diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/68899-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68899-0.txt | 5232 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 5232 deletions
diff --git a/old/68899-0.txt b/old/68899-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1cc90c0..0000000 --- a/old/68899-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5232 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sparrow the tramp, by Lily F. -Wesselhoeft - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Sparrow the tramp - A fable for children - -Authors: Lily F. Wesselhoeft - Jessie McDermott - -Release Date: September 2, 2022 [eBook #68899] - -Language: English - -Produced by: D A Alexander, Dorothy Scrafford Whaley (who received the - book on her sixth birthday, October 16th, 1912, and - bequeathed the book to her granddaughter, the PM and PP for - the book), and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPARROW THE TRAMP *** - - - - - -SPARROW, THE TRAMP. - - - - - [Illustration: “The sparrow again waited until the child had almost - reached him.”--_Page_ 155.] - - - - - SPARROW, THE TRAMP. - - A Fable for Children. - - BY LILY F. WESSELHOEFT. - - _WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSIE McDERMOTT._ - - [Illustration: Posy] - - BOSTON: - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. - 1902. - - - - - _Copyright, 1888_, - BY ROBERTS BROTHERS. - - UNIVERSITY PRESS: - JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE. - - - - -PUBLISHERS’ NOTE. - - -The lamented author of “Little Women” in her last days read with great -delight the manuscript of this little story; and its publication is -owing greatly to the interest which she had in it. - - - - -[Illustration: MRS. POLLY.] - - - - -SPARROW, THE TRAMP. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -“LET that sugar-bowl alone, Posy,” said Tom, as Posy extracted a lump -while they were waiting for Papa and Mamma to come down to breakfast. - -“I’m not taking it for _myself_,” answered Posy, as plainly as the -large lump in her mouth permitted her to speak; “I’m only just getting -a lump for Dicky.” - -“That’s a story,” said Tom. - -“I was only just tasting it to see if it was a real sweet lump,” said -Posy very distinctly now, for the lump had disappeared. “I didn’t mean -to eat it, but it went all to pieces in my mouth.” - -“You might have known it would,” said Tom. - -“I guess I’d better pick out a real hard lump next time,” said Posy; -and she made up her mind not to put that one in her mouth, so she only -lapped it a little as she walked towards the canary’s cage. - -Just then a noise was heard from the china-closet, and Tom at once went -to see what it was. - -“Why, there’s a mouse-hole right in the corner of that upper shelf,” he -said; “I thought it sounded like a mouse gnawing.” - -“Rats! rats!” called the parrot, whose cage hung in the window by the -side of the canary’s. - -“You’re mistaken, ma’am,” said Tom; “the barn-cat doesn’t give the rats -a chance to come into the house,--they live in the barn.” - -“Rats!” again cried the parrot. - -Posy went up to the parrot’s cage and looked in. - -“How do you do? How’s your mother?” asked the parrot, with her head on -one side. - -“Pretty well, I thank you, Mrs. Polly,” answered Posy; and she couldn’t -resist the temptation of trying to seize the red feathers in Mrs. -Polly’s tail and give them a little tweak. Mrs. Polly always resented -such liberties, and made sudden dives at the chubby fingers; but Posy -had learned to be careful, and drew them out in time. - -“You wouldn’t really bite Posy, would you?” asked the canary. - -“No,” said Mrs. Polly, “I wouldn’t; but I guess you wouldn’t like to -have your tail pulled every time she gets a chance. It doesn’t hurt, -you know, but it’s very disagreeable. She steals the peanuts out of my -cage, too, and eats them. She’s a very mischievous child.” - -“But she’s kind and good,” answered the canary. - -Although this conversation took place between the birds, to the -children it seemed as if the canary sang his usual song and Polly -chattered in her accustomed way. - -Just then Mr. and Mrs. Winton appeared, and the family took their -places at the breakfast-table. - -Soon a slight rattling was heard among the dishes in the china-closet, -and Mr. Winton cautiously approached the closet door and suddenly -opened it. A large rat whisked into the hole Tom had discovered. - -“We never had a rat in the house before,” said Mr. Winton, as he -returned to his seat; “I am afraid the house-cat doesn’t do her duty. I -never thought her so good a ratter as the barn-cat.” - -“Michael must stop up the hole at once with broken glass and mortar,” -said Mrs. Winton; “I can’t have rats in the house.” - -“Posy, run into the kitchen and see if Hannah has any more muffins,” -said Papa; for Katie, who had been both waitress and nurse to Posy, had -been gone a few days, and her place had not been supplied. - -“How long that child stays!” said Papa, when some minutes had elapsed -and she did not return. - -“Hannah is rather slow,” answered Mamma, “and perhaps the muffins were -not quite ready.” - -A few minutes more passed, but no Posy appeared. - -“What can that thumping be?” said Mamma. “I can’t imagine what Hannah -can be doing. I have heard it for some time. Do run and see what it -means, Tom.” - -“I shouldn’t wonder if Posy were up to some mischief,” said Tom, as he -disappeared. - -“What in the world can that boy be doing?” exclaimed Papa, after they -had waited some time and neither of the children appeared. - -“I will see what the trouble is,” said Mamma; but before she rose from -her seat Tom reappeared, laughing, and leading Posy, who appeared -somewhat confused as she resumed her seat in silence. - -“What do you suppose Posy has been doing?” said Tom. “She found Hannah -down cellar getting coal, and she locked her down; and then she took -the house-kittens and dipped their heads in the pitcher of milk on the -table and made ’em drink, and then she brought in the barn-kittens and -made them drink too. Hannah said Posy made believe she didn’t hear when -Hannah pounded on the door and told Posy to let her out. She said she -heard Posy running backward and forward, hurrying to get through before -anybody came.” - -“Well,” said Posy, “kittens have to be teached to drink milk, you know.” - -Papa laughed, as he was very apt to do when he heard of Posy’s -mischief; but when Mamma shook her head at him he stopped and tried to -look very serious. - -“It was very naughty of you to lock Hannah down cellar, Posy,” he said; -“you see I can’t have any more muffins, for it’s time for me to go for -the train.” - -Posy looked very sad to think she had been the cause of so much -trouble, and Papa could never bear to see his little girl unhappy; so -he caught her in his arms and kissed her, saying,-- - -“But I can’t help loving you, if you _are_ naughty.” - -“Hannah,” said Posy, as Hannah entered to take away the breakfast, “my -papa says it was very naughty in me to lock you down cellar, but that -he loves me still.” - -“Michael,” said Mr. Winton, as the horse was brought around to the door -to take him to the depot, “the rats gnawed a hole through the wall in -the china-closet last night, and I want you to stop it up with mortar -and broken glass.” - -“All right, sir,” answered Michael. “If the barn-cat could be in two -places to onst, it’s no rats ye’d have in the house. She’s a rale -knowing baste, is the barn-cat. If you could only see the sinsible way -she has wid them kittens of hers. She kapes thim out of doors in foine -weather; and when the jew begins to fall, if it’s shut the door is, she -kapes thim walking about, for fear it’s a cold they’ll get.” - -“Let’s go and see them,” said Tom; and off ran the children as Mr. -Winton stepped into the carriage and drove off. - -Then, when all was still in the dining-room, a slight noise might have -been heard in the china-closet, and a long nose and a pair of very -sharp black eyes appeared in the now rat-hole. - -Looking cautiously around, and stopping every minute to listen, the rat -ventured out. He was quite gray about the mouth from age, and had a -particularly vicious look in his shrewd old eyes. Finding all still, he -ventured out a little farther, and still farther, and at last slid down -from the shelf and entered the dining-room. - -Mrs. Polly’s quick ears had heard him, and she watched him as he -noiselessly moved about, picking up the crumbs that had fallen from the -table. - -“Hallo!” called out Mrs. Polly. - -“Speak a little louder while you’re about it,” snarled the old rat, who -had started at the sound of her voice and listened anxiously to hear if -there were danger of detection; and as he spoke he gave a very vicious -grin that displayed his long yellow teeth, with one of the front ones -broken. - -“I haven’t time to sit for my portrait this morning,” resumed the old -rat, as Mrs. Polly continued to gaze steadfastly at him. “You’ll know -me the next time you see me, I hope!” - -“I know you already,” said Mrs. Polly; “you’re Graywhisker.” - -“Whew!” exclaimed the old rat, with another grin that showed the broken -front tooth; “there’s nothing like being famous.” - -“I’ve heard of you from my friend the barn-cat,” said Mrs. Polly. “She -has known you a long time, she says, but you don’t care to become very -intimate with her;” and Mrs. Polly gave a short laugh that was very -irritating to Graywhisker’s nerves. - -“The old fiend!” he exclaimed angrily; “of all the meddlesome old--” - -“Don’t get excited,” said Mrs. Polly calmly. - -“You’d better mind your own business,” answered the old rat, “or -you’ll find yourself in trouble. The barn-cat and you are two very -different individuals, and I shan’t stand on ceremony with you, I can -assure you.” - -“Do stand on ceremony with me,” said Mrs. Polly, with another laugh. - -Graywhisker brought his teeth savagely together; but Mrs. Polly kept -her cold gray eye on him in such a very unconcerned manner that he -evidently thought better of his intention and resumed his search for -food. - -“Mean people these,” he muttered; “not a scrap left. Come, don’t be -stingy, Mrs. Polly; give me one of your peanuts there. I don’t know -when I’ve tasted a peanut,--not since the day Posy left a few and went -into the house for a glass of water. She didn’t find many left when she -came back, though.” - -“Come and get one if you want it,” said Mrs. Polly, eying five freshly -roasted peanuts that lay on the bottom of her cage. - -Graywhisker watched her shrewdly for an instant, but couldn’t determine -from her expressionless countenance whether she really meant what she -said. - -“It’s easy enough to pick one out,” he said to himself as he began to -climb the drapery that hung by the parrot’s cage. - -Mrs. Polly watched him as he nimbly pulled himself up, and sat with her -head inclined slightly forward, following every motion of his. When -opposite the cage, he seized it with one of his forepaws, and with the -other tried to fish out a particularly fat peanut; but before he could -draw it out Mrs. Polly’s sharp beak pounced down on the paw, and he -gave a squeal of pain. - -“Did it taste as well as those you stole from Posy?” asked Mrs. Polly. - -“You old vixen!” began Graywhisker, “you--” - -“Don’t swear,” said Mrs. Polly coolly. - -The canary had been a silent spectator all this time, and hardly dared -to breathe; but when Mrs. Polly pounced on the old rat’s paw she gave a -nervous flutter. - -“Oh! I hadn’t noticed you before, my friend,” exclaimed Graywhisker, -with his horrible grin; “you’re a very tender morsel, and I’m not a bit -afraid of your soft little beak;” and the old villain began to descend -the curtain on Mrs. Polly’s side and ascend the one that hung by the -canary’s cage. - -Poor Dicky was completely paralyzed with terror. Up came the gray nose -and wicked-looking eyes nearer and nearer, and yet poor Dicky sat -without stirring, his terrified eyes fastened on the horrible monster -that could crush him with one grasp of his paw. At last he was opposite -the cage, and was about to reach out his paw to seize it, when the -spell that kept Dicky silent seemed broken, and he fluttered about, -uttering cries of terror. The strong paw still held the cage, and the -other paw reached in between the wires; but as the frightened bird, in -his agitation, fluttered within reach of the relentless paw, Mrs. Polly -gave a shrill whistle, and then another louder still. - -A rustling was heard in the bushes outside the window, and at the -sound Graywhisker descended the curtain and scurried into the closet, -disappearing into his hole as the house-cat, with gleaming eyes, jumped -on the window-sill and glared around. - -“Which way did he go?” she demanded. - -The gray nose was pushed cautiously out of the hole, and a voice said,-- - -“Mrs. House-cat, did you ever get left?” - -[Illustration: Graywhisker disappearing into his Hole] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -WHEN Posy caught up the kittens to carry them back to their nest in the -barn, it was no wonder that the barn-cat followed her with a distressed -and anxious countenance. Posy had been in such a hurry that she had -taken one of the barn-kittens and one of the house-kittens! - -The barn-cat tried very hard to make the little girl understand -her mistake, and ran about her with her tail in the air and crying -dismally; but Posy didn’t understand, and ran back to the house after -putting the kittens in their nest. How the barn-cat did wish she could -speak! She looked at the kitten that belonged to the house-cat. It was -very pretty,--maltese, with a little white on the breast and about the -nose, very like its mother. - -“It’s rather a good-looking kitten, there’s no doubt about that,” said -the barn-cat, “but to my mind not _half_ so pretty and cunning as my -little tiger-kitten that Posy left in the kitchen. That house-cat -doesn’t know how to bring up a family; she’ll spoil this one just as -she has all of her others. It’ll grow up as vain and indolent as she -is herself. I’m sure I don’t want it here. Come,” she said, poking the -kitten with her paw, “you just run home again, will you?” - -The house-kitten didn’t seem to understand what the barn-cat said, for -she evidently thought the cat wanted to play with her, and she tried to -catch the big paw in both of her little ones. - -“Well, you _are_ cunning,” said the barn-cat. “It’s too bad to have you -grow up a spoilt child. You’ll never be as smart as my kittens, of -course, but I’ve a great mind to keep you and see what you’ll make if -you are properly brought up.” - -She didn’t like to show the kitten that she was watching her, for it -might make her vain; so she pretended to be looking very intently at -something out in the yard and gently moved the tip of her tail, but she -looked out of the corners of her eyes and saw the little house-kitten -at once try to catch it. - -“Pretty well,” she said to herself, “considering you’ve never had any -instruction. When you’re a little older I’ll teach you how to crouch -and spring, the way I do my own kittens.” - -Now that the barn-cat had decided to keep the house-kitten, she -set about washing it; for Posy had dipped its head so far into the -milk-pitcher that it presented a very untidy appearance. - -She washed it in a most thorough manner; but the barn-cat was not -so gentle in her ways as the house-cat, and the little house-kitten -thought her pretty rough. - -“You mustn’t be a baby and cry for nothing,” said the barn-cat, when -the kitten gave a mew as the rough tongue lifted her off her feet; “I -see you’ve been coddled too much already.” - -Just then a plaintive cry was heard from the kitchen, and with one leap -the barn-cat was out of her nest and running up to the kitchen door. -She didn’t dare go in; for there was Hannah, and she knew by experience -that she would be driven out if she attempted to enter. What _was_ to -be done? - -The barn-cat jumped on the window-sill and looked in. There was her -darling in the box by the stove and crying helplessly for her. The -mother cat gave a low mew, which the baby kitten heard and understood -just as a human baby understands when its mother speaks soothingly to -it. - -“Oh dear!” exclaimed the barn-cat, “if I could only get into that -kitchen! I know what I’ll do. I’ll tell Mrs. Polly about it, and see -what she advises; she’s very wise.” - -So the barn-cat jumped down from the kitchen window and on the sill of -the dining-room window, which stood open. Posy was in the room, and -so was Mrs. Winton; but they couldn’t understand the language animals -converse in. - -“Why, there is the barn-cat,” cried Posy, “right on the window-seat!” - -“Don’t frighten her away, but watch her quietly,” said Mamma; “I like -to have her come about the house;” and Posy was very careful not to -make any noise. - -“I do believe that barn-cat is telling Polly something, Mamma,” said -Posy in a low tone; “her keeps mewing, and Polly looks just as if her -was listening.” - -“Polly is certainly very talkative this morning,” answered Mamma; “it -really does seem as if they were talking together.” - -“I wish I knew what they were saying,” said Posy. - -This is what they said:-- - -“I’m in trouble, Mrs. Polly,” began the barn-cat, “and I want you to -help me out of it.” - -“Well,” answered Polly, with her very wisest expression, “what’s the -matter?” - -Then the barn-cat told about Posy’s mistake, and how anxious it made -her to have her kitten away from her. - -“It’s just like Posy,” answered Polly; “she’s a very mischievous child. -She always tweaks my tail whenever she gets a chance.” - -“But she’s a dear, loving child,” said the barn-cat warmly. “How she -did cry when they gave away my last kittens!” - -“Yes, she’s a good little thing,” said Polly. “If ’twas anybody else -that pulled my tail, I’d give ’em such a nip that they wouldn’t try it -again in a hurry; but nobody could hurt Posy. She does fish some of my -peanuts out of my cage and eat ’em up sometimes, but then she doesn’t -mean any harm.” - -“What I want to know is whether you can think of any way for me to get -my kitten back,” said the barn-cat. “I tried to make Posy understand -what a dreadful mistake she’d made, but she was in such a hurry she -didn’t see it.” - -Mrs. Polly put her head on one side in a very knowing and contemplative -manner. After a few moments’ reflection she said, “The thing to do is -to get Hannah out of the kitchen for a while.” - -“That’s very evident,” said the canary, who had been listening -attentively and didn’t like to be left out of the conversation. - -“If it’s so very evident,” said Mrs. Polly, bristling up, “why don’t -you do it?” - -“I didn’t say _I_ could do it; but if I could talk as you can, I -would,” answered the canary good-naturedly. - -“How would you do it, pray?” asked Mrs. Polly in an irritable tone. - -“Why, I’d call Hannah the way Mrs. Winton does. I heard you call her -the other day, and I declare I wouldn’t have believed it wasn’t she. I -never knew a bird that could talk as plainly as you do.” - -The canary was so good-natured that Mrs. Polly was rather ashamed of -her ill-temper, and gave a sneeze and cough to hide her embarrassment. - -“Well,” she said, after a pause, “perhaps that’s as good a way as any -other. I _did_ think of yelling to make her think I’d got my head -caught between the wires, but Posy doesn’t like to hear such a noise. -You go ’round to the kitchen door,” she said to the barn-cat; “and -when Hannah leaves the kitchen you just dart in, seize your kitten, and -run off with it.” - -The barn-cat hardly waited to hear the last words, and ran around to -the kitchen door. She had hardly arrived there when she heard Polly -call “Hannah!” so exactly like Mrs. Winton that Hannah dropped the -broom with which she was sweeping the floor, and answering, “Yes, -ma’am,” hurried into the dining-room. - -In darted the barn-cat, caught up her darling in her mouth, and had it -back in her own nest in the barn before Hannah had discovered how Polly -had “fooled” her, as she called it. - -But when the house-cat came home from her visit, imagine what was her -surprise and grief to find one of her babies gone! - -“That barn-cat!” she exclaimed, “I believe she has stolen it because -it’s so much prettier than her common-looking babies. She was always -as jealous as she could be of them!” and out to the barn went the -house-cat. - -“I never visited her before,” she said to herself, “she’s so -countrified in her ways and lives in a barn; but I must see if she’s -got my baby.” - -The barn-cat knew what she was coming for as soon as she caught sight -of her. - -“I want my kitten,” said the house-cat, going up to the box; and she -stepped very daintily and held her head very high, as if she were -afraid of soiling her shining fur. “I should think you’d be ashamed -of yourself to slink into the house and steal my kitten! But I don’t -suppose you know any better, as you’ve never been used to good society.” - -“I didn’t steal your kitten! I don’t want your old kitten; it isn’t -half so smart or pretty as mine are.” - -“Indeed!” answered the house-cat with a toss of her head. “Your -common-looking tiger-kittens! Look at my baby’s soft skin and her -gentle little ways!” - -“I’ll leave it to Posy if mine are not the smartest and handsomest,” -answered the barn-cat angrily. “They had hard work to get anybody to -take your kittens the last time, and mine were spoken for before they -had their eyes open!” - -The house-cat was very angry, but she knew there was truth in what -the barn-cat said; so she only repeated, “Indeed!” in a very scornful -manner, and tossed her head. - -“You coddle your children too much,” continued the barn-cat. “You keep -them by the warm stove, and don’t take them out doors often enough. -That makes them tender.” - -“When I want your advice I’ll ask for it,” answered the house-cat -loftily, as she took up her kitten and went home with it. - -“It was a pretty enough kitten, though I wasn’t going to tell her so,” -said the barn-cat to herself. “I think I could have made a smart kitten -of it, but it will only be spoiled now;” and the barn-cat sighed as she -lapped a rough spot on one of her kitten’s ears. - -“Meaw! meaw!” was heard in plaintive tones just outside the barn-door. -It was a new voice, and the barn-cat quickly sprang up to see what was -the matter. On the step of the barn-door sat a little gray kitten with -a rough and muddy fur, who looked as if she had travelled a long way. -She kept uttering sad little mews; and as she turned her head towards -the barn-cat the latter saw that she was blind. - -[Illustration: The Blind Kitten] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -“WELL, where did you come from, I should like to know?” asked the -barn-cat sharply; for the little gray kitten didn’t present a very -respectable appearance, and she was very particular about the company -her family kept. - -“Oh! I’ve come a long, long way,” said the gray kitten in a sad little -voice, “all the way from the other side of the town, and I am very -tired.” - -“Why didn’t you stay at home?” said the barn-cat. “Home’s the best -place for young people.” - -“I haven’t got any home,” sighed the gray kitten. - -“That’s a likely story,” said the barn-cat shortly. “Where’s your -mother? She must be a nice kind of a mother not to provide a home for -her children. Every cat can do that.” - -“I haven’t got any mother,” said the little gray kitten sadly. - -The barn-cat gave her nose a sharp rub with her paw,--a habit she had -when her feelings were touched. - -“Well, you live somewhere, I suppose. Who gives you food? You can’t -live on air.” - -“Last night I slept in a hollow tree,” said the gray kitten, “and I -assure you I don’t get much to eat. If it hadn’t been for a little girl -sharing her food with me, I should have starved long ago, for I am -’most blind and can’t see well enough to make my own living.” - -“I should like to hear your story,” said the barn-cat, “and then we’ll -see what can be done for you. Let me see--” and she rubbed her ear in -a contemplative way. “I think we’d better let Mrs. Polly and the canary -hear your story, too. They are both pretty wise, and three heads are -better than one any day. There comes that house-cat; she’s nobody.” - -So the barn-cat led the way to the open window where the parrot’s and -canary’s cages were hanging. - -“What under the sun have you got there?” asked Mrs. Polly, eying the -poor little gray kitten shrewdly. - -The barn-cat had jumped on the window-seat, but the gray kitten had -modestly seated herself on the ground under the window. The house-cat, -too, had joined the group, and placed herself where she could watch the -little gray kitten. She stared at the poor little thing so scornfully -that she didn’t know which way to look; so she looked on the ground -and presented a very miserable appearance indeed, with her soiled and -rumpled fur and her poor half-blind eyes. - -“Where did you pick her up?” asked Mrs. Polly. - -“I don’t know much more about her than you do,” answered the barn-cat. -“I found her a few minutes ago on the door-step of the barn, and she -tells me she has come from the other side of the town, and that she -hasn’t any mother. I thought you’d better see her and hear her story, -and perhaps you’d think of something that could be done for her.” - -Mrs. Polly put on her wise look and gave a little Ahem! for it always -gratified her to be looked up to and asked for advice. - -Meanwhile the house-cat sat staring the poor gray kitten out of -countenance. “_My_ advice is to send her back where she came from,” -she said. “Anybody can see that she’s only a tramp. I won’t have _my_ -children taught any of her common ways. Besides, there are too many -cats around already,” she added, eying the barn-cat so scornfully that -it was very evident she referred to her and her kittens. - -“Whoever she is and wherever she comes from, it’s as plain as the nose -on your face that she’s been well brought up,” answered the barn-cat -quickly. “She’s quiet and lady-like in her manners, and that’s more -than can be said of some who’ve had the best of advantages.” - -“She’s a common kitten, probably brought up in a barn,” said the -house-cat contemptuously, “and has no style whatever.” - -This was too much for the barn-cat’s endurance, and she gave an angry -spit, when the canary, who was always the peace-maker, interposed. - -“Whatever she may be,” said the canary gently, “she’s neglected and -unfortunate; so, if Mrs. Polly will find out her story, I’m sure she -will find a way to help her out of her troubles. If her wise head -can’t, I don’t know whose can.” - -“Well,” said Mrs. Polly, “I should have done so long ago if our friends -here hadn’t taken up so much time in disputing. Now, little gray -kitten, tell us all you know about yourself,--where you were born, and -how it happens that you are left alone in this big world to take care -of yourself.” - -“I can’t remember very much about myself,” began the little gray kitten -in a plaintive voice, “but I know we were always poor. My mother worked -very hard to support us, for the woman who kept us was very mean and -never gave us anything to eat. I have heard my mother say she was the -meanest woman she ever knew. She said she had heard her say that she -kept a cat to get rid of the rats and mice, and that she expected her -to earn her own living.” - -“Well,” interrupted the barn-cat, “that is all very well for a single -cat; but when a cat has a young family it comes pretty hard to keep -them supplied with food. I never let my children eat mice; it doesn’t -agree with them,--gives ’em the stomach-ache and makes ’em fitty.” - -“It’s no harm to give ’em a mouse to play with,” said the house-cat; “I -often do mine.” - -“When you catch one, which isn’t often,” said the barn-cat in an -undertone. - -“What was that you said?” asked the house-cat sharply; “be kind enough -to say it a little louder.” - -“Oh, come, come,” put in the canary, “do let the gray kitten go on with -her story. You were telling us that your mother had to catch all the -food for you.” - -“Yes,” continued the little gray kitten, “so she did. She often brought -us mice, and sometimes a bird,--birds agreed best with us, she said.” - -“Dear me!” exclaimed the canary with a shudder, “what a very -bloodthirsty cat your mother must have been!” - -“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” said the little gray -kitten, so politely that Mrs. Polly said to herself with a little nod -of satisfaction,-- - -“Very well brought up, indeed!” - -“Go on, my dear, with your story,” said Mrs. Polly, aloud. “How many -were there of you?” - -“There were only my brother and myself,” answered the little gray -kitten. “My mother said there were two others, but they died very -young,--before they had their eyes open. She said she thought they -didn’t have enough to eat.” - -“Well, how about your mother? I’m anxious to hear about her,” said the -barn-cat. - -“It makes me very sad to think about it,” continued the little gray -kitten, almost crying. “One day my mother told me and my brother that -she was going to teach us how to hunt. It was the first time we had -been out of doors; we lived in an old shed. It was a very pleasant day, -and the air was so fresh, and the birds did look so tempting-- I beg -your pardon,” she added, as the canary began to flutter nervously. - -“Never mind; go on with your story,” said the canary good-naturedly. -“It’s your nature; you aren’t to blame.” - -The little gray kitten was so embarrassed by this interruption that she -forgot where she had left off in her story; but then she was so very -little! - -“You were saying,” said Mrs. Polly, “that your mother took you out of -doors to teach you to hunt.” - -“Oh yes,” answered the gray kitten, “so I was. Well, it was very -pleasant, and we enjoyed ourselves very much, and I caught a little -field-mouse, and so did my brother; and our mother praised us, and said -that after all perhaps we would turn out smarter cats than if we had -been brought up to have everything we wanted, for then we might have -become lazy.” - -“Very true, indeed,” interrupted the barn-cat, with a triumphant glance -at the house-cat. “Your mother must have been a very sensible cat!” - -“Well, then what happened, little one?” asked Mrs. Polly; for the gray -kitten was again thrown off her balance by the interruption. - -“The next is very sad, indeed,” said the gray kitten. “We were going -home, so happy to think our dear mother was so pleased with us, when -all at once we heard a dreadful noise. My brother and I were frightened -half to death, for we had never heard a noise like it. My mother said -it was a dog, and there was a boy with it,--a bad boy; my mother said -all boys were bad--” - -“Not _all_ boys,” said the barn-cat. “Tom isn’t a bad boy; he wouldn’t -hurt a kitten for the world. I’d trust him anywhere with my kittens.” - -“He isn’t so mischievous as Posy is,” said the house-cat. - -“Posy isn’t mischievous,” said the barn-cat warmly; “she doesn’t mean -to do mischief. You can’t call it mischief when she thinks she’s doing -something to help you all the time.” - -“Please don’t interrupt so often,” said the canary; “you said, little -kitten, that a big dog and a boy came up.” - -“Yes,” continued the little gray kitten; “and as soon as the boy saw -us he said, ‘Hie, Rover, seize ’em, sir!’ and the big dog, looking, -oh, so fierce and angry, rushed at us with his mouth wide open, and -making that dreadful noise. There was a tree near us, and my mother -told my brother and me to climb up the tree as quickly as we could. My -poor mother gave us the first chance, for she knew we couldn’t climb as -well as she could, and she stood at the foot of the tree with her fur -all bristling up and spitting at the big dog. We got up to the first -branches where the dog couldn’t reach us; but before my poor mother had -time to follow us the big dog seized her, and gave her one shake and -killed her.” - -Her hearers were very quiet as the little gray kitten ceased and sat -crying softly to herself. The barn-cat gave her nose a sharp rub with -her paw, and then jumped down and examined very carefully a hole under -the window, as if she expected to find a mouse there. Her feelings were -very much touched, for she couldn’t help thinking how dreadful it would -be if her little kittens were left without a mother to care for them. - -“Well,” she said, after a pause, coming back to her place on the -window-sill, “what did your brother and you do then?” - -“We waited till the boy and the big dog were gone,” said the little -gray kitten, “and then we climbed down from the tree and went home. It -was very lonely in the old shed, and we almost starved to death, for -we were too small to catch mice enough to satisfy our appetites. My -brother got tired of living so, and said he was going to try to find a -better home where they would feed him, but I stayed where I was.” - -“How about that girl you said used to feed you?” asked the house-cat. - -“She was a poor little girl who didn’t have any mother either, and the -woman I belonged to made her work hard and gave her very little to eat; -but she pitied me, and often went hungry herself to share her food with -me.” - -“What made your eyes so bad, my dear?” asked Mrs. Polly kindly. - -“I think it must have been the cold; it was very cold in the shed.” - -There was a few minutes’ silence, and then Mrs. Polly said,-- - -“I have been thinking the matter over, and I believe the best thing to -do is to get Posy to help us. You put yourself in the way where she’ll -see you,” she said to the little gray kitten, “and all will be well.” - -[Illustration: The poor little girl and the blind kitten.--_Page_ 45.] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -POSY and Tom were seated on the kitchen door-step, and the two -house-kittens lay in Posy’s lap. Posy was in a very thoughtful mood, -and sat watching the kittens in silence. - -“I’ve been wondering, Tom,” she said at last, “where God keeps his -babies that haven’t got any wings.” - -“Why, babies don’t ever have wings, Posy,” said Tom. - -“Yes, they do, the angel babies. I mean the ones he brings down here to -people.” - -“Oh!” said Tom, “I suppose he has some nice place to keep ’em in.” - -“I should think,” said Posy thoughtfully, “that we might see Him when -he goes around from house to house.” - -“Why, of course we can’t,” answered Tom decidedly. - -Posy played with the kittens in her lap. - -“Come, Kitty, and have your bonnet on,” she said, folding her -handkerchief over the head of one of the kittens and tying it under -her chin. “Poor thing, you haven’t got a single dress after your name, -and I must make you one. And I guess I’d better make some little -cow-catchers around your forehead; they are very becoming to your -little rosy face.” - -“Cow-catchers!” laughed Tom. “You mean beau-catchers! What a little -goosie you are, Posy!” - -“I know that just as well as you can,” answered Posy, blushing; and she -thought it best to turn the conversation. - -“Tom,” she said, “I guess I shall marry you when I’m grown up,--either -you or Papa.” - -“People can’t marry their fathers!” said Tom, with an air of superior -wisdom, “because they’ve got married already, you know.” - -“Well, then, I shall marry you, because I love you so much. People can -marry their brothers, can’t they, Tom?” - -“I don’t know about that,” answered Tom shrewdly. - -“Well, then, let me see--who shall I marry? I _did_ think of marrying -Mary Weston, but her’s married already, you know. I guess I’ll marry -Mr. Dawson.” - -“I know why,” said Tom quickly; “it’s because he’s got some puppies! -Oh, you selfish girl!” - -“I don’t care,” said poor Posy in a very crestfallen manner; “I’d give -you one of the puppies, Tom.” - -“I guess Mr. Dawson will be out of the world long before you’re ready -to git married, Posy,” said Hannah, who had been listening to the -conversation between the children; “he must be nigh onto seventy if -he’s a day. Well, Tom, who do you intend to marry?” - -“If I marry for love,” answered Tom, “I shall marry Auntie; but if I -marry for money, I shall marry Katie Thomas, because her father’s got -more money than old Mr. Thornton, and he’s got a hundred dollars in the -bank.” - -“Well, I never!” said Hannah; “but I guess I’d better be about my work. -I wish that lazy Michael would bring me in some wood. He grows worse -every day. I bet he’s asleep somewhere,--he usually _is_ asleep when -there’s anything to be done.” - -“He’s gone to get Major shod,” said Tom; “I saw him go down the yard -with him.” - -“There he comes!” said Posy, as a man appeared leading a handsome -chestnut horse up the yard. - -“Good-morning, Michael,” called Posy when he was opposite the kitchen -door. - -“Good-morning, Miss,” answered Michael. - -“Have you had a nap to-day, Michael?” asked Posy in her sweetest way. - -“No, Miss,” answered Michael, as he led the horse into the barn. - -“That child does beat anything I ever see,” said Hannah, laughing, as -she went about her work again. - -Suddenly a dreadful noise was heard from the direction of the -dining-room window,--shrieks as if somebody were in great distress. - -“Polly’s got her head caught between the wires,” cried Tom, jumping -up and running around to the window. Posy quickly dumped the kittens -into their nest and followed him as fast as she could. As soon as they -appeared Polly burst into a loud laugh. - -“The next time I shan’t believe you, ma’am, you’ve fooled me so many -times,” said Tom. - -“Oh, Tom,” cried Posy, “look, see! see this poor little gray kitten! -Poor thing, her’s awful thin, and her looks as if her didn’t have any -home.” - -“Why, she’s blind!” said Tom. “Poor kitty, come, I won’t hurt you;” -and he lifted the little gray kitten very gently, and sat down on the -piazza step softly stroking it. - -“Her isn’t one bit afraid of us,” said Posy, seating herself beside Tom -and stroking the kitten too. “Her knows we won’t hurt her, don’t her, -Tom?” - -The little gray kitten had heard all about the children, and felt -perfectly secure with them. - -“Her’s purring!” cried Posy joyfully. “I mean to ask Mamma if I can -keep her.” And off ran Posy to Mamma’s room. - -“There’s a poor little gray kitten out doors, Mamma,” said Posy, all -out of breath from hurrying, “and her’s blind of one eye. Can’t I keep -her and take care of her? Her looks like her didn’t have any home at -all.” - -“Yes,” said Mamma, “you may ask Hannah to give you a saucer of milk for -her.” - -“Her’s blind of _both_ eyes,” cried Posy, bursting into tears; “but I -thought you wouldn’t let me keep her if you knew it.” - -“Why, my dear little girl,” answered Mamma, drawing Posy to her side, -“I love to have you kind to animals, and particularly so to those that -are helpless and can’t take care of themselves. Don’t cry, my darling, -you shall give this poor little kitten a comfortable home, and make -her as happy as if she were not blind.” - -“But it makes me feel bad to think her can’t see,” said Posy, sobbing. - -“Think, my darling, how much more comfortable you can make her than she -has ever been before; and perhaps it is not so bad as you think,--she -may not be wholly blind.” - -So Mamma put down her sewing, and went with Posy to look at the little -gray kitten, who all this time had been purring away contentedly in -Tom’s lap. - -“Oh no,” said Mamma, “she isn’t wholly blind, she can see out of one -eye; and we will bathe her eyes with some warm water and a soft sponge, -and she will feel as comfortable as possible.” - -“I knew how it would be,” said the parrot to the canary, as the kitten -was carried off to the kitchen to be fed. - -“Kind people, every one of them,” answered the canary, hopping about -for joy. “Hallo! what’s the barn-cat up to? Do look at her!” - -The barn-cat was creeping cautiously along the yard, her body almost -touching the ground and her eyes glowing with eagerness. Sometimes -she stopped for an instant and swished her tail excitedly, then went -on again. The canary and Mrs. Polly soon saw what it was that excited -her so. A little sparrow sat on a stone a few rods off, pluming his -feathers in a very unconcerned manner. The barn-cat stopped and -wriggled her body for a final spring, when all at once Mrs. Polly -screamed out, “Scat! scat!” in so loud a voice and so exactly like a -human being that the barn-cat stopped in her spring and the sparrow -flew up into a bush opposite the dining-room window. - -Certainly the sparrow was a very rowdy-looking bird. His feathers were -rumpled and many of them broken, and he had a very independent air -that was a great contrast to the refined manner of the well-kept canary. - -“Who are you, pray?” asked Mrs. Polly, eying the new-comer curiously. - -“Can’t you see?” answered the sparrow in a hoarse voice. - -“It’s very evident you’re a tramp,” said Mrs. Polly. “What do you want -here?” - -“I didn’t know you’d got a lease of the place, or I wouldn’t have -come,” answered the sparrow pertly. - -“Come now, keep a civil tongue in your head,” said Mrs. Polly. “You’ll -find it to your advantage. Where do you live?” - -“Wherever I can. Sometimes in one place, sometimes in another.” - -“That looks bad,” said Mrs. Polly gravely. “Did you ever hear the -proverb that ‘rolling stones gather no moss’?” - -“Now look here, Mrs. Parrot, I haven’t asked anything of you, and I -ain’t going to. I acknowledge I’m a tramp, if having no home makes a -bird one. I get my food where I can, but I don’t do anybody any harm. -If I prefer to live that way, whose business is it but my own?” - -“You’ve been fighting, I see,” said Mrs. Polly gravely; “’tisn’t -respectable.” - -“Now look here, ma’am! You’re kept in a cage, and have your food given -you regular, and don’t have to trouble yourself about where your next -meal is to come from. I live where I can, pick up my own meals where -I can find ’em; if I can’t find ’em I go without. I sleep out in all -kinds of weather, and that makes my feathers rough and my voice hoarse; -but I want you to understand that I’m just as good a fellow as if I had -a red tail and a hooked nose.” - -“That’s very true,” said the good-natured canary, “I should like to -make your acquaintance. You go about so much you must see and hear a -good many things that we don’t.” - -“Well, I guess I could tell you a thing or two that would make your -feathers curl,” answered the stranger. - -Just then the children came along with the little gray kitten that had -been washed and fed, and seated themselves on the steps of the piazza. - -“Hallo!” called out the sparrow to the little gray kitten, “how in the -world did you turn up here?” - -“Do you know her?” asked Mrs. Polly. - -“Well, I should rather think I did, seeing as I have lived, as you -might say, in the same family.” - -“How is little Nancy?” asked the little gray kitten. “I have worried a -good deal about that child since I left home. That’s the little girl I -told you was so kind to me,” she said in explanation to the parrot. - -“She’s well,” answered the sparrow, “but I pity the poor thing with -all my heart. This morning she came out and sat on the door-step, and -I saw she was crying, and she says to me, ‘Billy’ (she always called -me Billy), ‘I can’t give you anything to eat this morning because I -haven’t got anything myself, and I didn’t get any supper last night -either, Billy, because I couldn’t sell any matches.’ She didn’t know -I sensed what she was saying, but I did. Look here! You seem pretty -well off around here. I see the little gray kitten has fallen into good -hands. Can’t you do something for a poor child that’s half starved and -abused?” - -“Oh, do, Mrs. Polly!” said the little gray kitten. “You were so kind -to me, do find some way to get that poor little Nancy with these good -people.” - -“Well,” said Mrs. Polly, “I’ll think it over and see what can be done -about it.” - -“How loud this gray kitten does purr,” said Posy. “I guess her’s -telling us how happy her is to get here, don’t you, Tom?” - -[Illustration: “Posy and Tom were seated on the kitchen -door-step.”--_Page_ 47.] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of -nice fresh oats. He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he -was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must -share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture -into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes. - -“I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go -out while I am eating,” said Major to himself. “I knew how it would -be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of -bringing that child Nancy here. ‘When the cat’s away the mice will -play;’ and what’s more, the rats too. Here, old Graywhisker, you come -any nearer and I’ll bite off your tail!” - -“I’d like to see you do it,” snarled the old rat; and as he spoke he -showed his long yellow teeth with one of them broken off, which gave -him a very disagreeable expression. “I’d like to see you stop us from -eating a few of your oats. You’re too fat already; I heard Mr. Winton -tell Michael so the other day.” - -“I should be loath to tell you what I’ve heard him say about you,” -answered Major angrily; “you wouldn’t sleep very well nights if I did.” - -The old rat forgot his usual caution, and came nearer to Major’s face -than ever before; and Major, his patience gone, gave a sudden snort -and pushed them all out of the manger with his nose. Then when he was -left alone he went on eating his breakfast. After that he found himself -becoming very sleepy, and shutting his eyes he fell into a doze. As he -slept the old rat stole quietly out of his hole and looked cautiously -about. - -“Come,” he said to the others, “come out on the barn floor, for I have -something of importance to say to you, and this is a good time, as -Major is asleep, and the barn-cat off. Here, you Silvertail, you keep a -sharp lookout in every direction, and tell me if you see the barn-cat -coming.” - -The young rat addressed, quickly climbed on the window-sill, whence he -could command a fine view of the entrances to the barn. - -“Do you see anything of the barn-cat?” asked the old rat. - -“Yes, I see her right in front of the dining-room window; and by the -way she swishes her tail I know she’s talking pretty fast.” - -“Well, let her swish,” answered the old rat; “she’ll find there are -some people in the world as smart as she is.” - -The old rat, Graywhisker, seated himself, and the other rats came -flocking out of their holes and placed themselves in a circle about -him. Some of them brought their young families, as they couldn’t trust -them alone. - -“I don’t see any of our friends the mice,” said Graywhisker, looking -about with his sharp old eyes. “Some of you young fellows run over to -Mrs. Silverskin, and tell her I want to see her at once; and be quick -about it too.” - -Two young rats started off, and began to climb to the hay-mow, playing -tag on the way. - -“Here, none of your fooling!” called out the old rat sharply, as one of -them gave a loud squeak. - -This squeak awoke Major from his nap, and hearing voices his curiosity -was aroused. “I guess I’ll keep my ears open, and perhaps I shall hear -something,” he said to himself; “you can’t trust these rats out of -your sight.” - -So Major made believe asleep, and even gave a snore occasionally to -mislead the rats; and he did completely mystify them. - -Soon the two young rats returned, scampering headlong down from the -mow, and followed more leisurely by Mrs. Silverskin, who had a very -timid, gentle air, and who looked very small and refined by the side of -the great clumsy rats with their bold countenances. - -“Now sit still and listen with all your ears,” began old Graywhisker, -“for I’ve something of importance to say, and our time is short, as -that arch fiend, the barn-cat, may return at any moment. To cut a long -matter short, the barn-cat has introduced another cat here. To be -sure, she’s half blind, and a half-grown kitten, but still she’s to be -dreaded. Then there’s been a sparrow loafing around here lately, and -they’re laying a plot this very minute to get a good-for-nothing girl -here, but we’ll put a stop to that. I hid under the piazza yesterday -and heard the whole story,--how this girl had fed the lazy sparrow and -the half-blind kitten (it’s good enough for her, and I wish she was -blind of both eyes), and how they must think of some way to get this -poor child among these good people. They’re talking it over now, and -I’ve set Sharpears to watch and tell me what they’ve said. The barn-cat -said that if they could arrange matters so that Posy could hear her -story, she would bring it all about. Posy, indeed! I hate that child! -She makes a dreadful fuss over all the other animals, but I heard her -say the other day to the barn-cat, ‘You mustn’t catch the pretty little -birdies, kitty, but you can catch just as many of the great ugly rats -as you’ve a mind to.’ I paid her off, though; I stole her piece of cake -that she laid down on the door-step when she went into the house, and -she felt awfully about it. It was real fun to see how disappointed she -was when she came back and found it gone.” - -Here Mrs. Silverskin, who had sat meekly listening, spoke in a soft -little voice,-- - -“I don’t believe Posy could see any animal suffer. I saw her sprinkle -some crumbs down in front of a hole one day, and say, ‘These are for -the little mice to eat.’” - -“Oh, yes! you take her part, do you?” said old Graywhisker, fiercely -glaring at the poor little mouse. “If that is your opinion, you just -clear out of my barn. I want you to understand that I won’t have any -hypocrites around these premises.” - -“You can’t call me a hypocrite,” said the little mouse meekly; “I -only said that Posy was a kind-hearted child. I am sure I dislike -the barn-cat as much as you do, and it gives me great uneasiness to -think there’s another of that species on the premises if she is half -blind. I am afraid our children will get careless, thinking she can’t -see them, and some day venture too near. I am sure I shall never have -another easy moment;” and Mrs. Silverskin looked more anxious than ever. - -“Here comes Sharpears creeping along this way,” called out Silvertail -from the window. - -The whole company looked anxiously in the direction of their private -entrance, and Sharpears soon appeared at the opening. - -“Well,” said old Graywhisker impatiently, “what did you hear?” - -“In the first place,” began Sharpears, “Major has been complaining that -we eat too many of his oats. He says that when the barn-cat’s away we -bother him so that he can’t take any comfort in his eating.” - -“He eats too much,” said Graywhisker; “that’s what’s the matter with -him. Just hear him snore! He’ll go off in a fit of apoplexy one of -these days! I wish he would!” - -“The barn-cat said she did her best; that she knew the rats and mice -did take advantage of her absence, but that she was going to train the -gray kitten to watch while she was away.” - -“We’ll fix that gray kitten,” snarled the old rat, bringing his long -yellow teeth together in a very unpleasant manner. - -“After that they had a long talk about how they could bring it about to -get that child Nancy here that had fed the sparrow and the gray kitten. -Feeding the kitten, indeed! as if there were not cats enough around -already! When I came away they were talking about having the sparrow -entice her here some way or other.” - -“Why didn’t you stay and hear it out?” said the old rat savagely. “I -thought you had more sense.” - -“Well, all at once that disagreeable Polly (she’s always minding -everybody’s business but her own) said, ‘I do believe there’s a rat -under that piazza.’ I didn’t wait to hear any more, I can tell you, but -slunk off just as the barn-cat jumped down to find out where the noise -came from.” - -“Here comes the barn-cat!” called out Silvertail from the window; and -instantly the whole company darted to their holes, as the barn-cat -appeared at the head of the stairs. - -The barn-cat put her nose up in the air and sniffed. “Those rats and -mice have been about, sure as you live!” she said. “I must teach the -gray kitten to keep a sharp lookout while I’m away. Hallo!” she called -to Major, “how are you getting on?” - -“All right,” answered Major; “I’ve important news for you. I made -believe asleep just now, and heard a thing or two. The rats know -exactly what you’re plotting, for they set a spy to listen to your -conversation this morning. They know you’re going to try to get that -girl here, and they’re going to stop it if they can, because she fed -the little gray kitten.” - -“I’d like to see ’em do it,” said the barn-cat. - -“They can annoy you, though, in a great many ways,” said Major; “and, -to tell the truth, I’m afraid they’re going to plot against the gray -kitten. They all seemed full of spite against her.” - -“I’d like to see ’em touch a hair of her head!” exclaimed the barn-cat -ferociously. - -“Here comes that dear child, Posy, with your breakfast,” said Major, as -Posy appeared, carrying a plate and followed by Tom with a saucer of -milk. - -“Here, kitty,” called Posy; “I’ve brought you some nice milk and some -critters all cut up fine. Are they _critters_ or fritters?” she asked, -turning to Tom. - -“_Fritters_, of course,” answered Tom. “You do manage to get things -twisted about, Posy. Papa says you are a real Mrs. Malaprop.” - -“Kitty,” said Posy, putting her hand in her pocket and drawing out a -little package, “I have brought you the beautifulest present you ever -had in all your life;” and Posy began to undo the paper. - -[Illustration: Major and Graywhisker.] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -POSY undid the package, and took out a pretty collar of red leather -with a little padlock hanging from it. - -“Come, kitty, and have on your new collar,” said Posy. “They say you’re -not so handsome as the house-cat, so I must make you look as well as I -can, and you’re dear if you’re not handsome.” - -The barn-cat stood very still while Posy fitted on the collar and -fastened the padlock. - -“It’s a little bit loose for you,” said Posy, “but that is better than -to have it too tight, isn’t it, Tom?” - -“See how proud she feels,” said Tom; “she likes to hear the padlock -rattle when she moves.” - -“It is really a very stylish affair,” said the barn-cat to herself, -“and I must smarten myself up a little. I wonder what the house-cat -will say now!” - -“It’s pretty loose for her,” said Tom; “I’m afraid she’ll lose it off. -Let’s take it up another notch.” - -“No,” said Posy decidedly; “Mamma said if it was too tight it would -make her uncomf’table.” - -“Well, if she loses it, don’t bawl,” answered Tom. - -“I shan’t bawl,” said Posy indignantly. - -The children gave a look at the kittens, and then went away; and the -barn-cat ate her breakfast contentedly, stopping occasionally to give -her head a shake, that she might have the satisfaction of hearing the -padlock rattle. - -That afternoon the barn-cat called the little gray kitten to her, and -told her she wanted her to keep watch while she went to fulfil a very -important engagement with Mrs. Polly and the canary. - -“Take good care of the kittens, and don’t let the rats annoy Major -while he is eating. He complains a good deal of them lately.” - -The little gray kitten promised to do all she was told; and off hurried -the barn-cat, having carefully washed herself and smoothed her fur as -neatly as she could. - -While she was making these preparations, she did not see a pair of -sharp little black eyes watching all her movements from a beam above. - -“I know what all this means,” said the owner of the sharp black eyes, -“but you have to get up pretty early to get the start of an old rat;” -and he smiled a very vicious smile that displayed his long yellow teeth -with one of them broken off. - -“I guess I’d better go myself,” continued old Graywhisker; “these young -fellows are too giddy to be trusted, and after all we mustn’t expect -to find old heads on young shoulders;” and he stroked his gray beard -with a very satisfied air. - -After the barn-cat had gone, he followed cautiously at a distance. He -knew better than to trust himself under the piazza again; so he wedged -himself into a space between the house and a large stone, just around -the corner, where he could hear without being detected. When he was -comfortably settled, he smiled again to himself to think how wise he -was. - -“Well,” he heard Polly say, “here we are again, except the -sparrow,--he’s late.” - -“Just as likely as not we’ll never see him again,” said the barn-cat. -“You can’t place any reliance on these tramps. I never did like his -looks, I must confess.” - -“I don’t believe he’s a bad fellow at heart,” said the canary; “he -seemed very anxious to have that little girl taken care of, and very -grateful for what she did for him. Bad people are not grateful, you -know.” - -“I wish he would settle down and become steady,” said Mrs. Polly, “but -I’m afraid there’s no hope of that. Yesterday a friend of his flying -by stopped and had a few minutes’ chat with me. He says the sparrow -has a wife and several children, but that he’s away half the time, and -neglects his family dreadfully, though he’s good enough to them when -he’s at home. It’s just as I suspected,--he’s lazy and shiftless.” - -“Well, I confess, that’s just what I thought of him,” said the -barn-cat. “I never did fancy his looks from the first; but he’s useful -to us, and we must put up with his failings.” - -A slight rustling in a neighboring bush made them all look in that -direction; and there sat the subject of their conversation, and judging -from the roguish twinkle in his eyes, he had evidently heard the whole -conversation. - -“Sorry to have kept you waiting,” he said good-naturedly, “but was -detained on very important business. Hope I see you as well as usual, -ma’am, and that you haven’t missed me too much,” he said to the -barn-cat with a sly wink. - -The barn-cat thought it more dignified not to answer this familiar -speech, and looked straight before her. - -“Well,” said Mrs. Polly, “let’s make the most of our time now that we -are all together.” - -“First of all,” said the barn-cat, “I want to tell you that yesterday -we were watched. Old Graywhisker had set a spy to listen to our -conversation, and he reported every word that was said. However, I’d -like to see him prevent us from carrying out our plans. I’ll just -give a look under the piazza before we begin; that’s where he was -yesterday, and the only place where he could hide.” - -Graywhisker kept very still while the barn-cat investigated the piazza, -and hardly dared breathe; but when she returned to her place again, -saying, “There’s nobody there now, you may be sure of that,” he smiled -again, and placing his right paw against his nose waggled it in a very -exultant manner. - -“Now,” said Mrs. Polly, “what we have to do is to decide how we can get -the child Nancy here. I have a plan of my own that I will mention, and -I’d like to have you express your opinions freely.” - -Meanwhile the sparrow, who was seated on a slender branch opposite -the window, was amusing himself by standing first on one leg and then -on the other and having a fine see-saw all by himself. The barn-cat -watched him eagerly; and his motions were so graceful, and he was so -plump, that she quite forgot where she was, and sat swishing her tail -in a very tiger-like manner, and was about to give a spring when Mrs. -Polly’s keen eyes caught sight of her, and she called out,-- - -“Hallo there! what are you about?” - -The barn-cat was really ashamed to have so forgotten herself, and was -greatly embarrassed. - -“What can you expect of a cat that’s been brought up in a barn?” said -the house-cat scornfully. “That comes of letting such common people -associate with those who have been accustomed to good society!” - -The barn-cat was not ready as usual with an answer to this taunt from -her enemy, for she knew she had been guilty of very great rudeness; and -Mrs. Polly, knowing that although her manners were rough her heart was -a very good one, kindly went on with her remarks:-- - -“The plan I have thought of is this: You have all of you seen how often -Posy sits on the piazza and cuts dolls’ dresses out of bright-colored -pieces of ribbon and silk. Now there is nothing in the world, I have -noticed, that pleases a little girl so much as those bright colors, -and we will take advantage of that. The next time Posy brings out her -ribbons we must get her out of the way long enough for one of you to -steal the prettiest one, and then the sparrow can use it to entice the -child Nancy with.” - -“But who is to steal the ribbon?” asked the house-cat. - -“I should say the sparrow was the one to do that,” answered Mrs. Polly; -“he can fly down and pick one out and fly off with it.” - -“Very good,” said the sparrow; “but how are you going to make Posy -leave her ribbons long enough?” - -“I’ve called ’em so many times lately,” said Mrs. Polly, “that they -begin to suspect me; and Tom said the other day that I had fooled him -so many times that he shouldn’t come again if I called. Let me see--” -and Mrs. Polly put on her very wisest expression. - -“There’s one way we could fix it,” said the sparrow. “Here’s my friend -the barn-cat; she’s so fond of me she can’t have me near enough. -Suppose I place myself where Posy can see me, and the barn-cat can make -believe spring at me just as she did a few minutes ago. The dear thing! -we know she does it out of affection for me, but Posy will think she’s -in earnest.” - -“A very good plan,” said Mrs. Polly. “Really quite a bright idea,” she -said in an undertone to the canary, “though it wouldn’t do to tell him -so, he’s so well satisfied with himself.” - -The barn-cat had been very quiet since her attempt to spring at the -sparrow, but she occasionally scratched her neck with her paw to make -that fascinating padlock rattle. She did it in a very unconscious -manner, but she knew all the time that the house-cat was watching -her out of the corner of _her_ eye, and was secretly jealous of the -beautiful collar. - -“That’s a very pretty collar you have on,” said the canary. - -“A present from Posy,” answered the barn-cat. - -“Very becoming to your complexion. ‘Neat, but not gaudy,’ as the monkey -said when they painted his tail sky-blue,” said the sparrow gallantly. - -“Humph! red and yellow go well together,” sneered the house-cat. “It -brings out her _charming_ coloring!” and she gave a taunting laugh. - -“Our friend always looks well to me,” said Mrs. Polly politely. - -“Well, I guess you’re going to be sick,” said the canary, laughing. -“To think of your paying anybody a compliment!” - -Mrs. Polly was about as much astonished as the others at such an -unusual occurrence, and gave a short laugh. - -“To resume business,” she said. “Now, the first thing to do is for -the sparrow to fly back to the place where Nancy lives and find out -what’s going on, and when the best time will be for us to carry out our -project. _I_ should say ’twould be well to take some time when she’s -out selling her matches.” - -“O. K.,” answered the sparrow. “I’ll tear myself away for a while -if you think you can spare me long enough, my dear,” he said to the -barn-cat. - -“Get along with you!” said the barn-cat testily. - -“Don’t be harsh to a fellow,” answered the sparrow. “You know, my dear -creature, that you’ll count the hours till I come back!” - -“Count the fiddlesticks!” ejaculated the barn-cat, trying to look -stern, but very much inclined to smile at the fellow’s impudence. - -“Give me a piece of your lump of sugar to take to the old lady,” he -said to the canary; “that will make it all right with her;” and he -helped himself to the lump that was wedged in between the bars of the -canary’s cage. “Now I’m off. Ta, ta, my love!” he said to the barn-cat -as he blew a kiss to her and was off like a shot. - -[Illustration: Sparrow, the Tramp.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -THE sparrow flew away, holding the lump of sugar tightly in his claw. - -“It’s a long time since I was at home,” he said to himself as he flew -along; “I don’t dare to think how long it is. The old lady’ll be pretty -hard to bring ’round, I suspect, but she’s a good little thing and will -make up before long. Let me see--the youngsters must be ’most ready to -fly by this time. ’Tis a shame, I declare, to neglect my family so. -Well, I guess I’ll take Mrs. Polly’s advice and settle down.” - -He passed over a clear spring in the woods, and lit on the edge to -drink. As he stooped over to reach the fresh water he caught sight of -himself reflected in the smooth surface. - -“Whew! I do look rather rowdy,” he said. “I think I’ll take a -dip,--there’s nothing that takes with the female sex like a little -attention to your personal appearance, and I flatter myself I’m not a -bad-looking fellow when I’m spruced up. So here goes!” and carefully -placing the lump of sugar on a stone, he ducked his head into the -fresh, clear water, and brought it out dripping. - -Then he stepped in and splashed the water about with his wings, and -ducked his head till his feathers were heavy with water. He flew into -a bush and began pluming them carefully, and he certainly was _not_ a -bad-looking fellow when he had finished his toilet. - -When he had smoothed out all his feathers he flew down to the edge of -the spring and looked in, and, judging from the little complacent nod -he gave and the dapper air with which he hopped to the stone where the -lump of sugar lay, he was evidently satisfied with the picture he saw -reflected. - -“Now for home!” he said; and mounting into the air he circled a few -times over the spring, and then flew straight to his home, still -holding the lump of sugar securely in his little claw. - -A small unpainted house stood back from the road. The whole place had a -dilapidated look,--the gate was off the hinges; most of the blinds were -gone, and those that were left were broken or hanging by one hinge; the -shingles were off the roof in many places; and panes of glass were gone -from many of the windows, the holes being filled up with bundles of -rags. - -A shed that looked as if it were ready to tumble down at any moment -was built on to the back of the house; and a large elm, the only -pretty thing about the place, spread its drooping branches over the -moss-grown roof. - -To this tree the sparrow made his way, and lighted on a branch before -a little bird-house which looked as much out of repair as the house -itself; for it seemed ready to fall apart at any moment, and the bits -of seaweed and straw and wool of which the nest was made, were hanging -out of the door in a most untidy manner. In fact, the whole structure -had an insecure appearance, as if a high wind might topple it over at -any moment. - -A little bright-eyed sparrow stood in the doorway, and three small -sparrows from the nest inside opened their mouths wide and clamored -expectantly for something to eat as the sparrow lighted beside them. - -“How do you do, my darling?” said the sparrow gayly, as he approached -his little bright-eyed wife for a kiss. - -But instead of answering she turned her back towards him, and -looked straight before her with what she intended to be a very -severe expression; but the truth was, her natural expression was so -good-natured and pleasing that she didn’t succeed so well as she -thought she did. - -“Hasn’t it one little kiss for its husband that’s been away so long?” -asked the sparrow, trying to get a view of the face she turned away -from him. - -“No, it hasn’t,” answered the little wife shortly, without looking at -him. - -“If you knew how I’ve longed to see you all this time!” said the -sparrow, with a sigh. - -“Then why didn’t you come and see me?” said the bright-eyed sparrow, -with what she considered a very sarcastic laugh, but which didn’t -frighten her husband one bit. “I didn’t run away. I’ve been here all -this time, working hard to feed these three children. It’s mean of you -to treat me so!” - -“So ’tis, so ’tis, my dear,” answered her husband soothingly. - -“Then why in the world’s name didn’t you come?” - -“Business, my dear, business,” answered the sparrow with a very -important air; “business before pleasure, you know.” - -“A likely story! As if you ever did a day’s work in your life! All my -friends told me how ’twould be if I married you!” - -“Then what made you do it, my love?” said the sparrow in a very sweet -voice, dropping a kiss on the back of the little head that was turned -away so persistently. - -“Because I was a fool, I suppose,” answered the bright-eyed sparrow; “I -don’t know any other reason. There was that other one that wanted me to -have him,--well off and a hard-working fellow. I don’t know why in the -world I didn’t take him, instead of a vain, lazy, flirting fellow like -you!” - -“I know, my dear, why you didn’t.” - -“Why, I should like to know, sir?” she said, turning her bright eyes -towards him for an instant and then looking away again. - -“Because, my darling, you knew that, in spite of his good qualities -that you respected you loved a good-for-nothing, lazy fellow, -good-looking enough,” said the sparrow with a conceited little air, -“but whose only virtue was that he cared more for one look from your -bright eyes than for all the rest of the world put together;” and he -lit beside her, and stretching out his neck gave her an affectionate -kiss. - -“Don’t!” said his little wife with a pout; “you don’t mean it, you know -you don’t.” - -“Don’t I, though?” answered her husband. “Come, my dear, it isn’t -becoming to you to be cross. Be the pretty, happy little thing you are, -and tell your mean old husband that you’re glad to see him home again.” - -The bright-eyed sparrow didn’t _say_ she was glad, but she didn’t turn -from him as he sat close to her in the doorway of the little house, and -it was evident she rather liked it, or she would have moved away. - -“You haven’t seen the children since they got their new feathers,” she -said. “You don’t know what a hard time I’ve had finding food for them -all this time, and they are _such_ big eaters! And the house leaks, and -sometimes it rocks so I expect every minute it will fall down. It was -very unkind of you to leave me so long!” and the bright eyes were full -of tears. - -“I won’t again, my dear, ’pon my honor!” said the sparrow. “’Twas too -bad. Come, let’s make up, and I’ll show you what I’ve brought you.” - -He was so good-natured, and looked so handsome and fresh in consequence -of his bath, that his poor little wife couldn’t resist him any longer, -and their little bills met in a kiss of peace. - -“What do you think of that?” said the sparrow, holding out the lump of -sugar to her. - -“What is it?” - -“Taste and see,” he answered, holding it up to her mouth. - -“Oh, how delicious!” she exclaimed, biting off a few grains. - -“You see your husband does think of you when he’s away on business,” -said the sparrow tenderly. - -“Let us have a bite!” called out the baby sparrows vociferously. - -So the mother bird bit off a piece for each one, and then promised them -they should have the rest the next day. - -“They don’t know their own father, the poor dears!” said the little -mother. - -“It’s a shame,” answered the sparrow. “Hallo, young ones!” he said, -whistling for their entertainment, “when you’re able to fly, your -dad’ll take you out for an airing occasionally.” - -“Where did you get that nice white stuff?” asked the little bright-eyed -sparrow. - -Then the sparrow told all about Posy and Tom, and the parrot and the -canary, and the house-cat and the barn-cat, and the good luck of the -little gray kitten, and how they were trying to bring about a change of -luck for little Nancy, and how the ugly rats were plotting to prevent -it; and the little bright-eyed sparrow nestled affectionately against -him, and listened to every word that he uttered with the greatest -interest. - -“How is Nancy getting on?” asked the sparrow as he ended his story. - -“Poor child! I pity her with all my heart,” said the bright-eyed -sparrow. “She never gets anything to eat but she comes out and -sprinkles some of the crumbs under the tree for us, and then she throws -some around the door-step of the old shed for the mice.” - -“I must have a look at her,” said the sparrow. “Where is she now? do -you know?” - -“She came home about five minutes before you did,” said the little -bright-eyed sparrow; “and I’m afraid she hasn’t sold any matches -to-day, she looked so sad.” - -Just then the shed-door opened, and a little girl appeared, and seating -herself under the elm-tree began to sob as if her heart would break. - -“Is Posy as big as she is?” whispered the little bright-eyed sparrow, -“and does she look anything like her?” - -“No, indeed,” answered her husband; “Posy is a very little girl, and -has beautiful yellow hair and red cheeks, and always dances about -because she is so happy. We _must_ do something for this poor child!” - -The child sat with her face buried in her hands, sobbing; and the -sparrow noticed that her bare feet were cut in many places from walking -over the sharp stones. They were red and swollen too. He flew down and -perched on a bush in front of her, for the good-hearted fellow longed -to comfort her. - -“Dear me!” said the little girl, “how my feet do ache!” and she took -one of them in her hands, and rocked herself backward and forward with -the pain. - -The sparrow gave a cheerful twitter, and the child looked up. - -“Why, I do believe it’s Billy come back!” she cried, almost smiling -through her tears. “Why, you’re a naughty bird to leave your wife and -babies so long!” - -Billy twittered and chirped, and tried hard to tell her how glad he was -to see her. - -“I’ve had a hard time, Billy, since you went away,” she said, “and it’s -a comfort to have you back again, for it always seemed to me as if you -understood what I told you, and I’ve nobody in the whole world to love -me, Billy;” and the tears streamed down her cheeks. “She’s awful cross -to me, Billy, and often beats me; and when I can’t sell my matches she -makes me go without anything to eat. A kind lady gave me a piece of -bread to-day, and I saved some of the crumbs for your little wife to -give her babies, and I’ll give some to you, too, because you’re the -only friend I have besides your wife, now that the little gray kitten -has gone;” and the little girl put a few crumbs on the ground in front -of the sparrow. - -“If I were to eat one of those crumbs I believe it would choke me,” he -called up to his little wife, who was watching them as she softly sang -her babies to sleep. - -“My feet are very sore, Billy,” went on the child; “for, you see, I -have to go very far to sell my matches, and I think I should feel -stronger if I had more to eat. I sometimes think that I can’t stand it -any longer;” and the poor child began to sob again. - -The sparrow felt very sorry for her, and told her what her friends the -animals were going to do for her, and how happy she would be when she -found herself in a new home. “If they felt so sorry for the little -gray kitten, think how they’ll pity you, you poor ill-used child!” he -said. “And Posy and Tom will play with you, and you’ll have shoes and -stockings to wear, and plenty to eat, and a nice place to sleep in; so -don’t cry, little Nancy, for very good times are coming!” - -This is what the sparrow said, but the child did not understand the -words. - -“I believe you’re trying to comfort me, you dear thing,” she said, -“when you sing so cheerfully; and it makes me forget how hungry I am, -and my feet don’t hurt me so much.” - -“The sun has gone down and it’s time to go to bed,” called out the -little bright-eyed sparrow after the child and the sparrow had talked -together in this manner for some time. “I always like to have the house -quiet by sundown.” - -“Why, it’s only just the edge of the evening,” answered the sparrow; “I -guess I’ll call ’round on some of my old friends. I’ll be back in a few -minutes.” - -“I know your tricks,” said his little wife; “you’ll come home by -daybreak, and then you’ll want to sleep till noon. ‘The early bird -catches the worm,’ my mother used to say; and true enough it is. It’s -too bad to have you go off so soon, when I was so glad to have you back -again! I’ve lots of things to tell you;” and the bright-eyed sparrow’s -eyes filled with tears of disappointment. - -“Well, don’t cry, and I’ll stay at home,” said the sparrow, as he flew -up to the nest; and nestling close together they talked until their -voices grew sleepy, and then each little head was tucked under a wing, -and both were fast asleep. - -Then the child arose, and limping went slowly into the house. - -[Illustration: “Seating herself under the tree, began to sob as if her -heart would break.”--_Page_ 96.] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - -WHEN the sparrow awoke the next morning he found his little mate had -been up some time and had given the young sparrows their breakfast; so -he made a hasty toilet, and then flew off to find something to eat. - -He remembered just where the finest worms were to be found, and he ate -a few and saved two of the largest and fattest for his little wife. - -Nancy was coming out of the gate as he flew in, and was starting out -for her day’s work with her basket of matches on her arm. - -“Good-by, dear Billy,” she said, as he lighted on the rickety gate and -looked at her. “Don’t run away again, I miss you so dreadfully.” - -The sparrow laid the worms carefully on the top bar of the gate, but -kept one eye on them for fear they would crawl away. - -“You’ll see me back in a day or two,” he said with a cheerful nod of -the head, “and it’s a pity you don’t know that your hard days are ’most -over. Keep up courage, little Nancy, and you’ll soon be as happy as a -queen.” - -“That was a very cheerful little song,” she said. “I see you’re taking -those great fat worms home to your wife. I suppose she’ll like them as -well as we do sausages, though.” - -“Nancy,” called a sharp voice from the window, “what are you loitering -there for? Go along, you lazy thing!” and at the words Nancy hurried -away, and the sparrow caught up his worms and flew home as fast as his -wings could carry him. - -How pleased the little bright-eyed sparrow was with the worms, and how -lovingly she watched her little mate as she ate them and divided them -with her little ones! It was so pleasant to have him back again after -those dreary days! - -“I think I’ll move you all over to the place I was telling you about,” -said the sparrow. “There are plenty of fine building-spots there, and -this old shanty is in a pretty bad condition. Everything is handy -there, too, and I don’t consider this a very genteel neighborhood.” - -“If we live here much longer, something will have to be done to the -house; it really isn’t safe in a high wind.” - -“Well, as soon as we get this business settled about Nancy, I’ll pick -out a good situation and build,” answered the sparrow. “Now I’ll be -off, for there’s no time to lose, as I promised Mrs. Polly I’d be back -in good season.” - -“Do come again as soon as you can,” said the bright-eyed sparrow, -blowing some dust off his neck; “I shall miss you dreadfully.” - -“You’ll see me back just as soon as I can get hold of that piece of -silk,--perhaps to-morrow. It all depends upon Posy, you know. Good-by, -my dear;” and he kissed his little wife very affectionately. “Good-by, -young uns;” and he was off again. As he looked back he saw the little -bright-eyed sparrow standing in the doorway and looking wistfully after -him, and he threw her a kiss before he passed out of sight. “She’s a -dear little thing,” he said to himself, “and I know I’m not half good -enough for her, but I really won’t stay away so long again. It wasn’t -very comfortable at home then, I must confess; the babies were little, -and teasing for food most of the time, and she was so taken up with -them that she didn’t take much notice of me.” - -With these thoughts passing through his little brain the sparrow sped -on till he came in sight of the house where Posy and Tom lived. He flew -straight to the dining-room window, and found Mrs. Polly and the canary -delighted to see him back. - -“Don’t begin your story till the barn-cat and the house-cat are here,” -said Mrs. Polly; “they’ll be very anxious to hear it;” and Polly gave -a shrill whistle in imitation of the noise boys make when they whistle -through two of their fingers. It was repeated several times, until Mrs. -Winton called from her chamber window,-- - -“Don’t make such a frightful noise, Polly; you’ll drive me crazy.” - -Soon the barn-cat appeared hurrying along, and the house-cat followed -more slowly, for she considered a graceful and dignified carriage of -the utmost importance. - -“How are you, my dear creature?” said the sparrow to the barn-cat; -“I knew you’d pine away while I was gone. I’ve thought of you every -minute, too, and couldn’t stay away from you any longer.” - -“Don’t make a fool of yourself,” answered the barn-cat crustily. - -“Come, let’s proceed to business,” said Mrs. Polly, her quick eye -interrupting a very loving glance that the sparrow was bestowing on the -barn-cat. “What have you seen and heard about the child Nancy?” - -“I’ve both seen and heard her,” answered the sparrow. “She confides all -her troubles to me, but she thinks I can’t understand a word she tells -me; and when I’ve told her how sorry I am for her and what we’re going -to do for her, she often says, ‘What a pretty little song that was, -Billy! it seems as if you wanted to comfort me.’” - -“Well, how is she getting on?” asked Mrs. Polly. - -“Worse than ever. She has to walk very far to sell her matches, to -places where she has never been before, and her feet are lame and -painful. We must get her away from there as soon as possible.” - -“I shouldn’t be surprised if Posy would bring out her sewing soon,” -said the house-cat. “I heard Mrs. Winton tell her she didn’t like to -have her run about in the hot sun so much,--that she had better take -her playthings on the piazza where it was cool; and Posy said, ‘I guess -I’d better make a new dress for my dolly, for her’s hardly got a dress -after her name.’” - -A slight rustling was heard behind the bush where the sparrow was -seated, and all quickly turned in that direction. Before the others -knew what had happened, the barn-cat was down from the window and in -the bush, and the next minute they saw her chasing a large rat across -the yard towards the barn. Quickly as he ran, they saw he was old and -gray about the mouth; and when he turned and gave a quick look back, -they saw he had long yellow teeth with one of them broken off. - -“Graywhisker!” they all exclaimed in a breath. “If she can only get -him!” - -Quick as the barn-cat was, old Graywhisker was quicker, and darted -into a hole under the barn that was the private entrance of the rats, -just as the barn-cat reached it. She had the satisfaction of clawing -the tip of his tail; but it was too slippery for her to hold, and it -slipped through her claws. She went back to her companions with rather -a crestfallen air. - -“Splendidly done, my dear creature!” said the sparrow; “you almost got -him.” - -“I’ll have him yet,” said the barn-cat as she washed her rumpled fur; -“to think of his listening again to our conversation!” - -“He can’t do any harm, fortunately,” said Mrs. Polly. “All he can do is -to sneak around and play the spy.” - -“I sometimes fear that he may do the little gray kitten some -mischief,” said the canary; “she is so small and helpless, and Major -says he has so much spite against her.” - -“He wouldn’t _dare_ to touch her,” said the barn-cat fiercely. “I -wouldn’t sleep a wink till I’d paid him off if he harmed her.” - -“Hush!” twittered the sparrow, “the children are coming.” - -Posy appeared, dancing along in her usual happy way, with the corners -of her little white apron held up with one hand and in the other a -small china doll. When she reached the piazza, she let the corners of -the apron fall, and out rolled the contents,--bits of bright-colored -ribbon and silk and lace. - -“Now, my dear Miss Pompadour,” said Posy to the china doll, “you sit -right down here while your mamma makes you a beautiful ball-dress. You -must be very careful of it, because it’s going to be made of my very -bestest piece of silk;” and Posy held before the dolly’s eyes a piece -of red ribbon with figures of gold thread embroidered on it. - -“That’s gold, Miss Pompadour,” continued Posy,--“those bright yellow -spots. I don’t suppose you know it, for you don’t know much, and what -little you do know you don’t know _for certain_. And I shall make a -pocket in it, because you’re very apt to lose your handkerchiefs. I -showed a pocket in one of your dresses to Harry Mason the other day, -and he said, ‘Ho! that isn’t a pocket! that’s only a rag of a pocket!’ -I told Tom about it, and he said Harry Mason was a very unpolite boy!” - -A little twitter in front of her made Posy look up from her work, and -hopping on the gravelled walk was a little sparrow. He didn’t seem -to be at all afraid of her, and hopped about and twittered in a very -cheerful way. - -Then came the barn-cat stealing softly towards the little sparrow. She -would take a few steps, and then sit down and pretend she didn’t see -him. He evidently didn’t see her, for instead of flying away he hopped -about as confidently as if there were no such thing as a cat in the -world. - -The barn-cat came nearer still, and crouched in the way she always did -before she sprang, and Posy couldn’t bear it any longer. - -“Go away, you naughty kitty!” cried Posy, dropping her work; and -running towards the barn-cat she caught her up in her arms. - -“You mustn’t catch the dear little birdies; I’ve told you so a great -many times,” said Posy, walking towards the barn with her. “You go and -stay with your babies, and try to catch some of the ugly old rats. -Michael says they eat up Major’s oats, and he’s going to buy a trap and -catch ’em in it;” and Posy put the barn-cat inside the barn-door, and -then went back to her work. - -She didn’t see a pair of small bright eyes shining in a hole around -the corner of the barn, nor see the ugly face with gray whiskers they -belonged to; nor did she hear him say with a vicious smile, “Catch ’em -in a trap, will he? I guess he’ll find out that it isn’t so easy to -catch an old rat as he thinks. Look out, my dear Posy! you may hear -from the ugly rats in a way you don’t like.” - -Posy went back to her work on the piazza; but the sparrow had flown -away, and Posy hunted in vain for her little piece of red ribbon with -the gold figures embroidered on it. - -“Where has that ribbon gone?” said Posy, anxiously pulling over the -little heap of bright-colored silks. “Dear me! the very beautifulest -piece I had, and I was going to make a ball-dress for Miss Pompadour -out of it. How disappointed her will be!” and Posy was almost ready to -cry with disappointment herself. - -All this time the sparrow had the piece of red ribbon safe in his -little claw, and was flying away with it to the old swallow’s nest -under the eaves of the piazza where he had slept of late. - -[Illustration: “Posy appeared, dancing along.”--_Page_ 110.] - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -THE little sparrow went to bed early that night, that he might be up by -daybreak the next morning and start on his expedition to Nancy before -the family were stirring. - -Pleasant dreams of the happiness awaiting the forlorn child passed -through his little brain, and he took his head from under his wing as -the first faint streak of daylight appeared in the east. - -This morning he omitted his usual cheerful twitter, there was no time -for that; so he jumped up and looked around for the little piece of red -ribbon with the gold figures on it. Where was it? He was certain he -had placed it carefully in the nest, for it was the last thing he saw -before he went to sleep. - -“What in the world has become of that ribbon?” he said aloud. “I am -sure I put it on this side of the nest, where it couldn’t possibly blow -away;” and he pecked apart the lining of the nest and peeped everywhere -in vain. - -“It couldn’t possibly have blown away, but I’ll look everywhere;” and -he carefully examined the ground under the nest and the trees and -bushes,--everywhere where it was possible for a ribbon to lodge. - -By this time the sun was up and Hannah had come downstairs. As soon as -she opened the dining-room window to air the room, the sparrow flew -straight to Mrs. Polly, about as anxious-looking a bird as you would -wish to see. - -“Here’s a pretty fix,” he began; “the ribbon’s gone!” - -“Gone!” exclaimed Mrs. Polly, “gone where?” - -“I wish I knew,” answered the sparrow shortly. - -“Explain yourself, please,” said Mrs. Polly; “it’s all Greek to me.” - -“Well, I went to bed last night in good season, so as to be up early -this morning and start before anybody was stirring. Well, when I woke -and was just going to start, no ribbon was to be found.” - -“Careless fellow!” said Mrs. Polly, rubbing her nose with vexation; -“why couldn’t you put it where it would be safe?” - -“I did. I looked at it the last thing before I went to sleep.” - -“It probably blew away.” - -“It couldn’t blow away; it was in the bottom of the nest, and besides -I’ve hunted everywhere and it’s not to be found.” - -“Then there’s only one way to account for it,” said Mrs. Polly, with a -decided nod. - -“What’s that?” - -“Thieves!” answered Mrs. Polly shortly. - -“Whew!” whistled the sparrow; “then I suppose it’s a hopeless case.” - -“I don’t see why,” said Mrs. Polly shrewdly. - -“How are we going to find them out? Nobody saw ’em come in the night.” - -Mrs. Polly put her head on one side with a very knowing look, and -cleared her throat gravely. - -“We’ll track them,” she said. “Whoever it was must have left some -signs behind them. I am tied down here and must trust to you to make -investigations; but if you act according to my directions, I don’t -doubt but that we’ll get to the bottom of the matter before long.” - -“All right,” answered the sparrow; “just say what you want done, and -I’m your man.” - -“The first thing to do,” said Mrs. Polly, “is to examine carefully the -premises. Look on the ground for footprints, and then closely examine -the pillar that leads up to the nest, to see if the thieves came that -way.” - -“Why, what other way could they come, pray?” - -“They could fly, couldn’t they?” - -The sparrow looked rather ashamed of his slowness of comprehension and -made no reply; but then he wasn’t expected to be as shrewd as Mrs. -Polly with her many years of experience. - -“The sooner you begin the better,” said Mrs. Polly; “and come back and -report to me when you are through.” - -The sparrow flew off and lighted on the ground under the nest. A -flower-bed stood there, and he made a careful examination. Not a leaf -was out of place that he could see, and not a plant disturbed in any -way. - -Then he pushed the branches carefully aside and examined the ground. - -“Aha!” said the sparrow, with a satisfied little nod; “I begin to smell -a mice. Somebody’s been here, that’s certain; but whether these tracks -were made by a bird or a chicken or--” and he brought his bright little -eyes nearer the ground. Yes, he was pretty sure now. The soft earth -was marked by the traces of little feet, but so close together that he -couldn’t make out the exact form; but just beyond were several larger -ones, and he thought he knew to whose feet they belonged. “I guess I -know whose foot that shoe will fit,” he said to himself. - -Next he looked up towards the nest. A nasturtium vine was trained -against the pillar, and pieces of twine formed a trellis for it to -cling to. The sparrow ran his eye carefully over it. “I thought so,” he -said to himself; “’twas he.” - -The delicate leaves of the plant were broken in several places, and -hanging to the stem; and in one place the stem itself was torn away -from the twine as if too heavy a strain had been brought to bear on it. - -The sparrow had seen enough to satisfy himself, and flew back to Mrs. -Polly. - -“Well?” she asked inquiringly. - -“Well,” answered the sparrow, “I guess I’ve as good as caught the -fellow.” - -“Tell me what you found, and I’ll draw my own conclusions,” said Mrs. -Polly, putting her head on one side with the knowing expression she -always assumed when listening to a story. - -“In the first place, the flowers were not broken, not a leaf harmed. -That shows that whoever it was, was small enough to walk under ’em.” - -“Very good,” said Mrs. Polly, with an encouraging nod; “go on.” - -“Then I found a lot of tracks, but they were so close together that I -couldn’t make out what kind of animal they belonged to; but a little -farther off I saw some bigger ones, and I’ll be shot if they don’t -belong to Graywhisker. Then I found the nasturtium vine broken in -several places, and it is evident the old fellow got up that way. I -sleep pretty sound when my head’s under my wing, and he might carry off -the whole nest without waking me.” - -“You’ve done well,” said Mrs. Polly, with an approving smile, “very -well for an inexperienced hand. Now I’ll give you _my_ opinion;” and -she looked so wise, and was evidently so perfectly satisfied with her -own shrewdness, that the young sparrow felt greatly flattered to be -praised by so distinguished a person. - -“You are right in concluding that Graywhisker was there,” said Mrs. -Polly, “but you’re wrong in thinking he climbed up the nasturtium vine.” - -“You don’t think he did, then?” asked the sparrow. - -“Not a bit of it,” answered Mrs. Polly decidedly. - -“Who did, then?” - -“Not Graywhisker, you may depend on that; he has too old a head. He -laid his plans and superintended the affair, but you wouldn’t catch -him trusting his precious old neck on that delicate vine. Besides, in -case the thief were caught he would want to keep his own neck safe. -No, indeed,” continued Mrs. Polly, shaking her head sagely; “not he, -indeed!” - -“Who did go up the vine, then?” asked the sparrow, very much impressed -by Mrs. Polly’s wisdom. - -“That I’m not prepared to say,” answered Mrs. Polly, with a shrug of -her shoulders; “perhaps he sent one of the young rats, but I rather -incline to the opinion that it was a mouse; even a young rat would be -too heavy, and then young rats are stupid. Yes, I’m pretty sure ’twas a -mouse.” - -“What’s to be done next?” asked the sparrow. - -“You young fellows are always in too much of a hurry,” said Mrs. Polly; -“we must wait and see what turns up next. ‘Murder will out,’ you know; -and if we keep our ears and eyes open, we shall get some clew to the -thief.” - -“And meanwhile that poor child Nancy will have to go on with her hard -life. She said she sometimes felt as if she couldn’t bear it any -longer,” said the sparrow in a despondent tone. - -“Make the best of it, my friend,” answered Mrs. Polly. “We’ll do the -best we can for her. In the mean time don’t talk about the matter; for -if Graywhisker finds out we suspect him, he’ll be on his guard and we -shan’t find a clew to the missing ribbon.” - -“Well, I suppose the only thing to do is to wait patiently,” said the -sparrow, with a sigh. - -Before long, the barn-cat, and the house-cat, and the little gray -kitten, and Major, all knew of the theft of the red ribbon with the -gold figures on it, and they grieved sadly over the disappointment. -They all took Mrs. Polly’s advice not to talk about it, and -Graywhisker’s name was not mentioned among them. - -“How quiet the birds are to-day!” said Tom to Posy that afternoon; “I -haven’t heard the canary sing once to-day.” - -“That’s so!” said Mrs. Polly dryly. - -The children burst out laughing. - -“Do you feel sick to-day, Mrs. Polly?” asked Posy. - -Mrs. Polly gave a loud sneeze for answer. - -“I guess you’ve got cold, ma’am,” said Posy. - -Just then Michael drove down the yard on his way to the depot to meet -Mr. Winton; and when the carriage was opposite the dining-room window, -Major called out to Mrs. Polly,-- - -“I’ve got something very important to tell you. Send the barn-cat or -the sparrow to my stall when I get back. You’d better send the sparrow, -he can get so near me I don’t have to holla.” - -“What a loud neigh Major did give, Tom!” said Posy. “I guess, by the -way he looked at the dining-room window, he wanted a lump of sugar.” - -[Illustration: “‘What a loud neigh Major did give, Tom!’ said -Posy.”--_Page_ 126.] - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -SERENE as Mrs. Polly’s temperament was, and although she gave the -sparrow such good advice, she found it very hard to keep patient -herself until the sparrow appeared. - -She felt certain that the important news Major had to communicate -related to the lost ribbon, and she was almost bursting with curiosity -to know what it was. It would not do to call the sparrow, for old -Graywhisker had sharper ears than he had; so the only thing to be done -was to control her impatience until the sparrow appeared. What if he -didn’t come back until after the barn was closed for the night? - -It was a horrible thought, and it made her break out into a cold -perspiration, for he was a queer fellow and his movements could never -be relied on. Just as likely as not he might take it into his head to -make another visit to his family, or go off with some friend and not -come back again before midnight. - -“There he is,” whispered the canary suddenly; “I can see him swinging -on the top of that laburnum-tree. I know him by the way he bobs his -head, and twitches his tail.” - -Mrs. Polly looked in the direction indicated by the canary; and -there he was, swinging on a slender branch of the laburnum-tree as -unconcernedly as if he hadn’t a care in the world. - -“Flirting with that little wren,” said Mrs. Polly indignantly. “It -doesn’t look well for a family man. I _did_ hope he was going to settle -down, but I see he’s a hopeless case.” - -“He’s good-hearted,” said the canary. - -“Yes, his heart’s good enough,” answered Mrs. Polly; “but you can’t -rely on him. There’s no knowing what he’ll take it into his head to do -next.” - -Just then the sparrow looked in the direction of the dining-room -window; and as Mrs. Polly caught his eye she beckoned to him. He -returned the signal, but went on saying a few last words; and from his -gallant manner and the coquettish air with which the wren listened to -him, it was very evident he wouldn’t have cared to have the little -bright-eyed sparrow happen by just then. - -“Hopeless!” said Mrs. Polly to herself, as he came flying towards her -with a pleasant smile, evidently caused by his parting words with the -wren; “little does he care who stole the ribbon if he can only have a -good time!” and she received him rather crustily. - -“Hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long,” said the sparrow -cheerfully; “didn’t see you till just now.” - -“No, I observed you didn’t,” answered Mrs. Polly in a severe tone. - -“Met my cousin the wren, and didn’t like to pass without speaking to -her a minute.” - -“Oh, indeed!” said Mrs. Polly dryly. - -“Anything up?” asked the sparrow. - -“Yes,” answered Mrs. Polly; “Major wants you to go around to his stall -after he comes home from the depot,--he has something important to say, -and you can get nearer to him than the barn-cat can.” - -“All right,” said the sparrow, “I’ll be on hand.” - -“I hope you won’t meet any more of your _cousins_,” said Mrs. Polly -sarcastically; “because you know it might interfere with your -engagement with Major.” - -“Don’t worry,” said the sparrow, “I’ll be there;” and off he flew and -perched himself on one of the topmost boughs of the great elm that hung -over the gate. - -“Good-natured fellow,” said Mrs. Polly to herself, as she watched his -graceful motions, “but I don’t believe he’ll ever amount to anything.” - -The sparrow sat balancing himself on the bough of the great elm until -he saw Major appear and until Michael had unharnessed him and led him -into his stall. Then he flew in through the little window above the -stall, and lighted on the edge of the manger close to Major’s face. - -“We’ve chosen a good time,” whispered Major, “while Michael is getting -my supper and spreading down my bedding for the night; the rats keep -out of the way while he is around. Come a little bit nearer, if you -please, so that I can whisper in your ear.” - -The little sparrow came as near as he could, and Major put his big -mouth close to his little ear as he sat perched on the edge of the -manger. How small he did look, to be sure, by the side of the great -horse; but he was a bright little fellow if he was small. - -“Last night,” whispered Major, “I didn’t sleep very well. I think I -must have eaten too much supper. Some time in the night I heard voices -over my head, and I can tell you I listened with all my ears. One of -the voices I knew well enough,--it was old Graywhisker’s; and the -other was so timid and weak I was quite sure it belonged to little -Mrs. Silverskin, and I soon found I was right. They often go in and -out at night, because they know the barn-cat is likely to be asleep; -but I suspected from their whispering that some mischief was up, and I -listened. - -“‘I’m afraid the vine will break,’ said Mrs. Silverskin; ‘I don’t dare -venture on it.’ - -“‘Nonsense!’ answered the old fellow; ‘it will hold fast enough.’ - -“But the little mouse protested she was afraid, and then I heard her -say, ‘I don’t like to steal Posy’s ribbon, she thinks so much of it.’ - -“‘Very well, ma’am,’ said old Graywhisker; ‘you just pack up and leave -these premises before to-morrow night, or you’ll be sorry.’ - -“‘Oh, don’t turn me out of doors!’ said the poor little creature; ‘my -babies are so young they’ll die if you do.’ - -“‘So much the better!’ snarled the old fellow.” - -“The old villain!” said the sparrow. - -“Well, the end of the matter was that Mrs. Silverskin promised to do -as he wished, provided he would not turn her out of doors; and you may -be sure the ribbon’s safe in old Graywhisker’s hole, where it’ll stay -in all probability, for I don’t know anybody bold enough to venture in -after it.” - -The sparrow was silent a moment, and was about to speak when Major -interrupted him. - -“Now you must go, for Michael is through, and will close up for the -night before he leaves. Tell Mrs. Polly what I’ve told you. Perhaps she -can think of some way out of this scrape; I’m sure I can’t.” - -The sparrow flew off at once to acquaint Mrs. Polly with the news; but -for the first time since his acquaintance with her Mrs. Polly did not -prove equal to the emergency. She gave a deep sigh, and shook her head -several times in a very despondent manner. - -“Can’t you think of some way to get back that ribbon?” asked the -sparrow. “Posy feels so badly about it that I’m sorry I didn’t take -another one instead. I was a fool. Any other bright one would have done -as well.” - -“The ribbon is in Graywhisker’s hole, and there it will remain,” said -Mrs. Polly gloomily. - -“It seems to me,” said the canary, who had been listening with great -interest to the story told by the sparrow, “that it might be got out.” - -“Pray give us the benefit of your wisdom,” said Mrs. Polly in a -sarcastic tone. “To be sure, I’ve only lived in the world about fifty -times as long as you have, but I’m not too proud to learn from anybody.” - -“Send somebody in for it when Graywhisker is away from home,” answered -the canary. - -“Who, pray?” asked Mrs. Polly in the same sarcastic tone; and she -muttered something to herself that sounded very like “You fool!” - -“Perhaps Mrs. Silverskin would be willing to go for it. She’s very -fond of Posy, you know, and the sparrow tells us that she objected to -stealing the ribbon on that account.” - -“Absurd!” exclaimed Mrs. Polly in a contemptuous tone. “Why, she’s -afraid of her own shadow! I can assure you it would take a good deal of -courage to venture into any rat’s hole, let alone old Graywhisker’s! -Why, where do you think she’d be if he came back and found her there?” - -“I suppose it would be a pretty dangerous undertaking,” said the canary -meekly. - -“I _suppose_ it would too!” sneered the parrot. “No, that’s out of the -question; so that settles the matter.” - -“I don’t know about that,” said the sparrow dryly. - -“What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Polly sharply. “Don’t speak in riddles.” - -“I mean what I say,” answered the sparrow, boldly returning Mrs. -Polly’s glance. “I said I didn’t know about that. I’m not so sure that -nobody will dare venture into Graywhisker’s hole.” - -“Who will, pray?” said Mrs. Polly. - -“_I_ will,” answered the sparrow firmly. “I’ll go into Graywhisker’s -hole and get that ribbon back if it’s there.” - -Mrs. Polly and the canary stared at the little sparrow in astonishment -too great for words. - -[Illustration: The Sparrow consults Miss Polly] - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - -“DO you know what you are saying?” said Mrs. Polly, when she had -recovered from her astonishment sufficiently to speak. - -“I shouldn’t wonder if I did,” answered the sparrow carelessly. - -“Have you considered well the danger?” asked Mrs. Polly gravely. - -“Oh, bother the danger!” exclaimed the sparrow impatiently. “Suppose -the old villain does come home and eat me up? Well, there’ll only be -one sparrow less in the world.” - -“But you’re a family man. What will become of your wife and children if -you are killed?” - -“My wife and children are pretty well used to taking care of -themselves, and they’ll be as well off without me as with me. There’s a -great advantage in the vagabond life I’ve led; and being of no use in -the world you won’t be missed, and that’s a comfort;” and the sparrow -laughed recklessly. - -“Don’t talk so,” said Mrs. Polly; “you know you don’t mean it.” - -“Perhaps I don’t,” said the sparrow carelessly. - -“You’ve got on your blue spectacles to-day, I guess,” said Mrs. Polly, -“and you like to make yourself out worse than you are.” - -“I’m sure _we_ should miss you very much,” said the canary. “We have -so little variety to our lives, shut up here in these cages, that it’s -very pleasant to have you coming and going, and bringing us news from -the busy world. Why, we should never have known about little Nancy if -it hadn’t been for you; and you are the one who is to bring her here, -and now you are about to venture into Graywhisker’s hole and find the -ribbon. Why, you’re the bravest fellow I know! Don’t say you’re of no -use in the world when you can do so much!” - -“You’re very kind,” said the sparrow,--and his voice was somewhat -husky, and his eyes looked a little moist,--“to say such pleasant -things to a fellow. I don’t think I ever had anybody say such pleasant -things to me before. I declare I believe I’ve got a cold coming on;” -and the sparrow made a great effort to clear his throat. - -“If you persist in doing this reckless thing--” began Mrs. Polly. - -“I _do_ persist,” said the sparrow decidedly. - -“You must take the opportunity when Graywhisker is away from home,” -continued Mrs. Polly. “I don’t know much about his habits myself, but -Major can tell you when he is likely to be out. Then let the barn-cat -watch at the entrance of the hole, and you’re safe from him provided -you don’t come to harm in the hole.” - -Mrs. Polly put her head on one side with a meditative air, and the -others were silent, for they knew she was considering deeply about the -matter. After a few minutes’ silence she spoke. - -“I’ll tell you what seems to me to be a good plan,” she said to the -sparrow. “You see the barn-cat and whisper to her to take her kittens -out for an airing in front of the barn. Graywhisker will be sure to see -them, and conclude that it’s safe for him to leave home, for he never -goes out while she is in the barn. You watch from a distance, and when -he is gone you give the barn-cat a sign and let her leave her kittens -with the little gray kitten while you slip into the hole and she sits -at the entrance. Do you understand?” - -“Yes, I understand that it wouldn’t make much difference to the -barn-cat whether she ate _me_ or Graywhisker; on the whole, I’m -inclined to think she’d give me the preference. No, I thank you, I’d -rather meet Graywhisker in the hole than have the barn-cat watch the -entrance while I’m in.” - -“Well, I don’t know but that you’re right,” answered Mrs. Polly; “then -we’ll leave it this way. You wait for an opportunity when Graywhisker -is away and the barn-cat too, and then you slip in and get the ribbon. -Major will point out his hole to you.” - -“All right,” answered the sparrow cheerfully. “I’ll take advantage of -the first opportunity;” and he flew off to the top of a tall pear-tree -that commanded a view of the barn and yard. The parrot saw him sit -quietly there for some time, his little head bobbing about in a very -wide-awake manner, and then suddenly fly down and dart into the window -above Major’s stall. She knew the desired opportunity had come, and -both she and the canary felt great anxiety as to the result of such a -bold undertaking. - -Just then Tom and Posy came out and seated themselves on the steps of -the piazza to eat their lunch. - -“Can’t you tell me a story, Tom?” asked Posy; “I’ve told you ever so -many nice ones.” - -“Well,” said Tom, “let me see--” - -“I’d rather hear about animals,” said Posy. - -“Well then, I guess I’ll tell you about a hedgehog.” - -“Oh dear!” said Posy, with a disappointed air; “well, go on, Tom.” - -“Once there was a hedgehog,” began Tom, “who lived in a little hole in -the woods.” - -“What?” asked Posy quickly. - -“You mustn’t interrupt me, Posy,” said Tom. “I said there was once a -hedgehog who lived in a little hole in the woods.” - -“But it _couldn’t_, you know,” said Posy, with a perplexed expression. - -“He could and he did,” continued Tom decidedly; “and one day he started -out for a walk--” - -“Why, Tom,” said Posy earnestly, “how could a hedgehog take a walk? A -hedgehog is a kind of _barrel_, you know.” - -“You mean hogshead,” said Tom; “what a little goosie you are, Posy! -But no matter,” he continued, as Posy’s cheeks flushed at her mistake; -“the hedgehog started out for a walk one morning, and before he’d gone -very far he met an old fox who lived in a ledge of rocks near by. -‘Good-morning, sir,’ said Mr. Fox, ‘this is a fine morning to be out’--” - -“Tom,” said Posy suddenly, “I do believe the barn-cat is going to -bring her kittens out. Do look at her!” - -The barn-cat sat in the doorway of the barn, and moved her tail gently -backward and forward, occasionally uttering a low “meaw” in a very -coaxing tone and looking behind her. Soon a little head appeared, and -then another, and two tiger-kittens began to play with her tail. Then -the barn-cat stepped down from the doorway into the yard, and went -through the same performance again. The tiger-kittens came to the edge -of the step and looked cautiously over. The barn-cat pretended not to -see them, but kept her tail gently moving. - -Then the tiger-kittens put first one paw over the edge of the step, -and then another, and all at once they tumbled over into the yard. -Then what a play they did have! They lay on their sides and kicked -against their mother, and then they made believe frightened and -galloped sideways up to her, with their backs arched and as fierce an -expression as their mild little eyes were capable of producing. - -“See the old cat make believe she doesn’t see ’em, and yet she watches -them out of the corner of her eye all the time,” said Tom. - -Then the barn-cat began to wash herself, and the kittens did the same; -but they didn’t do it in a very thorough manner, for their little paws -didn’t touch their faces half of the time. - -Then the barn-cat took up one of her hind legs and washed it, and the -kittens tried to do the same; but they were such little round balls -they kept losing their balance, and tumbled over every time they lifted -up their short hind legs. - -Soon the barn-cat went into the barn, leaving her kittens at play in -the yard. - -“That’s strange,” said Tom, “to leave her kittens; she’s usually so -careful of them.” - -In a few minutes the gray kitten came out and seated herself near the -tiger-kittens. - -“I really believe,” said Posy, “that the barn-cat sent the gray kitten -out to take care of her babies while she was out hunting.” - -When the barn-cat entered the barn, she called the gray kitten to her -and told her she would like to have her take charge of the kittens -while she watched for a while at Graywhisker’s hole, as she hadn’t seen -him leave the barn for a long time. - -The gray kitten, delighted to be of service to her kind friend, -hurried down to the yard, and the barn-cat took her station beside -Graywhisker’s hole. Meanwhile the sparrow had learned from Major where -Graywhisker’s hole was situated, and was already some distance in, when -the barn-cat took her position outside. - -“Dark as a pocket,” said the sparrow to himself as he cautiously groped -his way. - -“Perhaps I shall see better when I’m used to the darkness,” he said -hopefully; and he went on slowly, putting one foot carefully before the -other. Suddenly he lost his footing and fell down several inches, but -he landed on his feet and was not hurt. - -“All right,” said the sparrow, and looked about him. A little ray of -light shone in through a crevice of the wall, and he was able to see -faintly. This was evidently Graywhisker’s dwelling; and the long dark -place he went through first, the passage-way leading to it. As his eyes -became accustomed to the dim light he began to distinguish objects. - -“Whew! how close!” said the sparrow, as he took a long breath. - -All the old rat’s treasures were evidently collected here. Crusts of -bread, rinds of cheese, scraps of bacon, were lying around; and bits -of rags and twine were collected in a corner, and evidently served as -Graywhisker’s bed. - -“You’ll have to make your bed over to-night, my friend,” said the -sparrow, rumpling the bed over and scattering the rags all over the -floor. “Hallo! what’s this?” he said, as he came upon a smooth round -object. - -“I declare, if it isn’t a hen’s egg! The old thief! I wonder how he -managed to get it in here without breaking it! I guess I’ll save him -the trouble of breaking it;” and he pecked at it until he had made -a hole large enough for the inside of the egg to run out. He gave a -mischievous laugh as he saw the liquid oozing out, and then continued -his search. - -“Whew!” he said again; “it’s getting rather stifling here, I must hurry -up. Where in the world can that ribbon be?” and he looked carefully -around in every direction. “Hooray!” he exclaimed, as he caught sight -of a little piece of red silk hanging from a nail over his head. -“Thought he’d got it hid away safely, didn’t he?” and in a twinkling he -had hopped up and caught the ribbon securely in his beak. - -“Now for a little fresh air,” said the sparrow; “I couldn’t stand it -much longer.” - -He looked around for the entrance to the passage-way. There were three -holes just alike; which was the right one? He stood perplexed. “What a -fool I was,” he said to himself, “not to take more notice! This is a -pretty fix! Well, here goes! I’ll try each one, and one of them _must_ -lead out.” So he hopped up to the hole nearest him and boldly entered. -It was utterly dark, and he felt his way for a time in silence; but the -sparrow, who lived out in the pure air, was not accustomed to the close -and musty atmosphere of an old rat-hole, and he began to feel faint and -a little bewildered. What if he shouldn’t be able to find his way at -all? But he was a brave little fellow, and he thrust the thought aside. -“I _will_ get out, I _won’t_ give up,” he said resolutely. “This hole -_must_ lead somewhere;” and he pushed bravely on. - -“Seems to me I’ve gone far enough to take me out; I don’t understand -it. My strength won’t hold out to go back and try another entrance.” -He thought of the bright-eyed sparrow and his three little ones, and -he determined to hold out, for they had never seemed so dear to him as -they did now that the hope of seeing them again appeared so small. With -a great effort he kept on, holding the bit of ribbon in his beak. Soon -he turned a sharp corner, and with joy he beheld a ray of light in the -distance. The long dark passage led into the main passage-way, and he -was safe. - -Just as he was about to emerge into the daylight a faint rustle met -his quick ears, and with horror he beheld the barn-cat seated at the -entrance. - -There was nothing to be done but to wait patiently and see what would -happen next. The air that came in through the entrance of the hole -relieved the dreadful faintness that had so oppressed him; so he sat -holding the ribbon securely in his beak, but with his brave little -heart beating pretty rapidly. - -All at once a sudden noise startled him, and peeping cautiously out he -saw the barn-cat chasing Graywhisker across the barn-floor. Quick as a -flash the sparrow was out and had flown in safety to the window-sill, -when Graywhisker disappeared into a hole in the wall, and the barn-cat -returned with a crestfallen air to her kittens. - -[Illustration: Tramp on a Branch] - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - -THE sparrow flew at once to acquaint Mrs. Polly and the canary with -the result of his expedition. They were both greatly relieved to see -him safely back, and rejoiced at his success. Then after a short rest -and a worm or two for lunch, he flew merrily off to find little Nancy, -carrying the piece of red ribbon safely in his claw. - -It was some time before he succeeded in finding her, with her box of -matches on her arm, going about from house to house. - -He lighted on a fence beside her, and flaunted the red ribbon with the -gold figures on it in a very enticing manner. - -“Why, Billy,” exclaimed the child, “how did you get here? What a -beautiful ribbon! I wish you would give it to me! It would make a -lovely dress for that little china doll that hasn’t got any legs and -arms, that a little girl gave me one day.” - -Billy waited until the child was almost up to him, and then flew away, -holding the red ribbon securely in his claw. - -“I know you want to put it in your nest, Billy,” continued the child; -“but any rag would do just as well for you, and I never saw such a -_beautiful_ piece of ribbon in all my life.” - -But Billy flew on and lighted again on a stone in front of little Nancy. - -The child tore off a piece of her dress, that was in such an untidy -condition that the little piece of calico would not be missed, and -approached the sparrow cautiously, saying,-- - -“I will give you this piece off my dress, Billy, to put in your nest, -if you will give me that beautiful ribbon. This will do better for -you, because it’s bigger. Now, _do_ give it to me, and I’ll give you -and your little mate ever so many crumbs from the next piece of bread I -get.” - -The sparrow again waited till the child had almost reached him, and -then flew away as before. - -“Oh, dear me!” she exclaimed sadly; “I did want it so much!” and she -turned to go back with a weary air. - -Then the sparrow came towards her and dropped the ribbon on the ground. -The child ran to pick it up; but just as she stooped to seize it, the -sparrow caught it up in his beak and flew off with it. - -“I shall follow him,” said the child to herself, “till I get that -ribbon. I know he’ll drop it again, for he’s a very careless fellow.” - -So the two went on, the sparrow occasionally dropping the ribbon and -then seizing it again as the child was about to put her hand on it. - -Meanwhile Posy and Tom were out in the yard, or rather seated on the -step of the kitchen door, watching the barn-kittens playing. The gray -kitten played too, but more gently than the tiger-kittens. - -“I’m going to bring out the house-kittens,” said Posy; “they ought to -have a good time too.” - -The house-cat was lying in the box beside her kittens when Posy came -for them. - -“I’m going to let your kitties play with the barn-kitties,” said Posy -in explanation to the house-cat, who looked rather startled at such a -sudden interruption; “they ought to be out in the fresh air instead of -sleeping in this hot kitchen. You needn’t meaw so, for I shan’t hurt -them.” - -What the house-cat said was this,-- - -“I don’t want my kittens playing with those rough barn-kittens; it will -spoil their manners.” But Posy didn’t understand her; and it wouldn’t -have made any difference if she had, for she was very fond of the -barn-cat and approved highly of the way she brought up her family. So -Posy carried out the kittens, followed closely by the house-cat. - -Posy put the kittens on the ground beside the little tiger-kittens, and -then went back to her seat on the door-step beside Tom to watch them -play. - -The little tiger-kittens stood still a minute and watched the -new-comers curiously. Then they flew at each other, and clawed -each other, and rolled over together. The barn-cat looked on, very -proud of her children’s strength; but the house-cat had a very -scornful expression on her countenance, as she scowled at the little -tiger-kittens. - -“Come back at once!” she called to her little Maltese kittens. “I don’t -wish you to associate with those common barn-kittens.” - -“Oh, do let us stay; it’s _such_ fun!” they answered piteously. - -“Let ’em have a little frolic; it’ll do ’em good,” said the barn-cat. -“They’ll get sick lying in that hot kitchen.” - -“I’m very particular about their manners,” said the house-cat; “I don’t -want them to learn common ways.” - -“My kittens won’t teach ’em anything to hurt their manners,” answered -the barn-cat; “let ’em stay and have a good time. Come, my dears,” she -said to the little Maltese kittens in a motherly tone, “you play just -as much as you want to.” - -The house-cat looked anxiously around. None of her stylish -acquaintances were in sight, and it _did_ seem a pity to cheat her -darlings out of a romp in this fresh air; so she didn’t say they -_shouldn’t_ stay, and the kittens interpreted her silence as a consent. -So they grew very cheerful, and watched the tiger-kittens chase each -other and claw and roll over, till at last they became bold, and one -of them went up to one of the tiger-kittens and gave him a gentle tap -with his paw, exactly as Posy often did to Tom when she called out -“Tag!” - -Then the tiger-kitten turned and chased him, and how the little Maltese -kitten did run! He dodged almost as well as the tiger-kittens did, -and the tiger-kitten had to try with all his might till he caught the -Maltese kitten, and then they both rolled over together and kicked and -clawed, just as if the Maltese kitten had played “tag” every day of his -life. - -“Very well indeed, my dear!” said the barn-cat, with an approving nod; -“try it once more, and you needn’t be afraid to put out your claws a -little farther. My kittens don’t mind a few scratches, I can tell you; -and look here, my dear, when you run up to them, crouch a little, this -way, and wriggle your body before you spring, and don’t be afraid of -hurting them when you knock them over. Try it again, my dear; you’ll do -it better next time.” - -The little Maltese kitten did try it again, and succeeded so well that -the house-cat, although she tried not to look interested, couldn’t -resist a smile of pride. Then the other Maltese kitten tried it, and -did it so well that the barn-cat praised her for it. - -“Now, my dears,” said the barn-cat, “I’m going to teach you how to -catch mice.” - -She looked around and picked out a little green apple that would roll -easily. - -“Now play that was a mouse sitting still; show me how you would catch -it. You begin first,” she said to one of her kittens, “because you’ve -already had a lesson in it.” - -So the tiger-kitten crept cautiously towards the apple, swishing her -little tail the way her mother had taught her; and when she came -within the proper distance she stopped and wriggled her body from side -to side, and then gave a great spring and seized the apple with her -little front paws; but the tiger-kitten was so excited from playing -“tag,” that she forgot she was playing “mouse,” and batted the apple -with her little paws and set it rolling, and then chased it and caught -it, and lay on her back and clawed it with all her four paws. - -“I’m ashamed of you,” said the barn-cat severely; “now put it down and -do it over again properly; and mind, no fooling this time!” - -So the little tiger-kitten did it over again, and really did it very -well; and then the Maltese kittens tried it, and the barn-cat was very -much pleased with them. “Now,” said the barn-cat, “we’ll make believe -’tis a mouse running. See how well you can do that!” and she gave the -apple a push with her paw, and all the four kittens set off at once -after it, and rolled over one another and clawed and kicked just as -they had done when they played “tag.” - -The barn-cat couldn’t help smiling to herself, but she took care that -the kittens didn’t see her smile, and then she made each one do it -alone, and gave them very good advice about hiding behind corners and -then suddenly springing out. - -The children had been watching this play with the greatest interest, -and often laughed aloud, when all at once Posy exclaimed,-- - -“Why, there is a little girl without any shoes and stockings on, and -her’s got a basket on her arm. What do you suppose her wants, Tom?” - -The little barefooted girl was Nancy, whom the sparrow had succeeded in -enticing by means of the red ribbon with gold figures on it. She had -stood watching the kittens play for some minutes before Posy saw her. - -“She’s got something to sell, I guess,” said Tom. - -Just then Hannah came to the door, and the children told her about the -little girl. - -“Go away!” said Hannah; “we don’t want to buy anything.” - -The child came a step nearer and said timidly,-- - -“Will you please to buy some matches, ma’am?” - -“No,” said Hannah shortly; “we don’t want any pedlers ’round here.” - -The child sighed and turned away. - -“Hannah,” said Posy, with her cheeks very red, “that’s a poor little -girl, and Mamma always buys things of poor little girls.” - -“Your mamma’s got plenty of matches,” said Hannah in the same cross -tone. “She wants a chance to steal something; that’s what she wants.” - -“You’re a very unkind girl, Hannah,” said Posy angrily. “I know Mamma -will buy some matches; won’t her, Tom?” - -“Yes,” said Tom decidedly. “She tells us to be good to poor people; and -this little girl hasn’t got any shoes and stockings, and her feet look -awful sore.” - -“Mamma!” screamed Posy, running under the window of Mamma’s room. - -“What is it, dear?” asked Mamma, coming to the window. - -“There’s a awful poor little girl here, Mamma,” said Posy eagerly; “and -her hasn’t got any shoes and stockings, and her has matches to sell. -_Do_ buy some, Mamma; her looks so tired, and sad;” and Posy was very -near crying. - -“Tell her to wait a minute,” said Mamma, “and I’ll come down.” - -So Posy and Tom ran after the little girl and brought her back just as -Mamma appeared at the kitchen door. - -“Come in, little girl,” said Mamma kindly, “and sit down. You look -tired.” - -The child did indeed look tired, and seated herself wearily; but the -instant she touched the chair her head fell forward on her breast, and -she would have fallen to the floor if Hannah had not caught her in time. - -“Bring her into the dining-room where it is cool,” said Mrs. Winton, -“and lay her on the sofa.” - -So Hannah, whose heart was a good deal kinder than her tongue, picked -up the forlorn child and gently placed her on the sofa in the cool -dining-room. - -[Illustration: “So Posy and Tom ran after the little girl and brought -her back.”--_Page_ 164.] - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -TOM and Posy watched little Nancy with distressed countenances as she -lay on the lounge so still and white. - -“Don’t be frightened,” said Mrs. Winton, as she caught sight of their -faces, that were almost as pale as the little match-girl’s; “she has -only fainted and will be well again in a few minutes.” - -So Mrs. Winton bathed the child’s forehead with cold water, and Hannah -fanned her with a palm-leaf fan. - -“Tom,” said Mamma, “I wish you would bring me a pitcher of cold water -fresh from the pump.” But there was no answer, and Mamma looked around. -Both of the children were gone. Just as the little match-girl opened -her eyes Tom appeared carrying a pillow, and Posy brought up the rear -with a bottle of cologne in one hand and all the playthings she could -carry under the other arm. - -“I thought the little girl would like to have my pillow under her -head,” said Tom, handing it to Mamma. - -“It was very thoughtful,” answered Mamma. - -“And Posy brought the bottle of German cologne she got on her -birthday,” added Tom, as Posy stood shyly behind him; “she’s been -keeping it for you when you have a headache, but she says she wants the -little girl to have it because she didn’t believe she ever had any nice -German cologne before.” - -Posy felt paid for the little sacrifice she had made when Mamma smiled -at her. Meanwhile Nancy was sitting up, looking around her with a -bewildered air. - -“She probably ate something that hurt her,” said Hannah; “there’s no -telling what these kind of people eat. A good dose of thoroughwort -would fetch her out of this.” - -“What did you have for your breakfast, my dear?” asked Mrs. Winton -kindly. - -“I didn’t have any breakfast,” answered the child. - -“What did you eat for your supper last night?” asked Mrs. Winton. - -“I didn’t have any supper, either,” said the little match-girl. - -“How happened it, my child?” asked Mrs. Winton, with a serious face. - -“I couldn’t sell any matches, so she didn’t give me anything to eat. -She said I didn’t earn my salt.” - -“Who is _she_?” - -“The woman where I live,” answered the child. - -“Is she your relative?” asked Mrs. Winton. - -“I don’t know,” answered the child. - -“Hannah,” said Mrs. Winton, “bring me a bowl of bread and milk. It is -as I suspected; the child is half starved.” - -Posy came around to Mamma’s side, and leaned against her in what Hannah -called “Posy’s coaxing way.” - -“Don’t send her back to that horrid woman, will you, Mamma?” she -whispered. - -“I will look after her, my darling, you may be sure,” said Mamma. - -“But you _will_ let her stay, won’t you, Mamma?” repeated Posy. - -“I will let her stay till she feels well again, and then I will find -out about her,” answered Mamma soothingly. “Don’t be troubled, Posy; -I love my own little children too well not to try to make all other -children happy.” - -Posy looked greatly relieved. - -Tom had been silently watching the little match-girl, and listening -eagerly to what Mamma said to Posy. He put his hand in his pocket and -pulled out his new top and looked lovingly at it. - -“She can have my new top if she wants it,” he said to Mamma. - -“I am glad you thought of it, my dear, but I don’t think little girls -care much for tops,” said Mamma. - -An expression of relief came over Tom’s face; for the new top was very -dear to him, and he had saved the money for it, cent by cent. - -“Do you think she would like to have Miss Pompadour?” asked Posy. - -“We will see that she has playthings,” said Mamma; “but first of all -she needs food, and here comes Hannah with the bread and milk.” - -The poor child ate greedily, the children looking on with intense -satisfaction. - -That afternoon Major was harnessed to the carryall; and Mr. Winton, -with Tom and Posy, and little Nancy for a guide, set out for Nancy’s -old home. A ride was an unknown and undreamed-of treat to the neglected -child, and the kindness with which she was received almost overpowered -her. - -Although Nancy had lived such a joyless life, her powers of observation -were unusually acute; and the stories she related to Posy, who sat -beside her on the back seat, were so very novel and interesting that -Tom forgot to ask to drive, and listened as intently as Posy did. -She told them about Billy, and the bright-eyed sparrow, and the baby -sparrows, and the little blind gray kitten; and in this way the time -passed so very quickly that they reached their destination before the -children had heard half enough. - -Mr. Winton went into the house and left the children in the carriage. - -Nancy pointed out the little house where the bright-eyed sparrow -lived; and there she was at the door of the house. - -“She’s going to teach the young birds how to fly,” said Nancy; and the -children watched with great interest. - -First the mother bird hopped down to the branch below, and the little -sparrows came to the door of the house and looked down. Their mother -gave a little call, but they only stretched their necks farther out -and looked timidly down, as if the distance seemed to them very great. -The mother bird called again, louder and more decidedly. Then they -fluttered their little wings and hopped up and down, but dared not -venture out of their nest. The mother bird, evidently thinking that a -little discipline was required, hopped back and gave each one a little -peck, and actually drove them out of the nest. Then she showed them how -to fly. She flew around in short circles, and then back again. Soon one -of the little sparrows grew bold, and flew a very little way and then -came back; but he seemed very proud of what he had done and tried it -over again many times. Then, encouraged by his example, the other two -ventured out; and they too grew quite brave, and flew better every time -they tried. - -By this time the door of the house opened, and Mr. Winton appeared, -followed by a woman, at sight of whom little Nancy shrank back in the -carriage and looked frightened. - -“Don’t be afraid,” said Tom; “if she comes here I’ll give her a good -hit and send her off howling.” - -“No, indeed,” said Posy; “we shan’t let her touch you.” - -“If you take the child you take her for good and all. I ain’t a going -to take her back when you’ve got sick of your bargain,” they heard the -woman say, as she held the door open with one hand. - -“I take her for good and all,” answered Mr. Winton, as he turned from -the door and came towards the carriage. - -“Nancy,” he said, when they had driven a few minutes in silence, “how -should you like to stay with us?” - -“Oh!” cried Posy, clapping her hands and jumping up and down with joy, -“I thought it would end so, you dear, good, kind Papa!” and Posy threw -her arms around Papa’s neck, and hugged him till she knocked off his -hat and nearly fell out of the carriage herself. - -“I should like it very much indeed,” said Nancy, with a gleam of -happiness in her dark eyes. - -So little Nancy went to her new home, and a cot-bed was put in Hannah’s -room for her. - -“Hannah’s awful cross,” said Tom to Nancy. - -“But her’s good, Tom,” said Posy. - -“‘Her bark’s worse than her bite,’ Papa says.” - -Meanwhile old Graywhisker was almost beside himself with rage at -the overthrow of his hopes. When he escaped from the barn-cat, he -disappeared down the private entrance to the barn and remained there -quietly until he was sure the barn-cat was out of the way. Then he -crept cautiously out and ran to his own hole. - -When he emerged from the long, dark passage-way into his living-room, -imagine the confusion that met his eyes! His bed torn to pieces -and scattered all around, and his precious hen’s egg that he had -transported with so much care and difficulty, broken! He gave a quick -glance up at the nail where he had hung the red ribbon with the gold -figures on it. It was empty. - -“Gone!” he shrieked. “Stolen! but I’ll be revenged! This will be the -dearest piece of mischief you ever did, my dear barn-cat! I’d give a -good deal to know who was the cat’s paw this time;” and his shrewd old -eyes peered keenly about for some traces left by the thief. “Aha!” he -said, with an ugly grin that showed the broken tooth in front; and he -sat on his haunches and held up a little gray feather. “It was you, was -it, my dear little cock-sparrow? The barn-cat sent you in, did she, to -get the chestnuts out of the fire for her? I wonder, my dear friends, -if before very long you’ll wish you had left the little ribbon alone! -The old rat will be one too many for you, my dear creatures, I am -afraid!” - -In this way Graywhisker gave vent to his rage and disappointment, and -sat a long time considering how to take his revenge. Then he decided -to hold a midnight meeting in his house, where there was no danger of -being disturbed; and the meeting was very fully attended, and the -result kept strictly private. - -The next afternoon the little gray kitten was seated in front of the -barn washing herself, when her attention was attracted by a little -mouse that ran in front of her. The gray kitten could not see very -well, and she seldom succeeded in catching anything; but this little -mouse ran so very near that she couldn’t help seeing it, and she -quickly ran after it. - -The mouse ran into the barn and up the stairs, followed very closely by -the gray kitten, and then disappeared into a large hole under the mow. -The gray kitten was not very large herself, and the hole was so big -that she followed the little mouse in. There was a much smaller hole -at the other end; and out of that the mouse ran, but it was too small -for the gray kitten to follow and she turned to go back. What was her -surprise and terror to find the entrance closed up with a pile of hay, -and that she was a prisoner! - -“I understand now,” said the poor little gray kitten to herself, “why -that mouse ran so near me. It was done to get me into this trap, and -that Graywhisker was at the bottom of it.” - -[Illustration: “The poor child ate greedily.”--_Page_ 170.] - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -GREAT was the excitement among the animals when they learned that the -little gray kitten was missing. - -“She never in this world went off of her own accord,” said the barn-cat -to Mrs. Polly; “she always stayed at home and took care of my kittens -while I was out hunting. Something has happened to her. We shall never -see the dear little thing again, you may be sure;” and the barn-cat -gave a deep sigh. - -“Don’t be so discouraged,” said the canary hopefully; “all of our plans -have gone well so far, and I know this will. It’s always darkest before -daylight, you know.” - -“What do you propose to do about it, pray?” asked the barn-cat in an -irritable tone. “It’s all very well to say ‘Don’t be discouraged,’ but -what is to be done? Sitting here and talking about it won’t bring the -gray kitten back. Come, let’s have your ideas on the subject. I’m not -too old to learn, if I _have_ brought up half a dozen families.” - -“I don’t pretend to know myself the best course to pursue,” answered -the canary good-naturedly, “and I shouldn’t presume to dictate to you -who have had so much more experience than I have. I only meant to say -that Mrs. Polly, who has the wisest head of any of us, could probably -advise us what to do.” - -Mrs. Polly gave a satisfied “Ahem!” for it always put her in a good -humor to be looked up to. - -“That’s a good idea,” said the barn-cat, appeased by the canary’s -good-nature. “Come, Mrs. Polly, I hope you will give us your views on -the subject; I know you have been thinking it over.” - -“Well,” said Mrs. Polly in an impressive manner, “I have been -considering the case, and have come to the conclusion that the only way -to accomplish anything is to investigate the case in a thorough manner. -Call the animals together, and I will interview them, and discover, if -possible, if they can throw any light on this painful affair.” - -“Capital!” exclaimed the barn-cat, “I will attend to it at once. If -you’ve no objection, ma’am, I should like to bring my kittens; they are -old enough to begin to learn how such matters are conducted, and I like -to have them get all the information they can.” - -“Very sensible indeed,” answered Mrs. Polly; “bring them by all means, -and tell the house-cat to bring hers. Please notify the sparrow also of -the meeting; and as Major can’t be present you will have to take his -affidavit. That is,” explained Mrs. Polly, seeing a puzzled look on the -barn-cat’s face, “he must tell you what he knows about the matter, and -you can report it to me.” - -“That’s very easy,” answered the barn-cat. “Finding the sparrow won’t -be quite so easy. He’s never around when he’s wanted.” - -“Yes, he is, my darling,” answered a voice from the flowering currant; -“he can’t tear himself away from you long;” and there sat the sparrow, -swinging on a slender branch, and looking as impudent and careless as -ever. - -“Well, you _are_ here when you’re wanted for once in your life,” said -the barn-cat. “See if you can keep still in one place till we’re ready -for the meeting;” and off went the barn-cat on her errand. - -In a short time the house-cat appeared with her kittens nicely -washed, and looking as pretty and fresh as possible, and soon after -the barn-cat appeared with _her_ kittens. She had had time to wash -them carefully, as Major was out and she could not have the desired -interview with him. Their little tiger-skins were glossy, and they -looked as if it were hard work for them to walk sedately behind their -mother. - -The house-cat was seated with her kittens beside her, and the barn-cat -took up her position at a distance and placed her kittens where she -could keep an eye on them. While she was making their toilets she had -given them so many instructions in regard to their behavior, that they -presented a very demure appearance, although their little bright eyes -danced about in such a very animated way that it seemed probable that -it wouldn’t be a very difficult task to make them forget their dignity. - -Mrs. Polly looked as wise as half a dozen judges put together, wigs -and all. She looked silently around on the little group collected about -her and then gave a little cough, as was usual when she had something -of importance to say. - -“I suppose you all understand why this meeting was called,” she began. -“The little gray kitten, of whom we are all so fond, is missing, and -we are trying to discover some traces of her. Now, to proceed in a -systematic manner, the first point to find out is, who saw her last, -and where?” - -There was a moment’s silence, and then one of the little house-kittens -said,-- - -“I think old Graywhisker has eaten the gray kitten up.” - -“What makes you think so?” asked Mrs. Polly quickly. - -“Because he’s got such long, sharp teeth. My mother says he’d eat me up -quicker than a wink if he caught me,” answered the house-kitten. - -“When did you see the gray kitten last, my dear?” asked Mrs. Polly. - -“Not for a very long time,” replied the little house-kitten. “My mother -says she’s common, and doesn’t like to have us play with her.” - -“Then, if you’ve no information to give on the subject,” said Mrs. -Polly severely, “don’t give it. You must learn to be seen and not -heard.” - -The little house-kitten was somewhat abashed at this reproof; but -her embarrassment did not last long, for her sister, the other -house-kitten, who was tired of sitting still so long, moved her tail -backward and forward in such a very enticing manner that she couldn’t -resist the temptation of springing at it and clawing it. - -The house-cat was rather ashamed of her want of discipline, -particularly as the barn-kittens sat all this time in a dignified -manner, with their small tails straight out behind them; and more -especially as the barn-cat’s face wore a very self-satisfied smile, as -if she were enjoying the house-cat’s discomfiture. - -“If you don’t sit still I shall take you home at once,” she said to the -house-kittens when she had restored order and placed them where she -could reach them in case of a second disturbance. - -“Now that order is restored,” said Mrs. Polly, “we will proceed to -business. When did _you_ see the gray kitten last?” she asked the -sparrow. - -“I haven’t seen her for the last two days,” answered the sparrow. “She -isn’t so attached to me as my friend the barn-cat here, and doesn’t -follow me up so closely.” - -“Don’t joke at such a serious moment,” said the barn-cat crossly. - -“It’s as easy to laugh as to cry,” answered the sparrow, “and a good -deal pleasanter.” - -“Our friend the sparrow did us such a good turn in recovering the -stolen ribbon,” said Mrs. Polly, “that we mustn’t be too hard on his -peculiarities. We all know that if his manner is sometimes frivolous, -he has proved to us that he has a warm heart and is devoted to our -service.” - -“His heart’s warm enough and he is brave enough too,” said the -barn-cat, who had a strong sense of justice; “but I _do_ wish he was a -little steadier in his ways.” - -“We must take people as we find them,” answered Mrs. Polly. “Now, Mrs. -Barn-cat, when did _you_ see the gray kitten last?” - -“I left her yesterday afternoon to watch my kittens while I was out, -and when I came back she was gone. That’s all I know about it.” - -The little tiger-kittens had listened to every word that had been said, -and had a very important air, as if they could tell something if they -were asked. Mrs. Polly’s keen eyes noticed this, and she said to one of -them,-- - -“Now, my dear, I want you to tell me just what happened while your -mother was away yesterday afternoon. Don’t be afraid to speak out.” - -The kitten evidently was _not_ afraid to speak out, and began in a -clear voice,-- - -“We had a fine play, and the gray kitten couldn’t catch us because we -dodged so. We caught her every time.” - -“What’s that to do with the subject, I should like to know?” asked the -house-cat severely, for she remembered how her kitten had been snubbed; -“and anybody could see with half an eye that my kitten is much smarter -than that stupid-looking thing,” she added to herself. - -“Please don’t confuse the witness,” said Mrs. Polly to the house-cat. -“Very well, my dear,” she continued, turning to the little -tiger-kitten; “what happened next?” - -“We played till we got tired, and that’s all,” answered the little -tiger-kitten. - -“I thought so,” exclaimed the house-cat triumphantly. - -Mrs. Polly scowled fiercely at her, and then turned to the little -tiger-kitten again. - -“Well, my dear, and what happened after you became tired of playing?” - -“Well,” replied the little kitten, as she kept her eye on one of the -house-kittens who was rolling a pebble with her soft paw, “then a -little mouse ran by.” - -“Oh!” said Mrs. Polly; “and what then, my dear? What did you do when -the little mouse ran by?” - -“We wanted to catch it, but the gray kitten wouldn’t let us. She said -our mother told her not to let us go away.” - -“And what did the gray kitten do then?” asked Mrs. Polly quickly. - -“She ran after the little mouse and she didn’t come back again, and -that’s all,” said the little tiger-kitten. - -“Very good indeed, my dear,” answered Mrs. Polly, with an approving nod -of her head. “You’ve told a very connected story, and we’ve found out -that the gray kitten chased a mouse and has not been seen since.” - -The barn-cat was intensely gratified at her kitten’s sagacity, but the -only expression she gave to her satisfaction was to wash the little -tiger-kitten’s face affectionately. Then she said, after a few moments’ -silence,-- - -“Before we break up, I should like to mention that the collar that -Posy gave me has disappeared. It was quite loose for me, and I _may_ -have lost it when I was off hunting. I don’t like to accuse anybody -wrongly, but it was a very handsome affair, and I dare say created a -good deal of jealousy among my acquaintances;” and she looked very hard -at the house-cat. - -“If you mean _me_,” said the house-cat, with a toss of her head, “let -me tell you that _I_ haven’t stolen your old collar. _I_ don’t need -collars to make me look respectable, thank goodness!” - -“Very true,” answered the barn-cat; “it would take more than _collars_ -to make some people look respectable.” - -“Oh, come, come,” said Mrs. Polly, “don’t get personal! I have no doubt -that old Graywhisker knows where that collar is, just as well as he -knows where the gray kitten is.” - -“You don’t mean it!” exclaimed the sparrow. - -“Yes, I do,” said Mrs. Polly decidedly. “I believe that Graywhisker -sent that mouse to entice the half-blind gray kitten, and that he’s -got her safely hidden somewhere, for he wouldn’t dare really to let her -come to any harm.” - -“How can we find her?” asked the barn-cat. - -“All of you keep your ears open and perhaps you’ll pick up some news. -If we find out where she is, the children can probably rescue her. -They’ll soon notice that she is missing and hunt for her.” - -[Illustration: The Barn Cat and her Kittens.] - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -“WE’RE going to play ‘circus’ in the barn this afternoon,” said Posy at -dinner, “and we’re going to have the kittens for the animals.” - -“Nancy plays circus first-class,” said Tom; “she isn’t such a scare-cat -as most girls are.” - -“Where did she learn anything about the circus?” asked Papa. “I don’t -believe she ever saw anything but the tents.” - -“Yes,” answered Posy eagerly; “her says when the circus was here once -her skun the fence and peeked through a hole under the tent and her saw -the horses’ feet.” - -“Poor child!” said Papa, “the next time the circus comes she shan’t -‘skin’ the fence, but shall go with you and see the whole performance.” - -“Hannah,” said Posy after dinner, “have you seen anything of the -barn-cat’s collar? Her has lost it.” - -“No,” answered Hannah, “I haven’t seen it, and what’s more I don’t -expect to. I guess it won’t be the last thing that you’ll find missing. -You’d better look after your things a little sharper, for I don’t trust -that Nancy too fur.” - -“Nancy is a good little girl, Hannah. Her doesn’t steal. It’s very mean -to say such things,” said Posy angrily. - -“Well, it won’t do no harm to keep your things locked up,” replied -Hannah. - -Nancy came in from the barn, where she had been to feed the kittens. - -“I can’t find the gray kitten anywhere,” she said, looking very much -distressed. “I’ve hunted and called, but she doesn’t answer.” - -“Perhaps the rats have carried her off,” said Posy, with a troubled air. - -“I guess she’s gone to hunt for mice,” suggested Tom, who appeared at -that moment. “She won’t run off. Let’s go and play ‘circus’ in the -barn-chamber. You bring the house-kittens, Posy, and I’ll get the -barn-kittens.” - -“You needn’t mew so loud,” said Posy to the house-cat as she took up -the kittens. “I won’t hurt your babies, and I’ll bring ’em back all -safe. They are going to be teached to play circus.” - -The house-cat was not at all afraid to trust her kittens with Posy. -What she said was: “I don’t like this way of snatching up my kittens -and carrying ’em off to play with those barn-kittens. I expect they’ll -get to be just as common as they are, if this isn’t put a stop to.” - -The kittens themselves, however, had no such fears, and were delighted -at the prospect of a play with the lively barn-kittens; for it was not -very entertaining to lie in the box by the kitchen stove, and Hannah -always drove them back if they ventured out of it when the children -were not there. So when Posy dumped them on the barn-floor by the side -of the tiger-kittens, they began to play in earnest. - -“Let’s have a tiger-hunt,” said Tom, after watching the kittens -at their play; “and the barn-kittens can be the tigers, and the -house-kittens can be our hunting-dogs.” - -“Oh, splendid!” cried Posy, clapping her hands and jumping up and down. - -“First, we’ll make a cave,” said Tom, “because tigers live in caves, -you know;” and he began to dig a cave in the side of the hay-mow. -Nancy entered into the work with great zest, and soon a fine cave was -finished and the tigers were placed in it. - -“What fun it would be if they could understand what we said to them!” -said Nancy. “I used to think that Billy understood what I told him, he -always seemed so sorry when I told him how hungry and tired I was.” - -“Mamma says that animals know more than we think they do,” said Tom. - -It really did seem as if the tiger-kittens knew what was expected of -them; for they stayed quite still in the cave, crouching down in the -dark, and the little house-kittens sat down and looked up at Tom while -he explained the game, just as if they understood every word he said. - -“Now,” said Tom, “we’ll be the hunters and we’ll go out hunting for -tigers, and the dogs will run about searching for game, and then we’ll -discover the cave and send ’em in to drive the tigers out.” - -“I should think really and truly tigers would eat the dogs up,” said -Nancy, who had a very practical mind. - -Tom looked somewhat crestfallen at this view of the question, but Posy -said,-- - -“We’ll _play_ these were good, kind tigers, and didn’t hurt anybody, -won’t we?” - -So it was agreed that these tigers were exceptional tigers, and the -hunting-party started out in search of game. - -“Dear me!” cried Posy suddenly, “I saw a great ugly rat run across -there.” - -“It couldn’t have been a rat,” said Tom. “They don’t dare to come out -here; they’re afraid of the barn-cat.” - -“It _was_ a rat,” persisted Posy; “I know it was. It had a great long -tail, and it had long yellow teeth, and one of them was broken off. I -do wish the barn-cat were here.” - -“No matter,” said Nancy, who was eager to continue the tiger-hunt; -“he’s gone now, and I don’t believe he’ll come back.” - -So the hunting-party started once more, and the dogs kept ahead, just -exactly as if they had understood what Tom said about the game; and -soon they came to the cave, and went up to it and looked in. - -“Hush!” said Tom, “the dogs have scented game;” and the party stood -still. - -“Go in and drive ’em out!” said Tom to the dogs; and in they went, and -soon out came the tigers followed by the dogs. The tigers ran a short -distance and then turned and faced the dogs, and the dogs pounced -on them, and they rolled over and over till the children laughed so -heartily they were obliged to sit down. - -Soon one of the tigers jumped up and ran off, and one of the dogs -chased him into a corner, and then the tiger did something very -unexpected. All at once he stopped and put his head on one side as if -he were listening to something, and then he gave a little mew, and both -he and the hunting-dog began pulling the hay away with their claws. - -“They hear a mouse, I do believe,” said Tom. - -“They wouldn’t dig the hay away like that for a mouse,” said Nancy; -“they’d sit still and watch till it came out.” - -“What can it be?” said the children, looking at each other in surprise, -for the other two kittens had joined them, and all four were evidently -in a state of great excitement. - -“Let’s help ’em,” said Nancy; and she at once began pulling the hay -away in large handfuls. Soon she heard a faint “meaw!” from beneath the -hay, and she kept on digging till at last out walked the little gray -kitten! - -“You dear thing!” cried Posy, catching her up in her arms and hugging -her. “How did you get in there? Her must have some milk right straight -off, Nancy.” - -Tom and Nancy followed Posy into the kitchen; and the barn-cat, who had -just returned from a hunting expedition of her own, followed too, and -jumped on the window-sill of the kitchen that she might see what went -on without being driven away by the house-cat or Hannah. - -The little gray kitten was soon drinking her saucer of milk -contentedly, while the children stood around as happy as she herself -was; but not one of them was more gratified than the barn-cat, who was -so fond of her little _protégé_. - -“Why, where has my necklace gone,” said Posy suddenly, putting her hand -up to her neck,--“my pretty amber necklace that Uncle Tom gave me?” - -“You must have dropped it in the barn while we were playing,” said -Nancy; “I’ll run back and look.” - -After a few minutes Nancy came back, walking slowly and with a -disappointed expression on her face. “I’ve looked everywhere,” she -said, “but I can’t find it.” - -“I didn’t suppose you would find it,” said Hannah dryly. “I guess -you’ve seen the last of your necklace, Posy; it’s gone to find the -cat’s collar, I guess. Come,” she continued, turning to Nancy, “you -just understand that this won’t do here.” - -“I don’t know what you mean,” stammered poor Nancy, looking pale and -frightened. - -“Yes, you do understand well enough,” said Hannah. “You just hand over -that necklace and that cat’s collar, or there’ll be trouble, I can tell -you.” - -“I don’t know where they are,” said Nancy, trembling. “I haven’t -touched them. The necklace was on Posy’s neck when we were playing in -the barn.” - -“Yes, I know that,” answered Hannah; “and you may as well own up first -as last. Come, hand it over;” and she laid her hand on Nancy’s shoulder -and gave her a shake. - -“Indeed I don’t know where it is,” cried Nancy, bursting into tears; -“_do_ believe me!” - -“She _didn’t_ steal it,” said Tom stoutly; “I know she didn’t! Here, -you just let her alone, old Hannah!” - -“Hannah,” said Posy, stamping her little foot, “you’re a bad, bad -girl, and I don’t love you one bit!” and Posy too burst into tears of -excitement. - -“We’ll see who is the bad one before long,” said Hannah calmly. - -“You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” said Tom fiercely, and almost -ready to cry with Nancy and Posy. - -“Why, what’s all this?” said Mamma, coming into the kitchen. “What has -happened?” and she looked in surprise from one to the other of the -excited group. - -“Posy’s necklace has disappeared, and I said I thought Nancy took it, -and I say so now,” said Hannah decidedly. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - -“NANCY _didn’t_ steal my necklace, I _know_ her didn’t,” said Posy. - -“Of course she didn’t,” said Tom; “it must have dropped off while we -were playing tiger.” - -“Then why isn’t it there?” asked Hannah triumphantly; “it couldn’t have -run away by itself, I suppose.” - -“Why do you accuse Nancy of taking it, Hannah?” asked Mrs. Winton. - -“Because it isn’t the first thing that has disappeared since she came -here. My silver thimble is missing too. I had it yesterday when I was -sitting in the porch sewing.” - -“But it is very wrong to accuse anybody unless you have proof of his -guilt,” said Mrs. Winton. - -“Oh, do _please_ believe me, ma’am!” said Nancy, with the tears running -down her cheeks and a most distressed look in her face. “How could I be -so mean as to steal from people who have been so kind to me,--and from -dear little Posy too! Oh, do _please_ believe me!” - -“I _will_ believe you, Nancy,” said Mrs. Winton kindly. “Now stop -crying, and remember that we will be your friends as long as you are a -good little girl. Run out to play, children, and perhaps you will find -the necklace.” - -So Nancy dried her tears and was tenderly conducted out of doors by Tom -and Posy on either side; and they proved such good comforters that in a -short time she was laughing heartily. - -“Now, Hannah,” said Mrs. Winton, when the children were gone, “I want -you to give up the thought that Nancy is a thief. She is a poor, -neglected child, and I should think that all your sympathies would go -out towards her.” - -“I don’t believe in her honesty,” replied Hannah, unmoved. “I made up -my mind she was a thief the first time I sot eyes on her.” - -“First impressions are not to be trusted,” said Mrs. Winton. “I -shall believe the child honest until I have reason to doubt her, and -certainly there has been nothing to prove her guilt yet.” - -Hannah didn’t dare say more, but she secretly resolved to watch the -child closely. - -The barn-cat, sitting on the window-sill, had heard the whole -conversation, and so had the little gray kitten; and the barn-cat -reported it faithfully to Mrs. Polly, who was greatly troubled by it. -“I’ll think it over and see if I can find any way to prove Nancy’s -innocence,” she said. “‘Give a dog a bad name and it will stick to -him,’ is a very true saying, and we must clear this poor child’s -reputation, or by-and-by others besides Hannah will begin to suspect -her. Yes, I’ll think the matter over carefully and see what can be -done. The sparrow moves his family over here to-day, and I am very glad -of it. I am in hopes he will turn over a new leaf and stay at home more -in the future.” - -“Seeing is believing,” said the barn-cat dryly; “I haven’t much hope of -him myself.” - -It was true that the sparrow was about to move. Mrs. Polly’s sharp -eyes had discovered a deserted swallow’s nest just under the roof of -the piazza, in a position where she could watch what went on; and -she proposed that he should put it in order for his family. The plan -pleased the sparrow, and he at once set to work to build. He brought -bits of straw and twine and hair, in fact anything he could find, and -put it inside the swallow’s nest. He was a careless fellow, and didn’t -spend any more time than was necessary over the building; but when it -was finished it was quite a nice little house,--a great improvement, -certainly, on the house in the elm-tree that his family now occupied. - -The next day the sparrow appeared, escorting his bright-eyed wife and -her three little ones, now fine strong young birds; and they seemed -much pleased with their new quarters. - -“That bright-eyed Mrs. Sparrow is a nice little thing,” said Mrs. Polly -to herself, “much too nice to be neglected by that scamp of a husband -of hers. I’ll keep a sharp lookout, and set matters straight if he goes -on in the old way.” - -The sparrow was very attentive to his family the first day, and brought -the finest worms and insects he could find for them to eat, and busied -himself for their comfort in many ways, and the bright-eyed sparrow -looked very happy; but when twilight came on the sparrow became a -little restless and nervous, as if he had something on his mind. Mrs. -Polly’s shrewd eyes noticed all this, and she said to herself,-- - -“It’s just as I thought; but I _did_ think he’d have sense enough to -stay at home the first night. It’s much worse than I thought.” - -“Good-night, my dear,” said the sparrow, coming up to his bright-eyed -wife and giving her a hasty kiss; “I’ll be in as early as I can.” - -“You don’t mean to say you’re going to leave me the very first night -after we’ve been separated so long, and in a strange place too?” said -the bright-eyed sparrow indignantly. - -“Only for a short time, my dear. It’s an engagement I made some time -ago. Very sorry, upon my honor; but I must keep my word!” - -“How _can_ you treat me so?” said the bright-eyed sparrow. “You ought -to be ashamed of yourself. I’ll go back to-morrow, and never live with -you any more!” - -The sparrow considered a moment. He _was_ a good-natured fellow in -spite of his roving propensities. He looked at the bright-eyed sparrow; -she was crying, and he couldn’t leave her feeling so unhappy. He went -up to her and said in a very tender tone,-- - -“See here, my dear! don’t you know that you’re going to work the wrong -way? I am the easiest fellow to manage you ever saw if you know how to -take me.” - -“I wish I knew the way to take you,” answered the bright-eyed sparrow; -“I’d take it fast enough. _I_ manage _you_, indeed!” and she gave a -scornful little laugh. - -“Did you ever hear that you could catch more flies with molasses than -with vinegar?” said the sparrow. “Well, my dear, I am willing to be -caught with molasses, but clip my pinions if you’ll catch _me_ with -vinegar! Come, my dear,” he said very gently and putting his little -head close to hers, “if you want me to stay at home tell me that you -care a little for me, and make me feel good, instead of telling me what -a worthless fellow I am.” - -“Will you really and truly stay?” said the bright-eyed sparrow, smiling -through her tears. - -“Really and truly,” answered the sparrow tenderly. - -“Then I’ll think you are the dearest and best husband in the whole -world,” answered the bright-eyed sparrow; and she reached up her little -beak and gave him a hearty kiss. - -“That’s as it should be,” said Mrs. Polly to herself, with her nod of -satisfaction, “but it won’t last long. He’ll be trying it over again -soon, and they’ll not always make up so easy. I _do_ wish he had firmer -principles!” - -Mrs. Polly was right. It _was_ not very long before there was trouble -again in the sparrow’s household. One afternoon the bright-eyed sparrow -looked very anxious. She flew backward and forward, and perched on the -top of the tallest trees and looked about in every direction, and then -she flew home again and peered out of her little house with a very -distressed expression. - -“I know what it all means,” said Mrs. Polly; “that scamp of a husband -of hers is off again. I must give him a talking to. He ought to set a -better example to his young family.” - -“Good-evening, my dear,” she called to the bright-eyed sparrow, who was -just then looking out of her house; “hasn’t your husband come home -yet? He ought to be in by this time.” - -“Oh! he’ll come soon, I dare say,” answered the bright-eyed sparrow -cheerfully; “he’s probably been detained by business.” - -“Don’t feel anxious, my dear,” said Mrs. Polly; “nothing will happen to -him.” - -“Oh, I’m not at all anxious,” said the bright-eyed sparrow, with a -great attempt at cheerfulness; but her voice was not as hopeful as her -words, and it had a sad tone that quite touched Mrs. Polly. - -“He’s been away all day long,” whispered the canary to Mrs. Polly; “I -saw him go off early this morning, and if she sees him before to-morrow -morning it’s more than I think she will.” - -“I declare it is too bad, too bad!” said Mrs. Polly, shaking her head -gravely. - -The canary was right. Just before daybreak the next morning they heard -the sparrow come home; and although the dining-room window was closed, -they knew from the sounds that reached them that the sparrows had a -quarrel. Mrs. Polly waited until the sparrow was awake,--for he slept -late after his dissipation, and it was afternoon before he was fully -awake,--and then she called to them that she had something to say to -them. - -Both of the birds flew down and seated themselves on the -flowering-currant bush before the dining-room window, where Mrs. Polly -could converse easily with them. - -[Illustration: “Why do you accuse Nancy of taking it?”--_Page 204._] - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - -MRS. POLLY looked seriously from the sparrow, who sat pluming his -ruffled feathers, to his little wife, who looked as fresh and -bright-eyed as ever. - -“I want to have a little talk with you,” began Mrs. Polly in a serious -tone, “and I take it that this is as good a time as any.” - -“Delighted, I’m sure,” said the sparrow indifferently, as he continued -his toilet. - -“I’ve noticed,” said Mrs. Polly severely, for she was not pleased with -the sparrow’s frivolous manner, “that you neglect your family a good -deal. I’ve seen more than you are aware of.” - -“Flattered, I’m sure, by the attention,” replied the sparrow, carefully -picking out a particularly rough feather and drawing his beak through -it. - -“My friend,” said Mrs. Polly in the same serious tone, “you won’t deter -me from doing my duty by such frivolous remarks. I have lived in the -world long enough to see many generations of sparrows come and go, and -I shall _not_ see a young couple beginning life start out on such a -mistaken course as you have chosen, without making an attempt to set -them right. Pray, what were you married for, I should like to know?” - -The sparrow considered a moment and then said waggishly,-- - -“Give it up.” - -“I can tell you,” answered Mrs. Polly. “You saw that pretty bright-eyed -sparrow, and you made her think there never was such a handsome, -wonderful fellow as you were, and you married her without a thought of -the future. It never occurred to you that you must take care of her -and protect her. She has done her part, and has been a faithful mother -to your children; but how have you done yours? Flying around here and -there, flirting with this one and rollicking with that one. I know your -ways. Your family would have starved long ago if it had not been for -your little wife there.” - -“He has been a very good husband indeed,” said the bright-eyed sparrow -warmly. “I have nothing to complain of.” - -“It is very loving of you to defend your husband, my dear, but he -doesn’t really deserve it. I saw you, last evening, looking out for him -so anxiously, and I heard him, too, come home this morning just before -daybreak, and I knew you had words about it. You make up, I know, and -are very affectionate until the next outbreak occurs; but you may take -my word for it that every quarrel you have weakens the love you bear -each other, and by-and-by there will be no makings up, and a feeling of -bitterness will take the place of the love you now have for each other.” - -Both her listeners were silent, as Mrs. Polly paused for a moment and -looked seriously at them; then she continued,-- - -“I have seen many young couples begin as you have begun and grow apart -from each other; but I take too much interest in you, my friends, to -see you go wrong without a word of warning. Think of your young family -and the responsibility of setting a good example to them; their young -eyes are keener than you think they are.” - -The sparrow had thrown aside his indifferent manner, and listened -attentively to the last part of Mrs. Polly’s remarks; and as she -concluded, he hopped on the bough beside the bright-eyed sparrow and -nestled affectionately against her. - -“You are right,” he said; “I am a worthless vagabond, and don’t -deserve such a good little wife as I’ve got; but with all your wisdom, -Mrs. Polly, haven’t you learned that you can’t teach an old dog new -tricks?” - -“Nonsense!” said Mrs. Polly decidedly; “the idea of a bright young -fellow like you talking in that style! You’ve got sense enough, and -you’re good-hearted and brave; now don’t throw away all those good -qualities, but use them to make of yourself a useful member of society.” - -“I’ll be shot if I don’t try,” said the sparrow, with an affectionate -glance at the bright-eyed sparrow; and judging from the manner in which -she nestled against him, it was very evident to Mrs. Polly that there -was plenty of love left. - -Meanwhile Graywhisker sat in his hole, laying plans for the future. - -“It’s provoking,” he said to himself, “that they found the gray -kitten so soon. However, I caused them some trouble, and it couldn’t -have been very pleasant for her to be penned up over night in the -hay without food; there’s some comfort in that. Then I’ve got Posy’s -amber necklace all safe. She didn’t think the ‘great ugly rat’ that -frightened her so when she was playing in the barn knew enough to pick -it up when it dropped off. Well, that’s encouraging too; and then -Hannah’s thimble,--here it is, safe and sound, and here it will stay; -and then, my dear Mrs. Barn-cat, here’s your fine collar that you were -so fond of. You were in such an excited state of mind when you lost -it off that you didn’t know it had gone. Here it is, and here it will -remain too. I should like to see you venture in here again, my fine -young cock-sparrow; you wouldn’t get off quite so easily the next time, -I can tell you. I shan’t go out again without leaving somebody here on -guard. Hallo! who’s that?” he exclaimed, as his quick ears caught a -faint sound. “Oh, I know your light step, Mrs. Silverskin; come in.” - -Mrs. Silverskin appeared in her usual timid manner. “I have heard -something I thought you would be pleased to know,” she said in her -little weak voice. “I was hiding behind the kitchen door yesterday, -where I picked up a few crumbs the children had dropped from their -lunch, and I heard Hannah tell Mrs. Winton that Nancy was a thief, and -had stolen Posy’s amber necklace and Hannah’s silver thimble and the -cat’s collar.” - -“Good!” exclaimed Graywhisker, with a disagreeable chuckle that -displayed his broken front tooth very unpleasantly; “nothing could be -better! and what did Mrs. Winton say?” - -“She said she didn’t believe it,--that she should believe her innocent -until she had proof of her guilt.” - -“She _shall_ have proof of it,” said the old rat maliciously, “and -before long too.” - -“How so?” asked Mrs. Silverskin. - -“It’s easy enough to bring that about,” replied Graywhisker. “Don’t you -see that if Hannah’s thimble is hidden among Nancy’s things it will be -sufficient proof of her guilt?” - -“But who will put it there?” asked Mrs. Silverskin, who had a secret -misgiving that the task would fall upon her. - -“You!” said Graywhisker; “haven’t I done favors enough for you?” - -“I came very near being caught by the house-cat when I stole Hannah’s -thimble,” said poor Mrs. Silverskin, “and I am afraid to go there so -often.” - -“Very well, Madam, then you can take the consequences,” replied -Graywhisker fiercely. - -“I suppose I must,” answered the little mouse sadly; “but if anything -happens to me I hope you will see that my family are provided for.” - -“You need have no fears for them,” answered Graywhisker. “To-night, -when all is still, you take the thimble and hide it among some of -Nancy’s things in her chamber. Hannah will find it before long, and -then we’ll see how long they will believe Nancy innocent.” - -A little later the sparrow was flying by Major, who was hitched to a -post in the yard, ready to go to the depot for Mr. Winton, when he -neighed to him to stop. - -“Come here a minute and sit near me while I tell you something very -important,” he said. - -The sparrow did as he was bid, and perched on top of the post, close to -Major’s nose. - -“A little while ago, while I was taking my after-dinner nap,” began -Major, “I heard voices, and I can tell you my ears were wide open. I -soon discovered that the speakers were Mrs. Silverskin and a friend of -hers. Mrs. Silverskin said, ‘I am all of a tremble, for I’ve just had -an interview with Graywhisker, and he insists on my taking Hannah’s -silver thimble and putting it among Nancy’s things, to make them think -she stole it.’ - -“‘Well, what is there to tremble about?’ said the other mouse; ‘I don’t -see anything alarming in that.’ - -“‘Just think of the danger I run in passing the house-cat,’ said Mrs. -Silverskin; ‘she very nearly caught me the other day when I stole the -thimble.’ - -“‘She isn’t half so bad as the barn-cat,’ said the other mouse. - -“‘I know she isn’t quite so quick, but she’s too quick to suit me.’ - -“‘I wouldn’t go, then; tell Graywhisker to go himself.’ - -“‘Dear me! you don’t know him as well as I do. I _must_ go!’ - -“‘Well, then, why need you go through the kitchen at all?’ - -“‘How in the world can I get into the chamber without? I can’t climb up -the side of the house,’ said Mrs. Silverskin. - -“‘Don’t you know the way through the shed? You just go through the -shed, and up the stairs that lead to the loft above, where they keep -stores, and you’ll find a little hole down at the right-hand corner -that leads into the chamber. I helped gnaw it one night, and I know all -about it. I’ve bitten off pieces of Hannah’s tallow candle more than -once.’ - -“‘It’s a great relief to know that,’ said Mrs. Silverskin; ‘thank you -for the information.’” - -“And I thank her for the information too,” said the sparrow. “I can’t -attend to it myself,” he added, with an air of importance, “because -I’m a family man and don’t like to be knocking around nights; but our -friend the house-cat will be on hand, I’ve no doubt. The sooner I -inform her of the matter the better;” and he flew off in search of the -house-cat. - -[Illustration: “The sparrow perched on the top of the post.”--_Page -223._] - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - -THAT night when Hannah was ready to go to bed, the house-cat was -nowhere to be found. She didn’t like to go to bed and lock her out, for -she feared she might come home during the night and make a disturbance; -and, moreover, she didn’t fancy the thought of getting up after she had -gone to bed, to let her in. - -Hannah went to the door and called, but there was no answer; and after -going about the garden, calling “Puss, puss,” her patience gave out -and she went back to the kitchen. “Stay out, then, if you want to; you -won’t catch me getting up to let you in, if you yawl all night,” she -said, as she shut and bolted the door. - -The house-kittens might have given her some information on the subject, -if she could have understood their language,--for their mother had -told them, early in the evening, not to be alarmed if she were out all -night, as she had very important business to attend to; but Hannah only -thought they were mewing for their mother, when they tried to make her -understand. So Hannah went up to bed, where Nancy was already sound -asleep in her little cot-bed and happily unconscious of the deep plot -laid for her by the evil-minded old rat. - -“You look innocent enough,” said Hannah, as her eyes fell on the -sleeping child, who was smiling in her sleep at some pleasant dream; -“but I don’t trust you,--appearances are too suspicious.” - -Soon Hannah too was fast asleep, and the house silent. - -Then, when everything was quiet, old Graywhisker, with Hannah’s -silver thimble in his mouth, came softly out of his hole and looked -cautiously around to see if the barn-cat were in sight. Not a sound was -to be heard, and he crept slyly along till he came to a hole in the -corner of the barn farthest from the barn-cat’s nest; for he didn’t -dare trust the private entrance any more, and had made this new exit -with the help of some of the younger rats. - -When he found himself out of doors he looked anxiously about. Yes, -there was Mrs. Silverskin, just where she had agreed to be; and he went -towards her. - -“Here is the thimble, and mind you don’t lose it!” he said, as he -dropped it noiselessly on the ground in front of the little mouse. “Be -sure you put it among Nancy’s things, where Hannah will be likely to -see it.” - -“I will do my best,” said Mrs. Silverskin softly. - -“You are quite sure you understand the way through the shed?” asked -Graywhisker. - -“Quite sure,” answered the little mouse; “I don’t see how I could -possibly miss it.” - -“Well, then, all is quiet now, and the sooner you are off the better.” - -Mrs. Silverskin took up the thimble and started on her expedition, and -the old rat returned to his hole to await her return. - -When the little mouse came to the shed-door, she stopped and looked -cautiously around. Not a sound was to be heard, and she crept through -a little hole under the door and entered the shed. Everything was very -still,--not even a mouse was stirring besides herself,--and she soon -came to the stairs that led to the loft above. - -A ray of moonlight fell across the stairs, and little Mrs. Silverskin -stopped a minute to rest and laid the silver thimble down. It shone -very prettily in the moonlight, and she looked at it longingly. - -“How my children would like it for a plaything!” she said to herself; -“it seems a shame they can’t have it. It is too bad to make them think -that poor child is a thief. She has a very good heart. I heard them -say she used to save crumbs for the mice when she didn’t have enough -to eat herself. Posy, too,--she is such a dear child, I hate to make -her so unhappy. I believe I will keep it for my babies, and make old -Graywhisker think I put it in Nancy’s room. But then if he should ever -find out the truth it would be the end of me; and he’d be sure to find -it out, for he knows everything. The barn-cat came near getting him the -other day,--I’m sure I wish she had. Dear me! what was that noise?” - -Little Mrs. Silverskin trembled like a leaf; but all was still again, -and she concluded it was only something that fell down in the loft -above. So, when she was quite sure everything was quiet again, she -took up the thimble and went on very cautiously. - -She reached the head of the stairs and found herself in the loft, -and over there in the corner was the hole just as her friend had -described it to her. “If I wasn’t sure the house-cat was locked up in -the kitchen, I should think she was somewhere about,” said little Mrs. -Silverskin to herself, “for I feel cold shivers down my spine just as -I always do when she or the barn-cat is about; but I’m only nervous, I -guess.” - -So the little mouse went on her way, and had nearly reached the hole, -when suddenly from behind a barrel darted the house-cat, her large -yellow eyes glaring fiercely in the moonlight. - -The poor little mouse gave a squeak of terror, and dropping the silver -thimble ran swiftly for her life, closely followed by the house-cat. -One pause or misstep and all would have been over with Mrs. Silverskin; -and thinking of her babies at home who were waiting for her, she ran -as she never ran before, dreading every moment to feel the house-cat’s -cruel claws; but she reached the hole under the shed-door in safety, -and had just time to whisk her tail in after her when the house-cat’s -claws were at the entrance. - -How her little heart did beat when she reached the barn; and how much -faster still it beat when she remembered that she had left Hannah’s -silver thimble behind, and must give an account of herself to old -Graywhisker! Yes, there was the old rat peering out of his hole, and -she couldn’t pass without his seeing her. His sharp old eyes soon spied -her out, and he called to her to stop. - -“Well,” he said, eying her sharply as she stood trembling before him, -“how did you get along? Come, don’t keep me waiting here all night!” - -“I got along very well,” said the little mouse, “until I reached the -loft, and I was almost up to the hole in the corner when all at once -out sprang the house-cat and I had to run for dear life. I never had -such a narrow escape in my life.” - -“And the thimble!” exclaimed the old rat in a fierce tone; “where is -the thimble?” - -“I dropped it in my fright,” said the little mouse in a shaking voice. -“I couldn’t run with it in my mouth; the house-cat would surely have -caught me if I had.” - -“What!” squeaked the old rat. “You lost the thimble, did you?” and he -sprang so suddenly at the poor little mouse that she gave a loud squeal -of terror,--so loud that the barn-cat awoke from one of her light -cat-naps and quickly started up. As she appeared, both Graywhisker and -Mrs. Silverskin ran. - -“I believe I’m more afraid of Graywhisker than I am even of the -barn-cat,” said the little mouse to herself, as she reached her hole -above the mow in safety. “Dear me, what a fearful night this has been! -To be almost caught by the house-cat, pounced on by Graywhisker, and -then chased by the barn-cat! Graywhisker is certainly the worst of the -three! What _will_ he do to me for losing the thimble? I shan’t dare to -stir out of my house till the affair has blown over.” - -The next morning the house-kittens were busily playing. - -“What has got into those kittens? They act as if they were crazy,” said -Hannah, when she had nearly fallen over them for the fifth time before -breakfast. “Here, you run out of doors and play there,” she continued, -driving them out; “I don’t care to break my neck just yet!” So out the -kittens went, and the same performance was gone through with there. - -“What can those kittens have to play with, do you suppose?” said -Nancy, as the children came in from the garden to breakfast; “they are -rolling something that shines;” and they ran up to examine it more -closely. - -“It is Hannah’s silver thimble, I do believe!” exclaimed Tom, as he -picked up the shining plaything. - -“Oh, I’m so glad!” cried Nancy joyfully; “now she won’t think I stole -it.” - -“I shall show it to her right off this very minute,” said Posy, -snatching the thimble out of Tom’s hand and running into the kitchen -with it in a very earnest manner. - -“Hannah,” she said, holding up the thimble, “here is your silver -thimble,--the house-kittens had it to play with, and Nancy didn’t steal -it, there now!” - -Hannah put the thimble in her pocket without a word; but this didn’t -satisfy Posy, who liked to see justice done, and always felt -distressed if people were not harmonious in their relations to each -other. - -“_Now_ you know her isn’t a thief, don’t you, Hannah?” said Posy in her -most winning tones. - -“I suppose she didn’t take the thimble,” replied Hannah; “but the -necklace and the cat’s collar haven’t turned up yet.” - -“Hannah!” cried Posy indignantly, “I think you are a very mean girl, -and I shan’t ever come and help you cook any more!” - -“Oh, do!” said Hannah, trying to look very serious; “however shall I -get along with my cooking if you don’t help me?” - -“No,” replied Posy decidedly, “I shan’t ever help you make cookies or -anything else; see if I do!” - -[Illustration: Mrs. Silverskin drops the thimble.--_Page 232._] - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - -THE next morning Mr. and Mrs. Winton were talking earnestly together in -the dining-room, and Mrs. Polly was listening with all her might, for -the conversation turned on a subject that interested her greatly. At -a very important stage of the conversation the door opened, and Posy -entered. - -Mrs. Polly was greatly annoyed at the interruption, and at once called -“Posy,” in a voice so like Tom’s that for a moment Posy thought it -really was Tom’s voice; the second time Polly called, Posy detected the -deception. - -“I know your voice, Mrs. Polly,” said Posy, “you can’t fool me quite so -easy;” and the large peanuts in Polly’s cage looked so very inviting -that she couldn’t resist the temptation of fishing one out, Mrs. -Polly’s sharp eyes watching her fingers and trying to give them a nip, -although she wouldn’t have had the heart to hurt Posy in spite of her -annoyance. - -“What do you want, Posy?” asked Mamma, who had stopped talking as soon -as the little girl appeared. - -“Miss Pompadour is going to be married,” said Posy, “and her wants a -nice handkerchief with pretty lace on it.” - -Mamma agreed to let her have the handkerchief provided she would return -it, and told Posy where she could find it; but Posy still lingered, -much to Mrs. Polly’s vexation, for the interesting conversation that -Posy had interrupted would not be resumed as long as she remained in -the room. - -“Her wants a fan too,” said Posy. - -“A fan?” said Mamma. “Oh no, she doesn’t need a fan.” - -“Yes, her does,” persisted Posy, “her’s to be married, you know, and -her must have a fan to blush on.” - -“‘To blush on’?” asked Mamma. “Why, what _do_ you mean, Posy?” - -“Why, don’t you ’member ‘Jenny blushed behind her fan’? Peoples always -does, Tom says.” - -“If Tom says so it must be so,” said Papa. “I think Mamma can let you -have a fan for such an important occasion, Posy.” - -“You are a dear, kind Papa,” said Posy, hugging him; “and if you’ll -give me a dollar I’ll buy you such a _beautiful_ birthday present! I -may as well tell you what it is, for you’ll forget all about it before -the time comes.” - -“Don’t tell me,” said Papa, “I like to be surprised; but you shall have -the dollar when the time comes if you’ll run off now, for Mamma has -something to say to me.” - -So off ran Posy for the handkerchief and fan, and when they were alone -again Mrs. Winton continued:-- - -“As I was telling you, you don’t know how unhappy I feel about Nancy. -Hannah insists that she took Posy’s necklace--” - -“Rats!” called out Polly in a loud tone, “rats!” - -“Be quiet, Polly,” said Mrs. Winton.--“I don’t think it right to -suspect the child without proof; but I must say that it looks very -suspicious, and then, too, when Posy missed the necklace she offered to -run back to the barn and look for it; but she felt so badly when Hannah -accused her, that I pitied her and didn’t believe she could have taken -it.” - -“Rats!” called Polly again. - -“She doesn’t look like a dishonest child,” said Mr. Winton; “but the -poor thing has been so neglected and abused that it wouldn’t be -strange if the temptation were too great for her sometimes. We must be -on the lookout, for if she is really dishonest this will not be the -last of her thefts.” - -“The children are very fond of her, and she certainly does seem devoted -to them, especially Posy. I must say it makes me very uneasy to think -my innocent children may be influenced by her to do something wrong.” - -“I don’t believe it,” said Mr. Winton, “I don’t believe she will injure -either of them; but I would watch her closely, and if you have reason -to suspect her again, investigate the matter thoroughly, for the poor -child has never had any care and you may perhaps be the means of saving -her.” - -“Then Hannah says,” resumed Mrs. Winton, “that she misses a good deal -from the stores in the loft over the shed,--sugar and raisins and such -things,--and she is sure Nancy takes them.” - -“Rats! rats!” screamed Mrs. Polly again, so loudly that Mr. Winton -exclaimed,-- - -“What a nuisance that bird is when she screams so! I wonder if she does -see a rat! She sticks to it so persistently I shouldn’t wonder;” and he -rose and looked out of the window. There were no signs of rats there, -however; the only living creatures he saw were the little sparrows who -had a nest under the eaves of the piazza. - -“Well, I must go,” he said, as he came back from the window. “Major -will think that I have forgotten he is waiting harnessed;” and soon -Mrs. Polly and the canary were the only occupants of the dining-room. - -“Provoking!” exclaimed Mrs. Polly. “I do think human beings are the -stupidest things! Here I told them, as plainly as could be, that -the rats stole Posy’s necklace and the sugar and raisins, and they -couldn’t understand! Talk about animals not being as intelligent as -human beings! Why can’t they understand us as well as we can them, I -should like to know!” - -“It does seem strange they didn’t know what you meant,” said the -canary; “I am sure you spoke plainly enough.” - -“I can’t understand,” said Mrs. Polly in an irritable tone, “how they -can be so stupid. Here they know that the rats steal Major’s oats, and -that it is the habit of rats to steal anything that attracts their -attention, and yet it never occurs to them that they are the ones that -take the sugar and raisins! If the barn-cat and the house-cat were not -so jealous of each other and didn’t quarrel all the time, they might -catch old Graywhisker, for he is the one that makes all the trouble; -but no, they can’t work together, and while one is at one end of the -hole, he slips out of the other. If they could only agree together for -one to watch at each end, they’d catch him fast enough.” - -“There’ll be trouble as long as he lives,” sighed the canary. “Posy -said Michael was going to set a trap for him.” - -“Much good that will do,” replied Mrs. Polly scornfully; “he’s too old -a head to walk into a trap.” - -All this time the barn-cat and the house-cat had been devoting all -their energies to catching Graywhisker. It was very seldom that either -one or the other was not in the way when he attempted to venture out; -and the barn-cat set the gray kitten and the little tiger-kittens to -watch when she could not. - -The gray kitten had grown stronger than she was when she first came to -live there, and the young tiger-kittens considered themselves a match -even for Graywhisker. As for poor little Mrs. Silverskin, she dared not -venture out at all in these troubled times; for, between her fear of -Graywhisker and the cats, times were hard indeed. - -Old Graywhisker felt that his case was becoming desperate. He sat -in his house and looked around on his once well-filled larder. Not -a crust, or rind of cheese or pork, was left. His last crumb was -gone, and where was he to get more? It was now several days since he -had dared venture out, and it was evident the cats were bent on his -destruction, for there was now never a time when one of them was not -about. He knew he must make a bold move and try to escape from the cats -or else die of starvation. - -“You’ll never catch Graywhisker there,” said the barn-cat to the -house-cat, who was watching the hole outside the barn. “He comes out by -half a dozen different ways.” - -“Then why don’t you catch him yourself? If you know so much better than -anybody else, I should think it would be easy enough,” retorted the -house-cat angrily. - -“I intend to catch him,” replied the barn-cat; “he’ll soon be starved -out and _have_ to leave his hole.” - -“And I intend to catch him too,” said the house-cat. - -“Between you both you’ll lose him,” said the sparrow to himself, who, -perched on a pear-tree, had overheard the conversation. - -Meanwhile Graywhisker grew more and more hungry. He searched his house -over and over again, hoping that he might have overlooked a crust, but -he could find nothing. Then his eyes fell on the barn-cat’s collar, -and he gave the ugly grin that displayed the broken front tooth so -unpleasantly. “If I can’t make you ornamental I can at least make you -useful, my dear Mrs. Barn-cat,” he said. “Leather is not as much to -my taste as pork or cheese or sugar, but it is better than nothing; -so here goes!” and taking the pretty red collar between his forepaws, -he bit out a large piece. “Not much flavor,” he continued; “but if you -think of a nice bit of toasted cheese or a delicate piece of pork rind -while it’s going down, it isn’t so bad.” - -Soon nothing remained of the gay little collar that had been the -barn-cat’s pride, but the plate on which to engrave the name and the -padlock that used to tinkle so musically; but after the leather was -eaten up, Graywhisker became desperate indeed! - -“If I could get hold of one of those tiger-kittens, wouldn’t it be a -treat?” he exclaimed, with a horrible grimace. “I _will_ venture out, -cost what it may. I don’t know as it would be any worse to be caught -by the cats than to die here slowly by inches. Oh, if I could only get -hold of one of those young rats or Mrs. Silverskin! I’d make them -bring me something to eat,--they are so much lighter than I am they can -slip along more easily.” - -The barn-cat sat behind a post in the barn, where she could hear and -see without being seen, and the house-cat was watching a hole outside -with great perseverance. - -“He can’t come out without one of us seeing him,” said the barn-cat to -herself; “I am sure of that. One thing is certain; he can’t stand it -much longer. He _must_ venture out soon for food, and then--” - -Yes, she was right; he was coming out at last,--that was his long -gray nose looking out of his hole, and those his small sharp eyes. -Hardly daring to breathe, the barn-cat watched every motion. He looked -anxiously around in every direction, and then stole softly along. The -barn-cat did not stir until he was directly opposite the post where -she was concealed, and then gave a sudden spring, and her sharp claws -were fastened in his back, and the old thief and plotter was a prisoner! - -[Illustration: Posy takes a peanut from Mrs. Polly’s cage.--_Page -239._] - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - -“COME to the barn, the three of yees, till ye see the big rat the -barn-cat is after catching,” said Michael to the children the next -morning; and off they started, in such a hurry that poor little Posy -tripped over a stone and scraped the skin off her chubby little hands. - -“Be a brave girl and don’t cry,” said Tom encouragingly, looking at -Posy’s face, that was distorted from the effort she made to keep from -crying. - -“No,” said Posy, swallowing very hard and winking back the tears; “I -don’t cry at trifles, do I, Tom? Some girls would cry, wouldn’t they, -Tom? The tears might come into my eyes just a little bit, you know, -but I wouldn’t cry;” and two great tears rolled down Posy’s cheeks as -she spoke. - -Nancy and Tom wiped the little hands very tenderly, and Tom’s praise -of her fortitude made the smarting much easier to bear; and in a few -minutes the three children were on their way to the barn again. - -On the barn-floor lay a large rat, gray around the nose from age, and -nearly as large as the barn-cat herself, who sat near by. - -“He’s an old fellow,” said Michael; “ye can see that by the gray beard -of him.” - -“Look at his long yellow teeth,” said Tom, stooping to examine the rat -more closely, “and one of them is broken off. I guess ’twas done in a -fight, don’t you, Michael?” - -“It’s as like as not,” answered Michael. - -“How pleased the cats seem to be!” said Posy, looking from the -barn-cat, who watched the dead rat with so much satisfaction, to -the gray kitten, who looked on from behind her, and the house-cat, -who appeared at the door and looked in with great interest. The -tiger-kittens came too, and were so curious they couldn’t see all -they wanted to without going up to the rat and smelling around him, -till their mother gave a little “meaw” and drove them back. Then the -house-kittens came too, and peeped around the corner. - -“I’m glad he’s out of the way, even if I didn’t catch him myself,” said -the house-cat. - -The barn-cat was of too generous a disposition to boast of her victory. -“It doesn’t make any difference who caught him, now that he _is_ -caught. What I want to see next is, these boards ripped up and the old -fellow’s nest examined; for I am certain my collar and Posy’s necklace -will be found there.” - -“I wonder they don’t think of it,” said the house-cat; “but human -beings are so stupid I declare I’ve no patience with them.” - -“The cats mew just as if they were talking it over,” said Tom. - -“I shouldn’t wonder if they were,” said Posy; “I wish we knew what they -were saying.” - -“I wish you did,” said the house-cat, “but that would be expecting too -much of you.” - -The sparrow, too, had heard the news, and perched on the window to get -a look at the notorious Graywhisker who had caused so much mischief. - -“I should have been in a pretty fix if that old fellow had come home -and found me in his house that time,” he said to himself; “one thing -is certain, I shouldn’t be sitting here now if he had. Hallo, my dear! -you came to get a sight of the old villain, did you?” he said to the -bright-eyed sparrow who lit beside him. - -“I do believe those sparrows have come to see the rat too,” said Nancy. - -Major, also, had turned around in his box-stall and faced the little -group assembled around the dead rat, and appeared to take great -interest in the event. - -“Now, the only thing left to do is to tear up those boards and bring -the old fellow’s nest to light,” neighed Major. - -“I guess Major is saying he’s glad the old rat won’t be able to steal -any more of his oats, don’t you, Tom?” said Posy, going up to the -gentle horse and stroking his soft nose. - -“It’s more likely he’s after asking yees for the apples ye have in the -hands of yees,” answered Michael. - -Major gave him as scornful a look as his mild eyes were capable of -giving, and then rubbed his nose affectionately against the little -hand that stroked him, in order to show his appreciation of the -sympathy she had with his feelings. - -“Papa,” cried Tom and Posy together, as Mr. Winton came out of the -house, “do come and see this awful big rat the barn-cat caught last -night.” - -“He was an old stager, and no mistake,” said Papa, looking at him. “I -want you, Michael, to take up these boards and destroy all the old -nests. I don’t doubt there are a good many of them.” - -The barn-cat was so delighted that she completely forgot her dignity, -and catching sight of the tiger-kittens and house-kittens at play in -the yard, raced up to them and chased them around till they thought she -had suddenly lost her wits. - -“Well, I declare,” said the house-cat, who was too well bred to forget -_her_ dignity in such a manner, “I thought you had a fit.” - -“It did me good,” said the barn-cat; “I had to do something or I should -have exploded with joy.” - -That afternoon, Michael, armed with a crowbar and hammer, went out to -the barn, followed by the children, who seated themselves comfortably -on the oat-box, where they could obtain a good view of Michael as he -tore up the boards of the floor. - -Placing the crowbar under one of the planks, he gradually pried it up -and laid it on one side. The children peeped curiously in, but to their -great disappointment nothing was to be seen. - -“It’s here where they’ve been,” said Michael; “I see the tracks of ’em.” - -Then another plank was pried up and laid aside, and Michael looked down -and carefully examined the ground. “It’s here where the old villain -lived, I’ll be bound,” he exclaimed. - -Down jumped the children from the oat-box and stood beside Michael. - -“There’s his nest,” cried Tom excitedly,--“that bunch of rags and twine -in the corner.” - -“It’s right ye are,” replied Michael. - -“What’s that yellow thing there under that rag?” asked Tom. - -Michael stooped and picked up the object that had attracted Tom’s -attention. - -“My amber necklace,” shrieked Posy joyfully. “Oh, I’m so glad! Now they -won’t say you took it any more, Nancy;” and snatching the necklace from -Michael’s hand, she darted out of the barn, calling “Mamma” so loudly -that Mrs. Winton was at the door almost as soon as Posy was. - -“My amber necklace,” cried Posy, waving it frantically over her head. -“It was in the old rat’s nest. Come and see where he lived.” - -Mrs. Winton followed Posy to the barn, and looked into what had once -been Graywhisker’s home. - -“It was right there, under that old rag,” cried Tom; “I saw it first.” - -“What is that little thing shining there?” asked Mrs. Winton, pointing -to a bright spot. - -Michael picked it up and handed it to her. - -“Why, it must be the padlock to the barn-cat’s collar!” exclaimed Mrs. -Winton. “What a thief the old fellow was! I know now where the sugar -and raisins must have gone. Tell Hannah to come here a minute, Tom.” - -Tom was off like a shot and soon returned, bringing Hannah, who looked -greatly astonished at the unusual message. - -“Hannah,” said Mrs. Winton, holding up the amber necklace, “Posy’s -necklace has been found in this old rat-hole, and also what is left of -the barn-cat’s collar. You see your suspicions were unfounded. The -thief who has caused so much mischief is now dead, and I think you will -find that your stores in the loft will not disappear as fast as they -used to.” - -Hannah was silent, and her face flushed. - -“You do believe, _now_, that Nancy isn’t a thief, don’t you, Hannah?” -said Posy earnestly. - -“Yes,” said Hannah slowly, for it cost her a great effort to -acknowledge she had made a mistake; “I see I was mistaken, and I am -sorry. I can’t say no more than that, as I know.” - -“Hannah,” said Posy, with her sweetest smile, “I _don’t_ think you are -a mean girl, and I _will_ help you cook whenever you want me to.” - -“Then I’m all right,” answered Hannah cheerfully. - -It would be hard to tell how happy Nancy was at the favorable turn -affairs had taken; and if such a thing were possible, the animals, who -had been the means of bringing it to pass, were even happier than she -was. Mrs. Polly was so excited that for several days she talked the -family almost to death, and the canary sang till it seemed as if his -little throat would burst. - -The sparrow settled down into quite a model husband and father, and -very seldom relapsed into his old habits. He and the little bright-eyed -sparrow continued to be very fond of each other, and brought up many -broods of young sparrows,--some of them lively young fellows like their -father and as fond of keeping late hours as he used to be, and others -as bright-eyed and domestic as the bright-eyed sparrow herself. - -The barn-cat and the house-cat continued to disagree in their ideas of -education, but their kittens associated together with great amiability -and did not share the jealousies of their mothers. - -Little Nancy never left the kind friends who had befriended her, and -was so devoted to Posy and made her so happy that a new nurse never -appeared, and the children became more attached to her every day, if -such a thing were possible. - -[Illustration: The Sparrow’s House.] - - - - -[Illustration: Publisher’s Logo] - - - - -Mrs. Wesselhoeft’s Stories. - -[Illustration: “YOU DEAR OLD FROWZLE,” CRIED MARGETTA, SITTING UP IN -BED, “HOW GLAD I AM TO SEE YOU!”] - -_Frowzle the Runaway._ - -A fable for Children. By LILY F. WESSELHOEFT, author of “Sparrow, -the Tramp,” “Flipwing, the Spy,” etc. With illustrations by Jessie -McDermott. Square 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25. - -_Sold by all booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by -the publishers_, - -LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, Boston. - - - - -OLD ROUGH THE MISER. - - -By LILY F. WESSELHOEFT, author of “Sparrow the Tramp,” “Flipwing -the Spy,” “The Winds, the Woods, and the Wanderer.” With twenty-one -illustrations by J. F. Goodridge. Square 16mo, cloth, $1.25. - -[Illustration: OLD ROUGH THE MISER.] - -Mrs. Wesselhoeft’s “Fable Stories” are proving themselves more and more -acceptable to the children. “Old Rough” is a decided acquisition to the -series. - -_Sold by all Booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, by the publishers_, - - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, - BOSTON. - - - - -_MRS. WESSELHOEFT’S STORIES._ - -[Illustration: In the Woods] - -_THE WINDS, THE WOODS, AND THE WANDERER._ - -A Fable for Children. By LILY F. WESSELHOEFT, author of “Sparrow, the -Tramp,” and “Flipwing, the Spy.” With illustrations. 16mo, cloth. -Price, $1.25. - - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, Boston. - - - - -FLIPWING, THE SPY. - -A Story for Children. - -BY LILY F. WESSELHOEFT, - -_Author of “Sparrow, the Tramp,” “The Winds, the Woods, and the -Wanderer,” etc._ - -[Illustration: Boy in the Window] - -The story represents the action of certain animals, the characters of -depicted in accordance with their natures and the exigencies of the -story. The object is to cultivate the love of animal nature, which -most children feel, and especially for such creatures as bats, toads -and others, which children are often improperly taught to regard with -disgust. The human characters introduced talk and act naturally, and -this book will be found very entertaining to young people. - - _16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25._ - - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, Boston. - - - - -THE LITTLE LADY OF THE HORSE. - -[Illustration: A Girl and Her Horse] - -BY EVELYN RAYMOND. With 21 Illustrations by FRANK T. MERRILL. Small -4to, cloth. Price, $1.50. - -_Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by the -Publishers_, - - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, - BOSTON. - - - - - =FATHER GANDER’S MELODIES FOR MOTHER GOOSE’S GRAND-CHILDREN.= By - ADELAIDE F. SAMUELS. Illustrated by Lillian Trask Harlow. Small 4to. - Cloth. $1.25. - -[Illustration: Boy with Flower] - -_Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by the -Publishers_, - - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, - BOSTON. - - - - -JOLLY GOOD STORIES. - -BY - -MARY P. WELLS SMITH. - - -=Jolly Good Times To-Day.= With illustrations by JESSIE McDERMOTT. -16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25. - - A sensible book, and it is sensible because it is merry and - natural.--_New York Times._ - - A complete description of the happy every-day life of American - children of the present day.--_Christian Register._ - - Natural, every-day children.--_Churchman._ - - One of the jolliest, most natural, and readable books we have read for - many a day.--_Boston Times._ - - A most charming book for children, whose scene is laid in our very - midst, is Mrs. Mary P. Wells Smith’s “Jolly Good Times To-Day.” The - writer, Mrs. Fayette Smith, of Avondale, has been very successful in - her books for young people but this is the first instance where she - has drawn upon her own beautiful neighborhood for materials. Apart - from the interest felt in a description of people in our midst, the - book is charming in its fresh, simple presentation of child-life. Mrs. - Smith has the power of entering directly into the personality of her - characters, and, as a result, they are real people. The book is full - of local references that will interest Cincinnatians, and this fact, - with its excellence as a story, should make it very popular with our - young folk.--_Cincinnati Tribune._ - - The book is rightly named, and is the fifth in a series of volumes - bearing similar title. It is brimming from cover to cover with - healthy, hearty, child’s companionship and wholesomely jolly times. - It is the story of children whose lives are put in pleasant places, - where the modern possessions of our day contribute freely to the - general happiness; where the comradeship of elders gives no undue - sense of parental authority, but, rather, a friendly sharing of mutual - guiding; where liberal instincts and thoughtful living create an - atmosphere of growth and of personal privilege, wherein young lives - may unconsciously expand toward a noble future.--_Unity._ - - “Jolly Good Times To-Day,” by Mary P. Wells Smith, is a very - pretty and natural story of child-life. The author evidently - understands children, and sympathizes with them in their joys and - griefs. She knows, too, how to entertain them in a bright, sensible - way.--_Christian Intelligencer._ - -_Sold by all Booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, by the Publishers_, - -LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, Boston. - - - - -VOYAGE OF THE LIBERDADE. - -BY CAPTAIN JOSHUA SLOCUM. - -_Illustrated. 4to, Cloth. Price, $1.00._ - - -[Illustration: The Liberdade Under Sail] - -The “Voyage of the Liberdade” reads like a romance, but is, -nevertheless, the faithful account of a marvellous experience in the -career of that indomitable Yankee tar--Capt. Joshua Slocum. How the -wonderful little boat, containing the author and his family, made a -journey of 5,000 miles in the face of perils calculated to terrify many -of the hardiest is told without any attempt at rhetorical garnish, yet -with a clearness that gives it a permanent literary value. - -_Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by the -Publishers_, - -LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, Boston. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - -On page 201, diging has been changed to digging. - -On page 209, look-out has been changed to lookout. - -On page 225, puting has been changed to putting. - -The name of the old rat was typeset as Gray Whisker, Gray-whisker and -Graywhisker; these names have been regularized to Graywhisker across -this ebook. - -All other spelling, hyphenation and dialect have been retained as -typeset. - -Some illustrations in this text version of the ebook have been added by -the transcriber, and are placed in the public domain. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPARROW THE TRAMP *** - -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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 will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |