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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 12:04:55 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 12:04:55 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea249cc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55143 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55143) diff --git a/old/55143-0.txt b/old/55143-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 09b85fb..0000000 --- a/old/55143-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3871 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Story of the Mince Pie, by Josephine Scribner Gates - -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: The Story of the Mince Pie - -Author: Josephine Scribner Gates - -Release Date: July 17, 2017 [EBook #55143] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE *** - - - - -Produced by ellinora, For Emmy, Turgut Dincer and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE - - -[Illustration: “Here! what’s this rolling across the floor?” - - (_Page 142_) -] - - - - - THE STORY OF - THE MINCE PIE - - BY - JOSEPHINE SCRIBNER GATES - Author of “Captain Billie,” “The Story of Live Dolls,” - “Little Girl Blue,” etc. - - ILLUSTRATED BY - JOHN RAE - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK - DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY - 1916 - - COPYRIGHT, 1916 - BY DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, INC. - -By courtesy of _St. Nicholas_, in which “And Piped Those Children -Back Again” and “Anna Belle’s Christmas Eve” first appeared, they are -included in this volume. - -The Mince Pie has always held an important place in Christmas Tales, -but it remained for Mrs. Mildred G. Potter to conceive the idea of -making it the main feature. - -It is my pleasure to give to her my grateful acknowledgment for the -happy thought which it has been my privilege to embody in story form. - - Here’s to the Dolls that will come to life, - Here’s to the Tales they’ll tell - Out of the depths of the Christmas Pie, - To the tune of a Christmas Bell! - - Here’s to the Sugar and Fruit and Spice, - Here’s to the Story Elf, - Here’s to that Fragrance of Christmas Time, - Here’s to the Pie itself! - - Big and spicy and rich and brown, - What does that top crust hide? - You know how it looks from an outside view, - Now read what it’s like inside! - - - BY - DOT AND NICK - WHO ALSO WANTED A FINGER - IN THIS PIE! - - J. S. G. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE MINCE PIE 1 - - RAISIN DOLL 10 - - CURRANT DOLL 18 - - CLOVE DOLL 21 - - DANCE OF THE ELVES 26 - - SPRITE’S TALE 27 - - ALLSPICE DOLL 37 - - NUTMEG DOLL 39 - - CINNAMON DOLL 42 - - PIED PIPER STORY 46 - - MRS. SUGAR 60 - - MOLASSES DOLL 66 - - VINEGAR KING 70 - - CITRON DOLL 74 - - TALES OF THE ORANGE AND LEMON DOLLS 76 - - ANNA BELLE’S CHRISTMAS EVE 79 - - TALES OF THE SALT AND PEPPER TWINS 104 - - APPLE DOLL 108 - - JOHNNY APPLESEED 110 - - STOLEN DOLL CLOTHES 129 - - BROWNIE DOLL 134 - - PIE CRUST 142 - - HOW JACK FILLED THE STOCKINGS 146 - - INTERROGATION POINT 157 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - “Here! what’s this rolling across the floor?” _Frontispiece_ - (Page 142) - - FACING - PAGE - - “They’ve been peeking in that big book” 8 - - “Behold, the Story Sprite!” 16 - - “Great sport they had flying wonderful kites” 28 - - “We will both wish for her to come” 36 - - “The beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him” 50 - - “Sometimes it is gingerbread, or maybe plump brown - cookies” 60 - - “Suddenly something startled the horse, and he ran - away” 70 - - “She was making dolls from bottles” 82 - - “‘Show what we are to take,’ cried the Fairy. ‘We - must hurry’” 94 - - “I am used very extensively as an April Fool” 104 - - “The children sat at his feet and listened to thrilling - tales” 112 - - “They looked like a lot of gnomes dressed for a party” 122 - - “She loved her home” 134 - - “He chose the busiest corner where there was a wonderful - toy store” 148 - - “Best pie you ever made, my dear” 160 - - - - -THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE - - - “Sing a Song o’ sixpence a pocket full of rye, - Four and twenty Dollies baked in a pie, - When the pie was opened the Dolls began to sing, - Wasn’t that an odd dish to set before the King?” - -You have heard of many kinds of pie, but did you ever hear of a Doll -pie? - -No one ever did, I am sure, and no one knew the pie was full of dolls; -everybody supposed it was just a plain mince pie; the kind that makes -your eyes twinkle, and makes you smack your lips when you sniff it -baking. - -I have always thought it was the kind Jack Horner had when he sat in -the corner and pulled out a plum, but never did I dream that he might -have pulled out a doll! - -I found it out in such an extremely funny and unexpected way that I -must tell you all about it. - -It was Christmas Eve. Jack’s father was away but coming home on the -morrow in time for all the Christmas doings. - -We had locked up the house and were just going upstairs to bed when -Jack exclaimed: - -“Mother, you know the mince pie you baked to-day? We must take it up to -bed with us!” - -“A pie, a mince pie to bed with us?” I cried in amazement, as I thought -of the spicy delicious thing safely stowed away on the pantry shelf. - -“Yes, Mother, you know there is a mouse. It ate up my gingerbread doll; -didn’t leave even a crumb. How would we feel if it ate up our mince -pie!” - -That was true. There had been a mouse spying about of late, and so I -said all right, we would. - -I carried it up very carefully, and we stood in the middle of the room -looking about for a good place to put it. - -It was a bitter night. The maid had built a grand fire of logs, and -they crackled and snapped a Christmas greeting as we stood seeking a -resting place for the pie. - -“I see a fine spot!” cried Jack, as he ran to the big grandfather -clock, and sure enough it was. A shelf just under the pendulum that -seemed made on purpose for a pie. We placed it there and covered it -carefully with a napkin. - -“The pie is going to bed, too,” I said, as I snuggled it up under its -cover. - -Jack shouted over this, and we both had a merry time undressing before -the jolly fire. - -We hung up our stockings and one for Father, then hopped into bed. - -Jack nestled up close and begged for a bedtime story, which I always -told him. A drowsy tale which sent him to sleep, and me, too, before it -was barely finished. - -I really didn’t know I was asleep, but suddenly a queer sound startled -me, and as I listened I heard Jack smothering a giggle. - -“What is it, dear?” I whispered. - -“Oh, Mother, such a funny thing! I heard the clock chain rattle, and -I looked and the mouse ran up the clock, and I heard voices singing: -‘Hickory Dickory Dock.’ Now look quick!” - -We both stared at the napkin over the pie, for it began to get humpy. -You have played “tent” under the bedclothes, of course. - -Well, there seemed a dozen somethings playing that game, for the napkin -humped up here and there till presently it was lifted off and fell to -the floor. - -It was just like a matinée. The napkin seemed to be the curtain rolled -away, then the show began. - -We heard queer voices singing, and then we saw such a sight! Out of -that pie filed a lot of dolls, the strangest looking dolls any one ever -saw. - -One seemed to be made of raisins; another of currants—the dried sugary -kind. One had a round apple for a head, and such rosy cheeks it looked -like a blooming country maid wearing a Dutch blue gown and an apron as -white as snow. - -Back of her was a brownie, holding the hand of a creamy white fat boy. -Following them was a group, one had a round nut-like head; another -was stuck full of what looked like cloves; another was tall and thin -just like a stick. With him was a pair of twins. They looked for all -the world like salt and pepper boxes. They were much smaller than the -others and teetered on the edge of the pie like tiny fairies. - -Then came another pair, one with an orange for a head, the other a -lemon. As they pranced along, their fluffy orange and yellow skirts -stood out like ballet dancers. - -Then came a dumpy maid all sparkly white. - -“She’s the shape of a fat sugar bowl, Mother!” whispered Jack, and, -sure enough, she looked as though she had walked right off the tea tray. - -Following her came one with a small oval brown head, looking so wise. - -With her was one with a large green head. - -Back of them strode another pair; one looking like a molasses jug, the -other like a vinegar cruet. - -Such a funny lot as they were! - -We looked and laughed, and laughed and looked. They raced about on the -very edge of the crust as though they were playing Ring around a Rosy; -then at a signal from the tall thin fellow they ran down the spiral -column of the clock over to the hearth. - -“We can have a Christmas dance right here,” cried the rosy-cheeked -apple maid; at this joyful news they switched off their sashes. - -The tall thin one fastened the ends to the top of an andiron, and there -in the firelight we saw a dance, such as no one ever saw before. Round -and round they danced, till the iron was bound with ribbon to its very -base; then the little creatures threw themselves on the hearth. - -“Let’s play school!” cried the tall thin Stick Doll, who seemed to be -chairman for the occasion. - -“Mercy, no!” cried another. “I don’t like school. I don’t want to learn -things.” - -“I said let’s _play_ school. We don’t have to learn anything. It will -be fun. We’ll each tell a story.” - -“A story!” echoed the whole bunch. - -“What kind of a story?” - -“A true story.” - -“We don’t know any,” they all sighed. - -“Oh, yes, you do. You all know fine stories, and if you’ll tell them, -something grand is going to happen!” - -“What?” cried the audience. - -“This is the one night of all the year when wonderful things happen.” - -With wide open eyes and mouths they crept closer to the speaker, and -listened breathlessly. - -“This is Christmas Eve. Didn’t you hear the mouse go up the clock? It’s -hiding and watching. Pretend you aren’t looking, but see the two bright -eyes peering at us, just at the end by the big hand. It wants the pie. -As long as we are here it will not come down. That is a Christmas pie -for the Christmas dinner to-morrow. - -[Illustration: “They’ve been peeking in that big book”] - -“If we go back the mouse will run down and gobble us all up. So there -is nothing for us to do but stay here. It’s a long time till morning, -and we better do something while we wait. How can we better while away -the time than with stories? We dare not go to sleep, you know. If -you’ll each tell a story you can have a gift, too.” - -“A gift!” cried the chorus. “Well, that would be worth while. Pray tell -us what will the gift be?” - -“That’s a secret I am not allowed to tell. The reason is, because I do -not know.” - -“He does not know. He does not know,” sang the chorus, running down the -scale as a mouse runs across the piano keys. - -“Well,” cried the wee Salt and Pepper Pair which seemed inseparable, -“since you know so much, you better begin the story-hour.” - - - - -TALE OF THE RAISIN DOLL - - -“I speak to be the teacher,” cried the Raisin Doll. - -“Very well, you must tell the first story, then.” - -“What must the stories be about?” - -“Oh, there is only one thing to tell. We must each tell our history -from the time we were born, in order to have the gift.” - -“Will the gift be good to eat?” asked the creamy white Fat Boy. - -“Best ever you tasted. That’s all I could find out about it. Now begin.” - -The Raisin Doll pranced over to the end of the hearth, made a quick -bow, and politely began: - -“Ladies and Gentlemen:” - -Everybody giggled, but he went bravely on. - -“I don’t seem to remember the day I was born.” - -“Not many do,” whispered one to another. - -“It isn’t polite to interrupt,” frowned the speaker. - -“The first thing I remember a whole bunch of us was hanging from a -vine—” - -“Ha! Ha! Ha!” shouted the chorus. “A whole bunch of him was hanging -from a vine!” - -“Well, there was a whole bunch of us, and as I looked about I saw many -bunches and many, many vines. - -“It was beautiful there in the sunlight. I never saw such glorious -sunshine—” - -“Where?” cried the audience. - -“In a place called California.” - -“Where is that?” asked one. - -“Don’t tell us; we don’t want to know,” hastily cried the audience. “We -aren’t to learn things here in this school.” - -“I won’t tell you. I’ll show you,” and the speaker hopped on to the -large globe that stood in the corner. - -He slid down one side and placed his big toe on the spot where -California claimed to be. - -They all watched his antics closely, for in their hearts they did want -to know where those bunches of grapes grew, even though they didn’t -seem to want to learn anything. - -“That’s exactly where my bunch of grapes grew, but I have cousins -called Malagas and Muscatels who come from Spain. - -“You don’t want to know where that is, of course. I am now going to -take a little run around the world. Pretend I’m a top spinning, and -the spot where I stop and twirl will be where my relatives live. When -it’s time to twirl I’ll squeak and you can then close your eyes for the -moment, so you won’t add anything to your store of knowledge. - -“For my part, I would feel quite pleased if I were sailing around the -world and could say, ‘Oh, Mr. Captain, just stop a few moments in -Mediterranean Spain. I want a pocket full of raisins to eat; the layer -kind, big fat juicy ones’; or if I were pudding hungry I’d wheedle -him a little. I’d say, ‘Now, Captain dear, I’d just like to run into -Valencia. We need a few pudding raisins. We’ll have a pudding that’ll -melt in your mouth if we can go there.’ - -“I think that’s much better than to stand around with my mouth open, -and when we steam into these places be wondering what grows there, and -why we stopped.” - -That was a new idea. Journeys on ships were fun, and how proud one -would feel to be able to show the Captain just where to go for certain -things. - -“Mother,” whispered Jack, “let’s watch where he twirls. Maybe a captain -might even beg us to go and show him where raisins grow, so he can -bring back a shipload of them!” - -The Raisin Doll now skipped gaily along as though he were going to the -corner grocery for a stick of candy. - -The audience gazed fascinated, and instead of closing eyes as he -squeaked, they hardly dared wink for fear they might miss some of that -raisin country. - -“Where is he now?” one and another whispered as he paused and twirled, -crying: - -“There! There is the very spot where many of my cousins live, and -because they live there instead of in California they are much sweeter.” - -“Tell us why, tell us why,” clamoured the audience. - -“For a very good reason. We are picked in bunches and dried in an oven -in sugar. They are dried in the sun, and are called sun raisins. Their -leaves are taken off, and a jolly time they have in the sunshine and -fresh air. A much better way than to be shut in an oven in the dark. - -“However, we have to make the best of it; the cool nights and heavy -dews would ruin us if we stayed out, so we just cuddle up in the nice -warm dark, and look forward to the moment when the big oven door will -fly open, then we know something nice is to happen, for America sends -millions of pounds of raisins to other countries, and we just love to -go. - -“The sun raisins are the kind used for Christmas goodies, and are -packed between layers of paper in large wooden boxes. - -“Other places they come from are here, and here, and here, and here.” - -As he spoke, he twirled over various parts of the globe, touching -Persia, Greece, Italy, and Southern France. - -“It is quite grand to be a sun raisin and come in a box looking so -large and delicious, and to know you are the finest of your kind, but -I’d just about as soon be a pudding raisin, when the Cook comes in and -says: - -“‘Dear suz me, Missus, we can’t have pudding to-day!’ - -“Then all the children set up a dismal wail and Missus says, ‘Why not, -I’d like to know!’ - -“‘Because we are just out of pudding raisins,’ but she adds cheerfully, -‘We have the layer kind. Could we use those?’ - -“‘Certainly not,’ says the Missus, with her head up like this and her -mouth turned down like this. ‘They cost too much. We’ll have to have -something else.’ - -“Then at dinner the Mister cries, ‘Why didn’t we have pudding to-day; -we always have it on Tuesday!’ - -“‘Cause no pudding raisins in the house,’ cry the children, sniffing -again. - -[Illustration: “Behold, the Story Sprite!”] - -“‘Send for a barrel of them,’ orders the Mister. ‘When that gives -out, get another at once. When I have my mouth made up for pudding on -Tuesdays I don’t want to be disappointed.’ - -“Wouldn’t that make a cute little pudding raisin hug herself? - -“Another kind of raisin grows here in Smyrna; they are the small -seedless kind.” - -“The Corinthian raisin currant—” - -“Boo! hoo! hoo!” interrupted somebody, apparently much grieved. - -“Who’s crying like that?” asked the Raisin Doll. - -“I am,” came in sobbing tones. - -“Why?” asked everybody, standing on tip toe to see the weeping one. - -“He’s telling my story. There isn’t much to tell about me, and if he -tells it, I can’t; then I won’t get a gift!” - -“To be sure you won’t!” said the tall Stick Doll. “Mr. Raisin, are you -going to tell everybody’s story, may I ask?” - -“Why, no,” said the Raisin Doll, a bit fussed over the uproar; “I -forgot that one of my cousins was present. - - - - -TALE OF THE CURRANT DOLL - - -“Allow me to introduce to you the light-hearted, joyous-natured -Corinthian raisin Currant.” - -The light-hearted, joyous-natured Currant Doll wiped his tears away as -he bowed and wailed: - -“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am, though maybe I don’t look it.” - -“Am what?” queried the audience sympathetically. - -“Am what he said—light hearted and gay—and though my story is short -I am just as important as any of you. What good would a bun be without -currants? Just tell me that!” he cried in tragic tones, striking such -a funny attitude even Mother stifled a giggle. - -“I came from a beautiful vine that grows in the lowlands of Zante of -the Ionian Islands belonging to Greece. I’ll show you the very spot.” - -Here the audience was much surprised to see the light-hearted creature -turn a somersault down the slippery side of the globe and land in a -nest of small dots. - -“These are islands,” he announced, “and here the vines are planted -in neat little rows three feet apart. Our grapes are like berries no -larger than a pea, and grow in clusters about three inches long. - -“When about three years old the vine produces bunches of three kinds; -red, black, and white grapes without seeds. We play hide and seek under -the large leaves which protect us from the strong winds and hot sun. - -“When we have grown as large as we can we are picked, dried, packed, -and sent many miles away. That’s all.” - -And he sat down so hard he bounced up again like a rubber ball. - -“Three cheers for the Currant!” cried the Stick Doll. “He seems to have -grown up under the figure three, and that brings good luck. - -“Now, who wants to tell next?” - -Nobody moved, and the Stick Doll cried: - -“We’ll decide it by playing Ring around a Rosy. The last one down will -be it. Come, hold hands, circle, and sing.” - - - - -TALE OF THE CLOVE DOLL - - -Round and round they went, singing to an accompaniment of rollicking -laughter, and at the words: “Hush, hush, hush, we all fall down,” they -fell in a heap, the Clove Doll being the last to fall. - -“Allow me,” cried the Stick Doll, as he gallantly set Miss Clove on her -feet. - -“We will now have the pleasure of listening to this spicy creature. She -surely has a fine story to tell.” - -Miss Clove had been slyly studying the dictionary, and longed to -impress the audience with the wonderful story of her life. She smoothed -her crimson sash, perked the butterfly bow on her hair till it seemed -almost ready to fly away, and with cheeks as red as her ribbons began -timidly. - -“Ladies and Gentlemen: I am an undeveloped bud—” - -“Ha! Ha!” cried one, who looked much like a vinegar cruet. “That is a -joke!” - -“Why?” demanded the Stick Doll. - -“She said undeveloped.” - -“So she did, what of it? You may tell us what the word means.” - -The sour-looking one, much confused, stalked away as he murmured under -his breath, - -“We aren’t to learn anything here, I thought.” - -“No, but if you knew the meaning of it, you would answer very promptly, -so the joke is on you. The speaker can, of course, tell us.” - -The Clove Doll’s cheeks flushed even redder than before, and wished -with all her heart she had not used the large word of which she was so -proud. - -“I am sure I cannot tell what it means. It’s what I am, and it’s the -way my story begins.” - -“Who knows what the very large word used by the very small one means?” -asked the Stick Doll, of the audience. - -The Pepper and Salt Twins now stepped forward. They swayed from side to -side and in sing-song tones cried: - -“Un means not. Undeveloped means not developed; developed means -finished.” - -“Excellent memory you have,” said the Stick Doll. - -“They’ve been peeking in that big book, too; I saw them,” cried the -Vinegar Cruet. “Any one could do that.” - -“Tell tale tit, your tongue shall be slit,” sang the whole crowd. - -“Here! Here! This won’t do. Come, let us hear the rest of the story of -this unfinished maid.” - -“It isn’t true that I am not finished! As a clove I am complete and -perfect. It is only that the buds are used before they are quite ready -to turn into blossoms. - -“If my buds were allowed to blossom there would never be a clove. What -would the pickled peach do then, poor thing?” - - “She’d stay in her jar, - And soon be sour, - And moulder away on the shelf, poor thing!” - -promptly sang the audience. - -At this Jack and Mother hid their heads in the blankets, shaking with -laughter, and came forth with very red faces just in time to hear Miss -Clove continue her spicy tale. - -“The clove tree grows in the woods in hot countries, specially here and -here, and here.” - -“She’s on roller skates,” whispered Jack, as the Clove Lady sailed -quickly and gracefully around the globe, touching with her wheeled feet -Zanzibar, Brazil, and the West Indies. - -“The audience need not note especially the countries pointed out,” said -the Stick Doll, “but it is to me most interesting. You may continue.” - -The Clove Doll had snatched the moment while she waited to again -improve her mind through the big book, and now announced importantly: - -“I am very pungent. That means aromatic.” - -“Oh!” cried the Vinegar Cruet, “you had to shut the book too quick to -find the meaning of that, but I happen to know it. - -“Why are you like me?” - -“Happy thought,” said the Stick Doll; “let’s turn this into a puzzle -contest. Why is the clove like vinegar?” - -“Give it up. Give it up. What’s the answer?” sang the audience. - -“Because we are both sharp,” politely answered the Vinegar Cruet, -strutting about like a peacock. - -“Sharp! Ha! Ha!” cried Pepper and Salt. “S’pose you’ve been visiting -the scissors’ grinder.” - -“Vinegar is right,” said the Clove Doll. “We are both smart.” - -“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Let’s all carry a pocket dictionary and we can be -smart and sharp, too,” laughed some one. - -“Dear me!” cried the Clove Doll. “Did I really say smart? I mis-spoke. -I am sharp. I mean stinging to the tongue.” - -Before she could say another word she was surrounded and tested so -vigorously by the many tongues, she shrieked indignantly: - -“Stop! we don’t lick the ladder till the ice cream is done. Now let me -finish. - -“My buds turn green, then red and hard. Then we are laid near the smoke -of a wood fire in the sun to dry. We don’t like that smudge and are -glad enough when we turn brown, then we know we are finished. I might -say developed,” she added, with a triumphant glance at her hearers. - - - - -DANCE OF THE ELVES - - -“The last night there in the woods we had a grand time. We looked like -a lot of elves dancing in the red glow shed by the fire. - -“I’ll never forget what happened that night. We had just finished a -weird dance and were huddled together watching the sparks mount to the -sky, when there appeared in our midst a queer little Being, who seemed -to spring from the fire. - -“She seated herself in our midst and told us the grandest stories I -ever heard!” - -“Oh!” cried Allspice, “I wish she would come here!” - -At that instant they heard a far-off voice. It seemed to come from the -flames. Singing, singing, nearer and nearer. - - - - -THE STORY SPRITE’S TALE - - -Suddenly from the very centre of the fire sprang a wonderful vision, a -tiny creature, who seemed clothed in wreaths of flame. With a joyous -greeting, as jolly as the fire itself, she cried: - -“Your wish is granted. Behold, the Story Sprite! Since I attended the -clove party I have been around the world and have a fine collection of -tales. - -“I am fresh from Japan, now, where I saw enacted a most exciting -tale. Creep close to my feet while I tell it. I wish you could see -the children in Japan. They are so beautiful; clad in their brilliant -coloured kimonos, they look like a mass of poppies nodding in the wind. - -“One dear little Japanese maid did such a splendid thing! - -“Without speaking a word, with only her dear two hands, she saved a -young man from being imprisoned for life. He was an American gentleman, -who had been sent to Japan on business. - -“He was lonely so far from home, and became very friendly with Cherry -Blossom, the child of one with whom he had business relations. - -“He was very much interested in the queer games she played, and spent -much time with her. - -[Illustration: “Great sport they had flying wonderful kites”] - -“Great sport they had flying wonderful kites that looked like gorgeous -birds with outspread wings, or maybe seated on the beach she would -make sand pictures, which were her great delight. - -“They usually wound up these visits with a tea-party. The child seated -opposite him, looking like a brilliant butterfly, poised for a moment -as she handed him the fragile cup filled with the fragrant beverage. - -“In time he became very dear to her, and one day while playing with -her dolly she overheard something that sorely troubled her little -heart. Her father was talking in low mysterious tones to some Japanese -friends. Suddenly she heard the American’s name. She pricked up her -ears. - -“Dear! Dear! Such startling news she could hardly believe. - -“They thought he was a spy and were going to put him in prison very -soon! They walked away, leaving the child grief-stricken. - -“What a spy was, she did not know; but what she did know was that her -precious friend must be saved from that awful fate, for once in prison -he might never be released. - -“He had told her of his own little girl, who was even now, in that far -away land called America, watching for his home coming. As she gazed -off seaward she saw a ship that might sail any day. He must go on it -and she must tell him why, but how could she? - -“Never was she allowed to be alone with him for one moment. Always when -playing her childish games with him, her nurse sat near by, within -hearing of her voice, her beady eyes watching her every movement. - -“As the child pondered on this startling state of affairs, her friend -suddenly appeared. At once the nurse glided to her post. - -“‘See the ship,’ he cried in her native language. ‘It will sail this -evening. The next ship that comes will take me home to my baby. Let’s -go and buy her a doll.’ - -“To the shop they went, the nurse trotting along beside them. - -“They bought a wonderful doll, an exact copy of Cherry Blossom in her -silken robes. - -“They bought many other toys, among them a complete outfit for making -sand pictures. - -“‘I’ll tell my baby how you helped me to choose her doll. Now let’s go -to the beach and you bring your sand bags and teach me how to make the -pictures so I can make them for her.’ - -“Happy thought! Now maybe she could have an instant, just a weenty -instant alone with him, and so she asked the nurse to bring the bags of -sand. - -“‘You come, too,’ whispered the nurse, and refused to budge without the -child. - -“Japanese children must be obedient, and she followed, not even daring -to allow her little feet to lag or to seem disturbed in any way. - -“She was soon seated on the beach close beside her friend, while the -nurse sat a little apart knitting, her eyes fixed on the pair. - -“Making pictures in the sand is a wonderful game, a game the Japanese -children adore. - -“They have three bags of coloured sand and one of white. It is most -fascinating to see them spread in the form of a square the white sand, -till it resembles a sheet of white paper. On this with black and red, -yellow or blue, they produce wonderful landscape effects. - -“Cherry Blossom plunged her hands into the bags, her thoughts far away -from the game. - -“Suddenly her eyes flashed. She knew how to give him the message. Why -hadn’t she thought of it before! Pictures could tell most anything, and -so she eagerly began. - -“Immediately from her tiny fingers the varicoloured sand trickled in a -thin stream. - -“At first as he idly watched, he saw in her picture a bit of sea, on -which presently appeared a ship with spreading sail. On the fluffy -white waves, creeping up to the shore, rocked a tiny boat. On the land -appeared a prison, a perfect copy of one he had seen many times. In the -small boat an American was seated. - -“The man watched in tense silence. The child was telling him something. -He lit a cigarette with unsteady hands, but as he remembered the -sentinel on guard, he began to hum a tune. - -“The child’s hands never trembled as she next produced a number of -Japanese gentlemen. - -“Now the man disappeared from the boat, and at once was seen peering -through the prison bars. - -“Just here the nurse suspiciously drew near to see the picture. - -“The man quickly pointed to the sky, crying gaily, ‘See the birds!’ - -“As the nurse gazed Skyward, one swift stroke of his hand destroyed the -picture, and he said quietly: - -“‘Now let me make one. You do them so well I am afraid you will think I -am a bungler, but I want to try.’ - -“As he worked, he whistled a merry tune, and the child felt that -he meant her to know he understood. She soon saw that he, too, was -picturing a message, for in the twinkling of an eye he had fashioned a -tree, its green branches stretching out over the white background. - -“On a low branch he placed a bird. It seemed to be making an effort -to free itself from a thong which held its little foot. From its beak -fluttered a banner. Under his fingers this banner was soon transfigured -into an American flag. - -“As the man worked, the merry tune was replaced by sharp twitters and -chirps as though the bird were distressed. - -“The child watched fascinated, as underneath the tree she saw a -Japanese child taking shape. Her fingers rested on the bird’s foot, and -suddenly by a quick twirl of his hand the bird was blotted out and in -an instant plainly to be seen poised on the mast of a ship, carolling a -glad song of freedom. - -“Then the picture was swept away, and with one look into the child’s -beautiful eyes, a look that told volumes, he gathered up his purchases -and sauntered away. - -“In his room he hastily packed his belongings, and later on under -cover of the darkness he was safely stowed on the ship. - -“As Cherry Blossom drowsily closed her eyes she heard the ship’s shrill -whistle as it steamed away, and she rejoiced that she had been able -with her own little hands to send her dear friend back to his baby. - -“There was great excitement the next day when it was learned the -American had vanished. - -“The nurse was closely questioned. Never had she left the child alone, -and her mother also declared that she too had been on guard, and all -she saw was that they made pictures in the sand without even a word. - -“And so the secret never was told till now, and it will still be a -secret, for pie people never never tell, and now good-bye till you wish -for me again.” - -[Illustration: “We will both wish for her to come”] - -With a graceful courtesy the Story Sprite vanished as suddenly as she -had appeared, and the audience sat for a moment listening spellbound -to her song fast dying away. - -Then long-drawn breaths were heard and the Clove Doll cried, “Wasn’t -she perfect? I never dreamed she would come here, but I am glad she did. - - - - -TALE OF THE ALLSPICE DOLL - - -“Now will my cousin, Miss Allspice, please step forward and tell her -story.” - -This dear little doll timidly made her way back of the speaker, and, -holding shyly to her skirt, peeped out, and said in low tones: - -“I am just a small round berry from the Pimento. A wee evergreen tree -that grows on the limestone hills, on the Islands of the West Indies. - -“We are about the size of a pea, gathered in August, and dried in the -sun for several days. The stems are then taken off and we are packed in -a bag and sent to America. - -“There such a thing happened to us as you would never believe -possible. We were turned out of the bags, looking like a lot of dried -hard peas. We were so happy to be at the end of our journey, and see -daylight again. - -“We smiled up at the blue sky as we merrily rolled out of the sacks, -but, alas, our joy was only for a moment, as we found ourselves -turned into a grinder of some sort. Suddenly we heard a whizzing sound, -and there we had turned from peas into a fine powder. - -“They named us Allspice because we have the flavour of cinnamon, -nutmeg, and cloves, and everybody loves us.” - -Out of breath, the modest little creature completely vanished in -Clove’s skirt, blown there by the applause which now filled the room. - -“Well done!” cried the Stick Doll. “You mean a lot if you are small. -Now I think we should hear from the Nutmeg, since spice seems to hold -our attention at present.” - - - - -TALE OF THE NUTMEG DOLL - - -The doll with the small brown head now arose and walked over to the -place of honour. She was a study in green. Her gown was formed of -leaves from the tree upon which she grew, and an artistic picture she -made as she faced her audience. - -“My dear friends,” she said, and paused. - -“I take my pen in hand to say I am well—” came in an audible whisper. - -“And hope you are the same,” flashed the Nutmeg. “I admit I was a bit -flurried. But thanks to your hurried letter just received I am myself -again. I need to be, for I am rather interesting. - -“I come chiefly from the Banda Islands, and some of my poor relations -come from the West Indies and Brazil, where dear little Allspice lives. - -“She forgot to welcome you to her home and I will show you where it -is,” and she took from her pocket some tiny round balls and tossed them -in various directions. - -To the surprise of all, the balls lodged and stuck, and the onlookers -were so interested in learning whether they stuck where they should -they forgot they weren’t to learn anything. - -“They did!” whispered Jack and Mother in one breath, and, sure enough, -some lodged in the Banda Islands, others in the West Indies. - -“Some of us live in South America,” and she lightly tossed a few more -balls, all of which clung to their native lands. - -“What do you mean by poor relations?” asked the Stick Doll. - -“I mean the poorer quality of nutmegs. The Brazilian nutmeg brings oil -for hard soap and candles. - -“I am the better quality, and am the kernel of a fruit which is round -and about the size of a walnut. - -“The outside coat is two inches across before it splits open, and the -nutmeg, of course, comes out, just as the chestnut falls from the burr. -A network of tiny fibres is wound about it, and this second coat is -dried and ground and called mace. - -“The olive-shaped nut, about an inch in length, is turned over every -day for two months, and treated with lime to preserve it. Then it is -the nutmeg which you see before you.” - -“What are you good for, please, Mam?” asked the Vinegar Cruet with a -sour expression. - -“What am I good for?” she cried indignantly. “What am I not good for? -Look in the cook-book on the pantry shelf and see if there is anything -worth while that hasn’t a dash of me in it. - -“You’ll find every good housewife has one of me in a tiny grater -hanging where she can find it in the dark. Your puddings, and pies, and -gingerbreads, and cakes, and blanc-manges, and egg noggs, and—” - -“Here! Here! my dear lady, we can’t wait to let you go through the -whole cook-book. We’ll take your word for it. Now since I seem to -belong to the same family, perhaps I had better entertain you next. - - - - -TALE OF THE CINNAMON DOLL - - -“I am called Cinnamon, and I’m just about as spicy as any of you. I am -exactly as important to the pickled peaches as is Miss Clove, and where -would the coffee cake be without me, I’d like to know?” - -He paused and gazed about in a dramatic way that convulsed Jack, who -whispered: - -“Isn’t he funny, Mother, so long and lank, and such an expression I -never saw!” - -“Did any of you ever hear of cinnamon candy?” continued the speaker. -“Could it be cinnamon candy without me?” - -As no one replied to this, he cried: - -“Certainly not! and now I will show you where I grow. It is right -here,” and, with one stride of his long legs one foot rested on the -Island of Ceylon in the Indian Ocean near Persia. - -“Excuse me, Mr. Cinnamon, but where did you get your seven-league -boots?” asked the Vinegar Cruet. - -“They grew on me, so I didn’t need to buy them. You can’t tease me that -way. I can’t help it because I am long legged any more than you can -help looking sour. When you turn sweet I’ll have short legs; that’s a -bargain. Send me an invitation to your candy pull. - -“Ladies and Gentlemen, please excuse this rude interruption, and I will -proceed. - -“When the cinnamon trees are almost two years old small branches are -cut off and the outer bark removed, leaving the inner bark, which is -then peeled off and dried. - -“In drying it takes the form of rolls called quills, the smaller ones, -as they dry, are thrust into the larger. Sometimes it is ground fine -and packed in bags. - -“I am not only used in flavouring food, but in many medicines. - -“Now I think the spices have finished their tales, and we can have a -complete change of programme.” - -“Oh!” cried Allspice, “before we go on let’s have the Story Sprite -again.” - -“Is it your desire that the Story Sprite appear?” asked Cinnamon Stick. -“If so, Allspice and I will break this wishbone I see hanging over the -hearth.” - -“Oh! Do! Do!” cried one and all. - -“Very well, we will both wish for her to come, then we can’t possibly -fail whichever way it breaks.” - -And so snap went the bone, but much dismayed they were when it was -found each held the short end, for the centre had taken to itself wings. - -“Oh, I _wish_ she would come anyhow!” they chorused, and once more from -the flames sprang the Story Elf. - -“You do not need to break wishbones to bring me. All that is necessary -is just to _wish_, and here I am,” she announced. - -“This time I want to tell you more about a story you all know very -well. It is called: - - AND PIPED THOSE CHILDREN BACK AGAIN. - -“Don’t you love the Pied Piper story, and didn’t your heart almost stop -beating when the door in the mountain closed, shutting the children in? - -“And though you were glad one mother had her dear little boy left -behind, no doubt your tears mingled with his as he limped alone down -the mountain path trying in vain to comfort himself with the fleeting -glimpse he had of that joyous country where the horses had wings and -the bees no stings; where the birds were brighter than peacocks here -and flowers of rare beauty grew in profusion. - -“Can’t you just see his beautiful, upturned, angel face? How could -that great door close and leave _him_ on the wrong side! - -“But let me tell you a splendid fact. Sometimes the things that seem -all wrong are the grandest things that ever happened, and true it is, -though it may seem hard to believe, this little fellow was really on -the right side of the door after all. And though he seemed shut out -from the glad times awaiting them in that blissful land, just because -of this he was able to ring the joy bells of the village with his own -hands because he was the only one there who could finally enter the -magic door and carry the message that brought the children to their own -again. And now I must tell you this beautiful thing that happened: - -“After the little hamlet was bereft of her children the parents turned -sadly back to their homes, while the muffled tones of the Pied Piper -came no more to their ears. - -“They could hardly believe it true. It must be a bad dream from which -they would soon awaken. - -“Many times a day the thrifty housewives stepped to their doors and -listened in vain for the shrill baby voices to call to one another in -their play. - -“The wooden soldiers stood straight and stiff at their guns at ‘Present -arms!’ waiting for the cry of ‘Attention!’ but no order was given—no -sound of fife or drum disturbed the silence. - -“The Dutch-faced dollies sat in corners, smiling so sweetly, waiting -expectantly for their little mothers to rock them to sleep, but no -lullabys came to their ears. - -“The parents gazed at the various toys till their eyes were dim with -tears and one night when the moon was big and round, and oh, so -silvery, the Mayor tossed sleeplessly on his bed. Presently he arose, -dressed, and crept out into the cool sweet night. His wife heard and -followed. - -“When they reached the street they found it peopled with many parents, -waiting for they knew not what. - -“The silvery light of the moon shed its glow upon the mountain, and as -they looked, suddenly the portal opened wide, disclosing an inside gate -of golden fretwork. - -“Silently and slowly the portal swung back, and they whispered to one -another, ‘Was that the great door that shut the children in?’ - -“With bated breath they waited, and suddenly sweet strains of music -filled the air. - -“‘The Pied Piper!’ cried the Mayor, with upraised hand. - -“Never had they heard such notes, as clear and silvery as the moonbeams -themselves. Then came the sound of children’s voices, singing as -never children sang, and though it was sweet it was so sad they could -scarcely bear to listen, but it seemed to beckon them on. - -“They hurried up the path taken by the children, and as they neared the -door the words of the song amazed them, and drew forth exclamations. - -“‘Keep your promise and we can come back!’ was the burden of the song, -and the Mayor cried: - -“‘Come! The Piper must be told we are ready and eager to give him what -we owe.’ - -“He led the way, but alas! they found the inside gate so small, only a -child could enter. They called many times, but the only response was -the sad little song of the children. - -“‘They cannot hear us. What will we do?’ cried one mother on her knees -before the gate, trying in vain to push her way through. - -“‘The lame boy, where is he?’ queried the Mayor in anguished tones. - -“‘Fast asleep in his bed,’ replied his mother. - -“‘Go quickly and bring him!’ cried the Mayor. ‘No one knows how soon -the Portal may swing shut.’ - -[Illustration: “The beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him”] - -“The father and mother hastened to the little home and to the crib -where the boy lay sleeping sweetly, bathed in the glow of the -silvery light. - -“‘Come,’ whispered the mother. ‘Come.’ - -“The boy opened his eyes, sprang into his father’s arms, and they -hastened again up the mountain path. - -“‘The door is open,’ he cried joyously. ‘Now I can have some one to -play with!’ - -“‘I hope so,’ breathed the mother. ‘Go in and find the Piper. Tell him -we beg of him to let us keep our promise. If he will only give us back -our children we will give him all we have!’ - -“The little fellow limped through the golden portal and could go no -farther, for the beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him. - -“Such flowers! Such trees, whose waving branches of tender green were -filled with the most beautifully coloured birds he ever saw. Such -shrubs, with glistening leaves fluttering timidly in the gentle -breeze. Here the moon shone with a light that was never on land or sea. - -“The boy gazed in raptures at the marvellous picture, then glanced -keenly about for the Piper. - -“Presently he saw him standing beneath an arched bower of twining -roses, but so sad did he seem the boy hesitated to approach him. - -“He took one step, then paused amazed. What had happened? He took -another. Oh, joy of joys! He was lame no more! He dropped his crutch -and ran. Ran as he had dreamed of running—just as other children did. -Ran straight to the Piper. - -“As the Piper clasped him in his arms, a heavenly smile lighted his -face, and he cried: - -“‘At last they have heard the song. You can never know the joy you have -brought to me this day. It was my anger that closed the gate and when -it clanged to I said, “Never will I forgive them. Never.” Ever since, -the gate has been as though frozen shut. I knew why, but I wouldn’t -forgive. - -“‘I did my best to make the children happy, but you see by their sad -song, I failed. Have you noticed them?’ - -“The boy looked and for the first time really saw his playmates. - -“‘What pretty clothes they have!’ he exclaimed. - -“‘Yes, the boys are clad in green and silver leaves. The girls’ gowns -are of flowers. Flowers such as grow only here. They may have a fresh -gown every day, or oftener.’ - -“‘Where are their homes?’ asked the boy. - -“‘They live like the birds in the trees. Look!’ - -“The boy gazed in wonder up into the tree tops, to see many tiny bowers -woven of vines and flowers. - -“‘Their beds are of rose petals, the wind rocks them to sleep, and the -birds carol their lullaby. The humming birds hover over them as they -dream. They drink honey with the bees. They eat luscious fruits such as -one dreams of but never sees. With all of this they are not happy. They -sigh for their dolls and soldiers, and weep for their parents. - -“‘Lately I have felt my anger melting, and last night I suddenly knew -I had forgiven all, and that instant the portal swung open. Soon I -heard voices, but I could not move. Only a little child could break the -spell. I am so thankful you could not follow with the others since only -a child could pass through the golden gate to bring the message.’ - -“‘Oh!’ cried the boy in ecstasy. ‘See! I can walk! I can run! I am so -happy!’ - -“‘Yes,’ said the Piper, ‘I know. No one could be lame here now that the -gate is open. This is the land of harmony; but tell me, boy, why did -you come? Do tell me they sent you.’ - -“‘They did. They want to keep their promise.’ - -“‘They do? Will they give me the gold?’ he asked eagerly. - -“‘Oh, yes, they want to. They beg of you to take it.’ - -“‘Then tell them when the mountain path is paved with guilders I will -bring the children.’ - -“The boy bounded away, but as he passed the children he was at once -swept into the ring and in some mysterious way he also was clad in -a garb of silvery leaves, while on his head was placed a crown of -wondrous beauty, a crown of flowers which breathed forth a rare -perfume. - -“As they danced round and round, the song was no longer sad but rang -out like joyous bells, filling the air with showers of gladness, while -the Piper piped, and the birds twittered and trilled the gayest of -tunes. - -“They danced nearer and nearer the portal, and presently saw without, a -sea of hungry faces and many outstretched arms. - -“The boy shook himself loose and ran through the gate. With shining -eyes he cried: - -“‘See! I can walk! I can run! And I have more good news, but you must -obey. Bring the gold quickly and you will soon have your children.’ - -“They rubbed their eyes and stared, then turned and ran down the -mountain. Ran faster than the rats ever dreamed of running. Soon they -came trooping up again each carrying a bag of gold. - -“‘The Piper said when the path was paved with gold he would bring the -children. Quick! I will help!’ cried the boy. - -“You should have seen them dropping the gold pieces in place, and in a -twinkling the bags were empty and the road was one glittering ribbon. - -“The boy ran through the portal to the Piper, crying: ‘It is finished; -come.’ - -“The Piper hurried to the entrance, looked down the shining path, -paused, and waited. The silence was tense, while all gazed into his -face wonderingly. - -“‘The road is not finished,’ he said gently. ‘Look for yourselves. Some -one has kept back gold that is still due. We will wait.’ - -“The Mayor flushed and knelt at his feet. ‘It was I. I couldn’t give -quite all. Forgive me and I will bring more than enough.’ - -“He strode down the path, soon to return carrying a leathern bag which -clanked as he walked. At the feet of the Piper he shook out the golden -circlets, which seemed bewitched as one after another rolled toward the -empty spaces, where they spun round and round like so many golden tops, -and finally settled into place. Those remaining piled themselves about -the Piper’s feet. - -“The onlookers gazed in astonishment till suddenly they heard heavenly -music. At once they stood either side of the golden pathway, watching -the Piper followed by the children. - - “‘All the little boys and girls, - With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, - Tripping and skipping ran merrily after - The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.’ - -“On and on they went, their tiny feet treading silently the golden -ribbon. - -“The parents, with tears of joy streaming o’er their faces, followed, -enraptured with the magic notes. - -“Where the gleaming pathway ended the Piper paused, the parents -embraced their little ones, then knelt at the feet of the Piper. - -“‘Arise!’ he cried in beseeching tones. ‘I, too, am guilty. We have -both made amends. Let us forget all wrongdoing and be happy. You have -emptied your coffers but you are richer than ever. - -“‘I do not want the gold. Let it lie a glittering pathway to the land -of joy, where the children may dance and play to their hearts’ content. - -“‘As long as we do right the Golden Portal will never close. Farewell.’ - -“With these words he turned and walked toward the mountain door. The -parents hurried to their homes, to find the boys ordering out the -wooden soldiers, and the dolls drowsily smiling into mother eyes and -listening to the far-away lullaby of the dear Pied Piper.” - -As the Story Elf finished she again vanished, and during the silence -that followed the dolls thought they still heard the Piper’s far away -lullaby. - -As it died away Allspice cried: - -“How lovely to bring the children home again. I’m glad she told us -about it, for I always felt sorry for the parents and the dear little -lame boy all alone. - -“I hope we can have her come again.” - -“Perhaps we may, but now we must go on with _our_ stories. - -“You know an old poem tells us little girls are made of sugar and spice -and all things nice. Therefore, since Sugar is classed so closely with -Spice, we might let that sweet lady talk to us for a while.” - -MRS. SUGAR DOLL’S TALE - -The fat Sugar Lady now came forward, and with a quick jerk of her -skirts, showing her slippered feet, made an old-fashioned courtesy. - -[Illustration: “Sometimes it is gingerbread, or maybe plump brown -cookies”] - -“Isn’t she dear!” cried one and another, as they gazed admiringly at -the quaint figure all dressed in white, which sparkled like frost on -the window pane. Dainty bunches of rosebuds adorned her bonnet, and -altogether she was a sweet picture. - -“My dears,” she cried, well aware of the admiration she excited. - -“I know I am sweet as well as you do, but lest I become over-proud I -will show you my real self growing, which really isn’t anything to look -at.” - -As she talked she untied her bonnet strings and untwisted one of the -curls that bobbed about her snowy neck. The audience was startled to -hear a squeak like the dying gasp of a rubber balloon. - -As the squeak lingeringly died away, Sugar grew thinner and taller, and -presently there she was turned into a long yellow sugar cane. - -A shout of laughter greeted this transformation, as Sugar Cane made -an elaborate bow, beaming upon them as though delighted to see them. - -“Allow me to make you acquainted with Mrs. Sugar’s better half,” he -said. - -“Butter half, you mean,” shouted Vinegar. - -“Throw in a little flour and a few eggs and we’ll have a birthday cake.” - -“Which I would be delighted to do had I those useful ingredients.” - -“Ingredients?” said Cinnamon, thinking hard. “Will Little Salt, who is -now peeping in the dictionary again, kindly let us know the meaning of -that word?” - -“It means a part of something,” replied Salt, much dismayed that she -had again been caught studying the big book when she should have been -listening. - -“Yes, a part of something; sugar, eggs and flour are a part of the -cake. Now let us hear about this queer tall yellow stick.” - -“Very well, Sir. I come from a wild plant from India, Mexico, South -America, and most tropical countries. They are here, and here, and -here, and here,” and in the twinkling of an eye he had walked about the -globe and left his footprint in each place. - -“I am also found in the red beet and yellow carrot. Perhaps it will be -hard to believe, but this yellow cane, which is as sweet as honey, is -placed between two large hard rollers until all the juice is squeezed -out. - -“This juice is boiled down, and when thick is poured off.” - -“Tut, tut, tut,” gurgled the Molasses Jug; “don’t step on my toes.” - -“Don’t worry,” laughed Sugar Cane. “I’m not going to tell any more of -your story. I had to tell that much to get at what settles to the -bottom, which is my sweet wife. - -“It is first brown sugar. That is purified by filtration, and when -clear white takes the various names of loaf sugar, lump sugar, and -refined sugar, according to the degree of purification. - -“Refined sugar is the pulverised confectioners’ sugar and is used in -candies. - -“Granulated sugar is made by stirring while the strong syrup -crystallises and forms small grains or crystals. - -“While I know I am not very pretty, yet the children in the warm -countries love me dearly. They clamour for a piece of sugar cane to -suck, just as the children here beg for candy sticks. Some of the poor -little ones have nothing to eat all day long but a stick of sugar cane, -and nowhere to sleep but on a door step. They run around in bare feet -and with scarcely any clothes!” - -“Here! Here!” came the smothered tones of Mrs. Sugar. “You have told -the whole story. I think you shouldn’t wind up by making everybody -weep. Blow yourself up and let me come forth once more, please.” - -Then Sugar Cane began to dwindle as a gust of wind blew through his -pipes. Shorter and fatter he grew, till behold, there was dear Mrs. -Sugar, smiling down at them as she again tied her bonnet strings. - -“I never did see such a man. So dismal as he grows sometimes. What if -the children do only have sugar cane all day. It’s good and makes them -fat, and a jollier lot I never saw. They love to go barefooted; and as -for clothes, who wants any where the weather is boiling hot all the -time? - -“Don’t waste any tears on him any of you. Let’s hear from Molasses. She -will send your tears flying as high as a kite.” - -At this summons the Molasses Jug now appeared. Her gown was a -beautiful shade of golden brown, with touches of sunshiny yellow here -and there. She really wasn’t a jug, but looked like one from the fact -that she kept her arm crooked up just like a jug handle. - - - - -TALE OF THE MOLASSES DOLL - - -“Well,” she said gaily. “Mr. Sugar pretty near told you my story, I -stopped him just in time. I come in just where the juice from the sugar -cane boils down thick. That was my own splendid self that was poured -off. - -“I love the time when I gurgle down into a barrel, and fairly hug -myself when that barrel is in a grocery store waiting to be sold. I -always wonder what kind of a home I am going to, and what will be done -with me. - -“I sit there in the dark, and presently the spigot in the barrel is -turned, and the thick stream gurgles into jugs. The jugs are placed in -a grocery wagon. The driver whistles a merry tune, and away we go into -so many homes. - -“I make so many good things, and it is such fun guessing what I’m going -to be in each time. Sometimes it is gingerbread, or may be plump brown -cookies. Again, it is pudding with fat plums swelling up inside. - -“Once a grand thing happened. It was the day before Christmas. The -driver was hurrying the horse along at the very edge of town. - -“Suddenly something startled the horse, and he ran away. The wagon -overturned. Everything was thrown about in the snow. My jug broke and -I began to run out all over. I had good company though, for popcorn, -cranberries, and all sorts of things were scattered about me. - -“The grocery boy gathered up most of the stuff and away he went. I was -hopeless, and thought what a miserable Christmas I was to have. No -good to anybody. Suddenly I pricked up my ears. Children were crying, -and I heard one say: - -“‘Can’t have any Christmas at all. Not a speck of anything. No money to -buy anything with!’ - -“A group of them were trudging through the snow from school. When they -saw me one said: ‘What’s that?’ - -“Wasn’t I glad I was molasses. Most anything else would have been of -no use at such a time. I could hardly keep still when I saw one after -another poke a finger into the brown mass and taste. - -“‘Molasses!’ they cried in one breath. - -“With a whoop of delight they ran into a nearby home, and came back -with a pail and cups. The snow had a glassy crust and I hadn’t sunken -in at all. So all they had to do was to scoop, and there I was. They -scooped and scraped till they had a good pail full. - -“I saw a few ears of popcorn that had lodged down in a little hollow, -so I let a small stream run after them. The children spied them, and -such a shout went up as you never heard! Luckily the snow was fresh -fallen and clean, so they really had made quite a find. - -“We were hurried into the house, and when the mother and father came -home from their work, looking sad enough because they could not give -the children any Christmas, they were greeted with the cries of ‘Merry -Christmas! Merry Christmas!’ - -“It would have done your hearts good to have seen that candy pull, and -the popcorn balls were the finest ever made. They had a perfectly good -Christmas that didn’t cost a cent. - -“So I think molasses is quite important in this world even if it is -cheap.” - -Molasses sat down amid a round of applause. - -“What a nice story! I wish some one would tell another,” murmured -little Allspice, whose earnest blue eyes and clasped hands showed how -she had loved the story. - -“A splendid idea! The night is slowly passing; perhaps some of us -may think up some interesting stories; incidents we have seen in our -various home lands. - - - - -TALE OF THE VINEGAR KING - - -“Now let’s hear from the Vinegar King. We have had much sweet, perhaps -we would like a little sour for a change.” - -His Majesty was tall and thin, dressed in velvet knee breeches and -fancy coat with silver trimmings. His cockade hat looked as though he -really did belong to royalty, but so sour an expression did he wear you -could tell at once that he stood for nothing sweet. - -[Illustration: “Suddenly something startled the horse, and he ran -away”] - -“Ladies and Gentlemen: I am happy—” - -“Happy—you?” queried the audience in gales of laughter. - -“I didn’t mean to say I was happy. I started to say I am happy to -inform you that in wine countries I come from fermented poor wines, -elsewhere from malt or apple cider.” - -With that he sat down. - -“Here! Here! Is that all you have to tell us?” cried Cinnamon Stick. - -“All! It is much more than Molasses had to say.” - -“You have talked for twenty seconds. Molasses entertained us for many -minutes!” - -“Yes, Mr. Chairman, but if you simmer down what Molasses told you of -her history, it will take three seconds by the clock to say it. It was -this: ‘I am the juice from the sugar cane boiled down and gurgled into -a barrel!’” - -Vinegar tried so hard to imitate Molasses, even to the sweet -expression, he sat down amid roars of laughter. - -Molasses now hopped up in the greatest haste, crying: - -“So I did gurgle into a barrel, and into a jug, too. It was all there -was to tell. Sugar Cane had to tell the beginning of me because we came -from the same thing. It was why I told the story, and dear knows it was -a sweet story.” - -“The gentleman with silver trimmed knee breeches will kindly tell us -something further of himself,” said Cinnamon Stick in bland tones. -“What are you good for?” - -“I am used for soothing remedies in the pharmacies.” - -“Soothing!” laughed Salt and Pepper. “I hope you have your picture on -the outside of the bottles.” - -“I do. They especially asked for it. I am good for many things besides -medicine. Sour pickles could never be made without me, and as for peach -pickles, you might have all the cloves and cinnamon in the world in -them, would they be at all if it were not for me? As for my looks, I -can’t help them. We all have to look like we are, and even though I -look and seem sour, at heart I am sweet because really I have to have -sugar to make the mother.” - -“Mother!” cried bashful Allspice. “Have you really a dear mother?” - -“Oh, my dear, not that kind of a mother. It is just some thick stringy -stuff that grows in Vinegar as it ferments and makes it ferment -quicker. It is just called mother. - -“That is all I know about me. Thank you for your kind attention.” - -“You are very welcome,” said Cinnamon Stick. “You really did very well -after all. - -TALE OF THE CITRON DOLL - - -“Now let’s hear from Miss Citron. She sounds very sweet and good.” - -“And I am sweet and good, too,” said the doll with the large green -head, gorgeously gowned in purple. - -“I grow in Spain.” Here she sat down on the top of the globe and rolled -over and over till she reached that spot where she was to be found, -then rose and continued: - -“My tree has an upright smooth trunk with a branchy head rising from -five to fifteen feet, adorned with large oval spear-shaped leaves. See, -my hat is made of one. Isn’t it _chic_?” and she placed the odd hat on -her head and paraded about for a moment. - -“Don’t mistake me for a Pathé Moving Picture fashion show, please, for -I never aspired to anything higher than fruit cake and pastries. - -“My fruit is different from the lemon in that it has no knob at the top -and the rind is much thicker. My tree has purple blossoms that are -white inside. The seeds of the fruit are bitter. After they are taken -out I am cut in half and dried in sugar and make a delicious confection. - -“I am sorry my story is short, but that is really all there is to tell.” - -“Very good, indeed, and now we will hear from the ballet girls, Orange -and Lemon, who seem in a flutter to tell their tales,” announced Mr. -Cinnamon Stick. - -The Orange and Lemon Dolls now came forward, and after a sweeping bow -danced like fairies about the hearth, their orange and yellow skirts -fluffing about their tiny feet. - -“Opera glasses! Opera glasses!” shouted one. - -“All music and words of the opera here,” sang another. - -“Standing room only,” cried another. - - - - -TALES OF THE ORANGE AND LEMON DOLLS - - -Mr. Cinnamon Stick bade them be quiet, and Orange began her story. - -“We come from about the same parts of the world; watch and you will see -where.” - -The eyes of the audience followed the pair as they heeled and toed -over the globe, touching daintily Italy, Spain, Portugal, Florida, and -California. - -“The California orange is liked best because it has no seeds. It is a -deep orange colour with a thick skin. - -“The Florida orange is a shade lighter and has a thinner skin. - -“We also grow in Mexico—here—but the Mexican orange cannot be shipped -because it will not keep. It is sweet and delicious, however, and much -loved by the natives. - -“One wonderful thing about the orange tree is that at the same time, on -the same tree, you will find the buds, blossoms, the green and ripe -fruit, because they grow slowly. Also the grape fruit is sometimes -grafted on our trees. There are oranges that will hang on the trees for -two years, so they can be picked at any time, which is most convenient. - -“The trees stand about twenty-three feet apart and must not be chilled -for it hurts the buds. When a cold snap comes, the owners build fires -here and there in the orange groves and keep them all snug and warm. -They must watch the weather reports very closely, as in a short time -the cold might ruin the orange crop. - -“One thousand oranges have been taken from one tree. When the tree is -no longer fruitful, its hard, fine-grained, yellowish wood is valued -for inlaid work. - -“The orange was first found in India, then spread to Western Asia, -Spain, Italy, and is now grown in all tropical lands. - -“Now, Lemon may tell us about herself, as that is all I know.” - -“I also am from Spain, and all those countries we touched,” said the -Lemon Doll. - -“I grew on a tree with three thousand in the family. - -“We are picked green because then we keep better and the skins are -thinner. If we are left in our tree house until grown to full size our -skins are thick, and we are sent to England, where we are sugared and -dried and named sugared lemon peel. - -“We don’t sound like much, but when you see us in heaps and piles in -the groceries, and see the lot of money we bring in to the owners, you -find we are quite worth while, for we are shipped all over the world, -and wherever you are you will usually find us on the table, if you find -no other fruit.” - -“Right you are, my dears. You are both a most important food, and we -are glad we met up with you,” cried Cinnamon Stick. - -“And now _I’m_ going to wish again for the Story Sprite. I want a -Christmas story.” - -“Oh, joy!” exclaimed the audience, rapturously beaming upon the Story -Sprite, who sprang from the back log at the magic word “wish,” singing -gaily: - -“And a Christmas story you shall have. Here is my favourite one. It is -called - - - - -ANNA BELLE’S CHRISTMAS EVE. - - -“Anna Belle had had a very exciting day, and now, curled up on the -window seat, her head pillowed on downy cushions, she sat watching the -sleighs flying by. - -“It was a glorious night. The moon shed its silvery glow on the busy -scene, and Anna Belle drowsily noted the people passing with arms -filled and pockets bulging. - -“‘I wish I could see what’s in those packages,’ she murmured. ‘I think -Christmas is queer anyhow.’ - -“‘Why?’ came in tinkling tones to her ears. - -“Anna Belle jumped, for there beside her was a beautiful fairy, holding -on high a silver wand, on the end of which gleamed a star. - -“‘Why?’ persisted the fairy creature, determined to have an explanation -of such a statement. - -“‘Well, I ask for a lot of things I never get, and I get a lot of -things I don’t want.’ - -“‘You do?’ said the Fairy inquiringly. - -“‘Yes, every year I do. In the attic are boxes and boxes of things I -didn’t care at all for. Somehow I’m never very happy at Christmas time.’ - -“‘Are you _giving_ any presents this year?’ - -“‘Oh, yes, Papa always gives me money to buy them, but I didn’t spend -it all. I’ve asked for a bracelet, and if I don’t get it I’m going to -buy one with what I have left.’ - -“The fairy glanced about the beautiful room, where seemed to be -everything to make one happy, then she gently asked: - -“‘Are the gifts you bought gifts you feel sure are wanted by those who -will receive them?’ - -“Anna Belle flushed as she tossed her curls and replied: - -“‘Perhaps not. Papa always says, “You can’t get something for nothing,” -and you see I didn’t want to spend all my money.’ - -“‘Did you have a happy time buying these gifts?’ - -“‘Well, no. Do you think any one is very happy at Christmas time?’ - -“‘That depends. Some are very, very happy.’ - -“‘Yes, I know. People with bushels of gifts are, especially if they -are really what they want.’ - -“‘Oh,’ laughed the Fairy. ‘I know people who have scarcely any money to -buy presents and yet are having a lovely Christmas with presents made -out of nothing. People who are as poor as crows, and yet are bubbling -over with joy this very night.’ - -“Anna Belle opened her eyes very wide at this statement. - -“‘Making a Christmas out of nothing, and as poor as crows!’ she echoed. -‘Just how poor is that? I’d like to see them.’ - -“‘You would? Come with me then,’ and after a wave of the silvery wand -Anna Belle found herself floating along in mid air like a bird. - -“‘Oh!’ she cried. ‘What fun! I wish I could always be a fairy!’ - -[Illustration: “She was making dolls from bottles”] - -“‘If you wish it hard enough you may be. Now follow me very closely for -we aren’t the only fairies abroad Christmas Eve. The air is full of -them.’ - -“Anna Belle looked about her, and sure enough, it was almost like -June bug season. She felt them whizzing past her, and at times their -whirring wings fairly brushed her cheeks. - -“‘Oh, how lovely it is!’ she exclaimed. ‘How different it all looks -from above!’ - -“‘Yes, dear, everything looks different from above. Do you see that wee -brown house far over in that meadow, all alone?’ - -“‘Yes,’ replied Anna Belle; ‘are they poor as crows?’ - -“‘Poorer, they haven’t even any feathers,’ laughed the Fairy, as they -gently floated down, down, till they could peer into a window of the -little house. - -“A mother sat by a table sewing. Anna Belle watched to see that she was -making dolls from bottles. - -“She fashioned heads by placing a wad of cotton in a piece of muslin. -Giving the cloth a twist, she had a perfect round ball which she shaped -and tied down over a cork. On this she skilfully painted a face, then -tied a trim little bonnet about it, and behold, there was a smiling bit -of a creature awaiting the next move. - -“She then made petticoat, dress and coat, and stood it in a corner -while she made another. As she worked she smiled so sweetly the whole -room seemed aglow. - -“‘Come and see who will have these gifts,’ whispered the Fairy. - -“Anna Belle followed and peeped in another window. There she saw a -number of little children all snuggled up fast asleep. - -“‘Look!’ whispered the Fairy, and pointed to a stand where were a few -gifts. A pin-cushion made of bits of ribbon from a scrap bag, and a -workbox made from a cigar box. This was a work of art indeed. Pockets -had been tacked inside, and on the bottom of the box lay a spool of -thread. - -“‘Looks lonesome, doesn’t it?’ whispered the Fairy. - -“Anna Belle nodded as she thought of her own beautiful workbox of -carved ivory with gold thimble and all sorts of beautiful fittings. - -“Then she remembered another laid away in the attic, one of the things -she didn’t want. - -“These two crude gifts were marked in childish hand, ‘For Mother with -much love.’ - -“‘Love is sticking out all over those things,’ said the Fairy. ‘Come -down and see how she is getting on with her bottle family.’ - -“They went below, to find the dolls nearly finished, and a fine -ready-made family it was. - -“Father, mother, children, and even a weenty teenty pill bottle doll, -dressed as a baby in long clothes, was pinned to the mother, the tiny -head nestled close to the spot where her heart should be. - -“‘They are lovely!’ declared Anna Belle. - -“‘They are, indeed, and they can do what many of the finest dolls you -buy cannot. They can stand and you can have great fun with them.’ - -“‘I’m going to make some,’ said Anna Belle. ‘I think they are cute. -What is she doing now?’ - -“‘Why, don’t you see? Some one has given her a branch from a Christmas -tree. She is fastening the dolls to it. Now she’s poking the coals, -she’s going to pop corn and string it for the tree. That cost one -penny. She’s also going to make molasses candy. See it bubbling in that -kettle? Molasses is very cheap and it will be the only candy they will -have, but they will be wild over it, just because only at Christmas -time they have it. - -“‘Now come and I’ll show you crow number two.’ - -“Anna Belle was loath to leave this interesting window, but she -obediently followed on. - -“‘Look in here,’ whispered the Fairy, as they paused by another humble -home. - -“Anna Belle looked, to see an empty stocking swinging from the mantel. -On it was pinned a paper, and Anna Belle read the large printed words: - - “Dear Santa Claus—If you have enough things to go round - won’t you give my sister a music box and a readin’ buck. - She’s lame and can’t play like me. You needn’t give me - anything. I can hear the music and read her’s. - - “JAMIE.” - -“Anna Belle’s eyes filled as she read, and followed the Fairy to see -two children fast asleep, dreaming of what they hoped they might find -in the morning. - -“‘They have no mother. The father isn’t much good, but does his best -to feed them. In the morning those stockings will be as empty as they -are now.’ - -“‘Dear! Dear! Why doesn’t some one know about it?’ asked Anna Belle -tearfully. - -“‘Some one does know now,’ replied the Fairy with a wise nod as they -floated on. - -“‘I hope they’ll do something then,’ said Anna Belle. - -“‘I hope so,’ whispered the Fairy. ‘Look in here,’ and Anna Belle -peered in a window. - -“Here a child of perhaps twelve or fourteen was seated at a table, -working busily. Anna Belle watched to see her making paper dolls. She -cut them out, painted faces and hair, then made a number of cunning -dresses, coats and hats, placed them in envelopes and marked the -outside. - -“They watched till she had three ready, then slipped them into the -stockings, hanging waiting. - -“The love light in her eyes was sweet to behold and as she stood over -the lamp to put it out, Anna Belle noticed the rare delicate beauty of -her face. - -“When all was dark the Fairy moved on. - -“‘She didn’t even hang up her own stocking,’ said Anna Belle. - -“‘No one to fill it. She mothers those three little ones, and it’s -all she can do to make things go, but did you ever see any one look -happier? See the card on this door knob?’ - -“Anna Belle paused to read: - - “Dear Santa—Please bring me a sleeping doll. Even if - you can’t spare one, if you would just let me hold one a - moment and sing it to sleep once I will be glad. I am a - good girl. - - “ELSIE.” - -“‘See her! Isn’t she dear?’ cried Anna Belle, as she peeped in the -window to see a beautiful plump little girl fast asleep. - -“‘She looks like a sleeping doll herself. Will she get the doll, do you -think?’ - -“‘I hope so. It all depends,’ said the Fairy. - -“They floated along for some time, and presently went down to hover -over some children looking in the window of a toy store. - -“Wistful little faces they had, and their clothes told Anna Belle they -must get their fun out of just looking. - -“Farther on in front of the candy store huddled a shabby crowd, gazing -at the sparkling goodies. - -“‘Come away, please, I don’t want to see any more. Surely they aren’t -happy,’ cried Anna Belle. - -“‘They are as happy as they can be. Each one of them had a penny in a -tightly closed fist, wondering what to buy to take home and put in an -empty stocking. - -“‘Let’s stop here a moment,’ whispered the Fairy, poising on the top -of a Christmas tree in front of a big store. - -“Anna Belle, standing beside her, noticed that as she held on high her -wand the star shone out so bright and beautiful the people below paused -and gazed in wonder. The happy faces beamed even brighter and the -unhappy ones changed instantly. - -“‘What does it mean?’ whispered one and another, while one little girl -cried: - -“‘Why, Mother, it’s _the_ Star. Don’t you know?’ - -“‘Yes,’ whispered the mother, clasping more closely the little hand and -passing on. - -“‘What made the cross ones look so glad, and the happy ones look more -so?’ asked Anna Belle, as she watched the throngs below. - -“‘Don’t you know really?’ asked the Fairy. - -“Anna Belle pondered a while, then looked at the sky to see it thickly -dotted with stars, and saw that One shone more brightly than any of the -others. She then turned to look at the star on the end of the wand, but -behold, it had vanished. - -“‘Where is it?’ she asked in surprise. - -“‘It came down and did its work and then went back where it belongs,’ -replied the Fairy with a roguish twinkle, and Anna Belle stared for a -moment at the splendid bright star, then said softly: - -“‘I understand it now, and why it could do it, but I had forgotten what -Christmas really means. - -“‘For a long time it has seemed to mean only things. Gifts, and not -only gifts, but certain kinds of gifts. - -“‘Oh!’ she said wistfully, ‘I wish I could do something to help. Was -that what you meant when you kept saying, “That depends”?’ - -“‘That was just what I meant. Now you have seen the Star, and I know -all will be well.’ - -“Anna Belle seemed busily thinking, and the Fairy waited. - -“‘The-attic is full of presents I didn’t want, and I have a lot of -money I was going to use for the bracelet.’ - -“‘_If_ you didn’t get it,’ laughed the Fairy. - -“‘I don’t want it now. I’d rather use it for these poor little -children. Elsie must have a doll. I have one, and a music box, and many -“Readin’” books with pictures, but how can we get them to the places?’ - -“‘Fairies are stronger than you think. I will summon my helpers.’ - -“Anna Belle then heard a sound as of wind whistling around the corners. -In a moment there appeared fairies without number. Such silvery sprites -they were Anna Belle longed to take one to her heart and keep for ever -and ever. - -“‘Come!’ cried the Fairy, who seemed to be the leader. - -“As she floated away all followed, and Anna Belle found they were -headed straight for her own home and the attic. - -“As she wondered how they would get in, she found herself flying easily -through the tiny bird window high up in the tower. - -“‘How lovely!’ she cried. ‘I never knew it was for fairies!’ - -“‘Show what we are to take,’ cried the Fairy. ‘We must hurry.’ - -“Anna Belle pointed out a music box, books, dishes, balls, skates. -In fact, toys of every description. Then she opened one large box to -find a beautiful doll with eyes closed in slumber. ‘For Elsie,’ she -whispered, and watched to see each fairy gather up a gift and press -close to its shining bosom. - -[Illustration: “‘Show what we are to take,’ cried the Fairy. ‘We must -hurry’”] - -“‘Are we really going to take them?’ she asked. - -“‘We wouldn’t miss the joy of it for anything,’ replied her fairy -friend. - -“They floated away; Anna Belle holding to her heart the sleeping doll. -She tried to recall why she hadn’t wanted it, for it was so pretty. -Then she flushed, for she remembered that she had been cross over this -very doll because she had asked for a brown-eyed doll and this one had -blue eyes! - -“‘I didn’t deserve any doll, nor anything,’ she said. ‘I didn’t know I -was so bad.’ - -“‘Forget it!’ laughed the Fairy. ‘We can’t afford to be thinking over -our wrong-doings. If we have started on the right track we will have -enough to do to keep within it. - -“‘Here is the candy store. I know you want some. Give me your money; -I’ll get it for you. I know the man well. He’ll double what he gives -me, for he well knows what I’ll do with it.’ - -“In some mysterious way Anna Belle found in a moment each one was -carrying a basket of bonbons on a tiny arm as they floated on. - -“‘Here is Elsie,’ whispered the Fairy presently. - -“Anna Belle placed the doll in Elsie’s arms, then filled the stockings -with other toys and sweets. In the toe she placed a shining gold piece. - -“The music box, books, and other toys were left in the home of the lame -child; also a gold piece shone in the toe of each stocking hanging -there. - -“The paper doll girl was generously remembered, and the bottle dolls -smiled gratefully at the load of gifts left at their feet. - -“Anna Belle’s eyes shone as she thought of the joy this Christmas was -to bring to so many hearts. - -“‘How many?’ asked the Fairy, who seemed to know what she was thinking. - -“Anna Belle pondered as they floated homeward. Presently she cried: -‘Why, just think, it’s twenty-four!’ - -“‘Only twenty-four? I counted twenty-five.’ - -“Again Anna Belle went over them, then said: ‘I can’t remember the odd -one.’ - -“The Fairy sent forth a bubbling, rippling laugh, which puzzled Anna -Belle for a moment, then she twinkled and cried: - -“‘Why, I’m the odd one. I never was so happy. When did it begin? Oh, I -know; it was when I saw the Star, wasn’t it?’ - -“‘Yes, indeed,’ replied the Fairy, ‘and not only when you saw the Star, -but when you remembered the meaning of it. - -“‘The love that came in with the Christ Child and His spirit of loving -and giving, not only of gifts but of Himself, has come down with the -ages, and will go on and on.’ - -“‘I’m so glad I found it out. I really don’t care now whether I get -the bracelet, or not,’ declared Anna Belle, as they floated into her -bedroom window. - -“‘No, but see!’ and the Fairy pointed with her wand, on the end of -which Anna Belle again saw the shining Star sending a glow of light -over her dresser, and there lying on its velvet bed she beheld a -beautiful circlet of dull gold. - -“Much excited, she whispered: ‘Is it plain? I really wanted it -jewelled.’ Then she laughed and added: ‘No, I don’t care how it is. -Just so it’s a bracelet, for I’m afraid I do kind of want it. Is it -wrong to want it? If it is, I’ll try till I don’t.’ - -The Fairy gently caressed her, then touched the golden circlet with -her wand. - -“‘No, it isn’t wrong to want it now that you remember the true meaning -of Christmas, and want to keep it with the true Christmas spirit. See!’ - -“Anna Belle looked to see a starry jewel embedded in the gold, then she -noticed the Star had vanished from the wand. - -“She looked quickly out at the sky, where the steady light of the Star -shone straight into her eyes. - -“‘I’m glad you didn’t take that Star,’ she whispered. ‘We couldn’t get -along without it.’ - -“‘My, no. I couldn’t take that Star. That’s the Star of Bethlehem, you -know. This is just a weenty teenty shadow of that Star, that’s why it -isn’t quite so bright.’ - -“‘It’s bright enough for me, and means a lot. How can I ever thank you -for this night’s work?’ asked Anna Belle. - -“‘Never again lose sight of the Star and I will be more than repaid. -Good-bye.’ - -“Anna Belle watched her out of sight, then turned and—dear me! she -opened her eyes; the sleighs were still flying past, for she could hear -the bells ringing so merrily. - -“‘How much sweeter they sound,’ she cried. ‘They seem to be saying, -“Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!” I wonder why I didn’t notice it -before.’ - -“She ran down-stairs to find Mother busily wrapping packages. She -looked at Anna Belle and cried: - -“‘Why, child, what makes your eyes so bright, and why do you look so -glad? I heard you saying all sorts of things as you slept.’ - -“‘Oh, Mother! If you only knew,’ and thereupon she told the whole -story of her dream, omitting the part about the bracelet. When she had -finished she drew her mother to the window, where together they gazed -at the Star. - -“Mother’s eyes were full of tears, as she said gently, ‘Ring the bell, -dear.’ - -“The maid appeared, and Mother asked that John bring out the double -sleigh at once, adding: - -“‘Then come to me; bring Annie also. We have work to do.’ - -“Wonderingly the maids followed to the attic and brought down many -boxes lying there, waiting for they knew not what. - -“‘Help me to tie them up separately in white tissue paper. Use the -prettiest ribbons.’ - -“They worked busily, and soon a more Christmasy lot of bundles it would -be hard to find. - -“They placed them in baskets, together with warm clothes, beautiful -dresses of Anna Belle’s that were hardly worn. - -“Presently Anna Belle, Mother, and the baskets were packed in the big -sleigh, dashing down the street. - -“One stop they made, at the candy store, then on they went. - -“‘Do you think you can find Elsie, and the little lame girl, and the -house where the bottle dolls are?’ - -“‘I’m sure I can,’ replied Mother. ‘I happen to know them all.’ - -“And find them they did, and many others who were not in the dream. - -“‘Oh, Mother! isn’t it sweet to do?’ cried Anna Belle, her bright eyes -shining up at the Star. - -“‘It is, indeed, dear. I’m very glad you had the dream, for I fear I -also was forgetting the real meaning of Christmas and almost entirely -losing sight of the Star.’ - -“She held the child close till the joy ride was over, then kissed her, -saying: - -“‘I don’t know when I have been so happy!’ - -“‘Nor I, Mother dear; and we owe it all to the Good Fairy.’ - -“‘We do, indeed. May she never cease to wave her starry wand. Good -night, my child, good night.’ - -“Soon Anna Belle slept, and as she slept the starlight beamed on her -sweet face, and presently it shone also on a golden circlet lying on -its velvet pillow on the dresser. - -“The dream seemed really coming true, for there embedded in the gold -gleamed a starry jewel. - -“When Anna Belle found it the next morning, she ran to Mother’s room -crying earnestly: - -“‘Mother, _do_ you think the Fairy left it?’ - -“‘No doubt,’ replied Mother with twinkling eyes, ‘at least she must -have touched it with her wand, for you see she has left her messenger: - - “‘and the Star is shining.’” - -The story ended, the Sprite vanished, and in her place the light of a -beautiful star shed a halo about the little heads. - -The tiny creatures sat spellbound, dreaming again with Anna Belle, till -they were suddenly awakened by Cinnamon Stick who cried: - -“Well! Well! Wasn’t that a grand Christmas story! I almost felt as -though we too were flying fairies playing Santa Claus, but since we are -just plain mince pie elves playing school we better go on with our game. - -TALES OF THE SALT AND PEPPER TWINS - -“Now I am most anxious to hear from the black and white pair of twins. -Allow me to introduce Salt and Pepper, both of whom seem very necessary -in this world of ours.” - -[Illustration: “I am used very extensively as an April Fool”] - -Salt and Pepper now teetered forward. A cute little pair, indeed. Salt, -all robed in frosty white, first began, and saucily cried out her big -name of Sodium Chloride. - -“I haven’t much to say except that I look so like sugar you can hardly -tell which is which. For that reason I am used very extensively as an -April Fool and am most popular on that day. - -“I come principally from the United States, of which you all know -without my showing you; from Michigan, New York, Ohio, Louisiana, West -Virginia, California, Kansas, and Utah. - -“Michigan and New York gave in 1888 about three quarters of all the -salt produced in the United States. - -“The salt of California is made by evaporation of sea water. That of -Utah from water of Great Salt Lake. - -“That found in Louisiana and Kansas comes by mining rock salt. - -“I’ll give you a riddle. What is it that has to be in most everything -we eat, or else it isn’t good? I’ll answer because you couldn’t -possibly guess. It’s salt. - -“You could hardly enjoy a meal without me. What would a table be -without the salt box? And as for birthday parties, they just couldn’t -have them if I vanished from the earth.” - -“‘Tisn’t true,” cried Orange. “A party I was at once was almost ruined -because of you. You worked into the ice cream, and what’s a party -without ice cream? No one could eat it and the children cried!” - -“That’s true,” said Salt. “I forgot to tell you that while a little of -me is most necessary, too much of a good thing is worse than nothing. - -“Now my twin brother will tell you of himself.” - -Black Pepper, dressed in a black velvet suit and cap, politely bowed as -he removed his hat. - -“Kechoo! Kechoo!” sneezed the audience. - -“Put your cap on quickly,” whispered Salt; “don’t you see you are -making them sneeze?” - -“Oh, pardon me!” apologised Pepper. “I didn’t think that politeness -would cause such distress. My story is very short. - -“I come from all damp tropical countries, and my tree is a joy to -behold, when hanging full of scarlet berries against the background of -green leaves. The spikes are gathered when the berries begin to turn -red. The berries are rubbed off and dried and form then the ordinary -black pepper. - -“The white pepper consists of the seeds of the same fruit allowed to -ripen and deprived of their pulp. The white pepper finds its largest -market in China, which is right here. - -“There is a plant of the genus Capsicum. From those pods come Cayenne -or red pepper. - -“That’s all,” he cried, with a funny quick bow. - -“Your stories are short, but you are both about as necessary an article -of food as I know of,” said Mr. Cinnamon Stick, “and now let us hear -from this apple-cheeked maid, all about her lovely fruit, the Apple.” - -TALE OF THE APPLE DOLL - -The Apple-faced Doll tripped forward in the greatest of haste. - -“I shall sit while I talk,” she said, seating herself and smoothing out -her snowy apron. “I have a long story to tell which, I am sure, you -will all love.” - -“A story! A story!” rippled through the audience, as the dolls crept -close to the speaker, and with clasped hands awaited this treat. - -Little Allspice placed herself in the rosy-cheeked maiden’s lap, and a -pretty picture it was to see her upturned face in the golden gleam of -the dancing flames. - -“Well,” began the maid with the jolly smile, “the apple is to be found -most everywhere in mild climates. It first came from Avella, a town in -Campania, right there.” As she spoke she pointed with a long pointer -standing near by, to a place in Italy. - -“It was introduced into America from England in 1629 by the Governor of -Massachusetts Bay. - -“There are many varieties of apples, sweet and sour, hard and soft, -eating and cooking apples. - -“The cider in the mincemeat is made from the juice of the apples. They -are crushed in a cider mill and the juice is strained. Some apples -would delight a child’s heart with their beautiful colours of gold and -crimson, and some grow to an enormous size. - - - - -THE STORY OF JOHNNY APPLESEED - - -“And now for the story: - -“Once there was a man who was very, very poor. He had been a farmer and -no one raised such fine crops as did he. By and by, in some way, he -lost his farm and was left all alone. - -“He had always wanted to do some grand thing, something that would make -many people happy, but what could he do? He had no money. All he had -was a small boat. - -“As he trudged along one day he saw some old sacks lying under a tree. -As he looked at them he had a splendid thought. A thought that seemed -to have wings and came flying from far away. Oh, it was a beautiful -thought, and seemed to be singing a little song in his heart as he -picked up the sacks and placed them in his boat, jumped in himself and -floated away. - -“As he rowed down the stream the man watched the shore with keen eyes. -When he saw an apple orchard he rowed to land, tied his boat, hastened -to the homes near the orchards and asked for work. - -“He cut wood, carried water, and did all sorts of odd chores. In -payment for this work he asked for food, and what else do you suppose? - -“The people were so surprised at what he asked for they could hardly -believe him. He asked that he might have the seeds from the apples on -the ground under the trees—only the seeds. - -“Of course they gladly gave him such a simple thing, and as he cut the -fruit the neighbour children swarmed about him. - -“From one place to another he went, always adding to his store of seeds. - -“Some generous farmers gave him also cuttings of peach, pear, and plum -trees, and grape vines. - -“Day after day, day after day, he cut up the fruit, while the children -sat at his feet and listened to thrilling tales of what he had seen in -his travels. Of the Indians with their gay blankets and feathers, of -their camps where they lived in the forests. - -“Of their dances and war paint; their many coloured, beaded necklaces -and jingling, silver chains and bracelets. Of their beady-eyed babies -strapped to boards. - -“Of the wolves which came out at night to watch him as he sat by his -fire; of the beautiful deer who ran across his path. - -“He sang funny songs for the children and taught them all sorts of -games. - -[Illustration: “The children sat at his feet and listened to thrilling -tales”] - -“When it came time to go on, they begged him to stay. Never before -had they been so amused, but on he went, and when his bags were full, -and he had a goodly store of food, he started on to carry out the -splendid thought. Oh, it was a grand thing he was going to do. - -“The little boat went on and on, till houses were no more to be seen. -Splendid forests lined the banks here and there. Then he paused, for -this was what he was seeking—a place where no one lived. - -“He landed and went about with a bag of seeds, and when he reached an -open place in a forest he planted seeds and cuttings of the trees and -vines; then wove a brush fence about them to keep the deer away. He -then hastened back to his boat and drifted on. - -“In many, many places he landed and planted seeds, and all the orchards -of the Ohio and Mississippi Valley we owe to this man. - -“Years after when settlers came looking for a place to live they chose -these spots where, to their great surprise, they found all sorts of -trees loaded with fruit. - -“This man’s name was John Chapman, but he was nicknamed Johnny -Appleseed. - -“The settlers were glad indeed when he appeared and told them the -orchards were the fruit of his labours, and they were all eager to -entertain him. - -“And so he ended his life in this land of fruit and plenty. - -“I must tell you a story of one certain little tree. - -“In one of the houses of the settlement where Johnny Appleseed loved to -stay there lived a dear little boy, just a wee toddler, named Jack. - -“Dearly did the child love to follow the old man about as he worked, -for Johnny Appleseed’s work was by no means finished when the trees -were bearing fruit. - -“Those trees had to be pruned; that meant all the dead branches had to -be cut off. In the spring the blossoms had to be sprayed to keep the -bugs out of the cores of the fruit; the trunk had to be watched to see -that it was not marred in any way, as a small gash might mean the loss -of the tree in time. - -“One day Johnny, with little Jack, went to the village post office, and -there found a letter and a package. - -“It was the child’s birthday, and he was most interested in the small -parcel thinking it might be for him. - -“‘Jack,’ cried Johnny after reading the letter, ‘what do you s’pose -is in it? Look!’ and he disclosed a mass of brown glossy seeds. ‘The -letter says they are from a wonderful new kind of apple. How would you -like an apple tree all your own for a birthday present?’ - -“‘Yeth,’ lisped Jack, ‘an apple tree all my own.’ - -“‘Then let’s pretend you are another Johnny Appleseed, starting an -orchard. Bring your cart.’ - -“Jack’s eyes shone at the word ‘pretend,’ for he dearly loved it, and -soon came drawing the little red cart, in which Johnny placed the -package of seeds. - -“‘Now we’ll go and get a lunch,’ said the old man as they walked to the -kitchen door. - -“Jack rapped on the door, and Mother appeared. - -“‘If you please, Marm,’ said Johnny, ‘we are going on an expedition. We -have a birthday and we want to celebrate it, for we have a wonderful -gift. Some seeds which when planted will bring forth a very unusual -apple tree. May we have a lunch for this journey?’ - -“Mother’s eyes twinkled as she hastily placed in a small basket -sandwiches and gingerbread. - -“Johnny thanked her and away they went. After what seemed quite a walk -for the small sturdy legs they halted in a grassy nook beside the brook. - -“‘Here,’ said the old man, ‘is a grand place for your apple tree to -grow.’ And together they bored a hole in the rich earth. - -“Jack knelt down and from his chubby hands dropped the beautiful brown -seeds. Then he kissed his tiny palm and waved it over the hole as he -cried: - -“‘Good night, little seeds. Send me a little tree by and by when you -wake up. I’ll be waiting for it and will take good care of it.’ - -“They covered the seeds with the dark rich loam, then ate their lunch. -Presently Jack was thirsty, and the old man fashioned a cup from a -broad leaf and filled it at a near-by spring. Jack drank, and the -little seeds also drank. - -“Then the old man built a picket fence about the spot so no harm could -come to it. As this was finished the bell on the corn barn told them -dinner was ready. - -“‘Mudder,’ cried Jack, bursting in to the house, ‘we planted the seeds -and the tree will be my own. Isn’t that fine?’ - -“‘Fine, indeed! I never heard of a better birthday present. It will -last for years and years, and think of the fruit it will bear!’ - -“As the child ate he dreamed of the tree as it would be some day; full -of rosy apples, and he was very proud of that magic spot beside the -brook. - -“Each day he ran out to look at it, and one morning he found the -ground above the seeds humped up just a little. Another day the earth -was cracked open, and soon after that to his great joy, he found a dear -little sprig peeping up at him as though crying, ‘Here I am! How do you -do?’ - -“He danced about shouting for joy, and each day after that, could -fairly see the little sprig turn into a tree. - -“Johnny told him how the seeds sent tiny roots down into the earth and -pushed the stem up through the ground, and Jack could hardly leave the -spot which had now grown so dear. - -“When the little tree was thirsty, the rain gave it drink. The kind -wind blew and blew, bringing fresh sweet air for it to breathe, and -with every whiff it seemed to swell. - -“The spring sunshine warmed it down to its roots, and in time there -were twigs with leaf buds, which presently uncurled and opened wide. - -“‘See!’ said Johnny, ‘as the wind blows them they look like baby hands -throwing kisses!’ - -“‘Yeth!’ cried Jack, ‘maybe they are the kitheth I planted.’ - -“‘To be sure,’ Johnny replied, and together they watched it grow day -after day, week after week, month after month. - -“Jack’s next birthday found the little tree a picture to behold. The -trunk was sturdy, and on it there were many branches appearing here and -there. - -“Jack was quite a boy by this time, and soon after his little dresses -were replaced by tiny trousers. His baby talk was no more, and he was -now old enough to help care for the little tree. - -“He dug about its roots with his wee spade, and Johnny showed him how -to enrich the soil, and told him many things about the care of trees. - -“It was so splendid to know that as the tree spread its branches in the -air, so it spread its roots under the ground, giving it such a firm -support the wind would have to be very strong indeed to blow it over. - -“‘How does it drink?’ the boy asked one day. - -“‘Oh, such a fine way. It is a story all by itself,’ replied Johnny. -‘At the end of each root there are wee spongy mouths. When the rain -comes they drink it and whisper “Run fast to the trunk.” - -“‘As it rushes through the trunk, the trunk cries in a gruff voice, -“Run along to the branches.” - -“‘The branches wave and in sweet tones cry, “Welcome, run along to -the twigs, they need you.” The twigs drink it and whisper, “Run along -to the stems; they are just waiting for you.” The stems send it out -to the tip end of the leaves as they wildly wave and laugh aloud -over their sweet gift, for this water in the tree is sweet food that -nourishes every part and is called sap.’ - -“This was a fine story, and every time it rained Jack watched the -little tree, and thought he could almost hear the voices sending the -moisture on and on. - -“As time passed the tree became stronger and larger, and finally one -spring day when Jack was quite a big boy he found buds on the branches. - -“‘Buds!’ he called in great excitement, and real buds they were, which -the whole family came out to admire. - -“The buds blossomed, and as the petals snowed down the air was sweet -with their fragrance. - -[Illustration: “They looked like a lot of gnomes dressed for a party”] - -“When Jack found baby apples on his tree he wanted to celebrate, and -Mother told him that when they were ripe he could invite his friends -and have an apple party. - -“An apple party! That would be something new, and he hastened to tell -the good news at school. - -“‘They are wonderful apples,’ he said. ‘No one in this part of the -country has any like them. I tell you we’ll have the fun at that party. -They are turning crimson; you never saw such a pretty apple tree!’ - -“A pretty tree it was indeed, and looked just like a Christmas tree all -dressed up. - -“One day Johnny pronounced the fruit ripe and ready to eat. - -“‘Hurrah! To-morrow we can have the party,’ cried Jack, tossing his cap -into the air. - -“Now the fun began. Mother baked all sorts of goodies, and the little -home was made spick-and-span; even the door yard was swept for this -occasion. - -“The day dawned sweet and clear. After breakfast Jack ran out to take -one look at his beloved tree, but alas! What do you s’pose? - -“‘What!’ cried the audience in one breath. - -“A cow had broken into the orchard, tramped the fence down, and was -feasting on the rosy fruit! A few branches were broken, and a sorry -sight it was, to be sure. - -“Jack shrieked and threw himself on the ground sobbing: - -“‘My dear little tree I planted with my own baby hands! I loved it so! -Now it is ruined!’ - -“Johnny Appleseed heard the wail and hastened to the scene. - -“‘It isn’t ruined, Jack; it can be made almost as good as new. See!’ -He skilfully cut the broken branches, covered the wounded spots with a -paste made of clay, talking the while to the little tree as though it -were a person whose wounds he was binding up so carefully. - -“‘See!’ he said. ‘This clay paste will harden and keep the bugs out of -the wood until it can heal over. It will soon be all right again, but -it is too bad. Such a picture as it was, and the apples are most all -gone!’ - -“The apples!—Jack suddenly remembered. ‘The apple party was to be -to-day! What can we do?’ - -“‘Well, my boy, don’t you worry. The apple party will be to-day just -the same. We’ll take this basket and I’ll show you something I’ve kept -as a surprise. - -“‘I planted the seeds that were left over in the far corner lot, and -those trees are as pretty a sight as you want to see. I have been -watching them as we have this. Come along.’ - -“The two trudged on, Jack wiping away his tears and beginning to wear -a rainbow smile after the shower. - -“‘It’s a joke, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘That cow had an apple party all by -herself. I s’pose she didn’t like it because I didn’t invite her. - -“‘Oh!’ he exclaimed suddenly, ‘there they are. How beautiful!’ - -“And indeed they were beautiful. A number of trees exactly like his -own, all looking so thrifty, and the branches dotted with rosy fruit. - -“‘We’ll pick the apples and tie the stems to the branches of your own -little tree, because that is where you planned to have your party,’ -said Johnny. - -“Together they picked the apples, and with green string tied the stems -to the branches of the little tree. - -“‘You’d hardly know it happened!’ cried the boy in joyous tones as the -work was finished, and both stood back to admire; and true it was, for -the apples really seemed to be growing, and so the apple party was a -success after all. - -“The children had their lunch under the little tree, then each picked -his own apple and ate it before you could say, ‘Jack Robinson.’ - -“‘I know a great thing to do,’ cried Jack, as they were about to throw -away the core; ‘save the seeds and plant them, and we’ll all be Johnny -Appleseeds. You’ll each have a grand orchard started on your farm.’ - -“‘Splendid!’ laughed the old man. ‘If every seed brings forth a tree -there will be great rejoicing when you take the apples to market, for -they are certainly the best apples I ever tasted and should bring a -good price.’ - -“Wild with excitement, the children trooped home, and before long the -glossy seeds were covered up in the ground, waiting for the wonderful -thing that was to happen to them. - -“In time there were many trees bearing the rosy fruit. All through one -little boy having such a fine birthday party. - -“A tree is the dearest of treasures. I mean any kind of tree. It does -so many things. It gives fruit and shade. It gives the birds a place -to build their homes, and in return you have their beautiful music all -through the summer. It gives the squirrels a place to hide their nuts. -From the trunk many insects find their food. - -“If it were not for the trees there would be no mince pies. From the -trees are built the ships which bring from foreign countries these many -goodies. How could we have any houses, or any furniture to put in them, -if there were no trees? See that splendid back log. It has kept us warm -all the long night. It came from a grand old tree that furnished fuel -for many a winter fire. - -“And now I must stop, for I fear my tale has been too long. If it has, -please excuse me.” - -“How splendid!” chorused the audience. And little Allspice begged for -another. - - - - -THE TALE OF THE STOLEN DOLL CLOTHES - - -Nutmeg cried: “I know a grand one! It happened right in a forest near -where I grew. - -“You know those woods are full of monkeys, and they have great times. -One of their traits is to mimic. They usually do what they see others -do, and a good thing it was for the boy I’m going to tell you about. - -“The boy’s name was Enrico. He lived with his widowed mother at the -edge of the forest. They were very poor and had tried in many ways to -earn money without success. - -“The mother was handy with her needle, and one day a neighbour child -came in with her naked doll. - -“‘I’ll dress it,’ said the mother, and from her scrap bag produced -cloth which she soon fashioned into a quaint gown for the doll. - -“‘Mother!’ cried Enrico, much excited, ‘there are many dolls in the -town, without clothes. Could you not make them and I will sell them? I -know I can.’ - -“‘We’ll try,’ said Mother. She emptied her purse, ran to the store, -and soon returned heavily laden with gay materials, from which she -fashioned coats, gowns, petticoats, bonnets, hats and all sorts of -things for dolls. - -“Enrico could scarcely wait for the time to come when he could go and -try his luck at selling them. One morning he started with his basket -well filled. - -“His eyes shone, and his heart beat fast as he hurried along. He had to -pass through the forest to reach the town. It was a long walk, and a -hot day. - -“‘I think it is time to eat my lunch,’ he presently said to himself as -he sat down under the trees. He was obliged to empty the basket as the -lunch was underneath the garments. - -“He laid them in a neat pile and found the sandwiches and fruit which -his mother had carefully prepared. He had barely finished when his head -toppled over against a tree and he was fast asleep. - -“And now comes the best part of the story. What do you think happened -to those lovely doll clothes?” - -“Don’t stop!” cried Allspice. “Do tell us!” - -“As the lad slept, there came a chattering and whisking about. In a -moment dozens of monkeys came down from the trees. They gobbled up the -crumbs, and then turned to the doll clothes. Almost before you could -say ‘Jack Robinson,’ they were robed in the tiny garments, and such -a sight you never saw. They looked like a lot of gnomes dressed for a -party. They played all sorts of games and raced wildly about in the -greatest glee. Suddenly Enrico opened his eyes on the scene. - -“‘The doll clothes. The doll clothes,’ he wailed. ‘Give them back!’ - -“The monkeys saucily nodded their heads and quickly climbed into the -trees. Swinging from the branches with their tails curled about the -limbs, they chattered as though crying, ‘Get them if you can! Get them -if you can!’ - -“This was serious, and Enrico sat watching and wondering what he could -do, for he must have the clothes at once. - -“Suddenly he remembered the monkey’s desire to imitate. In the long ago -his father had told him how they did just what they saw people do. - -“It was worth trying, and the boy arose and threw off his cap. - -“At once hats and bonnets were snowed down upon him. Enrico gathered -them up and placed them in his basket. - -“Then off came his coat. Coats of all sorts now dropped about him. - -“Chuckling to himself, Enrico now removed his other garments, and -immediately tumbled down the gay-coloured gowns and snowy underwear. - -“Enrico gathered them up as fast as he could, fearing the monkeys might -descend upon him and once more rob him of his treasures. - -“He then dressed himself and hurried on. He found a ready sale for -his wares in the market, and with a purse full of money, and requests -for many more garments of the same sort, he hastened home to tell his -mother of his good fortune. - -“There was great rejoicing in the little home, and the day came when -Enrico was selling doll clothes in his own little shop in the heart of -the city. - -“A dear little shop it was with a home in the back where his mother -cooked and sewed on the dainty garments. - -“Enrico never tired of telling the children who came to buy, how he -almost lost the first lot of doll clothes he ever started out to sell.” - -General applause followed this interesting story, while the chairman -cried, “Splendid! Splendid! It was most entertaining, and now I think -the hour has arrived when we should hear from Beef and her creamy -companion, both of whom remind me of Mary and her lamb, because where -one goes the other follows.” - - - - -TALE OF THE BROWNIE DOLL - - -The odd Brownie now came forward, with the creamy toddler holding fast -to her hand. They both bowed, and the Brownie began: - -“I am commonly known as Beef, and I come not from the sheep or hog, -but from the cow. - -[Illustration: “She loved her home”] - -“As to where I come from, it would be hard to tell where I am not to be -found, for I believe cows roam about over the whole world. - -“You may ride on trains anywhere and everywhere; you may sail on boats; -you may go up in flying machines, you will always see cows. - -“I do not know of anything that seems quite as necessary as the cow, -both for meat and for milk. - -“I came from a certain cow that spent most of its time in a green -meadow where birds sang above her head, and a near-by brook gurgled -over the stones, making the sweetest music. - -“Night and morning a maid came with a shiny pail on her arm; as she -milked the Bossy she sang to the accompaniment of the brook. - -“Often two little children came, each with a silver cup, for a drink of -the warm foaming milk. - -“That cow was proud indeed to know that she furnished food for the -little ones. - -“She loved her home. She could hear the chickens clucking, the geese -cackling, the lambs baaing, and the ponies neighing. - -“She stood for hours looking off at the peaceful scene before her and -seemed always content. - -“Suddenly she found herself no more in the meadow but hanging in juicy -quarters from a hook in a butcher shop. These quarters were cut up into -various parts to be used for steaks, roasts, soup bones, beef tea, and -all sorts of good things. - -“At this time the store was trimmed up with bunches of green leaves and -bright red berries. Scarlet Christmas bells nodded on all sides. - -“It seemed to be a gay and festive scene. Sleigh bells jingled, -telephones rang constantly, and finally I was placed in a basket with -other goodies, and the next thing I knew I was flying over the snow in -a bob sled. - -“My basket was presently left on a kitchen table. Thereupon I was taken -from the package. A fat lady gave me a poke with her finger, and nodded -her head as she said: - -“‘Fine cut. Just right for my mince meat.’ What that was I did not -know, but I was placed in a kettle and bubbled around in hot water for -some time, then I found myself in something else that was fastened to a -table. A handle twirled and twirled, and I turned into a fine bunch of -stuff, waiting for I knew not what. - -“I’ll have to tell you about my little brother Suet, because he never -could, he is so shy. - -“I always noticed that when people bought beef, they chose the parts -that had creamy fat clinging to them. They said they were sweeter and -more tender, and that fat is this little brother of mine, and that’s -why he clings so closely to me. That’s where he belongs. - -“In a moment as I lay in the dish, all ground up, I felt coming down -all over me wee bits of creamy fat, so you see he still followed me. - -“I was much interested to know what mince meat was, and I kept my eyes -and ears open to see what would happen next. - -“It was a busy scene I looked out upon. One person was stoning raisins. -Another was peeling apples. All sorts of spices were being ground. -Citron was being cut up very fine, also orange and lemon peel. The -vinegar, molasses, and cider jugs were brought forth. - -“Then everything was put into a wooden bowl, and as they were chopped -they all seemed to be singing the merriest of tunes. By and by the -mixture was tumbled into a crock with me, and I found I was beginning -to swell and to be quite important. I was stirred and stirred, and then -various people came and tasted and smacked their lips and tasted again. -One said, ‘A little more sugar, don’t you think so?’ Another looking -very wise said, ‘Needs more spice,’ and so I was doctored and fussed -with till finally I was pronounced just right, and I knew _the_ time -had arrived. - -“I felt as one does at a circus when they have the grand entrée and I -fairly held my breath as I waited for the next act. I was mince meat at -last. - -“Suddenly I was poured into what seemed to be a round white blanket. -It was so soft and cushiony I rejoiced over such a fate, but alas, -another blanket was placed over me. There were no sheets on this bed, -and it was as dark as a pocket. In a moment tiny eyelet holes appeared, -from which I could peep through up into the eyes of the busy cook. Then -a black door swung open. I was placed within a dark cavern, the door -swung back, and all was still. - -“I felt myself growing warmer and warmer. My bed turned from soft -blankets to crispy covers. I bubbled and boiled, and presently when the -cover was a golden brown the door flew open, and once more I came out -into the light of day. - -“I was placed in a window to cool, and the whole family came out to -admire me. I felt so proud I could hardly keep still. - -“I knew I was intended for some wonderful event. Mr. Cinnamon Stick, -you said this pie was for the Christmas dinner to-morrow. Is it for an -ornament or a decoration of some sort?” - -“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” sang the chorus, “you will soon learn when to-morrow -comes what you will decorate.” - -“Why?” asked the Brownie, in alarm. “What will happen? What will they -do with this pie?” - -“Oh!” laughed Cinnamon Stick, “it’s hard to tell; they _might_ do any -one of a number of things. - -“It _might_ be suspended on chains from the chandelier, and swing to -the tune of an orchestra. - -“They _might_ start it rolling across the hardwood floor down that -large hall, and wager whether it would fall upside down or downside up. - -“There are many things that _might_ be done with it, but what’s the use -of worrying about to-morrow. We still have much of the night to pass -away. - -“Here! what’s this rolling across the floor?” - - - - -TALE OF THE PIE CRUST - - -They all looked to see the pie itself rolling along mysteriously and -silently. When it reached the hearth it spun round and round for a -moment, then paused and began to speak. - -“If you please, Mr. Chairman, and Ladies and Gentlemen, you are -forgetting me, the most important part of the pie. - -“I am the crust, and whoever heard of a pie of any kind without a -crust? No one, of course, and so since I am really the most important -member of the large family, I think I should have my turn.” - -“You certainly should!” cried Cinnamon Stick. “I am sorry I neglected -to call you. We are glad, indeed, to hear your story. What are you made -of?” - -“I am composed of flour, lard, and water—” - -“You’d be ruined if you didn’t put a pinch of me in,” cried Little Salt -eagerly. - -“Certainly I would. Thank you for not allowing me to be spoiled. - -“Of course you all know flour is made from wheat. The wheat plant is a -grass which looks much like barley and rye. - -“The varieties are called, bearded, and beardless or bald. - -“Some are planted in spring, for spring or summer wheat. Other kinds -in the fall to be ready the next season, that is winter wheat. The -latter was at one time thought to be the best, but lately with improved -methods of manufacture the spring wheat is equally as good. - -“There are two kinds, white and red. Of the winter wheat the white is -best. - -“Wheat is chiefly used for flour. The finest, but not the most -wholesome, is nearest pure starch. The richer parts are found nearest -the skin and are secured in the graham flour. - -“Wheat has been known always, is mentioned in the Bible, and is found -almost everywhere. - -“China wheat is a spring wheat, and this is where it came from. Once -upon a time some one had a chest of tea sent to him. It was a wonderful -gift to have, and was highly prized. In that tea was found a curious -grain. No one knew what it was, but they decided to plant it. From that -came wheat, and was called spring wheat. - -“If you have been in the country you know how the wheat is cut with big -machines, and taken to the barn. - -“Then many men appear and they thresh it. That means to get the chaff, -the outer husk, off. Then the grain is taken to the mill and ground -into flour. - -“The flour is used for bread, cake, pies, and almost all of the baked -stuff we have. - -“Lard is made from pork fat. The fat is boiled or rendered. - -“Water is composed of two parts of hydrogen and one of oxygen, commonly -called H_2O. Pure water can be obtained by distillation from the ocean, -as is often done at sea. Some towns on the South American Coast have -been supplied in this way. - -“The chief source of supply for water which falls on the earth is from -the ocean. The heat of the sun raises a vapour from its surface. This -vapour condenses and falls as rain or snow, either on sea or land. -Rain after falling for some time is almost pure and for that reason is -called soft. Hard water contains various minerals. - -“That’s all about the crust. It isn’t very interesting, nor funny, but -it is good and everybody loves it.” - -“Indeed, it is good, and most necessary to every pie,” declared the -Cinnamon Doll. - -“And now suppose we wish for the Story Sprite. She is a dear and we -have time for just one more story.” - -This wish was hardly expressed when the sound of bells was heard and -there before them stood the Story Lady, bringing with her a joyous -shower of bells. - -“Oh, my dearies, this is the last time I can come! - -“It is Christmas, as you know, and many Christmas parties are awaiting -me, but I just had to keep my promise to you. - -“This time I want to tell you a Christmas tale I am sure you will enjoy -and love. - -It is called: - -HOW JACK FILLED THE STOCKINGS. - -“It was Christmas Eve. The younger children were snugly tucked in bed, -while Jack sat staring at the empty stockings swinging from the mantel -shelf in the gleaming fire-light. - -“Jack was only twelve, and the man of the house. His face was very -grave as he gazed alternately at the stockings, then at his mother -bustling about tidying up the room. - -“She finally sat down, declaring sadly: ‘It’s no use, Jack. I haven’t a -penny to spare; the stockings will have to go empty.’ - -“The boy spoke not a word, but watched the fire sputter and crackle as -though perhaps it might solve the problem. - -“Of one thing he was certain: the stockings should not go empty if he -could help it. - -“The fire _did_ show him the way, for suddenly the logs began to send -out tiny sparks and snap for all the world like popcorn. - -“‘Mother!’ he cried suddenly, ‘I have an idea. I’m going out.’ - -“‘Dress warm then, dear, and good luck to you.’ - -“The boy hurried out into the night, and _such_ a night! - -“Snowflakes were flying thick and fast, and above his head the -ice-coated trees spread their friendly branches. He loved the crisp, -sharp air, and raised his face that the flakes might lodge and sting. - -“Soon he reached the busy street and watched keenly for a chance to -earn a dime. - -“Suddenly he saw a woman carrying a suitcase, running for the car, -while at her side toddled a child trying in vain to keep up with her. - -“‘Let me help, may I?’ asked Jack wistfully. - -[Illustration: “He chose the busiest corner where there was a wonderful -toy store”] - -“‘Oh, if you only would,’ replied the woman, grateful indeed for the -aid. - -“As they reached the corner she slipped a silver piece into his hand. -The car stopped, then whizzed on, leaving Jack staring at the quarter, -hardly able to believe it. - -“‘A good beginning,’ he murmured, and ran into a near-by store, where -he purchased a few ears of popcorn and a small jar of molasses. - -“Mother, much surprised, welcomed the gifts and boy with open arms. - -“‘I earned them, Mother! Make some corn balls and candy while I try -again,’ and away he went. - -“This time he was not so successful. Every one seemed busy and hurried -past him, not even glancing at the eager, earnest face. - -“On one corner a hand-organ man was grinding out his music. Jack -watched to see the people stop and drop pennies into his little cup. - -“Suddenly the boy had an inspiration. He could sing like a bird. In -fact he had been soloist of a boy choir in the town where they had -lived before coming to the city. - -“That work he loved, and was never so happy as, when clothed in his -robes, walking up the aisle, singing while the great splendid organ -pealed out its glorious music. - -“One song, the Christmas Lullaby, was his special favourite. He always -sang it at Christmas time. Why not sing it here on the street? - -“It was sweeter than hand-organ music, and surely people ought to be -willing to give a few pennies to hear it. - -“No sooner thought than done, and Jack darted down the street a few -blocks away from the hand-organ man. - -“He chose the busiest corner where there was a wonderful toy store. -In the window was a tree covered with gifts. The lights twinkled and -danced as though cheering him on, and so there he paused and sang. - -“He was a beautiful child. Indeed, in the fashionable church at home -he had been called the Christ child, and now as he sang, many were -attracted by his face and the clear sweet tones. - -“They listened and passed on, leaving in the shabby cap many bits of -silver. - -“After a time the boy walked on, halting at various corners to sing, -and presently found himself in front of a church. - -“The music of the great organ pierced the air and as the door swung -to and fro, he saw a large audience with many children gaily dressed, -waiting expectantly. - -“Jack was tired and cold. He longed to be enfolded in the light and -warmth within and listen to the music, and he quietly crept inside -up a stairway, then down to the front. No one was there and he leaned -forward to see a wonderful tree. It sparkled with tinsel, while -coloured lights gleamed here and there like shining jewels breathing -a halo about the head of the Christmas Angel standing on the topmost -branch. - -“The outstretched arms seemed to pronounce a blessing on the fruit of -this tree waiting to be showered on the many little ones, who stood -admiring and exclaiming over this vision of beauty. - -“It was an enormous tree. The top branches were fastened securely -to a heavy pole which was thrown across the chancel and rested in -the grooves on the hand-carved posts which stood either side of the -entrance to this sacred place. - -“Jack, fascinated by the scene, watched hungrily every detail, and as -a thirsty flower holds up its dainty head for the first raindrops, so -the boy eagerly drank in every note of the music which he knew so well. - -“He longed to be a choir boy once more, but he was timid and bashful -and feared to make any effort in this direction in a strange city. - -“As he pondered on how to gain the coveted position, he watched the -tree being stripped of its fruit and placed in many outstretched hands. - -“He gazed wistfully on the joyous scene, but was suddenly startled by a -flash of light, which, from his position, he saw was a thread of flame -leaping upwards toward the Christmas Angel. - -“There was but one thing to do, and he was the one to do it. Without a -thought for himself he sprang for the pole, hung by his toes, and in an -instant the flaming branch was broken from the tree and crushed in his -hands. - -“Below a quick cry of ‘Fire!’ rang out, then was heard the shriek of a -child. - -“Jack knew the impending panic must be averted instantly, and as he -swung up on to the pole, he wound his limbs about it, and there perched -in the topmost branches, a veritable Christ Child, he sang, as he never -sang before, the Christmas Lullaby. - -“The cries below ceased. The audience stared in amazement. Had he -fallen from the blue skies painted on the ceiling by a master hand or -had one of the Murillo angels, hovering amongst the billowy clouds, -come to life? - -“Those who heard never forgot the pathos of the plaintive melody. - -“The choirmaster listened breathlessly, for here was the soloist he had -for months been vainly seeking. - -“The organist, wild with delight over the heavenly music, coming from -he knew not where, followed gently with the organ accompaniment, the -flute-like tones blending with the bird notes of the boy. - -“Higher and higher soared the voice of the Christmas Angel, while the -people gazed entranced. Such tender sweetness it had never been their -privilege to hear. - -“Surely the Baby Jesus was being lulled to sleep by the angelic music, -which at last slowly and gently died away. - -“A moment of tense silence was followed by a rustle; the tension was -broken and Jack swung himself back to the gallery, to be greeted by -many outstretched hands. - -“He had many questions to answer and before the child realised it, he -had told the story of limp stockings hanging by the chimneyside at -home, and how hard he had tried to fill them. - -“His pathetic tale, together with his daring efforts to quench the fire -and avert a panic, moved many to tears. - -“You all know what followed. How he was driven home in state in a -grand sleigh drawn by a pair of prancing horses, and how his new-found -friends not only filled the stockings, but then and there engaged him -as soloist of the boy choir at such a salary that his mother need work -no more, and they were all comfortable and happy for many a day. - -“And now good-bye, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.” - -With that the Story Elf vanished, and her audience chorused: - -“Wasn’t that lovely?” - -“Indeed, it was,” declared Mr. Cinnamon Stick; “and now I believe we -have heard from every one of this large family—” - - - - -TALE OF THE INTERROGATION POINT - - -“No, you haven’t! No, you haven’t!” cried a sprightly voice, and there -appeared the queerest figure imaginable, coming apparently up from the -floor like a Jack in the box. - -He seemed to be a combination of every one of them, and before he had -even spoken he seemed to be asking a question. - -“Look at me. Guess who I am.” - -“An Interrogation Point,” announced the Vinegar Doll. - -“Yes, but an Interrogation Point asks a question. Who can answer it?” - -The dolls leaned forward curiously examining this figure. - -His head seemed made of suet, and he wore a hat adorned with tiny beef -croquettes about the edge of the brim. Sprays of raisins and currants -wandered over the crown, and about his neck was a necklace of allspice -with dangles of cloves, cinnamon and nutmegs. - -Pepper and salt sprinkled his clothing, which seemed made from orange -and lemon peel. About his waist was a queer girdle from which wee sugar -bowls, molasses jugs and vinegar cruets jingled together, while he -tossed gay coloured apples into the air, caught them skilfully and then -disposed of them in various pockets. - -With a gay nod he cried, “Can no one answer the question? Let me tell -you a little about myself, and then perhaps you can. - -“You have all told how necessary you are. Let me tell you there would -never have been a mince pie without me, nor anything else worth while. - -“Let me ask of you growing things, how did you happen to grow? How did -any of you happen to be? Some one had to plant the seeds. Some one had -to take care of the trees, vines and shrubs after they started to grow. - -“Where there was no rain, water had to be carried. The trees and vines -had to be tended, trimmed, and cultivated. When the fruit was finally -ready, it had to be packed and shipped all over the world. - -“Even after it found its way into that kitchen, what happened? -Everybody was—what—what was everybody doing? Now do tell me what this -interrogation point stands for? Think!” he pleaded. - -Everybody thought. They screwed up their faces and thought some more. -They took one foot out from under them and thought. They put the other -foot under them and thought again. - -What was everybody doing to get the pie ready—chopping, grinding, -baking. - -Suddenly everybody beamed and chorused: “Working! Everybody was -working! You are called Work!” - -“To be sure I am, and a lot of work it took to make this pie. All over -the world many, many people had many busy days. - -“Can’t you just see them picking the raisins; sugaring the citron; -grinding spice; cutting the wheat; packing the oranges; taking care of -the cow; gathering the apples, and crushing them in the mill for cider? - -“Oh, my dears, there is always work. Johnny Appleseed did an endless -amount of work, and see what came from it. - -“The one who packed that box of tea and happened to drop a grain of -wheat therein, did a wonderful thing. That tiny grain brought us a kind -of wheat we might never have had. Can’t you just see them planting that -tiny seed? They watched it grow, tending the little sprout till it -finally came to maturity, and more grains were planted. At last there -was a wonderful crop of wheat, all due to your humble servant Work.” - -[Illustration: “Best pie you ever made, my dear”] - -With a sunny nod he vanished, and they looked and listened, but not -even a clank of his girdle charms did they hear. - -“Well! Well!” cried Cinnamon. “Wasn’t he fine? Who would ever have -thought of him as belonging to mince pie. I fear we were all forgetting -that most important point, and glad I am he remembered to appear. And -now, my dears, the dawn is breaking, we must return.” - -“But the mouse!” cried timid Allspice. “What about the mouse?” - -“Oh, yes, the mouse!” chorused the audience breathlessly. “What about -the mouse?” - -Cinnamon Stick said no word, but pointed a long thin finger toward the -clock. - -The clock struck one (which was really half-past five), the mouse ran -down, and the chain clinkety clanked as he hopped to the floor and ran -away to his hole, and was seen no more. - -His disappearance seemed a signal, and at once was heard a joyful -chorus. As the dolls sang they formed a procession, and two by two -marched back to the clock and wound their way about the spiral columns. - -The Pie Crust was at the head and settled down in the pan, its cover -upheld as by an invisible hand. The dolls jumped into their places, -the cover was slowly dropping, when suddenly up popped the head of the -Vinegar Cruet. - -“The Gifts!” he cried. “You forgot the Gifts!” - -At that up popped every other head, crying in chorus: - -“The Gifts! The Gifts! You forgot the Gifts!” - -“No, I didn’t forget. They are on the way.” - -As Mother and Jack watched, suddenly a red-coated, white, fur-trimmed -figure appeared. On his back was a basket piled high with candy. He -made his way to the clock, and as he stood over the pie he cried in the -jolliest of tones: - -“Open your mouths and shut your eyes, and I’ll give you something to -make you wise.” - -Open popped the dolls’ mouths, looking like a lot of birds, each -waiting for a worm, and all were filled to the brim with sweets. - -They then nestled down close together. The top crust settled in place. -The flames flickered and died out; then all was still. - - -The next day was crisp and bright. Father came, and a joyous time they -all had over their gifts. - -The turkey dinner was delicious, and presently the mince pie appeared -in all its glory. - -Such a beautiful mince pie as it was! - -Jack watched Mother cut it, and listened breathlessly for the “Ha! -Ha! Ha’s,” and the “Ho! Ho! Ho’s,” but not a sound did he hear, till -presently at the first mouthful Father cried: - -“Best pie you ever made, my dear. For once you have it sweet enough!” - -Jack and his mother merely nodded and smiled, but not a word said they! - - -THE END - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Mince Pie, by -Josephine Scribner Gates - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE *** - -***** This file should be named 55143-0.txt or 55143-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/1/4/55143/ - -Produced by ellinora, For Emmy, Turgut Dincer and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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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: The Story of the Mince Pie - -Author: Josephine Scribner Gates - -Release Date: July 17, 2017 [EBook #55143] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE *** - - - - -Produced by ellinora, For Emmy, Turgut Dincer and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<hr /> -<p class="center">THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE</p> - - -<hr /> - - -<div class="figcenter"><a name="f" id="f"> -<img src="images/i_004.jpg" width="500" height="739" alt="Here! what's this rolling across the floor?" /></a> -<div class="caption">“Here! what’s this rolling across the floor?”</div> -<p class="right">(<a href="#Page_142"><i>Page 142</i></a>)</p> -</div> - -<hr /> -<h1> -<small>THE STORY OF</small><br /> -THE MINCE PIE</h1> - -<p class="center"><small><small>BY</small></small><br /> -JOSEPHINE SCRIBNER GATES<br /> -<small><small>Author of “Captain Billie,” “The Story of Live Dolls,”<br /> -“Little Girl Blue,” etc.</small></small><br /> -<br /> -<small><small>ILLUSTRATED BY</small></small><br /> -<small>JOHN RAE</small></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/pm.jpg" width="200" height="191" alt="printer's mark" /> -</div> -<p class="center">NEW YORK<br /> -DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY<br /> -1916<br /> -</p> -<hr /> - -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="center"><small> -<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1916<br /> -By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, INC.</span><br /> -</small></p> - -<p class="center"><small>By courtesy of <i>St. Nicholas</i>, in which<br /> -“And Piped Those Children Back Again”<br /> -and “Anna Belle’s Christmas Eve” first<br /> -appeared, they are included in this volume.</small></p> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Mince Pie</span> has always held an important -place in Christmas Tales, but it remained for Mrs. -Mildred G. Potter to conceive the idea of making -it the main feature.</p> - -<p>It is my pleasure to give to her my grateful acknowledgment -for the happy thought which it has -been my privilege to embody in story form.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Here’s to the Dolls that will come to life,</div> -<div class="line">Here’s to the Tales they’ll tell</div> -<div class="line">Out of the depths of the Christmas Pie,</div> -<div class="line">To the tune of a Christmas Bell!</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="line">Here’s to the Sugar and Fruit and Spice,</div> -<div class="line">Here’s to the Story Elf,</div> -<div class="line">Here’s to that Fragrance of Christmas Time,</div> -<div class="line">Here’s to the Pie itself!</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="line">Big and spicy and rich and brown,</div> -<div class="line">What does that top crust hide?</div> -<div class="line">You know how it looks from an outside view,</div> -<div class="line">Now read what it’s like inside!</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p class="center"> -<small><small>BY</small></small><br /> -DOT <small>AND</small> NICK<br /> -<small>WHO ALSO WANTED A FINGER<br /> -IN THIS PIE!</small><br /> -</p> - -<p class="right">J. S. G.</p> -<hr /> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - - -<table summary="CONTENTS" width="100%"><tr> -<td class="tdr" colspan="2">PAGE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Mince Pie</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Raisin Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Currant Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Clove Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Dance of the Elves</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Sprite’s Tale</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Allspice Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Nutmeg Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Cinnamon Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Pied Piper Story</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Sugar</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Molasses Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Vinegar King</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Citron Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Tales of the Orange and Lemon Dolls</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Anna Belle’s Christmas Eve</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Tales of the Salt and Pepper Twins</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Apple Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Johnny Appleseed</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Stolen Doll Clothes</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Brownie Doll</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Pie Crust</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">How Jack Filled the Stockings</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Interrogation Point</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td> -</tr></table> - -<hr /> - -<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> - - -<table summary="ILLUSTRATIONS" width="100%"><tr> -<td class="tdl">“Here! what’s this rolling across the floor?” (<a href="#Page_142">Page 142</a>)</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#f"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>FACING<br />PAGE</small></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“They’ve been peeking in that big book”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“Behold, the Story Sprite!”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“Great sport they had flying wonderful kites”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“We will both wish for her to come”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“The beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“Sometimes it is gingerbread, or maybe plump brown cookies”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“Suddenly something startled the horse, and he ran away”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“She was making dolls from bottles”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“‘Show what we are to take,’ cried the Fairy. ‘We must hurry’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“I am used very extensively as an April Fool”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“The children sat at his feet and listened to thrilling tales”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“They looked like a lot of gnomes dressed for a party”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“She loved her home”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“He chose the busiest corner where there was a wonderful toy store”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td class="tdl">“Best pie you ever made, my dear”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td> -</tr></table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span></p> - - -<h2>THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE</h2> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">“Sing a Song o’ sixpence a pocket full of rye,</div> -<div class="line">Four and twenty Dollies baked in a pie,</div> -<div class="line">When the pie was opened the Dolls began to sing,</div> -<div class="line">Wasn’t that an odd dish to set before the King?”</div> -</div></div></div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">You</span> have heard of many kinds of pie, but -did you ever hear of a Doll pie?</p> - -<p>No one ever did, I am sure, and no -one knew the pie was full of dolls; everybody -supposed it was just a plain mince -pie; the kind that makes your eyes twinkle, -and makes you smack your lips when you -sniff it baking.</p> - -<p>I have always thought it was the kind Jack -Horner had when he sat in the corner and -pulled out a plum, but never did I dream -that he might have pulled out a doll!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span></p> - - -<p>I found it out in such an extremely funny -and unexpected way that I must tell you all -about it.</p> - -<p>It was Christmas Eve. Jack’s father was -away but coming home on the morrow in time -for all the Christmas doings.</p> - -<p>We had locked up the house and were -just going upstairs to bed when Jack exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Mother, you know the mince pie you -baked to-day? We must take it up to bed -with us!”</p> - -<p>“A pie, a mince pie to bed with us?” I cried -in amazement, as I thought of the spicy delicious -thing safely stowed away on the -pantry shelf.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Mother, you know there is a mouse. -It ate up my gingerbread doll; didn’t leave -even a crumb. How would we feel if it ate -up our mince pie!”</p> - -<p>That was true. There had been a mouse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span> -spying about of late, and so I said all right, -we would.</p> - -<p>I carried it up very carefully, and we stood -in the middle of the room looking about for -a good place to put it.</p> - -<p>It was a bitter night. The maid had built -a grand fire of logs, and they crackled and -snapped a Christmas greeting as we stood -seeking a resting place for the pie.</p> - -<p>“I see a fine spot!” cried Jack, as he ran -to the big grandfather clock, and sure enough -it was. A shelf just under the pendulum -that seemed made on purpose for a pie. We -placed it there and covered it carefully with -a napkin.</p> - -<p>“The pie is going to bed, too,” I said, as -I snuggled it up under its cover.</p> - -<p>Jack shouted over this, and we both had -a merry time undressing before the jolly fire.</p> - -<p>We hung up our stockings and one for -Father, then hopped into bed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span></p> - -<p>Jack nestled up close and begged for a bedtime -story, which I always told him. A -drowsy tale which sent him to sleep, and me, -too, before it was barely finished.</p> - -<p>I really didn’t know I was asleep, but suddenly -a queer sound startled me, and as I -listened I heard Jack smothering a giggle.</p> - -<p>“What is it, dear?” I whispered.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mother, such a funny thing! I -heard the clock chain rattle, and I looked -and the mouse ran up the clock, and I heard -voices singing: ‘Hickory Dickory Dock.’ -Now look quick!”</p> - -<p>We both stared at the napkin over the pie, -for it began to get humpy. You have played -“tent” under the bedclothes, of course.</p> - -<p>Well, there seemed a dozen somethings -playing that game, for the napkin humped up -here and there till presently it was lifted off -and fell to the floor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span></p> - -<p>It was just like a matinée. The napkin -seemed to be the curtain rolled away, then -the show began.</p> - -<p>We heard queer voices singing, and then -we saw such a sight! Out of that pie filed a -lot of dolls, the strangest looking dolls any -one ever saw.</p> - -<p>One seemed to be made of raisins; another -of currants—the dried sugary kind. One -had a round apple for a head, and such rosy -cheeks it looked like a blooming country maid -wearing a Dutch blue gown and an apron as -white as snow.</p> - -<p>Back of her was a brownie, holding the -hand of a creamy white fat boy. Following -them was a group, one had a round nut-like -head; another was stuck full of what -looked like cloves; another was tall and thin -just like a stick. With him was a pair of -twins. They looked for all the world like -salt and pepper boxes. They were much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span> -smaller than the others and teetered on the -edge of the pie like tiny fairies.</p> - -<p>Then came another pair, one with an orange -for a head, the other a lemon. As they -pranced along, their fluffy orange and yellow -skirts stood out like ballet dancers.</p> - -<p>Then came a dumpy maid all sparkly -white.</p> - -<p>“She’s the shape of a fat sugar bowl, -Mother!” whispered Jack, and, sure enough, -she looked as though she had walked right off -the tea tray.</p> - -<p>Following her came one with a small oval -brown head, looking so wise.</p> - -<p>With her was one with a large green head.</p> - -<p>Back of them strode another pair; one looking -like a molasses jug, the other like a vinegar -cruet.</p> - -<p>Such a funny lot as they were!</p> - -<p>We looked and laughed, and laughed and -looked. They raced about on the very edge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span> -of the crust as though they were playing Ring -around a Rosy; then at a signal from the tall -thin fellow they ran down the spiral column -of the clock over to the hearth.</p> - -<p>“We can have a Christmas dance right -here,” cried the rosy-cheeked apple maid; at -this joyful news they switched off their -sashes.</p> - -<p>The tall thin one fastened the ends to the -top of an andiron, and there in the firelight -we saw a dance, such as no one ever saw before. -Round and round they danced, till -the iron was bound with ribbon to its very -base; then the little creatures threw themselves -on the hearth.</p> - -<p>“Let’s play school!” cried the tall thin -Stick Doll, who seemed to be chairman for -the occasion.</p> - -<p>“Mercy, no!” cried another. “I don’t like -school. I don’t want to learn things.”</p> - -<p>“I said let’s <i>play</i> school. We don’t have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span> -to learn anything. It will be fun. We’ll -each tell a story.”</p> - -<p>“A story!” echoed the whole bunch.</p> - -<p>“What kind of a story?”</p> - -<p>“A true story.”</p> - -<p>“We don’t know any,” they all sighed.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, you do. You all know fine -stories, and if you’ll tell them, something -grand is going to happen!”</p> - -<p>“What?” cried the audience.</p> - -<p>“This is the one night of all the year when -wonderful things happen.”</p> - -<p>With wide open eyes and mouths they -crept closer to the speaker, and listened -breathlessly.</p> - -<p>“This is Christmas Eve. Didn’t you hear -the mouse go up the clock? It’s hiding and -watching. Pretend you aren’t looking, but -see the two bright eyes peering at us, just at -the end by the big hand. It wants the pie. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span>As long as we are here it will not come down. -That is a Christmas pie for the Christmas -dinner to-morrow.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_023.jpg" width="500" height="723" alt="They’ve been peeking in that big book" /> -<div class="caption">“They’ve been peeking in that big book”</div> -</div> - -<p>“If we go back the mouse will run down -and gobble us all up. So there is nothing for -us to do but stay here. It’s a long time till -morning, and we better do something while -we wait. How can we better while away -the time than with stories? We dare not go -to sleep, you know. If you’ll each tell a -story you can have a gift, too.”</p> - -<p>“A gift!” cried the chorus. “Well, that -would be worth while. Pray tell us what -will the gift be?”</p> - -<p>“That’s a secret I am not allowed to tell. -The reason is, because I do not know.”</p> - -<p>“He does not know. He does not know,” -sang the chorus, running down the scale as -a mouse runs across the piano keys.</p> - -<p>“Well,” cried the wee Salt and Pepper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> -Pair which seemed inseparable, “since you -know so much, you better begin the story-hour.”</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE RAISIN DOLL</h2> - - -<p>“I speak to be the teacher,” cried the Raisin -Doll.</p> - -<p>“Very well, you must tell the first story, -then.”</p> - -<p>“What must the stories be about?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, there is only one thing to tell. We -must each tell our history from the time we -were born, in order to have the gift.”</p> - -<p>“Will the gift be good to eat?” asked the -creamy white Fat Boy.</p> - -<p>“Best ever you tasted. That’s all I could -find out about it. Now begin.”</p> - -<p>The Raisin Doll pranced over to the end -of the hearth, made a quick bow, and politely -began:</p> - -<p>“Ladies and Gentlemen:”</p> - -<p>Everybody giggled, but he went bravely -on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span></p> - -<p>“I don’t seem to remember the day I was -born.”</p> - -<p>“Not many do,” whispered one to another.</p> - -<p>“It isn’t polite to interrupt,” frowned the -speaker.</p> - -<p>“The first thing I remember a whole bunch -of us was hanging from a vine—”</p> - -<p>“Ha! Ha! Ha!” shouted the chorus. “A -whole bunch of him was hanging from a -vine!”</p> - -<p>“Well, there was a whole bunch of us, and -as I looked about I saw many bunches and -many, many vines.</p> - -<p>“It was beautiful there in the sunlight. I -never saw such glorious sunshine—”</p> - -<p>“Where?” cried the audience.</p> - -<p>“In a place called California.”</p> - -<p>“Where is that?” asked one.</p> - -<p>“Don’t tell us; we don’t want to know,” -hastily cried the audience. “We aren’t to -learn things here in this school.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span></p> - -<p>“I won’t tell you. I’ll show you,” and the -speaker hopped on to the large globe that -stood in the corner.</p> - -<p>He slid down one side and placed his big -toe on the spot where California claimed to -be.</p> - -<p>They all watched his antics closely, for -in their hearts they did want to know where -those bunches of grapes grew, even though -they didn’t seem to want to learn anything.</p> - -<p>“That’s exactly where my bunch of grapes -grew, but I have cousins called Malagas and -Muscatels who come from Spain.</p> - -<p>“You don’t want to know where that is, of -course. I am now going to take a little run -around the world. Pretend I’m a top spinning, -and the spot where I stop and twirl will -be where my relatives live. When it’s time -to twirl I’ll squeak and you can then close -your eyes for the moment, so you won’t add -anything to your store of knowledge.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span></p> - -<p>“For my part, I would feel quite pleased -if I were sailing around the world and could -say, ‘Oh, Mr. Captain, just stop a few moments -in Mediterranean Spain. I want a -pocket full of raisins to eat; the layer kind, -big fat juicy ones’; or if I were pudding hungry -I’d wheedle him a little. I’d say, ‘Now, -Captain dear, I’d just like to run into Valencia. -We need a few pudding raisins. We’ll -have a pudding that’ll melt in your mouth if -we can go there.’</p> - -<p>“I think that’s much better than to stand -around with my mouth open, and when we -steam into these places be wondering what -grows there, and why we stopped.”</p> - -<p>That was a new idea. Journeys on ships -were fun, and how proud one would feel to -be able to show the Captain just where to -go for certain things.</p> - -<p>“Mother,” whispered Jack, “let’s watch -where he twirls. Maybe a captain might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> -even beg us to go and show him where raisins -grow, so he can bring back a shipload of -them!”</p> - -<p>The Raisin Doll now skipped gaily along -as though he were going to the corner grocery -for a stick of candy.</p> - -<p>The audience gazed fascinated, and instead -of closing eyes as he squeaked, they -hardly dared wink for fear they might miss -some of that raisin country.</p> - -<p>“Where is he now?” one and another whispered -as he paused and twirled, crying:</p> - -<p>“There! There is the very spot where -many of my cousins live, and because they -live there instead of in California they are -much sweeter.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us why, tell us why,” clamoured the -audience.</p> - -<p>“For a very good reason. We are picked -in bunches and dried in an oven in sugar. -They are dried in the sun, and are called<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> -sun raisins. Their leaves are taken off, and -a jolly time they have in the sunshine and -fresh air. A much better way than to be -shut in an oven in the dark.</p> - -<p>“However, we have to make the best of it; -the cool nights and heavy dews would ruin -us if we stayed out, so we just cuddle up in -the nice warm dark, and look forward to the -moment when the big oven door will fly open, -then we know something nice is to happen, -for America sends millions of pounds of raisins -to other countries, and we just love to go.</p> - -<p>“The sun raisins are the kind used for -Christmas goodies, and are packed between -layers of paper in large wooden boxes.</p> - -<p>“Other places they come from are here, and -here, and here, and here.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he twirled over various parts -of the globe, touching Persia, Greece, Italy, -and Southern France.</p> - -<p>“It is quite grand to be a sun raisin and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> -come in a box looking so large and delicious, -and to know you are the finest of your kind, -but I’d just about as soon be a pudding raisin, -when the Cook comes in and says:</p> - -<p>“‘Dear suz me, Missus, we can’t have pudding -to-day!’</p> - -<p>“Then all the children set up a dismal wail -and Missus says, ‘Why not, I’d like to -know!’</p> - -<p>“‘Because we are just out of pudding raisins,’ -but she adds cheerfully, ‘We have the -layer kind. Could we use those?’</p> - -<p>“‘Certainly not,’ says the Missus, with her -head up like this and her mouth turned down -like this. ‘They cost too much. We’ll have -to have something else.’</p> - -<p>“Then at dinner the Mister cries, ‘Why -didn’t we have pudding to-day; we always -have it on Tuesday!’</p> - -<p>“‘Cause no pudding raisins in the house,’ -cry the children, sniffing again.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_033.jpg" width="500" height="708" alt="Behold, the Story Sprite!" /> -<div class="caption">“Behold, the Story Sprite!”</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Send for a barrel of them,’ orders the -Mister. ‘When that gives out, get another -at once. When I have my mouth made up -for pudding on Tuesdays I don’t want to be -disappointed.’</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t that make a cute little pudding -raisin hug herself?</p> - -<p>“Another kind of raisin grows here in -Smyrna; they are the small seedless kind.”</p> - -<p>“The Corinthian raisin currant—”</p> - -<p>“Boo! hoo! hoo!” interrupted somebody, -apparently much grieved.</p> - -<p>“Who’s crying like that?” asked the Raisin -Doll.</p> - -<p>“I am,” came in sobbing tones.</p> - -<p>“Why?” asked everybody, standing on tip -toe to see the weeping one.</p> - -<p>“He’s telling my story. There isn’t much -to tell about me, and if he tells it, I can’t; -then I won’t get a gift!”</p> - -<p>“To be sure you won’t!” said the tall Stick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span> -Doll. “Mr. Raisin, are you going to tell -everybody’s story, may I ask?”</p> - -<p>“Why, no,” said the Raisin Doll, a bit -fussed over the uproar; “I forgot that one of -my cousins was present.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE CURRANT DOLL</h2> - - -<p>“Allow me to introduce to you the light-hearted, -joyous-natured Corinthian raisin -Currant.”</p> - -<p>The light-hearted, joyous-natured Currant -Doll wiped his tears away as he bowed and -wailed:</p> - -<p>“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am, though -maybe I don’t look it.”</p> - -<p>“Am what?” queried the audience sympathetically.</p> - -<p>“Am what he said—light hearted and gay—and -though my story is short I am just as -important as any of you. What good would -a bun be without currants? Just tell me -that!” he cried in tragic tones, striking such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> -a funny attitude even Mother stifled a giggle.</p> - -<p>“I came from a beautiful vine that grows -in the lowlands of Zante of the Ionian Islands -belonging to Greece. I’ll show you -the very spot.”</p> - -<p>Here the audience was much surprised to -see the light-hearted creature turn a somersault -down the slippery side of the globe and -land in a nest of small dots.</p> - -<p>“These are islands,” he announced, “and -here the vines are planted in neat little rows -three feet apart. Our grapes are like berries -no larger than a pea, and grow in clusters -about three inches long.</p> - -<p>“When about three years old the vine produces -bunches of three kinds; red, black, and -white grapes without seeds. We play hide -and seek under the large leaves which protect -us from the strong winds and hot sun.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span></p> - -<p>“When we have grown as large as we can -we are picked, dried, packed, and sent many -miles away. That’s all.”</p> - -<p>And he sat down so hard he bounced up -again like a rubber ball.</p> - -<p>“Three cheers for the Currant!” cried the -Stick Doll. “He seems to have grown up -under the figure three, and that brings good -luck.</p> - -<p>“Now, who wants to tell next?”</p> - -<p>Nobody moved, and the Stick Doll cried:</p> - -<p>“We’ll decide it by playing Ring around -a Rosy. The last one down will be it. -Come, hold hands, circle, and sing.”</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE CLOVE DOLL</h2> - - -<p>Round and round they went, singing to -an accompaniment of rollicking laughter, -and at the words: “Hush, hush, hush, we -all fall down,” they fell in a heap, the Clove -Doll being the last to fall.</p> - -<p>“Allow me,” cried the Stick Doll, as he -gallantly set Miss Clove on her feet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span></p> - -<p>“We will now have the pleasure of listening -to this spicy creature. She surely has a -fine story to tell.”</p> - -<p>Miss Clove had been slyly studying the -dictionary, and longed to impress the audience -with the wonderful story of her life. -She smoothed her crimson sash, perked the -butterfly bow on her hair till it seemed almost -ready to fly away, and with cheeks as -red as her ribbons began timidly.</p> - -<p>“Ladies and Gentlemen: I am an undeveloped -bud—”</p> - -<p>“Ha! Ha!” cried one, who looked much -like a vinegar cruet. “That is a joke!”</p> - -<p>“Why?” demanded the Stick Doll.</p> - -<p>“She said undeveloped.”</p> - -<p>“So she did, what of it? You may tell -us what the word means.”</p> - -<p>The sour-looking one, much confused, -stalked away as he murmured under his -breath,</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span></p> - -<p>“We aren’t to learn anything here, I -thought.”</p> - -<p>“No, but if you knew the meaning of it, -you would answer very promptly, so the joke -is on you. The speaker can, of course, tell -us.”</p> - -<p>The Clove Doll’s cheeks flushed even redder -than before, and wished with all her heart -she had not used the large word of which she -was so proud.</p> - -<p>“I am sure I cannot tell what it means. -It’s what I am, and it’s the way my story begins.”</p> - -<p>“Who knows what the very large word -used by the very small one means?” asked -the Stick Doll, of the audience.</p> - -<p>The Pepper and Salt Twins now stepped -forward. They swayed from side to side -and in sing-song tones cried:</p> - -<p>“Un means not. Undeveloped means not -developed; developed means finished.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span></p> - -<p>“Excellent memory you have,” said the -Stick Doll.</p> - -<p>“They’ve been peeking in that big book, -too; I saw them,” cried the Vinegar Cruet. -“Any one could do that.”</p> - -<p>“Tell tale tit, your tongue shall be slit,” -sang the whole crowd.</p> - -<p>“Here! Here! This won’t do. Come, -let us hear the rest of the story of this unfinished -maid.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t true that I am not finished! As a -clove I am complete and perfect. It is only -that the buds are used before they are quite -ready to turn into blossoms.</p> - -<p>“If my buds were allowed to blossom there -would never be a clove. What would the -pickled peach do then, poor thing?”</p> - -<p> -“She’d stay in her jar,<br /> -And soon be sour,<br /> -And moulder away on the shelf, poor thing!”<br /> -</p> - -<p>promptly sang the audience.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span></p> - -<p>At this Jack and Mother hid their heads -in the blankets, shaking with laughter, and -came forth with very red faces just in time -to hear Miss Clove continue her spicy tale.</p> - -<p>“The clove tree grows in the woods in hot -countries, specially here and here, and here.”</p> - -<p>“She’s on roller skates,” whispered Jack, -as the Clove Lady sailed quickly and gracefully -around the globe, touching with her -wheeled feet Zanzibar, Brazil, and the West -Indies.</p> - -<p>“The audience need not note especially -the countries pointed out,” said the Stick -Doll, “but it is to me most interesting. -You may continue.”</p> - -<p>The Clove Doll had snatched the moment -while she waited to again improve her mind -through the big book, and now announced -importantly:</p> - -<p>“I am very pungent. That means aromatic.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh!” cried the Vinegar Cruet, “you had -to shut the book too quick to find the meaning -of that, but I happen to know it.</p> - -<p>“Why are you like me?”</p> - -<p>“Happy thought,” said the Stick Doll; -“let’s turn this into a puzzle contest. Why -is the clove like vinegar?”</p> - -<p>“Give it up. Give it up. What’s the answer?” -sang the audience.</p> - -<p>“Because we are both sharp,” politely answered -the Vinegar Cruet, strutting about -like a peacock.</p> - -<p>“Sharp! Ha! Ha!” cried Pepper and Salt. -“S’pose you’ve been visiting the scissors’ -grinder.”</p> - -<p>“Vinegar is right,” said the Clove Doll. -“We are both smart.”</p> - -<p>“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Let’s all carry a -pocket dictionary and we can be smart and -sharp, too,” laughed some one.</p> - -<p>“Dear me!” cried the Clove Doll. “Did I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> -really say smart? I mis-spoke. I am sharp. -I mean stinging to the tongue.”</p> - -<p>Before she could say another word she was -surrounded and tested so vigorously by the -many tongues, she shrieked indignantly:</p> - -<p>“Stop! we don’t lick the ladder till the ice -cream is done. Now let me finish.</p> - -<p>“My buds turn green, then red and hard. -Then we are laid near the smoke of a wood -fire in the sun to dry. We don’t like that -smudge and are glad enough when we turn -brown, then we know we are finished. I -might say developed,” she added, with a triumphant -glance at her hearers.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>DANCE OF THE ELVES</h2> - - -<p>“The last night there in the woods we had -a grand time. We looked like a lot of elves -dancing in the red glow shed by the fire.</p> - -<p>“I’ll never forget what happened that -night. We had just finished a weird dance -and were huddled together watching the -sparks mount to the sky, when there ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span>peared -in our midst a queer little Being, who -seemed to spring from the fire.</p> - -<p>“She seated herself in our midst and told -us the grandest stories I ever heard!”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” cried Allspice, “I wish she would -come here!”</p> - -<p>At that instant they heard a far-off voice. -It seemed to come from the flames. Singing, -singing, nearer and nearer.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>THE STORY SPRITE’S TALE</h2> - - -<p>Suddenly from the very centre of the fire -sprang a wonderful vision, a tiny creature, -who seemed clothed in wreaths of flame. -With a joyous greeting, as jolly as the fire -itself, she cried:</p> - -<p>“Your wish is granted. Behold, the Story -Sprite! Since I attended the clove party I -have been around the world and have a fine -collection of tales.</p> - -<p>“I am fresh from Japan, now, where I saw -enacted a most exciting tale. Creep close to -my feet while I tell it. I wish you could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> -see the children in Japan. They are so beautiful; -clad in their brilliant coloured kimonos, -they look like a mass of poppies nodding -in the wind.</p> - -<p>“One dear little Japanese maid did such a -splendid thing!</p> - -<p>“Without speaking a word, with only her -dear two hands, she saved a young man from -being imprisoned for life. He was an American -gentleman, who had been sent to Japan -on business.</p> - -<p>“He was lonely so far from home, and became -very friendly with Cherry Blossom, the -child of one with whom he had business relations.</p> - -<p>“He was very much interested in the queer -games she played, and spent much time with -her.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_047.jpg" width="500" height="711" alt="Great sport they had flying wonderful kites" /> -<div class="caption">“Great sport they had flying wonderful kites”</div> -</div> - -<p>“Great sport they had flying wonderful -kites that looked like gorgeous birds with -outspread wings, or maybe seated on the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span>beach she would make sand pictures, which -were her great delight.</p> - -<p>“They usually wound up these visits with -a tea-party. The child seated opposite him, -looking like a brilliant butterfly, poised for -a moment as she handed him the fragile cup -filled with the fragrant beverage.</p> - -<p>“In time he became very dear to her, and -one day while playing with her dolly she -overheard something that sorely troubled her -little heart. Her father was talking in low -mysterious tones to some Japanese friends. -Suddenly she heard the American’s name. -She pricked up her ears.</p> - -<p>“Dear! Dear! Such startling news she -could hardly believe.</p> - -<p>“They thought he was a spy and were going -to put him in prison very soon! They -walked away, leaving the child grief-stricken.</p> - -<p>“What a spy was, she did not know; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> -what she did know was that her precious -friend must be saved from that awful fate, -for once in prison he might never be released.</p> - -<p>“He had told her of his own little girl, -who was even now, in that far away land -called America, watching for his home coming. -As she gazed off seaward she saw a -ship that might sail any day. He must go -on it and she must tell him why, but how -could she?</p> - -<p>“Never was she allowed to be alone with -him for one moment. Always when playing -her childish games with him, her nurse sat -near by, within hearing of her voice, her -beady eyes watching her every movement.</p> - -<p>“As the child pondered on this startling -state of affairs, her friend suddenly appeared. -At once the nurse glided to her -post.</p> - -<p>“‘See the ship,’ he cried in her native lan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span>guage. -‘It will sail this evening. The next -ship that comes will take me home to my -baby. Let’s go and buy her a doll.’</p> - -<p>“To the shop they went, the nurse trotting -along beside them.</p> - -<p>“They bought a wonderful doll, an exact -copy of Cherry Blossom in her silken robes.</p> - -<p>“They bought many other toys, among -them a complete outfit for making sand pictures.</p> - -<p>“‘I’ll tell my baby how you helped me to -choose her doll. Now let’s go to the beach -and you bring your sand bags and teach me -how to make the pictures so I can make them -for her.’</p> - -<p>“Happy thought! Now maybe she could -have an instant, just a weenty instant alone -with him, and so she asked the nurse to bring -the bags of sand.</p> - -<p>“‘You come, too,’ whispered the nurse, -and refused to budge without the child.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span></p> - -<p>“Japanese children must be obedient, and -she followed, not even daring to allow her -little feet to lag or to seem disturbed in any -way.</p> - -<p>“She was soon seated on the beach close -beside her friend, while the nurse sat a little -apart knitting, her eyes fixed on the pair.</p> - -<p>“Making pictures in the sand is a wonderful -game, a game the Japanese children -adore.</p> - -<p>“They have three bags of coloured sand -and one of white. It is most fascinating to -see them spread in the form of a square the -white sand, till it resembles a sheet of white -paper. On this with black and red, yellow -or blue, they produce wonderful landscape -effects.</p> - -<p>“Cherry Blossom plunged her hands into -the bags, her thoughts far away from the -game.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly her eyes flashed. She knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> -how to give him the message. Why hadn’t -she thought of it before! Pictures could tell -most anything, and so she eagerly began.</p> - -<p>“Immediately from her tiny fingers the -varicoloured sand trickled in a thin stream.</p> - -<p>“At first as he idly watched, he saw in her -picture a bit of sea, on which presently appeared -a ship with spreading sail. On the -fluffy white waves, creeping up to the shore, -rocked a tiny boat. On the land appeared -a prison, a perfect copy of one he had seen -many times. In the small boat an American -was seated.</p> - -<p>“The man watched in tense silence. The -child was telling him something. He lit a -cigarette with unsteady hands, but as he remembered -the sentinel on guard, he began to -hum a tune.</p> - -<p>“The child’s hands never trembled as she -next produced a number of Japanese gentlemen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now the man disappeared from the boat, -and at once was seen peering through the -prison bars.</p> - -<p>“Just here the nurse suspiciously drew -near to see the picture.</p> - -<p>“The man quickly pointed to the sky, crying -gaily, ‘See the birds!’</p> - -<p>“As the nurse gazed Skyward, one swift -stroke of his hand destroyed the picture, and -he said quietly:</p> - -<p>“‘Now let me make one. You do them so -well I am afraid you will think I am a bungler, -but I want to try.’</p> - -<p>“As he worked, he whistled a merry tune, -and the child felt that he meant her to know -he understood. She soon saw that he, too, -was picturing a message, for in the twinkling -of an eye he had fashioned a tree, its green -branches stretching out over the white background.</p> - -<p>“On a low branch he placed a bird. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span> -seemed to be making an effort to free itself -from a thong which held its little foot. -From its beak fluttered a banner. Under his -fingers this banner was soon transfigured into -an American flag.</p> - -<p>“As the man worked, the merry tune was -replaced by sharp twitters and chirps as -though the bird were distressed.</p> - -<p>“The child watched fascinated, as underneath -the tree she saw a Japanese child taking -shape. Her fingers rested on the bird’s -foot, and suddenly by a quick twirl of his -hand the bird was blotted out and in an instant -plainly to be seen poised on the mast -of a ship, carolling a glad song of freedom.</p> - -<p>“Then the picture was swept away, and -with one look into the child’s beautiful eyes, -a look that told volumes, he gathered up his -purchases and sauntered away.</p> - -<p>“In his room he hastily packed his belong<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span>ings, -and later on under cover of the darkness -he was safely stowed on the ship.</p> - -<p>“As Cherry Blossom drowsily closed her -eyes she heard the ship’s shrill whistle as it -steamed away, and she rejoiced that she had -been able with her own little hands to send -her dear friend back to his baby.</p> - -<p>“There was great excitement the next day -when it was learned the American had vanished.</p> - -<p>“The nurse was closely questioned. -Never had she left the child alone, and her -mother also declared that she too had been -on guard, and all she saw was that they made -pictures in the sand without even a word.</p> - -<p>“And so the secret never was told till now, -and it will still be a secret, for pie people -never never tell, and now good-bye till you -wish for me again.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_057.jpg" width="500" height="351" alt="We will both wish for her to come" /> -<div class="caption">“We will both wish for her to come”</div> -</div> - -<p>With a graceful courtesy the Story Sprite -vanished as suddenly as she had appeared, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span>and the audience sat for a moment listening -spellbound to her song fast dying away.</p> - -<p>Then long-drawn breaths were heard and -the Clove Doll cried, “Wasn’t she perfect? -I never dreamed she would come here, but I -am glad she did.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE ALLSPICE DOLL</h2> - - -<p>“Now will my cousin, Miss Allspice, -please step forward and tell her story.”</p> - -<p>This dear little doll timidly made her way -back of the speaker, and, holding shyly -to her skirt, peeped out, and said in low -tones:</p> - -<p>“I am just a small round berry from the -Pimento. A wee evergreen tree that grows -on the limestone hills, on the Islands of the -West Indies.</p> - -<p>“We are about the size of a pea, gathered -in August, and dried in the sun for several -days. The stems are then taken off and we -are packed in a bag and sent to America.</p> - -<p>“There such a thing happened to us as you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> -would never believe possible. We were -turned out of the bags, looking like a lot of -dried hard peas. We were so happy to be at -the end of our journey, and see daylight -again.</p> - -<p>“We smiled up at the blue sky as we merrily -rolled out of the sacks, but, alas, our -joy was only for a moment, as we found ourselves -turned into a grinder of some sort. -Suddenly we heard a whizzing sound, and -there we had turned from peas into a fine -powder.</p> - -<p>“They named us Allspice because we have -the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, -and everybody loves us.”</p> - -<p>Out of breath, the modest little creature -completely vanished in Clove’s skirt, blown -there by the applause which now filled the -room.</p> - -<p>“Well done!” cried the Stick Doll. “You -mean a lot if you are small. Now I think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> -we should hear from the Nutmeg, since spice -seems to hold our attention at present.”</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE NUTMEG DOLL</h2> - - -<p>The doll with the small brown head now -arose and walked over to the place of honour. -She was a study in green. Her gown was -formed of leaves from the tree upon which -she grew, and an artistic picture she made -as she faced her audience.</p> - -<p>“My dear friends,” she said, and paused.</p> - -<p>“I take my pen in hand to say I am well—” -came in an audible whisper.</p> - -<p>“And hope you are the same,” flashed the -Nutmeg. “I admit I was a bit flurried. -But thanks to your hurried letter just received -I am myself again. I need to be, for -I am rather interesting.</p> - -<p>“I come chiefly from the Banda Islands, -and some of my poor relations come from the -West Indies and Brazil, where dear little -Allspice lives.</p> - -<p>“She forgot to welcome you to her home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> -and I will show you where it is,” and she -took from her pocket some tiny round balls -and tossed them in various directions.</p> - -<p>To the surprise of all, the balls lodged and -stuck, and the onlookers were so interested -in learning whether they stuck where they -should they forgot they weren’t to learn anything.</p> - -<p>“They did!” whispered Jack and Mother -in one breath, and, sure enough, some lodged -in the Banda Islands, others in the West Indies.</p> - -<p>“Some of us live in South America,” and -she lightly tossed a few more balls, all of -which clung to their native lands.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by poor relations?” -asked the Stick Doll.</p> - -<p>“I mean the poorer quality of nutmegs. -The Brazilian nutmeg brings oil for hard -soap and candles.</p> - -<p>“I am the better quality, and am the ker<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span>nel -of a fruit which is round and about the -size of a walnut.</p> - -<p>“The outside coat is two inches across before -it splits open, and the nutmeg, of course, -comes out, just as the chestnut falls from -the burr. A network of tiny fibres is wound -about it, and this second coat is dried and -ground and called mace.</p> - -<p>“The olive-shaped nut, about an inch in -length, is turned over every day for two -months, and treated with lime to preserve it. -Then it is the nutmeg which you see before -you.”</p> - -<p>“What are you good for, please, Mam?” -asked the Vinegar Cruet with a sour expression.</p> - -<p>“What am I good for?” she cried indignantly. -“What am I not good for? Look -in the cook-book on the pantry shelf and see -if there is anything worth while that hasn’t -a dash of me in it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span></p> - -<p>“You’ll find every good housewife has one -of me in a tiny grater hanging where she can -find it in the dark. Your puddings, and -pies, and gingerbreads, and cakes, and blanc-manges, -and egg noggs, and—”</p> - -<p>“Here! Here! my dear lady, we can’t wait -to let you go through the whole cook-book. -We’ll take your word for it. Now since I -seem to belong to the same family, perhaps -I had better entertain you next.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE CINNAMON DOLL</h2> - - -<p>“I am called Cinnamon, and I’m just about -as spicy as any of you. I am exactly as important -to the pickled peaches as is Miss -Clove, and where would the coffee cake be -without me, I’d like to know?”</p> - -<p>He paused and gazed about in a dramatic -way that convulsed Jack, who whispered:</p> - -<p>“Isn’t he funny, Mother, so long and lank, -and such an expression I never saw!”</p> - -<p>“Did any of you ever hear of cinnamon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> -candy?” continued the speaker. “Could it -be cinnamon candy without me?”</p> - -<p>As no one replied to this, he cried:</p> - -<p>“Certainly not! and now I will show you -where I grow. It is right here,” and, with -one stride of his long legs one foot rested on -the Island of Ceylon in the Indian Ocean -near Persia.</p> - -<p>“Excuse me, Mr. Cinnamon, but where did -you get your seven-league boots?” asked the -Vinegar Cruet.</p> - -<p>“They grew on me, so I didn’t need to buy -them. You can’t tease me that way. I can’t -help it because I am long legged any more -than you can help looking sour. When you -turn sweet I’ll have short legs; that’s a bargain. -Send me an invitation to your candy -pull.</p> - -<p>“Ladies and Gentlemen, please excuse this -rude interruption, and I will proceed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span></p> - -<p>“When the cinnamon trees are almost two -years old small branches are cut off and the -outer bark removed, leaving the inner bark, -which is then peeled off and dried.</p> - -<p>“In drying it takes the form of rolls called -quills, the smaller ones, as they dry, are -thrust into the larger. Sometimes it is -ground fine and packed in bags.</p> - -<p>“I am not only used in flavouring food, but -in many medicines.</p> - -<p>“Now I think the spices have finished their -tales, and we can have a complete change of -programme.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” cried Allspice, “before we go on -let’s have the Story Sprite again.”</p> - -<p>“Is it your desire that the Story Sprite appear?” -asked Cinnamon Stick. “If so, Allspice -and I will break this wishbone I see -hanging over the hearth.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! Do! Do!” cried one and all.</p> - -<p>“Very well, we will both wish for her to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> -come, then we can’t possibly fail whichever -way it breaks.”</p> - -<p>And so snap went the bone, but much dismayed -they were when it was found each -held the short end, for the centre had taken -to itself wings.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I <i>wish</i> she would come anyhow!” -they chorused, and once more from the flames -sprang the Story Elf.</p> - -<p>“You do not need to break wishbones to -bring me. All that is necessary is just to -<i>wish</i>, and here I am,” she announced.</p> - -<p>“This time I want to tell you more about -a story you all know very well. It is called:</p> -<hr /> -<h2> -AND PIPED THOSE CHILDREN BACK AGAIN. -</h2> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Don’t</span> you love the Pied Piper story, and -didn’t your heart almost stop beating when -the door in the mountain closed, shutting the -children in?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span></p> - -<p>“And though you were glad one mother -had her dear little boy left behind, no doubt -your tears mingled with his as he limped -alone down the mountain path trying in vain -to comfort himself with the fleeting glimpse -he had of that joyous country where the -horses had wings and the bees no stings; -where the birds were brighter than peacocks -here and flowers of rare beauty grew in profusion.</p> - -<p>“Can’t you just see his beautiful, upturned, -angel face? How could that great -door close and leave <i>him</i> on the wrong side!</p> - -<p>“But let me tell you a splendid fact. -Sometimes the things that seem all wrong -are the grandest things that ever happened, -and true it is, though it may seem hard to -believe, this little fellow was really on the -right side of the door after all. And though -he seemed shut out from the glad times -awaiting them in that blissful land, just be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span>cause -of this he was able to ring the joy bells -of the village with his own hands because he -was the only one there who could finally -enter the magic door and carry the message -that brought the children to their own again. -And now I must tell you this beautiful thing -that happened:</p> - -<p>“After the little hamlet was bereft of her -children the parents turned sadly back to -their homes, while the muffled tones of the -Pied Piper came no more to their ears.</p> - -<p>“They could hardly believe it true. It -must be a bad dream from which they would -soon awaken.</p> - -<p>“Many times a day the thrifty housewives -stepped to their doors and listened in vain -for the shrill baby voices to call to one another -in their play.</p> - -<p>“The wooden soldiers stood straight and -stiff at their guns at ‘Present arms!’ waiting -for the cry of ‘Attention!’ but no order was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> -given—no sound of fife or drum disturbed -the silence.</p> - -<p>“The Dutch-faced dollies sat in corners, -smiling so sweetly, waiting expectantly for -their little mothers to rock them to sleep, but -no lullabys came to their ears.</p> - -<p>“The parents gazed at the various toys till -their eyes were dim with tears and one night -when the moon was big and round, and oh, so -silvery, the Mayor tossed sleeplessly on his -bed. Presently he arose, dressed, and crept -out into the cool sweet night. His wife -heard and followed.</p> - -<p>“When they reached the street they found -it peopled with many parents, waiting for -they knew not what.</p> - -<p>“The silvery light of the moon shed its -glow upon the mountain, and as they looked, -suddenly the portal opened wide, disclosing -an inside gate of golden fretwork.</p> - -<p>“Silently and slowly the portal swung<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span> -back, and they whispered to one another, -‘Was that the great door that shut the children -in?’</p> - -<p>“With bated breath they waited, and suddenly -sweet strains of music filled the air.</p> - -<p>“‘The Pied Piper!’ cried the Mayor, with -upraised hand.</p> - -<p>“Never had they heard such notes, as clear -and silvery as the moonbeams themselves. -Then came the sound of children’s voices, -singing as never children sang, and though -it was sweet it was so sad they could scarcely -bear to listen, but it seemed to beckon them -on.</p> - -<p>“They hurried up the path taken by the -children, and as they neared the door the -words of the song amazed them, and drew -forth exclamations.</p> - -<p>“‘Keep your promise and we can come -back!’ was the burden of the song, and the -Mayor cried:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Come! The Piper must be told we -are ready and eager to give him what we -owe.’</p> - -<p>“He led the way, but alas! they found the -inside gate so small, only a child could enter. -They called many times, but the only -response was the sad little song of the children.</p> - -<p>“‘They cannot hear us. What will we -do?’ cried one mother on her knees before -the gate, trying in vain to push her way -through.</p> - -<p>“‘The lame boy, where is he?’ queried the -Mayor in anguished tones.</p> - -<p>“‘Fast asleep in his bed,’ replied his -mother.</p> - -<p>“‘Go quickly and bring him!’ cried the -Mayor. ‘No one knows how soon the Portal -may swing shut.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_073.jpg" width="500" height="712" alt="The beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him" /> -<div class="caption">“The beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him”</div> -</div> - -<p>“The father and mother hastened to the little -home and to the crib where the boy lay -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span>sleeping sweetly, bathed in the glow of the -silvery light.</p> - -<p>“‘Come,’ whispered the mother. ‘Come.’</p> - -<p>“The boy opened his eyes, sprang into his -father’s arms, and they hastened again up -the mountain path.</p> - -<p>“‘The door is open,’ he cried joyously. -‘Now I can have some one to play with!’</p> - -<p>“‘I hope so,’ breathed the mother. ‘Go in -and find the Piper. Tell him we beg of him -to let us keep our promise. If he will only -give us back our children we will give him -all we have!’</p> - -<p>“The little fellow limped through the -golden portal and could go no farther, for -the beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed -him.</p> - -<p>“Such flowers! Such trees, whose waving -branches of tender green were filled with the -most beautifully coloured birds he ever saw. -Such shrubs, with glistening leaves flutter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span>ing -timidly in the gentle breeze. Here the -moon shone with a light that was never on -land or sea.</p> - -<p>“The boy gazed in raptures at the marvellous -picture, then glanced keenly about -for the Piper.</p> - -<p>“Presently he saw him standing beneath -an arched bower of twining roses, but so sad -did he seem the boy hesitated to approach -him.</p> - -<p>“He took one step, then paused amazed. -What had happened? He took another. -Oh, joy of joys! He was lame no more! -He dropped his crutch and ran. Ran as he -had dreamed of running—just as other children -did. Ran straight to the Piper.</p> - -<p>“As the Piper clasped him in his arms, a -heavenly smile lighted his face, and he cried:</p> - -<p>“‘At last they have heard the song. You -can never know the joy you have brought to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> -me this day. It was my anger that closed -the gate and when it clanged to I said, -“Never will I forgive them. Never.” -Ever since, the gate has been as though -frozen shut. I knew why, but I wouldn’t -forgive.</p> - -<p>“‘I did my best to make the children -happy, but you see by their sad song, I failed. -Have you noticed them?’</p> - -<p>“The boy looked and for the first time -really saw his playmates.</p> - -<p>“‘What pretty clothes they have!’ he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, the boys are clad in green and silver -leaves. The girls’ gowns are of flowers. -Flowers such as grow only here. They may -have a fresh gown every day, or oftener.’</p> - -<p>“‘Where are their homes?’ asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“‘They live like the birds in the trees. -Look!’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span></p> - -<p>“The boy gazed in wonder up into the tree -tops, to see many tiny bowers woven of vines -and flowers.</p> - -<p>“‘Their beds are of rose petals, the wind -rocks them to sleep, and the birds carol their -lullaby. The humming birds hover over -them as they dream. They drink honey -with the bees. They eat luscious fruits such -as one dreams of but never sees. With all -of this they are not happy. They sigh for -their dolls and soldiers, and weep for their -parents.</p> - -<p>“‘Lately I have felt my anger melting, -and last night I suddenly knew I had forgiven -all, and that instant the portal swung -open. Soon I heard voices, but I could not -move. Only a little child could break the -spell. I am so thankful you could not follow -with the others since only a child could -pass through the golden gate to bring the -message.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Oh!’ cried the boy in ecstasy. ‘See! I -can walk! I can run! I am so happy!’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes,’ said the Piper, ‘I know. No one -could be lame here now that the gate is open. -This is the land of harmony; but tell me, -boy, why did you come? Do tell me they -sent you.’</p> - -<p>“‘They did. They want to keep their -promise.’</p> - -<p>“‘They do? Will they give me the -gold?’ he asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, yes, they want to. They beg of you -to take it.’</p> - -<p>“‘Then tell them when the mountain path -is paved with guilders I will bring the children.’</p> - -<p>“The boy bounded away, but as he passed -the children he was at once swept into the -ring and in some mysterious way he also was -clad in a garb of silvery leaves, while on his -head was placed a crown of wondrous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> -beauty, a crown of flowers which breathed -forth a rare perfume.</p> - -<p>“As they danced round and round, the -song was no longer sad but rang out like joyous -bells, filling the air with showers of -gladness, while the Piper piped, and the -birds twittered and trilled the gayest of -tunes.</p> - -<p>“They danced nearer and nearer the portal, -and presently saw without, a sea of hungry -faces and many outstretched arms.</p> - -<p>“The boy shook himself loose and ran -through the gate. With shining eyes he -cried:</p> - -<p>“‘See! I can walk! I can run! And I -have more good news, but you must obey. -Bring the gold quickly and you will soon -have your children.’</p> - -<p>“They rubbed their eyes and stared, then -turned and ran down the mountain. Ran -faster than the rats ever dreamed of running.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> -Soon they came trooping up again each carrying -a bag of gold.</p> - -<p>“‘The Piper said when the path was paved -with gold he would bring the children. -Quick! I will help!’ cried the boy.</p> - -<p>“You should have seen them dropping the -gold pieces in place, and in a twinkling the -bags were empty and the road was one glittering -ribbon.</p> - -<p>“The boy ran through the portal to the -Piper, crying: ‘It is finished; come.’</p> - -<p>“The Piper hurried to the entrance, looked -down the shining path, paused, and waited. -The silence was tense, while all gazed into -his face wonderingly.</p> - -<p>“‘The road is not finished,’ he said gently. -‘Look for yourselves. Some one has kept -back gold that is still due. We will wait.’</p> - -<p>“The Mayor flushed and knelt at his feet. -‘It was I. I couldn’t give quite all. Forgive -me and I will bring more than enough.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span></p> - -<p>“He strode down the path, soon to return -carrying a leathern bag which clanked as he -walked. At the feet of the Piper he shook -out the golden circlets, which seemed bewitched -as one after another rolled toward -the empty spaces, where they spun round and -round like so many golden tops, and finally -settled into place. Those remaining piled -themselves about the Piper’s feet.</p> - -<p>“The onlookers gazed in astonishment till -suddenly they heard heavenly music. At -once they stood either side of the golden -pathway, watching the Piper followed by -the children.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">“‘All the little boys and girls,</div> -<div class="line">With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls,</div> -<div class="line">Tripping and skipping ran merrily after</div> -<div class="line">The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.’</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>“On and on they went, their tiny feet -treading silently the golden ribbon.</p> - -<p>“The parents, with tears of joy streaming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> -o’er their faces, followed, enraptured with -the magic notes.</p> - -<p>“Where the gleaming pathway ended the -Piper paused, the parents embraced their little -ones, then knelt at the feet of the Piper.</p> - -<p>“‘Arise!’ he cried in beseeching tones. ‘I, -too, am guilty. We have both made -amends. Let us forget all wrongdoing and -be happy. You have emptied your coffers -but you are richer than ever.</p> - -<p>“‘I do not want the gold. Let it lie a glittering -pathway to the land of joy, where the -children may dance and play to their hearts’ -content.</p> - -<p>“‘As long as we do right the Golden Portal -will never close. Farewell.’</p> - -<p>“With these words he turned and walked -toward the mountain door. The parents -hurried to their homes, to find the boys ordering -out the wooden soldiers, and the dolls -drowsily smiling into mother eyes and listen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span>ing -to the far-away lullaby of the dear Pied -Piper.”</p> - -<p>As the Story Elf finished she again vanished, -and during the silence that followed -the dolls thought they still heard the Piper’s -far away lullaby.</p> - -<p>As it died away Allspice cried:</p> - -<p>“How lovely to bring the children home -again. I’m glad she told us about it, for I -always felt sorry for the parents and the dear -little lame boy all alone.</p> - -<p>“I hope we can have her come again.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps we may, but now we must go on -with <i>our</i> stories.</p> - -<p>“You know an old poem tells us little girls -are made of sugar and spice and all things -nice. Therefore, since Sugar is classed so -closely with Spice, we might let that sweet -lady talk to us for a while.”</p> -<hr /> -<h2>MRS. SUGAR DOLL’S TALE</h2> - -<p>The fat Sugar Lady now came forward, -and with a quick jerk of her skirts, showing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span>her slippered feet, made an old-fashioned -courtesy.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_085.jpg" width="500" height="731" alt="Sometimes it is gingerbread, or maybe plump brown -cookies" /> -<div class="caption">“Sometimes it is gingerbread, or maybe plump brown -cookies”</div> -</div> - -<p>“Isn’t she dear!” cried one and another, as -they gazed admiringly at the quaint figure -all dressed in white, which sparkled like -frost on the window pane. Dainty bunches -of rosebuds adorned her bonnet, and altogether -she was a sweet picture.</p> - -<p>“My dears,” she cried, well aware of the -admiration she excited.</p> - -<p>“I know I am sweet as well as you do, but -lest I become over-proud I will show you my -real self growing, which really isn’t anything -to look at.”</p> - -<p>As she talked she untied her bonnet strings -and untwisted one of the curls that bobbed -about her snowy neck. The audience was -startled to hear a squeak like the dying gasp -of a rubber balloon.</p> - -<p>As the squeak lingeringly died away, -Sugar grew thinner and taller, and presently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> -there she was turned into a long yellow sugar -cane.</p> - -<p>A shout of laughter greeted this transformation, -as Sugar Cane made an elaborate -bow, beaming upon them as though delighted -to see them.</p> - -<p>“Allow me to make you acquainted with -Mrs. Sugar’s better half,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Butter half, you mean,” shouted Vinegar.</p> - -<p>“Throw in a little flour and a few eggs and -we’ll have a birthday cake.”</p> - -<p>“Which I would be delighted to do had I -those useful ingredients.”</p> - -<p>“Ingredients?” said Cinnamon, thinking -hard. “Will Little Salt, who is now peeping -in the dictionary again, kindly let us -know the meaning of that word?”</p> - -<p>“It means a part of something,” replied -Salt, much dismayed that she had again been -caught studying the big book when she -should have been listening.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes, a part of something; sugar, eggs and -flour are a part of the cake. Now let us hear -about this queer tall yellow stick.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, Sir. I come from a wild plant -from India, Mexico, South America, and -most tropical countries. They are here, and -here, and here, and here,” and in the twinkling -of an eye he had walked about the -globe and left his footprint in each place.</p> - -<p>“I am also found in the red beet and yellow -carrot. Perhaps it will be hard to believe, -but this yellow cane, which is as sweet -as honey, is placed between two large -hard rollers until all the juice is squeezed -out.</p> - -<p>“This juice is boiled down, and when thick -is poured off.”</p> - -<p>“Tut, tut, tut,” gurgled the Molasses Jug; -“don’t step on my toes.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry,” laughed Sugar Cane. -“I’m not going to tell any more of your story.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> -I had to tell that much to get at what settles -to the bottom, which is my sweet wife.</p> - -<p>“It is first brown sugar. That is purified -by filtration, and when clear white takes the -various names of loaf sugar, lump sugar, and -refined sugar, according to the degree of -purification.</p> - -<p>“Refined sugar is the pulverised confectioners’ -sugar and is used in candies.</p> - -<p>“Granulated sugar is made by stirring -while the strong syrup crystallises and forms -small grains or crystals.</p> - -<p>“While I know I am not very pretty, yet -the children in the warm countries love me -dearly. They clamour for a piece of sugar -cane to suck, just as the children here beg for -candy sticks. Some of the poor little ones -have nothing to eat all day long but a stick -of sugar cane, and nowhere to sleep but on -a door step. They run around in bare feet -and with scarcely any clothes!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span></p> - -<p>“Here! Here!” came the smothered -tones of Mrs. Sugar. “You have told the -whole story. I think you shouldn’t wind up -by making everybody weep. Blow yourself -up and let me come forth once more, please.”</p> - -<p>Then Sugar Cane began to dwindle as a -gust of wind blew through his pipes. -Shorter and fatter he grew, till behold, there -was dear Mrs. Sugar, smiling down at them -as she again tied her bonnet strings.</p> - -<p>“I never did see such a man. So dismal as -he grows sometimes. What if the children -do only have sugar cane all day. It’s good -and makes them fat, and a jollier lot I never -saw. They love to go barefooted; and as for -clothes, who wants any where the weather is -boiling hot all the time?</p> - -<p>“Don’t waste any tears on him any of you. -Let’s hear from Molasses. She will send -your tears flying as high as a kite.”</p> - -<p>At this summons the Molasses Jug now ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span>peared. -Her gown was a beautiful shade -of golden brown, with touches of sunshiny -yellow here and there. She really wasn’t a -jug, but looked like one from the fact that -she kept her arm crooked up just like a jug -handle.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE MOLASSES DOLL</h2> - - -<p>“Well,” she said gaily. “Mr. Sugar -pretty near told you my story, I stopped -him just in time. I come in just where the -juice from the sugar cane boils down thick. -That was my own splendid self that was -poured off.</p> - -<p>“I love the time when I gurgle down into -a barrel, and fairly hug myself when that -barrel is in a grocery store waiting to be sold. -I always wonder what kind of a home I am -going to, and what will be done with me.</p> - -<p>“I sit there in the dark, and presently the -spigot in the barrel is turned, and the thick -stream gurgles into jugs. The jugs are -placed in a grocery wagon. The driver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span> -whistles a merry tune, and away we go into -so many homes.</p> - -<p>“I make so many good things, and it is such -fun guessing what I’m going to be in each -time. Sometimes it is gingerbread, or may -be plump brown cookies. Again, it is pudding -with fat plums swelling up inside.</p> - -<p>“Once a grand thing happened. It was -the day before Christmas. The driver was -hurrying the horse along at the very edge of -town.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly something startled the horse, -and he ran away. The wagon overturned. -Everything was thrown about in the snow. -My jug broke and I began to run out all -over. I had good company though, for popcorn, -cranberries, and all sorts of things were -scattered about me.</p> - -<p>“The grocery boy gathered up most of the -stuff and away he went. I was hopeless, and -thought what a miserable Christmas I was to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> -have. No good to anybody. Suddenly I -pricked up my ears. Children were crying, -and I heard one say:</p> - -<p>“‘Can’t have any Christmas at all. Not a -speck of anything. No money to buy anything -with!’</p> - -<p>“A group of them were trudging through -the snow from school. When they saw me -one said: ‘What’s that?’</p> - -<p>“Wasn’t I glad I was molasses. Most -anything else would have been of no use at -such a time. I could hardly keep still when -I saw one after another poke a finger into the -brown mass and taste.</p> - -<p>“‘Molasses!’ they cried in one breath.</p> - -<p>“With a whoop of delight they ran into a -nearby home, and came back with a pail and -cups. The snow had a glassy crust and I -hadn’t sunken in at all. So all they had to -do was to scoop, and there I was. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> -scooped and scraped till they had a good pail -full.</p> - -<p>“I saw a few ears of popcorn that had -lodged down in a little hollow, so I let a -small stream run after them. The children -spied them, and such a shout went up as you -never heard! Luckily the snow was fresh -fallen and clean, so they really had made -quite a find.</p> - -<p>“We were hurried into the house, and -when the mother and father came home from -their work, looking sad enough because they -could not give the children any Christmas, -they were greeted with the cries of ‘Merry -Christmas! Merry Christmas!’</p> - -<p>“It would have done your hearts good to -have seen that candy pull, and the popcorn -balls were the finest ever made. They had a -perfectly good Christmas that didn’t cost a -cent.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span></p> - -<p>“So I think molasses is quite important -in this world even if it is cheap.”</p> - -<p>Molasses sat down amid a round of applause.</p> - -<p>“What a nice story! I wish some one -would tell another,” murmured little Allspice, -whose earnest blue eyes and clasped -hands showed how she had loved the story.</p> - -<p>“A splendid idea! The night is slowly -passing; perhaps some of us may think up -some interesting stories; incidents we have -seen in our various home lands.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE VINEGAR KING</h2> - - -<p>“Now let’s hear from the Vinegar King. -We have had much sweet, perhaps we would -like a little sour for a change.”</p> - -<p>His Majesty was tall and thin, dressed in -velvet knee breeches and fancy coat with silver -trimmings. His cockade hat looked as -though he really did belong to royalty, but -so sour an expression did he wear you could -tell at once that he stood for nothing sweet.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_097.jpg" width="500" height="350" alt="Suddenly something startled the horse, and he ran away" /> -<div class="caption">“Suddenly something startled the horse, and he ran away”</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span></p> - -<p>“Ladies and Gentlemen: I am happy—”</p> - -<p>“Happy—you?” queried the audience in -gales of laughter.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t mean to say I was happy. I -started to say I am happy to inform you that -in wine countries I come from fermented -poor wines, elsewhere from malt or apple -cider.”</p> - -<p>With that he sat down.</p> - -<p>“Here! Here! Is that all you have to -tell us?” cried Cinnamon Stick.</p> - -<p>“All! It is much more than Molasses had -to say.”</p> - -<p>“You have talked for twenty seconds. -Molasses entertained us for many minutes!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Mr. Chairman, but if you simmer -down what Molasses told you of her history, -it will take three seconds by the clock to say -it. It was this: ‘I am the juice from the sugar -cane boiled down and gurgled into a barrel!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span>’”</p> - -<p>Vinegar tried so hard to imitate Molasses, -even to the sweet expression, he sat down -amid roars of laughter.</p> - -<p>Molasses now hopped up in the greatest -haste, crying:</p> - -<p>“So I did gurgle into a barrel, and into a -jug, too. It was all there was to tell. Sugar -Cane had to tell the beginning of me because -we came from the same thing. It was -why I told the story, and dear knows it was -a sweet story.”</p> - -<p>“The gentleman with silver trimmed knee -breeches will kindly tell us something further -of himself,” said Cinnamon Stick in -bland tones. “What are you good for?”</p> - -<p>“I am used for soothing remedies in the -pharmacies.”</p> - -<p>“Soothing!” laughed Salt and Pepper. -“I hope you have your picture on the outside -of the bottles.”</p> - -<p>“I do. They especially asked for it. I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> -good for many things besides medicine. -Sour pickles could never be made without -me, and as for peach pickles, you might have -all the cloves and cinnamon in the world in -them, would they be at all if it were not -for me? As for my looks, I can’t help them. -We all have to look like we are, and even -though I look and seem sour, at heart I am -sweet because really I have to have sugar to -make the mother.”</p> - -<p>“Mother!” cried bashful Allspice. “Have -you really a dear mother?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, my dear, not that kind of a mother. -It is just some thick stringy stuff that grows -in Vinegar as it ferments and makes it ferment -quicker. It is just called mother.</p> - -<p>“That is all I know about me. Thank you -for your kind attention.”</p> - -<p>“You are very welcome,” said Cinnamon -Stick. “You really did very well after -all.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span></p> - -<h2>TALE OF THE CITRON DOLL</h2> - - -<p>“Now let’s hear from Miss Citron. She -sounds very sweet and good.”</p> - -<p>“And I am sweet and good, too,” said the -doll with the large green head, gorgeously -gowned in purple.</p> - -<p>“I grow in Spain.” Here she sat down on -the top of the globe and rolled over and over -till she reached that spot where she was to be -found, then rose and continued:</p> - -<p>“My tree has an upright smooth trunk with -a branchy head rising from five to fifteen -feet, adorned with large oval spear-shaped -leaves. See, my hat is made of one. Isn’t it -<i>chic</i>?” and she placed the odd hat on her -head and paraded about for a moment.</p> - -<p>“Don’t mistake me for a Pathé Moving -Picture fashion show, please, for I never -aspired to anything higher than fruit cake -and pastries.</p> - -<p>“My fruit is different from the lemon in -that it has no knob at the top and the rind is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span> -much thicker. My tree has purple blossoms -that are white inside. The seeds of the fruit -are bitter. After they are taken out I am cut -in half and dried in sugar and make a delicious -confection.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry my story is short, but that is -really all there is to tell.”</p> - -<p>“Very good, indeed, and now we will hear -from the ballet girls, Orange and Lemon, -who seem in a flutter to tell their tales,” announced -Mr. Cinnamon Stick.</p> - -<p>The Orange and Lemon Dolls now came -forward, and after a sweeping bow danced -like fairies about the hearth, their orange -and yellow skirts fluffing about their tiny -feet.</p> - -<p>“Opera glasses! Opera glasses!” shouted -one.</p> - -<p>“All music and words of the opera here,” -sang another.</p> - -<p>“Standing room only,” cried another.</p> -<hr /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span></p> - -<h2>TALES OF THE ORANGE AND LEMON DOLLS</h2> - - -<p>Mr. Cinnamon Stick bade them be quiet, -and Orange began her story.</p> - -<p>“We come from about the same parts of -the world; watch and you will see where.”</p> - -<p>The eyes of the audience followed the pair -as they heeled and toed over the globe, -touching daintily Italy, Spain, Portugal, -Florida, and California.</p> - -<p>“The California orange is liked best because -it has no seeds. It is a deep orange -colour with a thick skin.</p> - -<p>“The Florida orange is a shade lighter and -has a thinner skin.</p> - -<p>“We also grow in Mexico—here—but the -Mexican orange cannot be shipped because -it will not keep. It is sweet and delicious, -however, and much loved by the natives.</p> - -<p>“One wonderful thing about the orange -tree is that at the same time, on the same -tree, you will find the buds, blossoms, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> -green and ripe fruit, because they grow -slowly. Also the grape fruit is sometimes -grafted on our trees. There are oranges that -will hang on the trees for two years, so they -can be picked at any time, which is most convenient.</p> - -<p>“The trees stand about twenty-three feet -apart and must not be chilled for it hurts the -buds. When a cold snap comes, the owners -build fires here and there in the orange -groves and keep them all snug and warm. -They must watch the weather reports very -closely, as in a short time the cold might ruin -the orange crop.</p> - -<p>“One thousand oranges have been taken -from one tree. When the tree is no longer -fruitful, its hard, fine-grained, yellowish -wood is valued for inlaid work.</p> - -<p>“The orange was first found in India, then -spread to Western Asia, Spain, Italy, and is -now grown in all tropical lands.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now, Lemon may tell us about herself, as -that is all I know.”</p> - -<p>“I also am from Spain, and all those countries -we touched,” said the Lemon Doll.</p> - -<p>“I grew on a tree with three thousand in -the family.</p> - -<p>“We are picked green because then we -keep better and the skins are thinner. If we -are left in our tree house until grown to full -size our skins are thick, and we are sent to -England, where we are sugared and dried -and named sugared lemon peel.</p> - -<p>“We don’t sound like much, but when you -see us in heaps and piles in the groceries, and -see the lot of money we bring in to the owners, -you find we are quite worth while, for -we are shipped all over the world, and wherever -you are you will usually find us on the -table, if you find no other fruit.”</p> - -<p>“Right you are, my dears. You are both -a most important food, and we are glad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> -we met up with you,” cried Cinnamon -Stick.</p> - -<p>“And now <i>I’m</i> going to wish again for the -Story Sprite. I want a Christmas story.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, joy!” exclaimed the audience, rapturously -beaming upon the Story Sprite, who -sprang from the back log at the magic word -“wish,” singing gaily:</p> - -<p>“And a Christmas story you shall have. -Here is my favourite one. It is called</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>ANNA BELLE’S CHRISTMAS EVE.</h2> - - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Anna Belle</span> had had a very exciting day, -and now, curled up on the window seat, her -head pillowed on downy cushions, she sat -watching the sleighs flying by.</p> - -<p>“It was a glorious night. The moon shed -its silvery glow on the busy scene, and Anna -Belle drowsily noted the people passing with -arms filled and pockets bulging.</p> - -<p>“‘I wish I could see what’s in those pack<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span>ages,’ -she murmured. ‘I think Christmas is -queer anyhow.’</p> - -<p>“‘Why?’ came in tinkling tones to her -ears.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle jumped, for there beside her -was a beautiful fairy, holding on high a silver -wand, on the end of which gleamed a -star.</p> - -<p>“‘Why?’ persisted the fairy creature, determined -to have an explanation of such a -statement.</p> - -<p>“‘Well, I ask for a lot of things I never -get, and I get a lot of things I don’t want.’</p> - -<p>“‘You do?’ said the Fairy inquiringly.</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, every year I do. In the attic are -boxes and boxes of things I didn’t care at all -for. Somehow I’m never very happy at -Christmas time.’</p> - -<p>“‘Are you <i>giving</i> any presents this year?’</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, yes, Papa always gives me money -to buy them, but I didn’t spend it all. I’ve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span> -asked for a bracelet, and if I don’t get it -I’m going to buy one with what I have -left.’</p> - -<p>“The fairy glanced about the beautiful -room, where seemed to be everything to make -one happy, then she gently asked:</p> - -<p>“‘Are the gifts you bought gifts you feel -sure are wanted by those who will receive -them?’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle flushed as she tossed her curls -and replied:</p> - -<p>“‘Perhaps not. Papa always says, “You -can’t get something for nothing,” and you -see I didn’t want to spend all my money.’</p> - -<p>“‘Did you have a happy time buying these -gifts?’</p> - -<p>“‘Well, no. Do you think any one is very -happy at Christmas time?’</p> - -<p>“‘That depends. Some are very, very -happy.’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, I know. People with bushels of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span> -gifts are, especially if they are really what -they want.’</p> - -<p>“‘Oh,’ laughed the Fairy. ‘I know people -who have scarcely any money to buy presents -and yet are having a lovely Christmas with -presents made out of nothing. People who -are as poor as crows, and yet are bubbling -over with joy this very night.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle opened her eyes very wide at -this statement.</p> - -<p>“‘Making a Christmas out of nothing, and -as poor as crows!’ she echoed. ‘Just how -poor is that? I’d like to see them.’</p> - -<p>“‘You would? Come with me then,’ and -after a wave of the silvery wand Anna Belle -found herself floating along in mid air like -a bird.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh!’ she cried. ‘What fun! I wish I -could always be a fairy!’</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_111.jpg" width="500" height="705" alt="She was making dolls from bottles" /> -<div class="caption">“She was making dolls from bottles”</div> -</div> - -<p>“‘If you wish it hard enough you may be. -Now follow me very closely for we aren’t the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span>only fairies abroad Christmas Eve. The air -is full of them.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle looked about her, and sure -enough, it was almost like June bug season. -She felt them whizzing past her, and at times -their whirring wings fairly brushed her -cheeks.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, how lovely it is!’ she exclaimed. -‘How different it all looks from above!’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, dear, everything looks different -from above. Do you see that wee brown -house far over in that meadow, all alone?’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes,’ replied Anna Belle; ‘are they poor -as crows?’</p> - -<p>“‘Poorer, they haven’t even any feathers,’ -laughed the Fairy, as they gently floated -down, down, till they could peer into a window -of the little house.</p> - -<p>“A mother sat by a table sewing. Anna -Belle watched to see that she was making -dolls from bottles.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span></p> - -<p>“She fashioned heads by placing a wad of -cotton in a piece of muslin. Giving the -cloth a twist, she had a perfect round ball -which she shaped and tied down over a cork. -On this she skilfully painted a face, then tied -a trim little bonnet about it, and behold, -there was a smiling bit of a creature awaiting -the next move.</p> - -<p>“She then made petticoat, dress and coat, -and stood it in a corner while she made another. -As she worked she smiled so sweetly -the whole room seemed aglow.</p> - -<p>“‘Come and see who will have these gifts,’ -whispered the Fairy.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle followed and peeped in another -window. There she saw a number of -little children all snuggled up fast asleep.</p> - -<p>“‘Look!’ whispered the Fairy, and pointed -to a stand where were a few gifts. A pin-cushion -made of bits of ribbon from a scrap -bag, and a workbox made from a cigar box.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span> -This was a work of art indeed. Pockets had -been tacked inside, and on the bottom of the -box lay a spool of thread.</p> - -<p>“‘Looks lonesome, doesn’t it?’ whispered -the Fairy.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle nodded as she thought of her -own beautiful workbox of carved ivory with -gold thimble and all sorts of beautiful -fittings.</p> - -<p>“Then she remembered another laid away -in the attic, one of the things she didn’t -want.</p> - -<p>“These two crude gifts were marked in -childish hand, ‘For Mother with much love.’</p> - -<p>“‘Love is sticking out all over those -things,’ said the Fairy. ‘Come down and see -how she is getting on with her bottle family.’</p> - -<p>“They went below, to find the dolls nearly -finished, and a fine ready-made family it was.</p> - -<p>“Father, mother, children, and even a -weenty teenty pill bottle doll, dressed as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> -baby in long clothes, was pinned to the -mother, the tiny head nestled close to the -spot where her heart should be.</p> - -<p>“‘They are lovely!’ declared Anna Belle.</p> - -<p>“‘They are, indeed, and they can do what -many of the finest dolls you buy cannot. -They can stand and you can have great fun -with them.’</p> - -<p>“‘I’m going to make some,’ said Anna -Belle. ‘I think they are cute. What is -she doing now?’</p> - -<p>“‘Why, don’t you see? Some one has -given her a branch from a Christmas tree. -She is fastening the dolls to it. Now she’s -poking the coals, she’s going to pop corn and -string it for the tree. That cost one penny. -She’s also going to make molasses candy. -See it bubbling in that kettle? Molasses is -very cheap and it will be the only candy they -will have, but they will be wild over it, just -because only at Christmas time they have it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Now come and I’ll show you crow number -two.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle was loath to leave this interesting -window, but she obediently followed -on.</p> - -<p>“‘Look in here,’ whispered the Fairy, as -they paused by another humble home.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle looked, to see an empty stocking -swinging from the mantel. On it was -pinned a paper, and Anna Belle read the -large printed words:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Dear Santa Claus—If you have enough things -to go round won’t you give my sister a music box -and a readin’ buck. She’s lame and can’t play like -me. You needn’t give me anything. I can hear -the music and read her’s.</p> - -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">Jamie.</span>” -</p></div> - -<p>“Anna Belle’s eyes filled as she read, and -followed the Fairy to see two children fast -asleep, dreaming of what they hoped they -might find in the morning.</p> - -<p>“‘They have no mother. The father isn’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> -much good, but does his best to feed them. -In the morning those stockings will be as -empty as they are now.’</p> - -<p>“‘Dear! Dear! Why doesn’t some one -know about it?’ asked Anna Belle tearfully.</p> - -<p>“‘Some one does know now,’ replied the -Fairy with a wise nod as they floated on.</p> - -<p>“‘I hope they’ll do something then,’ said -Anna Belle.</p> - -<p>“‘I hope so,’ whispered the Fairy. ‘Look -in here,’ and Anna Belle peered in a window.</p> - -<p>“Here a child of perhaps twelve or fourteen -was seated at a table, working busily. -Anna Belle watched to see her making paper -dolls. She cut them out, painted faces and -hair, then made a number of cunning dresses, -coats and hats, placed them in envelopes and -marked the outside.</p> - -<p>“They watched till she had three ready, -then slipped them into the stockings, hanging -waiting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span></p> - -<p>“The love light in her eyes was sweet to -behold and as she stood over the lamp to put -it out, Anna Belle noticed the rare delicate -beauty of her face.</p> - -<p>“When all was dark the Fairy moved on.</p> - -<p>“‘She didn’t even hang up her own stocking,’ -said Anna Belle.</p> - -<p>“‘No one to fill it. She mothers those -three little ones, and it’s all she can do to -make things go, but did you ever see any -one look happier? See the card on this door -knob?’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle paused to read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Dear Santa—Please bring me a sleeping doll. -Even if you can’t spare one, if you would just let -me hold one a moment and sing it to sleep once I -will be glad. I am a good girl.</p> - -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">Elsie.</span>”<br /> -</p></div> - -<p>“‘See her! Isn’t she dear?’ cried Anna -Belle, as she peeped in the window to see a -beautiful plump little girl fast asleep.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘She looks like a sleeping doll herself. -Will she get the doll, do you think?’</p> - -<p>“‘I hope so. It all depends,’ said the -Fairy.</p> - -<p>“They floated along for some time, and -presently went down to hover over some children -looking in the window of a toy store.</p> - -<p>“Wistful little faces they had, and their -clothes told Anna Belle they must get their -fun out of just looking.</p> - -<p>“Farther on in front of the candy store -huddled a shabby crowd, gazing at the sparkling -goodies.</p> - -<p>“‘Come away, please, I don’t want to see -any more. Surely they aren’t happy,’ cried -Anna Belle.</p> - -<p>“‘They are as happy as they can be. Each -one of them had a penny in a tightly closed -fist, wondering what to buy to take home -and put in an empty stocking.</p> - -<p>“‘Let’s stop here a moment,’ whispered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span> -Fairy, poising on the top of a Christmas tree -in front of a big store.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle, standing beside her, noticed -that as she held on high her wand the star -shone out so bright and beautiful the people -below paused and gazed in wonder. The -happy faces beamed even brighter and the -unhappy ones changed instantly.</p> - -<p>“‘What does it mean?’ whispered one and -another, while one little girl cried:</p> - -<p>“‘Why, Mother, it’s <i>the</i> Star. Don’t you -know?’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes,’ whispered the mother, clasping -more closely the little hand and passing on.</p> - -<p>“‘What made the cross ones look so glad, -and the happy ones look more so?’ asked -Anna Belle, as she watched the throngs below.</p> - -<p>“‘Don’t you know really?’ asked the -Fairy.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle pondered a while, then looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span> -at the sky to see it thickly dotted with stars, -and saw that One shone more brightly than -any of the others. She then turned to look -at the star on the end of the wand, but behold, -it had vanished.</p> - -<p>“‘Where is it?’ she asked in surprise.</p> - -<p>“‘It came down and did its work and then -went back where it belongs,’ replied the -Fairy with a roguish twinkle, and Anna -Belle stared for a moment at the splendid -bright star, then said softly:</p> - -<p>“‘I understand it now, and why it could -do it, but I had forgotten what Christmas -really means.</p> - -<p>“‘For a long time it has seemed to mean -only things. Gifts, and not only gifts, but -certain kinds of gifts.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh!’ she said wistfully, ‘I wish I could -do something to help. Was that what you -meant when you kept saying, “That depends”?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘That was just what I meant. Now you -have seen the Star, and I know all will be -well.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle seemed busily thinking, and -the Fairy waited.</p> - -<p>“‘The-attic is full of presents I didn’t -want, and I have a lot of money I was going -to use for the bracelet.’</p> - -<p>“‘<i>If</i> you didn’t get it,’ laughed the Fairy.</p> - -<p>“‘I don’t want it now. I’d rather use it -for these poor little children. Elsie must -have a doll. I have one, and a music box, -and many “Readin’” books with pictures, -but how can we get them to the -places?’</p> - -<p>“‘Fairies are stronger than you think. I -will summon my helpers.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle then heard a sound as of wind -whistling around the corners. In a moment -there appeared fairies without number. -Such silvery sprites they were Anna Belle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span> -longed to take one to her heart and keep for -ever and ever.</p> - -<p>“‘Come!’ cried the Fairy, who seemed to -be the leader.</p> - -<p>“As she floated away all followed, and -Anna Belle found they were headed straight -for her own home and the attic.</p> - -<p>“As she wondered how they would get in, -she found herself flying easily through the -tiny bird window high up in the tower.</p> - -<p>“‘How lovely!’ she cried. ‘I never knew -it was for fairies!’</p> - -<p>“‘Show what we are to take,’ cried the -Fairy. ‘We must hurry.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle pointed out a music box, -books, dishes, balls, skates. In fact, toys of -every description. Then she opened one -large box to find a beautiful doll with eyes -closed in slumber. ‘For Elsie,’ she whispered, -and watched to see each fairy gather -up a gift and press close to its shining bosom.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_125.jpg" width="500" height="711" alt="'Show what we are to take,' cried the Fairy. 'We must -hurry'" /> -<div class="caption">“‘Show what we are to take,’ cried the Fairy. ‘We must -hurry’”</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Are we really going to take them?’ she -asked.</p> - -<p>“‘We wouldn’t miss the joy of it for anything,’ -replied her fairy friend.</p> - -<p>“They floated away; Anna Belle holding -to her heart the sleeping doll. She tried to -recall why she hadn’t wanted it, for it was -so pretty. Then she flushed, for she remembered -that she had been cross over this very -doll because she had asked for a brown-eyed -doll and this one had blue eyes!</p> - -<p>“‘I didn’t deserve any doll, nor anything,’ -she said. ‘I didn’t know I was so bad.’</p> - -<p>“‘Forget it!’ laughed the Fairy. ‘We -can’t afford to be thinking over our wrong-doings. -If we have started on the right track -we will have enough to do to keep within -it.</p> - -<p>“‘Here is the candy store. I know you -want some. Give me your money; I’ll get it -for you. I know the man well. He’ll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> -double what he gives me, for he well knows -what I’ll do with it.’</p> - -<p>“In some mysterious way Anna Belle -found in a moment each one was carrying a -basket of bonbons on a tiny arm as they -floated on.</p> - -<p>“‘Here is Elsie,’ whispered the Fairy presently.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle placed the doll in Elsie’s -arms, then filled the stockings with other toys -and sweets. In the toe she placed a shining -gold piece.</p> - -<p>“The music box, books, and other toys were -left in the home of the lame child; also a gold -piece shone in the toe of each stocking hanging -there.</p> - -<p>“The paper doll girl was generously remembered, -and the bottle dolls smiled -gratefully at the load of gifts left at their -feet.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle’s eyes shone as she thought of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> -the joy this Christmas was to bring to so -many hearts.</p> - -<p>“‘How many?’ asked the Fairy, who -seemed to know what she was thinking.</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle pondered as they floated -homeward. Presently she cried: ‘Why, -just think, it’s twenty-four!’</p> - -<p>“‘Only twenty-four? I counted twenty-five.’</p> - -<p>“Again Anna Belle went over them, then -said: ‘I can’t remember the odd one.’</p> - -<p>“The Fairy sent forth a bubbling, rippling -laugh, which puzzled Anna Belle for a moment, -then she twinkled and cried:</p> - -<p>“‘Why, I’m the odd one. I never was so -happy. When did it begin? Oh, I know; it -was when I saw the Star, wasn’t it?’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, indeed,’ replied the Fairy, ‘and not -only when you saw the Star, but when you -remembered the meaning of it.</p> - -<p>“‘The love that came in with the Christ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -Child and His spirit of loving and giving, -not only of gifts but of Himself, has come -down with the ages, and will go on and -on.’</p> - -<p>“‘I’m so glad I found it out. I really -don’t care now whether I get the bracelet, or -not,’ declared Anna Belle, as they floated -into her bedroom window.</p> - -<p>“‘No, but see!’ and the Fairy pointed with -her wand, on the end of which Anna Belle -again saw the shining Star sending a glow -of light over her dresser, and there lying on -its velvet bed she beheld a beautiful circlet -of dull gold.</p> - -<p>“Much excited, she whispered: ‘Is it -plain? I really wanted it jewelled.’ Then -she laughed and added: ‘No, I don’t care -how it is. Just so it’s a bracelet, for I’m -afraid I do kind of want it. Is it wrong to -want it? If it is, I’ll try till I don’t.’</p> - -<p>The Fairy gently caressed her, then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> -touched the golden circlet with her wand.</p> - -<p>“‘No, it isn’t wrong to want it now that -you remember the true meaning of Christmas, -and want to keep it with the true Christmas -spirit. See!’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle looked to see a starry jewel -embedded in the gold, then she noticed the -Star had vanished from the wand.</p> - -<p>“She looked quickly out at the sky, where -the steady light of the Star shone straight -into her eyes.</p> - -<p>“‘I’m glad you didn’t take that Star,’ she -whispered. ‘We couldn’t get along without -it.’</p> - -<p>“‘My, no. I couldn’t take that Star. -That’s the Star of Bethlehem, you know. -This is just a weenty teenty shadow of that -Star, that’s why it isn’t quite so bright.’</p> - -<p>“‘It’s bright enough for me, and means -a lot. How can I ever thank you for this -night’s work?’ asked Anna Belle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Never again lose sight of the Star and -I will be more than repaid. Good-bye.’</p> - -<p>“Anna Belle watched her out of sight, then -turned and—dear me! she opened her eyes; -the sleighs were still flying past, for she -could hear the bells ringing so merrily.</p> - -<p>“‘How much sweeter they sound,’ she -cried. ‘They seem to be saying, “Merry -Christmas! Merry Christmas!” I wonder -why I didn’t notice it before.’</p> - -<p>“She ran down-stairs to find Mother busily -wrapping packages. She looked at Anna -Belle and cried:</p> - -<p>“‘Why, child, what makes your eyes so -bright, and why do you look so glad? I -heard you saying all sorts of things as you -slept.’</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, Mother! If you only knew,’ and -thereupon she told the whole story of her -dream, omitting the part about the bracelet. -When she had finished she drew her mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> -to the window, where together they gazed at -the Star.</p> - -<p>“Mother’s eyes were full of tears, as she -said gently, ‘Ring the bell, dear.’</p> - -<p>“The maid appeared, and Mother asked -that John bring out the double sleigh at -once, adding:</p> - -<p>“‘Then come to me; bring Annie also. -We have work to do.’</p> - -<p>“Wonderingly the maids followed to the -attic and brought down many boxes lying -there, waiting for they knew not what.</p> - -<p>“‘Help me to tie them up separately in -white tissue paper. Use the prettiest ribbons.’</p> - -<p>“They worked busily, and soon a more -Christmasy lot of bundles it would be hard to -find.</p> - -<p>“They placed them in baskets, together -with warm clothes, beautiful dresses of Anna -Belle’s that were hardly worn.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span></p> - -<p>“Presently Anna Belle, Mother, and the -baskets were packed in the big sleigh, dashing -down the street.</p> - -<p>“One stop they made, at the candy store, -then on they went.</p> - -<p>“‘Do you think you can find Elsie, and the -little lame girl, and the house where the bottle -dolls are?’</p> - -<p>“‘I’m sure I can,’ replied Mother. ‘I happen -to know them all.’</p> - -<p>“And find them they did, and many others -who were not in the dream.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, Mother! isn’t it sweet to do?’ cried -Anna Belle, her bright eyes shining up at the -Star.</p> - -<p>“‘It is, indeed, dear. I’m very glad you -had the dream, for I fear I also was forgetting -the real meaning of Christmas and almost -entirely losing sight of the Star.’</p> - -<p>“She held the child close till the joy ride -was over, then kissed her, saying:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘I don’t know when I have been so -happy!’</p> - -<p>“‘Nor I, Mother dear; and we owe it all -to the Good Fairy.’</p> - -<p>“‘We do, indeed. May she never cease to -wave her starry wand. Good night, my -child, good night.’</p> - -<p>“Soon Anna Belle slept, and as she slept -the starlight beamed on her sweet face, and -presently it shone also on a golden circlet lying -on its velvet pillow on the dresser.</p> - -<p>“The dream seemed really coming true, for -there embedded in the gold gleamed a starry -jewel.</p> - -<p>“When Anna Belle found it the next -morning, she ran to Mother’s room crying -earnestly:</p> - -<p>“‘Mother, <i>do</i> you think the Fairy left -it?’</p> - -<p>“‘No doubt,’ replied Mother with twinkling -eyes, ‘at least she must have touched it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> -with her wand, for you see she has left her -messenger:</p> - -<p> -“‘and the Star is shining.’”<br /> -</p> - -<p>The story ended, the Sprite vanished, and -in her place the light of a beautiful star shed -a halo about the little heads.</p> - -<p>The tiny creatures sat spellbound, dreaming -again with Anna Belle, till they were -suddenly awakened by Cinnamon Stick who -cried:</p> - -<p>“Well! Well! Wasn’t that a grand -Christmas story! I almost felt as though we -too were flying fairies playing Santa Claus, -but since we are just plain mince pie elves -playing school we better go on with our -game.</p> -<hr /> -<h2>TALES OF THE SALT AND PEPPER TWINS</h2> - -<p>“Now I am most anxious to hear from the -black and white pair of twins. Allow me to -introduce Salt and Pepper, both of whom -seem very necessary in this world of ours.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_137.jpg" width="500" height="722" alt="I am used very extensively as an April Fool" /> -<div class="caption">“I am used very extensively as an April Fool”</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span></p> - -<p>Salt and Pepper now teetered forward. A -cute little pair, indeed. Salt, all robed -in frosty white, first began, and saucily -cried out her big name of Sodium Chloride.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t much to say except that I look -so like sugar you can hardly tell which is -which. For that reason I am used very extensively -as an April Fool and am most -popular on that day.</p> - -<p>“I come principally from the United -States, of which you all know without my -showing you; from Michigan, New York, -Ohio, Louisiana, West Virginia, California, -Kansas, and Utah.</p> - -<p>“Michigan and New York gave in 1888 -about three quarters of all the salt produced -in the United States.</p> - -<p>“The salt of California is made by evaporation -of sea water. That of Utah from -water of Great Salt Lake.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span></p> - -<p>“That found in Louisiana and Kansas -comes by mining rock salt.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you a riddle. What is it that -has to be in most everything we eat, or else -it isn’t good? I’ll answer because you -couldn’t possibly guess. It’s salt.</p> - -<p>“You could hardly enjoy a meal without -me. What would a table be without the salt -box? And as for birthday parties, they just -couldn’t have them if I vanished from the -earth.”</p> - -<p>“‘Tisn’t true,” cried Orange. “A party I -was at once was almost ruined because of -you. You worked into the ice cream, and -what’s a party without ice cream? No one -could eat it and the children cried!”</p> - -<p>“That’s true,” said Salt. “I forgot to tell -you that while a little of me is most necessary, -too much of a good thing is worse than -nothing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now my twin brother will tell you of -himself.”</p> - -<p>Black Pepper, dressed in a black velvet -suit and cap, politely bowed as he removed -his hat.</p> - -<p>“Kechoo! Kechoo!” sneezed the audience.</p> - -<p>“Put your cap on quickly,” whispered -Salt; “don’t you see you are making them -sneeze?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, pardon me!” apologised Pepper. “I -didn’t think that politeness would cause such -distress. My story is very short.</p> - -<p>“I come from all damp tropical countries, -and my tree is a joy to behold, when hanging -full of scarlet berries against the background -of green leaves. The spikes are gathered -when the berries begin to turn red. The berries -are rubbed off and dried and form then -the ordinary black pepper.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span></p> - -<p>“The white pepper consists of the seeds -of the same fruit allowed to ripen and deprived -of their pulp. The white pepper -finds its largest market in China, which is -right here.</p> - -<p>“There is a plant of the genus Capsicum. -From those pods come Cayenne or red pepper.</p> - -<p>“That’s all,” he cried, with a funny quick -bow.</p> - -<p>“Your stories are short, but you are both -about as necessary an article of food as I -know of,” said Mr. Cinnamon Stick, “and -now let us hear from this apple-cheeked -maid, all about her lovely fruit, the Apple.”</p> - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE APPLE DOLL</h2> - -<p>The Apple-faced Doll tripped forward in -the greatest of haste.</p> - -<p>“I shall sit while I talk,” she said, seating -herself and smoothing out her snowy apron. -“I have a long story to tell which, I am sure, -you will all love.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span></p> - -<p>“A story! A story!” rippled through the -audience, as the dolls crept close to the -speaker, and with clasped hands awaited this -treat.</p> - -<p>Little Allspice placed herself in the rosy-cheeked -maiden’s lap, and a pretty picture it -was to see her upturned face in the golden -gleam of the dancing flames.</p> - -<p>“Well,” began the maid with the jolly -smile, “the apple is to be found most everywhere -in mild climates. It first came from -Avella, a town in Campania, right there.” -As she spoke she pointed with a long pointer -standing near by, to a place in Italy.</p> - -<p>“It was introduced into America from England -in 1629 by the Governor of Massachusetts -Bay.</p> - -<p>“There are many varieties of apples, sweet -and sour, hard and soft, eating and cooking -apples.</p> - -<p>“The cider in the mincemeat is made from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span> -the juice of the apples. They are crushed -in a cider mill and the juice is strained. -Some apples would delight a child’s heart -with their beautiful colours of gold and crimson, -and some grow to an enormous size.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>THE STORY OF JOHNNY APPLESEED</h2> - - -<p>“And now for the story:</p> - -<p>“Once there was a man who was very, -very poor. He had been a farmer and no -one raised such fine crops as did he. By and -by, in some way, he lost his farm and was -left all alone.</p> - -<p>“He had always wanted to do some grand -thing, something that would make many -people happy, but what could he do? He -had no money. All he had was a small -boat.</p> - -<p>“As he trudged along one day he saw some -old sacks lying under a tree. As he looked -at them he had a splendid thought. A -thought that seemed to have wings and came -flying from far away. Oh, it was a beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> -thought, and seemed to be singing a little -song in his heart as he picked up the sacks -and placed them in his boat, jumped in himself -and floated away.</p> - -<p>“As he rowed down the stream the man -watched the shore with keen eyes. When he -saw an apple orchard he rowed to land, tied -his boat, hastened to the homes near the orchards -and asked for work.</p> - -<p>“He cut wood, carried water, and did all -sorts of odd chores. In payment for this -work he asked for food, and what else do you -suppose?</p> - -<p>“The people were so surprised at what he -asked for they could hardly believe him. -He asked that he might have the seeds from -the apples on the ground under the trees—only -the seeds.</p> - -<p>“Of course they gladly gave him such a -simple thing, and as he cut the fruit the -neighbour children swarmed about him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span></p> - -<p>“From one place to another he went, always -adding to his store of seeds.</p> - -<p>“Some generous farmers gave him also cuttings -of peach, pear, and plum trees, and -grape vines.</p> - -<p>“Day after day, day after day, he cut up -the fruit, while the children sat at his feet -and listened to thrilling tales of what he had -seen in his travels. Of the Indians with -their gay blankets and feathers, of their -camps where they lived in the forests.</p> - -<p>“Of their dances and war paint; their -many coloured, beaded necklaces and jingling, -silver chains and bracelets. Of their -beady-eyed babies strapped to boards.</p> - -<p>“Of the wolves which came out at night to -watch him as he sat by his fire; of the beautiful -deer who ran across his path.</p> - -<p>“He sang funny songs for the children -and taught them all sorts of games.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_147.jpg" width="500" height="737" alt="The children sat at his feet and listened to thrilling tales" /> -<div class="caption">“The children sat at his feet and listened to thrilling tales”</div> -</div> - - -<p>“When it came time to go on, they begged -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span>him to stay. Never before had they been so -amused, but on he went, and when his bags -were full, and he had a goodly store of food, -he started on to carry out the splendid -thought. Oh, it was a grand thing he was -going to do.</p> - -<p>“The little boat went on and on, till houses -were no more to be seen. Splendid forests -lined the banks here and there. Then he -paused, for this was what he was seeking—a -place where no one lived.</p> - -<p>“He landed and went about with a bag of -seeds, and when he reached an open place in -a forest he planted seeds and cuttings of the -trees and vines; then wove a brush fence -about them to keep the deer away. He then -hastened back to his boat and drifted on.</p> - -<p>“In many, many places he landed and -planted seeds, and all the orchards of the -Ohio and Mississippi Valley we owe to this -man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span></p> - -<p>“Years after when settlers came looking -for a place to live they chose these spots -where, to their great surprise, they found all -sorts of trees loaded with fruit.</p> - -<p>“This man’s name was John Chapman, but -he was nicknamed Johnny Appleseed.</p> - -<p>“The settlers were glad indeed when he -appeared and told them the orchards were -the fruit of his labours, and they were all -eager to entertain him.</p> - -<p>“And so he ended his life in this land of -fruit and plenty.</p> - -<p>“I must tell you a story of one certain little -tree.</p> - -<p>“In one of the houses of the settlement -where Johnny Appleseed loved to stay there -lived a dear little boy, just a wee toddler, -named Jack.</p> - -<p>“Dearly did the child love to follow the -old man about as he worked, for Johnny Ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span>pleseed’s -work was by no means finished -when the trees were bearing fruit.</p> - -<p>“Those trees had to be pruned; that meant -all the dead branches had to be cut off. In -the spring the blossoms had to be sprayed to -keep the bugs out of the cores of the fruit; -the trunk had to be watched to see that it was -not marred in any way, as a small gash might -mean the loss of the tree in time.</p> - -<p>“One day Johnny, with little Jack, went -to the village post office, and there found a -letter and a package.</p> - -<p>“It was the child’s birthday, and he was -most interested in the small parcel thinking -it might be for him.</p> - -<p>“‘Jack,’ cried Johnny after reading the -letter, ‘what do you s’pose is in it? Look!’ -and he disclosed a mass of brown glossy -seeds. ‘The letter says they are from a wonderful -new kind of apple. How would you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> -like an apple tree all your own for a birthday -present?’</p> - -<p>“‘Yeth,’ lisped Jack, ‘an apple tree all my -own.’</p> - -<p>“‘Then let’s pretend you are another -Johnny Appleseed, starting an orchard. -Bring your cart.’</p> - -<p>“Jack’s eyes shone at the word ‘pretend,’ -for he dearly loved it, and soon came drawing -the little red cart, in which Johnny -placed the package of seeds.</p> - -<p>“‘Now we’ll go and get a lunch,’ said the -old man as they walked to the kitchen door.</p> - -<p>“Jack rapped on the door, and Mother appeared.</p> - -<p>“‘If you please, Marm,’ said Johnny, ‘we -are going on an expedition. We have a -birthday and we want to celebrate it, for we -have a wonderful gift. Some seeds which -when planted will bring forth a very unusual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> -apple tree. May we have a lunch for this -journey?’</p> - -<p>“Mother’s eyes twinkled as she hastily -placed in a small basket sandwiches and gingerbread.</p> - -<p>“Johnny thanked her and away they went. -After what seemed quite a walk for the small -sturdy legs they halted in a grassy nook beside -the brook.</p> - -<p>“‘Here,’ said the old man, ‘is a grand place -for your apple tree to grow.’ And together -they bored a hole in the rich earth.</p> - -<p>“Jack knelt down and from his chubby -hands dropped the beautiful brown seeds. -Then he kissed his tiny palm and waved it -over the hole as he cried:</p> - -<p>“‘Good night, little seeds. Send me a little -tree by and by when you wake up. I’ll -be waiting for it and will take good care of -it.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span></p> - -<p>“They covered the seeds with the dark rich -loam, then ate their lunch. Presently Jack -was thirsty, and the old man fashioned a cup -from a broad leaf and filled it at a near-by -spring. Jack drank, and the little seeds also -drank.</p> - -<p>“Then the old man built a picket fence -about the spot so no harm could come to it. -As this was finished the bell on the corn barn -told them dinner was ready.</p> - -<p>“‘Mudder,’ cried Jack, bursting in to the -house, ‘we planted the seeds and the tree will -be my own. Isn’t that fine?’</p> - -<p>“‘Fine, indeed! I never heard of a better -birthday present. It will last for years and -years, and think of the fruit it will bear!’</p> - -<p>“As the child ate he dreamed of the tree as -it would be some day; full of rosy apples, -and he was very proud of that magic spot beside -the brook.</p> - -<p>“Each day he ran out to look at it, and one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> -morning he found the ground above the seeds -humped up just a little. Another day the -earth was cracked open, and soon after that -to his great joy, he found a dear little sprig -peeping up at him as though crying, ‘Here I -am! How do you do?’</p> - -<p>“He danced about shouting for joy, and -each day after that, could fairly see the little -sprig turn into a tree.</p> - -<p>“Johnny told him how the seeds sent tiny -roots down into the earth and pushed the -stem up through the ground, and Jack could -hardly leave the spot which had now grown -so dear.</p> - -<p>“When the little tree was thirsty, the rain -gave it drink. The kind wind blew and -blew, bringing fresh sweet air for it to -breathe, and with every whiff it seemed to -swell.</p> - -<p>“The spring sunshine warmed it down to -its roots, and in time there were twigs with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span> -leaf buds, which presently uncurled and -opened wide.</p> - -<p>“‘See!’ said Johnny, ‘as the wind blows -them they look like baby hands throwing -kisses!’</p> - -<p>“‘Yeth!’ cried Jack, ‘maybe they are the -kitheth I planted.’</p> - -<p>“‘To be sure,’ Johnny replied, and together -they watched it grow day after day, -week after week, month after month.</p> - -<p>“Jack’s next birthday found the little tree -a picture to behold. The trunk was sturdy, -and on it there were many branches appearing -here and there.</p> - -<p>“Jack was quite a boy by this time, and -soon after his little dresses were replaced by -tiny trousers. His baby talk was no more, -and he was now old enough to help care for -the little tree.</p> - -<p>“He dug about its roots with his wee spade, -and Johnny showed him how to enrich the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span> -soil, and told him many things about the care -of trees.</p> - -<p>“It was so splendid to know that as the tree -spread its branches in the air, so it spread its -roots under the ground, giving it such a firm -support the wind would have to be very -strong indeed to blow it over.</p> - -<p>“‘How does it drink?’ the boy asked one -day.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, such a fine way. It is a story all by -itself,’ replied Johnny. ‘At the end of each -root there are wee spongy mouths. When -the rain comes they drink it and whisper -“Run fast to the trunk.”</p> - -<p>“‘As it rushes through the trunk, the trunk -cries in a gruff voice, “Run along to the -branches.”</p> - -<p>“‘The branches wave and in sweet tones -cry, “Welcome, run along to the twigs, they -need you.” The twigs drink it and whisper, -“Run along to the stems; they are just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span> -waiting for you.” The stems send it out to -the tip end of the leaves as they wildly wave -and laugh aloud over their sweet gift, for -this water in the tree is sweet food that nourishes -every part and is called sap.’</p> - -<p>“This was a fine story, and every time it -rained Jack watched the little tree, and -thought he could almost hear the voices -sending the moisture on and on.</p> - -<p>“As time passed the tree became stronger -and larger, and finally one spring day when -Jack was quite a big boy he found buds on -the branches.</p> - -<p>“‘Buds!’ he called in great excitement, -and real buds they were, which the whole -family came out to admire.</p> - -<p>“The buds blossomed, and as the petals -snowed down the air was sweet with their -fragrance.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_159.jpg" width="500" height="710" alt="They looked like a lot of gnomes dressed for a party" /> -<div class="caption">“They looked like a lot of gnomes dressed for a party”</div> -</div> - -<p>“When Jack found baby apples on his tree -he wanted to celebrate, and Mother told him -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span>that when they were ripe he could invite his -friends and have an apple party.</p> - -<p>“An apple party! That would be something -new, and he hastened to tell the good -news at school.</p> - -<p>“‘They are wonderful apples,’ he said. -‘No one in this part of the country has any -like them. I tell you we’ll have the fun at -that party. They are turning crimson; you -never saw such a pretty apple tree!’</p> - -<p>“A pretty tree it was indeed, and looked -just like a Christmas tree all dressed up.</p> - -<p>“One day Johnny pronounced the fruit -ripe and ready to eat.</p> - -<p>“‘Hurrah! To-morrow we can have the -party,’ cried Jack, tossing his cap into the air.</p> - -<p>“Now the fun began. Mother baked all -sorts of goodies, and the little home was -made spick-and-span; even the door yard was -swept for this occasion.</p> - -<p>“The day dawned sweet and clear. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> -breakfast Jack ran out to take one look at his -beloved tree, but alas! What do you -s’pose?</p> - -<p>“‘What!’ cried the audience in one breath.</p> - -<p>“A cow had broken into the orchard, -tramped the fence down, and was feasting on -the rosy fruit! A few branches were broken, -and a sorry sight it was, to be sure.</p> - -<p>“Jack shrieked and threw himself on the -ground sobbing:</p> - -<p>“‘My dear little tree I planted with my -own baby hands! I loved it so! Now it is -ruined!’</p> - -<p>“Johnny Appleseed heard the wail and -hastened to the scene.</p> - -<p>“‘It isn’t ruined, Jack; it can be made almost -as good as new. See!’ He skilfully -cut the broken branches, covered the -wounded spots with a paste made of clay, -talking the while to the little tree as though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span> -it were a person whose wounds he was binding -up so carefully.</p> - -<p>“‘See!’ he said. ‘This clay paste will -harden and keep the bugs out of the wood -until it can heal over. It will soon be all -right again, but it is too bad. Such a picture -as it was, and the apples are most all gone!’</p> - -<p>“The apples!—Jack suddenly remembered. -‘The apple party was to be to-day! -What can we do?’</p> - -<p>“‘Well, my boy, don’t you worry. The -apple party will be to-day just the same. -We’ll take this basket and I’ll show you -something I’ve kept as a surprise.</p> - -<p>“‘I planted the seeds that were left over -in the far corner lot, and those trees are as -pretty a sight as you want to see. I have -been watching them as we have this. Come -along.’</p> - -<p>“The two trudged on, Jack wiping away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span> -his tears and beginning to wear a rainbow -smile after the shower.</p> - -<p>“‘It’s a joke, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘That cow -had an apple party all by herself. I s’pose -she didn’t like it because I didn’t invite her.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh!’ he exclaimed suddenly, ‘there they -are. How beautiful!’</p> - -<p>“And indeed they were beautiful. A -number of trees exactly like his own, all looking -so thrifty, and the branches dotted with -rosy fruit.</p> - -<p>“‘We’ll pick the apples and tie the stems -to the branches of your own little tree, because -that is where you planned to have -your party,’ said Johnny.</p> - -<p>“Together they picked the apples, and with -green string tied the stems to the branches -of the little tree.</p> - -<p>“‘You’d hardly know it happened!’ cried -the boy in joyous tones as the work was fin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span>ished, -and both stood back to admire; and -true it was, for the apples really seemed to -be growing, and so the apple party was a -success after all.</p> - -<p>“The children had their lunch under the -little tree, then each picked his own apple -and ate it before you could say, ‘Jack Robinson.’</p> - -<p>“‘I know a great thing to do,’ cried Jack, -as they were about to throw away the core; -‘save the seeds and plant them, and we’ll all -be Johnny Appleseeds. You’ll each have a -grand orchard started on your farm.’</p> - -<p>“‘Splendid!’ laughed the old man. ‘If -every seed brings forth a tree there will be -great rejoicing when you take the apples to -market, for they are certainly the best apples -I ever tasted and should bring a good price.’</p> - -<p>“Wild with excitement, the children -trooped home, and before long the glossy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> -seeds were covered up in the ground, waiting -for the wonderful thing that was to happen -to them.</p> - -<p>“In time there were many trees bearing -the rosy fruit. All through one little boy -having such a fine birthday party.</p> - -<p>“A tree is the dearest of treasures. I mean -any kind of tree. It does so many things. -It gives fruit and shade. It gives the birds -a place to build their homes, and in return -you have their beautiful music all through -the summer. It gives the squirrels a place -to hide their nuts. From the trunk many insects -find their food.</p> - -<p>“If it were not for the trees there would be -no mince pies. From the trees are built the -ships which bring from foreign countries -these many goodies. How could we have -any houses, or any furniture to put in them, -if there were no trees? See that splendid -back log. It has kept us warm all the long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> -night. It came from a grand old tree that -furnished fuel for many a winter fire.</p> - -<p>“And now I must stop, for I fear my tale -has been too long. If it has, please excuse -me.”</p> - -<p>“How splendid!” chorused the audience. -And little Allspice begged for another.</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>THE TALE OF THE STOLEN DOLL CLOTHES</h2> - - -<p>Nutmeg cried: “I know a grand one! It -happened right in a forest near where I grew.</p> - -<p>“You know those woods are full of monkeys, -and they have great times. One of -their traits is to mimic. They usually do -what they see others do, and a good thing -it was for the boy I’m going to tell you about.</p> - -<p>“The boy’s name was Enrico. He lived -with his widowed mother at the edge of the -forest. They were very poor and had tried -in many ways to earn money without success.</p> - -<p>“The mother was handy with her needle, -and one day a neighbour child came in with -her naked doll.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘I’ll dress it,’ said the mother, and from -her scrap bag produced cloth which she soon -fashioned into a quaint gown for the doll.</p> - -<p>“‘Mother!’ cried Enrico, much excited, -‘there are many dolls in the town, without -clothes. Could you not make them and I -will sell them? I know I can.’</p> - -<p>“‘We’ll try,’ said Mother. She emptied -her purse, ran to the store, and soon returned -heavily laden with gay materials, from which -she fashioned coats, gowns, petticoats, -bonnets, hats and all sorts of things for -dolls.</p> - -<p>“Enrico could scarcely wait for the time to -come when he could go and try his luck at -selling them. One morning he started with -his basket well filled.</p> - -<p>“His eyes shone, and his heart beat fast as -he hurried along. He had to pass through -the forest to reach the town. It was a long -walk, and a hot day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘I think it is time to eat my lunch,’ he -presently said to himself as he sat down under -the trees. He was obliged to empty the -basket as the lunch was underneath the garments.</p> - -<p>“He laid them in a neat pile and found -the sandwiches and fruit which his mother -had carefully prepared. He had barely finished -when his head toppled over against a -tree and he was fast asleep.</p> - -<p>“And now comes the best part of the story. -What do you think happened to those lovely -doll clothes?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t stop!” cried Allspice. “Do tell -us!”</p> - -<p>“As the lad slept, there came a chattering -and whisking about. In a moment dozens of -monkeys came down from the trees. They -gobbled up the crumbs, and then turned to -the doll clothes. Almost before you could -say ‘Jack Robinson,’ they were robed in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> -tiny garments, and such a sight you never -saw. They looked like a lot of gnomes -dressed for a party. They played all sorts -of games and raced wildly about in the greatest -glee. Suddenly Enrico opened his eyes -on the scene.</p> - -<p>“‘The doll clothes. The doll clothes,’ he -wailed. ‘Give them back!’</p> - -<p>“The monkeys saucily nodded their heads -and quickly climbed into the trees. Swinging -from the branches with their tails curled -about the limbs, they chattered as though crying, -‘Get them if you can! Get them if you -can!’</p> - -<p>“This was serious, and Enrico sat watching -and wondering what he could do, for he -must have the clothes at once.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly he remembered the monkey’s -desire to imitate. In the long ago his father -had told him how they did just what they -saw people do.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span></p> - -<p>“It was worth trying, and the boy arose -and threw off his cap.</p> - -<p>“At once hats and bonnets were snowed -down upon him. Enrico gathered them up -and placed them in his basket.</p> - -<p>“Then off came his coat. Coats of all sorts -now dropped about him.</p> - -<p>“Chuckling to himself, Enrico now removed -his other garments, and immediately -tumbled down the gay-coloured gowns and -snowy underwear.</p> - -<p>“Enrico gathered them up as fast as he -could, fearing the monkeys might descend -upon him and once more rob him of his treasures.</p> - -<p>“He then dressed himself and hurried on. -He found a ready sale for his wares in the -market, and with a purse full of money, and -requests for many more garments of the same -sort, he hastened home to tell his mother of -his good fortune.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span></p> - -<p>“There was great rejoicing in the little -home, and the day came when Enrico was -selling doll clothes in his own little shop in -the heart of the city.</p> - -<p>“A dear little shop it was with a home in -the back where his mother cooked and sewed -on the dainty garments.</p> - -<p>“Enrico never tired of telling the children -who came to buy, how he almost lost the first -lot of doll clothes he ever started out to sell.”</p> - -<p>General applause followed this interesting -story, while the chairman cried, “Splendid! -Splendid! It was most entertaining, and -now I think the hour has arrived when we -should hear from Beef and her creamy companion, -both of whom remind me of Mary -and her lamb, because where one goes the -other follows.”</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE BROWNIE DOLL</h2> - - -<p>The odd Brownie now came forward, with -the creamy toddler holding fast to her hand. -They both bowed, and the Brownie began:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span></p> - -<p>“I am commonly known as Beef, and I -come not from the sheep or hog, but from the -cow.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_173.jpg" width="500" height="710" alt="She loved her home" /> -<div class="caption">“She loved her home”</div> -</div> - -<p>“As to where I come from, it would be hard -to tell where I am not to be found, for I -believe cows roam about over the whole -world.</p> - -<p>“You may ride on trains anywhere and -everywhere; you may sail on boats; you may -go up in flying machines, you will always see -cows.</p> - -<p>“I do not know of anything that seems -quite as necessary as the cow, both for meat -and for milk.</p> - -<p>“I came from a certain cow that spent most -of its time in a green meadow where birds -sang above her head, and a near-by brook -gurgled over the stones, making the sweetest -music.</p> - -<p>“Night and morning a maid came with a -shiny pail on her arm; as she milked the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> -Bossy she sang to the accompaniment of the -brook.</p> - -<p>“Often two little children came, each with -a silver cup, for a drink of the warm foaming -milk.</p> - -<p>“That cow was proud indeed to know that -she furnished food for the little ones.</p> - -<p>“She loved her home. She could hear the -chickens clucking, the geese cackling, the -lambs baaing, and the ponies neighing.</p> - -<p>“She stood for hours looking off at the -peaceful scene before her and seemed always -content.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly she found herself no more in the -meadow but hanging in juicy quarters from -a hook in a butcher shop. These quarters -were cut up into various parts to be used for -steaks, roasts, soup bones, beef tea, and all -sorts of good things.</p> - -<p>“At this time the store was trimmed up -with bunches of green leaves and bright red<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> -berries. Scarlet Christmas bells nodded on -all sides.</p> - -<p>“It seemed to be a gay and festive scene. -Sleigh bells jingled, telephones rang constantly, -and finally I was placed in a basket -with other goodies, and the next thing I -knew I was flying over the snow in a bob -sled.</p> - -<p>“My basket was presently left on a kitchen -table. Thereupon I was taken from the -package. A fat lady gave me a poke with -her finger, and nodded her head as she said:</p> - -<p>“‘Fine cut. Just right for my mince -meat.’ What that was I did not know, but I -was placed in a kettle and bubbled around -in hot water for some time, then I found myself -in something else that was fastened to a -table. A handle twirled and twirled, and I -turned into a fine bunch of stuff, waiting for -I knew not what.</p> - -<p>“I’ll have to tell you about my little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span> -brother Suet, because he never could, he is -so shy.</p> - -<p>“I always noticed that when people bought -beef, they chose the parts that had creamy -fat clinging to them. They said they were -sweeter and more tender, and that fat is this -little brother of mine, and that’s why he -clings so closely to me. That’s where he belongs.</p> - -<p>“In a moment as I lay in the dish, all -ground up, I felt coming down all over me -wee bits of creamy fat, so you see he still followed -me.</p> - -<p>“I was much interested to know what -mince meat was, and I kept my eyes and ears -open to see what would happen next.</p> - -<p>“It was a busy scene I looked out upon. -One person was stoning raisins. Another -was peeling apples. All sorts of spices were -being ground. Citron was being cut up very -fine, also orange and lemon peel. The vine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span>gar, -molasses, and cider jugs were brought -forth.</p> - -<p>“Then everything was put into a wooden -bowl, and as they were chopped they all -seemed to be singing the merriest of tunes. -By and by the mixture was tumbled into a -crock with me, and I found I was beginning -to swell and to be quite important. I was -stirred and stirred, and then various people -came and tasted and smacked their lips and -tasted again. One said, ‘A little more sugar, -don’t you think so?’ Another looking very -wise said, ‘Needs more spice,’ and so I was -doctored and fussed with till finally I was -pronounced just right, and I knew <i>the</i> time -had arrived.</p> - -<p>“I felt as one does at a circus when they -have the grand entrée and I fairly held my -breath as I waited for the next act. I was -mince meat at last.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly I was poured into what seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> -to be a round white blanket. It was so soft -and cushiony I rejoiced over such a fate, but -alas, another blanket was placed over me. -There were no sheets on this bed, and it was -as dark as a pocket. In a moment tiny eyelet -holes appeared, from which I could peep -through up into the eyes of the busy cook. -Then a black door swung open. I was -placed within a dark cavern, the door swung -back, and all was still.</p> - -<p>“I felt myself growing warmer and -warmer. My bed turned from soft blankets -to crispy covers. I bubbled and boiled, and -presently when the cover was a golden brown -the door flew open, and once more I came out -into the light of day.</p> - -<p>“I was placed in a window to cool, and the -whole family came out to admire me. I felt -so proud I could hardly keep still.</p> - -<p>“I knew I was intended for some wonderful -event. Mr. Cinnamon Stick, you said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> -this pie was for the Christmas dinner to-morrow. -Is it for an ornament or a decoration -of some sort?”</p> - -<p>“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” sang the chorus, “you -will soon learn when to-morrow comes what -you will decorate.”</p> - -<p>“Why?” asked the Brownie, in alarm. -“What will happen? What will they do -with this pie?”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” laughed Cinnamon Stick, “it’s hard -to tell; they <i>might</i> do any one of a number -of things.</p> - -<p>“It <i>might</i> be suspended on chains from the -chandelier, and swing to the tune of an orchestra.</p> - -<p>“They <i>might</i> start it rolling across the -hardwood floor down that large hall, and -wager whether it would fall upside down or -downside up.</p> - -<p>“There are many things that <i>might</i> be done -with it, but what’s the use of worrying about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span> -to-morrow. We still have much of the night -to pass away.</p> - -<p>“Here! what’s this rolling across the -floor?”</p> - - - -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE PIE CRUST</h2> - - -<p>They all looked to see the pie itself rolling -along mysteriously and silently. When it -reached the hearth it spun round and round -for a moment, then paused and began to -speak.</p> - -<p>“If you please, Mr. Chairman, and Ladies -and Gentlemen, you are forgetting me, the -most important part of the pie.</p> - -<p>“I am the crust, and whoever heard of a pie -of any kind without a crust? No one, of -course, and so since I am really the most important -member of the large family, I think -I should have my turn.”</p> - -<p>“You certainly should!” cried Cinnamon -Stick. “I am sorry I neglected to call you. -We are glad, indeed, to hear your story. -What are you made of?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span></p> - -<p>“I am composed of flour, lard, and water—”</p> - -<p>“You’d be ruined if you didn’t put a pinch -of me in,” cried Little Salt eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Certainly I would. Thank you for not -allowing me to be spoiled.</p> - -<p>“Of course you all know flour is made from -wheat. The wheat plant is a grass which -looks much like barley and rye.</p> - -<p>“The varieties are called, bearded, and -beardless or bald.</p> - -<p>“Some are planted in spring, for spring or -summer wheat. Other kinds in the fall to be -ready the next season, that is winter wheat. -The latter was at one time thought to be the -best, but lately with improved methods of -manufacture the spring wheat is equally as -good.</p> - -<p>“There are two kinds, white and red. Of -the winter wheat the white is best.</p> - -<p>“Wheat is chiefly used for flour. The fin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span>est, -but not the most wholesome, is nearest -pure starch. The richer parts are found -nearest the skin and are secured in the graham -flour.</p> - -<p>“Wheat has been known always, is mentioned -in the Bible, and is found almost -everywhere.</p> - -<p>“China wheat is a spring wheat, and this is -where it came from. Once upon a time some -one had a chest of tea sent to him. It was -a wonderful gift to have, and was highly -prized. In that tea was found a curious -grain. No one knew what it was, but they -decided to plant it. From that came wheat, -and was called spring wheat.</p> - -<p>“If you have been in the country you know -how the wheat is cut with big machines, and -taken to the barn.</p> - -<p>“Then many men appear and they thresh -it. That means to get the chaff, the outer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span> -husk, off. Then the grain is taken to the mill -and ground into flour.</p> - -<p>“The flour is used for bread, cake, pies, -and almost all of the baked stuff we have.</p> - -<p>“Lard is made from pork fat. The fat is -boiled or rendered.</p> - -<p>“Water is composed of two parts of hydrogen -and one of oxygen, commonly called -H_2O. Pure water can be obtained by distillation -from the ocean, as is often done at sea. -Some towns on the South American Coast -have been supplied in this way.</p> - -<p>“The chief source of supply for water -which falls on the earth is from the ocean. -The heat of the sun raises a vapour from its -surface. This vapour condenses and falls -as rain or snow, either on sea or land. Rain -after falling for some time is almost pure and -for that reason is called soft. Hard water -contains various minerals.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span></p> - -<p>“That’s all about the crust. It isn’t very -interesting, nor funny, but it is good and -everybody loves it.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, it is good, and most necessary to -every pie,” declared the Cinnamon Doll.</p> - -<p>“And now suppose we wish for the Story -Sprite. She is a dear and we have time for -just one more story.”</p> - -<p>This wish was hardly expressed when the -sound of bells was heard and there before -them stood the Story Lady, bringing with -her a joyous shower of bells.</p> - -<p>“Oh, my dearies, this is the last time I can -come!</p> - -<p>“It is Christmas, as you know, and many -Christmas parties are awaiting me, but I just -had to keep my promise to you.</p> - -<p>“This time I want to tell you a Christmas -tale I am sure you will enjoy and -love.</p> - -<p>It is called:</p> -<hr /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span></p> - -<h2>HOW JACK FILLED THE STOCKINGS.</h2> - -<p>“It was Christmas Eve. The younger children -were snugly tucked in bed, while Jack -sat staring at the empty stockings swinging -from the mantel shelf in the gleaming fire-light.</p> - -<p>“Jack was only twelve, and the man of the -house. His face was very grave as he gazed -alternately at the stockings, then at his -mother bustling about tidying up the room.</p> - -<p>“She finally sat down, declaring sadly: -‘It’s no use, Jack. I haven’t a penny to -spare; the stockings will have to go empty.’</p> - -<p>“The boy spoke not a word, but watched -the fire sputter and crackle as though perhaps -it might solve the problem.</p> - -<p>“Of one thing he was certain: the stockings -should not go empty if he could help -it.</p> - -<p>“The fire <i>did</i> show him the way, for sud<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span>denly -the logs began to send out tiny sparks -and snap for all the world like popcorn.</p> - -<p>“‘Mother!’ he cried suddenly, ‘I have an -idea. I’m going out.’</p> - -<p>“‘Dress warm then, dear, and good luck to -you.’</p> - -<p>“The boy hurried out into the night, and -<i>such</i> a night!</p> - -<p>“Snowflakes were flying thick and fast, -and above his head the ice-coated trees spread -their friendly branches. He loved the crisp, -sharp air, and raised his face that the flakes -might lodge and sting.</p> - -<p>“Soon he reached the busy street and -watched keenly for a chance to earn a dime.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly he saw a woman carrying a suitcase, -running for the car, while at her side -toddled a child trying in vain to keep up -with her.</p> - -<p>“‘Let me help, may I?’ asked Jack wistfully.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_189.jpg" width="500" height="711" alt="He chose the busiest corner where there was a wonderful -toy store" /> -<div class="caption">“He chose the busiest corner where there was a wonderful -toy store”</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Oh, if you only would,’ replied the -woman, grateful indeed for the aid.</p> - -<p>“As they reached the corner she slipped a -silver piece into his hand. The car stopped, -then whizzed on, leaving Jack staring at the -quarter, hardly able to believe it.</p> - -<p>“‘A good beginning,’ he murmured, and -ran into a near-by store, where he purchased -a few ears of popcorn and a small jar of molasses.</p> - -<p>“Mother, much surprised, welcomed the -gifts and boy with open arms.</p> - -<p>“‘I earned them, Mother! Make some -corn balls and candy while I try again,’ and -away he went.</p> - -<p>“This time he was not so successful. Every -one seemed busy and hurried past him, -not even glancing at the eager, earnest -face.</p> - -<p>“On one corner a hand-organ man was -grinding out his music. Jack watched to see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span> -the people stop and drop pennies into his little -cup.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly the boy had an inspiration. -He could sing like a bird. In fact he had -been soloist of a boy choir in the town where -they had lived before coming to the city.</p> - -<p>“That work he loved, and was never so -happy as, when clothed in his robes, walking -up the aisle, singing while the great splendid -organ pealed out its glorious music.</p> - -<p>“One song, the Christmas Lullaby, was his -special favourite. He always sang it at -Christmas time. Why not sing it here on the -street?</p> - -<p>“It was sweeter than hand-organ music, -and surely people ought to be willing to give -a few pennies to hear it.</p> - -<p>“No sooner thought than done, and Jack -darted down the street a few blocks away -from the hand-organ man.</p> - -<p>“He chose the busiest corner where there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> -was a wonderful toy store. In the window -was a tree covered with gifts. The lights -twinkled and danced as though cheering -him on, and so there he paused and sang.</p> - -<p>“He was a beautiful child. Indeed, in -the fashionable church at home he had been -called the Christ child, and now as he sang, -many were attracted by his face and the clear -sweet tones.</p> - -<p>“They listened and passed on, leaving in -the shabby cap many bits of silver.</p> - -<p>“After a time the boy walked on, halting -at various corners to sing, and presently -found himself in front of a church.</p> - -<p>“The music of the great organ pierced the -air and as the door swung to and fro, he saw -a large audience with many children gaily -dressed, waiting expectantly.</p> - -<p>“Jack was tired and cold. He longed to -be enfolded in the light and warmth within -and listen to the music, and he quietly crept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> -inside up a stairway, then down to the front. -No one was there and he leaned forward to -see a wonderful tree. It sparkled with tinsel, -while coloured lights gleamed here and -there like shining jewels breathing a halo -about the head of the Christmas Angel standing -on the topmost branch.</p> - -<p>“The outstretched arms seemed to pronounce -a blessing on the fruit of this tree -waiting to be showered on the many little -ones, who stood admiring and exclaiming -over this vision of beauty.</p> - -<p>“It was an enormous tree. The top -branches were fastened securely to a heavy -pole which was thrown across the chancel -and rested in the grooves on the hand-carved -posts which stood either side of the entrance -to this sacred place.</p> - -<p>“Jack, fascinated by the scene, watched -hungrily every detail, and as a thirsty flower -holds up its dainty head for the first rain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>drops, -so the boy eagerly drank in every note -of the music which he knew so well.</p> - -<p>“He longed to be a choir boy once more, -but he was timid and bashful and feared to -make any effort in this direction in a strange -city.</p> - -<p>“As he pondered on how to gain the coveted -position, he watched the tree being -stripped of its fruit and placed in many outstretched -hands.</p> - -<p>“He gazed wistfully on the joyous scene, -but was suddenly startled by a flash of light, -which, from his position, he saw was a thread -of flame leaping upwards toward the Christmas -Angel.</p> - -<p>“There was but one thing to do, and he -was the one to do it. Without a thought for -himself he sprang for the pole, hung by his -toes, and in an instant the flaming branch -was broken from the tree and crushed in his -hands.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span></p> - -<p>“Below a quick cry of ‘Fire!’ rang out, then -was heard the shriek of a child.</p> - -<p>“Jack knew the impending panic must be -averted instantly, and as he swung up on to -the pole, he wound his limbs about it, and -there perched in the topmost branches, a veritable -Christ Child, he sang, as he never sang -before, the Christmas Lullaby.</p> - -<p>“The cries below ceased. The audience -stared in amazement. Had he fallen from -the blue skies painted on the ceiling by a -master hand or had one of the Murillo angels, -hovering amongst the billowy clouds, -come to life?</p> - -<p>“Those who heard never forgot the pathos -of the plaintive melody.</p> - -<p>“The choirmaster listened breathlessly, for -here was the soloist he had for months been -vainly seeking.</p> - -<p>“The organist, wild with delight over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> -heavenly music, coming from he knew not -where, followed gently with the organ accompaniment, -the flute-like tones blending -with the bird notes of the boy.</p> - -<p>“Higher and higher soared the voice of the -Christmas Angel, while the people gazed entranced. -Such tender sweetness it had -never been their privilege to hear.</p> - -<p>“Surely the Baby Jesus was being lulled -to sleep by the angelic music, which at last -slowly and gently died away.</p> - -<p>“A moment of tense silence was followed -by a rustle; the tension was broken and Jack -swung himself back to the gallery, to be -greeted by many outstretched hands.</p> - -<p>“He had many questions to answer and before -the child realised it, he had told the -story of limp stockings hanging by the chimneyside -at home, and how hard he had tried -to fill them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span></p> - -<p>“His pathetic tale, together with his daring -efforts to quench the fire and avert a -panic, moved many to tears.</p> - -<p>“You all know what followed. How he -was driven home in state in a grand sleigh -drawn by a pair of prancing horses, and how -his new-found friends not only filled the -stockings, but then and there engaged him as -soloist of the boy choir at such a salary that -his mother need work no more, and they were -all comfortable and happy for many a day.</p> - -<p>“And now good-bye, and I wish you a very -Merry Christmas.”</p> - -<p>With that the Story Elf vanished, and her -audience chorused:</p> - -<p>“Wasn’t that lovely?”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, it was,” declared Mr. Cinnamon -Stick; “and now I believe we have heard -from every one of this large family—”</p> -<hr /> -<h2>TALE OF THE INTERROGATION POINT</h2> - -<p>“No, you haven’t! No, you haven’t!” -cried a sprightly voice, and there appeared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> -the queerest figure imaginable, coming apparently -up from the floor like a Jack in the -box.</p> - -<p>He seemed to be a combination of every -one of them, and before he had even spoken -he seemed to be asking a question.</p> - -<p>“Look at me. Guess who I am.”</p> - -<p>“An Interrogation Point,” announced the -Vinegar Doll.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but an Interrogation Point asks a -question. Who can answer it?”</p> - -<p>The dolls leaned forward curiously examining -this figure.</p> - -<p>His head seemed made of suet, and he -wore a hat adorned with tiny beef croquettes -about the edge of the brim. Sprays of raisins -and currants wandered over the crown, -and about his neck was a necklace of allspice -with dangles of cloves, cinnamon and nutmegs.</p> - -<p>Pepper and salt sprinkled his clothing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span> -which seemed made from orange and lemon -peel. About his waist was a queer girdle -from which wee sugar bowls, molasses jugs -and vinegar cruets jingled together, while he -tossed gay coloured apples into the air, -caught them skilfully and then disposed of -them in various pockets.</p> - -<p>With a gay nod he cried, “Can no one answer -the question? Let me tell you a little -about myself, and then perhaps you -can.</p> - -<p>“You have all told how necessary you are. -Let me tell you there would never have been -a mince pie without me, nor anything else -worth while.</p> - -<p>“Let me ask of you growing things, how -did you happen to grow? How did any of -you happen to be? Some one had to plant -the seeds. Some one had to take care of the -trees, vines and shrubs after they started to -grow.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span></p> - -<p>“Where there was no rain, water had to be -carried. The trees and vines had to be -tended, trimmed, and cultivated. When the -fruit was finally ready, it had to be packed -and shipped all over the world.</p> - -<p>“Even after it found its way into that -kitchen, what happened? Everybody was—what—what -was everybody doing? Now -do tell me what this interrogation point -stands for? Think!” he pleaded.</p> - -<p>Everybody thought. They screwed up -their faces and thought some more. They -took one foot out from under them and -thought. They put the other foot under -them and thought again.</p> - -<p>What was everybody doing to get the pie -ready—chopping, grinding, baking.</p> - -<p>Suddenly everybody beamed and chorused: -“Working! Everybody was working! -You are called Work!”</p> - -<p>“To be sure I am, and a lot of work it took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span> -to make this pie. All over the world many, -many people had many busy days.</p> - -<p>“Can’t you just see them picking the raisins; -sugaring the citron; grinding spice; cutting -the wheat; packing the oranges; taking -care of the cow; gathering the apples, and -crushing them in the mill for cider?</p> - -<p>“Oh, my dears, there is always work. -Johnny Appleseed did an endless amount of -work, and see what came from it.</p> - -<p>“The one who packed that box of tea and -happened to drop a grain of wheat therein, -did a wonderful thing. That tiny grain -brought us a kind of wheat we might never -have had. Can’t you just see them planting -that tiny seed? They watched it grow, -tending the little sprout till it finally came -to maturity, and more grains were planted. -At last there was a wonderful crop of wheat, -all due to your humble servant Work.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_203.jpg" width="500" height="341" alt="Best pie you ever made, my dear" /> -<div class="caption">“Best pie you ever made, my dear”</div> -</div> - -<p>With a sunny nod he vanished, and they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span>looked and listened, but not even a clank of -his girdle charms did they hear.</p> - -<p>“Well! Well!” cried Cinnamon. -“Wasn’t he fine? Who would ever have -thought of him as belonging to mince pie. I -fear we were all forgetting that most important -point, and glad I am he remembered to -appear. And now, my dears, the dawn is -breaking, we must return.”</p> - -<p>“But the mouse!” cried timid Allspice. -“What about the mouse?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, the mouse!” chorused the audience -breathlessly. “What about the -mouse?”</p> - -<p>Cinnamon Stick said no word, but pointed -a long thin finger toward the clock.</p> - -<p>The clock struck one (which was really -half-past five), the mouse ran down, and the -chain clinkety clanked as he hopped to the -floor and ran away to his hole, and was seen -no more.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span></p> - -<p>His disappearance seemed a signal, and at -once was heard a joyful chorus. As the dolls -sang they formed a procession, and two by -two marched back to the clock and wound -their way about the spiral columns.</p> - -<p>The Pie Crust was at the head and settled -down in the pan, its cover upheld as by an -invisible hand. The dolls jumped into their -places, the cover was slowly dropping, when -suddenly up popped the head of the Vinegar -Cruet.</p> - -<p>“The Gifts!” he cried. “You forgot the -Gifts!”</p> - -<p>At that up popped every other head, crying -in chorus:</p> - -<p>“The Gifts! The Gifts! You forgot the -Gifts!”</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t forget. They are on the -way.”</p> - -<p>As Mother and Jack watched, suddenly a -red-coated, white, fur-trimmed figure ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span>peared. -On his back was a basket piled -high with candy. He made his way to the -clock, and as he stood over the pie he cried -in the jolliest of tones:</p> - -<p>“Open your mouths and shut your eyes, -and I’ll give you something to make you -wise.”</p> - -<p>Open popped the dolls’ mouths, looking -like a lot of birds, each waiting for a worm, -and all were filled to the brim with sweets.</p> - -<p>They then nestled down close together. -The top crust settled in place. The flames -flickered and died out; then all was still.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The next day was crisp and bright. Father -came, and a joyous time they all had -over their gifts.</p> - -<p>The turkey dinner was delicious, and presently -the mince pie appeared in all its glory.</p> - -<p>Such a beautiful mince pie as it was!</p> - -<p>Jack watched Mother cut it, and listened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> -breathlessly for the “Ha! Ha! Ha’s,” and the -“Ho! Ho! Ho’s,” but not a sound did he -hear, till presently at the first mouthful Father -cried:</p> - -<p>“Best pie you ever made, my dear. For -once you have it sweet enough!”</p> - -<p>Jack and his mother merely nodded and -smiled, but not a word said they!<br /><br /></p> - - -<p class="center"><small>THE END</small></p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Mince Pie, by -Josephine Scribner Gates - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE MINCE PIE *** - -***** This file should be named 55143-h.htm or 55143-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/1/4/55143/ - -Produced by ellinora, For Emmy, Turgut Dincer and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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