo ever had to take care of, and -I was such a bad one that she isn’t done with me yet, though she has -been working at me for years and years.” - -“How old she must be!” said Nat, innocently. - -“She began early, you see. Poor thing! she was only fifteen when she -took me, and I led her such a life, it’s a wonder she isn’t wrinkled -and gray, and quite worn out,” and Mr. Laurie looked up at her laughing. - -“Don’t, Teddy; I won’t have you abuse yourself so;” and Mrs. Jo stroked -the curly black head at her knee as affectionately as ever, for, in -spite of every thing, Teddy was her boy still. - -“If it hadn’t been for you, there never would have been a Plumfield. It -was my success with you, sir, that gave me courage to try my pet plan. -So the boys may thank you for it, and name the new institution ‘The -Laurence Museum,’ in honor of its founder,--won’t we, boys?” she added, -looking very like the lively Jo of old times. - -“We will! we will!” shouted the boys, throwing up their hats, for -though they had taken them off on entering the house, according to -rule, they had been in too much of a hurry to hang them up. - -“I’m as hungry as a bear, can’t I have a cookie?” asked Mr. Laurie, -when the shout subsided and he had expressed his thanks by a splendid -bow. - -“Trot out and ask Asia for the gingerbread-box, Demi. It isn’t in order -to eat between meals, but, on this joyful occasion, we won’t mind, -and have a cookie all round,” said Mrs. Jo; and when the box came she -dealt them out with a liberal hand, every one munching away in a social -circle. - -Suddenly, in the midst of a bite, Mr. Laurie cried out, “Bless my -heart, I forgot grandma’s bundle!” and running out to the carriage, -returned with an interesting white parcel, which, being opened, -disclosed a choice collection of beasts, birds, and pretty things cut -out of crisp sugary cake, and baked a lovely brown. - -“There’s one for each, and a letter to tell which is whose. Grandma and -Hannah made them, and I tremble to think what would have happened to me -if I had forgotten to leave them.” - -Then, amid much laughing and fun, the cakes were distributed. A fish -for Dan, a fiddle for Nat, a book for Demi, a monkey for Tommy, a -flower for Daisy, a hoop for Nan, who had driven twice round the -triangle without stopping, a star for Emil, who put on airs because he -studied astronomy, and, best of all, an omnibus for Franz, whose great -delight was to drive the family bus. Stuffy got a fat pig, and the -little folks had birds, and cats, and rabbits, with black currant eyes. - -“Now I must go. Where is my Goldilocks? Mamma will come flying out to -get her if I’m not back early,” said Uncle Teddy, when the last crumb -had vanished, which it speedily did, you may be sure. - -The young ladies had gone into the garden, and while they waited till -Franz looked them up, Jo and Laurie stood at the door talking together. - -“How does little Giddy-gaddy come on?” he asked, for Nan’s pranks -amused him very much, and he was never tired of teasing Jo about her. - -“Nicely; she is getting quite mannerly, and begins to see the error of -her wild ways.” - -“Don’t the boys encourage her in them?” - -“Yes; but I keep talking, and lately she has improved much. You saw how -prettily she shook hands with you, and how gentle she was with Bess. -Daisy’s example has its effect upon her, and I’m quite sure that a few -months will work wonders.” - -Here Mrs. Jo’s remarks were cut short by the appearance of Nan tearing -round the corner at a break-neck pace, driving a mettlesome team of -four boys, and followed by Daisy trundling Bess in a wheelbarrow. Hats -off, hair flying, whip cracking, and barrow bumping, up they came in -a cloud of dust, looking as wild a set of little hoydens as one would -wish to see. - -“So these are the model children, are they? It’s lucky I didn’t bring -Mrs. Curtis out to see your school for the cultivation of morals -and manners; she would never have recovered from the shock of this -spectacle,” said Mr. Laurie, laughing at Mrs. Jo’s premature rejoicing -over Nan’s improvement. - -“Laugh away; I’ll succeed yet. As you used to say at College, quoting -some professor, ‘Though the experiment has failed, the principle -remains the same,’” said Mrs. Bhaer, joining in the merriment. - -“I’m afraid Nan’s example is taking effect upon Daisy, instead of -the other way. Look at my little princess! she has utterly forgotten -her dignity, and is screaming like the rest. Young ladies, what does -this mean?” and Mr. Laurie rescued his small daughter from impending -destruction, for the four horses were champing their bits and -curvetting madly all about her, as she sat brandishing a great whip in -both hands. - -“We’re having a race, and I beat,” shouted Nan. - -“I could have run faster, only I was afraid of spilling Bess,” screamed -Daisy. - -“Hi! go long!” cried the princess, giving such a flourish with her whip -that the horses ran away, and were seen no more. - -“My precious child! come away from this ill-mannered crew before you -are quite spoilt. Good-by, Jo! Next time I come, I shall expect to find -the boys making patchwork.” - -“It wouldn’t hurt them a bit. I don’t give in, mind you; for my -experiments always fail a few times before they succeed. Love to Amy -and my blessed Marmee,” called Mrs. Jo, as the carriage drove away; and -the last Mr. Laurie saw of her, she was consoling Daisy for her failure -by a ride in the wheelbarrow, and looking as if she liked it. - -Great was the excitement all the week about the repairs in the -carriage-house, which went briskly on in spite of the incessant -questions, advice, and meddling of the boys. Old Gibbs was nearly -driven wild with it all, but managed to do his work nevertheless; and -by Friday night the place was all in order--roof mended, shelves up, -walls whitewashed, a great window cut at the back, which let in a flood -of sunshine, and gave them a fine view of the brook, the meadows, and -the distant hills; and over the great door, painted in red letters, was -“The Laurence Museum.” - -All Saturday morning the boys were planning how it should be furnished -with their spoils, and when Mr. Laurie arrived, bringing an aquarium -which Mrs. Amy said she was tired of, their rapture was great. - -The afternoon was spent in arranging things, and when the running and -lugging and hammering was over, the ladies were invited to behold the -institution. - -It certainly was a pleasant place, airy, clean, and bright. A hop-vine -shook its green bells round the open window, the pretty aquarium stood -in the middle of the room, with some delicate water plants rising above -the water, and gold-fish showing their brightness as they floated to -and fro below. On either side of the window were rows of shelves ready -to receive the curiosities yet to be found. Dan’s tall cabinet stood -before the great door which was fastened up, while the small door was -to be used. On the cabinet stood a queer Indian idol, very ugly, but -very interesting; old Mr. Laurence sent it, as well as a fine Chinese -junk in full sail, which had a conspicuous place on the long table -in the middle of the room. Above, swinging in a loop, and looking as -if she was alive, hung Polly, who died at an advanced age, had been -carefully stuffed, and was now presented by Mrs. Jo. The walls were -decorated with all sorts of things. A snake’s skin, a big wasp’s nest, -a birch-bark canoe, a string of birds’ eggs, wreaths of gray moss from -the South, and a bunch of cotton-pods. The dead bats had a place, also -a large turtle-shell, and an ostrich-egg proudly presented by Demi, who -volunteered to explain these rare curiosities to guests whenever they -liked. There were so many stones that it was impossible to accept them -all, so only a few of the best were arranged among the shells on the -shelves, the rest were piled up in corners, to be examined by Dan at -his leisure. - -Every one was eager to give something, even Silas, who sent home for -a stuffed wild-cat killed in his youth. It was rather moth-eaten and -shabby, but on a high bracket and best side foremost the effect was -fine, for the yellow glass eyes glared, and the mouth snarled so -naturally, that Teddy shook in his little shoes at sight of it, when he -came bringing his most cherished treasure, one cocoon, to lay upon the -shrine of science. - -“Isn’t it beautiful? I’d no idea we had so many curious things. I gave -that; don’t it look well? We might make a lot by charging something for -letting folks see it.” - -Jack added that last suggestion to the general chatter that went on as -the family viewed the room. - -“This is a free museum and if there is any speculating on it I’ll paint -out the name over the door,” said Mr. Laurie, turning so quickly that -Jack wished he had held his tongue. - -“Hear! hear!” cried Mr. Bhaer. - -“Speech! speech!” added Mrs. Jo. - -“Can’t, I’m too bashful. You give them a lecture yourself--you are used -to it,” Mr. Laurie answered, retreating towards the window, meaning to -escape. But she held him fast, and said, laughing as she looked at the -dozen pairs of dirty hands about her,-- - -“If I did lecture, it would be on the chemical and cleansing properties -of soap. Come now, as the founder of the institution, you really ought -to give us a few moral remarks, and we will applaud tremendously.” - -Seeing that there was no way of escaping, Mr. Laurie looked up at Polly -hanging overhead, seemed to find inspiration in the brilliant old bird, -and sitting down upon the table, said, in his pleasant way,-- - -“There _is_ one thing I’d like to suggest, boys, and that is, I want -you to get some good as well as much pleasure out of this. Just putting -curious or pretty things here won’t do it; so suppose you read up about -them, so that when anybody asks questions you can answer them, and -understand the matter. I used to like these things myself, and should -enjoy hearing about them now, for I’ve forgotten all I once knew. It -wasn’t much, was it, Jo? Here’s Dan now, full of stories about birds, -and bugs, and so on; let him take care of the museum, and once a week -the rest of you take turns to read a composition, or tell about some -animal, mineral, or vegetable. We should all like that, and I think -it would put considerable useful knowledge into our heads. What do you -say, Professor?” - -“I’d like it much, and will give the lads all the help I can. But they -will need books to read up these new subjects, and we have not many, I -fear,” began Mr. Bhaer, looking much pleased, and planning many fine -lectures on geology, which he liked. “We should have a library for the -special purpose.” - -“Is that a useful sort of book, Dan?” asked Mr. Laurie, pointing to the -volume that lay open by the cabinet. - -“Oh, yes! it tells all I want to know about insects. I had it here to -see how to fix the butterflies right. I covered it, so it is not hurt;” -and Dan caught it up, fearing the lender might think him careless. - -“Give it here a minute;” and, pulling out his pencil, Mr. Laurie -wrote Dan’s name in it, saying, as he set the book up on one of the -corner shelves, where nothing stood but a stuffed bird without a tail, -“There, that is the beginning of the museum library. I’ll hunt up some -more books, and Demi shall keep them in order. Where are those jolly -little books we used to read, Jo? ‘Insect Architecture’ or some such -name,--all about ants having battles, and bees having queens, and -crickets eating holes in our clothes and stealing milk, and larks of -that sort.” - -“In the garret at home. I’ll have them sent out, and we will plunge -into Natural History with a will,” said Mrs. Jo, ready for any thing. - -“Won’t it be hard to write about such things?” asked Nat, who hated -compositions. - -“At first, perhaps; but you will soon like it. If you think that hard, -how would you like to have this subject given to you, as it was to a -girl of thirteen:--A conversation between Themistocles, Aristides, and -Pericles on the proposed appropriation of the funds of the confederacy -of Delos for the ornamentation of Athens?” said Mrs. Jo. - -The boys groaned at the mere sound of the long names, and the gentlemen -laughed at the absurdity of the lesson. - -“Did she write it?” asked Demi, in an awe-stricken tone. - -“Yes, but you can imagine what a piece of work she made of it, though -she was rather a bright child.” - -“I’d like to have seen it,” said Mr. Bhaer. - -“Perhaps I can find it for you; I went to school with her,” and Mrs. Jo -looked so wicked that every one knew who the little girl was. - -Hearing of this fearful subject for a composition quite reconciled -the boys to the thought of writing about familiar things. Wednesday -afternoon was appointed for the lectures, as they preferred to call -them, for some chose to talk instead of write. Mr. Bhaer promised a -portfolio in which the written productions should be kept, and Mrs. -Bhaer said she would attend the course with great pleasure. - -Then the dirty-handed society went off to wash, followed by the -Professor, trying to calm the anxiety of Rob, who had been told by -Tommy that all water was full of invisible pollywogs. - -“I like your plan very much, only don’t be too generous, Teddy,” said -Mrs. Bhaer, when they were left alone. “You know most of the boys have -got to paddle their own canoes when they leave us, and too much sitting -in the lap of luxury will unfit them for it.” - -“I’ll be moderate, but do let me amuse myself. I get desperately tired -of business sometimes, and nothing freshens me up like a good frolic -with your boys. I like that Dan very much, Jo. He isn’t demonstrative; -but he has the eye of a hawk, and when you have tamed him a little he -will do you credit.” - -“I’m so glad you think so. Thank you very much for your kindness to -him, especially for this museum affair; it will keep him happy while -he is lame, give me a chance to soften and smooth this poor, rough -lad, and make him love us. What did inspire you with such a beautiful, -helpful idea, Teddy?” asked Mrs. Bhaer, glancing back at the pleasant -room, as she turned to leave it. - -Laurie took both her hands in his, and answered, with a look that made -her eyes fill with happy tears,-- - -“Dear Jo! I have known what it is to be a motherless boy, and I never -can forget how much you and yours have done for me all these years.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -HUCKLEBERRIES - - -There was a great clashing of tin pails, much running to and fro, and -frequent demands for something to eat, one August afternoon, for the -boys were going huckleberrying, and made as much stir about it as if -they were setting out to find the North-West Passage. - -“Now, my lads, get off as quietly as you can, for Rob is safely out -of the way, and won’t see you,” said Mrs. Bhaer, as she tied Daisy’s -broad-brimmed hat, and settled the great blue pinafore in which she had -enveloped Nan. - -But the plan did not succeed, for Rob had heard the bustle, decided -to go, and prepared himself, without a thought of disappointment. The -troop was just getting under way when the little man came marching -down-stairs with his best hat on, a bright tin pail in his hand, and a -face beaming with satisfaction. - -“Oh, dear! now we shall have a scene,” sighed Mrs. Bhaer, who found her -eldest son very hard to manage at times. - -“I’m all ready,” said Rob, and took his place in the ranks with such -perfect unconsciousness of his mistake, that it really was very hard to -undeceive him. - -“It’s too far for you, my love; stay and take care of me, for I shall -be all alone,” began his mother. - -“You’ve got Teddy. I’m a big boy, so I can go; you said I might when I -was bigger, and I am now,” persisted Rob, with a cloud beginning to -dim the brightness of his happy face. - -“We are going up to the great pasture, and it’s ever so far; we don’t -want you tagging on,” cried Jack, who did not admire the little boys. - -“I won’t tag, I’ll run and keep up. O Mamma! let me go! I want to -fill my new pail, and I’ll bring ’em all to you. Please, please, I -will be good!” prayed Robby, looking up at his mother, so grieved and -disappointed that her heart began to fail her. - -“But, my deary, you’ll get so tired and hot you won’t have a good time. -Wait till I go, and then we will stay all day, and pick as many berries -as you want.” - -“You never do go, you are so busy, and I’m tired of waiting. I’d rather -go and get the berries for you all myself. I love to pick ’em, and I -want to fill my new pail dreffly,” sobbed Rob. - -The pathetic sight of great tears tinkling into the dear new pail, -and threatening to fill it with salt water instead of huckleberries, -touched all the ladies present. His mother patted the weeper on his -back; Daisy offered to stay at home with him; and Nan said, in her -decided way,-- - -“Let him come; I’ll take care of him.” - -“If Franz was going I wouldn’t mind, for he is very careful; but he is -haying with the father, and I’m not sure about the rest of you,” began -Mrs. Bhaer. - -“It’s so far,” put in Jack. - -“I’d carry him if I was going--wish I was,” said Dan, with a sigh. - -“Thank you, dear, but you must take care of your foot. I wish I could -go. Stop a minute, I think I can manage it after all;” and Mrs. Bhaer -ran out to the steps, waving her apron wildly. - -Silas was just driving away in the hay-cart, but turned back, and -agreed at once, when Mrs. Jo proposed that he should take the whole -party to the pasture, and go for them at five o’clock. - -“It will delay your work a little, but never mind; we will pay you in -huckleberry pies,” said Mrs. Jo, knowing Silas’s weak point. - -His rough, brown face brightened up, and he said, with a cheery “Haw! -haw!”--“Wal now, Mis’ Bhaer, if you go to bribin’ of me, I shall give -in right away.” - -“Now, boys, I have arranged it so that you can all go,” said Mrs. -Bhaer, running back again, much relieved, for she loved to make them -happy, and always felt miserable when she had disturbed the serenity of -her little sons; for she believed that the small hopes and plans and -pleasures of children should be tenderly respected by grown-up people, -and never rudely thwarted or ridiculed. - -“Can I go?” said Dan, delighted. - -“I thought especially of you. Be careful, and never mind the berries, -but sit about and enjoy the lovely things which you know how to find -all about you,” answered Mrs. Bhaer, who remembered his kind offer to -her boy. - -“Me too! me too!” sung Rob, dancing with joy, and clapping his precious -pail and cover like castanets. - -“Yes, and Daisy and Nan must take good care of you. Be at the bars at -five o’clock, and Silas will come for you all.” - -Robby cast himself upon his mother in a burst of gratitude, promising -to bring her every berry he picked, and not eat one. Then they were all -packed into the hay-cart, and went rattling away, the brightest face -among the dozen being that of Rob, as he sat between his two temporary -little mothers, beaming upon the whole world, and waving his best hat; -for his indulgent mamma had not the heart to bereave him of it, since -this was a gala-day to him. - -Such a happy afternoon as they had, in spite of the mishaps which -usually occur on such expeditions! Of course Tommy came to grief, -tumbled upon a hornets’ nest and got stung; but being used to woe, -he bore the smart manfully, till Dan suggested the application of -damp earth, which much assuaged the pain. Daisy saw a snake, and in -flying from it lost half her berries; but Demi helped her to fill up -again, and discussed reptiles most learnedly the while. Ned fell out -of a tree, and split his jacket down the back, but suffered no other -fracture. Emil and Jack established rival claims to a certain thick -patch, and while they were squabbling about it, Stuffy quickly and -quietly stripped the bushes and fled to the protection of Dan, who was -enjoying himself immensely. The crutch was no longer necessary, and -he was delighted to see how strong his foot felt as he roamed about -the great pasture, full of interesting rocks and stumps, with familiar -little creatures in the grass, and well-known insects dancing in the -air. - -But of all the adventures that happened on this afternoon that which -befell Nan and Rob was the most exciting, and it long remained one of -the favorite histories of the household. Having explored the country -pretty generally, torn three rents in her frock, and scratched her -face in a barberry-bush, Nan began to pick the berries that shone like -big, black beads on the low, green bushes. Her nimble fingers flew, -but still her basket did not fill up as rapidly as she desired, so she -kept wandering here and there to search for better places, instead of -picking contentedly and steadily as Daisy did. Rob followed Nan, for -her energy suited him better than his cousin’s patience, and he too -was anxious to have the biggest and best berries for Marmar. - -“I keep putting ’em in, but it don’t fill up, and I’m so tired,” said -Rob, pausing a moment to rest his short legs, and beginning to think -huckleberrying was not all his fancy painted it; for the sun blazed, -Nan skipped hither and thither like a grasshopper, and the berries -fell out of his pail almost as fast as he put them in, because, in his -struggles with the bushes, it was often upside-down. - -“Last time we came they were ever so much thicker over that wall--great -bouncers; and there is a cave there, where the boys made a fire. Let’s -go and fill our things quick, and then hide in the cave and let the -others find us,” proposed Nan, thirsting for adventures. - -Rob consented, and away they went, scrambling over the wall and running -down the sloping fields on the other side, till they were hidden among -the rocks and underbrush. The berries were thick, and at last the pails -were actually full. It was shady and cool down there, and a little -spring gave the thirsty children a refreshing drink out of its mossy -cup. - -“Now we will go and rest in the cave, and eat our lunch,” said Nan, -well satisfied with her success so far. - -“Do you know the way?” asked Rob. - -“’Course I do; I’ve been once, and I always remember. Didn’t I go and -get my box all right?” - -That convinced Rob, and he followed blindly as Nan led him over stock -and stone, and brought him, after much meandering, to a small recess in -the rock, where the blackened stones showed that fires had been made. - -“Now, isn’t it nice?” asked Nan, as she took out a bit of -bread-and-butter, rather damaged by being mixed up with nails, -fish-hooks, stones and other foreign substances, in the young lady’s -pocket. - -“Yes; do you think they will find us soon?” asked Rob, who found the -shadowy glen rather dull, and began to long for more society. - -“No, I don’t; because if I hear them, I shall hide, and have fun making -them find me.” - -“P’raps they won’t come.” - -“Don’t care; I can get home myself.” - -“Is it a great way?” asked Rob, looking at his little, stubby boots, -scratched and wet with his long wandering. - -“It’s six miles, I guess.” Nan’s ideas of distance were vague, and her -faith in her own powers great. - -“I think we better go now,” suggested Rob, presently. - -“I shan’t go till I have picked over my berries;” and Nan began what -seemed to Rob an endless task. - -“Oh, dear! you said you’d take good care of me,” he sighed, as the sun -seemed to drop behind the hill all of a sudden. - -“Well, I _am_ taking care of you as hard as I can. Don’t be cross, -child; I’ll go in a minute,” said Nan, who considered five-year-old -Robby a mere infant compared to herself. - -So little Rob sat looking anxiously about him, and waiting patiently, -for, spite of some misgivings, he felt great confidence in Nan. - -“I guess it’s going to be night pretty soon,” he observed, as if to -himself, as a mosquito bit him, and the frogs in a neighboring marsh -began to pipe up for the evening concert. - -“My goodness me! so it is. Come right away this minute, or they will -be gone,” cried Nan, looking up from her work, and suddenly perceiving -that the sun was down. - -“I heard a horn about an hour ago; may be they were blowing for us,” -said Rob, trudging after his guide as she scrambled up the steep hill. - -“Where was it?” asked Nan, stopping short. - -“Over that way;” he pointed with a dirty little finger in an entirely -wrong direction. - -“Let’s go that way and meet them;” and Nan wheeled about, and began to -trot through the bushes, feeling a trifle anxious, for there were so -many cow-paths all about she could not remember which way they came. - -On they went over stock and stone again, pausing now and then to listen -for the horn, which did not blow any more, for it was only the moo of a -cow on her way home. - -“I don’t remember seeing that pile of stones--do you?” asked Nan, as -she sat on a wall to rest a moment and take an observation. - -“I don’t remember any thing, but I want to go home,” and Rob’s voice -had a little tremble in it that made Nan put her arms round him and -lift him gently down, saying, in her most capable way,-- - -“I’m going just as fast as I can, dear. Don’t cry, and when we come to -the road, I’ll carry you.” - -“Where is the road?” and Robby wiped his eyes to look for it. - -“Over by that big tree. Don’t you know that’s the one Ned tumbled out -of?” - -“So it is. May be they waited for us; I’d like to ride home--wouldn’t -you?” and Robby brightened up as he plodded along toward the end of the -great pasture. - -“No, I’d rather walk,” answered Nan, feeling quite sure that she would -be obliged to do so, and preparing her mind for it. - -Another long trudge through the fast-deepening twilight and another -disappointment, for when they reached the tree, they found to their -dismay that it was not the one Ned climbed, and no road anywhere -appeared. - -“Are we lost?” quavered Rob, clasping his pail in despair. - -“Not much. I don’t just see which way to go, and I guess we’d better -call.” - -So they both shouted till they were hoarse, yet nothing answered but -the frogs in full chorus. - -“There is another tall tree over there, perhaps that’s the one,” said -Nan, whose heart sunk within her, though she still spoke bravely. - -“I don’t think I can go any more; my boots are so heavy I can’t pull -’em;” and Robby sat down on a stone quite worn out. - -“Then we must stay here all night. _I_ don’t care much, if snakes don’t -come.” - -“I’m frightened of snakes. I can’t stay all night. Oh, dear! I don’t -like to be lost,” and Rob puckered up his face to cry, when suddenly a -thought occurred to him, and he said, in a tone of perfect confidence,-- - -“Marmar will come and find me--she always does; I ain’t afraid now.” - -“She won’t know where we are.” - -“She didn’t know I was shut up in the ice-house, but she found me. -I know she’ll come,” returned Robby, so trustfully, that Nan felt -relieved, and sat down by him, saying, with a remorseful sigh,-- - -“I wish we hadn’t run away.” - -“You made me; but I don’t mind much--Marmar will love me just the -same,” answered Rob, clinging to his sheet-anchor when all other hope -was gone. - -“I’m so hungry. Let’s eat our berries,” proposed Nan after a pause, -during which Rob began to nod. - -“So am I, but I can’t eat mine, ’cause I told Marmar I’d keep them all -for her.” - -“You’ll have to eat them if no one comes for us,” said Nan, who felt -like contradicting every thing just then. “If we stay here a great many -days, we shall eat up all the berries in the field, and then we shall -starve,” she added, grimly. - -“I shall eat sassafras. I know a big tree of it, and Dan told me how -squirrels dig up the roots and eat them, and I love to dig,” returned -Rob, undaunted by the prospect of starvation. - -“Yes; and we can catch frogs, and cook them. My father ate some once, -and he said they were nice,” put in Nan, beginning to find a spice of -romance even in being lost in a huckleberry pasture. - -“How could we cook frogs? we haven’t got any fire.” - -“I don’t know; next time I’ll have matches in my pocket,” said Nan, -rather depressed by this obstacle to the experiment in frog-cookery. - -“Couldn’t we light a fire with a fire-fly?” asked Rob, hopefully, as he -watched them flitting to and fro like winged sparks. - -“Let’s try;” and several minutes were pleasantly spent in catching the -flies, and trying to make them kindle a green twig or two. “It’s a lie -to call them fire-flies when there isn’t a fire in them,” Nan said, -throwing one unhappy insect away with scorn, though it shone its best, -and obligingly walked up and down the twigs to please the innocent -little experimenters. - -“Marmar’s a good while coming,” said Rob, after another pause, during -which they watched the stars overhead, smelt the sweet fern crushed -under foot, and listened to the crickets’ serenade. - -“I don’t see why God made any night; day is so much pleasanter,” said -Nan, thoughtfully. - -“It’s to sleep in,” answered Rob, with a yawn. - -“Then do go to sleep,” said Nan, pettishly. - -“I want my own bed. Oh, I wish I could see Teddy!” cried Rob, painfully -reminded of home by the soft chirp of birds safe in their little nests. - -“I don’t believe your mother will ever find us,” said Nan, who was -becoming desperate, for she hated patient waiting of any sort. “It’s so -dark she won’t see us.” - -“It was all black in the ice-house, and I was so scared I didn’t call -her, but she saw me; and she will see me now, no matter how dark it -is,” returned confiding Rob, standing up to peer into the gloom for the -help which never failed him. - -“I see her! I see her!” he cried, and ran as fast as his tired legs -would take him toward a dark figure slowly approaching. Suddenly he -stopped, then turned about, and came stumbling back, screaming in a -great panic,-- - -“No, it’s a bear, a big, black one!” and hid his face in Nan’s skirts. - -For a moment Nan quailed; even her courage gave out at thought of a -real bear, and she was about to turn and flee in great disorder, when a -mild “Moo!” changed her fear to merriment, as she said, laughing,-- - -“It’s a cow, Robby! the nice, black cow we saw this afternoon.” - -The cow seemed to feel that it was not just the thing to meet two -little people in her pasture after dark, and the amiable beast paused -to inquire into the case. She let them stroke her, and stood regarding -them with her soft eyes so mildly, that Nan, who feared no animal but a -bear, was fired with a desire to milk her. - -“Silas taught me how; and berries and milk would be so nice,” she said, -emptying the contents of her pail into her hat, and boldly beginning -her new task, while Rob stood by and repeated, at her command, the poem -from Mother Goose:-- - - “Cushy cow, bonny, let down your milk, - Let down your milk to me, - And I will give you a gown of silk, - A gown of silk and a silver tee.” - -But the immortal rhyme had little effect, for the benevolent cow had -already been milked, and had only half a gill to give the thirsty -children. - -“Shoo! get away! you are an old cross patch,” cried Nan, ungratefully, -as she gave up the attempt in despair; and poor Mooly walked on with a -gentle gurgle of surprise and reproof. - -“Each can have a sip, and then we must take a walk. We shall go to -sleep if we don’t; and lost people mustn’t sleep. Don’t you know how -Hannah Lee in the pretty story slept under the snow and died?” - -“But there isn’t any snow now, and it’s nice and warm,” said Rob, who -was not blessed with as lively a fancy as Nan. - -“No matter, we will poke about a little, and call some more; and then, -if nobody comes, we will hide under the bushes, like Hop-o’-my-thumb -and his brothers.” - -It was a very short walk, however, for Rob was so sleepy he could not -get on, and tumbled down so often that Nan entirely lost patience, -being half distracted by the responsibility she had taken upon herself. - -“If you tumble down again, I’ll shake you,” she said, lifting the poor -little man up very kindly as she spoke, for Nan’s bark was much worse -than her bite. - -“Please don’t. It’s my boots--they keep slipping so;” and Rob manfully -checked the sob just ready to break out, adding, with a plaintive -patience that touched Nan’s heart, “If the skeeters didn’t bite me so, -I could go to sleep till Marmar comes.” - -“Put your head on my lap, and I’ll cover you up with my apron; I’m not -afraid of the night,” said Nan, sitting down and trying to persuade -herself that she did not mind the shadow nor the mysterious rustlings -all about her. - -“Wake me up when she comes,” said Rob, and was fast asleep in five -minutes with his head in Nan’s lap under the pinafore. - -The little girl sat for some fifteen minutes, staring about her with -anxious eyes, and feeling as if each second was an hour. Then a pale -light began to glimmer over the hill-top, and she said to herself-- - -“I guess the night is over and morning is coming. I’d like to see the -sun rise, so I’ll watch, and when it comes up we can find our way right -home.” - -But before the moon’s round face peeped above the hill to destroy her -hope, Nan had fallen asleep, leaning back in a little bower of tall -ferns, and was deep in a midsummer night’s dream of fire-flies and blue -aprons, mountains of huckleberries, and Robby wiping away the tears of -a black cow, who sobbed, “I want to go home! I want to go home!” - -While the children were sleeping, peacefully lulled by the drowsy hum -of many neighborly mosquitoes, the family at home were in a great state -of agitation. The hay-cart came at five, and all but Jack, Emil, Nan, -and Rob were at the bars ready for it. Franz drove instead of Silas, -and when the boys told him that the others were going home through the -wood, he said, looking ill-pleased, “They ought to have left Rob to -ride, he will be tired out by the long walk.” - -“It’s shorter that way, and they will carry him,” said Stuffy, who was -in a hurry for his supper. - -“You are sure Nan and Rob went with them?” - -“Of course they did; I saw them getting over the wall, and sung out -that it was ’most five, and Jack called back that they were going the -other way,” explained Tommy. - -“Very well, pile in then,” and away rattled the hay-cart with the tired -children and the full pails. - -Mrs. Jo looked sober when she heard of the division of the party, and -sent Franz back with Toby to find and bring the little ones home. -Supper was over, and the family sitting about in the cool hall as -usual, when Franz came trotting back, hot, dusty, and anxious. - -“Have they come?” he called out when half-way up the avenue. - -“No!” and Mrs. Jo flew out of her chair looking so alarmed that every -one jumped up and gathered round Franz. - -“I can’t find them anywhere,” he began; but the words were hardly -spoken when a loud “Hullo!” startled them all, and the next minute Jack -and Emil came round the house. - -“Where are Nan and Rob?” cried Mrs. Jo, clutching Emil in a way that -caused him to think his aunt had suddenly lost her wits. - -“I don’t know. They came home with the others, didn’t they?” he -answered, quickly. - -“No; George and Tommy said they went with you.” - -“Well, they didn’t. Haven’t seen them. We took a swim in the pond, and -came by the wood,” said Jack, looking alarmed, as well he might. - -“Call Mr. Bhaer, get the lanterns, and tell Silas I want him.” - -That was all Mrs. Jo said, but they knew what she meant, and flew -to obey orders. In ten minutes, Mr. Bhaer and Silas were off to the -wood, and Franz tearing down the road on Old Andy to search the great -pasture. Mrs. Jo caught up some food from the table, a little bottle of -brandy from the medicine-closet, took a lantern, and bidding Jack and -Emil to come with her, and the rest not stir, she trotted away on Toby, -never stopping for hat or shawl. She heard some one running after her, -but said not a word till, as she paused to call and listen, the light -of her lantern shone on Dan’s face. - -“You here! I told Jack to come,” she said, half-inclined to send him -back, much as she needed help. - -“I wouldn’t let him; he and Emil hadn’t had any supper, and I wanted -to come more than they did,” he said, taking the lantern from her and -smiling up in her face with the steady look in his eyes that made her -feel as if, boy though he was, she had some one to depend on. - -Off she jumped, and ordered him on to Toby, in spite of his pleading to -walk; then they went on again along the dusty, solitary road, stopping -every now and then to call and hearken breathlessly for little voices -to reply. - -When they came to the great pasture, other lights were already flitting -to and fro like will-o’-the-wisps, and Mr. Bhaer’s voice was heard -shouting, “Nan! Rob! Rob! Nan!” in every part of the field. Silas -whistled and roared, Dan plunged here and there on Toby, who seemed to -understand the case, and went over the roughest places with unusual -docility. Often Mrs. Jo hushed them all, saying, with a sob in her -throat, “The noise may frighten them, let me call; Robby will know _my_ -voice;” and then she would cry out the beloved little name in every -tone of tenderness, till the very echoes whispered it softly, and the -winds seemed to waft it willingly; but still no answer came. - -The sky was overcast now, and only brief glimpses of the moon were -seen, heat-lightning darted out of the dark clouds now and then, and a -faint far-off rumble as of thunder told that a summer-storm was brewing. - -“O my Robby! my Robby!” mourned poor Mrs. Jo, wandering up and down -like a pale ghost, while Dan kept beside her like a faithful fire-fly. -“What shall I say to Nan’s father if she comes to harm? Why did I ever -trust my darling so far away? Fritz, do you hear any thing?” And when a -mournful “No” came back, she wrung her hands so despairingly, that Dan -sprung down from Toby’s back, tied the bridle to the bars, and said, in -his decided way,-- - -“They may have gone down to the spring--I’m going to look.” - -He was over the wall and away so fast that she could hardly follow him; -but when she reached the spot, he lowered the lantern and showed her -with joy the marks of little feet in the soft ground about the spring. -She fell down on her knees to examine the tracks, and then sprung up, -saying eagerly,-- - -“Yes; that is the mark of my Robby’s little boots! Come this way, they -must have gone on.” - -Such a weary search! But now some inexplicable instinct seemed to lead -the anxious mother, for presently Dan uttered a cry, and caught up a -little shining object lying in the path. It was the cover of the new -tin pail, dropped in the first alarm of being lost. Mrs. Jo hugged and -kissed it as if it were a living thing; and when Dan was about to utter -a glad shout to bring the others to the spot, she stopped him, saying, -as she hurried on, “No, let _me_ find them; I let Rob go, and I want to -give him back to his father all myself.” - -A little farther on Nan’s hat appeared, and after passing the place -more than once, they came at last upon the babes in the wood, both -sound asleep. Dan never forgot the little picture on which the light of -his lantern shone that night. He thought Mrs. Jo would cry out, but she -only whispered “Hush!” as she softly lifted away the apron, and saw the -little ruddy face below. The berry-stained lips were half-opened as the -breath came and went, the yellow hair lay damp on the hot forehead, and -both the chubby hands held fast the little pail still full. - -The sight of the childish harvest, treasured through all the troubles -of that night for her, seemed to touch Mrs. Jo to the heart, for -suddenly she gathered up her boy, and began to cry over him, so -tenderly, yet so heartily, that he woke up, and at first seemed -bewildered. Then he remembered, and hugged her close, saying with a -laugh of triumph,-- - -“I knew you’d come! O Marmar! I did want you so!” For a moment they -kissed and clung to one another, quite forgetting all the world; for no -matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be, mothers -can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them in their fostering -arms. Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and -who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay -her brave and tender love. - -Dan meantime picked Nan out of her bush, and, with a gentleness none -but Teddy ever saw in him before, he soothed her first alarm at the -sudden waking, and wiped away her tears; for Nan also began to cry for -joy, it was so good to see a kind face and feel a strong arm round her -after what seemed to her ages of loneliness and fear. - -“My poor little girl, don’t cry! You are all safe now, and no one -shall say a word of blame to-night,” said Mrs. Jo, taking Nan into her -capacious embrace, and cuddling both children as a hen might gather her -lost chickens under her motherly wings. - -“It was my fault; but I _am_ sorry. I tried to take care of him, and I -covered him up and let him sleep, and didn’t touch his berries, though -I was _so_ hungry; and I never will do it again--truly never, never,” -sobbed Nan, quite lost in a sea of penitence and thankfulness. - -“Call them now, and let us get home,” said Mrs. Jo; and Dan, getting -upon the wall, sent the joyful word “Found!” ringing over the field. - -How the wandering lights came dancing from all sides, and gathered -round the little group among the sweet fern bushes! Such a hugging, -and kissing, and talking, and crying, as went on must have amazed the -glowworms, and evidently delighted the mosquitoes, for they hummed -frantically, while the little moths came in flocks to the party, and -the frogs croaked as if they could not express their satisfaction -loudly enough. - -Then they set out for home,--a queer party, for Franz rode on to tell -the news; Dan and Toby led the way; then came Nan in the strong arms of -Silas, who considered her “the smartest little baggage he ever saw,” -and teased her all the way home about her pranks. Mr. Bhaer would let -no one carry Rob but himself, and the little fellow, refreshed by -sleep, sat up, and chattered gayly, feeling himself a hero, while his -mother went beside him holding on to any part of his precious little -body that came handy, and never tired of hearing him say, “I _knew_ -Marmar would come,” or seeing him lean down to kiss her, and put a -plump berry into her mouth, “’Cause he picked ’em all for her.” - -The moon shone out just as they reached the avenue, and all the boys -came shouting to meet them, so the lost lambs were borne in triumph -and safety, and landed in the dining-room, where the unromantic little -things demanded supper instead of preferring kisses and caresses. They -were set down to bread and milk, while the entire household stood round -to gaze upon them. Nan soon recovered her spirits, and recounted her -perils with a relish now that they were all over. Rob seemed absorbed -in his food, but put down his spoon all of a sudden, and set up a -doleful roar. - -“My precious, why do you cry?” asked his mother, who still hung over -him. - -“I’m crying ’cause I was lost,” bawled Rob, trying to squeeze out a -tear, and failing entirely. - -“But you are found now. Nan says you didn’t cry out in the field, and I -was glad you were such a brave boy.” - -“I was so busy being frightened I didn’t have any time then. But I want -to cry now, ’cause I don’t like to be lost,” exclaimed Rob, struggling -with sleep, emotion, and a mouthful of bread and milk. - -The boys set up such a laugh at this funny way of making up for lost -time, that Rob stopped to look at them, and the merriment was so -infectious, that after a surprised stare he burst out into a merry -“Ha, ha!” and beat his spoon upon the table as if he enjoyed the joke -immensely. - -“It is ten o’clock; into bed, every man of you,” said Mr. Bhaer, -looking at his watch. - -“And, thank Heaven! there will be no empty ones to-night,” added -Mrs. Bhaer, watching, with full eyes, Robby going up in his father’s -arms, and Nan escorted by Daisy and Demi, who considered her the most -interesting heroine of their collection. - -“Poor Aunt Jo is so tired she ought to be carried up herself,” -said gentle Franz, putting his arm round her as she paused at the -stair-foot, looking quite exhausted by her fright and long walk. - -“Let’s make an arm-chair,” proposed Tommy. - -“No, thank you, my lads; but somebody may lend me a shoulder to lean -on,” answered Mrs. Jo. - -“Me! me!” and half-a-dozen jostled one another, all eager to be chosen, -for there was something in the pale motherly face that touched the warm -hearts under the round jackets. - -Seeing that they considered it an honor, Mrs. Jo gave it to the one who -had earned it, and nobody grumbled when she put her arm on Dan’s broad -shoulder, saying, with a look that made him color up with pride and -pleasure,-- - -“He found the children; so I think he must help me up.” - -Dan felt richly rewarded for his evening’s work, not only that he was -chosen from all the rest to go proudly up bearing the lamp, but because -Mrs. Jo said, heartily, “Good-night, my boy! God bless you!” as he left -her at her door. - -“I wish I _was_ your boy,” said Dan, who felt as if danger and trouble -had somehow brought him nearer than ever to her. - -“You shall be my oldest son,” and she sealed her promise with a kiss -that made Dan hers entirely. - -Little Rob was all right next day, but Nan had a headache, and lay -on Mother Bhaer’s sofa with cold-cream upon her scratched face. Her -remorse was quite gone, and she evidently thought being lost rather a -fine amusement. Mrs. Jo was not pleased with this state of things, and -had no desire to have her children led from the paths of virtue, or her -pupils lying round loose in huckleberry fields. So she talked soberly -to Nan, and tried to impress upon her mind the difference between -liberty and license, telling several tales to enforce her lecture. She -had not decided how to punish Nan, but one of these stories suggested a -way, and as Mrs. Jo liked odd penalties she tried it. - -“All children run away,” pleaded Nan, as if it was as natural and -necessary a thing as measles or hooping cough. - -“Not all, and some who do run away don’t get found again,” answered -Mrs. Jo. - -“Didn’t you do it yourself?” asked Nan, whose keen little eyes saw -some traces of a kindred spirit in the serious lady who was sewing so -morally before her. - -Mrs. Jo laughed, and owned that she did. - -“Tell about it,” demanded Nan, feeling that she was getting the upper -hand in the discussion. - -Mrs. Jo saw that, and sobered down at once, saying, with a remorseful -shake of the head,-- - -“I did it a good many times, and led my poor mother rather a hard life -with my pranks, till she cured me.” - -“How?” and Nan sat up with a face full of interest. - -“I had a new pair of shoes once, and wanted to show them; so, though I -was told not to leave the garden, I ran away and was wandering about -all day. It was in the city, and why I wasn’t killed I don’t know. Such -a time as I had. I frolicked in the park with dogs, sailed boats in -the Back Bay with strange boys, dined with a little Irish beggar-girl -on salt fish and potatoes, and was found at last fast asleep on a -door-step with my arms round a great dog. It was late in the evening, -and I was as dirty as a little pig, and the new shoes were worn out--I -had travelled so far.” - -“How nice!” cried Nan, looking all ready to go and do it herself. - -“It was _not_ nice the next day;” and Mrs. Jo tried to keep her eyes -from betraying how much she enjoyed the memory of her early capers. - -“Did your mother whip you?” asked Nan, curiously. - -“She never whipped me but once, and then she begged my pardon, or I -don’t think I ever should have forgiven her, it hurt my feelings so -much.” - -“Why did she beg your pardon?--my father don’t.” - -“Because, when she had done it, I turned round and said, ‘Well, you are -mad yourself, and ought to be whipped as much as me.’ She looked at me -a minute, then her anger all died out, and she said, as if ashamed, -‘You are right, Jo, _I am_ angry; and why should I punish you for being -in a passion when I set you such a bad example? Forgive me, dear, and -let us try to help one another in a better way.’ I never forgot it, and -it did me more good than a dozen rods.” - -Nan sat thoughtfully turning the little cold-cream jar for a minute, -and Mrs. Jo said nothing, but let that idea get well into the busy -little mind that was so quick to see and feel what went on about her. - -“I like that,” said Nan, presently, and her face looked less elfish, -with its sharp eyes, inquisitive nose, and mischievous mouth. “What did -your mother do to you when you ran away that time?” - -“She tied me up to the bed-post with a long string, so that I could -not go out of the room, and there I stayed all day with the little -worn-out shoes hanging up before me to remind me of my fault.” - -“I should think that _would_ cure anybody,” cried Nan, who loved her -liberty above all things. - -“It did cure me, and I think it will you, so I am going to try it,” -said Mrs. Jo, suddenly taking a ball of strong twine out of a drawer in -her work-table. - -Nan looked as if she was decidedly getting the worst of the argument -now, and sat feeling much crestfallen while Mrs. Jo tied one end -round her waist and the other to the arm of the sofa, saying as she -finished,-- - -“I don’t like to tie you up like a naughty little dog, but if you don’t -remember any better than a dog, I must treat you like one.” - -“I’d just as lief be tied up as not--I like to play dog;” and Nan put -on a don’t-care face, and began to growl and grovel on the floor. - -Mrs. Jo took no notice, but leaving a book or two and a handkerchief -to hem, she went away, and left Miss Nan to her own devices. This was -not agreeable, and after sitting a moment she tried to untie the cord. -But it was fastened in the belt of her apron behind, so she began on -the knot at the other end. It soon came loose, and, gathering it up, -Nan was about to get out of the window, when she heard Mrs. Jo say to -somebody as she passed through the hall,-- - -“No, I don’t think she will run away now; she is an honorable little -girl, and knows that I do it to help her.” - -In a minute Nan whisked back, tied herself up, and began to sew -violently. Rob came in a moment after, and was so charmed with the new -punishment, that he got a jump-rope and tethered himself to the other -arm of the sofa in the most social manner. - -“I got lost too, so I ought to be tied up as much as Nan,” he -explained to his mother when she saw the new captive. - -“I’m not sure that you don’t deserve a little punishment, for you knew -it was wrong to go far away from the rest.” - -“Nan took me,” began Rob, willing to enjoy the novel penalty, but not -willing to take the blame. - -“You needn’t have gone. You have got a conscience, though you are a -little boy, and you must learn to mind it.” - -“Well, my conscience didn’t prick me a bit when she said ‘Let’s get -over the wall,’” answered Rob, quoting one of Demi’s expressions. - -“Did you stop to see if it did?” - -“No.” - -“Then you cannot tell.” - -“I guess it’s such a little conscience that it don’t prick hard enough -for me to feel it,” added Rob, after thinking over the matter for a -minute. - -“We must sharpen it up. It’s bad to have a dull conscience, so you may -stay here till dinner-time, and talk about it with Nan. I trust you -both not to untie yourselves till I say the word.” - -“No, we won’t,” said both, feeling a certain sense of virtue in helping -to punish themselves. - -For an hour they were very good, then they grew tired of one room, and -longed to get out. Never had the hall seemed so inviting; even the -little bedroom acquired a sudden interest, and they would gladly have -gone in and played tent with the curtains of the best bed. The open -windows drove them wild because they could not reach them; and the -outer world seemed so beautiful, they wondered how they ever found the -heart to say it was dull. Nan pined for a race round the lawn, and Rob -remembered with dismay that he had not fed his dog that morning, and -wondered what poor Pollux would do. They watched the clock, and Nan did -some nice calculations in minutes and seconds, while Rob learned to -tell all the hours between eight and one so well that he never forgot -them. It was maddening to smell the dinner, to know that there was to -be succotash and huckleberry pudding, and to feel that they would not -be on the spot to secure good helps of both. When Mary Ann began to -set the table, they nearly cut themselves in two trying to see what -meat there was to be; and Nan offered to help her make the beds, if she -would only see that she had “lots of sauce on her pudding.” - -When the boys came bursting out of school, they found the children -tugging at their halters like a pair of restive little colts, and -were much edified, as well as amused, by the sequel to the exciting -adventures of the night. - -“Untie me now, Marmar; my conscience will prick like a pin next time, -I know it will,” said Rob, as the bell rang, and Teddy came to look at -him with sorrowful surprise. - -“We shall see,” answered his mother, setting him free. He took a good -run down the hall, back through the dining-room, and brought up beside -Nan, quite beaming with virtuous satisfaction. - -“I’ll bring her dinner to her, may I?” he asked, pitying his -fellow-captive. - -“That’s my kind little son! Yes, pull out the table, and get a chair;” -and Mrs. Jo hurried away to quell the ardor of the others, who were -always in a raging state of hunger at noon. - -Nan ate alone, and spent a long afternoon attached to the sofa. Mrs. -Bhaer lengthened her bonds so that she could look out of the window; -and there she stood watching the boys play, and all the little summer -creatures enjoying their liberty. Daisy had a picnic for the dolls on -the lawn, so that Nan might see the fun if she could not join in it. -Tommy turned his best somersaults to console her; Demi sat on the steps -reading aloud to himself, which amused Nan a good deal; and Dan brought -a little tree-toad to show her as the most delicate attention in his -power. - -But nothing atoned for the loss of freedom; and a few hours of -confinement taught Nan how precious it was. A good many thoughts went -through the little head that lay on the window-sill during the last -quiet hour when all the children went to the brook to see Emil’s new -ship launched. She was to have christened it, and had depended on -smashing a tiny bottle of currant-wine over the prow as it was named -_Josephine_ in honor of Mrs. Bhaer. Now she had lost her chance, -and Daisy wouldn’t do it half so well. Tears rose to her eyes as -she remembered that it was all her own fault; and she said aloud, -addressing a fat bee who was rolling about in the yellow heart of a -rose just under the window,-- - -“If you have run away, you’d better go right home, and tell your mother -you are sorry, and never do so any more.” - -“I am glad to hear you give him such good advice, and I think he has -taken it,” said Mrs. Jo, smiling, as the bee spread his dusty wings and -flew away. - -Nan brushed off a bright drop or two that shone on the window-sill, -and nestled against her friend as she took her on her knee, adding -kindly--for she had seen the little drops, and knew what they meant-- - -“Do you think my mother’s cure for running away a good one?” - -“Yes, ma’am,” answered Nan, quite subdued by her quiet day. - -“I hope I shall not have to try it again.” - -“I guess not;” and Nan looked up with such an earnest little face that -Mrs. Jo felt satisfied, and said no more, for she liked to have her -penalties do their own work, and did not spoil the effect by too much -moralizing. - -Here Rob appeared, bearing with infinite care what Asia called a -“sarcer pie,” meaning one baked in a saucer. - -“It’s made out of some of my berries, and I’m going to give you half at -supper-time,” he announced with a flourish. - -“What makes you, when I’m so naughty?” asked Nan, meekly. - -“Because we got lost together. You ain’t going to be naughty again, are -you?” - -“Never,” said Nan, with great decision. - -“Oh, goody! now let’s go and get Mary Ann to cut this for us all ready -to eat; it’s ’most tea-time;” and Rob beckoned with the delicious -little pie. - -Nan started to follow, then stopped, and said,-- - -“I forgot, I can’t go.” - -“Try and see,” said Mrs. Bhaer, who had quietly untied the cord sash -while she had been talking. - -Nan saw that she was free, and with one tempestuous kiss to Mrs. -Jo, she was off like a humming-bird, followed by Robby, dribbling -huckleberry juice as he ran. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -GOLDILOCKS - - -After the last excitement peace descended upon Plumfield and reigned -unbroken for several weeks, for the elder boys felt that the loss of -Nan and Rob lay at their door, and all became so paternal in their care -that they were rather wearying; while the little ones listened to Nan’s -recital of her perils so many times, that they regarded being lost as -the greatest ill humanity was heir to, and hardly dared to put their -little noses outside the great gate lest night should suddenly descend -upon them, and ghostly black cows come looming through the dusk. - -“It’s too good to last,” said Mrs. Jo; for years of boy-culture had -taught her that such lulls were usually followed by outbreaks of some -sort, and when less wise women would have thought that the boys had -become confirmed saints, she prepared herself for a sudden eruption of -the domestic volcano. - -One cause of this welcome calm was a visit from little Bess, whose -parents lent her for a week while they were away with Grandpa Laurence, -who was poorly. The boys regarded Goldilocks as a mixture of child, -angel, and fairy, for she was a lovely little creature, and the golden -hair which she inherited from her blonde mamma enveloped her like -a shining veil, behind which she smiled upon her worshippers when -gracious, and hid herself when offended. Her father would not have it -cut and it hung below her waist, so soft and fine and bright, that -Demi insisted that it was silk spun from a cocoon. Every one praised -the little Princess, but it did not seem to do her harm, only to teach -her that her presence brought sunshine, her smiles made answering -smiles on other faces, and her baby griefs filled every heart with -tenderest sympathy. - -Unconsciously she did her young subjects more good than many a real -sovereign, for her rule was very gentle and her power was felt rather -than seen. Her natural refinement made her dainty in all things, and -had a good effect upon the careless lads about her. She would let no -one touch her roughly or with unclean hands, and more soap was used -during her visits than at any other time, because the boys considered -it the highest honor to be allowed to carry her highness, and the -deepest disgrace to be repulsed with the disdainful command, “Do away, -dirty boy!” - -Loud voices displeased her and quarrelling frightened her; so gentler -tones came into the boyish voices as they addressed her, and squabbles -were promptly suppressed in her presence by lookers-on if the -principals could not restrain themselves. She liked to be waited on, -and the biggest boys did her little errands without a murmur, while the -small lads were her devoted slaves in all things. They begged to be -allowed to draw her carriage, bear her berry-basket, or pass her plate -at table. No service was too humble, and Tommy and Ned came to blows -before they could decide which should have the honor of blacking her -little boots. - -Nan was especially benefited by a week in the society of a well-bred -lady, though such a very small one; for Bess would look at her with -a mixture of wonder and alarm in her great blue eyes when the hoyden -screamed and romped; and she shrunk from her as if she thought her a -sort of wild animal. Warm-hearted Nan felt this very much. She said at -first, “Pooh! I don’t care!” But she did care, and was so hurt when -Bess said, “I love my tuzzin best, tause she is twiet,” that she shook -poor Daisy till her teeth chattered in her head, and then fled to the -barn to cry dismally. In that general refuge for perturbed spirits she -found comfort and good counsel from some source or other. Perhaps the -swallows from their mud-built nests overhead twittered her a little -lecture on the beauty of gentleness. However that might have been, -she came out quite subdued, and carefully searched the orchard for a -certain kind of early apple that Bess liked because it was sweet and -small and rosy. Armed with this peace-offering, she approached the -Princess, and humbly presented it. To her great joy it was graciously -accepted, and when Daisy gave Nan a forgiving kiss, Bess did likewise, -as if she felt that she had been too severe, and desired to apologize. -After this they played pleasantly together, and Nan enjoyed the royal -favor for days. To be sure she felt a little like a wild bird in a -pretty cage at first, and occasionally had to slip out to stretch her -wings in a long flight, or to sing at the top of her voice, where -neither would disturb the plump turtle-dove Daisy, nor the dainty -golden canary Bess. But it did her good; for, seeing how every one -loved the little Princess for her small graces and virtues, she began -to imitate her, because Nan wanted much love, and tried hard to win it. - -Not a boy in the house but felt the pretty child’s influence, and was -improved by it without exactly knowing how or why, for babies can -work miracles in the hearts that love them. Poor Billy found infinite -satisfaction in staring at her, and though she did not like it she -permitted it without a frown, after she had been made to understand -that he was not quite like the others, and on that account must be more -kindly treated. Dick and Dolly overwhelmed her with willow whistles, -the only thing they knew how to make, and she accepted but never used -them. Rob served her like a little lover, and Teddy followed her like -a pet dog. Jack she did not like, because he was afflicted with warts -and had a harsh voice. Stuffy displeased her because he did not eat -tidily, and George tried hard not to gobble, that he might not disgust -the dainty little lady opposite. Ned was banished from court in utter -disgrace when he was discovered tormenting some unhappy field-mice. -Goldilocks never could forget the sad spectacle, and retired behind her -veil when he approached, waving him away with an imperious little hand, -and crying, in a tone of mingled grief and anger,-- - -“No, I tarn’t love him; he tut the poor mouses’ little tails off, and -they queeked!” - -Daisy promptly abdicated when Bess came, and took the humble post of -chief cook, while Nan was first maid of honor; Emil was chancellor -of the exchequer, and spent the public moneys lavishly in getting up -spectacles that cost whole ninepences. Franz was prime minister, and -directed her affairs of state, planned royal progresses through the -kingdom, and kept foreign powers in order. Demi was her philosopher, -and fared much better than such gentlemen usually do among crowned -heads. Dan was her standing army, and defended her territories -gallantly; Tommy was court fool, and Nat a tuneful Rizzio to this -innocent little Mary. - -Uncle Fritz and Aunt Jo enjoyed this peaceful episode, and looked on at -the pretty play in which the young folk unconsciously imitated their -elders, without adding the tragedy that is so apt to spoil the dramas -acted on the larger stage. - -“They teach us quite as much as we teach them,” said Mr. Bhaer. - -“Bless the dears! they never guess how many hints they give us as to -the best way of managing them,” answered Mrs. Jo. - -“I think you were right about the good effect of having girls among -the boys. Nan _has_ stirred up Daisy, and Bess is teaching the little -bears how to behave better than we can. If this reformation goes on as -it has begun, I shall soon feel like Dr. Blimber with his model young -gentlemen,” said Professor, laughing, as he saw Tommy not only remove -his own hat, but knock off Ned’s also, as they entered the hall where -the Princess was taking a ride on the rocking-horse, attended by Rob -and Teddy astride of chairs, and playing gallant knights to the best of -their ability. - -“You will never be a Blimber, Fritz, you couldn’t do it if you tried; -and our boys will never submit to the forcing process of that famous -hot-bed. No fear that they will be too elegant: American boys like -liberty too well. But good manners they cannot fail to have, if we -give them the kindly spirit that shines through the simplest demeanor, -making it courteous and cordial, like yours, my dear old boy.” - -“Tut! tut! we will not compliment; for if I begin you will run away, -and I have a wish to enjoy this happy half hour to the end;” yet Mr. -Bhaer looked pleased with the compliment, for it was true, and Mrs. -Jo felt that she had received the best her husband could give her, by -saying that he found his truest rest and happiness in her society. - -“To return to the children: I have just had another proof of -Goldilocks’ good influence,” said Mrs. Jo, drawing her chair nearer -the sofa, where the Professor lay resting after a long day’s work in -his various gardens. “Nan hates sewing, but for love of Bess has been -toiling half the afternoon over a remarkable bag in which to present a -dozen of our love-apples to her idol when she goes. I praised her for -it, and she said, in her quick way, ‘I like to sew for other people; -it is stupid sewing for myself.’ I took the hint, and shall give her -some little shirts and aprons for Mrs. Carney’s children. She is so -generous, she will sew her fingers sore for them, and I shall not have -to make a task of it.” - -“But needlework is not a fashionable accomplishment, my dear.” - -“Sorry for it. My girls shall learn all I can teach them about it, -even if they give up the Latin, Algebra, and half-a-dozen ologies it -is considered necessary for girls to muddle their poor brains over -now-a-days. Amy means to make Bess an accomplished woman; but the -dear’s mite of a forefinger has little pricks on it already, and her -mother has several specimens of needlework which she values more than -the clay bird without a bill, that filled Laurie with such pride when -Bess made it.” - -“I also have a proof of the Princess’s power,” said Mr. Bhaer, after -he had watched Mrs. Jo sew on a button with an air of scorn for the -whole system of fashionable education. “Jack is so unwilling to be -classed with Stuffy and Ned, as distasteful to Bess, that he came to -me a little while ago, and asked me to touch his warts with caustic. I -have often proposed it, and he never would consent; but now he bore the -smart manfully, and consoles his present discomfort by hopes of future -favor, when he can show her fastidious ladyship a smooth hand.” - -Mrs. Bhaer laughed at the story, and just then Stuffy came in to ask if -he might give Goldilocks some of the bonbons his mother had sent him. - -“She is not allowed to eat sweeties; but if you like to give her -the pretty box with the pink sugar-rose in it, she would like it -very much,” said Mrs. Jo, unwilling to spoil this unusual piece of -self-denial, for the “fat boy” seldom offered to share his sugar-plums. - -“Won’t she eat it? I shouldn’t like to make her sick,” said Stuffy, -eying the delicate sweetmeat lovingly, yet putting it into the box. - -“Oh, no, she won’t touch it, if I tell her it is to look at, not to -eat. She will keep it for weeks, and never think of tasting it. Can you -do as much?” - -“I should hope so! I’m ever so much older than she is,” cried Stuffy, -indignantly. - -“Well, suppose we try. Here, put your bonbons in this bag, and see how -long you can keep them. Let me count--two hearts, four red fishes, -three barley-sugar horses, nine almonds, and a dozen chocolate drops. -Do you agree to that?” asked sly Mrs. Jo, popping the sweeties into her -little spool-bag. - -“Yes,” said Stuffy, with a sigh; and pocketing the forbidden fruit, -he went away to give Bess the present, that won a smile from her, and -permission to escort her round the garden. - -“Poor Stuffy’s heart has really got the better of his stomach at last, -and his efforts will be much encouraged by the rewards Bess gives him,” -said Mrs. Jo. - -“Happy the man who can put temptation in his pocket and learn -self-denial from so sweet a little teacher!” added Mr. Bhaer, as -the children passed the window, Stuffy’s fat face full of placid -satisfaction, and Goldilocks surveying her sugar-rose with polite -interest, though she would have preferred a real flower with a “pitty -smell.” - -When her father came to take her home, a universal wail arose, and the -parting gifts showered upon her increased her luggage to such an extent -that Mr. Laurie proposed having out the big wagon to take it into -town. Every one had given her something; and it was found difficult to -pack white mice, cake, a parcel of shells, apples, a rabbit kicking -violently in a bag, a large cabbage for his refreshment, a bottle of -minnows, and a mammoth bouquet. The farewell scene was moving, for -the Princess sat upon the hall-table, surrounded by her subjects. She -kissed her cousins, and held out her hand to the other boys, who shook -it gently with various soft speeches, for they were taught not to be -ashamed of showing their emotions. - -“Come again soon, little dear,” whispered Dan, fastening his best -green-and-gold beetle in her hat. - -“Don’t forget me, Princess, whatever you do,” said the engaging Tommy, -taking a last stroke of the pretty hair. - -“I am coming to your house next week, and then I shall see you, Bess,” -added Nat, as if he found consolation in the thought. - -“Do shake hands now,” cried Jack, offering a smooth paw. - -“Here are two nice new ones to remember us by,” said Dick and Dolly, -presenting fresh whistles, quite unconscious that seven old ones had -been privately deposited in the kitchen-stove. - -“My little precious! I shall work you a bookmark right away, and you -must keep it always,” said Nan, with a warm embrace. - -But of all the farewells, poor Billy’s was the most pathetic, for the -thought that she was really going became so unbearable that he cast -himself down before her, hugging her little blue boots and blubbering -despairingly, “Don’t go away! oh, don’t!” Goldilocks was so touched by -this burst of feeling, that she leaned over and lifting the poor lad’s -head, said, in her soft, little voice,-- - -“Don’t cry, poor Billy! I will tiss you and tum adain soon.” - -This promise consoled Billy, and he fell back beaming with pride at the -unusual honor conferred upon him. - -“Me too! me too!” clamored Dick and Dolly, feeling that their devotion -deserved some return. The others looked as if they would like to join -in the cry; and something in the kind, merry faces about her moved the -Princess to stretch out her arms and say, with reckless condescension,-- - -“I will tiss evvybody!” - -Like a swarm of bees about a very sweet flower, the affectionate lads -surrounded their pretty playmate, and kissed her till she looked like a -little rose, not roughly, but so enthusiastically that nothing but the -crown of her hat was visible for a moment. Then her father rescued her, -and she drove away still smiling and waving her hands, while the boys -sat on the fence screaming like a flock of guinea-fowls, “Come back! -come back!” till she was out of sight. - -They all missed her, and each dimly felt that he was better for -having known a creature so lovely, delicate, and sweet; for little -Bess appealed to the chivalrous instinct in them as something to -love, admire, and protect with a tender sort of reverence. Many a man -remembers some pretty child who has made a place in his heart and kept -her memory alive by the simple magic of her innocence; these little -men were just learning to feel this power, and to love it for its -gentle influence, not ashamed to let the small hand lead them, nor to -own their loyalty to womankind, even in the bud. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -DAMON AND PYTHIAS - - -Mrs. Bhaer was right; peace was only a temporary lull, a storm was -brewing, and two days after Bess left, a moral earthquake shook -Plumfield to its centre. - -Tommy’s hens were at the bottom of the trouble, for if they had not -persisted in laying so many eggs, he could not have sold them and -made such sums. Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a -useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can -without potatoes. Tommy certainly could not, for he spent his income -so recklessly, that Mr. Bhaer was obliged to insist on a savings-bank, -and presented him with a private one--an imposing tin edifice, with the -name over the door, and a tall chimney, down which the pennies were to -go, there to rattle temptingly till leave was given to open a sort of -trap-door in the floor. - -The house increased in weight so rapidly, that Tommy soon became -satisfied with his investment, and planned to buy unheard-of treasures -with his capital. He kept account of the sums deposited, and was -promised that he might break the bank as soon as he had five dollars, -on condition that he spent the money wisely. Only one dollar was -needed, and the day Mrs. Jo paid him for four dozen eggs, he was so -delighted, that he raced off to the barn to display the bright quarters -to Nat, who was also laying by money for the long-desired violin. - -“I wish I had ’em to put with my three dollars, then I’d soon get -enough to buy my fiddle,” he said, looking wistfully at the money. - -“P’raps I’ll lend you some. I haven’t decided yet what I’ll do with -mine,” said Tommy, tossing up his quarters, and catching them as they -fell. - -“Hi! boys! come down to the brook and see what a jolly great snake -Dan’s got!” called a voice from behind the barn. - -“Come on,” said Tommy; and, laying his money inside the old winnowing -machine, away he ran, followed by Nat. - -The snake was very interesting, and then a long chase after a lame -crow, and its capture, so absorbed Tommy’s mind and time, that he never -thought of his money till he was safely in bed that night. - -“Never mind, no one but Nat knows where it is,” said the easy-going -lad, and fell asleep untroubled by any anxiety about his property. - -Next morning, just as the boys assembled for school, Tommy rushed into -the room breathlessly, demanding,-- - -“I say, who has got my dollar?” - -“What are you talking about?” asked Franz. - -Tommy explained, and Nat corroborated his statement. - -Every one else declared they knew nothing about it, and began to look -suspiciously at Nat, who got more and more alarmed and confused with -each denial. - -“Somebody must have taken it,” said Franz, as Tommy shook his fist at -the whole party, and wrathfully declared that-- - -“By thunder turtles! if I get hold of the thief, I’ll give him what he -won’t forget in a hurry.” - -“Keep cool, Tom; we shall find him out; thieves always come to grief,” -said Dan, as one who knew something of the matter. - -“May be some tramp slept in the barn and took it,” suggested Ned. - -“No, Silas don’t allow that; besides, a tramp wouldn’t go looking in -that old machine for money,” said Emil, with scorn. - -“Wasn’t it Silas himself?” said Jack. - -“Well, I like that! Old Si is as honest as daylight. You wouldn’t catch -him touching a penny of ours,” said Tommy, handsomely defending his -chief admirer from suspicion. - -“Whoever it was had better tell, and not wait to be found out,” said -Demi, looking as if an awful misfortune had befallen the family. - -“I know you think it’s me,” broke out Nat, red and excited. - -“You are the only one who knew where it was,” said Franz. - -“I can’t help it--I didn’t take it. I tell you I didn’t--I didn’t!” -cried Nat, in a desperate sort of way. - -“Gently, gently, my son! What is all this noise about?” and Mr. Bhaer -walked in among them. - -Tommy repeated the story of his loss, and, as he listened, Mr. Bhaer’s -face grew graver and graver; for, with all their faults and follies, -the lads till now had been honest. - -“Take your seats,” he said; and, when all were in their places, he -added slowly, as his eye went from face to face with a grieved look, -that was harder to bear than a storm of words,-- - -“Now, boys, I shall ask each one of you a single question, and I -want an honest answer. I am not going to try to frighten, bribe, -or surprise the truth out of you, for every one of you have got a -conscience, and know what it is for. Now is the time to undo the wrong -done to Tommy, and to set yourselves right before us all. I can forgive -the yielding to a sudden temptation much easier than I can deceit. -Don’t add a lie to the theft, but confess frankly, and we will all try -to help you make us forget and forgive.” - -He paused a moment, and one might have heard a pin drop, the room was -so still; then slowly and impressively he put the question to each -one, receiving the same answer in varying tones from all. Every face -was flushed and excited, so that Mr. Bhaer could not take color as -a witness, and some of the little boys were so frightened that they -stammered over the two short words as if guilty, though it was evident -that they could not be. When he came to Nat, his voice softened, for -the poor lad looked so wretched, Mr. Bhaer felt for him. He believed -him to be the culprit, and hoped to save the boy from another lie, by -winning him to tell the truth without fear. - -“Now, my son, give me an honest answer. Did you take the money?” - -“No, sir!” and Nat looked up at him imploringly. - -As the words fell from his trembling lips, somebody hissed. - -“Stop that!” cried Mr. Bhaer, with a sharp rap on his desk, as he -looked sternly toward the corner whence the sound came. - -Ned, Jack, and Emil sat there, and the first two looked ashamed of -themselves, but Emil called out,-- - -“It wasn’t me, uncle! I’d be ashamed to hit a fellow when he is down.” - -“Good for you!” cried Tommy, who was in a sad state of affliction at -the trouble his unlucky dollar had made. - -“Silence!” commanded Mr. Bhaer; and when it came, he said soberly,-- - -“I am _very_ sorry, Nat, but evidences are against you, and your old -fault makes us more ready to doubt you than we should be if we could -trust you as we do some of the boys, who never fib. But mind, my child, -I do not charge you with this theft; I shall not punish you for it -till I am _perfectly_ sure, nor ask any thing more about it. I shall -leave it for you to settle with your own conscience. If you are guilty, -come to me at any hour of the day or night and confess it, and I will -forgive and help you to amend. If you are innocent, the truth will -appear sooner or later, and the instant it does, I will be the first -to beg your pardon for doubting you, and will so gladly do my best to -clear your character before us all.” - -“I didn’t! I didn’t!” sobbed Nat, with his head down upon his arms, for -he could not bear the look of distrust and dislike which he read in the -many eyes fixed on him. - -“I hope not.” Mr. Bhaer paused a minute, as if to give the culprit, -whoever he might be, one more chance. Nobody spoke, however, and only -sniffs of sympathy from some of the little fellows broke the silence. -Mr. Bhaer shook his head, and added, regretfully,-- - -“There is nothing more to be done, then, and I have but one thing to -say: I shall not speak of this again, and I wish you all to follow my -example. I cannot expect you to feel as kindly toward any one whom you -suspect as before this happened, but I do expect and desire that you -will not torment the suspected person in any way,--he will have a hard -enough time without that. Now go to your lessons.” - -“Father Bhaer let Nat off too easy,” muttered Ned to Emil, as they got -out their books. - -“Hold your tongue,” growled Emil, who felt that this event was a blot -upon the family honor. - -Many of the boys agreed with Ned, but Mr. Bhaer was right, -nevertheless; and Nat would have been wiser to confess on the spot -and have the trouble over, for even the hardest whipping he ever -received from his father was far easier to bear than the cold looks, -the avoidance, and general suspicion that met him on all sides. If ever -a boy was sent to Coventry and kept there, it was poor Nat; and he -suffered a week of slow torture, though not a hand was raised against -him, and hardly a word said. - -That was the worst of it; if they would only have talked it out, or -even have thrashed him all round, he could have stood it better than -the silent distrust that made every face so terrible to meet. Even Mrs. -Bhaer’s showed traces of it, though her manner was nearly as kind as -ever; but the sorrowful anxious look in Father Bhaer’s eyes cut Nat -to the heart, for he loved his teacher dearly, and knew that he had -disappointed all his hopes by this double sin. - -Only one person in the house entirely believed in him, and stood up for -him stoutly against all the rest. This was Daisy. She could not explain -why she trusted him against all appearances, she only felt that she -could not doubt him, and her warm sympathy made her strong to take his -part. She would not hear a word against him from any one, and actually -slapped her beloved Demi when he tried to convince her that it _must_ -have been Nat, because no one else knew where the money was. - -“May be the hens ate it; they are greedy old things,” she said; and -when Demi laughed, she lost her temper, slapped the amazed boy, and -then burst out crying and ran away, still declaring, “He didn’t! he -didn’t! he didn’t!” - -Neither aunt nor uncle tried to shake the child’s faith in her friend, -but only hoped her innocent instinct might prove sure, and loved her -all the better for it. Nat often said, after it was over, that he -couldn’t have stood it, if it had not been for Daisy. When the others -shunned him, she clung to him closer than ever, and turned her back on -the rest. She did not sit on the stairs now when he solaced himself -with the old fiddle, but went in and sat beside him, listening with a -face so full of confidence and affection, that Nat forgot disgrace for -a time, and was happy. She asked him to help her with her lessons, she -cooked him marvellous messes in her kitchen, which he ate manfully, no -matter what they were, for gratitude gave a sweet flavor to the most -distasteful. She proposed impossible games of cricket and ball, when -she found that he shrank from joining the other boys. She put little -nosegays from her garden on his desk, and tried in every way to show -that _she_ was not a fair-weather friend, but faithful through evil -as well as good repute. Nan soon followed her example, in kindness -at least; curbed her sharp tongue, and kept her scornful little nose -from any demonstration of doubt or dislike, which was good of Madame -Giddy-gaddy, for she firmly believed that Nat took the money. - -Most of the boys let him severely alone, but Dan, though he said he -despised him for being a coward, watched over him with a grim sort of -protection, and promptly cuffed any lad who dared to molest his mate -or make him afraid. His idea of friendship was as high as Daisy’s, and, -in his own rough way, he lived up to it as loyally. - -Sitting by the brook one afternoon, absorbed in the study of the -domestic habits of water-spiders, he overheard a bit of conversation -on the other side of the wall. Ned, who was intensely inquisitive, had -been on tenter-hooks to know _certainly_ who was the culprit; for of -late one or two of the boys had begun to think that they were wrong, -Nat was so steadfast in his denials, and so meek in his endurance of -their neglect. This doubt had teased Ned past bearing, and he had -several times privately beset Nat with questions, regardless of Mr. -Bhaer’s express command. Finding Nat reading alone on the shady side of -the wall, Ned could not resist stopping for a nibble at the forbidden -subject. He had worried Nat for some ten minutes before Dan arrived, -and the first word the spider-student heard were these, in Nat’s -patient, pleading voice,-- - -“Don’t, Ned! oh, don’t! I can’t tell you because I don’t know, and it’s -mean of you to keep nagging at me on the sly, when Father Bhaer told -you not to plague me. You wouldn’t dare to if Dan was round.” - -“I ain’t afraid of Dan; he’s nothing but an old bully. Don’t believe -but what he took Tom’s money, and you know it, and won’t tell. Come, -now!” - -“He didn’t, but, if he did, I _would_ stand up for him, he has always -been so good to me,” said Nat, so earnestly, that Dan forgot his -spiders, and rose quickly to thank him, but Ned’s next words arrested -him. - -“I _know_ Dan did it, and gave the money to you. Shouldn’t wonder if he -got his living picking pockets before he came here, for nobody knows -any thing about him but you,” said Ned, not believing his own words, -but hoping to get the truth out of Nat by making him angry. - -He succeeded in a part of his ungenerous wish, for Nat cried out, -fiercely,-- - -“If you say that again I’ll go and tell Mr. Bhaer all about it. I don’t -want to tell tales, but, by George! I will, if you don’t let Dan alone.” - -“Then you’ll be a sneak, as well as a liar and a thief,” began Ned, -with a jeer, for Nat had borne insult to himself so meekly, the other -did not believe he would dare to face the master just to stand up for -Dan. - -What he might have added I cannot tell, for the words were hardly out -of his mouth when a long arm from behind took him by the collar, and, -jerking him over the wall in a most promiscuous way, landed him with a -splash in the middle of the brook. - -“Say that again and I’ll duck you till you can’t see!” cried Dan, -looking like a modern Colossus of Rhodes as he stood, with a foot on -either side of the narrow stream, glaring down at the discomfited youth -in the water. - -“I was only in fun,” said Ned. - -“You are a sneak yourself to badger Nat round the corner. Let me catch -you at it again, and I’ll souse you in the river next time. Get up, and -clear out!” thundered Dan, in a rage. - -Ned fled, dripping, and his impromptu sitz-bath evidently did him good, -for he was very respectful to both the boys after that, and seemed to -have left his curiosity in the brook. As he vanished Dan jumped over -the wall, and found Nat lying as if quite worn out and bowed down with -his troubles. - -“He won’t pester you again, I guess. If he does, just tell me, and I’ll -see to him,” said Dan, trying to cool down. - -“I don’t mind what he says about me so much, I’ve got used to it,” -answered Nat, sadly; “but I hate to have him pitch into you.” - -“How do you know he isn’t right?” asked Dan, turning his face away. - -“What, about the money?” cried Nat, looking up with a startled air. - -“Yes.” - -“But I don’t believe it! _You_ don’t care for money; all you want is -your old bugs and things,” and Nat laughed, incredulously. - -“I want a butterfly net as much as you want a fiddle; why shouldn’t I -steal the money for it as much as you?” said Dan, still turning away, -and busily punching holes in the turf with his stick. - -“I don’t think you would. You like to fight and knock folks round -sometimes, but you don’t lie, and I don’t believe you’d steal,” and Nat -shook his head decidedly. - -“I’ve done both. I used to fib like fury; it’s too much trouble now; -and I stole things to eat out of gardens when I ran away from Page, so -you see I _am_ a bad lot,” said Dan, speaking in the rough, reckless -way which he had been learning to drop lately. - -“O Dan! Don’t say it’s you! I’d rather have it any of the other boys,” -cried Nat, in such a distressed tone that Dan looked pleased, and -showed that he did, by turning round with a queer expression in his -face, though he only answered,-- - -“I won’t say any thing about it. But don’t you fret, and we’ll pull -through somehow, see if we don’t.” - -Something in his face and manner gave Nat a new idea; and he said, -pressing his hands together, in the eagerness of his appeal,-- - -“I think you know who did it. If you do, beg him to tell, Dan. It’s so -hard to have ’em all hate me for nothing. I don’t think I _can_ bear it -much longer. If I had any place to go to, I’d run away, though I love -Plumfield dearly; but I’m not brave and big like you, so I must stay -and wait till some one shows them that I haven’t lied.” - -As he spoke, Nat looked so broken and despairing, that Dan could not -bear it, and, muttering huskily,-- - -“You won’t wait long,” he walked rapidly away, and was seen no more for -hours. - -“What is the matter with Dan?” asked the boys of one another several -times during the Sunday that followed a week which seemed as if it -would _never_ end. Dan was often moody, but that day he was so sober -and silent that no one could get any thing out of him. When they walked -he strayed away from the rest, and came home late. He took no part -in the evening conversation, but sat in the shadow, so busy with his -own thoughts that he scarcely seemed to hear what was going on. When -Mrs. Jo showed him an unusually good report in the Conscience Book, he -looked at it without a smile, and said, wistfully,-- - -“You think I am getting on, don’t you?” - -“Excellently, Dan! and I am so pleased, because I always thought you -only needed a little help to make you a boy to be proud of.” - -He looked up at her with a strange expression in his black eyes--an -expression of mingled pride and love and sorrow which she could not -understand then--but remembered afterward. - -“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, but I do try,” he said, shutting -the book without a sign of pleasure in the page that he usually liked -so much to read over and talk about. - -“Are you sick, dear?” asked Mrs. Jo, with her hand on his shoulder. - -“My foot aches a little; I guess I’ll go to bed. Good-night, mother,” -he added, and held the hand against his cheek a minute, then went away -looking as if he had said good-by to something very dear. - -“Poor Dan! he takes Nat’s disgrace to heart sadly. He is a strange -boy; I wonder if I ever shall understand him thoroughly?” said Mrs. -Jo to herself, as she thought over Dan’s late improvement with real -satisfaction, yet felt that there was more in the lad than she had at -first suspected. - -One of the things which cut Nat most deeply was an act of Tommy’s, for -after his loss Tommy had said to him, kindly but firmly,-- - -“I don’t wish to hurt you, Nat, but you see I can’t afford to lose my -money, so I guess we won’t be partners any longer;” and with that Tommy -rubbed out the sign, “T. Bangs & Co.” - -Nat had been very proud of the “Co.,” and had hunted eggs -industriously, kept his accounts all straight, and had added a good sum -to his income from the sale of his share of stock in trade. - -“O Tom! must you?” he said, feeling that his good name was gone for -ever in the business world if this was done. - -“I must,” returned Tommy, firmly. “Emil says that when one man ’bezzles -(I believe that’s the word--it means to take money and cut away with -it) the property of a firm, the other one sues him, or pitches into him -somehow, and won’t have any thing more to do with him. Now you have -’bezzled my property; I shan’t sue you, and I shan’t pitch into you, -but I _must_ dissolve the partnership, because I can’t trust you, and I -don’t wish to fail.” - -“I can’t make you believe me, and you won’t take my money, though I’d -be thankful to give all my dollars if you’d only say you don’t think I -took your money. Do let me hunt for you, I won’t ask any wages, but do -it for nothing. I know all the places, and I like it,” pleaded Nat. - -But Tommy shook his head, and his jolly round face looked suspicious -and hard as he said, shortly, “Can’t do it; wish you didn’t know the -places. Mind you don’t go hunting on the sly, and speculate in my eggs.” - -Poor Nat was so hurt that he could not get over it. He felt that he -had lost not only his partner and patron, but that he was bankrupt in -honor, and an outlaw from the business community. No one trusted his -word, written or spoken, in spite of his efforts to redeem the past -falsehood; the sign was down, the firm broken up, and he a ruined man. -The barn, which was the boys’ Wall Street, knew him no more. Cockletop -and her sisters cackled for him in vain, and really seemed to take -his misfortune to heart, for eggs were fewer, and some of the biddies -retired in disgust to new nests, which Tommy could not find. - -“_They_ trust me,” said Nat, when he heard of it; and though the boys -shouted at the idea, Nat found comfort in it, for when one is down in -the world, the confidence of even a speckled hen is most consoling. - -Tommy took no new partner, however, for distrust had entered in, and -poisoned the peace of his once confiding soul. Ned offered to join him, -but he declined, saying, with a sense of justice that did him honor,-- - -“It might turn out that Nat didn’t take my money, and then we could -be partners again. I don’t think it will happen, but I will give him a -chance, and keep the place open a little longer.” - -Billy was the only person whom Bangs felt he could trust in his shop, -and Billy was trained to hunt eggs, and hand them over unbroken, being -quite satisfied with an apple or a sugar-plum for wages. The morning -after Dan’s gloomy Sunday, Billy said to his employer, as he displayed -the results of a long hunt,-- - -“Only two.” - -“It gets worse and worse; I never saw such provoking old hens,” growled -Tommy, thinking of the days when he often had six to rejoice over. -“Well, put ’em in my hat and give me a new bit of chalk; I must mark -’em up, any way.” - -Billy mounted a peck-measure, and looked into the top of the machine, -where Tommy kept his writing materials. - -“There’s lots of money in here,” said Billy. - -“No, there isn’t. Catch me leaving my cash round again,” returned Tommy. - -“I see ’em--one, four, eight, two dollars,” persisted Billy, who had -not yet mastered the figures correctly. - -“What a jack you are!” and Tommy hopped up to get the chalk for -himself, but nearly tumbled down again, for there actually were four -bright quarters in a row, with a bit of paper on them directed to “Tom -Bangs,” that there might be no mistake. - -“Thunder turtles!” cried Tommy, and seizing them he dashed into the -house, bawling wildly, “It’s all right! Got my money! Where’s Nat?” - -He was soon found, and his surprise and pleasure were so genuine that -few doubted his word when he now denied all knowledge of the money. - -“How could I put it back when I didn’t take it? Do believe me now, and -be good to me again,” he said, so imploringly, that Emil slapped him on -the back, and declared _he_ would for one. - -“So will I, and I’m jolly glad it’s not you. But who the dickens is -it?” said Tommy, after shaking hands heartily with Nat. - -“Never mind, as long as it’s found,” said Dan with his eyes fixed on -Nat’s happy face. - -“Well, I like that! I’m not going to have my things hooked, and then -brought back like the juggling man’s tricks,” cried Tommy, looking at -his money as if he suspected witchcraft. - -“We’ll find him out somehow, though he was sly enough to print this so -his writing wouldn’t be known,” said Franz, examining the paper. - -“Demi prints tip-top,” put in Rob, who had not a very clear idea what -the fuss was all about. - -“You can’t make me believe it’s him, not if you talk till you are -blue,” said Tommy, and the others hooted at the mere idea; for the -little deacon, as they called him, was above suspicion. - -Nat felt the difference in the way they spoke of Demi and himself, and -would have given all he had or ever hoped to have to be so trusted; -for he had learned how easy it is to lose the confidence of others, -how very, very hard to win it back, and truth became to him a precious -thing since he had suffered from neglecting it. - -Mr. Bhaer was very glad one step had been taken in the right direction, -and waited hopefully for yet further revelations. They came sooner than -he expected, and in a way that surprised and grieved him very much. As -they sat at supper that night, a square parcel was handed to Mr. Bhaer -from Mrs. Bates, a neighbor. A note accompanied the parcel, and, while -Mr. Bhaer read it, Demi pulled off the wrapper, exclaiming, as he saw -its contents,-- - -“Why, it’s the book Uncle Teddy gave Dan!” - -“The devil!” broke from Dan, for he had not yet quite cured himself of -swearing, though he tried hard. - -Mr. Bhaer looked up quickly at the sound. Dan tried to meet his eyes, -but could not; his own fell, and he sat biting his lips, getting redder -and redder till he was the picture of shame. - -“What is it?” asked Mrs. Bhaer, anxiously. - -“I should have preferred to talk about this in private, but Demi has -spoilt that plan, so I may as well have it out now,” said Mr. Bhaer, -looking a little stern, as he always did when any meanness or deceit -came up for judgment. - -“The note is from Mrs. Bates, and she says that her boy Jimmy told her -he bought this book of Dan last Saturday. She saw that it was worth -much more than a dollar, and thinking there was some mistake, has sent -it to me. Did you sell it, Dan?” - -“Yes, sir,” was the slow answer. - -“Why?” - -“Wanted money.” - -“For what?” - -“To pay somebody.” - -“To whom did you owe it?” - -“Tommy.” - -“Never borrowed a cent of me in his life,” cried Tommy, looking scared, -for he guessed what was coming now, and felt that on the whole he would -have preferred witchcraft, for he admired Dan immensely. - -“Perhaps he took it,” cried Ned, who owed Dan a grudge for the ducking, -and, being a mortal boy, liked to pay it off. - -“O Dan!” cried Nat, clasping his hands, regardless of the bread and -butter in them. - -“It is a hard thing to do, but I must have this settled, for I cannot -have you watching each other like detectives, and the whole school -disturbed in this way. Did you put that dollar in the barn this -morning?” asked Mr. Bhaer. - -Dan looked him straight in the face, and answered steadily, “Yes, I -did.” - -A murmur went round the table, Tommy dropped his mug with a crash; -Daisy cried out, “I knew it wasn’t Nat;” Nan began to cry, and Mrs. Jo -left the room, looking so disappointed, sorry, and ashamed that Dan -could not bear it. He hid his face in his hands a moment, then threw up -his head, squared his shoulders as if settling some load upon them, and -said, with the dogged look, and half-resolute, half-reckless tone he -had used when he first came-- - -“I did it; now you may do what you like to me, but I won’t say another -word about it.” - -“Not even that you are sorry?” asked Mr. Bhaer, troubled by the change -in him. - -“I ain’t sorry.” - -“I’ll forgive him without asking,” said Tommy, feeling that it was -harder somehow to see brave Dan disgraced than timid Nat. - -“Don’t want to be forgiven,” returned Dan, gruffly. - -“Perhaps you will when you have thought about it quietly by yourself. I -won’t tell you now how surprised and disappointed I am, but by and by I -will come up and talk to you in your room.” - -“Won’t make any difference,” said Dan, trying to speak defiantly, but -failing as he looked at Mr. Bhaer’s sorrowful face; and, taking his -words for a dismissal, Dan left the room as if he found it impossible -to stay. - -It would have done him good if he had stayed; for the boys talked the -matter over with such sincere regret, and pity, and wonder, it might -have touched and won him to ask pardon. No one was glad to find that it -was he, not even Nat; for, spite of all his faults, and they were many, -every one liked Dan now, because under his rough exterior lay some of -the manly virtues which we most admire and love. Mrs. Jo had been the -chief prop, as well as cultivator, of Dan; and she took it sadly to -heart that her last and most interesting boy had turned out so ill. The -theft was bad, but the lying about it, and allowing another to suffer -so much from an unjust suspicion, was worse; and most discouraging of -all was the attempt to restore the money in an underhand way, for it -showed not only a want of courage, but a power of deceit that boded ill -for the future. Still more trying was his steady refusal to talk of -the matter, to ask pardon, or express any remorse. Days passed; and he -went about his lessons and his work, silent, grim, and unrepentant. As -if taking warning by their treatment of Nat, he asked no sympathy of -any one, rejected the advances of the boys, and spent his leisure hours -roaming about the fields and woods, trying to find playmates in the -birds and beasts, and succeeding better than most boys would have done, -because he knew and loved them so well. - -“If this goes on much longer, I’m afraid he will run away again, for he -is too young to stand a life like this,” said Mr. Bhaer, quite dejected -at the failure of all his efforts. - -“A little while ago I should have been quite sure that nothing would -tempt him away, but now I am ready for any thing, he is so changed,” -answered poor Mrs. Jo, who mourned over her boy and could not be -comforted, because he shunned her more than any one else, and only -looked at her with the half-fierce, half-imploring eyes of a wild -animal caught in a trap, when she tried to talk to him alone. - -Nat followed him about like a shadow, and Dan did not repulse him as -rudely as he did others, but said, in his blunt way, “_You_ are all -right; don’t worry about me. I can stand it better than you did.” - -“But I don’t like to have you all alone,” Nat would say, sorrowfully. - -“I like it;” and Dan would tramp away, stifling a sigh sometimes, for -he _was_ lonely. - -Passing through the birch grove one day, he came upon several of the -boys, who were amusing themselves by climbing up the trees and swinging -down again, as the slender elastic stems bent till their tops touched -the ground. Dan paused a minute to watch the fun, without offering -to join in it, and as he stood there Jack took his turn. He had -unfortunately chosen too large a tree; for when he swung off, it only -bent a little way, and left him hanging at a dangerous height. - -“Go back; you can’t do it!” called Ned from below. - -Jack tried, but the twigs slipped from his hands, and he could not get -his legs round the trunk. He kicked, and squirmed, and clutched in -vain, then gave it up, and hung breathless, saying helplessly,-- - -“Catch me! help me! I must drop!” - -“You’ll be killed if you do,” cried Ned, frightened out of his wits. - -“Hold on!” shouted Dan; and up the tree he went, crashing his way along -till he nearly reached Jack, whose face looked up at him, full of fear -and hope. - -“You’ll both come down,” said Ned, dancing with excitement on the slope -underneath, while Nat held out his arms, in the wild hope of breaking -the fall. - -“That’s what I want; stand from under,” answered Dan, coolly; and, as -he spoke, his added weight bent the tree many feet nearer the earth. - -Jack dropped safely; but the birch, lightened of half its load, flew up -again so suddenly, that Dan, in the act of swinging round to drop feet -foremost, lost his hold and fell heavily. - -“I’m not hurt, all right in a minute,” he said, sitting up, a little -pale and dizzy, as the boys gathered round him, full of admiration and -alarm. - -“You’re a trump, Dan, and I’m ever so much obliged to you,” cried Jack, -gratefully. - -“It wasn’t any thing,” muttered Dan, rising slowly. - -“I say it was, and I’ll shake hands with you, though you are----” Ned -checked the unlucky word on his tongue, and held out his hand, feeling -that it was a handsome thing on his part. - -“But _I_ won’t shake hands with a sneak;” and Dan turned his back with -a look of scorn, that caused Ned to remember the brook, and retire with -undignified haste. - -“Come home, old chap; I’ll give you a lift;” and Nat walked away with -him leaving the others to talk over the feat together, to wonder -when Dan would “come round,” and to wish one and all that Tommy’s -“confounded money had been in Jericho before it made such a fuss.” - -When Mr. Bhaer came into school next morning, he looked so happy, that -the boys wondered what had happened to him, and really thought he had -lost his mind when they saw him go straight to Dan, and, taking him by -both hands, say all in one breath, as he shook them heartily,-- - -“I know all about it, and I beg your pardon. It was like you to do it, -and I love you for it, though it’s never right to tell lies, even for a -friend.” - -“What is it?” cried Nat, for Dan said not a word, only lifted up his -head, as if a weight of some sort had fallen off his back. - -“Dan did _not_ take Tommy’s money;” and Mr. Bhaer quite shouted it, he -was so glad. - -“Who did?” cried the boys in a chorus. - -Mr. Bhaer pointed to one empty seat, and every eye followed his finger, -yet no one spoke for a minute, they were so surprised. - -“Jack went home early this morning, but he left this behind him;” and -in the silence Mr. Bhaer read the note which he had found tied to his -door-handle when he rose. - - “I took Tommy’s dollar. I was peeking in through a crack, and - saw him put it there. I was afraid to tell before, though I - wanted to. I didn’t care so much about Nat, but Dan is a trump, - and I can’t stand it any longer. I never spent the money; it’s - under the carpet in my room, right behind the washstand. I’m - awful sorry. I am going home, and don’t think I shall ever come - back, so Dan may have my things. - - “JACK.” - -It was not an elegant confession, being badly written, much blotted, -and very short; but it was a precious paper to Dan; and, when Mr. Bhaer -paused, the boy went to him, saying, in rather a broken voice, but with -clear eyes, and the frank, respectful manner they had tried to teach -him,-- - -“I’ll say I’m sorry now, and ask you to forgive me, sir.” - -“It was a kind lie, Dan, and I can’t help forgiving it; but you see it -did no good,” said Mr. Bhaer, with a hand on either shoulder, and a -face full of relief and affection. - -“It kept the boys from plaguing Nat. That’s what I did it for. It made -him right down miserable. I didn’t care so much,” explained Dan, as if -glad to speak out after his hard silence. - -“How could you do it? You are always so kind to me,” faltered Nat, -feeling a strong desire to hug his friend and cry. Two girlish -performances, which would have scandalized Dan to the last degree. - -“It’s all right now, old fellow, so don’t be a fool,” he said, -swallowing the lump in his throat, and laughing out as he had not done -for weeks. “Does Mrs. Bhaer know?” he asked, eagerly. - -“Yes; and she is so happy I don’t know what she will do to you,” began -Mr. Bhaer, but got no farther, for here the boys came crowding about -Dan in a tumult of pleasure and curiosity; but before he had answered -more than a dozen questions, a voice cried out,-- - -“Three cheers for Dan!” and there was Mrs. Jo in the doorway waving her -dish-towel, and looking as if she wanted to dance a jig for joy, as she -used to do when a girl. - -“Now then,” cried Mr. Bhaer, and led off a rousing hurrah, which -startled Asia in the kitchen, and made old Mr. Roberts shake his head -as he drove by, saying,-- - -“Schools are not what they were when I was young!” - -Dan stood it pretty well for a minute, but the sight of Mrs. Jo’s -delight upset him, and he suddenly bolted across the hall into the -parlor, whither she instantly followed, and neither were seen for half -an hour. - -Mr. Bhaer found it very difficult to calm his excited flock; and, -seeing that lessons were an impossibility for a time, he caught -their attention by telling them the fine old story of the friends -whose fidelity to one another has made their names immortal. The lads -listened and remembered, for just then their hearts were touched by -the loyalty of a humbler pair of friends. The lie was wrong, but the -love that prompted it and the courage that bore in silence the disgrace -which belonged to another, made Dan a hero in their eyes. Honesty and -honor had a new meaning now; a good name was more precious than gold; -for once lost money could not buy it back; and faith in one another -made life smooth and happy as nothing else could do. - -Tommy proudly restored the name of the firm; Nat was devoted to Dan; -and all the boys tried to atone to both for former suspicion and -neglect. Mrs. Jo rejoiced over her flock, and Mr. Bhaer was never tired -of telling the story of his young Damon and Pythias. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -IN THE WILLOW - - -The old tree saw and heard a good many little scenes and confidences -that summer, because it became the favorite retreat of all the -children, and the willow seemed to enjoy it, for a pleasant welcome -always met them, and the quiet hours spent in its arms did them all -good. It had a great deal of company one Saturday afternoon, and some -little bird reported what went on there. - -First came Nan and Daisy with their small tubs and bits of soap, for -now and then they were seized with a tidy fit, and washed up all their -dolls’ clothes in the brook. Asia would not have them “slopping round” -in her kitchen, and the bath-room was forbidden since Nan forgot to -turn off the water till it overflowed and came gently dripping down -through the ceiling. Daisy went systematically to work, washing first -the white and then the colored things, rinsing them nicely, and hanging -them to dry on a cord fastened from one barberry-bush to another, and -pinning them up with a set of tiny clothes-pins Ned had turned for -her. But Nan put all her little things to soak in the same tub, and -then forgot them while she collected thistledown to stuff a pillow for -Semiramis, Queen of Babylon, as one doll was named. This took some -time, and when Mrs. Giddy-gaddy came to take out her clothes, deep -green stains appeared on every thing, for she had forgotten the green -silk lining of a certain cape, and its color had soaked nicely into -the pink and blue gowns, the little chemises, and even the best ruffled -petticoat. - -“Oh me! what a mess!” sighed Nan. - -“Lay them on the grass to bleach,” said Daisy, with an air of -experience. - -“So I will, and we can sit up in the nest and watch that they don’t -blow away.” - -The Queen of Babylon’s wardrobe was spread forth upon the bank, and, -turning up their tubs to dry, the little washerwomen climbed into the -nest, and fell to talking, as ladies are apt to do in the pauses of -domestic labor. - -“I’m going to have a feather-bed to go with my new pillow,” said Mrs. -Giddy-gaddy, as she transferred the thistledown from her pocket to her -handkerchief, losing about half in the process. - -“I wouldn’t; Aunt Jo says feather-beds aren’t healthy. I never let _my_ -children sleep on any thing but a mattress,” returned Mrs. Shakespeare -Smith, decidedly. - -“I don’t care; my children are so strong they often sleep on the -floor, and don’t mind it” (which was quite true). “I can’t afford nine -mattresses, and I like to make beds myself.” - -“Won’t Tommy charge for the feathers?” - -“May be he will, but I shan’t pay him, and he won’t care,” returned -Mrs. G., taking a base advantage of the well-known good-nature of T. -Bangs. - -“I think the pink will fade out of that dress sooner than the green -mark will,” observed Mrs. S., looking down from her perch, and changing -the subject, for she and her gossip differed on many points, and Mrs. -Smith was a discreet lady. - -“Never mind; I’m tired of dolls, and I guess I shall put them all away -and attend to my farm; I like it rather better than playing house,” -said Mrs. G., unconsciously expressing the desire of many older ladies, -who cannot dispose of their families so easily however. - -“But you mustn’t leave them; they will die without their mother,” cried -tender Mrs. Smith. - -“Let ’em die then; I’m tired of fussing over babies, and I’m going -to play with the boys; they need me to see to ’em,” returned the -strong-minded lady. - -Daisy knew nothing about woman’s rights; she quietly took all she -wanted, and no one denied her claim, because she did not undertake what -she could not carry out, but unconsciously used the all-powerful right -of her own influence to win from others any privilege for which she had -proved her fitness. Nan attempted all sorts of things, undaunted by -direful failures, and clamored fiercely to be allowed to do every thing -that the boys did. They laughed at her, hustled her out of the way, -and protested against her meddling with their affairs. But she would -not be quenched and she would be heard, for her will was strong, and -she had the spirit of a rampant reformer. Mrs. Bhaer sympathized with -her, but tried to curb her frantic desire for entire liberty, showing -her that she must wait a little, learn self-control, and be ready to -use her freedom before she asked for it. Nan had meek moments when she -agreed to this, and the influences at work upon her were gradually -taking effect. She no longer declared that she would be engine-driver -or a blacksmith, but turned her mind to farming, and found in it a vent -for the energy bottled up in her active little body. It did not quite -satisfy her, however; for her sage and sweet marjoram were dumb things, -and could not thank her for her care. She wanted something human to -love, work for, and protect, and was never happier than when the little -boys brought their cut fingers, bumped heads, or bruised joints for her -to “mend up.” Seeing this, Mrs. Jo proposed that she should learn how -to do it nicely, and Nursey had an apt pupil in bandaging, plastering, -and fomenting. The boys began to call her “Dr. Giddy-gaddy,” and she -liked it so well that Mrs. Jo one day said to the Professor-- - -“Fritz, I see what we can do for that child. She wants something to -live for even now, and will be one of the sharp, strong, discontented -women if she does not have it. Don’t let us snub her restless little -nature, but do our best to give her the work she likes, and by and by -persuade her father to let her study medicine. She will make a capital -doctor, for she has courage, strong nerves, a tender heart, and an -intense love and pity for the weak and suffering.” - -Mr. Bhaer smiled at first, but agreed to try, and gave Nan an -herb-garden, teaching her the various healing properties of the plants -she tended, and letting her try their virtues on the children in -the little illnesses they had from time to time. She learned fast, -remembered well, and showed a sense and interest most encouraging to -her Professor, who did not shut his door in her face because she was a -little woman. - -She was thinking of this, as she sat in the willow that day, and when -Daisy said in her gentle way-- - -“I love to keep house, and mean to have a nice one for Demi when we -grow up and live together.” - -Nan replied with decision-- - -“Well, I haven’t got any brother, and I don’t want any house to fuss -over. I shall have an office, with lots of bottles and drawers and -pestle things in it, and I shall drive round in a horse and chaise and -cure sick people. That will be such fun.” - -“Ugh! how can you bear the bad-smelling stuff and the nasty little -powders and castor-oil and senna and hive syrup?” cried Daisy, with a -shudder. - -“I shan’t have to take any, so I don’t care. Besides, they make people -well, and I like to cure folks. Didn’t my sage-tea make Mother Bhaer’s -headache go away, and my hops stop Ned’s toothache in five hours? So -now!” - -“Shall you put leeches on people, and cut off legs and pull out teeth?” -asked Daisy, quaking at the thought. - -“Yes, I shall do every thing; I don’t care if the people are all -smashed up, I shall mend them. My grandpa was a doctor, and I saw him -sew a great cut in a man’s cheek, and I held the sponge, and wasn’t -frightened a bit, and Grandpa said I was a brave girl.” - -“How could you? I’m sorry for sick people, and I like to nurse them, -but it makes my legs shake so I have to run away. I’m not a brave -girl,” sighed Daisy. - -“Well, you can be my nurse, and cuddle my patients when I have given -them the physic and cut off their legs,” said Nan, whose practice was -evidently to be of the heroic kind. - -“Ship ahoy! Where are you, Nan?” called a voice from below. - -“Here we are.” - -“Ay, ay!” said the voice, and Emil appeared holding one hand in the -other, with his face puckered up as if in pain. - -“Oh, what’s the matter?” cried Daisy, anxiously. - -“A confounded splinter in my thumb. Can’t get it out. Take a pick at -it, will you, Nanny?” - -“It’s in very deep, and I haven’t any needle,” said Nan, examining a -tarry thumb with interest. - -“Take a pin,” said Emil, in a hurry. - -“No, it’s too big and hasn’t got a sharp point.” - -Here Daisy, who had dived into her pocket, presented a neat little -housewife with four needles in it. - -“You are the Posy who always has what we want,” said Emil; and Nan -resolved to have a needle-book in her own pocket henceforth, for just -such cases as this were always occurring in her practice. - -Daisy covered her eyes, but Nan probed and picked with a steady hand, -while Emil gave directions not down in any medical work or record. - -“Starboard now! Steady, boys, steady! Try another tack. Heave ho! there -she is!” - -“Suck it,” ordered the Doctor, surveying the splinter with an -experienced eye. - -“Too dirty,” responded the patient, shaking his bleeding hand. - -“Wait; I’ll tie it up if you have got a handkerchief.” - -“Haven’t; take one of those rags down there.” - -“Gracious! no, indeed; they are dolls’ clothes,” cried Daisy, -indignantly. - -“Take one of mine; I’d like to have you,” said Nan; and swinging -himself down, Emil caught up the first “rag” he saw. It happened to be -the frilled skirt; but Nan tore it up without a murmur; and when the -royal petticoat was turned into a neat little bandage, she dismissed -her patient with the command-- - -“Keep it wet, and let it alone; then it will heal right up, and not be -sore.” - -“What do you charge?” asked the Commodore, laughing. - -“Nothing; I keep a ’spensary; that is a place where poor people are -doctored free gratis for nothing,” explained Nan, with an air. - -“Thank you, Doctor Giddy-gaddy. I’ll always call you in when I come to -grief;” and Emil departed, but looked back to say--for one good turn -deserved another--“Your duds are blowing away, Doctor.” - -Forgiving the disrespectful word, “duds,” the ladies hastily descended, -and, gathering up their wash, retired to the house to fire up the -little stove, and go to ironing. - -A passing breath of air shook the old willow, as if it laughed softly -at the childish chatter which went on in the nest, and it had hardly -composed itself when another pair of birds alighted for a confidential -twitter. - -“Now, I’ll tell you the secret,” began Tommy, who was “swellin’ -wisibly” with the importance of his news. - -“Tell away,” answered Nat, wishing he had brought his fiddle, it was so -shady and quiet here. - -“Well we fellows were talking over the late interesting case of -circumstantial evidence,” said Tommy, quoting at random from a speech -Franz had made at the club, “and I proposed giving Dan something to -make up for our suspecting him, to show our respect, and so on, you -know--something handsome and useful, that he could keep always, and be -proud of. What do you think we chose?” - -“A butterfly-net; he wants one ever so much,” said Nat, looking a -little disappointed, for he meant to get it himself. - -“No, sir; it’s to be a microscope, a real swell one, that we see -what-do-you-call-’ems in water with, and stars, and ant-eggs, and all -sorts of games, you know. Won’t it be a jolly good present?” said -Tommy, rather confusing microscopes and telescopes in his remarks. - -“Tip-top! I’m so glad! Won’t it cost a heap, though?” cried Nat, -feeling that his friend was beginning to be appreciated. - -“Of course it will; but we are all going to give something. I headed -the paper with my five dollars; for if it is done at all, it must be -done handsome.” - -“What! all of it? I never did see such a generous chap as you are;” and -Nat beamed upon him with sincere admiration. - -“Well, you see, I’ve been so bothered with my property, that I’m tired -of it, and don’t mean to save up any more, but give it away as I go -along, and then nobody will envy me, or want to steal it, and I shan’t -be suspecting folks, and worrying about my old cash,” replied Tommy, on -whom the cares and anxieties of a millionaire weighed heavily. - -“Will Mr. Bhaer let you do it?” - -“He thought it was a first-rate plan, and said that some of the best -men he knew preferred to do good with their money, instead of laying it -up to be squabbled over when they died.” - -“Your father is rich; does he do that way?” - -“I’m not sure; he gives me all I want; I know that much. I’m going to -talk to him about it when I go home. Anyhow, I shall set him a good -example;” and Tommy was so serious, that Nat did not dare to laugh, but -said, respectfully,-- - -“You will be able to do ever so much with your money, won’t you?” - -“So Mr. Bhaer said, and he promised to advise me about useful ways of -spending it. I’m going to begin with Dan; and next time I get a dollar -or so, I shall do something for Dick, he’s such a good little chap, and -only has a cent a week for pocket-money. He can’t earn much, you know; -so I’m going to kind of see to him;” and good-hearted Tommy quite -longed to begin. - -“I think that’s a beautiful plan, and I’m not going to try to buy a -fiddle any more; I’m going to get Dan his net all myself, and if there -is any money left, I’ll do something to please poor Billy. He’s fond -of me, and though he isn’t poor, he’d like some little thing from me, -because I can make out what he wants better than the rest of you.” -And Nat fell to wondering how much happiness could be got out of his -precious three dollars. - -“So I would. Now come and ask Mr. Bhaer if you can’t go in town with -me on Monday afternoon, so you can get the net, while I get the -microscope. Franz and Emil are going too, and we’ll have a jolly time -larking round among the shops.” - -The lads walked away arm-in-arm, discussing the new plans with droll -importance, yet beginning already to feel the sweet satisfaction which -comes to those who try, no matter how humbly, to be earthly providences -to the poor and helpless, and gild their mite with the gold of charity -before it is laid up where thieves cannot break through and steal. - -“Come up and rest while we sort the leaves; it’s so cool and pleasant -here,” said Demi, as he and Dan came sauntering home from a long walk -in the woods. - -“All right!” answered Dan, who was a boy of few words, and up they went. - -“What makes the birch leaves shake so much more than the others?” asked -inquiring Demi, who was always sure of an answer from Dan. - -“They are hung differently. Don’t you see the stem where it joins the -leaf is sort of pinched one way, and where it joins the twig, it is -pinched another. That makes it waggle with the least bit of wind, but -the elm leaves hang straight, and keep stiller.” - -“How curious! will this do so?” and Demi held up a sprig of acacia, -which he had broken from a little tree on the lawn, because it was so -pretty. - -“No; that belongs to the sort that shuts up when you touch it. Draw -your finger down the middle of the stem, and see if the leaves don’t -curl up,” said Dan, who was examining a bit of mica. - -Demi tried it, and presently the little leaves did fold together, till -the spray showed a single instead of a double line of leaves. - -“I like that; tell me about the others. What do these do?” asked Demi, -taking up a new branch. - -“Feed silk-worms; they live on mulberry leaves, till they begin to -spin themselves up. I was in a silk-factory once, and there were rooms -full of shelves all covered with leaves, and worms eating them so fast -that it made a rustle. Sometimes they eat so much they die. Tell that -to Stuffy,” and Dan laughed, as he took up another bit of rock with a -lichen on it. - -“I know one thing about this mullein leaf: the fairies use them for -blankets,” said Demi, who had not quite given up his faith in the -existence of the little folk in green. - -“If I had a microscope, I’d show you something prettier than fairies,” -said Dan, wondering if he should ever own that coveted treasure. “I -knew an old woman who used mullein leaves for a night-cap because she -had face-ache. She sewed them together, and wore it all the time.” - -“How funny! was she your grandmother?” - -“Never had any. She was a queer old woman, and lived alone in a little -tumble-down house with nineteen cats. Folks called her a witch, but -she wasn’t, though she looked like an old rag-bag. She was real kind -to me when I lived in that place, and used to let me get warm at her -fire when the folks at the poorhouse were hard on me.” - -“Did you live in a poorhouse?” - -“A little while. Never mind that--I didn’t mean to speak of it;” and -Dan stopped short in his unusual fit of communicativeness. - -“Tell about the cats, please,” said Demi, feeling that he had asked an -unpleasant question, and sorry for it. - -“Nothing to tell; only she had a lot of ’em, and kept ’em in a barrel -nights; and I used to go and tip over the barrel sometimes, and let ’em -out all over the house, and then she’d scold, and chase ’em and put ’em -in again, spitting and yowling like fury.” - -“Was she good to them?” asked Demi, with a hearty child’s laugh, -pleasant to hear. - -“Guess she was. Poor old soul! she took in all the lost and sick cats -in the town; and when anybody wanted one they went to Marm Webber, -and she let ’em pick any kind and color they wanted, and only asked -ninepence,--she was so glad to have her pussies get a good home.” - -“I should like to see Marm Webber. Could I, if I went to that place?” - -“She’s dead. All my folks are,” said Dan, briefly. - -“I’m sorry;” and Demi sat silent a minute, wondering what subject would -be safe to try next. He felt delicate about speaking of the departed -lady, but was very curious about the cats, and could not resist asking -softly-- - -“Did she cure the sick ones?” - -“Sometimes. One had a broken leg, and she tied it up to a stick, and it -got well; and another had fits, and she doctored it with _yarbs_ till -it was cured. But some of ’em died, and she buried ’em; and when they -couldn’t get well, she killed ’em easy.” - -“How?” asked Demi, feeling that there was a peculiar charm about this -old woman, and some sort of joke about the cats, because Dan was -smiling to himself. - -“A kind lady, who was fond of cats, told her how, and gave her some -stuff, and sent all her own pussies to be killed that way. Marm used to -put a sponge, wet with ether, in the bottom of an old boot, then poke -puss in head downwards. The ether put her to sleep in a jiffy, and she -was drowned in warm water before she woke up.” - -“I hope the cats didn’t feel it. I shall tell Daisy about that. You -have known a great many interesting things, haven’t you?” asked Demi, -and fell to meditating on the vast experience of a boy who had run away -more than once, and taken care of himself in a big city. - -“Wish I hadn’t sometimes.” - -“Why? Don’t remembering them feel good?” - -“No.” - -“It’s very singular how hard it is to manage your mind,” said Demi, -clasping his hands round his knees, and looking up at the sky as if for -information upon his favorite topic. - -“Devilish hard--no, I don’t mean that;” and Dan bit his lips, for the -forbidden word slipped out in spite of him, and he wanted to be more -careful with Demi than with any of the other boys. - -“I’ll play I didn’t hear it,” said Demi; “and you won’t do it again, -I’m sure.” - -“Not if I can help it. That’s one of the things I don’t want to -remember. I keep pegging away, but it don’t seem to do much good;” and -Dan looked discouraged. - -“Yes, it does. You don’t say half so many bad words as you used to; and -Aunt Jo is pleased, because she said it was a hard habit to break up.” - -“Did she?” and Dan cheered up a bit. - -“You must put swearing away in your fault-drawer, and lock it up; -that’s the way I do with my badness.” - -“What do you mean?” asked Dan, looking as if he found Demi almost as -amusing as a new sort of cockchafer or beetle. - -“Well, it’s one of my private plays, and I’ll tell you, but I think -you’ll laugh at it,” began Demi, glad to hold forth on this congenial -subject. “I play that my mind is a round room, and my soul is a little -sort of creature with wings that lives in it. The walls are full of -shelves and drawers, and in them I keep my thoughts, and my goodness -and badness, and all sorts of things. The goods I keep where I can see -them, and the bads I lock up tight, but they get out, and I have to -keep putting them in and squeezing them down, they are so strong. The -thoughts I play with when I am alone or in bed, and I make up and do -what I like with them. Every Sunday I put my room in order, and talk -with the little spirit that lives there, and tell him what to do. He -is very bad sometimes, and won’t mind me, and I have to scold him, and -take him to Grandpa. He always makes him behave, and be sorry for his -faults, because Grandpa likes this play, and gives me nice things to -put in the drawers, and tells me how to shut up the naughties. Hadn’t -you better try that way? it’s a very good one;” and Demi looked so -earnest and full of faith, that Dan did not laugh at his quaint fancy, -but said, soberly,-- - -“I don’t think there is a lock strong enough to keep my badness shut -up. Any way my room is in such a clutter I don’t know how to clear it -up.” - -“You keep your drawers in the cabinet all spandy nice; why can’t you do -the others?” - -“I ain’t used to it. Will you show me how?” and Dan looked as if -inclined to try Demi’s childish way of keeping a soul in order. - -“I’d love to, but I don’t know how, except to talk as Grandpa does. I -can’t do it good like him, but I’ll try.” - -“Don’t tell any one; only now and then we’ll come here and talk things -over, and I’ll pay you for it by telling all I know about my sort of -things. Will that do?” and Dan held out his big, rough hand. - -Demi gave his smooth, little hand readily, and the league was made; -for in the happy, peaceful world where the younger boy lived, lions -and lambs played together, and little children innocently taught their -elders. - -“Hush!” said Dan, pointing toward the house, as Demi was about to -indulge in another discourse on the best way of getting badness down, -and keeping it down; and peeping from their perch, they saw Mrs. Jo -strolling slowly along, reading as she went, while Teddy trotted behind -her, dragging a little cart upside down. - -“Wait till they see us,” whispered Demi, and both sat still as the pair -came nearer, Mrs. Jo so absorbed in her book that she would have walked -into the brook if Teddy had not stopped her by saying-- - -“Marmar, I wanter fis.” - -Mrs. Jo put down the charming book which she had been trying to read -for a week, and looked about her for a fishing-pole, being used to -making toys out of nothing. Before she had broken one from the hedge, -a slender willow bough fell at her feet; and, looking up, she saw the -boys laughing in the nest. - -“Up! up!” cried Teddy, stretching his arms and flapping his skirts as -if about to fly. - -“I’ll come down and you come up. I must go to Daisy now;” and Demi -departed to rehearse the tale of the nineteen cats, with the exciting -boot-and-barrel episodes. - -Teddy was speedily whisked up; and then Dan said, laughing, “Come, too; -there’s plenty of room. I’ll lend you a hand.” - -Mrs. Jo glanced over her shoulder, but no one was in sight; and, rather -liking the joke of the thing, she laughed back, saying, “Well, if you -won’t mention it, I think I will;” and with two nimble steps was in the -willow. - -“I haven’t climbed a tree since I was married. I used to be very fond -of it when I was a girl,” she said, looking well-pleased with her shady -perch. - -“Now, you read if you want to, and I’ll take care of Teddy,” proposed -Dan, beginning to make a fishing-rod for impatient Baby. - -“I don’t think I care about it now. What were you and Demi at up here?” -asked Mrs. Jo, thinking, from the sober look in Dan’s face, that he had -something on his mind. - -“Oh! we were talking. I’d been telling him about leaves and things, -and he was telling me some of his queer plays. Now, then, Major, -fish away;” and Dan finished off his work by putting a big blue fly -on the bent pin which hung at the end of the cord he had tied to the -willow-rod. - -Teddy leaned down from the tree, and was soon wrapt up in watching for -the fish which he felt sure would come. Dan held him by his little -petticoats, lest he should take a “header” into the brook, and Mrs. Jo -soon won him to talk by doing so herself. - -“I am so glad you told Demi about ‘leaves and things;’ it is just what -he needs; and I wish you would teach him, and take him to walk with -you.” - -“I’d like to, he is so bright; but--” - -“But what?” - -“I didn’t think you’d trust me.” - -“Why not?” - -“Well, Demi is so kind of precious, and so good, and I’m such a bad -lot, I thought you’d keep him away from me.” - -“But you are not a ‘bad lot,’ as you say; and I do trust you, Dan, -entirely, because you honestly try to improve, and do better and better -every week.” - -“Really?” and Dan looked up at her with the cloud of despondency -lifting from his face. - -“Yes; don’t you feel it?” - -“I hoped so, but I didn’t know.” - -“I have been waiting and watching quietly, for I thought I’d give you a -good trial first; and if you stood it, I would give you the best reward -I had. You _have_ stood it well; and now I’m going to trust not only -Demi, but my own boy, to you, because you can teach them some things -better than any of us.” - -“Can I?” and Dan looked amazed at the idea. - -“Demi has lived among older people so much that he needs just what you -have--knowledge of common things, strength, and courage. He thinks you -are the bravest boy he ever saw, and admires your strong way of doing -things. Then you know a great deal about natural objects, and can tell -him more wonderful tales of birds, and bees, and leaves, and animals, -than his story-books give him; and, being true, these stories will -teach and do him good. Don’t you see now how much you can help him, -and why I like to have him with you?” - -“But I swear sometimes, and might tell him something wrong. I wouldn’t -mean to, but it might slip out, just as ‘devil’ did a few minutes ago,” -said Dan, anxious to do his duty, and let her know his short-comings. - -“I know you try not to say or do any thing to harm the little -fellow, and here is where I think Demi will help _you_, because he -is so innocent and wise in his small way, and has what I am trying -to give you, dear,--good principles. It is never too early to try -and plant them in a child, and never too late to cultivate them in -the most neglected person. You are only boys yet; you can teach one -another. Demi will unconsciously strengthen your moral sense, you will -strengthen his common sense, and I shall feel as if I had helped you -both.” - -Words could not express how pleased and touched Dan was by this -confidence and praise. No one had ever trusted him before, no one had -cared to find out and foster the good in him, and no one had suspected -how much there was hidden away in the breast of the neglected boy, -going fast to ruin, yet quick to feel and value sympathy and help. No -honor that he might earn hereafter would ever be half so precious as -the right to teach his few virtues and his small store of learning -to the child whom he most respected; and no more powerful restraint -could have been imposed upon him than the innocent companion confided -to his care. He found courage now to tell Mrs. Jo of the plan already -made with Demi, and she was glad that the first step had been so -naturally taken. Every thing seemed working well for Dan, and she -rejoiced over him, because it had seemed a hard task, yet, working on -with a firm belief in the possibility of reformation in far older and -worse subjects than he, there had come this quick and hopeful change -to encourage her. He felt that he had friends now and a place in the -world, something to live and work for, and, though he said little, all -that was best and bravest in a character made old by a hard experience -responded to the love and faith bestowed on him, and Dan’s salvation -was assured. - -Their quiet talk was interrupted by a shout of delight from Teddy, who, -to the surprise of every one, did actually catch a trout where no trout -had been seen for years. He was so enchanted with his splendid success -that he insisted on showing his prize to the family before Asia cooked -it for supper; so the three descended and went happily away together, -all satisfied with the work of that half hour. - -Ned was the next visitor to the tree, but he only made a short stay, -sitting there at his ease while Dick and Dolly caught a pailful of -grasshoppers and crickets for him. He wanted to play a joke on Tommy, -and intended to tuck up a few dozen of the lively creatures in his bed, -so that when Bangs got in he would speedily tumble out again, and pass -a portion of the night in chasing “hopper-grasses” round the room. The -hunt was soon over, and having paid the hunters with a few peppermints -apiece Ned retired to make Tommy’s bed. - -For an hour the old willow sighed and sung to itself, talked with the -brook, and watched the lengthening shadows as the sun went down. The -first rosy color was touching its graceful branches when a boy came -stealing up the avenue, across the lawn, and, spying Billy by the -brook-side, went to him, saying, in a mysterious tone,-- - -“Go and tell Mr. Bhaer I want to see him down here, please. Don’t let -any one hear.” - -Billy nodded and ran off, while the boy swung himself up into the tree, -and sat there looking anxious, yet evidently feeling the charm of the -place and hour. In five minutes Mr. Bhaer appeared, and, stepping up on -the fence, leaned into the nest, saying, kindly,-- - -“I am glad to see you, Jack; but why not come in and meet us all at -once?” - -“I wanted to see you first, please, sir. Uncle made me come back. I -know I don’t deserve any thing, but I hope the fellows won’t be hard -upon me.” - -Poor Jack did not get on very well, but it was evident that he was -sorry and ashamed, and wanted to be received as easily as possible; for -his Uncle had thrashed him well and scolded him soundly for following -the example he himself set. Jack had begged not to be sent back, but -the school was cheap, and Mr. Ford insisted, so the boy returned as -quietly as possible, and took refuge behind Mr. Bhaer. - -“I hope not, but I can’t answer for them, though I will see that they -are not unjust. I think, as Dan and Nat have suffered so much, being -innocent, you should suffer something, being guilty. Don’t you?” asked -Mr. Bhaer, pitying Jack, yet feeling that he deserved punishment for a -fault which had so little excuse. - -“I suppose so, but I sent Tommy’s money back, and I said I was sorry, -isn’t that enough?” said Jack, rather sullenly; for the boy who could -do so mean a thing was not brave enough to bear the consequences well. - -“No; I think you should ask pardon of all three boys, openly and -honestly. You cannot expect them to respect and trust you for a time, -but you _can_ live down this disgrace if you try, and I will help -you. Stealing and lying are detestable sins, and I hope this will be a -lesson to you. I am glad you are ashamed, it is a good sign; bear it -patiently, and do your best to earn a better reputation.” - -“I’ll have an auction, and sell off all my goods dirt cheap,” said -Jack, showing his repentance in the most characteristic way. - -“I think it would be better to _give_ them away, and begin on a new -foundation. Take ‘Honesty is the best policy’ for your motto, and live -up to it in act, and word, and thought, and though you don’t make a -cent of money this summer, you will be a rich boy in the autumn,” said -Mr. Bhaer, earnestly. - -It was hard, but Jack consented, for he really felt that cheating -didn’t pay, and wanted to win back the friendship of the boys. His -heart clung to his possessions, and he groaned inwardly at the thought -of actually giving away certain precious things. Asking pardon publicly -was easy compared to this; but then he began to discover that certain -other things, invisible, but most valuable, were better property than -knives, fish-hooks, or even money itself. So he decided to buy up a -little integrity, even at a high price, and secure the respect of his -playmates, though it was not a salable article. - -“Well, I’ll do it,” he said, with a sudden air of resolution, which -pleased Mr. Bhaer. - -“Good! and I’ll stand by you. Now come and begin at once.” - -And Father Bhaer led the bankrupt boy back into the little world, which -received him coldly at first, but slowly warmed to him, when he showed -that he had profited by the lesson, and was sincerely anxious to go -into a better business with a new stock-in-trade. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -TAMING THE COLT - - -“What in the world is that boy doing?” said Mrs. Jo to herself, as she -watched Dan running round the half-mile triangle as if for a wager. -He was all alone, and seemed possessed by some strange desire to run -himself into a fever, or break his neck; for, after several rounds, he -tried leaping walls, and turning somersaults up the avenue, and finally -dropped down on the grass before the door as if exhausted. - -“Are you training for a race, Dan?” asked Mrs. Jo, from the window -where she sat. - -He looked up quickly, and stopped panting to answer, with a laugh,-- - -“No; I’m only working off my steam.” - -“Can’t you find a cooler way of doing it? You will be ill if you tear -about so in such warm weather,” said Mrs. Jo, laughing also, as she -threw him out a great palm-leaf fan. - -“Can’t help it. I _must_ run somewhere,” answered Dan, with such an odd -expression in his restless eyes, that Mrs. Jo was troubled, and asked, -quickly,-- - -“Is Plumfield getting too narrow for you?” - -“I wouldn’t mind if it was a little bigger. I like it though; only the -fact is the devil gets into me sometimes, and then I do want to bolt.” - -The words seemed to come against his will, for he looked sorry the -minute they were spoken, and seemed to think he deserved a reproof for -his ingratitude. But Mrs. Jo understood the feeling, and though sorry -to see it, she could not blame the boy for confessing it. She looked -at him anxiously, seeing how tall and strong he had grown, how full -of energy his face was, with its eager eyes and resolute mouth; and -remembering the utter freedom he had known for years before, she felt -how even the gentle restraint of this home would weigh upon him at -times when the old lawless spirit stirred in him. “Yes,” she said to -herself, “my wild hawk needs a larger cage; and yet, if I let him go, I -am afraid he will be lost. I must try and find some lure strong enough -to keep him safe.” - -“I know all about it,” she added, aloud. “It is not ‘the devil,’ as you -call it, but the very natural desire of all young people for liberty. I -used to feel just so, and once, I really did think for a minute that I -would bolt.” - -“Why didn’t you?” said Dan, coming to lean on the low window-ledge, -with an evident desire to continue the subject. - -“I knew it was foolish, and love for my mother kept me at home.” - -“I haven’t got any mother,” began Dan. - -“I thought you had _now_,” said Mrs. Jo, gently stroking the rough hair -off his hot forehead. - -“You are no end good to me, and I can’t ever thank you enough, but it -isn’t just the same, is it?” and Dan looked up at her with a wistful, -hungry look that went to her heart. - -“No, dear, it is not the same, and never can be. I think an own mother -would have been a great deal to you. But as that cannot be, you must -try to let me fill her place. I fear I have not done all I ought, or -you would not want to leave me,” she added, sorrowfully. - -“Yes, you have!” cried Dan, eagerly. “I don’t want to go, and I won’t -go, if I can help it; but every now and then I feel as if I must -burst out somehow. I want to run straight ahead somewhere, to smash -something, or pitch into somebody. Don’t know why, but I do, and that’s -all about it.” - -Dan laughed as he spoke, but he meant what he said, for he knit his -black brows, and brought down his fist on the ledge with such force, -that Mrs. Jo’s thimble flew off into the grass. He brought it back, and -as she took it she held the big, brown hand a minute, saying, with a -look that showed the words cost her something-- - -“Well, Dan, run if you must, but don’t run far; and come back to me -soon, for I want you very much.” - -He was rather taken aback by this unexpected permission to play truant, -and somehow it seemed to lessen his desire to go. He did not understand -why, but Mrs. Jo did, and, knowing the natural perversity of the human -mind, counted on it to help her now. She felt instinctively that the -more the boy was restrained the more he would fret against it; but -leave him free, and the mere sense of liberty would content him, joined -to the knowledge that his presence was dear to those whom he loved -best. It was a little experiment, but it succeeded, for Dan stood -silent a moment, unconsciously picking the fan to pieces and turning -the matter over in his mind. He felt that she appealed to his heart and -his honor, and owned that he understood it by saying presently, with a -mixture of regret and resolution in his face,-- - -“I won’t go yet awhile, and I’ll give you warning before I bolt. That’s -fair, isn’t it?” - -“Yes, we will let it stand so. Now, I want to see if I can’t find some -way for you to work off your steam better than running about the place -like a mad dog, spoiling my fans, or fighting with the boys. What can -we invent?” and while Dan tried to repair the mischief he had done, -Mrs. Jo racked her brain for some new device to keep her truant safe -until he had learned to love his lessons better. - -“How would you like to be my express-man?” she said, as a sudden -thought popped into her head. - -“Go into town, and do the errands?” asked Dan, looking interested at -once. - -“Yes; Franz is tired of it, Silas cannot be spared just now, and Mr. -Bhaer has no time. Old Andy is a safe horse, you are a good driver, and -know your way about the city as well as a postman. Suppose you try it, -and see if it won’t do ’most as well to drive away two or three times a -week as to run away once a month.” - -“I’d like it ever so much, only I must go alone and do it all myself. I -don’t want any of the other fellows bothering round,” said Dan, taking -to the new idea so kindly that he began to put on business airs already. - -“If Mr. Bhaer does not object you shall have it all your own way. I -suppose Emil will growl, but he cannot be trusted with horses, and you -can. By the way, to-morrow is market-day, and I must make out my list. -You had better see that the wagon is in order, and tell Silas to have -the fruit and vegetables ready for mother. You will have to be up early -and get back in time for school, can you do that?” - -“I’m always an early bird, so I don’t mind,” and Dan slung on his -jacket with despatch. - -“The early bird got the worm this time, I’m sure,” said Mrs. Jo, -merrily. - -“And a jolly good worm it is,” answered Dan, as he went laughing away -to put a new lash to the whip, wash the wagon, and order Silas about -with all the importance of a young express-man. - -“Before he is tired of this I will find something else and have it -ready when the next restless fit comes on,” said Mrs. Jo to herself, -as she wrote her list with a deep sense of gratitude that all her boys -were not Dans. - -Mr. Bhaer did not entirely approve of the new plan, but agreed to -give it a trial, which put Dan on his mettle, and caused him to give -up certain wild plans of his own, in which the new lash and the long -hill were to have borne a part. He was up and away very early the next -morning, heroically resisting the temptation to race with the milkmen -going into town. Once there, he did his errands carefully, and came -jogging home again in time for school, to Mr. Bhaer’s surprise and Mrs. -Jo’s great satisfaction. The Commodore did growl at Dan’s promotion, -but was pacified by a superior padlock to his new boat-house, and -the thought that seamen were meant for higher honors than driving -market-wagons and doing family errands. So Dan filled his new office -well and contentedly for weeks, and said no more about bolting. But -one day Mr. Bhaer found him pummelling Jack, who was roaring for mercy -under his knee. - -“Why, Dan, I thought you had given up fighting,” he said, as he went to -the rescue. - -“We ain’t fighting, we are only wrestling,” answered Dan, leaving off -reluctantly. - -“It looks very much like it, and feels like it, hey, Jack?” said Mr. -Bhaer, as the defeated gentleman got upon his legs with difficulty. - -“Catch me wrestling with him again. He’s ’most knocked my head off,” -snarled Jack, holding on to that portion of his frame as if it really -was loose upon his shoulders. - -“The fact is, we began in fun, but when I got him down I couldn’t help -pounding him. Sorry I hurt you, old fellow,” explained Dan, looking -rather ashamed of himself. - -“I understand. The longing to pitch into somebody was so strong you -couldn’t resist. You are a sort of Berserker, Dan, and something to -tussle with is as necessary to you as music is to Nat,” said Mr. Bhaer, -who knew all about the conversation between the boy and Mrs. Jo. - -“Can’t help it. So if you don’t want to be pounded you’d better keep -out of the way,” answered Dan, with a warning look in his black eyes -that made Jack sheer off in haste. - -“If you want something to wrestle with, I will give you a tougher -specimen than Jack,” said Mr. Bhaer; and, leading the way to the -wood-yard, he pointed out certain roots of trees that had been grubbed -up in the spring, and had been lying there waiting to be split. - -“There, when you feel inclined to maltreat the boys, just come and work -off your energies here, and I’ll thank you for it.” - -“So I will;” and, seizing the axe that lay near, Dan hauled out a tough -root, and went at it so vigorously, that the chips flew far and wide, -and Mr. Bhaer fled for his life. - -To his great amusement, Dan took him at his word, and was often seen -wrestling with the ungainly knots, hat and jacket off, red face, -and wrathful eyes; for he got into royal rages over some of his -adversaries, and swore at them under his breath till he had conquered -them, when he exulted, and marched off to the shed with an armful of -gnarled oak-wood in triumph. He blistered his hands, tired his back, -and dulled the axe, but it did him good, and he got more comfort out of -the ugly roots than any one dreamed, for with each blow he worked off -some of the pent-up power that would otherwise have been expended in -some less harmless way. - -“When this is gone I really don’t know what I _shall_ do,” said Mrs. -Jo to herself, for no inspiration came, and she was at the end of her -resources. - -But Dan found a new occupation for himself, and enjoyed it some time -before any one discovered the cause of his contentment. A fine young -horse of Mr. Laurie’s was kept at Plumfield that summer, running loose -in a large pasture across the brook. The boys were all interested in -the handsome, spirited creature, and for a time were fond of watching -him gallop and frisk with his plumey tail flying, and his handsome head -in the air. But they soon got tired of it, and left Prince Charlie to -himself. All but Dan, _he_ never tired of looking at the horse, and -seldom failed to visit him each day with a lump of sugar, a bit of -bread, or an apple to make him welcome. Charlie was grateful, accepted -his friendship, and the two loved one another as if they felt some tie -between them, inexplicable but strong. In whatever part of the wide -field he might be, Charlie always came at full speed when Dan whistled -at the bars, and the boy was never happier than when the beautiful, -fleet creature put its head on his shoulder, looking up at him with -fine eyes full of intelligent affection. - -“We understand one another without any palaver, don’t we, old fellow?” -Dan would say, proud of the horse’s confidence, and so jealous of his -regard, that he told no one how well the friendship prospered, and -never asked anybody but Teddy to accompany him on these daily visits. - -Mr. Laurie came now and then to see how Charlie got on, and spoke of -having him broken to harness in the autumn. - -“He won’t need much taming, he is such a gentle, fine-tempered brute. I -shall come out and try him with a saddle myself some day,” he said, on -one of these visits. - -“He lets me put a halter on him, but I don’t believe he will bear a -saddle even if you put it on,” answered Dan, who never failed to be -present when Charlie and his master met. - -“I shall coax him to bear it, and not mind a few tumbles at first. He -has never been harshly treated, so, though he will be surprised at the -new performances, I think he won’t be frightened, and his antics will -do no harm.” - -“I wonder what he _would_ do,” said Dan to himself, as Mr. Laurie went -away with the Professor, and Charlie returned to the bars, from which -he had retired when the gentlemen came up. - -A daring fancy to try the experiment took possession of the boy as -he sat on the topmost rail with the glossy back temptingly near him. -Never thinking of danger, he obeyed the impulse, and while Charlie -unsuspectingly nibbled at the apple he held, Dan quickly and quietly -took his seat. He did not keep it long, however, for with an astonished -snort, Charlie reared straight up, and deposited Dan on the ground. The -fall did not hurt him, for the turf was soft, and he jumped up, saying, -with a laugh,-- - -“I did it any way! Come here, you rascal, and I’ll try it again.” - -But Charlie declined to approach, and Dan left him resolving to succeed -in the end; for a struggle like this suited him exactly. Next time he -took a halter, and having got it on, he played with the horse for a -while, leading him to and fro, and putting him through various antics -till he was a little tired; then Dan sat on the wall and gave him -bread, but watched his chance, and getting a good grip of the halter, -slipped on to his back. Charlie tried the old trick, but Dan held -on, having had practice with Toby, who occasionally had an obstinate -fit, and tried to shake off his rider. Charlie was both amazed and -indignant; and after prancing for a minute, set off at a gallop, and -away went Dan heels over head. If he had not belonged to the class -of boys who go through all sorts of dangers unscathed, he would -have broken his neck; as it was, he got a heavy fall, and lay still -collecting his wits, while Charlie tore round the field tossing his -head with every sign of satisfaction at the discomfiture of his rider. -Presently it seemed to occur to him that something was wrong with Dan, -and, being of a magnanimous nature, he went to see what the matter -was. Dan let him sniff about and perplex himself for a few minutes; -then he looked up at him, saying, as decidedly as if the horse could -understand,-- - -“You think you have beaten, but you are mistaken, old boy; and I’ll -ride you yet--see if I don’t.” - -He tried no more that day, but soon after attempted a new method of -introducing Charlie to a burden. He strapped a folded blanket on his -back, and then let him race, and rear, and roll, and fume as much as he -liked. After a few fits of rebellion Charlie submitted, and in a few -days permitted Dan to mount him, often stopping short to look round, as -if he said, half patiently, half reproachfully, “I don’t understand -it, but I suppose you mean no harm, so I permit the liberty.” - -Dan patted and praised him, and took a short turn every day, getting -frequent falls, but persisting in spite of them, and longing to try a -saddle and a bridle, but not daring to confess what he had done. He had -his wish, however, for there had been a witness of his pranks who said -a good word for him. - -“Do you know what that chap has ben doin’ lately?” asked Silas of his -master, one evening, as he received his orders for the next day. - -“Which boy?” said Mr. Bhaer, with an air of resignation, expecting some -sad revelation. - -“Dan, he’s ben a breaking the colt, sir, and I wish I may die if he -ain’t done it,” answered Silas, chuckling. - -“How do you know?” - -“Wal, I kinder keep an eye on the little fellers, and ’most gen’lly know -what they’re up to; so when Dan kep going off to the paster, and coming -home black and blue, I mistrusted that _suthing_ was goin’ on. I didn’t -say nothin’, but I crep up into the barn chamber, and from there I see -him goin’ through all manner of games with Charlie. Blest if he warn’t -throwed time and agin, and knocked round like a bag o’ meal. But the -pluck of the boy did beat all, and he ’peared to like it, and kep on as -ef bound to beat.” - -“But, Silas, you should have stopped it--the boy might have been -killed,” said Mr. Bhaer, wondering what freak his irrepressibles would -take into their heads next. - -“S’pose I oughter; but there warn’t no real danger, for Charlie ain’t -no tricks, and is as pretty a tempered horse as ever I see. Fact was, -I couldn’t bear to spile sport, for ef there’s any thing I do admire -it’s grit, and Dan is chock full on ’t. But now I know he’s hankerin’ -after a saddle, and yet won’t take even the old one on the sly; so I -just thought I’d up and tell, and may be you’d let him try what he can -do. Mr. Laurie won’t mind, and Charlie’s all the better for ’t.” - -“We shall see;” and off went Mr. Bhaer to inquire into the matter. - -Dan owned up at once, and proudly proved that Silas was right by -showing off his power over Charlie; for by dint of much coaxing, many -carrots, and infinite perseverance, he really had succeeded in riding -the colt with a halter and blanket. Mr. Laurie was much amused, and -well pleased with Dan’s courage and skill, and let him have a hand in -all future performances; for he set about Charlie’s education at once, -saying that he was not going to be outdone by a slip of a boy. Thanks -to Dan, Charlie took kindly to the saddle and bridle when he had once -reconciled himself to the indignity of the bit; and after Mr. Laurie -had trained him a little, Dan was permitted to ride him, to the great -envy and admiration of the other boys. - -“Isn’t he handsome? and don’t he mind me like a lamb?” said Dan one day -as he dismounted and stood with his arm round Charlie’s neck. - -“Yes, and isn’t he a much more useful and agreeable animal than the -wild colt who spent his days racing about the field, jumping fences, -and running away now and then?” asked Mrs. Bhaer from the steps where -she always appeared when Dan performed with Charlie. - -“Of course he is. See he won’t run away now, even if I don’t hold -him, and he comes to me the minute I whistle; I have tamed him well, -haven’t I?” and Dan looked both proud and pleased, as well he might, -for, in spite of their struggles together, Charlie loved him better -than his master. - -“I am taming a colt too, and I think I shall succeed as well as -you if I am as patient and persevering,” said Mrs. Jo, smiling so -significantly at him, that Dan understood and answered, laughing, yet -in earnest,-- - -“We won’t jump over the fence and run away, but stay and let them make -a handsome, useful span of us, hey, Charlie?” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -COMPOSITION DAY - - -“Hurry up, boys, it’s three o’clock, and Uncle Fritz likes us to be -punctual, you know,” said Franz one Wednesday afternoon as a bell rang, -and a stream of literary-looking young gentlemen with books and paper -in their hands were seen going toward the museum. - -Tommy was in the school-room, bending over his desk, much bedaubed with -ink, flushed with the ardor of inspiration, and in a great hurry as -usual, for easy-going Bangs never was ready till the very last minute. -As Franz passed the door looking up laggards, Tommy gave one last blot -and flourish, and departed out of the window waving his paper to dry -it as he went. Nan followed, looking very important, with a large roll -in her hand, and Demi escorted Daisy, both evidently brimful of some -delightful secret. - -The museum was all in order, and the sunshine among the hop-vines made -pretty shadows on the floor as it peeped through the great window. -On one side sat Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer, on the other was a little table -on which the compositions were laid as soon as read, and in a large -semicircle sat the children on camp-stools which occasionally shut up -and let the sitter down, thus preventing any stiffness in the assembly. -As it took too much time to have all read, they took turns, and on -this Wednesday the younger pupils were the chief performers, while the -elder ones listened with condescension and criticised freely. - -“Ladies first; so Nan may begin,” said Mr. Bhaer, when the settling of -stools and rustling of papers had subsided. - -Nan took her place beside the little table, and, with a preliminary -giggle, read the following interesting essay on - -“THE SPONGE. - -“The sponge, my friends, is a most useful and interesting plant. It -grows on rocks under the water, and is a kind of sea-weed, I believe. -People go and pick it and dry it and wash it, because little fish and -insects live in the holes of the sponge; I found shells in my new one, -and sand. Some are very fine and soft; babies are washed with them. The -sponge has many uses. I will relate some of them, and I hope my friends -will remember what I say. One use is to wash the face; I don’t like it -myself, but I do it because I wish to be clean. Some people _don’t_, -and they are dirty.” Here the eye of the reader rested sternly upon -Dick and Dolly, who quailed under it, and instantly resolved to scrub -themselves virtuously on all occasions. “Another use is to wake people -up; I allude to _boys_ par-_tic_-u-lar-ly.” Another pause after the -long word to enjoy the smothered laugh that went round the room. “Some -boys do not get up when called, and Mary Ann squeezes the water out of -a wet sponge on their faces, and it makes them so mad they wake up.” -Here the laugh broke out, and Emil said, as if he had been hit,-- - -“Seems to me you are wandering from the subject.” - -“No, I ain’t; we are to write about vegetables or animals, and I’m -doing both: for boys are animals, aren’t they?” cried Nan; and, -undaunted by the indignant “No!” shouted at her, she calmly proceeded,-- - -“One more interesting thing is done with sponges, and this is when -doctors put ether on it, and hold it to people’s noses when they have -teeth out. _I_ shall do this when I am bigger, and give ether to the -sick, so they will go to sleep and not feel me cut off their legs and -arms.” - -“I know somebody who killed cats with it,” called out Demi, but was -promptly crushed by Dan, who upset his camp-stool and put a hat over -his face. - -“I will _not_ be interruckted,” said Nan, frowning upon the unseemly -scrimmages. Order was instantly restored, and the young lady closed her -remarks as follows:-- - -“My composition has three morals, my friends.” Somebody groaned, -but no notice was taken of the insult. “First, is keep your faces -clean--second, get up early--third, when the ether sponge is put over -your nose, breathe hard and don’t kick, and your teeth will come out -easy. I have no more to say.” And Miss Nan sat down amid tumultuous -applause. - -“That is a very remarkable composition; its tone is high, and there is -a good deal of humor in it. Very well done, Nan. Now, Daisy,” and Mr. -Bhaer smiled at one young lady as he beckoned to the other. - -Daisy colored prettily as she took her place, and said, in her modest -little voice,-- - -“I’m afraid you won’t like mine; it isn’t nice and funny like Nan’s. -But I couldn’t do any better.” - -“We always like yours, Posy,” said Uncle Fritz, and a gentle murmur -from the boys seemed to confirm the remark. Thus encouraged, Daisy -read her little paper, which was listened to with respectful attention. - -“THE CAT. - -“The cat is a sweet animal. I love them very much. They are clean and -pretty, and catch rats and mice, and let you pet them, and are fond -of you if you are kind. They are very wise, and can find their way -anywhere. Little cats are called kittens, and are dear things. I have -two, named Huz and Buz, and their mother is Topaz, because she has -yellow eyes. Uncle told me a pretty story about a man named Ma-ho-met. -He had a nice cat, and when she was asleep on his sleeve, and he wanted -to go away, he cut off the sleeve so as not to wake her up. I think he -was a kind man. Some cats catch fish.” - -“So do I!” cried Teddy, jumping up eager to tell about his trout. - -“Hush!” said his mother, setting him down again as quickly as possible, -for orderly Daisy hated to be “interruckted,” as Nan expressed it. - -“I read about one who used to do it very slyly. I tried to make Topaz, -but she did not like the water, and scratched me. She does like tea, -and when I play in my kitchen she pats the teapot with her paw, till I -give her some. She is a fine cat, she eats apple-pudding and molasses. -Most cats do not.” - -“That’s a first-rater,” called out Nat, and Daisy retired, pleased with -the praise of her friend. - -“Demi looks so impatient we must have him up at once or he won’t hold -out,” said Uncle Fritz, and Demi skipped up with alacrity. - -“Mine is a poem!” he announced in a tone of triumph, and read his first -effort in a loud and solemn voice:-- - - “I write about the butterfly, - It is a pretty thing; - And flies about like the birds, - But it does not sing. - - “First it is a little grub, - And then it is a nice yellow cocoon, - And then the butterfly - Eats its way out soon. - - “They live on dew and honey, - They do not have any hive, - They do not sting like wasps, and bees, and hornets, - And to be as good as they are we should strive. - - “I should like to be a beautiful butterfly, - All yellow, and blue, and green, and red; - But I should not like - To have Dan put camphor on my poor little head.” - -This unusual burst of genius brought down the house, and Demi was -obliged to read it again, a somewhat difficult task, as there was no -punctuation whatever, and the little poet’s breath gave out before he -got to the end of some of the long lines. - -“He will be a Shakespeare yet,” said Aunt Jo, laughing as if she would -die, for this poetic gem reminded her of one of her own, written at the -age of ten, and beginning gloomily,-- - - “I wish I had a quiet tomb, - Beside a little rill; - Where birds, and bees, and butterflies, - Would sing upon the hill.” - -“Come on, Tommy. If there is as much ink inside your paper as there is -outside, it will be a long composition,” said Mr. Bhaer, when Demi had -been induced to tear himself from his poem and sit down. - -“It isn’t a composition, it’s a letter. You see, I forgot all about its -being my turn till after school, and then I didn’t know what to have, -and there wasn’t time to read up; so I thought you wouldn’t mind my -taking a letter that I wrote to my Grandma. It’s something about birds -in it, so I thought it would do.” - -With this long excuse, Tommy plunged into a sea of ink and floundered -through, pausing now and then to decipher one of his own flourishes. - - “MY DEAR GRANDMA,--I hope you are well. Uncle James sent me a - pocket rifle. It is a beautiful little instrument of killing, - shaped like this--[Here Tommy displayed a remarkable sketch of - what looked like an intricate pump, or the inside of a small - steam-engine]--44 are the sights; 6 is a false stock that fits - in at A; 3 is the trigger, and 2 is the cock. It loads at the - breech, and fires with great force and straightness. I am going - out shooting squirrels soon. I shot several fine birds for the - museum. They had speckled breasts, and Dan liked them very - much. He stuffed them tip-top, and they sit on the tree quite - natural, only one looks a little tipsy. We had a Frenchman - working here the other day, and Asia called his name so funnily - that I will tell you about it. His name was Germain: first - she called him Jerry, but we laughed at her, and she changed - it to Jeremiah; but ridicule was the result, so it became Mr. - Germany; but ridicule having been again resumed, it became - Garrymon, which it has remained ever since. I do not write - often, I am so busy; but I think of you often, and sympathize - with you, and sincerely hope you get on as well as can be - expected without me.--Your affectionate grandson, - - “THOMAS BUCKMINSTER BANGS. - - “_P.S._--If you come across any postage-stamps, remember me. - - “_N.B._--Love to all, and a great deal to Aunt Almira. Does she - make any nice plum-cakes now? - - “_P.S._--Mrs. Bhaer sends her respects. - - “_P.S._--And so would Mr. B. if he knew I was in act to write. - - “_N.B._--Father is going to give me a watch on my birthday. I - am glad, as at present I have no means of telling time, and am - often late at school. - - “_P.S._--I hope to see you soon. Don’t you wish to send for me? - - “T. B. B.” - -As each postscript was received with a fresh laugh from the boys, by -the time he came to the sixth and last, Tommy was so exhausted that he -was glad to sit down and wipe his ruddy face. - -“I hope the dear old lady will live through it,” said Mr. Bhaer, under -cover of the noise. - -“We won’t take any notice of the broad hint given in that last _P. S._ -The letter will be quite as much as she can bear without a visit from -Tommy,” answered Mrs. Jo, remembering that the old lady usually took to -her bed after a visitation from her irrepressible grandson. - -“Now, me,” said Teddy, who had learned a bit of poetry, and was so -eager to say it that he had been bobbing up and down during the -reading, and could no longer be restrained. - -“I’m afraid he will forget it if he waits; and I have had a deal of -trouble in teaching him,” said his mother. - -Teddy trotted to the rostrum, dropped a curtsey and nodded his head -at the same time, as if anxious to suit every one; then, in his baby -voice, and putting the emphasis on the wrong words, he said his verse -all in one breath:-- - - “Little drops _of_ water, - Little drains of sand, - Mate a mighty okum (ocean), - _And_ a peasant land. - Little worts _of_ kindness, - Pokin evvy day, - Make _a_ home a hebbin, - And hep us _on_ a way.” - -Clapping his hands at the end, he made another double salutation, and -then ran to hide his head in his mother’s lap, quite overcome by the -success of his “piece,” for the applause was tremendous. - -Dick and Dolly did not write, but were encouraged to observe the habits -of animals and insects, and report what they saw. Dick liked this, -and always had a great deal to say; so, when his name was called, he -marched up, and, looking at the audience with his bright confiding -eyes, told his little story so earnestly that no one smiled at his -crooked body, because the “straight soul” shone through it beautifully. - -“I’ve been watching dragonflies, and I read about them in Dan’s book, -and I’ll try and tell you what I remember. There’s lots of them flying -round on the pond, all blue, with big eyes, and a sort of lace wings, -very pretty. I caught one, and looked at him, and I think he was the -handsomest insect I ever saw. They catch littler creatures than they -are to eat, and have a queer kind of hook thing that folds up when they -ain’t hunting. It likes the sunshine, and dances round all day. Let me -see! what else was there to tell about? Oh, I know! The eggs are laid -in the water, and go down to the bottom, and are hatched in the mud. -Little ugly things come out of ’em; I can’t say the name, but they are -brown, and keep having new skins, and getting bigger and bigger. Only -think! it takes them two years to be a dragonfly! Now _this_ is the -curious_est_ part of it, so you listen tight, for I don’t believe you -know it. When it is ready it knows somehow, and the ugly, grubby thing -climbs up out of the water on a flag or a bulrush, and bursts open its -back.” - -“Come, I don’t believe that,” said Tommy, who was not an observing -boy, and really thought Dick was “making up.” - -“It does burst open its back, don’t it?” and Dick appealed to Mr. -Bhaer, who nodded a very decided affirmative, to the little speaker’s -great satisfaction. - -“Well, out comes the dragonfly, all whole, and he sits in the sun--sort -of coming alive, you know; and he gets strong, and then he spreads his -pretty wings, and flies away up in the air, and never is a grub any -more. That’s all I know; but I shall watch and try and see him do it, -for I think it’s splendid to turn into a beautiful dragonfly, don’t -you?” - -Dick had told his story well, and, when he described the flight of the -new-born insect, had waved his hands, and looked up as if he saw, and -wanted to follow it. Something in his face suggested to the minds of -the elder listeners the thought that some day little Dick would have -his wish, and after years of helplessness and pain would climb up into -the sun some happy day, and, leaving his poor little body behind him, -find a new and lovely shape in a fairer world than this. Mrs. Jo drew -him to her side, and said, with a kiss on his thin cheek,-- - -“That is a sweet little story, dear, and you remembered wonderfully -well. I shall write and tell your mother all about it;” and Dick sat -on her knee, contentedly smiling at the praise, and resolving to watch -well, and catch the dragonfly in the act of leaving its old body for -the new, and see how he did it. Dolly had a few remarks to make upon -the “Ducks,” and made them in a sing-song tone, for he had learned it -by heart, and thought it a great plague to do it at all. - -“Wild ducks are hard to kill; men hide and shoot at them, and have tame -ducks to quack and make the wild ones come where the men can fire at -them. They have wooden ducks made too, and they sail round, and the -wild ones come to see them; they are stupid, I think. Our ducks are -very tame. They eat a great deal, and go poking round in the mud and -water. They don’t take good care of their eggs, but let them spoil, -and--” - -“Mine don’t!” cried Tommy. - -“Well, some people’s do; Silas said so. Hens take good care of little -ducks, only they don’t like to have them go in the water, and make a -great fuss. But the little ones don’t care a bit. I like to eat ducks -with stuffing in them, and lots of apple-sauce.” - -“I have something to say about owls,” began Nat, who had carefully -prepared a paper upon this subject with some help from Dan. - -“Owls have big heads, round eyes, hooked bills, and strong claws. Some -are gray, some white, some black and yellowish. Their feathers are very -soft, and stick out a great deal. They fly very quietly, and hunt bats, -mice, little birds, and such things. They build nests in barns, hollow -trees, and some take the nests of other birds. The great horned owl -has two eggs bigger than a hen’s, and reddish brown. The tawny owl has -five eggs, white and smooth; and this is the kind that hoots at night. -Another kind sounds like a child crying. They eat mice and bats whole, -and the parts that they cannot digest they make into little balls and -spit out.” - -“My gracious! how funny!” Nan was heard to observe. - -“They cannot see by day; and if they get but into the light, they go -flapping round half blind, and the other birds chase and peck at them -as if they were making fun. The horned owl is very big, ’most as big -as the eagle. It eats rabbits, rats, snakes, and birds; and lives in -rocks and old tumble-down houses. They have a good many cries, and -scream like a person being choked, and say, ‘Waugh O! waugh O!’ and it -scares people at night in the woods. The white owl lives by the sea, -and in cold places, and looks something like a hawk. There is a kind of -owl that makes holes to live in like moles. It is called the burrowing -owl, and is very small. The barn-owl is the commonest kind; and I have -watched one sitting in a hole in a tree, looking like a little gray -cat, with one eye shut and the other open. He comes out at dusk, and -sits round waiting for the bats. I caught one, and here he is.” - -With that Nat suddenly produced from inside his jacket a little downy -bird, who blinked and ruffled up his feathers, looking very plump and -sleepy and scared. - -“Don’t touch him! He is going to show off,” said Nat, displaying his -new pet with great pride. First he put a cocked hat on the bird’s head, -and the boys laughed at the funny effect; then he added a pair of paper -spectacles, and that gave the owl such a wise look that they shouted -with merriment. The performance closed with making the bird angry, and -seeing him cling to a handkerchief upside down, pecking and “clucking,” -as Rob called it. He was allowed to fly after that, and settled himself -on the bunch of pine-cones over the door, where he sat staring down at -the company with an air of sleepy dignity that amused them very much. - -“Have you any thing for us, George?” asked Mr. Bhaer, when the room was -still again. - -“Well, I read and learned ever so much about moles, but I declare I’ve -forgotten every bit of it, except that they dig holes to live in, that -you catch them by pouring water down, and that they can’t possibly live -without eating very often;” and Stuffy sat down, wishing he had not -been too lazy to write out his valuable observations, for a general -smile went round when he mentioned the last of the three facts which -lingered in his memory. - -“Then we are done for to-day,” began Mr. Bhaer, but Tommy called out in -a great hurry,-- - -“No, we ain’t. Don’t you know? We must give the thing;” and he winked -violently as he made an eye-glass of his fingers. - -“Bless my heart, I forgot! Now is your time, Tom;” and Mr. Bhaer -dropped into his seat again, while all the boys but Dan looked mightily -tickled at something. - -Nat, Tommy, and Demi left the room, and speedily returned with a little -red morocco box set forth in state on Mrs. Jo’s best silver salver. -Tommy bore it, and, still escorted by Nat and Demi, marched up to -unsuspecting Dan, who stared at them as if he thought they were going -to make fun of him. Tommy had prepared an elegant and impressive speech -for the occasion, but when the minute came, it all went out of his -head, and he just said, straight from his kindly boyish heart,-- - -“Here, old fellow, we all wanted to give you something to kind of pay -for what happened awhile ago, and to show how much we liked you for -being such a trump. Please take it, and have a jolly good time with it.” - -Dan was so surprised he could only get as red as the little box, and -mutter “Thanky, boys!” as he fumbled to open it. But when he saw what -was inside, his face lighted up, and he seized the long desired -treasure, saying, so enthusiastically that every one was satisfied, -though his language was anything but polished,-- - -“What a stunner! I say, you fellows are regular bricks to give me this; -it’s just what I wanted. Give us your paw, Tommy.” - -Many paws were given, and heartily shaken, for the boys were charmed -with Dan’s pleasure, and crowded round him to shake hands and expatiate -on the beauties of their gift. In the midst of this pleasant chatter, -Dan’s eye went to Mrs. Jo, who stood outside the group enjoying the -scene with all her heart. - -“No, I had nothing to do with it. The boys got it up all themselves,” -she said, answering the grateful look that seemed to thank her for -that happy moment. Dan smiled, and said, in a tone that only she could -understand,-- - -“It’s you all the same;” and making his way through the boys, he held -out his hand first to her and then to the good Professor, who was -beaming benevolently on his flock. - -He thanked them both with the silent, hearty squeeze he gave the kind -hands that had held him up and led him into the safe refuge of a happy -home. Not a word was spoken, but they felt all he would say, and little -Teddy expressed their pleasure for them as he leaned from his father’s -arm to hug the boy, and say, in his baby way,-- - -“My dood Danny! everybody loves him now.” - -“Come here, show off your spy-glass, Dan, and let us see some of your -magnified pollywogs and annymalcumisms as you call ’em,” said Jack, who -felt so uncomfortable during this scene that he would have slipped away -if Emil had not kept him. - -“So I will, take a squint at that and see what you think of it,” said -Dan, glad to show off his precious microscope. - -He held it over a beetle that happened to be lying on the table, and -Jack bent down to take his squint, but looked up with an amazed face, -saying,-- - -“My eye! what nippers the old thing has got! I see now why it hurts so -confoundedly when you grab a dor-bug and he grabs back again.” - -“He winked at me,” cried Nan, who had poked her head under Jack’s elbow -and got the second peep. - -Every one took a look, and then Dan showed them the lovely plumage on -a moth’s wing, the four feathery corners to a hair, the veins on a -leaf, hardly visible to the naked eye, but like a thick net through the -wonderful little glass; the skin on their own fingers, looking like -queer hills and valleys; a cobweb like a bit of coarse sewing silk, and -the sting of a bee. - -“It’s like the fairy spectacles in my story-book, only more curious,” -said Demi, enchanted with the wonders he saw. - -“Dan is a magician now, and he can show you many miracles going on -all round you; for he has two things needful--patience and a love of -nature. We live in a beautiful and wonderful world, Demi, and the -more you know about it the wiser and the better you will be. This -little glass will give you a new set of teachers, and you may learn -fine lessons from them if you will,” said Mr. Bhaer, glad to see how -interested the boys were in the matter. - -“Could I see anybody’s soul with this microscope if I looked hard?” -asked Demi, who was much impressed with the power of the bit of glass. - -“No, dear; it’s not powerful enough for that, and never can be made so. -You must wait a long while before your eyes are clear enough to see -the most invisible of God’s wonders. But looking at the lovely things -you can see will help you to understand the lovelier things you can -_not_ see,” answered Uncle Fritz, with his hand on the boy’s head. - -“Well, Daisy and I both think that if there _are_ any angels, their -wings look like that butterfly’s as we see it through the glass, only -more soft and gold.” - -“Believe it if you like, and keep your own little wings as bright and -beautiful, only don’t fly away for a long time yet.” - -“No, I won’t,” and Demi kept his word. - -“Good-by, my boys; I must go now, but I leave you with our new -Professor of Natural History;” and Mrs. Jo went away well pleased with -that composition day. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -CROPS - - -The gardens did well that summer, and in September the little crops -were gathered in with much rejoicing. Jack and Ned joined their farms -and raised potatoes, those being a good salable article. They got -twelve bushels, counting little ones and all, and sold them to Mr. -Bhaer at a fair price, for potatoes went fast in that house. Emil and -Franz devoted themselves to corn, and had a jolly little husking in the -barn, after which they took their corn to the mill, and came proudly -home with meal enough to supply the family with hasty-pudding and -Johnny-cake for a long time. They would not take money for their crop; -because, as Franz said, “We never can pay Uncle for all he has done for -us if we raised corn for the rest of our days.” - -Nat had beans in such abundance that he despaired of ever shelling -them, till Mrs. Jo proposed a new way, which succeeded admirably. -The dry pods were spread upon the barn-floor, Nat fiddled, and the -boys danced quadrilles on them, till they were thrashed out with much -merriment and very little labor. - -Tommy’s six weeks’ beans were a failure; for a dry spell early in the -season hurt them, because he gave them no water; and after that he -was so sure that they could take care of themselves, he let the poor -things struggle with bugs and weeds till they were exhausted, and died -a lingering death. So Tommy had to dig his farm over again, and plant -peas. But they were late; the birds ate many; the bushes, not being -firmly planted, blew down, and when the poor peas came at last, no -one cared for them, as their day was over, and spring-lamb had grown -into mutton. Tommy consoled himself with a charitable effort; for he -transplanted all the thistles he could find, and tended them carefully -for Toby, who was fond of the prickly delicacy, and had eaten all he -could find on the place. The boys had great fun over Tom’s thistle -bed; but he insisted that it was better to care for poor Toby than -for himself, and declared that he would devote his entire farm next -year to thistles, worms, and snails, that Demi’s turtles and Nat’s pet -owl might have the food they loved, as well as the donkey. So like -shiftless, kind-hearted, happy-go-lucky Tommy! - -Demi had supplied his grandmother with lettuce all summer, and in the -autumn sent his grandfather a basket of turnips, each one scrubbed up -till it looked like a great white egg. His Grandma was fond of salad, -and one of his Grandpa’s favorite quotations was-- - - “Lucullus, whom frugality could charm, - Ate roasted turnips at the Sabine farm.” - -Therefore these vegetable offerings to the dear domestic god and -goddess were affectionate, appropriate, and classical. - -Daisy had nothing but flowers in her little plot, and it bloomed all -summer long with a succession of gay or fragrant posies. She was very -fond of her garden, and delved away in it at all hours, watching over -her roses, and pansies, sweet-peas, and mignonette, as faithfully and -tenderly as she did over her dolls or her friends. Little nosegays were -sent into town on all occasions, and certain vases about the house -were her especial care. She had all sorts of pretty fancies about her -flowers, and loved to tell the children the story of the pansy, and -show them how the stepmother-leaf sat up in her green chair in purple -and gold; how the two own children in gay yellow had each its little -seat, while the step children, in dull colors, both sat on one small -stool, and the poor little father, in his red night-cap, was kept out -of sight in the middle of the flower; that a monk’s dark face looked -out of the monk’s-hood larkspur; that the flowers of the canary-vine -were so like dainty birds fluttering their yellow wings, that one -almost expected to see them fly away, and the snapdragons that went -off like little pistol-shots when you cracked them. Splendid dollies -did she make out of scarlet and white poppies, with ruffled robes -tied round the waist with grass blade sashes, and astonishing hats of -coreopsis on their green heads. Pea-pod boats, with rose-leaf sails, -received these flower-people, and floated them about a placid pool in -the most charming style; for finding that there were no elves, Daisy -made her own, and loved the fanciful little friends who played their -parts in her summer-life. - -Nan went in for herbs, and had a fine display of useful plants, which -she tended with steadily increasing interest and care. Very busy was -she in September cutting, drying, and tying up her sweet harvest, and -writing down in a little book how the different herbs are to be used. -She had tried several experiments, and made several mistakes; so she -wished to be particular lest she should give little Huz another fit by -administering wormwood instead of catnip. - -Dick, Dolly, and Rob each grubbed away on his small farm, and made more -stir about it than all the rest put together. Parsnips and carrots -were the crops of the two D.’s; and they longed for it to be late -enough to pull up the precious vegetables. Dick did privately examine -his carrots, and plant them again, feeling that Silas was right in -saying it was too soon for them yet. - -Rob’s crop was four small squashes and one immense pumpkin. It really -was a “bouncer,” as every one said; and I assure you that two small -persons could sit on it side by side. It seemed to have absorbed all -the goodness of the little garden, and all the sunshine that shone -down on it, and lay there a great round, golden ball, full of rich -suggestions of pumpkin-pies for weeks to come. Robby was so proud of -his mammoth vegetable that he took every one to see it, and, when -frosts began to nip, covered it up each night with an old bedquilt, -tucking it round as if the pumpkin was a well-beloved baby. The day it -was gathered he would let no one touch it but himself, and nearly broke -his back tugging it to the barn in his little wheelbarrow, with Dick -and Dolly harnessed in front to give a heave up the path. His mother -promised him that the Thanksgiving-pies should be made from it, and -hinted vaguely that she had a plan in her head which would cover the -prize pumpkin and its owner with glory. - -Poor Billy had planted cucumbers, but unfortunately hoed them up and -left the pig-weed. This mistake grieved him very much for ten minutes, -then he forgot all about it, and sowed a handful of bright buttons -which he had collected, evidently thinking in his feeble mind that they -were money, and would come up and multiply, so that he might make many -quarters, as Tommy did. No one disturbed him, and he did what he liked -with his plot, which soon looked as if a series of small earthquakes -had stirred it up. When the general harvest-day came, he would have -had nothing but stones and weeds to show, if kind old Asia had not hung -half-a-dozen oranges on the dead tree he had stuck up in the middle. -Billy was delighted with his crop; and no one spoiled his pleasure -in the little miracle which pity wrought for him, by making withered -branches bear strange fruit. - -Stuffy had various trials with his melons; for, being impatient to -taste them, he had a solitary revel before they were ripe, and made -himself so ill, that for a day or two it seemed doubtful if he would -ever eat any more. But he pulled through it, and served up his first -cantelope without tasting a mouthful himself. They were excellent -melons, for he had a warm slope for them, and they ripened fast. The -last and best were lingering on the vines, and Stuffy had announced -that he should sell them to a neighbor. This disappointed the boys, -who had hoped to eat the melons themselves, and they expressed their -displeasure in a new and striking manner. Going one morning to gaze -upon the three fine watermelons which he had kept for the market, -Stuffy was horrified to find the word “PIG” cut in white letters on the -green rind, staring at him from every one. He was in a great rage, and -flew to Mrs. Jo for redress. She listened, condoled with him, and then -said,-- - -“If you want to turn the laugh, I’ll tell you how, but you must give up -the melons.” - -“Well, I will; for I can’t thrash all the boys, but I’d like to give -them something to remember, the mean sneaks,” growled Stuffy, still in -a fume. - -Now Mrs. Jo was pretty sure who had done the trick, for she had seen -three heads suspiciously near to one another in the sofa-corner -the evening before; and when these heads had nodded with chuckles -and whispers, this experienced woman knew that mischief was afoot. -A moonlight night, a rustling in the old cherry-tree near Emil’s -window, a cut on Tommy’s finger, all helped to confirm her suspicions; -and having cooled Stuffy’s wrath a little, she bade him bring his -maltreated melons to her room, and say not a word to any one of what -had happened. He did so, and the three wags were amazed to find their -joke so quietly taken. It spoilt the fun, and the entire disappearance -of the melons made them uneasy. So did Stuffy’s good-nature, for he -looked more placid and plump than ever, and surveyed them with an air -of calm pity that perplexed them much. - -At dinner-time they discovered why; for then Stuffy’s vengeance fell -upon them, and the laugh _was_ turned against them. When the pudding -was eaten, and the fruit was put on, Mary Ann re-appeared in a high -state of giggle, bearing a large watermelon; Silas followed with -another; and Dan brought up the rear with a third. One was placed -before each of the three guilty lads; and they read on the smooth green -skin this addition to their work, “With the compliments of the PIG.” -Every one else read it also, and the whole table was in a roar, for the -trick had been whispered about; so every one understood the sequel. -Emil, Ned, and Tommy did not know where to look, and had not a word -to say for themselves; so they wisely joined in the laugh, cut up the -melons, and handed them round, saying, what all the rest agreed to, -that Stuffy had taken a wise and merry way to return good for evil. - -Dan had no garden, for he was away or lame the greater part of the -summer; so he had helped Silas wherever he could, chopped wood for -Asia, and taken care of the lawn so well, that Mrs. Jo always had -smooth paths and nicely shaven turf before her door. - -When the others got in their crops, he looked sorry that he had so -little to show; but as autumn went on, he bethought of a woodland -harvest which no one would dispute with him, and which was peculiarly -his own. Every Saturday he was away alone to forests, fields, and -hills, and always came back loaded with spoils; for he seemed to know -the meadows where the best flag-root grew, the thicket where the -sassafras was spiciest, the haunts where the squirrels went for nuts, -the white oak whose bark was most valuable, and the little gold-thread -vine that Nursey liked to cure the canker with. All sorts of splendid -red and yellow leaves did Dan bring home for Mrs. Jo to dress her -parlor with,--graceful-seeded grasses, clematis tassels, downy, soft, -yellow wax-work berries, and mosses, red-brimmed, white, or emerald -green. - -“I need not sigh for the woods now, because Dan brings the woods to -me,” Mrs. Jo used to say, as she glorified the walls with yellow maple -boughs and scarlet woodbine wreaths, or filled her vases with russet -fern, hemlock sprays full of delicate cones, and hardy autumn flowers; -for Dan’s crop suited her well. - -The great garret was full of the children’s little stores, and for a -time was one of the sights of the house. Daisy’s flower seeds in neat -little paper bags, all labelled, lay in the drawer of a three-legged -table. Nan’s herbs hung in bunches against the wall, filling the air -with their aromatic breath. Tommy had a basket of thistledown with the -tiny seeds attached, for he meant to plant them next year, if they did -not all fly away before that time. Emil had bunches of pop-corn hanging -there to dry, and Demi laid up acorns and different sorts of grain for -the pets. But Dan’s crop made the best show, for fully one half of the -floor was covered with nuts he brought. All kinds were there, for he -ranged the woods for miles round, climbed the tallest trees, and forced -his way into the thickest hedges for his plunder. Walnuts, chestnuts, -hazelnuts, and beechnuts lay in separate compartments, getting brown, -and dry, and sweet, ready for winter revels. - -There was one butternut-tree on the place, and Rob and Teddy called it -theirs. It bore well this year, and the great dingy nuts came dropping -down to hide among the dead leaves, where the busy squirrels found them -better than the lazy Bhaers. Their father had told them (the boys, not -the squirrels) they should have the nuts if they would pick them up, -but no one was to help. It was easy work, and Teddy liked it, only he -soon got tired, and left his little basket half full for another day. -But the other day was slow to arrive, and, meantime, the sly squirrels -were hard at work scampering up and down the old elm-trees stowing the -nuts away till their holes were full, then all about in the crotches -of the boughs, to be removed at their leisure. Their funny little ways -amused the boys, till one day Silas said,-- - -“Hev you sold them nuts to the squirrels?” - -“No,” answered Rob, wondering what Silas meant. - -“Wal, then, you’d better fly round, or them spry little fellers won’t -leave you none.” - -“Oh, we can beat them when we begin. There are such lots of nuts we -shall have a plenty.” - -“There ain’t many more to come down, and they have cleared the ground -pretty well, see if they hain’t.” - -Robby ran to look, and was alarmed to find how few remained. He called -Teddy, and they worked hard all one afternoon, while the squirrels sat -on the fence and scolded. - -“Now, Ted, we must keep watch, and pick up just as fast as they fall, -or we shan’t have more than a bushel, and every one will laugh at us if -we don’t.” - -“The naughty quillies tarn’t have ’em. I’ll pick fast and run and put -’em in the barn twick,” said Teddy, frowning at little Frisky, who -chattered and whisked his tail indignantly. - -That night a high wind blew down hundreds of nuts, and when Mrs. Jo -came to wake her little sons, she said, briskly,-- - -“Come, my laddies, the squirrels are hard at it, and you will have to -work well to-day, or they will have every nut on the ground.” - -“No, they won’t,” and Robby tumbled up in a great hurry, gobbled his -breakfast, and rushed out to save his property. - -Teddy went too, and worked like a little beaver, trotting to and fro -with full and empty baskets. Another bushel was soon put away in the -corn-barn, and they were scrambling among the leaves for more nuts when -the bell rang for school. - -“O father! let me stay out and pick. Those horrid squirrels will have -my nuts if you don’t. I’ll do my lessons by and by,” cried Rob, running -into the school-room, flushed and tousled by the fresh cold wind and -his eager work. - -“If you had been up early and done a little every morning there would -be no hurry now. I told you that, Rob, and you never minded. I cannot -have the lessons neglected as the work has been. The squirrels will get -more than their share this year, and they deserve it, for they have -worked best. You may go an hour earlier, but that is all,” and Mr. -Bhaer led Rob to his place, where the little man dashed at his books -as if bent on making sure of the precious hour promised him. - -It was almost maddening to sit still and see the wind shaking down -the last nuts, and the lively thieves flying about, pausing now and -then to eat one in his face, and flirt their tails, as if they said, -saucily, “We’ll have them in spite of you, lazy Rob.” The only thing -that sustained the poor child in this trying moment was the sight of -Teddy working away all alone. It was really splendid the pluck and -perseverance of the little lad. He picked and picked till his back -ached; he trudged to and fro till his small legs were tired; and he -defied wind, weariness, and wicked “quillies,” till his mother left -her work and did the carrying for him, full of admiration for the kind -little fellow who tried to help his brother. When Rob was dismissed he -found Teddy reposing in the bushel-basket quite used up, but unwilling -to quit the field; for he flapped his hat at the thieves with one -grubby little hand, while he refreshed himself with the big apple held -in the other. - -Rob fell to work and the ground was cleared before two o’clock, the -nuts safely in the corn-barn loft, and the weary workers exulted in -their success. But Frisky and his wife were not to be vanquished so -easily; and when Rob went up to look at his nuts a few days later he -was amazed to see how many had vanished. None of the boys could have -stolen them, because the door had been locked; the doves could not have -eaten them, and there were no rats about. There was great lamentation -among the young Bhaers till Dick said-- - -“I saw Frisky on the roof of the corn-barn, may be he took them.” - -“I know he did! I’ll have a trap, and kill him dead,” cried Rob, -disgusted with Frisky’s grasping nature. - -“Perhaps, if you watch, you can find out where he puts them, and I may -be able to get them back for you,” said Dan, who was much amused by the -fight between the boys and squirrels. - -So Rob watched and saw Mr. and Mrs. Frisky drop from the drooping elm -boughs on to the roof of the corn-barn, dodge in at one of the little -doors, much to the disturbance of the doves, and come out with a nut -in each mouth. So laden they could not get back the way they came, but -ran down the low roof, along the wall, and leaping off at a corner they -vanished a minute and re-appeared without their plunder. Rob ran to -the place, and in a hollow under the leaves found a heap of the stolen -property hidden away to be carried off to the holes by and by. - -“Oh, you little villains! I’ll cheat _you_ now, and not leave one,” -said Rob. So he cleared the corner and the corn-barn, and put the -contested nuts in the garret, making sure that no broken window-pane -could anywhere let in the unprincipled squirrels. They seemed to feel -that the contest was over, and retired to their hole, but now and then -could not resist throwing down nut-shells on Rob’s head, and scolding -violently as if they could not forgive him nor forget that he had the -best of the battle. - -Father and Mother Bhaer’s crop was of a different sort, and not so -easily described; but they were satisfied with it, felt that their -summer work had prospered well, and by and by had a harvest that made -them very happy. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -JOHN BROOKE - - -“Wake up, Demi, dear! I want you.” - -“Why, I’ve just gone to bed; it can’t be morning yet;” and Demi blinked -like a little owl as he waked from his first sound sleep. - -“It’s only ten, but your father is ill, and we must go to him. O my -little John! my poor little John!” and Aunt Jo laid her head down on -the pillow with a sob that scared sleep from Demi’s eyes and filled his -heart with fear and wonder; for he dimly felt why Aunt Jo called him -“John,” and wept over him as if some loss had come that left him poor. -He clung to her without a word, and in a minute she was quite steady -again, and said, with a tender kiss as she saw his troubled face,-- - -“We are going to say good-by to him, my darling, and there is no time -to lose; so dress quickly and come to me in my room. I must go to -Daisy.” - -“Yes, I will;” and when Aunt Jo was gone, little Demi got up quietly, -dressed as if in a dream, and leaving Tommy fast asleep went away -through the silent house, feeling that something new and sorrowful was -going to happen--something that set him apart from the other boys for -a time, and made the world seem as dark and still and strange as those -familiar rooms did in the night. A carriage sent by Mr. Laurie stood -before the door. Daisy was soon ready, and the brother and sister held -each other by the hand all the way into town, as they drove swiftly -and silently with aunt and uncle through the shadowy roads to say -good-by to father. - -None of the boys but Franz and Emil knew what had happened, and when -they came down next morning, great was their wonderment and discomfort, -for the house seemed forlorn without its master and mistress. Breakfast -was a dismal meal with no cheery Mrs. Jo behind the teapots; and when -school-time came, Father Bhaer’s place was empty. They wandered about -in a disconsolate kind of way for an hour, waiting for news and hoping -it would be all right with Demi’s father, for good John Brooke was much -beloved by the boys. Ten o’clock came, and no one arrived to relieve -their anxiety. They did not feel like playing, yet the time dragged -heavily, and they sat about listless and sober. All at once, Franz got -up, and said, in his persuasive way,-- - -“Look here, boys! let’s go into school and do our lessons just as if -Uncle was here. It will make the day go faster, and will please him, I -know.” - -“But who will hear us say them?” asked Jack. - -“I will; I don’t know much more than you do, but I’m the oldest here, -and I’ll try to fill Uncle’s place till he comes, if you don’t mind.” - -Something in the modest, serious way Franz said this impressed the -boys, for, though the poor lad’s eyes were red with quiet crying for -Uncle John in that long sad night, there was a new manliness about him, -as if he had already begun to feel the cares and troubles of life, and -tried to take them bravely. - -“I will, for one,” and Emil went to his seat, remembering that -obedience to his superior officer is a seaman’s first duty. - -The others followed; Franz took his uncle’s seat, and for an hour -order reigned. Lessons were learned and said, and Franz made a patient, -pleasant teacher, wisely omitting such lessons as he was not equal to, -and keeping order more by the unconscious dignity that sorrow gave him -than by any words of his own. The little boys were reading when a step -was heard in the hall, and every one looked up to read the news in Mr. -Bhaer’s face as he came in. The kind face told them instantly that Demi -had no father now, for it was worn and pale, and full of tender grief, -which left him no words with which to answer Rob, as he ran to him -saying, reproachfully,-- - -“What made you go and leave me in the night, papa?” - -The memory of the other father who had left his children in the night, -never to return, made Mr. Bhaer hold his own boy close, and, for a -minute, hide his face in Robby’s curly hair. Emil laid his head down -on his arms, Franz went to put his hand on his uncle’s shoulder, his -boyish face pale with sympathy and sorrow, and the others sat so still -that the soft rustle of the falling leaves outside was distinctly heard. - -Rob did not clearly understand what had happened, but he hated to see -papa unhappy, so he lifted up the bent head, and said, in his chirpy -little voice,-- - -“Don’t cry, mein Vater! we are all so good, we did our lessons without -you, and Franz was the master.” - -Mr. Bhaer looked up then, tried to smile, and said in a grateful tone -that made the lads feel like saints, “I thank you very much, my boys. -It was a beautiful way to help and comfort me. I shall not forget it, I -assure you.” - -“Franz proposed it, and was a first-rate master, too,” said Nat; -and the others gave a murmur of assent most gratifying to the young -dominie. - -Mr. Bhaer put Rob down, and, standing up, put his arm round his tall -nephew’s shoulder, as he said, with a look of genuine pleasure,-- - -“This makes my hard day easier, and gives me confidence in you all. I -am needed there in town, and must leave you for some hours. I thought -to give you a holiday, or send some of you home, but if you like to -stay and go on as you have begun, I shall be glad and proud of my good -boys.” - -“We’ll stay;” “We’d rather;” “Franz can see to us;” cried several, -delighted with the confidence shown in them. - -“Isn’t Marmar coming home?” asked Rob, wistfully; for home without -“Marmar” was the world without the sun to him. - -“We shall both come to-night; but dear Aunt Meg needs Mother more than -you do now, and I know you like to lend her for a little while.” - -“Well, I will; but Teddy’s been crying for her, and he slapped Nursey, -and was dreadful naughty,” answered Rob, as if the news might bring -mother home. - -“Where is my little man?” asked Mr. Bhaer. - -“Dan took him out, to keep him quiet. He’s all right now,” said Franz, -pointing to the window, through which they could see Dan drawing baby -in his little wagon, with the dogs frolicking about him. - -“I won’t see him, it would only upset him again; but tell Dan I leave -Teddy in his care. You older boys I trust to manage yourselves for a -day. Franz will direct you, and Silas is here to oversee matters. So -good-by till to-night.” - -“Just tell me a word about Uncle John,” said Emil, detaining Mr. Bhaer, -as he was about hurrying away again. - -“He was only ill a few hours, and died as he has lived, so cheerfully, -so peacefully, that it seems a sin to mar the beauty of it with any -violent or selfish grief. We were in time to say good-by: and Daisy and -Demi were in his arms as he fell asleep on Aunt Meg’s breast. No more -now, I cannot bear it,” and Mr. Bhaer went hastily away quite bowed -with grief, for in John Brooke he had lost both friend and brother, and -there was no one left to take his place. - -All that day the house was very still; the small boys played quietly in -the nursery; the others, feeling as if Sunday had come in the middle of -the week, spent it in walking, sitting in the willow, or among their -pets, all talking much of “Uncle John,” and feeling that something -gentle, just, and strong, had gone out of their little world, leaving -a sense of loss that deepened every hour. At dusk, Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer -came home alone, for Demi and Daisy were their mother’s best comfort -now, and could not leave her. Poor Mrs. Jo seemed quite spent, and -evidently needed the same sort of comfort, for her first words, as she -came up the stairs, were, “Where is my baby?” - -“Here I is,” answered a little voice, as Dan put Teddy into her arms, -adding, as she hugged him close, “My Danny tooked tare of me all day, -and I was dood.” - -Mrs. Jo turned to thank the faithful nurse, but Dan was waving off the -boys, who had gathered in the hall to meet her, and was saying, in a -low voice, “Keep back; she don’t want to be bothered with us now.” - -“No, don’t keep back. I want you all. Come in and see me, my boys. I’ve -neglected you all day,” and Mrs. Jo held out her hands to them as they -gathered round and escorted her into her own room, saying little, but -expressing much by affectionate looks and clumsy little efforts to show -their sorrow and sympathy. - -“I am so tired, I will lie here and cuddle Teddy, and you shall bring -me in some tea,” she said, trying to speak cheerfully for their sakes. - -A general stampede into the dining-room followed, and the supper-table -would have been ravaged if Mr. Bhaer had not interfered. It was agreed -that one squad should carry in the mother’s tea, and another bring it -out. The four nearest and dearest claimed the first honor, so Franz -bore the teapot, Emil the bread, Rob the milk, and Teddy insisted on -carrying the sugar-basin, which was lighter by several lumps when it -arrived than when it started. Some women might have found it annoying -at such a time to have boys creaking in and out, upsetting cups and -rattling spoons in violent efforts to be quiet and helpful; but it -suited Mrs. Jo, because just then her heart was very tender; and -remembering that many of her boys were fatherless or motherless, she -yearned over them, and found comfort in their blundering affection. -It was the sort of food that did her more good than the very thick -bread-and-butter that they gave her, and the rough Commodore’s broken -whisper-- - -“Bear up, Aunty, it’s a hard blow; but we’ll weather it somehow,” -cheered her more than the sloppy cup he brought her, full of tea as -bitter as if some salt tear of his own had dropped into it on the way. -When supper was over, a second deputation removed the tray; and Dan -said, holding out his arms for sleepy little Teddy,-- - -“Let me put him to bed, you’re so tired, Mother.” - -“Will you go with him, lovey?” asked Mrs. Jo of her small lord and -master, who lay on her arm among the sofa-pillows. - -“Torse I will;” and he was proudly carried off by his faithful bearer. - -“I wish _I_ could do something,” said Nat, with a sigh, as Franz leaned -over the sofa, and softly stroked Aunt Jo’s hot forehead. - -“You can, dear. Go and get your violin, and play me the sweet little -airs Uncle Teddy sent you last. Music will comfort me better than any -thing else to-night.” - -Nat flew for his fiddle, and, sitting just outside her door, played -as he had never done before, for now his heart was in it, and seemed -to magnetize his fingers. The other lads sat quietly upon the steps, -keeping watch that no new-comer should disturb the house; Franz -lingered at his post; and so, soothed, served, and guarded by her boys, -poor Mrs. Jo slept at last, and forgot her sorrow for an hour. - -Two quiet days, and on the third Mr. Bhaer came in just after school, -with a note in his hand, looking both moved and pleased. - -“I want to read you something, boys,” he said; and as they stood round -him he read this:-- - - “DEAR BROTHER FRITZ,--I hear that you do not mean to bring your - flock to-day, thinking that I may not like it. Please do. The - sight of his friends will help Demi through the hard hour, and - I want the boys to hear what father says of my John. It will - do them good, I know. If they would sing one of the sweet old - hymns you have taught them so well, I should like it better - than any other music, and feel that it was beautifully suited - to the occasion. Please ask them, with my love. - - “MEG.” - -“Will you go?” and Mr. Bhaer looked at the lads, who were greatly -touched by Mrs. Brooke’s kind words and wishes. - -“Yes,” they answered, like one boy; and an hour later they went away -with Franz to bear their part in John Brooke’s simple funeral. - -The little house looked as quiet, sunny, and home-like as when Meg -entered it a bride, ten years ago, only then it was early summer, and -roses blossomed everywhere; now it was early autumn, and dead leaves -rustled softly down, leaving the branches bare. The bride was a widow -now; but the same beautiful serenity shone in her face, and the sweet -resignation of a truly pious soul made her presence a consolation to -those who came to comfort her. - -“O Meg! how _can_ you bear it so?” whispered Jo, as she met them at -the door with a smile of welcome, and no change in her gentle manner, -except more gentleness. - -“Dear Jo, the love that has blest for ten happy years supports me -still. It could not die, and John is more my own than ever,” whispered -Meg; and in her eyes the tender trust was so beautiful and bright, that -Jo believed her, and thanked God for the immortality of love like hers. - -They were all there--father and mother, Uncle Teddy, and Aunt Amy, -old Mr. Laurence, white-haired and feeble now, Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer, -with their flock, and many friends, come to do honor to the dead. One -would have said that modest John Brooke, in his busy, quiet, humble -life, had had little time to make friends; but now they seemed to -start up everywhere,--old and young, rich and poor, high and low; -for all unconsciously his influence had made itself widely felt, his -virtues were remembered, and his hidden charities rose up to bless -him. The group about his coffin was a far more eloquent eulogy than -any Mr. March could utter. There were the rich men whom he had served -faithfully for years; the poor old women whom he cherished with his -little store, in memory of his mother; the wife to whom he had given -such happiness that death could not mar it utterly; the brothers and -sisters in whose hearts he had made a place for ever; the little son -and daughter, who already felt the loss of his strong arm and tender -voice; the young children, sobbing for their kindest playmate, and the -tall lads, watching with softened faces a scene which they never could -forget. A very simple service, and very short; for the fatherly voice -that had faltered in the marriage-sacrament now failed entirely as Mr. -March endeavored to pay his tribute of reverence and love to the son -whom he most honored. Nothing but the soft coo of Baby Josy’s voice -up-stairs broke the long hush that followed the last Amen, till, at -a sign from Mr. Bhaer, the well-trained boyish voices broke out in a -hymn, so full of lofty cheer, that one by one all joined in it, singing -with full hearts, and finding their troubled spirits lifted into peace -on the wings of that brave, sweet psalm. - -As Meg listened, she felt that she had done well; for not only did the -moment comfort her with the assurance that John’s last lullaby was sung -by the young voices he loved so well, but in the faces of the boys she -saw that they had caught a glimpse of the beauty of virtue in its most -impressive form, and that the memory of the good man lying dead before -them would live long and helpful in their remembrance. Daisy’s head lay -in her lap, and Demi held her hand, looking often at her, with eyes so -like his father’s, and a little gesture that seemed to say, “Don’t be -troubled, mother; I am here;” and all about her were friends to lean -upon and love; so patient, pious Meg put by her heavy grief, feeling -that her best help would be to live for others, as her John had done. - -That evening, as the Plumfield boys sat on the steps, as usual, in the -mild September moonlight, they naturally fell to talking of the event -of the day. - -Emil began by breaking out, in his impetuous way, “Uncle Fritz is the -wisest, and Uncle Laurie the jolliest, but Uncle John was the _best_; -and I’d rather be like him than any man I ever saw.” - -“So would I. Did you hear what those gentlemen said to Grandpa to-day? -I would like to have that said to me when I was dead;” and Franz felt -with regret that he had not appreciated Uncle John enough. - -“What did they say?” asked Jack, who had been much impressed by the -scenes of the day. - -“Why, one of the partners of Mr. Laurence, where Uncle John has been -ever so long, was saying that he was conscientious almost to a fault -as a business man, and above reproach in all things. Another gentleman -said no money could repay the fidelity and honesty with which Uncle -John had served him, and then Grandpa told them the best of all. Uncle -John once had a place in the office of a man who cheated, and when -this man wanted uncle to help him do it, uncle wouldn’t, though he was -offered a big salary. The man was angry and said, ‘You will never get -on in business with such strict principles;’ and uncle answered back, -‘I _never_ will try to get on _without_ them,’ and left the place for a -much harder and poorer one.” - -“Good!” cried several of the boys warmly, for they were in the mood to -understand and value the little story as never before. - -“He wasn’t rich, was he?” asked Jack. - -“No.” - -“He never did any thing to make a stir in the world, did he?” - -“No.” - -“He was only good?” - -“That’s all;” and Franz found himself wishing that Uncle John -_had_ done something to boast of, for it was evident that Jack was -disappointed by his replies. - -“Only good. That is _all_ and every thing,” said Mr. Bhaer, who had -overheard the last few words, and guessed what was going on in the -minds of the lads. - -“Let me tell you a little about John Brooke, and you will see why men -honor him, and why he was satisfied to be good rather than rich or -famous. He simply did his duty in all things, and did it so cheerfully, -so faithfully, that it kept him patient, brave, and happy through -poverty and loneliness and years of hard work. He was a good son, and -gave up his own plans to stay and live with his mother while she needed -him. He was a good friend, and taught Laurie much beside his Greek and -Latin, did it unconsciously, perhaps, by showing him an example of an -upright man. He was a faithful servant, and made himself so valuable to -those who employed him that they will find it hard to fill his place. -He was a good husband and father, so tender, wise, and thoughtful, that -Laurie and I learned much of him, and only knew how well he loved his -family, when we discovered all he had done for them, unsuspected and -unassisted.” - -Mr. Bhaer stopped a minute, and the boys sat like statues in the -moonlight until he went on again, in a subdued, but earnest voice: -“As he lay dying, I said to him, ‘Have no care for Meg and the little -ones; I will see that they never want.’ Then he smiled and pressed my -hand, and answered, in his cheerful way, ‘No need of that; I have cared -for them.’ And so he had, for when we looked among his papers, all -was in order, not a debt remained; and safely put away was enough to -keep Meg comfortable and independent. Then we knew why he had lived so -plainly, denied himself so many pleasures, except that of charity, and -worked so hard that I fear he shortened his good life. He never asked -help for himself, though often for others, but bore his own burden and -worked out his own task bravely and quietly. No one can say a word of -complaint against him, so just and generous and kind was he; and now, -when he is gone, all find so much to love and praise and honor, that I -am proud to have been his friend, and would rather leave my children -the legacy he leaves his than the largest fortune ever made. Yes! -Simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of -this life upon. It lasts when fame and money fail, and is the only -riches we can take out of this world with us. Remember that, my boys; -and if you want to earn respect and confidence and love follow in the -footsteps of John Brooke.” - -When Demi returned to school, after some weeks at home, he seemed to -have recovered from his loss with the blessed elasticity of childhood, -and so he had in a measure; but he did not forget, for his was a nature -into which things sank deeply, to be pondered over, and absorbed into -the soil where the small virtues were growing fast. He played and -studied, worked and sang, just as before, and few suspected any change; -but there was one--and Aunt Jo saw it--for she watched over the boy -with her whole heart, trying to fill John’s place in her poor way. He -seldom spoke of his loss, but Aunt Jo often heard a stifled sobbing in -the little bed at night; and when she went to comfort him, all his cry -was, “I want my father! oh, I want my father!”--for the tie between -the two had been a very tender one, and the child’s heart bled when -it was broken. But time was kind to him, and slowly he came to feel -that father was not lost, only invisible for a while, and sure to be -found again, well and strong and fond as ever, even though his little -son should see the purple asters blossom on his grave many, many times -before they met. To this belief Demi held fast, and in it found both -help and comfort, because it led him unconsciously through a tender -longing for the father whom he had seen to a childlike trust in the -Father whom he had not seen. Both were in heaven, and he prayed to -both, trying to be good for love of them. - -The outward change corresponded to the inward, for in those few weeks -Demi seemed to have grown tall, and began to drop his childish plays, -not as if ashamed of them, as some boys do, but as if he had outgrown -them, and wanted something manlier. He took to the hated arithmetic, -and held on so steadily that his uncle was charmed, though he could not -understand the whim, until Demi said-- - -“I am going to be a bookkeeper when I grow up, like papa, and I must -know about figures and things, else I can’t have nice, neat ledgers -like his.” - -At another time he came to his aunt with a very serious face, and said-- - -“What can a small boy do to earn money?” - -“Why do you ask, my deary?” - -“My father told me to take care of mother and the little girls, and I -want to, but I don’t know how to begin.” - -“He did not mean now, Demi, but by and by, when you are large.” - -“But I wish to begin _now_, if I can, because I think I ought to make -some money to buy things for the family. I am ten, and other boys no -bigger than I earn pennies sometimes.” - -“Well, then, suppose you rake up all the dead leaves and cover the -strawberry bed. I’ll pay you a dollar for the job,” said Aunt Jo. - -“Isn’t that a great deal? I could do it in one day. You must be fair, -and not pay too much, because I want to truly earn it.” - -“My little John, I will be fair, and not pay a penny too much. Don’t -work too hard; and when that is done I will have something else for you -to do,” said Mrs. Jo, much touched by his desire to help, and his sense -of justice, so like his scrupulous father. - -When the leaves were done, many barrow loads of chips were wheeled from -the wood to the shed, and another dollar earned. Then Demi helped cover -the school-books, working in the evenings, under Franz’s direction, -tugging patiently away at each book, letting no one help, and receiving -his wages with such satisfaction that the dingy bills became quite -glorified in his sight. - -“Now, I have a dollar for each of them, and I should like to take -my money to mother all myself, so she can see that I have minded my -father.” - -So Demi made a duteous pilgrimage to his mother, who received his -little earnings as a treasure of great worth, and would have kept it -untouched, if Demi had not begged her to buy some _useful_ thing for -herself and the women-children, whom he felt were left to his care. - -This made him very happy, and, though he often forgot his -responsibilities for a time, the desire to help was still there, -strengthening with his years. He always uttered the words “my father” -with an air of gentle pride, and often said, as if he claimed a title -full of honor, “Don’t call me Demi any more. I am John Brooke now.” So, -strengthened by a purpose and a hope, the little lad of ten bravely -began the world, and entered into his inheritance,--the memory of a -wise and tender father, the legacy of an honest name. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -ROUND THE FIRE - - -With the October frosts came the cheery fires in the great fireplaces; -and Demi’s dry pine-chips helped Dan’s oak-knots to blaze royally, and -go roaring up the chimney with a jolly sound. All were glad to gather -round the hearth, as the evenings grew longer, to play games, read, or -lay plans for the winter. But the favorite amusement was story-telling, -and Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer were expected to have a store of lively tales -always on hand. Their supply occasionally gave out, and then the -boys were thrown upon their own resources, which were not always -successful. Ghost-parties were the rage at one time; for the fun of the -thing consisted in putting out the lights, letting the fire die down, -and then sitting in the dark, and telling the most awful tales they -could invent. As this resulted in scares of all sorts among the boys, -Tommy’s walking in his sleep on the shed roof, and a general state of -nervousness in the little ones, it was forbidden, and they fell back on -more harmless amusements. - -One evening, when the small boys were snugly tucked in bed, and the -older lads were lounging about the school-room fire, trying to decide -what they should do, Demi suggested a new way of settling the question. - -[Illustration: _All were glad to gather round the hearth, as the -evenings grew longer. Page 312._] - -Seizing the hearth-brush, he marched up and down the room, saying, -“Row, row, row;” and when the boys, laughing and pushing, had got into -line, he said, “Now, I’ll give you two minutes to think of a play.” -Franz was writing, and Emil reading the Life of Lord Nelson, and -neither joined the party, but the others thought hard, and when the -time was up were ready to reply. - -“Now, Tom!” and the poker softly rapped him on the head. - -“Blind-man’s Buff.” - -“Jack!” - -“Commerce; a good round game, and have cents for the pool.” - -“Uncle forbids our playing for money. Dan, what do you want?” - -“Let’s have a battle between the Greeks and Romans.” - -“Stuffy?” - -“Roast apples, pop corn, and crack nuts.” - -“Good! good!” cried several; and when the vote was taken, Stuffy’s -proposal carried the day. - -Some went to the cellar for apples, some to the garret for nuts, and -others looked up the popper and the corn. - -“We had better ask the girls to come in, hadn’t we?” said Demi, in a -sudden fit of politeness. - -“Daisy pricks chestnuts beautifully,” put in Nat, who wanted his little -friend to share the fun. - -“Nan pops corn tip-top, we must have her,” added Tommy. - -“Bring in your sweethearts then, we don’t mind,” said Jack, who laughed -at the innocent regard the little people had for one another. - -“You shan’t call my sister a sweetheart; it is so silly!” cried Demi, -in a way that made Jack laugh. - -“She _is_ Nat’s darling, isn’t she, old chirper?” - -“Yes, if Demi don’t mind. I can’t help being fond of her, she is so -good to me,” answered Nat, with bashful earnestness, for Jack’s rough -ways disturbed him. - -“Nan is my sweetheart, and I shall marry her in about a year, so -don’t you get in the way, any of you,” said Tommy, stoutly; for he -and Nan had settled their future, child-fashion, and were to live in -the willow, lower down a basket for food, and do other charmingly -impossible things. - -Demi was quenched by the decision of Bangs, who took him by the arm and -walked him off to get the ladies. Nan and Daisy were sewing with Aunt -Jo on certain small garments for Mrs. Carney’s newest baby. - -“Please, ma’am, could you lend us the girls for a little while? we’ll -be very careful of them,” said Tommy, winking one eye to express -apples, snapping his fingers to signify pop-corn, and gnashing his -teeth to convey the idea of nut-cracking. - -The girls understood this pantomime at once, and began to pull off -their thimbles before Mrs. Jo could decide whether Tommy was going -into convulsions or was brewing some unusual piece of mischief. Demi -explained with elaboration, permission was readily granted, and the -boys departed with their prize. - -“Don’t you speak to Jack,” whispered Tommy, as he and Nan promenaded -down the hall to get a fork to prick the apples. - -“Why not?” - -“He laughs at me, so I don’t wish you to have any thing to do with him.” - -“Shall, if I like,” said Nan, promptly resenting this premature -assumption of authority on the part of her lord. - -“Then I won’t have you for my sweetheart.” - -“I don’t care.” - -“Why, Nan, I thought you were fond of me!” and Tommy’s voice was full -of tender reproach. - -“If you mind Jack’s laughing I don’t care for you one bit.” - -“Then you may take back your old ring; I won’t wear it any longer;” and -Tommy plucked off a horse-hair pledge of affection which Nan had given -him in return for one made of a lobster’s feeler. - -“I shall give it to Ned,” was her cruel reply; for Ned liked Mrs. -Giddy-gaddy, and had turned her clothes-pins, boxes, and spools enough -to set up housekeeping with. - -Tommy said, “Thunder-turtles!” as the only vent equal to the pent-up -anguish of the moment, and, dropping Nan’s arm, retired in high -dudgeon, leaving her to follow with the fork,--a neglect which naughty -Nan punished by proceeding to prick his heart with jealousy as if it -were another sort of apple. - -The hearth was swept, and the rosy Baldwins put down to roast. A shovel -was heated, and the chestnuts danced merrily upon it, while the corn -popped wildly in its wire prison. Dan cracked his best walnuts, and -every one chattered and laughed, while the rain beat on the window-pane -and the wind howled round the house. - -“Why is Billy like this nut?” asked Emil, who was frequently inspired -with bad conundrums. - -“Because he is cracked,” answered Ned. - -“That’s not fair; you mustn’t make fun of Billy, because he can’t hit -back again. It’s mean,” cried Dan, smashing a nut wrathfully. - -“To what family of insects does Blake belong?” asked peacemaker Franz, -seeing that Emil looked ashamed and Dan lowering. - -“Gnats,” answered Jack. - -“Why is Daisy like a bee?” cried Nat, who had been wrapt in thought for -several minutes. - -“Because she is queen of the hive,” said Dan. - -“No.” - -“Because she is sweet.” - -“Bees are not sweet.” - -“Give it up.” - -“Because she makes sweet things, is always busy, and likes flowers,” -said Nat, piling up his boyish compliments till Daisy blushed like a -rosy clover. - -“Why is Nan like a hornet?” demanded Tommy, glowering at her, and -adding, without giving any one time to answer, “Because she _isn’t_ -sweet, makes a great buzzing about nothing, and stings like fury.” - -“Tommy’s mad, and I’m glad,” cried Ned, as Nan tossed her head and -answered quickly-- - -“What thing in the china-closet is Tom like?” - -“A pepper pot,” answered Ned, giving Nan a nut meat with a tantalizing -laugh that made Tommy feel as if he would like to bounce up like a hot -chestnut and hit somebody. - -Seeing that ill-humor was getting the better of the small supply of wit -in the company, Franz cast himself into the breach again. - -“Let’s make a law that the first person who comes into the room shall -tell us a story. No matter who it is, he must do it, and it will be fun -to see who comes first.” - -The others agreed, and did not have to wait long, for a heavy step soon -came clumping through the hall, and Silas appeared, bearing an armful -of wood. He was greeted by a general shout, and stood staring about him -with a bewildered grin on his big red face, till Franz explained the -joke. - -“Sho! I can’t tell a story,” he said, putting down his load and -preparing to leave the room. But the boys fell upon him, forced him -into a seat, and held him there, laughing and clamoring for their -story, till the good-natured giant was overpowered. - -“I don’t know but jest one story, and that’s about a horse,” he said, -much flattered by the reception he received. - -“Tell it! tell it!” cried the boys. - -“Wal,” began Silas, tipping his chair back against the wall, and -putting his thumbs in the arm-holes of his waistcoat, “I jined a -cavalry regiment durin’ the war, and see a consid’able amount of -fightin’. My horse, Major, was a fust-rate animal, and I was as fond on -him as ef he’d ben a human critter. He warn’t harnsome, but he was the -best-tempered, stiddyest, lovenest brute I ever see. The fust battle -we went into, he gave me a lesson that I didn’t forgit in a hurry, and -I’ll tell you how it was. It ain’t no use tryin’ to picter the noise -and hurry, and general horridness of a battle to you young fellers, for -I ain’t no words to do it in; but I’m free to confess that I got so -sort of confused and upset at the fust on it, that I didn’t know what -I was about. We was ordered to charge, and went ahead like good ones, -never stoppin’ to pick up them that went down in the scrimmage. I got a -shot in the arm, and was pitched out of the saddle--don’t know how, but -there I was left behind with two or three others, dead and wounded, for -the rest went on, as I say. Wal, I picked myself up and looked round -for Major, feeling as ef I’d had about enough for that spell. I didn’t -see him nowhere, and was kinder walking back to camp, when I heard -a whinny that sounded nateral. I looked round, and there was Major -stopping for me a long way off, and lookin’ as ef he didn’t understand -why I was loiterin’ behind. I whistled, and he trotted up to me as -I’d trained him to do. I mounted as well as I could with my left arm -bleedin’ and was for going on to camp, for I declare I felt as sick -and wimbly as a woman; folks often do in their fust battle. But, no, -sir! Major was the bravest of the two, and he wouldn’t go, not a peg; -he jest rared up, and danced, and snorted, and acted as ef the smell -of powder and the noise had drove him half wild. I done my best, but -he wouldn’t give in, so I did; and what do you think that plucky brute -done? He wheeled slap round, and galloped back like a hurricane, right -into the thickest of the scrimmage!” - -“Good for him!” cried Dan excitedly, while the other boys forgot apples -and nuts in their interest. - -“I wish I may die ef I warn’t ashamed of myself,” continued Silas, -warming up at the recollection of that day. “I was as mad as a hornet, -and I forgot my waound, and jest pitched in, rampagin’ raound like fury -till there come a shell into the midst of us, and in bustin’ knocked a -lot of us flat. I didn’t know nothin’ for a spell, and when I come-to, -the fight was over jest there, and I found myself layin’ by a wall with -poor Major long-side wuss wounded than I was. My leg was broke, and I -had a ball in my shoulder, but he, poor old feller! was all tore in the -side with a piece of that blasted shell.” - -“O Silas! what did you do?” cried Nan, pressing close to him with a -face full of eager sympathy and interest. - -“I dragged myself nigher, and tried to stop the bleedin’ with sech rags -as I could tear off of me with one hand. But it warn’t no use, and he -lay moanin’ with horrid pain, and lookin’ at me with them lovin’ eyes -of his, till I thought I couldn’t bear it. I give him all the help I -could, and when the sun got hotter and hotter, and he began to lap out -his tongue, I tried to get to a brook that was a good piece away, but I -couldn’t do it, being stiff and faint, so I give it up and fanned him -with my hat. Now you listen to this, and when you hear folks comin’ -down on the rebs, you jest remember what one on ’em did, and give him -the credit of it. A poor feller in gray laid not fur off, shot through -the lungs, and dying fast. I’d offered him my handkerchief to keep the -sun off his face, and he’d thanked me kindly, for in sech times as that -men don’t stop to think on which side they belong, but jest buckle-to -and help one another. When he see me mournin’ over Major and tryin’ -to ease his pain, he looked up with his face all damp and white with -sufferin’, and sez he, ‘There’s water in my canteen; take it, for it -can’t help me,’ and he flung it to me. I couldn’t have took it ef I -hadn’t had a little brandy in a pocket flask, and I made him drink it. -It done him good, and I felt as much set up as if I’d drunk it myself. -It’s surprisin’ the good sech little things do folks sometimes;” and -Silas paused as if he felt again the comfort of that moment when he and -his enemy forgot their feud, and helped one another like brothers. - -“Tell about Major,” cried the boys, impatient for the catastrophe. - -“I poured the water over his poor pantin’ tongue, and ef ever a dumb -critter looked grateful, he did then. But it warn’t of much use, for -the dreadful waound kep on tormentin’ him, till I couldn’t bear it any -longer. It was hard, but I done it in mercy, and I know he forgive me.” - -“What did you do?” asked Emil, as Silas stopped abruptly with a loud -“hem,” and a look in his rough face that made Daisy go and stand by -him with her little hand on his knee. - -“I shot him.” - -Quite a thrill went through the listeners as Silas said that, for -Major seemed a hero in their eyes, and his tragic end roused all their -sympathy. - -“Yes, I shot him, and put him out of his misery. I patted him fust, -and said, ‘Good-by;’ then I laid his head easy on the grass, give a -last look into his lovin’ eyes, and sent a bullet through his head. He -hardly stirred, I aimed so true, and when I see him quite still, with -no more moanin’ and pain, I was glad, and yet--wal, I don’t know as I -need be ashamed on’t--I jest put my arms raound his neck and boo-hooed -like a great baby. Sho! I didn’t know I was such a fool;” and Silas -drew his sleeve across his eyes, as much touched by Daisy’s sob, as by -the memory of faithful Major. - -No one spoke for a minute, because the boys were as quick to feel the -pathos of the little story as tender-hearted Daisy, though they did not -show it by crying. - -“I’d like a horse like that,” said Dan, half-aloud. - -“Did the rebel man die too?” asked Nan, anxiously. - -“Not then. We laid there all day, and at night some of our fellers came -to look after the missing ones. They nat’rally wanted to take me fust, -but I knew I could wait, and the rebel had but one chance, maybe, so I -made them carry him off right away. He had jest strength enough to hold -out his hand to me and say, ‘Thanky, comrade!’ and them was the last -words he spoke, for he died an hour after he got to the hospital-tent.” - -“How glad you must have been that you were kind to him!” said Demi, who -was deeply impressed by this story. - -“Wal, I did take comfort thinkin’ of it, as I laid there alone for a -number of hours with my head on Major’s neck, and see the moon come up. -I’d like to have buried the poor beast decent, but it warn’t possible; -so I cut off a bit of his mane, and I’ve kep it ever sence. Want to see -it, sissy?” - -“Oh, yes, please,” answered Daisy, wiping away her tears to look. - -Silas took out an old “wallet” as he called his pocket-book, and -produced from an inner fold a bit of brown paper, in which was a rough -lock of white horse-hair. The children looked at it silently, as it lay -in the broad palm, and no one found any thing to ridicule in the love -Silas bore his good horse Major. - -“That is a sweet story, and I like it, though it did make me cry. Thank -you very much, Si,” and Daisy helped him fold and put away his little -relic; while Nan stuffed a handful of pop-corn into his pocket, and the -boys loudly expressed their flattering opinions of his story, feeling -that there had been two heroes in it. - -He departed, quite overcome by his honors, and the little conspirators -talked the tale over, while they waited for their next victim. It was -Mrs. Jo, who came in to measure Nan for some new pinafores she was -making for her. They let her get well in, and then pounced upon her, -telling her the law, and demanding the story. Mrs. Jo was very much -amused at the new trap, and consented at once, for the sound of the -happy voices had been coming across the hall so pleasantly that she -quite longed to join them, and forget her own anxious thoughts of -Sister Meg. - -“Am I the first mouse you have caught, you sly pussies-in-boots?” -she asked, as she was conducted to the big chair, supplied with -refreshments, and surrounded by a flock of merry-faced listeners. - -They told her about Silas and his contribution, and she slapped her -forehead in despair, for she was quite at her wits’ end, being called -upon so unexpectedly for a bran new tale. - -“What _shall_ I tell about?” she said. - -“Boys,” was the general answer. - -“Have a party in it,” said Daisy. - -“And something good to eat,” added Stuffy. - -“That reminds me of a story, written years ago, by a dear old lady. I -used to be very fond of it, and I fancy you will like it, for it has -both boys, and ‘something good to eat’ in it.” - -“What is it called?” asked Demi. - -“‘The Suspected Boy.’” - -Nat looked up from the nuts he was picking, and Mrs. Jo smiled at him, -guessing what was in his mind. - -“Miss Crane kept a school for boys in a quiet little town, and a very -good school it was, of the old-fashioned sort. Six boys lived in her -house, and four or five more came in from the town. Among those who -lived with her was one named Lewis White. Lewis was not a bad boy, but -rather timid, and now and then he told a lie. One day a neighbor sent -Miss Crane a basket of gooseberries. There were not enough to go round, -so kind Miss Crane, who liked to please her boys, went to work and made -a dozen nice little gooseberry tarts.” - -“I’d like to try gooseberry tarts. I wonder if she made them as I do -my raspberry ones,” said Daisy, whose interest in cooking had lately -revived. - -“Hush,” said Nat, tucking a plump pop-corn into her mouth to silence -her, for he felt a peculiar interest in this tale, and thought it -opened well. - -“When the tarts were done, Miss Crane put them away in the best parlor -closet, and said not a word about them, for she wanted to surprise the -boys at tea-time. When the minute came and all were seated at table, -she went to get her tarts, but came back looking much troubled, for -what do you think had happened?” - -“Somebody had hooked them!” cried Ned. - -“No, there they were, but some one _had_ stolen all the fruit out of -them by lifting up the upper crust and then putting it down after the -gooseberry had been scraped out.” - -“What a mean trick!” and Nan looked at Tommy, as if to imply that he -would do the same. - -“When she told the boys her plan and showed them the poor little -patties all robbed of their sweetness, the boys were much grieved and -disappointed, and all declared that they knew nothing about the matter. -‘Perhaps the rats did it,’ said Lewis, who was among the loudest to -deny any knowledge of the tarts. ‘No, rats would have nibbled crust and -all, and never lifted it up and scooped out the fruit. Hands did that,’ -said Miss Crane, who was more troubled about the lie that some one must -have told than about her lost patties. Well, they had supper and went -to bed, but in the night Miss Crane heard some one groaning, and going -to see who it was she found Lewis in great pain. He had evidently eaten -something that disagreed with him, and was so sick that Miss Crane was -alarmed, and was going to send for the doctor, when Lewis moaned out, -‘It’s the gooseberries; I ate them, and I _must_ tell before I die,’ -for the thought of a doctor frightened him. ‘If that is all, I’ll -give you an emetic and you will soon get over it,’ said Miss Crane. -So Lewis had a good dose, and by morning was quite comfortable. ‘Oh, -don’t tell the boys; they will laugh at me so,’ begged the invalid. -Kind Miss Crane promised not to, but Sally, the girl, told the story, -and poor Lewis had no peace for a long time. His mates called him Old -Gooseberry, and were never tired of asking him the price of tarts.” - -“Served him right,” said Emil. - -“Badness always gets found out,” added Demi, morally. - -“No, it don’t,” muttered Jack, who was tending the apples with great -devotion, so that he might keep his back to the rest and account for -his red face. - -“Is that all?” asked Dan. - -“No, that is only the first part; the second part is more interesting. -Some time after this a peddler came by one day and stopped to show his -things to the boys, several of whom bought pocket-combs, jew’s-harps, -and various trifles of that sort. Among the knives was a little -white-handled penknife that Lewis wanted very much, but he had spent -all his pocket-money, and no one had any to lend him. He held the knife -in his hand, admiring and longing for it, till the man packed up his -goods to go, then he reluctantly laid it down, and the man went on his -way. The next day, however, the peddler returned to say that he could -not find that very knife, and thought he must have left it at Miss -Crane’s. It was a very nice one with a pearl handle, and he could not -afford to lose it. Every one looked, and every one declared they knew -nothing about it. ‘This young gentleman had it last, and seemed to -want it very much. Are you quite sure you put it back?’ said the man -to Lewis, who was much troubled at the loss, and vowed over and over -again that he did return it. His denials seemed to do no good, however, -for every one was sure he had taken it, and after a stormy scene Miss -Crane paid for it, and the man went grumbling away.” - -“Did Lewis have it?” cried Nat, much excited. - -“You will see. Now poor Lewis had another trial to bear, for the boys -were constantly saying, ‘Lend me your pearl-handled knife, Gooseberry,’ -and things of that sort, till Lewis was so unhappy he begged to be sent -home. Miss Crane did her best to keep the boys quiet, but it was hard -work, for they would tease, and she could not be with them all the -time. That is one of the hardest things to teach boys; they won’t ‘hit -a fellow when he is down,’ as they say, but they will torment him in -little ways till he would thank them to fight it out all round.” - -“I know that,” said Dan. - -“So do I,” added Nat, softly. - -Jack said nothing, but he quite agreed; for he knew that the elder boys -despised him, and let him alone for that very reason. - -“Do go on about poor Lewis, Aunt Jo. I don’t believe he took the knife, -but I want to be sure,” said Daisy, in great anxiety. - -“Well, week after week went on and the matter was not cleared up. The -boys avoided Lewis, and he, poor fellow, was almost sick with the -trouble he had brought upon himself. He resolved never to tell another -lie, and tried so hard that Miss Crane pitied and helped him, and -really came at last to believe that he did not take the knife. Two -months after the peddler’s first visit, he came again, and the first -thing he said was-- - -“‘Well, ma’am, I found that knife after all. It had slipped behind the -lining of my valise, and fell out the other day when I was putting in a -new stock of goods. I thought I’d call and let you know, as you paid -for it, and maybe would like it, so here it is.’ - -“The boys had all gathered round, and at these words they felt much -ashamed, and begged Lewis’ pardon so heartily that he could not refuse -to give it. Miss Crane presented the knife to him, and he kept it many -years to remind him of the fault that had brought him so much trouble.” - -“I wonder why it is that things you eat on the sly hurt you, and don’t -when you eat them at table,” observed Stuffy, thoughtfully. - -“Perhaps your conscience affects your stomach,” said Mrs. Jo, smiling -at his speech. - -“He is thinking of the cucumbers,” said Ned, and a gale of merriment -followed the words, for Stuffy’s last mishap had been a funny one. - -He ate two large cucumbers in private, felt very ill, and confided -his anguish to Ned, imploring him to do something. Ned good-naturedly -recommended a mustard plaster and a hot flat iron to the feet; only in -applying these remedies he reversed the order of things, and put the -plaster on the feet, the flat iron on the stomach, and poor Stuffy was -found in the barn with blistered soles and a scorched jacket. - -“Suppose you tell another story, that was such an interesting one,” -said Nat, as the laughter subsided. - -Before Mrs. Jo could refuse these insatiable Oliver Twists, Rob walked -into the room trailing his little bed-cover after him, and wearing an -expression of great sweetness as he said, steering straight to his -mother as a sure haven of refuge,-- - -“I heard a great noise, and I thought sumfin dreffle might have -happened, so I came to see.” - -“Did you think I would forget you, naughty boy?” asked his mother, -trying to look stern. - -“No; but I thought you’d feel better to see me right here,” responded -the insinuating little party. - -“I had much rather see you in bed, so march straight up again, Robin.” - -“Everybody that comes in here has to tell a story, and you can’t, so -you’d better cut and run,” said Emil. - -“Yes, I can! I tell Teddy lots of ones, all about bears and moons, and -little flies that say things when they buzz,” protested Rob, bound to -stay at any price. - -“Tell one now, then, right away,” said Dan, preparing to shoulder and -bear him off. - -“Well, I will; let me fink a minute,” and Rob climbed into his mother’s -lap, where he was cuddled, with the remark-- - -“It is a family failing, this getting out of bed at wrong times. Demi -used to do it; and as for me, I was hopping in and out all night long. -Meg used to think the house was on fire, and send me down to see, and I -used to stay and enjoy myself, as you mean to, my bad son.” - -“I’ve finked now,” observed Rob, quite at his ease, and eager to win -the _entrée_ into this delightful circle. - -Every one looked and listened with faces full of suppressed merriment -as Rob, perched on his mother’s knee and wrapped in the gay coverlet, -told the following brief but tragic tale with an earnestness that made -it very funny:-- - -“Once a lady had a million children, and one nice little boy. She went -up-stairs and said, ‘You mustn’t go in the yard.’ But he wented, and -fell into the pump, and was drowned dead.” - -“Is that all?” asked Franz, as Rob paused out of breath with this -startling beginning. - -“No, there is another piece of it,” and Rob knit his downy eyebrows in -the effort to evolve another inspiration. - -“What did the lady do when he fell into the pump?” asked his mother, to -help him on. - -“Oh, she pumped him up, and wrapped him in a newspaper, and put him on -a shelf to dry for seed.” - -A general explosion of laughter greeted this surprising conclusion, and -Mrs. Jo patted the curly head, as she said, solemnly,-- - -“My son, you inherit your mother’s gift of story-telling. Go where -glory waits thee.” - -“Now I can stay, can’t I? Wasn’t it a good story?” cried Rob, in high -feather at his superb success. - -“You can stay till you have eaten these twelve pop-corns,” said his -mother, expecting to see them vanish at one mouthful. - -But Rob was a shrewd little man, and got the better of her by eating -them one by one very slowly, and enjoying every minute with all his -might. - -“Hadn’t you better tell the other story, while you wait for him?” said -Demi, anxious that no time should be lost. - -“I really have nothing but a little tale about a wood-box,” said Mrs. -Jo, seeing that Rob had still seven corns to eat. - -“Is there a boy in it?” - -“It is all boy.” - -“Is it true?” asked Demi. - -“Every bit of it.” - -“Goody! tell on, please.” - -“James Snow and his mother lived in a little house, up in New -Hampshire. They were poor, and James had to work to help his mother, -but he loved books so well he hated work, and just wanted to sit and -study all day long.” - -“How could he! I hate books, and like work,” said Dan, objecting to -James at the very outset. - -“It takes all sorts of people to make a world; workers and students -both are needed, and there is room for all. But I think the workers -should study some, and the students should know how to work if -necessary,” answered Mrs. Jo, looking from Dan to Demi with a -significant expression. - -“I’m sure I do work,” and Demi showed three small hard spots in his -little palm, with pride. - -“And I’m sure I study,” added Dan, nodding with a groan toward the -blackboard full of neat figures. - -“See what James did. He did not mean to be selfish, but his mother was -proud of him, and let him do as he liked, working away by herself that -he might have books and time to read them. One autumn James wanted to -go to school, and went to the minister to see if he would help him, -about decent clothes and books. Now the minister had heard the gossip -about James’s idleness, and was not inclined to do much for him, -thinking that a boy who neglected his mother, and let her slave for -him, was not likely to do very well even at school. But the good man -felt more interested when he found how earnest James was, and being -rather an odd man, he made this proposal to the boy, to try how sincere -he was. - -“‘I will give you clothes and books on one condition, James.’ - -“‘What is that, sir?’ and the boy brightened up at once. - -“‘You are to keep your mother’s wood-box full all winter long, and do -it yourself. If you fail, school stops.’ James laughed at the queer -condition and readily agreed to it, thinking it a very easy one. - -“He began school, and for a time got on capitally with the wood-box, -for it was autumn, and chips and brush-wood were plentiful. He ran out -morning and evening and got a basket full, or chopped up the cat sticks -for the little cooking stove, and as his mother was careful and saving, -the task was not hard. But in November the frost came, the days were -dull and cold, and wood went fast. His mother bought a load with her -own earnings, but it seemed to melt away, and was nearly gone, before -James remembered that _he_ was to get the next. Mrs. Snow was feeble -and lame with rheumatism, and unable to work as she had done, so James -had to put down his books, and see what he could do. - -“It was hard, for he was going on well, and so interested in his -lessons that he hated to stop except for food and sleep. But he knew -the minister would keep his word, and much against his will James -set about earning money in his spare hours, lest the wood-box should -get empty. He did all sorts of things, ran errands, took care of a -neighbor’s cow, helped the old sexton dust and warm the church on -Sundays, and in these ways got enough to buy fuel in small quantities. -But it was hard work; the days were short, the winter was bitterly -cold, the precious time went fast, and the dear books were so -fascinating, that it was sad to leave them, for dull duties that never -seemed done. - -“The minister watched him quietly, and seeing that he was in earnest -helped him without his knowledge. He met him often driving the wood -sleds from the forest, where the men were chopping, and as James -plodded beside the slow oxen, he read or studied, anxious to use every -minute. ‘The boy is worth helping, this lesson will do him good, and -when he has learned it, I will give him an easier one,’ said the -minister to himself, and on Christmas eve a splendid load of wood was -quietly dropped at the door of the little house, with a new saw and a -bit of paper, saying only-- - -“‘The Lord helps those who help themselves.’ - -“Poor James expected nothing, but when he woke on that cold Christmas -morning, he found a pair of warm mittens, knit by his mother, with her -stiff painful fingers. This gift pleased him very much, but her kiss -and tender look as she called him her ‘good son,’ was better still. -In trying to keep her warm, he had warmed his own heart, you see, and -in filling the wood-box he had also filled those months with duties -faithfully done. He began to see this, to feel that there was something -better than books, and to try to learn the lessons God set him, as well -as those his school-master gave. - -“When he saw the great pile of oak and pine logs at his door, and read -the little paper, he knew who sent it, and understood the minister’s -plan; thanked him for it, and fell to work with all his might. Other -boys frolicked that day, but James sawed wood, and I think of all the -lads in the town the happiest was the one in the new mittens, who -whistled like a blackbird as he filled his mother’s wood-box.” - -“That’s a first rater!” cried Dan, who enjoyed a simple matter-of-fact -story better than the finest fairy tale; “I like that fellow after all.” - -“I could saw wood for you, Aunt Jo!” said Demi, feeling as if a new -means of earning money for his mother was suggested by the story. - -“Tell about a bad boy. I like them best,” said Nan. - -“You’d better tell about a naughty cross-patch of a girl,” said Tommy, -whose evening had been spoilt by Nan’s unkindness. It made his apple -taste bitter, his pop-corn was insipid, his nuts were hard to crack, -and the sight of Ned and Nan on one bench made him feel his life a -burden. - -But there were no more stories from Mrs. Jo, for on looking down at Rob -he was discovered to be fast asleep with his last corn firmly clasped -in his chubby hand. Bundling him up in his coverlet, his mother carried -him away and tucked him up with no fear of his popping out again. - -“Now let’s see who will come next,” said Emil, setting the door -temptingly ajar. - -Mary Ann passed first, and he called out to her, but Silas had warned -her, and she only laughed and hurried on in spite of their enticements. -Presently a door opened, and a strong voice was heard humming in the -hall-- - - “Ich weiss nicht was soll es bedeuten - Dass ich so traurig bin.” - -“It’s Uncle Fritz; all laugh loud and he will be sure to come in,” said -Emil. - -A wild burst of laughter followed, and in came Uncle Fritz, asking, -“What is the joke, my lads?” - -“Caught! caught! you can’t go out till you’ve told a story,” cried the -boys, slamming the door. - -“So! that is the joke then? Well, I have no wish to go, it is so -pleasant here, and I pay my forfeit at once,” which he did by sitting -down and beginning instantly-- - -“A long time ago your Grandfather, Demi, went to lecture in a great -town, hoping to get some money for a home for little orphans that -some good people were getting up. His lecture did well, and he put a -considerable sum of money in his pocket, feeling very happy about it. -As he was driving in a chaise to another town, he came to a lonely bit -of road, late in the afternoon, and was just thinking what a good place -it was for robbers when he saw a bad-looking man come out of the woods -in front of him and go slowly along as if waiting till he came up. The -thought of the money made Grandfather rather anxious, and at first he -had a mind to turn round and drive away. But the horse was tired, and -then he did not like to suspect the man, so he kept on, and when he got -nearer and saw how poor and sick and ragged the stranger looked, his -heart reproached him, and stopping, he said in his kind voice-- - -“‘My friend, you look tired; let me give you a lift.’ The man seemed -surprised, hesitated a minute, and then got in. He did not seem -inclined to talk, but Grandfather kept on in his wise, cheerful way, -speaking of what a hard year it had been, how much the poor had -suffered, and how difficult it was to get on sometimes. The man slowly -softened a little, and, won by the kind chat, told his story. How he -had been sick, could get no work, had a family of children, and was -almost in despair. Grandfather was so full of pity that he forgot his -fear, and, asking the man his name, said he would try and get him work -in the next town, as he had friends there. Wishing to get at pencil -and paper, to write down the address, Grandfather took out his plump -pocket-book, and the minute he did so, the man’s eye was on it. Then -Grandfather remembered what was in it and trembled for his money, but -said quietly-- - -“‘Yes, I have a little sum here for some poor orphans. I wish it was my -own, I would so gladly give you some of it. I am not rich, but I know -many of the trials of the poor; this five dollars is mine, and I want -to give it to you for your children.’ - -“The hard, hungry look in the man’s eyes changed to a grateful one -as he took the small sum, freely given, and left the orphans’ money -untouched. He rode on with Grandfather till they approached the town, -then he asked to be set down. Grandpa shook hands with him, and was -about to drive on, when the man said, as if something made him, ‘I was -desperate when we met, and I meant to rob you, but you were so kind I -couldn’t do it. God bless you, sir, for keeping me from it!’” - -“Did Grandpa ever see him again?” asked Daisy, eagerly. - -“No; but I believe the man found work, and did not try robbery any -more.” - -“That was a curious way to treat him; I’d have knocked him down,” said -Dan. - -“Kindness is always better than force. Try it and see,” answered Mr. -Bhaer, rising. - -“Tell another, please,” cried Daisy. - -“You must, Aunt Jo did,” added Demi. - -“Then I certainly won’t, but keep my others for next time. Too many -tales are as bad as too many bonbons. I have paid my forfeit and I go,” -and Mr. Bhaer ran for his life, with the whole flock in full pursuit. -He had the start, however, and escaped safely into his study, leaving -the boys to go rioting back again. - -They were so stirred up by the race that they could not settle to their -former quiet, and a lively game of Blind-man’s Buff followed, in which -Tommy showed that he had taken the moral of the last story to heart, -for, when he caught Nan, he whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry I called -you a cross-patch.” - -Nan was not to be outdone in kindness, so, when they played “Button, -button, who’s got the button?” and it was her turn to go round, she -said, “Hold fast all I give you,” with such a friendly smile at Tommy, -that he was not surprised to find the horse-hair ring in his hand -instead of the button. He only smiled back at her then, but when they -were going to bed, he offered Nan the best bite of his last apple; she -saw the ring on his stumpy little finger, accepted the bite, and peace -was declared. Both were sorry for the temporary coldness, neither was -ashamed to say, “I was wrong, forgive me,” so the childish friendship -remained unbroken, and the home in the willow lasted long, a pleasant -little castle in the air. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -THANKSGIVING - - -This yearly festival was always kept at Plumfield in the good -old-fashioned way, and nothing was allowed to interfere with it. For -days beforehand, the little girls helped Asia and Mrs. Jo in store-room -and kitchen, making pies and puddings, sorting fruit, dusting dishes, -and being very busy and immensely important. The boys hovered on the -outskirts of the forbidden ground, sniffing the savory odors, peeping -in at the mysterious performances, and occasionally being permitted to -taste some delicacy in the process of preparation. - -Something more than usual seemed to be on foot this year, for the girls -were as busy up-stairs as down, so were the boys in school-room and -barn, and a general air of bustle pervaded the house. There was a great -hunting up of old ribbons and finery, much cutting and pasting of gold -paper, and the most remarkable quantity of straw, gray cotton, flannel, -and big black beads, used by Franz and Mrs. Jo. Ned hammered at -strange machines in the workshop, Demi and Tommy went about murmuring -to themselves as if learning something. A fearful racket was heard in -Emil’s room at intervals, and peals of laughter from the nursery when -Rob and Teddy were sent for and hidden from sight whole hours at a -time. But the thing that puzzled Mr. Bhaer the most was what became -of Rob’s big pumpkin. It had been borne in triumph to the kitchen, -where a dozen golden-tinted pies soon after appeared. It would not -have taken more than a quarter of the mammoth vegetable to make them, -yet where was the rest? It disappeared, and Rob never seemed to care, -only chuckled, when it was mentioned, and told his father, “To wait and -see,” for the fun of the whole thing was to surprise Father Bhaer at -the end, and not let him know a bit about what was to happen. - -He obediently shut eyes, ears, and mouth, and went about trying not -to see what was in plain sight, not to hear the tell-tale sounds that -filled the air, not to understand any of the perfectly transparent -mysteries going on all about him. Being a German, he loved these simple -domestic festivals, and encouraged them with all his heart, for they -made home so pleasant that the boys did not care to go elsewhere for -fun. - -When at last the day came, the boys went off for a long walk, that they -might have good appetites for dinner; as if they ever needed them! The -girls remained at home to help set the table, and give last touches to -various affairs which filled their busy little souls with anxiety. The -school-room had been shut up since the night before, and Mr. Bhaer was -forbidden to enter it on pain of a beating from Teddy, who guarded the -door like a small dragon, though he was dying to tell about it, and -nothing but his father’s heroic self-denial in not listening, kept him -from betraying the grand secret. - -“It’s all done, and it’s perfectly splendid,” cried Nan, coming out at -last with an air of triumph. - -“The----you know--goes beautifully, and Silas knows just what to do -now,” added Daisy, skipping with delight at some unspeakable success. - -“I’m blest if it ain’t the ’cutest thing I ever see, them critters in -particular,” and Silas, who had been let into the secret, went off -laughing like a great boy. - -“They are coming; I hear Emil roaring ‘Land lubbers lying down below,’ -so we must run and dress,” cried Nan, and up-stairs they scampered in a -great hurry. - -The boys came trooping home with appetites that would have made the big -turkey tremble, if it had not been past all fear. They also retired to -dress; and for half-an-hour there was a washing, brushing, and prinking -that would have done any tidy woman’s heart good to see. When the bell -rang, a troop of fresh-faced lads with shiny hair, clean collars, and -Sunday jackets on, filed into the dining-room, where Mrs. Jo, in her -one black silk, with a knot of her favorite white chrysanthemums in her -bosom, sat at the head of the table, “looking splendid,” as the boys -said, whenever she got herself up. Daisy and Nan were as gay as a posy -bed in their new winter dresses, with bright sashes and hair ribbons. -Teddy was gorgeous to behold in a crimson merino blouse, and his best -button boots, which absorbed and distracted him as much as Mr. Toot’s -wristbands did on one occasion. - -As Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer glanced at each other down the long table, -with those rows of happy faces on either side, they had a little -thanksgiving, all to themselves, and without a word, for one heart said -to the other,--“Our work has prospered, let us be grateful and go on.” - -The clatter of knives and forks prevented much conversation for a -few minutes, and Mary Ann with an amazing pink bow in her hair “flew -around” briskly, handing plates and ladling out gravy. Nearly every -one had contributed to the feast, so the dinner was a peculiarly -interesting one to the eaters of it, who beguiled the pauses by remarks -on their own productions. - -“If these are not good potatoes I never saw any,” observed Jack, as he -received his fourth big mealy one. - -“Some of my herbs are in the stuffing of the turkey, that’s why it’s so -nice,” said Nan, taking a mouthful with intense satisfaction. - -“My ducks are prime any way; Asia said she never cooked such fat ones,” -added Tommy. - -“Well, our carrots are beautiful, ain’t they, and our parsnips will be -ever so good when we dig them,” put in Dick, and Dolly murmured his -assent from behind the bone he was picking. - -“I helped make the pies with my pumpkin,” called out Robby, with a -laugh which he stopped by retiring into his mug. - -“I picked some of the apples that the cider is made of,” said Demi. - -“I raked the cranberries for the sauce,” cried Nat. - -“I got the nuts,” added Dan, and so it went on all round the table. - -“Who made up Thanksgiving?” asked Rob, for being lately promoted -to jacket and trousers he felt a new and manly interest in the -institutions of his country. - -“See who can answer that question,” and Mr. Bhaer nodded to one or two -of his best history boys. - -“I know,” said Demi, “the Pilgrims made it.” - -“What for?” asked Rob, without waiting to learn who the Pilgrims were. - -“I forget,” and Demi subsided. - -“I believe it was because they were not starved once, and so when they -had a good harvest, they said, ‘We will thank God for it,’ and they had -a day and called it Thanksgiving,” said Dan, who liked the story of the -brave men who suffered so nobly for their faith. - -“Good! I didn’t think you would remember any thing but natural -history,” and Mr. Bhaer tapped gently on the table as applause for his -pupil. - -Dan looked pleased; and Mrs. Jo said to her son, “Now do you understand -about it, Robby?” - -“No, I don’t. I thought pil-grins were a sort of big bird that lived on -rocks, and I saw pictures of them in Demi’s book.” - -“He means penguins. Oh, isn’t he a little goosey!” and Demi laid back -in his chair and laughed aloud. - -“Don’t laugh at him, but tell him all about it if you can,” said Mrs. -Bhaer, consoling Rob with more cranberry sauce for the general smile -that went round the table at his mistake. - -“Well, I will;” and, after a pause to collect his ideas, Demi delivered -the following sketch of the Pilgrim Fathers, which would have made even -those grave gentlemen smile if they could have heard it. - -“You see, Rob, some of the people in England didn’t like the king, or -something, so they got into ships and sailed away to this country. It -was all full of Indians, and bears, and wild creatures, and they lived -in forts, and had a dreadful time.” - -“The bears?” asked Robby, with interest. - -“No; the Pilgrims, because the Indians troubled them. They hadn’t -enough to eat, and they went to church with guns, and ever so many -died, and they got out of the ships on a rock, and it’s called Plymouth -Rock, and Aunt Jo saw it and touched it. The Pilgrims killed all the -Indians, and got rich; and hung the witches, and were very good; and -some of my greatest great-grandpas came in the ships. One was the -Mayflower; and they made Thanksgiving, and we have it always, and I -like it. Some more turkey, please.” - -“I think Demi will be an historian, there is such order and clearness -in his account of events;” and Uncle Fritz’s eyes laughed at Aunt Jo, -as he helped the descendant of the Pilgrims to his third bit of turkey. - -“I thought you must eat as much as ever you could on Thanksgiving. -But Franz says you mustn’t even then;” and Stuffy looked as if he had -received bad news. - -“Franz is right, so mind your knife and fork, and be moderate, or else -you won’t be able to help in the surprise by and by,” said Mrs. Jo. - -“I’ll be careful; but everybody does eat lots, and I like it better -than being moderate,” said Stuffy, who leaned to the popular belief -that Thanksgiving must be kept by coming as near apoplexy as possible, -and escaping with merely a fit of indigestion or a headache. - -“Now, my ‘pilgrims’, amuse yourselves quietly till tea-time, for you -will have enough excitement this evening,” said Mrs. Jo, as they rose -from the table after a protracted sitting, finished by drinking every -one’s health in cider. - -“I think I will take the whole flock for a drive, it is so pleasant; -then you can rest, my dear, or you will be worn out this evening,” -added Mr. Bhaer; and as soon as coats and hats could be put on, the -great omnibus was packed full, and away they went for a long gay drive, -leaving Mrs. Jo to rest and finish sundry small affairs in peace. - -An early and light tea was followed by more brushing of hair and -washing of hands; then the flock waited impatiently for the company -to come. Only the family was expected; for these small revels were -strictly domestic, and such being the case, sorrow was not allowed to -sadden the present festival. All came; Mr. and Mrs. March, with Aunt -Meg, so sweet and lovely, in spite of her black dress and the little -widow’s cap that encircled her tranquil face. Uncle Teddy and Aunt Amy, -with the Princess looking more fairy-like than ever, in a sky-blue -gown, and a great bouquet of hot-house flowers, which she divided among -the boys, sticking one in each buttonhole, making them feel peculiarly -elegant and festive. One strange face appeared, and Uncle Teddy led the -unknown gentleman up to the Bhaers, saying-- - -“This is Mr. Hyde; he has been inquiring about Dan, and I ventured to -bring him to-night, that he might see how much the boy has improved.” - -The Bhaers received him cordially, for Dan’s sake, pleased that the lad -had been remembered. But, after a few minutes’ chat, they were glad -to know Mr. Hyde for his own sake, so genial, simple, and interesting -was he. It was pleasant to see the boy’s face light up when he caught -sight of his friend; pleasanter still to see Mr. Hyde’s surprise and -satisfaction in Dan’s improved manners and appearance, and pleasantest -of all to watch the two sit talking in a corner, forgetting the -differences of age, culture, and position, in the one subject which -interested both, as man and boy compared notes, and told the story of -their summer life. - -“The performances must begin soon, or the actors will go to sleep,” -said Mrs. Jo, when the first greetings were over. - -So every one went into the school-room, and took seats before a curtain -made of two big bed-covers. The children had already vanished; but -stifled laughter, and funny little exclamations from behind the -curtain, betrayed their whereabouts. The entertainment began with a -spirited exhibition of gymnastics, led by Franz. The six elder lads, -in blue trousers and red shirts, made a fine display of muscle with -dumb-bells, clubs, and weights, keeping time to the music of the -piano, played by Mrs. Jo behind the scenes. Dan was so energetic in -this exercise, that there was some danger of his knocking down his -neighbors, like so many nine-pins, or sending his bean-bags whizzing -among the audience; for he was excited by Mr. Hyde’s presence, and a -burning desire to do honor to his teachers. - -“A fine, strong lad. If I go on my trip to South America, in a year or -two, I shall be tempted to ask you to lend him to me, Mr. Bhaer,” said -Mr. Hyde, whose interest in Dan was much increased by the report he had -just heard of him. - -“You shall have him, and welcome, though we shall miss our young -Hercules very much. It would do him a world of good, and I am sure he -would serve his friend faithfully.” - -Dan heard both question and answer, and his heart leaped with joy at -the thought of travelling in a new country with Mr. Hyde, and swelled -with gratitude for the kindly commendation which rewarded his efforts -to be all these friends desired to see him. - -After the gymnastics, Demi and Tommy spoke the old school dialogue, -“Money makes the mare go.” Demi did very well, but Tommy was capital -as the old farmer; for he imitated Silas in a way that convulsed the -audience, and caused Silas himself to laugh so hard that Asia had -to slap him on the back, as they stood in the hall enjoying the fun -immensely. - -Then Emil, who had got his breath by this time, gave them a sea-song -in costume, with a great deal about “stormy winds,” “lee shores,” and a -rousing chorus of “Luff, boys, luff,” which made the room ring; after -which Ned performed a funny Chinese dance, and hopped about like a -large frog in a pagoda hat. As this was the only public exhibition ever -had at Plumfield, a few exercises in lightning-arithmetic, spelling, -and reading were given. Jack quite amazed the public by his rapid -calculations on the blackboard. Tommy won in the spelling match, and -Demi read a little French fable so well that Uncle Teddy was charmed. - -“Where are the other children?” asked every one as the curtain fell, -and none of the little ones appeared. - -“Oh, that is the surprise. It’s so lovely, I pity you because you don’t -know it,” said Demi, who had gone to get his mother’s kiss, and stayed -by her to explain the mystery when it should be revealed. - -Goldilocks had been carried off by Aunt Jo, to the great amazement of -her papa, who quite outdid Mr. Bhaer in acting wonder, suspense, and -wild impatience to know “what was going to happen.” - -At last, after much rustling, hammering, and very audible directions -from the stage manager, the curtain rose to soft music, and Bess was -discovered sitting on a stool beside a brown paper fire-place. A dearer -little Cinderella was never seen; for the gray gown was very ragged, -the tiny shoes all worn, the face so pretty under the bright hair, -and the attitude so dejected, it brought tears, as well as smiles, to -the fond eyes looking at the baby actress. She sat quite still, till -a voice whispered, “Now!”--then she sighed a funny little sigh, and -said, “Oh, I wish I tood go to the ball!” so naturally, that her father -clapped frantically, and her mother called out, “Little darling!” -These highly improper expressions of feeling caused Cinderella to -forget herself, and shake her head at them, saying, reprovingly, “You -mustn’t ’peak to me.” - -Silence instantly prevailed, and three taps were heard on the wall. -Cinderella looked alarmed, but before she could remember to say, “What -is dat?” the back of the brown paper fire-place opened like a door, -and, with some difficulty, the fairy godmother got herself and her -pointed hat through. It was Nan, in a red cloak, a cap, and a wand, -which she waved as she said decidedly,-- - -“You _shall_ go to the ball, my dear.” - -“Now you must pull and show my pretty dress,” returned Cinderella, -tugging at her brown gown. - -“No, no; you must say, ‘How can I go in my rags?’” said the godmother -in her own voice. - -“Oh yes, so I mus;” and the Princess said it, quite undisturbed at her -forgetfulness. - -“I change your rags into a splendid dress, because you are good,” said -the godmother in her stage tones; and deliberately unbuttoning the -brown pinafore, she displayed a gorgeous sight. - -The little Princess really was pretty enough to turn the heads of any -number of small princes, for her mamma had dressed her like a tiny -court lady, in a rosy silk train with satin under-skirt, and bits of -bouquets here and there, quite lovely to behold. The godmother put a -crown, with pink and white feathers drooping from it, on her head, and -gave her a pair of silver paper slippers, which she put on, and then -stood up, lifting her skirts to show them to the audience, saying, with -pride, “My dlass ones, ain’t they pitty?” - -She was so charmed with them, that she was with difficulty recalled to -her part, and made to say-- - -“But I have no toach, Dodmother.” - -“Behold it!” and Nan waved her wand with such a flourish, that she -nearly knocked off the crown of the Princess. - -Then appeared the grand triumph of the piece. First, a rope was seen -to flap on the floor, to tighten with a twitch as Emil’s voice was -heard to say, “Heave, ahoy!” and Silas’s gruff one to reply, “Stiddy, -now, stiddy!” A shout of laughter followed, for four large gray rats -appeared, rather shaky as to their legs and queer as to their tails, -but quite fine about the head, where black beads shone in the most -lifelike manner. They drew, or were intended to appear as if they did, -a magnificent coach made of half the mammoth pumpkin, mounted on the -wheels of Teddy’s wagon, painted yellow to match the gay carriage. -Perched on a seat in front sat a jolly little coachman in a white -cotton-wool wig, cocked hat, scarlet breeches, and laced coat, who -cracked a long whip and jerked the red reins so energetically, that -the gray steeds reared finely. It was Teddy, and he beamed upon the -company so affably that they gave him a round all to himself; and Uncle -Laurie said, “If I could find as sober a coachman as that one, I would -engage him on the spot.” The coach stopped, the godmother lifted in the -Princess, and she was trundled away in state, kissing her hand to the -public, with her glass shoes sticking up in front, and her pink train -sweeping the ground behind, for, elegant as the coach was, I regret to -say that her Highness was rather a tight fit. - -The next scene was the ball, and here Nan and Daisy appeared as gay as -peacocks in all sorts of finery. Nan was especially good as the proud -sister, and crushed many imaginary ladies as she swept about the -palace-hall. The Prince, in solitary state upon a somewhat unsteady -throne, sat gazing about him from under an imposing crown, as he played -with his sword and admired the rosettes in his shoes. When Cinderella -came in he jumped up, and exclaimed, with more warmth than elegance,-- - -“My gracious! who is that?” and immediately led the lady out to dance, -while the sisters scowled and turned up their noses in the corner. - -The stately jig executed by the little couple was very pretty, for the -childish faces were so earnest, the costumes so gay, and the steps -so peculiar, that they looked like the dainty quaint figures painted -on a Watteau fan. The Princess’s train was very much in her way, and -the sword of Prince Rob nearly tripped him up several times. But they -overcame these obstacles remarkably well, and finished the dance with -much grace and spirit, considering that neither knew what the other was -about. - -“Drop your shoe,” whispered Mrs. Jo’s voice as the lady was about to -sit down. - -“Oh, I fordot!” and, taking off one of the silvery slippers, Cinderella -planted it carefully in the middle of the stage, said to Rob, “Now you -must try and tatch me,” and ran away, while the Prince, picking up the -shoe, obediently trotted after her. - -The third scene, as everybody knows, is where the herald comes to try -on the shoe. Teddy, still in coachman’s dress, came in blowing a tin -fish-horn melodiously, and the proud sisters each tried to put on the -slipper. Nan insisted on playing cut off her toe with a carving-knife, -and performed that operation so well that the herald was alarmed, and -begged to be “welly keerful.” Cinderella then was called, and came in -with the pinafore half on, slipped her foot into the slipper, and -announced, with satisfaction,-- - -“I am the Pinsiss.” - -Daisy wept, and begged pardon; but Nan, who liked tragedy, improved -upon the story, and fell in a fainting-fit upon the floor, where she -remained comfortably enjoying the rest of the play. It was not long, -for the Prince ran in, dropped upon his knees, and kissed the hand -of Goldilocks with great ardor, while the herald blew a blast that -nearly deafened the audience. The curtain had no chance to fall, for -the Princess ran off the stage to her father, crying, “Didn’t I do it -well?” while the Prince and herald had a fencing-match with the tin -horn and wooden sword. - -“It was beautiful!” said every one; and, when the raptures had a little -subsided, Nat came out with his violin in his hand. - -“Hush! hush!” cried all the children, and silence followed, for -something in the boy’s bashful manner and appealing eyes made every one -listen kindly. - -The Bhaers thought he would play some of the old airs he knew so well, -but, to their surprise, they heard a new and lovely melody, so softly, -sweetly played, that they could hardly believe it could be Nat. It was -one of those songs without words that touch the heart, and sing of all -tender home-like hopes and joys, soothing and cheering those who listen -to its simple music. Aunt Meg leaned her head on Demi’s shoulder, -Grandmother wiped her eyes, and Mrs. Jo looked up at Mr. Laurie, -saying, in a choky whisper,-- - -“You composed that.” - -“I wanted your boy to do you honor, and thank you in his own way,” -answered Laurie, leaning down to answer her. - -When Nat made his bow and was about to go, he was called back by many -hands, and had to play again. He did so with such a happy face, that -it was good to see him, for he did his best, and gave them the gay old -tunes that set the feet to dancing, and made quietude impossible. - -“Clear the floor!” cried Emil; and in a minute the chairs were pushed -back, the older people put safely in corners, and the children gathered -on the stage. - -“Show your manners!” called Emil; and the boys pranced up to the -ladies, old and young, with polite invitations to “tread the mazy,” as -dear Dick Swiveller has it. The small lads nearly came to blows for -the Princess, but she chose Dick, like a kind, little gentlewoman as -she was, and let him lead her proudly to her place. Mrs. Jo was not -allowed to decline; and Aunt Amy filled Dan with unspeakable delight by -refusing Franz and taking him. Of course Nan and Tommy, Nat and Daisy, -paired off, while Uncle Teddy went and got Asia, who was longing to -“jig it,” and felt much elated by the honor done her. Silas and Mary -Ann had a private dance in the hall; and for half-an-hour Plumfield was -at its merriest. - -The party wound up with a grand promenade of all the young folks, -headed by the pumpkin-coach with the Princess and driver inside, and -the rats in a wildly frisky state. - -While the children enjoyed this final frolic, the elders sat in the -parlor looking on as they talked together of the little people with the -interest of parents and friends. - -“What are you thinking of, all by yourself, with such a happy face, -sister Jo?” asked Laurie, sitting down beside her on the sofa. - -“My summer’s work, Teddy, and amusing myself by imagining the future -of my boys,” she answered, smiling, as she made room for him. - -“They are all to be poets, painters, and statesmen, famous soldiers, or -at least merchant princes, I suppose.” - -“No, I am not as aspiring as I once was, and I shall be satisfied if -they are honest men. But I will confess that I do expect a little glory -and a career for some of them. Demi is not a common child, and I think -he will blossom into something good and great in the best sense of the -word. The others will do well, I hope, especially my last two boys, -for, after hearing Nat play to-night, I really think he has genius.” - -“Too soon to say; talent he certainly has, and there is no doubt that -the boy can soon earn his bread by the work he loves. Build him up for -another year or so, and then I will take him off your hands, and launch -him properly.” - -“That is such a pleasant prospect for poor Nat, who came to me six -months ago so friendless and forlorn. Dan’s future is already plain to -me. Mr. Hyde will want him soon, and I mean to give him a brave and -faithful little servant. Dan is one who can serve well if the wages -are love and confidence, and he has the energy to carve out his own -future in his own way. Yes, I am very happy over our success with these -boys--one so weak, and one so wild; both so much better now, and so -full of promise.” - -“What magic did you use, Jo?” - -“I only loved them, and let them see it. Fritz did the rest.” - -“Dear soul! you look as if ‘only loving’ had been rather hard work -sometimes,” said Laurie, stroking her thin cheek with a look of more -tender admiration than he had ever given her as a girl. - -“I’m a faded old woman, but I’m a very happy one; so don’t pity me, -Teddy;” and she glanced about the room with eyes full of a sincere -content. - -“Yes, your plan seems to work better and better every year,” he said, -with an emphatic nod of approval toward the cheery scene before him. - -“How can it fail to work well when I have so much help from you all?” -answered Mrs. Jo, looking gratefully at her most generous patron. - -“It is the best joke of the family, this school of yours and its -success. So unlike the future we planned for you, and yet so suited to -you after all. It was a regular inspiration, Jo,” said Laurie, dodging -her thanks as usual. - -“Ah! but you laughed at it in the beginning, and still make all manner -of fun of me and my inspirations. Didn’t you predict that having -girls with the boys would prove a dead failure? Now see how well it -works;” and she pointed to the happy group of lads and lassies dancing, -singing, and chattering together with every sign of kindly good -fellowship. - -“I give in, and when my Goldilocks is old enough I’ll send her to you. -Can I say more than that?” - -“I shall be so proud to have your little treasure trusted to me. But -really, Teddy, the effect of these girls has been excellent. I know -you will laugh at me, but I don’t mind, I’m used to it; so I’ll tell -you that one of my favorite fancies is to look at my family as a small -world, to watch the progress of my little men, and, lately, to see how -well the influence of my little women works upon them. Daisy is the -domestic element, and they all feel the charm of her quiet, womanly -ways. Nan is the restless, energetic, strong-minded one; they admire -her courage, and give her a fair chance to work out her will, seeing -that she has sympathy as well as strength, and the power to do much in -their small world. Your Bess is the lady, full of natural refinement, -grace, and beauty. She polishes them unconsciously, and fills her place -as any lovely woman may, using her gentle influence to lift and hold -them above the coarse, rough things of life, and keep them gentlemen in -the best sense of the fine old word.” - -“It is not always the ladies who do that best, Jo. It is sometimes the -strong brave woman who stirs up the boy and makes a man of him;” and -Laurie bowed to her with a significant laugh. - -“No; I think the graceful woman, whom the boy you allude to married, -has done more for him than the wild Nan of his youth; or, better -still, the wise, motherly woman who watched over him, as Daisy watches -over Demi, did most to make him what he is;” and Jo turned toward her -mother, who sat a little apart with Meg, looking so full of the sweet -dignity and beauty of old age, that Laurie gave her a glance of filial -respect and love as he replied, in serious earnest,-- - -“All three did much for him, and I can understand how well these little -girls will help your lads.” - -“Not more than the lads help them; it is mutual, I assure you. Nat -does much for Daisy with his music; Dan can manage Nan better than any -of us; and Demi teaches your Goldilocks so easily and well that Fritz -calls them Roger Ascham and Lady Jane Grey. Dear me! if men and women -would only trust, understand, and help one another as my children do, -what a capital place the world would be!” and Mrs. Jo’s eyes grew -absent, as if she was looking at a new and charming state of society in -which people lived as happily and innocently as her flock at Plumfield. - -“You are doing your best to help on the good time, my dear. Continue -to believe in it, to work for it, and to prove its possibility by the -success of your small experiment,” said Mr. March, pausing as he passed -to say an encouraging word, for the good man never lost his faith in -humanity, and still hoped to see peace, good-will, and happiness reign -upon the earth. - -“I am not so ambitious as that, father. I only want to give these -children a home in which they can be taught the few simple things which -will help to make life less hard to them when they go out to fight -their battles in the world. Honesty, courage, industry, faith in God, -their fellow-creatures, and themselves; that is all I try for.” - -“That is every thing. Give them these helps, then let them go to work -out their life as men and women; and whatever their success or failure -is, I think they will remember and bless your efforts, my good son and -daughter.” - -The Professor had joined them, and as Mr. March spoke he gave a hand -to each, and left them with a look that was a blessing. As Jo and her -husband stood together for a moment talking quietly, and feeling that -their summer work had been well done if father approved, Mr. Laurie -slipped into the hall, said a word to the children, and all of a sudden -the whole flock pranced into the room, joined hands and danced about -Father and Mother Bhaer, singing blithely-- - - “Summer days are over, - Summer work is done; - Harvests have been gathered - Gayly one by one. - Now the feast is eaten, - Finished is the play; - But one rite remains for - Our Thanksgiving-day. - - “Best of all the harvest - In the dear God’s sight, - Are the happy children - In the home to-night; - And we come to offer - Thanks where thanks are due, - With grateful hearts and voices, - Father, mother, unto you.” - -With the last words the circle narrowed till the good Professor and his -wife were taken prisoner by many arms, and half hidden by the bouquet -of laughing young faces which surrounded them, proving that one plant -had taken root and blossomed beautifully in all the little gardens. -For love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles -undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant -all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive. - -THE END - -[Illustration: This is the ORCHARD HOUSE in Concord, Massachusetts, now -a museum visited every year by hundreds of people. Here lived the real -Little Women, Louisa May Alcott and her sisters, whose complete story -is told in the three books--LITTLE WOMEN, LITTLE MEN, and JO’S BOYS.] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Men, by Louisa M. 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