Lulu'sLibraryVolumeI

ByLouisaMayAlcott

LULU'SLIBRARY

I.ACHRISTMASDREAM,ANDHOWITCAMETRUE.

"I'm so tired of Christmas I wish there never would be another one!"exclaimed a discontented-looking little girl, as she sat idly watching hermotherarrangeapileofgiftstwodaysbeforetheyweretobegiven."Why,Effie,whatadreadfulthingtosay!YouareasbadasoldScrooge;andI'mafraidsomethingwillhappentoyou,asitdidtohim,ifyoudon'tcarefordearChristmas,"answeredmamma,almostdroppingthesilverhornshewasfillingwithdeliciouscandies."WhowasScrooge?Whathappenedtohim?"askedEffie,withaglimmerofinterestinherlistlessface,asshepickedoutthesourestlemon-dropshecouldfind;fornothingsweetsuitedherjustthen."HewasoneofDickens'sbestpeople, andyoucan read thecharming storysomeday.HehatedChristmasuntilastrangedreamshowedhimhowdearandbeautifulitwas,andmadeabettermanofhim."

"Ishallreadit;forIlikedreams,andhaveagreatmanycuriousonesmyself.But they don't keep me from being tired of Christmas," said Effie, pokingdiscontentedlyamongthesweetiesforsomethingwortheating."Whyareyoutiredofwhatshouldbethehappiesttimeofalltheyear?"askedmamma,anxiously."PerhapsIshouldn'tbeifIhadsomethingnew.Butitisalwaysthesame,andthere isn'tanymoresurpriseabout it. Ialwaysfindheapsofgoodies inmystocking.Don't likesomeof them,andsoonget tiredof those Ido like.Wealways have a great dinner, and I eat toomuch, and feel ill next day. ThenthereisaChristmastreesomewhere,withadollontop,orastupidoldSantaClaus,andchildrendancingandscreamingoverbonbonsandtoysthatbreak,and shiny things that are of no use. Really, mamma, I 've had so manyChristmasesallalikethatIdon'tthinkIcanbearanotherone."AndEffielaidherselfflatonthesofa,asifthemereideawastoomuchforher.Her mother laughed at her despair, but was sorry to see her little girl sodiscontented,whenshehadeverythingtomakeherhappy,andhadknownbuttenChristmasdays."Supposewedon't give you anypresents at all,--howwould that suit you?"askedmamma,anxioustopleaseherspoiledchild."Ishouldlikeonelargeandsplendidone,andonedearlittleone,toremembersomeverynicepersonby,"saidEffie,whowasafanciful littlebody,fullofoddwhimsandnotions,whichherfriendslovedtogratify,regardlessoftime,trouble,ormoney;forshewasthelastofthreelittlegirls,andverydeartoallthefamily."Well,mydarling,IwillseewhatIcandotopleaseyou,andnotsayaworduntilall is ready. If Icouldonlygetanew idea tostartwith!"Andmammawentontyingupherprettybundleswithathoughtfulface,whileEffiestrolledtothewindowtowatchtherainthatkeptherin-doorsandmadeherdismal."Seems tomepoorchildrenhavebetter times than richones. I can'tgoout,and there is a girl aboutmy age splashing along,without anymaid to fussaboutrubbersandcloaksandumbrellasandcolds.IwishIwasabeggar-girl.""Wouldyouliketobehungry,cold,andragged,tobegallday,andsleeponanash-heapatnight?"askedmamma,wonderingwhatwouldcomenext."Cinderelladid,andhadanicetimeintheend.Thisgirloutherehasabasketofscrapsonherarm,andabigoldshawlallroundher,anddoesn'tseemtocare a bit, though the water runs out of the toes of her boots. She goespaddling along, laughing at the rain, and eating a cold potato as if it tastednicer than the chicken and ice-cream I had for dinner.Yes, I do think poorchildrenarehappierthanrichones."

"Sodo I, sometimes.At theOrphanAsylum to-day I saw twodozenmerrylittlesoulswhohavenoparents,nohome,andnohopeofChristmasbeyondastick of candy or a cake. Iwish you had been there to see howhappy theywere,playingwiththeoldtoyssomericherchildrenhadsentthem.""Youmaygivethemallmine;I 'msotiredofthemIneverwanttoseethemagain," saidEffie, turning from thewindow to thepretty baby-house full ofeverythingachild'sheartcoulddesire."Iwill, and letyoubeginagainwithsomethingyouwillnot tireof, if Icanonly find it." And mamma knit her brows trying to discover some grandsurpriseforthischildwhodidn'tcareforChristmas.Nothingmorewassaidthen;andwanderingofftothelibrary,Effiefound"AChristmasCarol,"andcurlingherselfup in the sofacorner, it allbefore tea.Someofitshedidnotunderstand;butshelaughedandcriedovermanypartsofthecharmingstory,andfeltbetterwithoutknowingwhy.AlltheeveningshethoughtofpoorTinyTim,Mrs.Cratchitwiththepudding,andthestoutoldgentlemanwhodancedsogaylythat"hislegstwinkledintheair."Presentlybed-timearrived."Come,now,and toastyour feet," saidEffie'snurse,"while Idoyourprettyhairandtellstories.""I 'llhavea fairy tale to-night,avery interestingone,"commandedEffie,assheputonherbluesilkwrapperand little fur-linedslippers tositbefore thefireandhaveherlongcurlsbrushed.SoNurseytoldherbest tales;andwhenat last thechild laydownunderherlacecurtains,herheadwasfullofacuriousjumbleofChristmaselves,poorchildren,snow-storms,sugar-plums,andsurprises.Soitisnowonderthatshedreamedallnight;andthiswasthedream,whichsheneverquiteforgot.Shefoundherselfsittingonastone, in themiddleofagreat field,allalone.Thesnowwasfallingfast,abitterwindwhistledby,andnightwascomingon.Shefelthungry,cold,andtired,anddidnotknowwheretogonorwhattodo."Iwantedtobeabeggar-girl,andnowIamone;butIdon'tlikeit,andwishsomebodywould come and take care ofme. I don't knowwho I am, and IthinkImustbelost,"thoughtEffie,withthecuriousinterestonetakesinone'sselfindreams.Butthemoreshethoughtaboutit,themorebewilderedshefelt.Fasterfellthesnow,colderblewthewind,darkergrewthenight;andpoorEffiemadeuphermind that she was quite forgotten and left to freeze alone. The tears werechilledonhercheeks,herfeetfeltlikeicicles,andherheartdiedwithinher,sohungry, frightened, and forlornwas she. Laying her head on her knees, shegaveherselfupforlost,andsattherewiththegreatflakesfastturninghertoa

little white mound, when suddenly the sound of music reached her, andstartingup,shelookedandlistenedwithallhereyesandears.Farawayadimlightshone,andavoicewasheardsinging.She tried to runtowardthewelcomeglimmer,butcouldnotstir,andstoodlikeasmallstatueof expectationwhile the light drewnearer, and the sweetwordsof the songgrewclearer.FromourhappyhomeThroughtheworldweroamOneweekinalltheyear,MakingwinterspringWiththejoywebring,ForChristmas-tideishere.NowtheeasternstarShinesfromafarTolightthepooresthome;Heartswarmergrow,Giftsfreelyflow,ForChristmas-tidehascome.NowgaytreesriseBeforeyoungeyes,Abloomwithtemptingcheer;Blithevoicessing,Andblithebellsring,ForChristmas-tideishere.Oh,happychime,Oh,blessedtime,Thatdrawsusallsonear!"Welcome,dearday,"Allcreaturessay,ForChristmas-tideishere.Achild'svoicesang,achild'shandcarriedthelittlecandle;andinthecircleofsoftlightitshed,Effiesawaprettychildcomingtoherthroughthenightandsnow.Arosy,smilingcreature,wrappedinwhitefur,withawreathofgreenand scarlet holly on its shining hair, themagic candle in one hand, and the

otheroutstretchedasiftoshowergiftsandwarmlypressallotherhands.Effie forgot to speak as this bright vision came nearer, leaving no trace offootsteps in thesnow,only lighting thewaywith its littlecandle,and fillingtheairwiththemusicofitssong."Dear child, you are lost, and I have come to find you," said the stranger,takingEffie'scoldhandsinhis,withasmilelikesunshine,whileeveryhollyberryglowedlikealittlefire."Doyouknowme?"askedEffie, feelingnofear,butagreatgladness,athiscoming."Iknowallchildren,andgotofindthem;forthisismyholiday,andIgatherthemfromallpartsoftheworldtobemerrywithmeonceayear.""Areyouanangel?"askedEffie,lookingforthewings."No; I am a Christmas spirit, and live with my mates in a pleasant place,getting ready forourholiday,whenweare let out to roamabout theworld,helpingmakethisahappytimeforallwhowillletusin.Willyoucomeandseehowwework?""Iwillgoanywherewithyou.Don'tleavemeagain,"criedEffie,gladly."FirstIwillmakeyoucomfortable.Thatiswhatwelovetodo.Youarecold,andyoushallbewarm;hungry,andIwillfeedyou;sorrowful,andIwillmakeyougay."With a wave of his candle all three miracles were wrought,--for the snow-flakes turned toawhite furcloakandhoodonEffie'sheadandshoulders;abowlofhotsoupcamesailingtoherlips,andvanishedwhenshehadeagerlydrunkthelastdrop;andsuddenlythedismalfieldchangedtoanewworldsofullofwondersthatallhertroubleswereforgotteninaminute.Bellswere ringing somerrily that itwas hard to keep fromdancing.Greengarlandshungonthewalls,andeverytreewasaChristmastreefullof toys,andblazingwithcandlesthatneverwentout.Inoneplacemany littlespirits sewed likemadonwarmclothes, turningoffworkfasterthananysewing-machineeverinvented,andgreatpilesweremadeready to be sent to poor people. Other busy creatures packed money intopurses,andwrotecheckswhichtheysentflyingawayonthewind,--alovelykindofsnow-stormtofallintoaworldbelowfullofpoverty.Olderandgraverspiritswerelookingoverpilesof littlebooks, inwhichtherecordsof thepastyearwerekept, tellinghowdifferentpeoplehadspent it,andwhat sortofgifts theydeserved.Somegotpeace, somedisappointment,some remorse and sorrow, some great joy and hope. The rich had generousthoughts sent them; the poor, gratitude and contentment.Children hadmore

love and duty to parents; and parents renewed patience, wisdom, andsatisfactionforandintheirchildren.Noonewasforgotten."Pleasetellmewhatsplendidplacethisis?"askedEffie,assoonasshecouldcollectherwitsafterthefirstlookatalltheseastonishingthings."ThisistheChristmasworld;andhereweworkalltheyearround,nevertiredofgettingreadyforthehappyday.See,thesearethesaintsjustsettingoff;forsomehavefartogo,andthechildrenmustnotbedisappointed."Ashe spoke the spirit pointed to fourgates, outofwhich fourgreat sleighswere just driving, laden with toys, while a jolly old Santa Claus sat in themiddleof each,drawingonhismittensand tuckinguphiswraps for a longcolddrive."Why,IthoughttherewasonlyoneSantaClaus,andevenhewasahumbug,"criedEffie,astonishedatthesight."Nevergiveupyourfaithinthesweetoldstories,evenafteryoucometoseethattheyareonlythepleasantshadowofalovelytruth."Just then the sleighswent offwith a great jingling of bells and pattering ofreindeerhoofs,whileall thespiritsgaveacheer thatwasheard in the lowerworld,wherepeoplesaid,"Hearthestarssing.""Ineverwillsaythereisn'tanySantaClausagain.Now,showmemore.""You will like to see this place, I think, and may learn something hereperhaps."Thespiritsmiledasheledthewaytoalittledoor,throughwhichEffiepeepedinto aworld of dolls.Baby-houseswere in full blast,with dolls of all sortsgoingonlikelivepeople.Waxenladiessatintheirparlorselegantlydressed;blackdollscookedinthekitchens;nurseswalkedoutwiththebitsofdollies;and the streets were full of tin soldiersmarching, wooden horses prancing,express wagons rumbling, and little men hurrying to and fro. Shops werethere,andtinypeoplebuyinglegsofmutton,poundsoftea,mitesofclothes,andeverythingdollsuseorwearorwant.Butpresentlyshesawthatinsomewaysthedollsimproveduponthemannersandcustomsofhumanbeings,andshewatchedeagerlytolearnwhytheydidthesethings.AfineParisdolldrivinginhercarriagetookupablackworstedDinahwhowashobblingalongwithabasketofcleanclothes,andcarriedhertoher journey'send,as if itwere theproper thing todo.Another interestingchinaladytookoffhercomfortableredcloakandputitroundapoorwoodencreaturedoneupinapapershift,andsobadlypaintedthatitsfacewouldhavesentsomebabiesintofits."SeemstomeIonceknewarichgirlwhodidn'tgiveherthingstopoorgirls.IwishIcouldrememberwhoshewas,andtellhertobeaskindasthatchina

doll,"saidEffie,muchtouchedat thesweetwaytheprettycreaturewrappedupthepoorfright,andthenranoffinherlittlegraygowntobuyashinyfowlstuckonawoodenplatterforherinvalidmother'sdinner."Werecallthesethingstopeople'smindsbydreams.Ithinkthegirlyouspeakofwon't forget this one."And the spirit smiled, as if he enjoyed some jokewhichshedidnotsee.Alittlebellrangasshelooked,andawayscamperedthechildrenintothered-and-green school-house with the roof that lifted up, so one could see hownicelytheysatattheirdeskswithmitesofbooks,ordrewontheinch-squareblackboardswithcrumbsofchalk."Theyknowtheirlessonsverywell,andareasstillasmice.Wemakeagreatracketatourschool,andgetbadmarkseveryday.Ishalltellthegirlstheyhadbettermindwhattheydo,ortheirdollswillbebetterscholarsthantheyare,"saidEffie,muchimpressed,asshepeepedinandsawnorodinthehandofthelittlemistress,wholookedupandshookherheadattheintruder,asifbegginghertogoawaybeforetheorderoftheschoolwasdisturbed.Effieretiredatonce,butcouldnotresistonelookinatthewindowofafinemansion, where the family were at dinner, the children behaved so well attable,andnevergrumbledabitwhentheirmammasaidtheycouldnothaveanymorefruit."Now,showmesomethingelse,"shesaid,astheycameagaintothelowdoorthatledoutofDoll-land."You have seen howwe prepare forChristmas; letme showyouwherewelovebesttosendourgoodandhappygifts,"answeredthespirit,givingherhishandagain."I know. I've seen ever so many," began Effie, thinking of her ownChristmases."No,youhaveneverseenwhatIwillshowyou.Comeaway,andrememberwhatyouseeto-night."Likeaflashthatbrightworldvanished,andEffiefoundherselfinapartofthecityshehadneverseenbefore.Itwasfarawayfromthegayerplaces,whereeverystorewasbrilliantwithlightsandfullofprettythings,andeveryhouseworeafestivalair,whilepeoplehurriedtoandfrowithmerrygreetings.Itwasdownamongthedingystreetswherethepoorlived,andwheretherewasnomakingreadyforChristmas.Hungrywomenlookedinattheshabbyshops,longingtobuymeatandbread,butemptypocketsforbade.Tipsymendrankuptheirwagesinthebar-rooms;and in many cold dark chambers little children huddled under the thinblankets,tryingtoforgettheirmiseryinsleep.

Nonicedinners filled the airwith savory smells, nogay treesdropped toysand bonbons into eager hands, no little stockings hung in rows beside thechimney-piecereadytobefilled,nohappysoundsofmusic,gayvoices,anddancingfeetwereheard;andtherewerenosignsofChristmasanywhere."Don'ttheyhaveanyinthisplace?"askedEffie,shivering,assheheldfastthespirit'shand,followingwhereheledher."We come to bring it. Let me show you our best workers." And the spiritpointedtosomesweet-facedmenandwomenwhocamestealingintothepoorhouses,workingsuchbeautifulmiraclesthatEffiecouldonlystandandwatch.Someslippedmoney into theemptypockets, and sent thehappymothers tobuy all the comforts they needed; others led the drunken men out oftemptation, and took them home to find safer pleasures there. Fires werekindled on cold hearths, tables spread as if by magic, and warm clotheswrappedroundshiveringlimbs.Flowerssuddenlybloomedinthechambersofthesick;oldpeoplefoundthemselvesremembered;sadheartswereconsoledbyatenderword,andwickedonessoftenedbythestoryofHimwhoforgaveallsin.Butthesweetestworkwasforthechildren;andEffieheldherbreathtowatchthesehumanfairieshangupandfillthelittlestockingswithoutwhichachild'sChristmas isnotperfect,putting in things thatonce shewouldhave thoughtveryhumblepresents,butwhichnowseemedbeautifulandpreciousbecausethesepoorbabieshadnothing."That is sobeautiful! Iwish I couldmakemerryChristmases as thesegoodpeople do, and be loved and thanked as they are," said Effie, softly, as shewatched the busy men and women do their work and steal away withoutthinkingofanyrewardbuttheirownsatisfaction."Youcan ifyouwill. Ihaveshownyou theway.Try it, andseehowhappyyourownholidaywillbehereafter."Ashespoke,thespiritseemedtoputhisarmsabouther,andvanishedwithakiss."Oh,stayandshowmemore!"criedEffie,tryingtoholdhimfast."Darling, wake up, and tell mewhy you are smiling in your sleep," said avoice inherear;andopeninghereyes, therewasmammabendingoverher,andmorningsunshinestreamingintotheroom."Are theyallgone?Didyouhear thebells?Wasn't it splendid?"sheasked,rubbinghereyes,andlookingaboutherfor theprettychildwhowassorealandsweet."Youhavebeendreamingatagreatrate,--talkinginyoursleep,laughing,andclappingyourhandsasifyouwerecheeringsomeone.Tellmewhatwasso

splendid,"saidmamma,smoothingthetumbledhairandliftingupthesleepyhead.Then,whileshewasbeingdressed,Effietoldherdream,andNurseythoughtit verywonderful; butmamma smiled to see howcuriously things the childhadthought,read,heard,andseenthroughthedayweremixedupinhersleep."ThespiritsaidIcouldworklovelymiraclesifItried;butIdon'tknowhowtobegin,forIhavenomagiccandletomakefeastsappear,andlightupgrovesofChristmastrees,ashedid,"saidEffie,sorrowfully."Yes,youhave.Wewilldoit!wewilldoit!"Andclappingherhands,mammasuddenlybegantodanceallovertheroomasifshehadlostherwits."How?how?Youmust tellme,mamma,"criedEffie,dancingafterher,andreadytobelieveanythingpossiblewhensherememberedtheadventuresofthepastnight."I 'vegotit!I 'vegotit!--thenewidea.Asplendidone,ifIcanonlycarryitout!"Andmammawaltzedthelittlegirlroundtillhercurlsflewwildlyintheair,whileNurseylaughedasifshewoulddie."Tellme!tellme!"shriekedEffie."No,no;it isasurprise,--agrandsurpriseforChristmasday!"sungmamma,evidentlycharmedwithherhappy thought."Now,cometobreakfast; forwemustworklikebeesifwewanttoplayspiritsto-morrow.YouandNurseywillgooutshopping,andgetheapsof things,whileIarrangemattersbehind thescenes."They were running downstairs as mamma spoke, and Effie called outbreathlessly,--"Itwon'tbea surprise; for Iknowyouaregoing to ask somepoor childrenhere, andhavea treeor something. Itwon'tbe likemydream; for theyhadeversomanytrees,andmorechildrenthanwecanfindanywhere.""Therewillbenotree,noparty,nodinner,inthishouseatall,andnopresentsforyou.Won'tthatbeasurprise?"AndmammalaughedatEffie'sbewilderedface."Doit.Ishalllikeit,Ithink;andIwon'taskanyquestions,soitwillallburstupon me when the time comes," she said; and she ate her breakfastthoughtfully,forthisreallywouldbeanewsortofChristmas.AllthatmorningEffietrottedafterNurseyinandoutofshops,buyingdozensofbarkingdogs,woollylambs,andsqueakingbirds;tinytea-sets,gaypicture-books,mittensandhoods,dollsandcandy.Parcelafterparcelwassenthome;but when Effie returned she saw no trace of them, though she peepedeverywhere.Nurseychuckled,butwouldn'tgiveahint,andwentoutagainin

the afternoonwith a long list ofmore things to buy; while Effie wanderedforlornly about the house,missing the usualmerry stir thatwent before theChristmasdinnerandtheeveningfun.Asformamma,shewasquiteinvisibleallday,andcameinatnightsotiredthat she could only lie on the sofa to rest, smiling as if some very pleasantthoughtmadeherhappyinspiteofweariness."Is the surprisegoingonall right?"askedEffie, anxiously; for it seemedanimmensetimetowaittillanothereveningcame."Beautifully! better than I expected; for several of my good friends arehelping,orIcouldn'thavedoneitasIwish.Iknowyouwilllikeit,dear,andlongrememberthisnewwayofmakingChristmasmerry."Mammagaveheraverytenderkiss,andEffiewenttobed.The next day was a very strange one; for when she woke there was nostocking to examine, no pile of gifts under her napkin, no one said "MerryChristmas!"toher,andthedinnerwasjustasusualtoher.Mammavanishedagain,andNurseykeptwipinghereyesandsaying:"Thedearthings!It'stheprettiestideaIeverheardof.Noonebutyourblessedmacouldhavedoneit.""Dostop,Nursey,orIshallgocrazybecauseIdon'tknowthesecret!"criedEffie,morethanonce;andshekepthereyeontheclock,foratsevenintheeveningthesurprisewastocomeoff.The longed-for hour arrived at last, and the child was too excited to askquestionswhenNurseputonhercloakandhood,ledhertothecarriage,andtheydroveaway,leavingtheirhousetheonedarkandsilentoneintherow."Ifeellikethegirlsinthefairytaleswhoareledofftostrangeplacesandseefinethings,"saidEffie,inawhisper,astheyjingledthroughthegaystreets."Ah,mydeary, it is likea fairy tale, Idoassureyou,andyouwill see finerthingsthanmostchildrenwillto-night.Steady,now,anddojustasItellyou,anddon'tsayonewordwhateveryousee,"answeredNursey,quitequiveringwithexcitementasshepattedalargeboxinherlap,andnoddedandlaughedwithtwinklingeyes.Theydroveintoadarkyard,andEffiewasledthroughabackdoortoalittleroom,whereNursecoollyproceededtotakeoffnotonlyhercloakandhood,butherdressandshoesalso.Effiestaredandbitherlips,butkeptstilluntiloutoftheboxcamealittlewhitefurcoatandboots,awreathofhollyleavesandberries,andacandlewithafrillofgoldpaperroundit.Along"Oh!"escapedher then;andwhenshewasdressedandsawherself in theglass,shestartedback,exclaiming,"Why,Nursey,Ilooklikethespiritinmydream!""Soyoudo;andthat'sthepartyouaretoplay,mypretty!Nowwhist,whileIblindyoureyesandputyouinyourplace."

"ShallIbeafraid?"whisperedEffie,fullofwonder;forastheywentoutsheheardthesoundofmanyvoices, thetrampofmanyfeet,and, inspiteof thebandage,wassureagreatlightshoneuponherwhenshestopped."Youneedn'tbe;Ishallstandcloseby,andyourmawillbethere."Afterthehandkerchiefwastiedabouthereyes,NurseledEffieupsomesteps,andplacedheronahighplatform,wheresomething like leaves touchedherhead,andthesoftsnapoflampsseemedtofilltheair.MusicbeganassoonasNurseclappedherhands,thevoicesoutsidesoundednearer,andthetrampwasevidentlycomingupthestairs."Now,my precious, look and see how you and your dearma havemade amerryChristmasforthemthatneededit!"Offwentthebandage;andforaminuteEffiereallydidthinkshewasasleepagain, for she actually stood in "a grove of Christmas trees," all gay andshiningasinhervision.Twelveonaside,intworowsdowntheroom,stoodthelittlepines,eachonitslowtable;andbehindEffieatalleronerosetotheroof, hung with wreaths of popcorn, apples, oranges, horns of candy, andcakesofallsorts, fromsugaryhearts togingerbreadJumbos.Onthesmallertrees she sawmanyof her owndiscarded toys and thoseNursey bought, aswell as heaps that seemed to have rained down straight from that delightfulChristmascountrywhereshefeltasifshewasagain."Howsplendid!Whois it for?What is thatnoise?Whereismamma?"criedEffie,palewithpleasureandsurprise,asshestoodlookingdownthebrilliantlittlestreetfromherhighplace.Before Nurse could answer, the doors at the lower end flew open, and inmarched twenty-four little blue-gowned orphan girls, singing sweetly, untilamazement changed the song to cries of joy and wonder as the shiningspectacleappeared.Whiletheystoodstaringwithroundeyesatthewildernessofprettythingsaboutthem,mammasteppedupbesideEffie,andholdingherhand fast to give her courage, told the story of the dream in a few simplewords,endinginthisway:--"SomylittlegirlwantedtobeaChristmasspirit too,andmakethisahappyday for thosewho had not asmany pleasures and comforts as she has. Shelikessurprises,andweplannedthisforyouall.Sheshallplaythegoodfairy,andgiveeachofyousomethingfromthistree,afterwhicheveryonewillfindherownnameonasmalltree,andcangotoenjoyitinherownway.Marchby,mydears,andletusfillyourhands."Nobody told them to do it, but all the handswere clappedheartily before asinglechildstirred;thenonebyonetheycametolookupwonderinglyattheprettygiverofthefeastassheleaneddowntoofferthemgreatyelloworanges,

red apples, bunchesof grapes, bonbons, and cakes, till allweregone, and adouble rowof smiling faces turned toward her as the children filed back totheirplacesintheorderlywaytheyhadbeentaught.Theneachwasledtoherowntreebythegoodladieswhohadhelpedmammawith all their hearts; and the happy hubbub that arosewould have satisfiedevenSantaClaushimself,--shrieksofjoy,dancesofdelight,laughterandtears(for some tender little things could not bear somuch pleasure at once, andsobbedwithmouths full of candy and hands full of toys).How they ran toshowoneanotherthenewtreasures!howtheypeepedandtasted,pulledandpinched,until theairwasfullofqueernoises,thefloorcoveredwithpapers,andthelittletreesleftbareofallbutcandles!"Idon't thinkheavencanbeanygooder than this,"sighedonesmallgirl,asshelookedaboutherinablissfulmaze,holdingherfullapronwithonehand,whilesheluxuriouslycarriedsugar-plumstohermouthwiththeother."Is that a truly angelup there?" askedanother, fascinatedby the littlewhitefigurewith thewreathon its shininghair,who in somemysteriouswayhadbeenthecauseofallthismerry-making."IwishIdaredtogoandkissherfor thissplendidparty,"saida lamechild,leaningonhercrutch,asshestoodnearthesteps,wonderinghowitseemedtosit inamother's lap,asEffiewasdoing,whileshewatched thehappyscenebeforeher.Effieheardher,andrememberingTinyTim,randownandputherarmsaboutthe pale child, kissing the wistful face, as she said sweetly, "Youmay; butmammadeservesthethanks.Shediditall;Ionlydreamedaboutit."Lame Katy felt as if "a truly angel" was embracing her, and could onlystammerouther thanks,while theother children ran to see thepretty spirit,andtouchhersoftdress,untilshestoodinacrowdofbluegownslaughingastheyhelduptheirgiftsforhertoseeandadmire.Mammaleaneddownandwhisperedonewordtotheoldergirls;andsuddenlytheyalltookhandstodanceroundEffie,singingastheyskipped.Itwasaprettysight,andtheladiesfoundithardtobreakupthehappyrevel;butitwaslateforsmallpeople,andtoomuchfunisamistake.Sothegirlsfellintoline,andmarchedbeforeEffieandmammaagain,tosaygood-nightwithsuch grateful little faces that the eyes of those who looked grew dim withtears.Mammakissedeveryone;andmanyahungrychildishheartfeltasifthetouchofthosetenderlipswastheirbestgift.Effieshooksomanysmallhandsthatherowntingled;andwhenKatycameshepressedasmalldollintoEffie'shand,whispering,"Youdidn'thaveasinglepresent,andwehadlots.Dokeepthat;it'stheprettiestthingIgot."

"Iwill,"answeredEffie,andhelditfastuntilthelastsmilingfacewasgone,the surprise all over, and she safe in her own bed, too tired and happy foranythingbutsleep."Mamma,itwasabeautifulsurprise,andIthankyousomuch!Idon'tseehowyou did it; but I like it best of all theChristmases I ever had, andmean tomakeoneeveryyear.Ihadmysplendidbigpresent,andhereisthedearlittleonetokeepforloveofpoorKaty;soeventhatpartofmywishcametrue."AndEffiefellasleepwithahappysmileonherlips,heronehumblegiftstillin her hand, and a new love for Christmas in her heart that never changedthroughalonglifespentindoinggood.

II.THECANDYCOUNTRY.

"I shall take mamma's red sun-umbrella, it is so warm, and none of thechildren at school will have one like it," said Lily, one day, as she wentthroughthehall."Thewindisveryhigh;I'mafraidyou'llbeblownawayifyoucarrythatbigthing,"calledNursefromthewindow,astheredumbrellawentbobbingdownthegardenwalkwithasmallgirlunderit."Iwishitwould;Ialwayswantedtogoupinaballoon,"answeredLily,asshestruggledoutofthegate.Shegotonverywelltillshecametothebridgeandstoppedtolookovertherailingatthewaterrunningbysofast,andtheturtlessunningthemselvesontherocks.Lilywasfondofthrowingstonesatthem;itwassofunnytowatchthemtumble,heelsoverhead,splashintothewater.Now,whenshesawthreebigfellowscloseby,shestoopedforastone,andjustatthatminuteagaleofwindnearlytooktheumbrellaoutofherhand.Sheclutcheditfast;andawayshewentlikeathistle-down,rightupintheair,overriverandhill,housesandtrees,fasterandfaster,tillherheadspunround,herbreathwasallgone,andshehad to letgo.Thedear redumbrella flewaway likea leaf;andLily felldown,down,tillshewentcrashintoatreewhichgrewinsuchacuriousplacethatsheforgotherfrightasshesatlookingabouther,wonderingwhatpartoftheworlditcouldbe.Thetreelookedasifmadeofglassorcoloredsugar;forshecouldseethroughtheredcherries,thegreenleaves,andthebrownbranches.Anagreeablesmellmethernose;andshesaidatonce,asanychildwould,"Ismellcandy!"Shepickedacherryandateit.Oh,howgooditwas!--allsugarandnostone.The

nextdiscoverywassuchadelightfulonethatshenearlyfelloffherperch;forbytouchinghertonguehereandthere,shefoundthatthewholetreewasmadeofcandy.Thinkwhat fun tositandbreakoff twigsofbarleysugar,candiedcherries,andleavesthattastedlikepeppermintandsassafras!Lilyrockedandatetillshefinishedthetopofthelittletree;thensheclimbeddownandstrolledalong,makingmoresurprisingandagreeablediscoveriesasshewent.Whatlookedlikesnowunderherfeetwaswhitesugar;therockswerelumpsofchocolate,theflowersofallcolorsandtastes;andeverysortoffruitgrewonthesedelightfultrees.Littlewhitehousessoonappeared;andherelivedthedaintycandy-people,allmadeofthebestsugar,andpaintedtolooklikerealpeople. Dear little men and women, looking as if they had stepped off ofweddingcakesandbonbons,wentabout in theirgaysugarclothes, laughingandtalkinginthesweetestvoices.Bitsofbabiesrockedinopen-workcradles,and sugar boys and girls played with sugar toys in the most natural way.Carriagesrolledalongthejujubestreets,drawnbytheredandyellowbarleyhorseswealllovesowell;cowsfedinthegreenfields,andsugarbirdssanginthetrees.Lilylistened,andinamomentsheunderstoodwhatthesongsaid,--"Sweet!Sweet!Come,comeandeat.DearlittlegirlsWithyellowcurls;Forhereyou'llfindSweetstoyourmind.OneverytreeSugar-plumsyou'llsee;IneverydellGrowsthecaramel.OvereverywallGum-dropsfall;MolassesflowsWhereourrivergoes.UnderyourfeetLiessugarsweet;Overyourhead

Growalmondsred.OurlilyandroseArenotforthenose;OurflowerswepluckToeatorsuck.And,oh!whatblissWhentwofriendskiss,FortheyhoneysipFromliptolip!Andallyoumeet,Inhouseorstreet,Atworkorplay,Sweetheartsarethey.So,littledear,Prayfeelnofear:Gowhereyouwill;Eat,eatyourfill.HereisafeastFromwesttoeast;Andyoucansay,Ereyougoaway,'AtlastIstandIndearCandy-land,Andnomorecanstuff;ForonceI'veenough.'Sweet!Sweet!Tweet!Tweet!Tweedle-dee!Tweedle-dee!""ThatisthemostinterestingsongIeverheard,"saidLily,clappingherstickyhands and dancing along toward a fine palace of white cream candy, withpillarsofstripedpeppermintstick,andaroofoffrostingthatmadeitlookliketheMilanCathedral.

"I 'll live here, and eat candy all day long, with no tiresome school orpatchworktospoilmyfun,"saidLily.Soshe ranup thechocolatesteps into thepretty rooms,whereall thechairsand tableswere of different colored candies, and the beds of spun sugar.Afountainoflemonadesupplieddrink;andfloorsofice-creamthatnevermeltedkeptpeopleandthingsfromstickingtogether,astheywouldhavedonehaditbeenwarm.ForalongwhileLilywasquitehappy,goingabouttastingsomanydifferentkinds of sweeties, talking to the little people, who were very amiable, andfindingoutcuriousthingsaboutthemandtheircountry.The babies were made of plain sugar, but the grown people had differentflavors. The young ladies were flavored with violet, rose, and orange; thegentlemenwereapttohavecordialsofsomesortinsideofthem,asshefoundwhen she ate one nowand then slyly, and got her tongue bitten by the hot,strongtasteasapunishment.Theoldpeopletastedofpeppermint,clove,andsuch comfortable things, good for pain; but the old maids had lemon,hoarhound, flag-root,andall sortsof sour,bitter things in them,anddidnotgeteatenmuch.Lilysoonlearnedtoknowthecharactersofhernewfriendsby a single taste, and some she never touched but once. The dear babiesmelted in hermouth, and the delicately flavored young ladies shewas veryfondof.Dr.Gingerwas called to hermore thanoncewhen somuch candymadeherteethache,andshefoundhimaveryhot-temperedlittleman;buthestoppedthepain,soshewasgladtoseehim.A lime-drop boy and a little pink checker-berry girl were her favoriteplaymates;andtheyhadfinetimesmakingmud-piesbyscrapingthechocolaterocks and mixing this dust with honey from the wells near by. These theycouldeat;andLily thought thismuchbetter thanthrowingawaythepies,asshehadtodoathome.Theyhadcandy-pullsveryoften,andmadeswingsoflongloopsofmolassescandy,andbird's-nestswithalmondeggs,outofwhichcamebirdswhosangsweetly.Theyplayedfootballwithbigbull's-eyes,sailedin sugar boats on lakes of syrup, fished in rivers ofmolasses, and rode thebarleyhorsesalloverthecountry.Lily discovered that it never rained, but snowedwhite sugar. Therewas nosun, as itwouldhavebeen toohot; but a large yellow lozengemade a nicemoon,andredandwhitecomfitswerethestars.Thepeoplealllivedonsugar,andneverquarrelled.Noonewasill;andifanygotbroken,assometimeshappenedwithsuchbrittlecreatures,theyjuststuckthepartstogetherandwereallrightagain.Thewaytheygrewoldwastogetthinnerandthinnertilltherewasdangeroftheirvanishing.Thenthefriendsoftheoldpersonputhiminaneatcoffin,andcarriedhimtothegreatgoldenurn

which stood in their largest temple, always full of a certain fine syrup; andherehewasdippedanddipped till hewas stout and strongagain, andwenthometoenjoyhimselfforalongtimeasgoodasnew.This was very interesting to Lily, and she went to many funerals. But theweddings were better still; for the lovely white brides were so sweet Lilylonged to eat them. The feastswere delicious; and everybodywent in theirbestclothes,anddancedattheball till theygotsowarmhalf-a-dozenwouldsticktogetherandhavetobetakentotheice-creamroomtocooloff.Thenthelittle pair would drive away in a fine carriage with white horses to a newpalaceinsomeotherpartofthecountry,andLilywouldhaveanotherpleasantplacetovisit.Butbyandby,whenshehadseeneverything,andeatensomuchsweetstuffthat at last she longed for plain bread and butter, she began to get cross, aschildrenalwaysdowhentheyliveoncandy;andthelittlepeoplewishedshewouldgoaway,fortheywereafraidofher.Nowonder,whenshewouldcatchupadearsugarbabyandeathim,orbreaksomerespectableoldgrandmammaallintobitsbecauseshereprovedherfornaughtyways.Lilycalmlysatdownonthebiggestchurch,crushingitflat,andeventriedtopokethemoonoutofthe sky in apet oneday.Thekingorderedher togohome;but she said, "Iwon't!"andbithisheadoff,crownandall.Such a wail went up at this awful deed that she ran away out of the city,fearingsomeonewouldputpoisoninhercandy,sinceshehadnootherfood."IsupposeIshallgetsomewhereifIkeepwalking;andIcan'tstarve,thoughIhatethesightofthishorridstuff,"shesaidtoherself,asshehurriedoverthemountainsofGibraltarRockthatdividedthecityofSaccharissafromthegreatdesertofbrownsugarthatlaybeyond.Lilymarchedbravelyonforalongtime,andsawatlastagreatsmokeinthesky,smeltaspicysmell,andfeltahotwindblowingtowardher."I wonder if there are sugar savages here, roasting and eating some poortravellerlikeme,"shesaid,thinkingofRobinsonCrusoeandotherwanderersinstrangelands.She crept carefully along till she saw a settlement of little huts very likemushrooms,fortheyweremadeofcookiessetonlumpsofthebrownsugar;andqueerpeople,lookingasifmadeofgingerbread,wereworkingverybusilyroundseveralstoveswhichseemedtobakeatagreatrate."I'llcreepnearerandseewhatsortofpeopletheyarebeforeIshowmyself,"saidLily,goingintoagroveofspice-trees,andsittingdownonastonewhichprovedtobetheplummysortofcakeweusedtocallBrightonRock.Presently one of the tallestmen came striding toward the trees with a pan,

evidentlyafterspice;andbeforeshecouldrun,hesawLily."Hollo, what do youwant?" he asked, staring at her with his black curranteyes,whilehebrisklypickedthebarkoffacinnamon-tree."I'm travelling, and would like to know what place this is, if you please,"answeredLily,verypolitely,beingalittlefrightened."Cake-land.Wheredoyoucomefrom?"askedthegingerbreadman,inacrisptoneofvoice."IwasblownintotheCandycountry,andhavebeentherealongtime;butIgottiredofit,andranawaytofindsomethingbetter.""Sensible child!" and the man smiled till Lily thought his cheeks wouldcrumble. "You'll get on better here with us Brownies than with the lazyBonbons,whoneverworkandareallforshow.Theywon'townus,thoughweare all related through our grandparents Sugar and Molasses. We are busyfolks; so they turn up their noses and don't speakwhenwemeet at parties.Poorcreatures,sillyandsweetandunsubstantial!Ipity'em.""CouldImakeyouavisit?I'dliketoseehowyoulive,andwhatyoudo.I'msureitmustbeinteresting,"saidLily,pickingherselfupafteratumble,havingeatennearlyallthestone,shewassohungry."I know you will. Come on! I can talk while I work." And the funnygingerbreadmantrottedofftowardhiskitchen,fullofpans,rolling-pins,andmolassesjugs."Sitdown.Ishallbeat leisureassoonas thisbatchisbaked.Therearestillsomewise people down belowwho like gingerbread, and I havemy handsfull," he said, dashing about, stirring, rolling out, and slapping the browndough into pans,which hewhisked into the oven andout again so fast thatLilyknewtheremustbemagicaboutitsomewhere.Everynowandthenhethrewheradeliciouscookywarmfromtheoven.Sheliked thequeer fellow,andpresentlybegan to talk,beingverycuriousaboutthiscountry."Whatisyourname,sir?""GingerSnap."Lilythoughtitagoodone;forhewasveryquick,andshefanciedhecouldbeshortandsharpifheliked."Wheredoesallthiscakegoto?"sheasked,afterwatchingtheotherkitchensfullofworkers,whowereallofdifferentkindsofcake,andeachsetofcooksmadeitsownsort."I'llshowyoubyandby,"answeredSnap,beginningtopileuptheheapsofgingerbread on a little car that ran along a track leading to some unknown

storeroom,Lilythought."Don'tyougettiredofdoingthisallthetime?""Yes;butIwanttobepromoted,andInevershallbetillI 'vedonemybest,andwontheprizehere.""Oh,tellmeaboutit!Whatistheprize,andhowareyoupromoted?Isthisacooking-school?""Yes;theprizeforbestgingerbreadisacakeofcondensedyeast.Thatputsasoulintome,andIbegintorisetillIamabletogooverthehillsyonderintotheblessedlandofbread,andbeoneof thehappycreatureswhoarealwayswholesome,alwaysneeded,andwithoutwhichtheworldbelowwouldbeinabadway.""Blessme! that is thequeerest thing IVeheardyet.But Idon'twonderyouwant togo; I 'm tiredof sweetsmyself, and long foragoodpieceofbread,thoughIusedtowantcakeandcandyathome.""Ah,mydear,you'lllearnagooddealhere;andyouareluckynottohavegotinto theclutchesofGiantDyspepsia,whoalwaysgetspeople if theyeat toomuchofsuchrubbishandscornwholesomebread.I leavemygingerbehindwhen I go, and get white and round and beautiful, as you will see. TheGingerbread family have never been as foolish as some of the other cakes.Wedding is theworst; such extravagance in theway ofwine and spice andfruitIneversaw,andsuchamesstoeatwhenit'sdone!Idon'twonderpeoplegetsick;serves'emright."AndSnapflungdownapanwithsuchabangthatitmadeLilyjump."Spongecakeisn'tbad,isit?Mammaletsmeeatit,butIlikefrostedpoundbetter,"shesaid, lookingovertothenextkitchen,wherepilesof thatsortofcakewerebeingiced."Poorstuff.Nosubstance.Ladies'fingerswilldoforbabies,butpoundhastoomuchbutterevertobehealthy.Letitalone,andeatcookiesorseed-cakes,mydear.Now,comealong;I'mready."AndSnaptrundledawayhiscar-loadatagreatpace.Lilyranbehindtopickupwhateverfell,andlookedaboutherasshewent,forthiswascertainlyaveryqueercountry.Lakesofeggsallbeatenup,andhotspringsofsaleratusfoamedhereandtherereadyforuse.Theearthwasbrownsugarorgroundspice;andtheonlyfruitswereraisins,driedcurrants,citron,andlemonpeel.Itwasaverybusyplace;foreveryonecookedall thetime,andneverfailedandneverseemedtired,thoughtheygotsohotthattheyonlyworesheetsofpaperforclothes.Therewerepilesofittoputoverthecake,sothat itshouldn'tburn;andtheymadecook'swhitecapsandapronsof it,andlookedverynice.A largeclockmadeofa flatpancake,withcloves tomark

thehoursandtwotoothpicksforhands,showedthemhowlongtobakethings;andinoneplaceanicewallwasbuiltroundalakeofbutter,whichtheycutinlumpsastheywantedit."Hereweare.Now,standawaywhileIpitch'emdown,"saidSnap,stoppingat last before a hole in the groundwhere a dumbwaiter hung ready,with anameoverit.Thereweremanyholesallround,andmanywaiters,eachwithitsname;andLilywasamazedwhensheread"Weber,""Copeland,""Dooling,"andothers,whichsheknewverywell.Over Snap's place was the name "Newmarch;" and Lily said, "Why, that'swheremammagetsherhardgingerbread,andWeber'siswherewegoforice-cream.Doyoumakecakeforthem?""Yes,butnooneknowsit.It'soneofthesecretsofthetrade.Wecookforallthe confectioners, and people think the good things come out of the cellarsundertheirsaloons.Goodjoke,isn'tit?"AndSnaplaughedtillacrackcameinhisneckandmadehimcough.Lilywassosurprisedshesatdownonawarmqueen'scakethathappenedtobe near, andwatched Snap send down load after load of gingerbread to beeatenbychildren,whowouldhavelikeditmuchbetteriftheyhadonlyknownwhereitcamefrom,asshedid.As she sat, the clatter ofmany spoons, the smell ofmany dinners, and thesoundofmanyvoicescalling,"Onevanilla,twostrawberries,andaCharlotteRusse," "Three stews, cup coffee, dry toast," "Roast chicken and applewithout,"cameupthenexthole,whichwasmarked"Copeland.""Dearme! it seems as if I was there," said Lily, longing to hop down, butafraidofthebumpattheotherend."I 'm done. Come along, I 'll ride you back," called Snap, tossing the lastcookyafterthedumb-waiterasitwentslowlyoutofsightwithitsspicyload."Iwishyou'dteachmetocook.Itlooksgreatfun,andmammawantsmetolearn;onlyourcookhatestohavememessround,andissocrossthatIdon'tliketotryathome,"saidLily,asshewenttrundlingback."BetterwaittillyougettoBread-land,andlearntomakethat.It'sagreatart,andworthknowing.Don'twasteyourtimeoncake,thoughplaingingerbreadisn'tbadtohaveinthehouse.I'llteachyouthatinajiffy,iftheclockdoesn'tstrikemyhourtoosoon,"answeredSnap,helpingherdown."Whathour?""Why,ofmyfreedom.IneverknowwhenI'vedonemytasktillI'mcalledbythe chimes and go to get my soul," said Snap, turning his currant eyes

anxiouslytotheclock."Ihopeyouwill have time."AndLily fell toworkwithall hermight, afterSnaphadputonherapaperapronandacaplikehis.Itwasnothard;forwhenshewasgoingtomakeamistakeasparkflewoutofthefireandburntherintimetoremindhertolookatthereceipt,whichwasasheet of gingerbread in a frame of pie-crust hung up before her, with thedirectionswrittenwhile itwas soft and baked in. The third sheet shemadecameoutof theoven spicy, light, andbrown;andSnap,giving itonepoke,said,"That'sallright.Nowyouknow.Here'syourreward."Hehandedhera receipt-bookmadeof thin sheetsof sugar-gingerbreadheldtogetherbyagelatinebinding,withhernamestampedontheback,andeachleafcrimpedwithacake-cutterinthemostelegantmanner.Lilywascharmedwithit,buthadnotimetoreadallitcontained;forjustthentheclockbegantostrike,andachimeofbellstoring,--"Gingerbread,Gotothehead.Yourtaskisdone;Asouliswon.TakeitandgoWheremuffinsgrow,WheresweetloavesriseTotheveryskies,AndbiscuitsfairPerfumetheair.Away,away!Makenodelay;IntheseaofflourPlungethishour.SafeinyourbreastLettheyeast-cakerest,Tillyouriseinjoy,Awhitebreadboy!""Ha,ha!I'mfree!I'mfree!"criedSnap,catchingupthesilver-coveredsquarethatseemedtofallfromheaven;andrunningtoagreatwhiteseaofflour,hewent in head first, holding the yeast-cake clasped to his breast as if his life

dependedonit.Lilywatchedbreathlessly,whileacuriousworkingandbubblingwenton,asifSnapwastumblingaboutdowntherelikeasmallearthquake.Theothercake-folkstoodroundtheshorewithher;foritwasagreatevent,andallweregladthatthedearfellowwaspromotedsosoon.Suddenlyacrywasheard,anduproseabeautifulwhitefigureonthefarthersideofthesea.Itmoveditshand,asifsaying"Good-by,"andranoverthehillssofasttheyhadonlytimetoseehowplumpand fair hewas,with a little knobon the topof his head like acrown."He 's gone to thehappy land, andwe shallmisshim;butwe 'll followhisexampleandsoonfindhimagain,"saidagentleSpongecake,withasigh,asallwentbacktotheirwork;whileLilyhurriedafterSnap,eagertoseethenewcountry,whichwasthebestofall.Adeliciousodorof freshbreadblewupfromthevalleyasshestoodon thehill-topandlookeddownonthepeacefulscenebelow.Fieldsofyellowgrainwaved in thebreeze; hop-vines grew from tree to tree; andmanywindmillswhirled theirwhitesailsas theygroundthedifferentgrains intofresh,sweetmeal, for the loavesofbread thatbuilt thehouses likebricksandpaved thestreets,orinmanyshapesformedthepeople,furniture,andanimals.Ariverofmilk flowed through the peaceful land, and fountains of yeast rose and fellwithapleasantfoamandfizz.Thegroundwasamixtureofmanymeals,andthe paths were golden Indian, which gave a very gay look to the scene.Buckwheat flowersbloomedon their rosy stems, and tall corn-stalks rustledtheirleavesinthewarmairthatcamefromtheovenshiddeninthehillsides;forbreadneedsaslowfire,andanobligingvolcanodidthebakinghere."What a lovely place!" cried Lily, feeling the charm of the homelikelandscape,inspiteofthefunnyplumppeoplemovingabout.Twoofthesefigurescamerunningtomeetherassheslowlywalkeddowntheyellow path from the hill.Onewas a golden boy,with a beaming face; theotheralittlegirlinashinybrowncloak,wholookedasifshewouldtasteverynice.TheyeachputawarmhandintoLily's,andtheboysaid,--"Wearegladtoseeyou.Muffintoldusyouwerecoming.""Thankyou.WhoisMuffin?"askedLily,feelingasifshehadseenboththeselittlepeoplebefore,andlikedthem."HewasGingerSnaponce,buthe'saMuffinnow.Webegininthatway,andworkup to theperfect loafbydegrees.Myname is JohnnyCake, and she'sSallyLunn.Youknowus;socomeonandhavearace."Lilyburstout laughingat the ideaofplayingwith theseold friendsofhers;andallthreeranawayasfastastheycouldtear,downthehill,overabridge,

into themiddleof thevillage,where theystopped,panting,andsatdownonsomeverysoftrollstorest."Whatdoyoualldohere?"askedLily,whenshegotherbreathagain."Wefarm,westudy,webake,webrew,andareasmerryasgrigsalldaylong.It'sschool-timenow,andwemustgo;willyoucome?"saidSally,jumpingupasifshelikedit."Ourschoolsarenotlikeyours;weonlystudytwothings,--grainandyeast.Ithinkyou'lllikeit.Wehaveyeastto-day,andtheexperimentsareveryjolly,"addedJohnny,trottingofftoatallbrowntowerofryeandIndianbread,wheretheschoolwaskept.Lilyneverlikedtogotoschool,butshewasashamedtoownit;soshewentalongwithSally,andwassoamusedwithall shesaw that shewasgladshecame.Thebrownloafwashollow,andhadnoroof;andwhensheaskedwhytheyuseda ruin,Sally toldher towaitandseewhy theychosestrongwallsandplentyofroomoverhead.Allroundwasacircleofverysmallbiscuitslikecushions,andonthesetheBread-childrensat.Asquareloafinthemiddlewastheteacher'sdesk,andonitlayanearofwheat,withseveralbottlesofyeastwell corked up. The teacherwas a pleasant, plump lady fromVienna, verywise, and so famous for her good bread that she was a Professor ofGrainology.Whenallwereseated,shebeganwiththewheatear,andtoldthemallaboutitin suchan interestingway thatLily feltas if shehadneverknownanythingabout the bread she ate before. The experiments with the yeast were quiteexciting,--forFrauleinPretzelshowedthemhowitwouldworktillitblewthecorkout,andgofizzinguptotheskyifitwaskepttoolong;howitwouldturnsourorflat,andspoilthebreadifcarewasnottakentouseitjustattherightmoment; and how too much would cause the loaf to rise till there was nosubstancetoit.Thechildrenwereverybright;fortheywerefedonthebestkindsofoatmealand Graham bread, with very little white bread or hot cakes to spoil theiryoung stomachs. Hearty, happy boys and girls they were, and their yeastysoulswereverylivelyinthemfortheydancedandsung,andseemedasbrightandgayasifacidity,heaviness,andmouldwerequiteunknown.Lilywasveryhappywith them,andwhenschoolwasdonewenthomewithSally and ate the best bread andmilk for dinner that she ever tasted. In theafternoonJohnnytookhertothecornfield,andshowedherhowtheykeptthegrowingearsfreefrommildewandworms.Thenshewenttothebakehouse;andhereshefoundheroldfriendMuffinhardatworkmakingParkerHouserolls,forhewassuchagoodcookhewasset toworkatonceonthelighterkindsofbread.

"Well,isn'tthisbetterthanCandy-landorSaccharissa?"heasked,asherolledandfoldedhisbitsofdoughwithadabofbuttertuckedinside."Eversomuch!"criedLily."Ifeelbetteralready,andmeantolearnallIcan.MammawillbesopleasedifIcanmakegoodbreadwhenIgohome.Sheisrather old-fashioned, and likesme to be a nice housekeeper. I did n't thinkbreadinterestingthen,butIdonow;andJohnny'smotherisgoingtoteachmetomakeIndiancakesto-morrow.""Gladtohearit.Learnallyoucan,andtellotherpeoplehowtomakehealthybodiesandhappysoulsbyeatinggoodplainfood.Notlikethis,thoughtheserollsarebetter thancake.Ihavetoworkmywayuptotheperfect loaf,youknow;andthen,oh,then,I'mahappything.""What happens then?Doyougo on to someotherwonderful place?" askedLily,asMuffinpausedwithasmileonhisface."Yes;Iameatenbysomewise,goodhumanbeing,andbecomeapartofhimorher.Thatisimmortalityandheaven;forImaynourishapoetandhelphimsing,orfeedagoodwomanwhomakestheworldbetterforbeinginit,orbecrumbedintothegoldenporringerofababyprincewhoistoruleakingdom.Isn'tthatanoblewaytolive,andanendworthworkingfor?"askedMuffin,inatonethatmadeLilyfeelasifsomesortoffineyeasthadgotintoher,andwassettingherbraintoworkwithnewthoughts."Yes,itis.Isupposeallcommonthingsaremadeforthatpurpose,ifweonlyknew it; and people should be glad to do anything to help theworld along,evenmaking good bread in a kitchen," answered Lily, in a sober way thatshowedthatherlittlemindwasalreadydigestingthenewfoodithadgot.She stayed inBread-land a long time, and enjoyed and learned a great dealthat she never forgot. But at last, when she hadmade the perfect loaf, shewantedtogohome,thathermothermightseeandtasteit."I 'veputagooddealofmyselfintoit,andI 'dlovetothinkIhadgivenherstrengthorpleasurebymywork,"shesaid,assheandSallystoodlookingatthehandsomeloaf."Youcangowheneveryou like; just take thebread inyourhandsandwishthreetimes,andyou'llbewhereveryousay.I 'msorrytohaveyougo,butIdon't wonder you want to see your mother. Don't forget what you havelearned,andyouwillalwaysbegladyoucametous,"saidSally,kissinghergood-by."Where is Muffin? I can't go without seeing him, my dear old friend,"answeredLily,lookingroundforhim."Heishere,"saidSally,touchingtheloaf."Hewasreadytogo,andchosetopassintoyourbreadratherthananyother;forhesaidhelovedyouandwould

begladtohelpfeedsogoodalittlegirl.""Howkindofhim!Imustbecarefultogrowwiseandexcellent,elsehewillbedisappointedandhavediedinvain,"saidLily,touchedbyhisdevotion.Then,biddingthemallfarewell,shehuggedherloafclose,wishedthreetimestobeinherownhome,andlikeaflashshewasthere.Whether her friends believed the wonderful tale of her adventures I cannottell;butIknowthatshewasanicelittlehousekeeperfromthatday,andmadesuchgoodbread thatothergirls came to learnofher.Shealsogrew fromasickly,fretfulchildintoafine,strongwoman,becausesheateverylittlecakeandcandy,exceptatChristmas time,when theoldestand thewisest love tomakeashortvisittoCandyland.

III.NAUGHTYJOCKO.

"Amusic-man!amusic-man!Runquick,andseeifhehasgotamonkeyonhisorgan,"criedlittleNeddy,runningtothewindowinagreathurryoneday.Yes;therewasthemonkeyinhisblueandredsuit,withafunnylittlecap,andthelongtailtrailingbehind.Buthedidn'tseemtobealivelymonkey;forhesat in a bunch, with his sad face turned anxiously to his master, who keptpullingthechaintomakehimdance.Thestiffcollarhadmadehisnecksore;andwhenthemantwitched,thepoorthingmoanedandputuphislittlehandtoholdthechain.Hetriedtodance,butwassoweakhecouldonlyhopafewsteps, and stop panting for breath. The cruelmanwould n't let him rest tillNeddycalledout,--"Don'thurthim; lethimcomeuphereandget thiscake,andrestwhileyouplay.I'vegotsomepenniesforyou."So poor Jocko climbed slowly up the trellis, and sat on the window-ledgetryingtoeat;buthewassotiredhewenttosleep,andwhenthemanpulledtowakehimup,heslippedandfell,andlayasifheweredead.Neddyandhisauntrandowntoseeifhewaskilled.Thecrossmanscoldedandshookhim;buthenevermoved,andthemansaid,--"Heisdead.Idon'twanthim.Iwillsellhimtosomeonetostuff.""No;hisheartbeatsalittle.Leavehimhereafewdays,andwewilltakecareofhim;and ifhegetswell,perhapswewillbuyhim," saidAunt Jane,wholikedtonurseevenasickmonkey.Theman said he was going on for a week through the towns near by, and

would call and see about it when he came back. Then he went away; andNeddyandauntyputJockoinanicebasket,andcarriedhimin.Theminutethedoorwasshutandhefeltsafe,theslyfellowpeepedoutwithoneeye,andseeingonlythekindlittleboybegantochatterandkickofftheshawl;forhewasnotmuchhurt,only tiredandhungry,anddreadfullyafraidof thecruelmanwhobeatandstarvedhim.Neddywasdelighted,andthoughtitveryfunny,andhelpedhisaunttakeoffthestiffcollarandputsomesalveon thesoreneck.Then theygotmilkandcake;andwhenhehadeatenagooddinner,Jockocurledhimselfupandslepttillthenextday.Hewasquitelivelyinthemorning;forwhenAuntJanewentto callNeddy, Jockowasnot in his basket, and looking round the room forhim, she saw the little black thing lying on the boy's pillow, with his armroundNeddy'snecklikeaqueerbaby."Mypatience!Ican'tallowthat,"saidtheoldlady,andwenttopullJockoout.Butheslippedawaylikeaneel,andcreptchatteringandburrowingdowntothebottomofthebed,holdingontoNeddy'stoes,tillhewakedup,howlingthatcrabswerenippinghim.Thentheyhadagreatfrolic;andJockoclimbedalloverthebed,uponthetallwardrobe,andtheshelfoverthedoor,wheretheimageofanangelstood.Hepattedit,andhuggedit,andlookedsoveryfunnywithhisuglyblackfacebytheprettywhiteone,thatNeddyrolledonthefloor,andAuntJanelaughedtillherglassesflewoff.Byandbyhecamedown,andhadanicebreakfast,andletthemtiearedribbonoverthebandageonhisneck.Helikedthegaycolor,and kept going to look in the glass, and grin and chatter at his own image,whichheevidentlyadmired."Now,heshallgotowalkwithme,andallthechildrenshallseemynewpet,"saidNeddy,ashemarchedoffwithJockonhisshoulder.Every one laughed at the funny little fellowwith his twinkling eyes, brownhands,andlongtail,andNeddyfeltverygrandtilltheygottothestore;thentroubles began.Heput Jockoon a table near the door, and told him to staytherewhilehedidhiserrands.Now,closebywastheplacewherethecandywas kept, and Jocko loved sweeties like any girl; so he hopped along, andbegantoeatwhateverheliked.Someboystriedtostophim;andthenhegotangryatthemforpullinghistail,andthrewhandfulsofsugarplumsatthem.Thatwasgreat fun; and themore they laughedand scrambledandpokedathim,thefasterheshoweredchocolates,caramels,andpeppermintsoverthem,till it lookedas if ithadrainedcandy.ThemanwasbusywithNeddyat theotherendofthestore;butwhenheheardthenoise,bothrantoseewhatwasthematter.Neither of themcould stopnaughty Jocko,who liked this game,andranuponthehighshelvesamongthetoys.Thendowncamelittletubsanddolls' stoves, tin trumpets and cradles, while boxes of leaden soldiers and

whole villages flew through the air, smash, bang, rattle, bump, all over thefloor.Themanscolded,Neddycried,theboysshouted,andtherewasalivelytimeinthatshoptillagoodslappingwithalongstickmadeJocktumbleintoatubofwaterwheresomecuriousfisheslived;andthentheycaughthim.Neddywasmuch ashamed, and told themanhis auntwouldpay for all thebroken things.Thenhe tookhisnaughtypet,andstarted togohomeand tiehimup,foritwasplainthismonkeywasnottobetrusted.Butassoonastheygot out, Jocko ran up a tree and dropped on to a load of hay passingunderneath.Herehedancedandpranced,andhadafinetime,throwingofftheman's coat and rake, and eating some of the dinner tied up in a cloth. Thecrusts of bread and the bones he threw at the horse; this new kind ofwhipfrightenedthehorse,andheranawaydownasteephill,andupsetthehayandbroke thecart.Oh, sucha time! Itwasworse than thecandyscrape; for themanswore,andthehorsewashurt,andpeoplesaid themonkeyought tobeshot,hedidsomuchmischief.Jockodidn'tcareabit;hesathighupinatree,andchatteredandscolded,andswungbyhistail,andwassodrollthatpeoplecouldn'thelplaughingathim.PoorNeddycriedagain,andwenthometotellhistroublestoAuntJane,fearingthatitwouldtakeallthemoneyinhisbanktopayforthedamagethebadmonkeyhaddoneinonehour.AssoonashewasaloneJockocameskippingalong,andjumpedonhisback,andpeepedathim,andpattedhischeeks,andwassocunningandgoodNeddycouldn'twhiphim;butheshuthimupinaclosettopunishhim.Jockowastired;sohewenttosleep,andallwasquiettilldinner-time.Theywerereadyforthepudding,andNeddyhadsavedaplaceforagoodplateful,ashelikedsnow-pudding,whenshriekswereheardinthekitchen,andMarythemaidrushedintosay,--"Oh,ma'am,thathorridbeasthasspoiltthepudding,andisscaringKatyoutofherlife!"Theyallran;andtheresatthatnaughtymonkeyonthetable,throwingthenicewhitesnowalloverpoorcook,tillherfacelookedasifshewasreadytobeshaved.Hisownface lookedthesame,forhehadeatenallhewantedwhilethepuddingstoodcoolinginthepantry.Hehadcreptoutofawindowinthecloset, and had a fine rummage among the sugar-buckets, butter-boxes, andmilk-pans.Kate wailed, and Mary scolded; but Aunt Jane and grandpa laughed, andNeddychasedJockintothegardenwiththebroom.Theyhadtoeatbreadandjellyfordessert,andittookthegirlsalongtimetoclearupthemesstherascalmade."Wewillputhiscollarandchainonagain,andkeephimtiedupallthetimetillthemancomes,"saidAuntJane.

"ButIcan'tcatchhim,"sighedNeddy,watchingthelittleimpwhiskaboutinthegardenamong thecurrant-bushes,chasinghensand tossinggreenapplesroundinhighglee."Sit quietly down somewhere andwait till he is tired; then hewill come toyou,andyoucanholdhimfast,"saidAuntJane.So Neddy waited; and though he was much worried at his new pet'snaughtiness,heenjoyedhisprankslikeaboy.Grandpa took naps in the afternoon on the piazza, and he was dozingcomfortablywhenJockoswungdownfromthegrape-vinebyhislongtail,andtickled the old gentleman on the nose with a straw. Grandpa sneezed, andopenedoneeyetobrushawaytheflyashesupposed.Thenhewenttosleepagain,andJockodroppedacaterpillaronhisbaldhead; thismadehimopentheothereyetoseewhatthatsoft,creepythingcouldbe.Neddycouldn'thelplaughing,forheoftenwantedtodojustsuchthings,butneverdared,becausegrandpawasaverysternoldgentleman,andnoone tooklibertieswithhim.Jockowas n't afraid, however; and presently he crept to the table, stele theglasses lying there,put themon,and takingup thepaperheld itbeforehim,chatteringasifhewerereadingit,ashehadseenpeopledo.Neddylaughedoutloudatthis,andclappedhishands,Jockolookedsolikealittleoldman,inspiteofthetailcurledupbehind.Thistimegrandpaopenedbotheyesatonce,and stared as if he saw a hobgoblin before him; then he snatched off thespectacles,andcaughtuphiscane,cryingangrily,--"Yourascal,howdareyou!"ButJockotossedthepaperinhisface,andwithonejumplightedonthebackofoldTom,thebigyellowcat,wholayasleepcloseby.Scaredhalfoutofhiswits,Tomspitandbounced;butJockoheldfast tohiscollar,andhadafineraceroundthegarden,while thegirls laughedat thefunnysight,andNeddyshouted, "It's a circus; and there's themonkey and the pony."Evengrandpasmiled, especially when puss dashed up a tree, and Jock tumbled off. Hechasedhim,andtheyhadagreatbattle;butTom'sclawsweresharp,andthemonkeygotascratchonthenose,andrancryingtoNeddyforcomfort."Now,younaughty fellow, I 'll chainyouup,andstop thesedreadful tricks.Butyouaregreatfun,andIcan'twhipyou,"saidtheboy;forheknewwhatitwastoenjoyaholiday,andpoorJockohadnothadoneforalongtime.Jockoate some lunch, tookanap in thegrass,and thenwas ready formorefrolics.Neddyhadfastenedhimtoatreeinthegarden,sothathecouldenjoythe sun and air, and catch grasshoppers if he liked. But Jocko wantedsomethingmore;andpresentlyNeddy,whowas reading inhishammockonthepiazza,heardagreatcacklingamong thehens, and lookedup to see themonkeyswingingbyhistailfromabough,holdingthegreatcock-a-doodleby

hissplendidtail,whileallthetwentyhenscluckedandcackledwithwrathandfearatsuchadreadfulprank."Now,that'stoobad;Iwillslaphimthistime,"saidNeddy,runningtosavehishandsome bird from destruction. But before he got there poor cocky hadpulledhisfine tail-feathersallout inhisstruggles,andwhensetfreewassofrightenedandmortifiedthatheranawayandhidinthebushes,andthehenswenttocomforthim.NeddygaveJockoagoodwhipping,andlefthimlookingasmeekasababy,allcuddledupinalittlebunch,withhisheadinhishandsasifcryingforhisnaughtiness. But hewas n't sorry. Oh, dear, no! for in half an hour he hadpickedeveryoneofthesweetpeasAuntJanewassofondof,thrownallthetomatoesoverthefence,andlettheparrotoutofhiscage.ThesightofPollywalkingintotheparlorwithapolite"Howareyou,ma'am?"sentAuntJanetoseewhatwasgoingon.Neddywasfastasleepinthehammock,wornoutwithhiscares;andJocko,havingunhookedhischain,wassittingonthechimney-topofaneighbor'shouse,eatingcorn."Weshallnotlivetotheendoftheweekifthissortofthinggoeson.Idon'tknowwhattodowiththelittlebeast;he'sasbadasanelephanttotakecareof,"saidthepoorlady,indespair,asshesawJockothrowhiscorncobdownontheminister'shatasthatstatelygentlemanwentby.Asnoneofthemcouldcatchhim,MissJanelethimalonetillNeddywakedupandcouldgoandfindsomeofthebigboystohelphim.Jockosoonleft theroof,andskippedinatawindowthatstoodopen.ItwaslittleNellyBrown'splay-room,andshehadleftherpetdollMaudMabelRoseMatildaveryillinthebestbed,whileshewentdowntogetapoppyleaftorubthedarling'scheekswith,becauseshehadahighfever.Jockotookafancytothe pretty bed, and after turning the play-house topsy-turvy, he pulled poorMaudMabel RoseMatilda out by her flaxen hair, and stuffing her into thewater-pitcher upside down, got into the bed, drew the lace curtains, andpreparedtodozedeliciouslyunderthepinksilkbed-cover.UpcameNelly,andwentatonce to thedear invalid,saying inhermotherlylittlevoice,--"Now,mydarlingchild,liequitestill,andIwon'thurtyouonebit."Butwhenshedrewthecurtain,insteadofthelovelyyellow-haireddollinherruffled nightcap, she saw an ugly little black face staring at her, and a tinyhandholdingthesheetfast.Nellygaveonescream,andflewdownstairsintothe parlor where the Sewing-circle was at work, frightening twenty-fiveexcellentladiesbyhercries,assheclungtohermother,wailing,--"Abogie!abogie!Isawhim,allblack;andhesnarledatme,andmydollyis

gone!WhatshallIdo?oh,whatshallIdo?"Therewasgreatconfusion,foralltheladiestalkedatonce;anditsohappenedthatnoneofthemknewanythingaboutthemonkey,thereforetheyallagreedthatNellywasafoolishchild,andhadmadeafussaboutnothing.Shecrieddismally,andkeptsayingtohermother,--"Go and see; it's inmydolly's bed,--I found it there, anddarlingMaudie isgone.""Wewillgoandsee,"saidMrs.MosesMerryweather,--astoutoldlady,whokepthersixgirlsinsuchgoodorderthattheywouldneverhavedaredtocryiftenmonkeyshadpoppedoutatthem.Miss Hetty Bumpus, a tall thin maiden lady, with a sharp eye and pointednose,wentwithher;butatthedoorthatledtothedining-roombothstoppedshort,andafteronelookcameflyingback,callingouttogether,--"Mrs.Brown,yoursupperisspoilt!adreadfulbeasthasruineditall!"Thentwenty-fiveexcitedladiesflewacrossthehalltobeholdJockosittingonthe great cake in themiddle of the table, his feet bathed in cream from theoverturned pitcher,while all around lay the ruins of custards, tarts, biscuits,andsauce,nottomentionnicenapkinsmadeintohay-cocks,spoons,knives,andforks,onthefloor,andthebestsilverteapotinthefireplace.WhileNellytoldhertaleandtheladiesquestionedandcomfortedher,thisbadmonkeyhadskippeddownstairsandhadadelightfulpartyallbyhimself.Hewasjustscrapingthejellyoutofatartwhentheydisturbedhim;andknowingthatmoreslapswereinstoreforhimifhestayed,heatoncewalkedcalmlydown the ravaged table, andvanishedoutof thewindowcarrying the silvertea-strainerwithhimtoplaywith.Theladieshadnosupperthatnight;andpoorMrs.BrownsentanotetoAuntJane, telling her the sad story, and adding that Nellywas quite ill with thefrightandthelossofdearMaudMabelRoseMatilda,drownedinthewater-pitcherandforeverspoilt."John shall go after that man to-morrow, and bring him back to carry thisterriblemonkeyaway.Ican'tlivewithhimaweek;hewillcostmeafortune,andwear us all out," saidAunt Jane,when Jockowas safely shut up in thecellar, after six boys had chased him all over the neighborhood before theycaughthim.Neddywasquitewillingtolethimgo;butJohnwassavedhisjourney,forinthemorningpoorJockowasfounddeadinatrap,wherehisinquisitiveheadhadbeenpokedtoseewhatthecheesetastedlike.Sohewasburiedbytheriver,andeveryonefeltmuchrelieved;forthemannevercameback,thinkingJockodeadwhenhelefthim.Buthehadnotlived

in vain; for after this dayof trial,mischievousNeddybehavedmuchbetter,andAuntJanecouldalwayscalmhisprankishspiritbysaying,asherfingerpointedtoalittlecollarandchainhangingonthewall,--"If you want to act like naughty Jocko, say so, and I 'll tie you up. Onemonkeyisenoughforthisfamily."

IV.THESKIPPINGSHOES.

Oncetherewasalittlegirl,namedKitty,whoneverwantedtodowhatpeopleaskedher.Shesaid"Iwon't"and"Ican't,"anddidnotrunatoncepleasantly,asobligingchildrendo.One day her mother gave her a pair of new shoes; and after a fuss aboutputtingthemon,Kittysaid,asshelaykickingonthefloor,--"Iwish thesewere seven-leagued boots, like Jack theGiantKiller's; then itwouldbeeasytorunerrandsallthetime.Now,Ihatetokeeptrotting,andIdon'tlikenewshoes,andIwon'tstirastep."Justasshesaidthat,theshoesgaveaskip,andsetheronherfeetsosuddenlythatitscaredallthenaughtinessoutofher.Shestoodlookingatthesecuriousshoes;andthebrightbuttonsonthemseemedtowinkatherlikeeyes,whiletheheelstappedonthefloorasortoftune.Beforeshedaredtostir,hermothercalledfromthenextroom,--"Kitty,runandtellthecooktomakeapiefordinner;Iforgotit.""Idon'twantto,"beganKitty,withawhineasusual.But thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthwhentheshoesgaveonejump,andtookherdownstairs,throughthehall,andlandedheratthekitchendoor.Her breath was nearly gone; but she gave the message, and turned round,tryingtosee if theshoeswouldletherwalkatall.Theywentnicely tillshewantedtoturnintothechina-closetwherethecakewas.Shewasforbiddentotouchit,butlovedtotakeabitwhenshecould.Nowshefoundthatherfeetwerefixedfasttothefloor,andcouldnotbemovedtillherfathersaid,ashepassedthewindowcloseby,--"Youwillhavetimetogotothepost-officebeforeschoolandgetmyletters.""Ican't,"beganKitty;butshefoundshecould,forawaywenttheshoes,outofthehouseatonebound,andtrotteddownthestreetsofastthatthemaidwhoranafterherwithherhatcouldnotcatchher."Ican'tstop!"criedKitty;andshedidnottilltheshoestookherstraightinto

theoffice."What'sthehurryto-day?"askedtheman,ashesawherwithoutanyhat,allrosyandbreathless,andherfacepuckeredupasifshedidnotknowwhethertolaughortocry."Iwon'ttellanyoneaboutthesedreadfulshoes,andI'lltakethemoffassoonasIgethome.Ihopetheywillgobackslowly,orpeoplewillthinkI'mcrazy,"saidKittytoherself,asshetookthelettersandwentaway.The shoes walked nicely along till she came to the bridge; and there shewanted to stop and watch some boys in a boat, forgetting school and herfather's letters.But theshoeswouldn't stop, thoughshe tried tomake them,andheldontotherailingashardasshecould.Herfeetwenton;andwhenshesatdowntheystilldraggedheralongsosteadily thatshehad togo,andshegotup feeling that therewas somethingvery strangeabout these shoes.Theminuteshegaveup,allwentsmoothly,andshegothomeingoodtime."Iwon'twear these horrid things anotherminute," saidKitty, sitting on thedoorstepandtryingtounbuttontheshoes.Butnotabuttoncouldshestir,thoughshegotredandangrystrugglingtodoit."Time for school; run away, little girl," calledmamma fromupstairs, as theclockstrucknine."Iwon't!"saidKitty,crossly.Butshedid;forthose'magicshoesdancedheroff,andlandedheratherdeskinfiveminutes."Well, I 'mnot late; that'sonecomfort," she thought,wishingshehadcomepleasantly,andnotbeenwhiskedawaywithoutanyluncheon.Herlegsweresotiredwiththelongskipsthatshewasgladtositstill;andthatpleasedtheteacher,forgenerallyshewasfussingaboutalllessontime.Butatrecess she got into trouble again; for one of the children knocked down thehouseofcorn-cobsshehadbuilt,andmadeherangry."Now,I'llkickyoursdown,andseehowyoulikeit,Dolly."Upwentherfoot,butitdidn'tcomedown;itstayedintheair,andthereshestoodlookingasifsheweregoingtodance.Thechildrenlaughedtoseeher,andshecoulddonothingtillshesaidtoDollyinagreathurry,--"Nevermind;ifyoudidn'tmeanto,I'llforgiveyou."Then the footwentdown,andKitty felt sogladabout it that she tried tobepleasant, fearing some new caper of those dreadful shoes. She began to seehowtheyworked,andthoughtshewouldtryifshehadanypoweroverthem.So,when one of the childrenwanted his ball, which had bounced over the

hedge,shesaidkindly,--"PerhapsIcangetitforyou,Willy."Andovershejumpedaslightlyasifshetoowereanindia-rubberball."Howcouldyoudo it?"cried theboys,muchsurprised; fornotoneof themdaredtrysuchahighleap.Kittylaughed,andbegantodance,feelingpleasedandproudtofindtherewasagoodside to theshoesafterall.Suchtwirlingsandskippingsasshemade,suchprettystepsandairylittleboundsitwasprettytosee;foritseemedasifher feet were bewitched, and went of themselves. The little girls werecharmed,andtriedtoimitateher;butnoonecould,andtheystoodinacirclewatchingherdancetillthebellrang,thenallrushedintotellaboutit.Kittysaiditwashernewshoes,andnevertoldhowqueerlytheyacted,hopingtohavegoodtimesnow.Butshewasmistaken.OnthewayhomeshewantedtostopandseeherfriendBell'snewdoll;butatthegateherfeetstuckfast,andshehadtogiveupherwishesandgostraighton,asmammahadtoldheralwaystodo."Runandpickanicelittledishofstrawberriesfordinner,"saidhersister,asshewentin."I 'm too ti--" Therewas no time to finish, for the shoes landed her in themiddleofthestrawberrybedatonejump."Imight aswell be a grasshopper if I 'm to skip round like this," she said,forgettingtofeeltiredoutthereinthepleasantgarden,withtherobinspickingberriescloseby,andacoolwindliftingtheleavestoshowwherethereddestandripestoneshid.Thelittledishwassoonfilled,andshewantedtostayandeatafew,warmandsweet from thevines;but thebell rang, andawayshewent,over thewood-pile,acrossthepiazza,andintothedining-roombeforetheberryinhermouthwashalfeaten."Howthischilddoesrushaboutto-day!"saidhermother."Itissodelightfultohavesuchaquicklittleerrand-girlthatIshallgethertocarrysomebundlestomypoorpeoplethisafternoon."Oh,dearme!Idohatetolugthoseoldclothesandbottlesandbasketsofcoldvictualsround.MustIdoit?"sighedKitty,dismally,whiletheshoestappedonthefloorunderthetable,asiftoremindherthatshemust,whethershelikeditornot."Itwouldberightandkind,andwouldpleasemeverymuch.Butyoumaydoasyouchooseabout it. Iamvery tired,andsomeonemustgo; for the littleBryan baby is sick and needs what I send," said mamma, looking

disappointed.Kittysatverystillandsoberforsometime,andnoonespoketoher.Shewasmakinguphermindwhethershewouldgopleasantlyorbewhiskedaboutlikeagrasshopperagainstherwill.Whendinnerwasover,shesaid inacheerfulvoice,--"I'llgo,mamma;andwhenalltheerrandsaredone,mayIcomebackthroughFairyland,aswecallthelittlegrovewherethetallfernsgrow?""Yes,dear;whenyouobligeme,Iamhappytopleaseyou.""I'mgladIdecidedtobegood;nowIshallhavealovelytime,"saidKittytoherself,asshetrottedawaywithabasket inonehand,abundleintheother,andsomemoneyinherpocketforapooroldwomanwhoneededhelp.The shoeswent quietly along, and seemed to know justwhere to stop. Thesick baby'smother thanked her for the soft little nightgowns; the lame girlsmiledwhenshesawthebooks;thehungrychildrengatheredroundthebasketof food, like young birds eager to be fed; and the old woman gave her abeautifulpinkshellthathersailorsonbroughthomefromsea.WhenalltheerrandsweredoneKittyskippedawaytoFairyland,feelingveryhappy,aspeoplealwaysdowhentheyhavedonekindthings.Itwasalovelyplace;forthefernsmadegreenarchestallenoughforlittlegirlstositunder,andthegroundwascoveredwithprettygreenmossandwood-flowers.Birdsflewaboutinthepines,squirrelschatteredintheoaks,butterfliesfloatedhereand there, and from thepondnearbycame thecroakof frogs sunning theirgreenbacksonthemossystones."Iwonderiftheshoeswillletmestopandrest;itissocoolhere,andI'msotired,"saidKitty,asshecametoacoseynookatthefootofatree.Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthwhenherfeetfoldedunderher,andthereshesatonacushionofmoss,likethequeenofthewoodonherthrone.Something lightedwith a bump close by her; and looking down she saw alargeblackcricketwithastifftail,staringathercuriously."Bless my heart! I thought you were some relation of my cousinGrasshopper's. You came down the hill with long leaps just like him; so Istoppedtosay,Howd'yedo,"saidthecricket,initscreakyvoice."I 'm not a grasshopper; but I have on fairy shoes to-day, and so domanythings that Ineverdidbefore,"answeredKitty,muchsurprised tobeable tounderstandwhatthecricketsaid."It ismidsummerday,andfairiescanplaywhateverprankstheylike.Ifyoudid n't have those shoes on, you could n't understandwhat I say.Hark, andhearthosesquirrelstalk,andthebirds,andtheantsdownhere.Makethemostofthischance;foratsunsetyourshoeswillstopskipping,andthefunallbe

over."While the cricket talked Kitty did hear all sorts of little voices, singing,laughing, chatting in the gayest way, and understood everyword they said.Thesquirrelscalledtooneanotherastheyracedabout,--"Here'sanut,there'sanut;Hideitquickaway,Inahole,underleaves,Toeatsomewinterday.Acornssweetareplenty,Wewillhavethemall:SkipandscamperlivelyTillthelastonesfall."Thebirdsweresingingsoftly,--"Rockabye,babies,Yourcradlehangshigh;Softdownyourpillow,Yourcurtainthesky.Fatherwillfeedyou,Whilemotherwillsing,AndshelterourdarlingsWithherwarmwing."And the antswere saying to one another as theyhurried in andout of theirlittlehouses,--"Work,neighbor,work!Donotstoptoplay;Wanderfarandwide,Gatherallyoumay.WeareneverlikeIdlebutterflies,Butlikethebusybees,Industriousandwise.""Antsalwaysweredreadfullygood,butbutterfliesareeversomuchprettier,"saidKitty,listeningtothelittlevoiceswithwonderandpleasure.

"Hollo!hollo!Comedownbelow,--It'slovelyandcoolOuthereinthepool;Onalily-padfloatForanicegreenboat.HerewesitandsingInapleasantring;Orleap-frogplay,Inthejolliestway.Ourgameshavebegun,Comejoininthefun.""Dearme!whatcouldIdooverthereinthemudwiththequeergreenfrogs?"laughedKitty,asthissongwascroakedather."No,no,comeandflyThroughthesunnysky,OrhoneysipFromtherose'slip,Ordanceintheair,Likespiritsfair.Comeaway,comeaway;'Tisourholiday."Acloudoflovelyyellowbutterfliesflewupfromawild-rosebush,andwentdancing away higher and higher, till they vanished in the light beyond thewood."That isbetter thanleap-frog.Iwishmyskippingshoeswouldletmeflyupsomewhere,insteadofcarryingmeonerrandsandwhereIoughttogoallthetime,"saidKitty,watchingtheprettythingsglitterastheyflew.Justatthatminuteaclockstruck,andawaywenttheshoesoverthepool,thehill,theroad,tilltheyprancedinatthegateasthetea-bellrang.Kittyamusedthe family by tellingwhat she had done and seen; but no one believed theFairylandpart,andherfathersaid,laughing,--"Go on, my dear, making up little stories, and by and by you may be asfamousasHansChristianAndersen,whosebooksyoulikesowell."

"Thesunwillsoonset,andthenmyfunwillbeover;soImustskipwhileIcan,"thoughtKitty,andwentwaltzingroundthelawnsoprettilythatall thefamilycametoseeher."She dances so well that she shall go to dancing-school," said her mother,pleasedwiththeprettyanticsofherlittlegirl.Kitty was delighted to hear that; for she had longed to go, and went onskippingashardasshecould,thatshemightlearnsomeofthegracefulstepstheshoestookbeforethedaywasdone."Come,dear,stopnow,andrunuptoyourbathandbed.Ithasbeenalonghotday,andyouaretired;sogettosleepearly,forNurseywantstogoout,"saidhermother,asthesunwentdownbehindthehillswithalastbrightglimmer,likethewinkofagreatsleepyeye."Oh,please,afewminutesmore,"beganKitty,butwasofflikeaflash;fortheshoestrottedherupstairssofastthatsheranagainstoldNursey,anddownshewent,splashingthewateralloverthefloor,andscoldinginsuchafunnywaythatitmadeKittylaughsothatshecouldhardlypickherupagain.By the timeshewasready toundress thesunwasquitegone,and theshoesshe took off were common ones again, for midsummer day was over. ButKittyneverforgotthelittlelessonsshehadlearned:shetriedtorunwillinglywhenspokento;sherememberedtheprettystepsanddancedlikeafairy;andbestofall,shealwayslovedtheinnocentandinterestinglittlecreaturesinthewoodsandfields,andwhenevershewastoldshemightgotoplaywiththem,shehurriedawayalmostasquicklyasifshestillworetheskippingshoes.

V.COCKYLOO.

Inthebarnyardagrayhensatonhernest,feelingveryhappybecauseitwastime forher eggs tohatch, and shehoped tohave a finebroodof chickens.Presentlycrack,crack,wenttheshells;"Peep,peep!"criedthechicks;"Cluck,cluck!"calledthehen;andoutcametendownylittlethingsoneaftertheother,allreadytorunandeatandscratch,--forchickensarenotlikebabies,anddon'thavetobetendedatall.There were eight little hens and two little cockerels, one black and one aswhiteassnow,withyellowlegs,brighteyes,andatinyredcombonhishead.ThiswasCockyloo, thegoodchick;but theblackonewasnamedPeck,andwasaquarrelsomebadfowl,asweshallsee.Mrs.Partlet,themamma,wasveryproudofherfinefamily;fortheeightlittle

daughterswereallwhiteandverypretty.Sheledthemoutintothefarmyard,cluckingandscratchingbusily;forallwerehungry,andranchirpingroundhertopickupthewormsandseedsshefoundforthem.Cockysoonbegantohelptakecareofhissisters;andwhenanicecornorafatbugwasfound,hewouldstepbackand let littleDownyorSnowballhave it.ButPeckwouldrunandpushthemaway,andgobbleupthefoodgreedily.Hechasedthemawayfromthepanwherethemealwas,andpickedthedownofftheirnecksiftheytriedto get their share. Hismother scolded himwhen the little ones ran to hideunderherwings;buthedidn't care, andwasverynaughty.Cockybegan tocrowwhenhewasveryyoung,andhadsuchafinevoicethatpeoplelikedtohearhis loud,clear"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"early in themorning; forhewokebefore the sunwas up, and began his song. Peck used to grumble at beingrousedatdawn,forhewaslazy;butthehensbustledup,andweregladtogetoutofthehen-house.The father cock had been killed by a dog; so theymadeCocky king of thefarmyard,andPeckwasveryjealousofhim."Icameoutof theshellfirst,andIamtheoldest;soIought tobeking,"hesaid."But we don't like you, because you are selfish, cross, and lazy. We wantCocky;heissolively,kind,andbrave.Hewillmakeasplendidbird,andhemustbeourking,"answered thehens;andPeckhad tomind,or theywouldhavepulledeveryfeatheroutofhislittletail.He resolved to do some harm to his good brother, and plagued him all hecould.Oneday,whenCockywasswingingwiththreeofhissistersonabushthathungover thebrook,Peckaskeda stupiddonkey feedingnear to comeand put his heavy foot on the bush. He did it, and crack went the branch,splashwentthepoorchicksintothewater,andallweredrownedbutCocky,who flew across and was saved. Poor little Hop, Chirp, and Downy wentfloatingdownthebrooklikeballsofwhitefoam,andwereneverseenagain.Allthehensmournedforthem,andputablackfeatherintheirheadstoshowhowsorrytheywere.MammaPartletwasheart-brokentolosethreedarlingsatonce;butCockycomfortedher,andnevertoldhowithappened,becausehewasashamedtohavepeopleknowwhatabadbirdPeckwas.A butterfly saw it all, and he toldGrannyCockletop about it; and the hensweresoangrythattheyturnedPeckoutofthebarnyard,andhehadtogoandlive in the woods alone. He said he did n't care; but he did, and was veryunhappy, and used to go and peep into the pleasant field where the fowlsscratchedandtalkedtogether.Hedarednotshowhimself,fortheywouldhavedrivenhimout.ButkindCockysawhim,andwouldrunwithsomenicebitandcreepthroughthefenceintothewood,saying,--

"Poorbrother,I'msorryforyou,andI'llcomeandplaywithyou,andtellyouthenews."Nowinthiswoodlivedafox,andhehadbeenplanningtoeatPeckassoonashewasfat;forhemissedthegoodcornandmealheusedtohave,andgrewvery thin livingongrasshoppersandberries.Whilehewaited thesly fellowmadefriendswithPeck,thoughthebirdknewthatfoxesatehens."I 'mnotafraid,and Idon'tbelieveoldGrannyCockletop's tales. Ican takecareofmyself, Iguess,"hesaid,andwentonplayingwith thefox,whogothimtotellallaboutthehen-house,--howthedoorwasfastened,andwheretheplump chickens roosted, andwhat time theywent to bed,--so that he couldcreep in and steal a good supper by and by. Silly Peck never guessedwhatharmhewasdoing,andonlylaughedwhenCockysaid,--"Youwillbesorryifyouplaywiththefox.Heisabadfellow;sobecarefulandsleeponahighbranch,andkeepoutofhisway,asIdo."Cocky was fat and large, and the fox longed to eat him, but never could,becausehewiselyranhomewheneverhesawtheroguehidingin thewood.ThismadePeckangry,forhewantedhisbrothertostayandplay;andsooneday,whenCockyranoffinthemidstofanicegame,Pecksaidtothefox,--"Seehere,ifyouwanttocatchthatfellow,I 'll tellyouhowtodoit.Hehaspromised tobringme some food to-night,whenall the rest are at roost.Hewillhideandnotgetshutup;then,whenthosecrossoldbiddiesareasleep,hewillclucksoftly,andIamtogoinandeatallIwantoutofthepan.Youhideonthetopofthehen-house;andwhilehetalkstome,youcanpounceonhim.ThenIshallbetheonlycockhere,andtheywillhavetomakemeking.""Allright,"saidthefox,muchpleasedwiththeplan,andverygladthatPeckhadachancetogetfatter.Sowhenitwasnight,Peckcreptthroughthebrokenpalingandwaitedtillheheard the signal. Now, good Cocky had saved up nice bits from his owndinner,andputtheminapaperhiddenunderabush.Hespreadthemalloutinthe barnyard and called; andPeck came in a great hurry to eat them, neverstoppingtosay,"Thankyou."Cockystoodbytalkingpleasantlytillalittleshowercameup."Peck,dear,putthisnicethickpaperoveryou;thenyouwillbedry,andcangooneating.I'llstepunderthatburdockleafandwaittillyouaredone,"saidCocky; and Peckwas too busy gobbling up the food to remember anythingelse.Now the fox had just crept up on the hen-house roof; andwhen he peepeddown,therewasjustlightenoughtoseeawhitethingbobbingabout."Ah,ha!that'sCockyloo;nowforagoodsupper!"Andwithajumpheseized

Peckbytheheadbeforehecouldexplainthemistake.Onesquawk,andthenaughtybirdwasdead;butthoughthepaperfelloff,andthefoxsawwhathehaddone, itwas too late,andhebegan toeatPeckup,whileCockyflewintoatreeandcrowedsoloudthatthefarmerranwithhisgun and shot the foxbefore he could squeeze through the hole in the fencewiththefowlinhismouth.After that the hens felt safe, for there were nomore foxes; and when theyheardaboutPecktheydidnotmournatall,butlikedCockybetterthanever,andlivedhappilytogether,withnothingtotroublethem.KingCockyloogrewtobeasplendidbird,--purewhite,withatallredcombonhishead,longspursonhisyellowlegs,manyfinefeathersinhistail,andeyesthatshonelikediamonds.Hiscrowwassoloudthatitcouldbeheardallover the neighborhood, and people used to say, "Hark! hear Farmer Hunt'scockcrow.Isn'titasweetsoundtowakeusinthedawn?"Alltheothercocksusedtoanswerhim,andtherewasafinematinéeconcerteveryday.Hewasagoodbrother,andledhisfivelittlesistersallaboutthefield,feeding,guarding,andamusingthem;formammawaslamenow,andcouldnotstirfarfromtheyard.ItwasaprettysighttoseeCockyrunhomewithaworminhisbill or a nice berry, and give it to his mother, who was very proud of herhandsome son. Even oldGrannyCockletop, who scolded about everything,likedhim;andoftensaid,asthehenssatscufflinginthedust,--"A fine bird,my dears, a very fine bird, and I know hewill do somethingremarkablebeforehedies."Shewasrightforonce;andthisiswhathedid.One day the farmer had to go away and stay all night, leaving the old ladyalone with two boys. They were not afraid; for they had a gun, and quitelongedforachancetofireit.Nowithappenedthatthefarmerhadagooddealofmoneyinthehouse,andsomebadmenknewit;sotheywaitedforhimtogoawaythattheymightstealit.Cockywaspickingaboutinthefieldwhenheheardvoicesbehindthewall,andpeepingthroughaholesawtwoshabbymenhidingthere."At twelve, to-night, when all are asleep, we will creep in at the kitchenwindowandstealthemoney.Youshallwatchontheoutsideandwhistleifanyonecomesalongwhile I 'm looking for theboxwhere the farmerkeeps it,"saidoneman."Youneedn'tbeafraid;thereisnodog,andnoonetowakethefamily,sowearequitesafe,"saidtheotherman;andthentheybothwenttosleeptillnightcame.Cockywasmuchtroubled,anddidn'tknowwhattodo.Hecouldnottellthe

old lady about it; for he could only cackle and crow, and she would notunderstand that language. So hewent about all day looking very sober, andwould not chase grasshoppers, play hide-and-seek under the big burdockleaves,orhuntthecricketwithhissisters.Atsunsethedidnotgointothehen-housewiththerest,butflewuptotheshedroofoverthekitchen,andsatthereinthecoldreadytoscaretherobberswithaloudcrow,ashecoulddonothingelse.Atmidnightthemencamecreepingalong;onestoppedoutside,andtheotherwent in. Presently he handed a basket of silver out, and went back for themoney.Justashecamecreepingalongwiththebox,Cockygavealoud,longcrow,thatfrightenedtherobbersandwoketheboys.Themanwiththebasketranawayinsuchahurrythathetumbledintoawell; theotherwasgoingtoget out of thewindow,whenCocky flew down and picked at his eyes andflappedhiswingsinhisface,sothatheturnedtorunsomeotherway,andmettheboys,whofiredathimandshothiminthelegs.Theoldladypoppedherheadoutoftheupperwindowandrangthedinner-bell,andcalled"Fire!fire!"soloudthatitrousedtheneighbors,whocamerunningtoseewhatthetroublecouldbe.They fished oneman out of the well and picked up the wounded one, andcarriedthembothofftoprison."Whocaughtthem?"askedthepeople."Wedid,"criedtheboys,veryproudofwhattheyhaddone;"butweshouldn'thavewaked if our goodCocky had not crowed, and scared the rascals. Hedeserveshalfthepraise,forthisisthesecondtimehehascaughtathief."SoCockywasbroughtin,andpetted,andcalledafinefellow;andhisfamilyweresoproudofhimtheycluckedaboutitforweeksafterward.When the robberswere tried, itwas found that theywere themenwhohadrobbed thebank,and takenagreatdealofmoney;soeveryonewasglad tohavethemshutupfortwentyyears.Itmadeagreatstir,andpeoplewouldgotoseeCockyandtellhowhehelpedcatchthemen;andhewassobraveandhandsome,theysaidatlast,--"Wewantanewweather-cockonourcourthouse,andinsteadofanarrowletushaveacock;andheshalllooklikethisfinefellow.""Yes,yes,"criedtheyoungfolks,muchpleased;fortheythoughtCockyoughttoberememberedinsomeway.Soapicturewastaken,andCockystoodverystill,withhisbrighteyeontheman;thenonelikeitwasmadeofbrass,andputhighuponthecourt-house,whereallcouldseethesplendidbirdshininglikegold,andtwirlingabouttotellwhichwaythewindwas.Thechildrenwerenevertiredofadmiringhim;

andallthehensandchickenswentinaprocessiononemoonlightnighttoseeit,--yes,evenMammaPartletandGrannyCockletop,thoughonewaslameandthe other very old, so full of pridewere they in the great honor doneKingCockyloo.Thiswasnottheendofhisgooddeeds;andthelastwasthebestofall,thoughit cost himhis life.He ruled for someyears, andkept his kingdom ingoodorder;fornoonewouldkillhim,whenmanyoftheotherfowlsweretakenforThanksgivingandChristmasdinners.Buthediddieatlast;andeventhenhewasgoodandbrave,asyoushallhear.Oneoftheboyswantedtosmokeapipe,andwentbehindthehen-house,sonobodyshouldseehimdosuchasilly thing.He thoughtheheardhis fathercoming, and hid the pipe under the house. Some straw and dry leaves layabout,andtookfire,settingtheplaceinablaze;fortheboyranawaywhenhesaw themischief he had done, and the fire got to burning nicely before thecriesofthepoorhenscalledpeopletohelp.Thedoorwaslocked,andcouldnotbeopened,becausethekeywasinthepocketofthenaughtyboy;sothefarmergotanaxeandchoppeddownthewall,lettingthepoorbiddiesflyout,squawkingandsmoking."WhereisCocky?"criedtheotherboy,ashecountedthehensandmissedthekingofthefarmyard."Burnt up, I 'm afraid," said the farmer, who was throwing water on theflames.Alas!yes,hewas;forwhenthefirewasouttheyfoundgoodoldCockysittingonanest,withhiswidewings spreadover some little chickswhosemotherhad left them. Theywere too small to run away, and sat chirping sadly tillCockycoveredandkeptthemsafe,thoughthesmokechokedhimtodeath.Everyonewasverysorry;andthechildrengavethegoodbirdafinefuneral,andburiedhiminthemiddleofthefield,withagreenmoundoverhim,andawhitestone,onwhichwaswritten,--Hereliesthebravestcockthatevercrew:Wemournforhimwithsorrowtrue.Nownevermoreatdawnhismusicshallwehear,Wakingtheworldliketrumpetshrillandclear.Thehensallhangtheirheads,thechickenssadlypeep;Theboyslooksober,andthegirlsallweep.Good-by,dearCocky:sleepandrest.Withgrassanddaisiesonyourfaithfulbreast;

Andwhenyouwake,bravebird,sogoodandtrue,Clapyourwhitewingsandcrow,"Cock-a-doodle-doo."

VI.ROSY'SJOURNEY.

Rosywasanicelittlegirlwholivedwithhermotherinasmallhouseinthewoods.Theywereverypoor,forthefatherhadgoneawaytodiggold,anddidnotcomeback;sotheyhadtoworkhardtogetfoodtoeatandclothestowear.Themotherspunyarnwhenshewasable,forshewasoftensick,andRosydidallshecouldtohelp.Shemilkedtheredcowandfedthehens;dugthegarden,andwenttotowntoselltheyarnandtheeggs.Shewasverygoodandsweet,andeveryonelovedher;buttheneighborswereallpoor,andcoulddolittletohelpthechild.So,whenatlastthemotherdied,thecowandhensandhousehad tobe sold topay thedoctorand thedebts.ThenRosywasleftallalone,withnomother,nohome,andnomoneytobuyclothesanddinnerswith."Whatwillyoudo?"saidthepeople,whowereverysorryforher."Iwillgoandfindmyfather,"answeredRosy,bravely."But he is far away, and you don't know just where he is, up among themountains. Staywith us and spin on your littlewheel, andwewill buy theyarn,andtakecareofyou,dearlittlegirl,"saidthekindpeople."No,Imustgo;formothertoldmeto,andmyfatherwillbegladtohaveme.I'mnotafraid,foreveryoneisgoodtome,"saidRosy,gratefully.Thenthepeoplegaveherawarmredcloak,andabasketwithalittleloafandbottleofmilkinit,andsomepenniestobuymoretoeatwhenthebreadwasgone. They all kissed her, andwished her good luck; and she trotted awaythroughthewoodtofindherfather.Forsomedaysshegotonverywell; for thewood-cutterswerekind,and lethersleepintheirhuts,andgaveherthingstoeat.Butbyandbyshecametolonelyplaces,wheretherewerenohouses;andthenshewasafraid,andusedto climbup in the trees to sleep, and had to eat berries and leaves, like theChildrenintheWood.Shemadeafireatnight,sowildbeastswouldnotcomenearher;andifshemetother travellers, shewassoyoungand innocentnoonehad theheart tohurt her. She was kind to everything she met; so all little creatures werefriendstoher,asweshallsee.

Oneday,asshewasrestingbyariver,shesawatinyfishonthebank,nearlydeadforwantofwater."Poor thing! go and be happy again," she said, softly taking him up, anddroppinghimintothenicecoolriver."Thankyou,dearchild;I'11notforget,butwillhelpyousomeday,"saidthefish,whenhehadtakenagooddrink,andfeltbetter."Why,howcanatinyfishhelpsuchagreatgirlasIam?"laughedRosy."Waitandsee,"answered the fish,asheswamawaywitha flapofhis littletail.Rosywentonherway,andforgotallaboutit.Butsheneverforgottobekind;andsoonafter,asshewas looking in thegrass forstrawberries, she foundafield-mousewithabrokenleg."Helpmetomynest,ormybabieswillstarve,"criedthepoorthing."Yes,Iwill;andbringtheseberriesso thatyoucankeepstill tillyour leg isbetter,andhavesomethingtoeat."Rosy took themousecarefully inher littlehand, and tiedup thebroken legwithaleafofspearmintandabladeofgrass.Thenshecarriedhertothenestundertherootsofanoldtree,wherefourbabymiceweresqueakingsadlyfortheirmother.Shemadeabedofthistledownforthesickmouse,andputclosewithinreachalltheberriesandseedsshecouldfind,andbroughtanacorn-cupofwaterfromthespring,sotheycouldbecomfortable."Good little Rosy, I shall pay you for all this kindness some day," said themouse,whenshewasdone."I'mafraidyouarenotbigenoughtodomuch,"answeredRosy,assheranofftogoonherjourney."Waitandsee,"called themouse;andall the littleonessqueaked,as if theysaidthesame.Sometimeafter,asRosylayupinatree,waitingforthesuntorise,sheheardagreatbuzzingcloseby,andsawaflycaughtinacobwebthatwentfromonetwigtoanother.Thebigspiderwastryingtospinhimallup,andthepoorflywasstrugglingtogetawaybeforehislegsandwingswerehelpless.Rosyputupherfingerandpulleddowntheweb,andthespiderranawayatoncetohideundertheleaves.ButthehappyflysatonRosy'shand,cleaninghiswings,andbuzzingsoloudforjoythatitsoundedlikealittletrumpet."You'vesavedmylife,andI'llsaveyours,ifIcan,"saidthefly,twinklinghisbrighteyeatRosy."Yousillything,youcan'thelpme,"answeredRosy,climbingdown,whilethe

flybuzzedaway,saying,likethemouseandfish,--"Waitandsee;waitandsee."Rosytrudgedonandon,tillatlastshecametothesea.Themountainswereontheotherside;buthowshouldshegetoverthewidewater?Noshipswerethere,andshehadnomoneytohireoneiftherehadbeenany;soshesatontheshore,verytiredandsad,andcriedafewbigtearsassaltasthesea."Hullo!" called a bubbly sort of voice close by; and the fish popped up hishead.Rosyrantoseewhathewanted."I'vecometohelpyouoverthewater,"saidthefish."How can you, when I want a ship, and some one to show me the way?"answeredRosy."Ishalljustcallmyfriendthewhale,andhewilltakeyouoverbetterthanaship, because he won't get wrecked. Don't mind if he spouts and flouncesaboutagooddeal,heisonlyplaying;soyouneedn'tbefrightened."Downdivedthelittlefish,andRosywaitedtoseewhatwouldhappen;forshedidn'tbelievesuchatinythingcouldreallybringawhaletohelpher.Presentlywhat lookedlikeasmall islandcamefloating throughthesea;andturning round, so that its tail touched the shore, thewhale said, ina roaringvoicethatmadeherjump,--"Comeaboard,littlegirl,andholdontight.I'llcarryyouwhereveryoulike."Itwasratheraslipperybridge,andRosywasratherscaredatthisbig,strangeboat;butshegotsafelyover,andheldonfast;then,witharollandaplunge,offwentthewhale,spoutingtwofountains,whilehistailsteeredhimliketherudderofaship.Rosylikedit,andlookeddownintothedeepsea,whereallsortsofqueerandlovelythingsweretobeseen.Greatfishescameandlookedather;dolphinsplayedneartoamuseher;theprettynautilussailedbyinitstransparentboat;and porpoisesmade her laughwith their rough play.Mermaids brought herpearlsandredcoraltowear,sea-applestoeat,andatnightsunghertosleepwiththeirsweetlullabies.Soshehadaverypleasantvoyage,andranonshorewithmanythankstothegoodwhale,whogaveasplendidspout,andswamaway.ThenRosytravelledalongtillshecametoadesert.Hundredsofmilesofhotsand,withnotreesorbrooksorhouses."I never cango thatway," she said; "I should starve, and soonbewornoutwalkinginthathotsand.WhatshallIdo?"

"Quee,quee!Waitandsee:Youweregoodtome;SohereIcome,Frommylittlehome,Tohelpyouwillingly,"saidafriendlyvoice;andtherewasthemouse,lookingatherwithitsbrighteyesfullofgratitude."Why,youdearlittlething,I 'mverygladtoseeyou;butI 'msureyoucan'thelpmeacrossthisdesert,"saidRosy,strokingitssoftback."That'seasyenough,"answeredthemouse,rubbingitspawsbriskly."I'lljustcallmyfriendthelion;heliveshere,andhe'lltakeyouacrosswithpleasure.""Oh,I'mafraidhe'drathereatme.Howdareyoucallthatfiercebeast?"criedRosy,muchsurprised."Ignawedhimoutofanetonce,andhepromisedtohelpme.Heisanobleanimal,andhewillkeephisword."Thenthemousesang,initsshrilllittlevoice,--"Olion,grand,Comeoverthesand,Andhelpmenow,Ipray!Here'salittlelass,Whowantstopass;Pleasecarryheronherway."Inamomentaloudroarwasheard,andasplendidyellowlion,withfieryeyesandalongmane,cameboundingoverthesandtomeetthem."WhatcanIdoforyou,tinyfriend?"hesaid,lookingatthemouse,whowasnotabitfrightened,thoughRosyhidbehindarock,expectingeverymomenttobeeaten.Mousietoldhim,andthegoodlionsaidpleasantly,--"I'lltakethechildalong.Comeon,mydear;sitonmybackandholdfasttomymane,forI'maswifthorse,andyoumightfalloff."Thenhecroucheddownlikeagreatcat,andRosyclimbedup,forhewassokindshecouldnotfearhim;andawaytheywent,racingoverthesandtillherhairwhistledinthewind.Assoonasshegotherbreath,shethoughtitgreatfuntogoflyingalong,whileother lionsandtigersrolledtheirfierceeyesat

her,butdarednot touchher; for this lionwaskingofall,andshewasquitesafe. Theymet a train of camels with loads on their backs; and the peopletravellingwith themwonderedwhatqueer thingwas riding that fine lion. Itlooked like avery largemonkey in a red cloak,butwent so fast theyneversawthatitwasalittlegirl."HowgladIamthatIwaskindtothemouse;forifthegoodlittlecreaturehadnothelpedme,Inevercouldhavecrossedthisdesert,"saidRosy,asthelionwalkedawhiletoresthimself."AndifthemousehadnotgnawedmeoutofthenetInevershouldhavecomeathercall.Yousee,littlepeoplecanconquerbigones,andmakethemgentleandfriendlybykindness,"answeredthelion.Then away they went again, faster than ever, till they came to the greencountry.Rosythankedthegoodbeast,andheranback;forifanyonesawhim,theywouldtrytocatchhim."NowIhaveonlytoclimbupthesemountainsandfindfather,"thoughtRosy,asshesawthegreathillsbeforeher,withmanysteeproadswindinguptothetop;andfar,farawayrosethesmokefromthehutswherethemenlivedanddug for gold. She started off bravely, but took the wrong road, and afterclimbingalongwhilefoundthepathendedinrocksoverwhichshecouldnotgo.Shewasverytiredandhungry;forherfoodwasgone,andtherewerenohouses in thiswildplace.Nightwascomingon,and itwassocoldshewasafraidshewould freezebeforemorning,butdarednotgoon lest sheshouldfalldownsomesteepholeandbekilled.Muchdiscouraged,shelaydownonthemossandcriedalittle;thenshetriedtosleep,butsomethingkeptbuzzinginherear,andlookingcarefullyshesawaflyprancingaboutonthemoss,asifanxioustomakeherlistentohissong,--"Rosy,mydear,Don'tcry,--I'mhereTohelpyouallIcan.I'monlyafly,Butyou'llseethatIWillkeepmywordlikeaman."Rosycouldn'thelplaughingtohearthebrisklittlefellowtalkasifhecoulddogreatthings;butshewasverygladtoseehimandhearhischeerfulsong,sosheheldoutherfinger,andwhilehesattheretoldhimallhertroubles."Blessyourheart!myfriendtheeaglewillcarryyourightupthemountainsandleaveyouatyourfather'sdoor,"criedthefly;andhewasoffwithaflirtofhisgauzywings,forhemeantwhathesaid.

Rosywasreadyforhernewhorse,andnotatallafraidafterthewhaleandthelion; so when a great eagle swooped down and alighted near her, she justlookedathissharpclaws,bigeyes,andcrookedbeakascoollyas ifhehadbeenacock-robin.Helikedhercourage,andsaidkindlyinhisroughvoice,--"Hopup,littlegirl,andsitamongmyfeathers.Holdmefastroundtheneck,oryoumaygrowdizzyandgetafall."Rosynestleddownamongthethickgrayfeathers,andputbotharmsroundhisneck;andwhiztheywent,up,up,up,higherandhigher,till thetreeslookedlikegrass,theyweresofarbelow.Atfirstitwasverycold,andRosycuddleddeeperintoherfeatherbed;then,astheycamenearertothesun,itgrewwarm,andshepeepedouttoseethehutsstandinginagreenspotonthetopofthemountain."Hereweare.You'llfindallthemenaredowninthemineatthistime.Theywon'tcomeuptillmorning;soyouwillhavetowaitforyourfather.Good-by;good luck, my dear." And the eagle soared away, higher still, to his nestamongtheclouds.Itwasnightnow,butfireswereburninginallthehouses;soRosywentfromhut tohut trying tofindherfather's, thatshemightrestwhileshewaited:atlastinonethepictureofaprettylittlegirlhungonthewall,andunderitwaswritten,"MyRosy."Thensheknewthatthiswastherightplace;andsheatesomesupper,putonmorewood,andwenttobed,forshewantedtobefreshwhenherfathercameinthemorning.While she slept a storm came on,--thunder rolled and lightning flashed, thewindblewagale,andrainpoured,--butRosyneverwakedtilldawn,whensheheardmenshoutingoutside,--"Run,run!Theriverisrising!Weshallallbedrowned!"Rosy ran out to seewhat was thematter, though thewind nearly blew heraway;shefoundthatsomuchrainhadmadetheriveroverflowtillitbegantowashthebanksaway."WhatshallIdo?whatshallIdo?"criedRosy,watchingthemenrushaboutlikeants,gettingtheirbagsofgoldreadytocarryoffbeforethewatersweptthemaway,ifitbecameaflood.Asifinanswertohercry,Rosyheardavoicesaycloseby,--"Splash,dash!Rumbleandcrash!Herecomethebeaversgay;Seewhattheydo,

Rosy,foryou,Becauseyouhelpedmeoneday."Andthere in thewaterwasthe littlefishswimmingabout,whileanarmyofbeaversbegantopileupearthandstonesinahighbanktokeeptheriverback.Howtheyworked,diggingandheapingwithteethandclaws,andbeatingtheearthhardwiththeirqueertailslikeshovels!Rosyandthemenwatchedthemwork,gladtobesafe,whilethestormclearedup;andbythetimethedamwasmade,alldangerwasover.Rosylookedintothefacesoftheroughmen,hopingherfatherwasthere,andwasjustgoingtoaskabouthim,whenagreatshoutingroseagain,andallbegantoruntothepithole,saying,--"Thesandhasfallenin!Thepoorfellowswillbesmothered!Howcanwegetthemout?howcanwegetthemout?"Rosyrantoo,feelingasifherheartwouldbreak;forherfatherwasdowninthemine,andwoulddiesoonifairdidnotcometohim.Themendugashardastheycould;butitwasalongjob,andtheyfearedtheywouldnotbeintime.Suddenly hundreds of moles came scampering along, and began to burrowdown through the earth,makingmanyholes for air to go in; for theyknowhowtobuildgalleriesthroughthegroundbetterthanmencan.Everyonewassosurprisedtheystoppedtolookon;forthedirtflewlikerainasthebusylittlefellowsscratchedandboredasifmakinganundergroundrailway."Whatdoesitmean?"saidthemen."Theyworkfasterthanwecan,andbetter;butwhosentthem?Isthisstrangelittlegirlafairy?"BeforeRosycouldspeak,allheardashrill,smallvoicesinging,--"Theycomeatmycall;Andthoughtheyaresmall,They'lldigthepassageclear:Ineverforget;We'llsavethemyet,ForloveofRosydear."Thenallsawalittlegraymousesittingonastone,wavinghertailabout,andpointingwithhertinypawtoshowthemoleswheretodig.Themenlaughed;andRosywastellingthemwhoshewas,whenacrycamefromthepit,andtheysawthatthewaywasclearsotheycouldpulltheburiedmenup.Inaminutetheygotropes,andsoonhadtenpoorfellowssafeontheground;paleanddirty,butallalive,andallshoutingasiftheywerecrazy,--"Tom'sgotit!Tom'sgotit!HoorayforTom!"

"What is it?" cried the others; and then they saw Tom come up with thebiggestlumpofgoldeverfoundinthemountains.EveryonewasgladofTom'sluck;forhewasagoodman,andhadworkedalongtime,andbeensick,andcouldn'tgobacktohiswifeandchild.WhenhesawRosy,hedroppedthelump,andcaughtherup,saying,--"Mylittlegirl!she'sbetterthanamillionpoundsofgold."ThenRosywasveryhappy,andwentbacktothehut,andhadalovelytimetellingherfatherallabouthertroublesandhertravels.Hecriedwhenheheardthat thepoormotherwasdeadbeforeshecouldhaveanyof thegoodthingsthegoldwouldbuythem."Wewillgoawayandbehappy together in thepleasantesthomeIcanfind,andneverpartanymore,mydarling,"saidthefather,kissingRosyasshesatonhiskneewithherarmsroundhisneck.Shewasjustgoingtosaysomethingverysweettocomforthim,whenaflylitonherarmandbuzzedveryloud,--"Don'tdrivemeaway,ButhearwhatIsay:Badmenwantthegold;Theywillstealitto-night,Andyoumusttakeflight;Sobequietandbusyandbold.""Iwasafraidsomeonewouldtakemylumpaway.I 'llpackupatonce,andwewillcreepoffwhilethemenarebusyatwork;thoughI'mafraidwecan'tgofastenoughtobesafe,iftheymissusandcomeafter,"saidTom,bundlinghisgoldintoabagandlookingverysober;forsomeoftheminerswerewildfellows,andmightkillhimforthesakeofthatgreatlump.Buttheflysangagain,--"Slipawaywithme,AndyouwillseeWhatawiselittlethingamI;FortheroadIshowNomancanknow,Sinceit'supinthepathlesssky."ThentheyfollowedBuzztoaquietnookinthewood;andthereweretheeagleandhismatewaitingtoflyawaywiththemsofastandsofarthatnoonecouldfollow.Rosyandthebagofgoldwereputonthemothereagle;Tomsatastride

thekingbird;andawaytheyflewtoagreatcity,wherethelittlegirlandherfatherlivedhappilytogetheralltheirlives.

VII.HOWTHEYRANAWAY.

Twolittleboyssatonthefencewhittlingarrowsonefineday.Saidonelittleboytotheotherlittleboy,--"Let'sdosomethingjolly.""Allright.Whatwillwedo?""Runofftothewoodsandbehunters.""Whatcanwehunt?""Bearsandfoxes.""Mullinsaysthereain'tanyroundhere.""Well,wecanshootsquirrelsandsnarewoodchucks.""Haven'tgotanygunsandtrap.""We'vegotourbows,andIfoundanoldtrapbehindthebarn.""Whatwillweeat?""Here 'sourlunch;andwhenthat'sgonewecanroastthesquirrelsandcookthefishonastick.Iknowhow.""Wherewillyougetthefire?""Gotmatchesinmypocket.""I'vegotalotofthingswecoulduse.Let'ssee."And as if satisfied at last, cautiousBilly displayed his treasures,while boldTommydidthesame.Besides the two knives there were strings, nails, matches, a piece of putty,fish-hooks,andtwoverydirtyhandkerchiefs."There,sir, that 'sa first-rate fit-out forhunters;andwith the jollybasketoflunchMrs.Mullingaveus,wecangetontip-topfortwoorthreedays,"saidTommy,eagertobeoff."Whereshallwesleep?"askedBilly,wholikedtobecomfortablebothnightandday."Oh,upintreesoronbedsofleaves,likethefellowsinourbooks.Ifyouareafraid,stayathome;I'mgoingtohavenoendofagoodtime."AndTommy

crammedthethingsbackintohispocketsasiftherewerenotimetolose."Pooh!Iain'tafraid.Comeon!"AndjumpingdownBillycaughtuphisrod,ratherashamedofhismanyquestions.Noonewaslookingatthem,andtheymighthavewalkedquietlyoff;butthatthe"runningaway"mightbeallright,bothraceddowntheroad,tumbledoverawall,anddashedintothewoodsasifawholetribeofwildIndianswereafterthem."Doyouknowtheway?"pantedBilly,whenatlasttheystoppedforbreath."Yes,itwindsrightupthemountain;butwe'dbetternotkeeptoit,orsomeonewill seeus and takeus back.Weare going to be real hunters andhaveadventures;sowemustget lost,andfindourwayby thesunand thestars,"answeredTommy,whohad read somanyBoys'Bookshis little headwas ajumbleofTexanRangers,AfricanExplorers,andBuffaloBills;andheburnedtooutdothemall."Whatwillourmotherssay ifwereallyget lost?"askedBilly,alwaysreadywithaquestion."Minewon'tfuss.SheletsmedowhatIlike."Thatwastrue;forTommy'spoormammawastiredoftryingtokeepthelivelylittle fellow in order, and had got used to seeing him come out of all hisscrapeswithoutmuchharm."Mine will be scared; she 's always afraid I 'm going to get hurt, so I 'mcareful.ButIguessI 'll riskit,andhavesomefunto tellaboutwhenwegohome,"saidBilly,trudgingafterCaptainTommy,whoalwaystookthelead.Theseeleven-year-oldboyswere stayingwith theirmothers at a farm-houseupamongthemountains;andhavinggottiredofthetamebears,thebigbarn,thetroutbrook,thethirtycoltsatpasture,andthesocietyofthefewlittlegirlsandyoungerboysatthehotelnearby,thesefinefellowslongedtobreaklooseand"roughitinthebush,"asthehuntersdidintheirfavoritestories.Awaytheywent,deeperanddeeperintothegreatforestthatcoveredthesideofthemountain.ApleasantplacethatAugustday;foritwascoolandgreen,withmanybrookssplashingovertherocks,orlyinginbrownpoolsundertheferns. Squirrels chattered and raced in the tall pines; now and then a grayrabbitskippedoutofsightamongthebrakes,orastrangebirdflewby.Hereand there blackberries grew in the open places, sassafras bushes wereplentiful,andblack-birchbarkwasreadyforchewing."Don'tyoucallthisnice?"askedTommy,pausingatlastinalittledellwhereanoisy brook came tumbling down the mountain side, and the pines sungoverhead.

"Yes;but I 'mawfulhungry.Let's rest andeatour lunch," saidBilly, sittingdownonacushionofmoss."Youalwayswant tobestuffingand resting,"answeredsturdyTommy,wholikedtobemovingallthetime.He took the fishing-basket, which hung over his shoulder by a strap, andopened it carefully; for goodMrs.Mullin hadpacked a nice lunchof breadand butter, cake and peaches, with a bottle of milk, and two large picklesslippedinontheslytopleasetheboys.Tommy's facegrewvery soberashe looked in, forallhe sawwasaboxofwormsforbaitandanoldjacket."ByGeorge!we'vegotthewrongbasket.ThisisMullin's,andhe'sgoneoffwithourprog.Won'thebemad?""NotasmadasIam.Whydidn'tyoulook?Youarealwaysinsuchahurrytostart.Whatshallwedonowwithoutanythingtoeat?"whinedBilly;forlosinghislunchwasadreadfulblowtohim."Weshallhavetocatchsomefishandeatblackberries.Whichwillyoudo,oldcry-baby?"saidTommy,laughingattheotherboy'sdismalface."I'llfish;I'msotiredIcan'tgoscratchingroundafterberries.Idon'tlove'em,either."AndBillybegantofixhislineandbaithishook."Luckywe got theworms; you can eat 'em if you can'twait for fish," saidTommy,bustlingabouttoemptythebasketandpileuptheirfewpossessionsinaheap."There'saquietpoolbelowhere,yougoandfishthere.I'llpicktheberries,andthenshowyouhowtogetdinnerinthewoods.Thisisourcamp;soflyroundanddoyourbest."ThenTommyranofftoaplacenearbywherehehadseentheberries,whileBillyfoundacomfortablenookbythepool,andsatscowlingatthewatersocrossly, it was a wonder any trout came to his hook. But the fat wormstemptedseveralsmallones,andhecheeredupattheprospectoffood.Tommywhistledwhilehepicked,and inhalfanhourcamebackwith twoquartsofniceberriesandanarmfulofdrysticksforthefire."We'llhaveajollydinner,afterall,"hesaid,astheflameswentcracklingup,andthedryleavesmadeapleasantsmell."Got four,butdon't seehowwe 'llevercook 'em;no frying-pan,"grumbledBilly,throwingdownthefourlittletrout,whichhehadhalfcleaned."Don'twant any.Broil 'emon the coals, or toast 'emon a forked stick. I 'llshowyouhow,"saidcheerfulTommy,whittlingaway,andfeedinghisfireasmuchlikearealhunterasasmallboycouldbe.While heworked,Billy ate berries and sighed for bread and butter.At last,

aftermuchtrouble,twoofthetroutwerehalfcookedandeagerlyeatenbythehungry boys. But they were very different from the nice brown onesMrs.Mullin gave them; for in spite of Tommy's struggles theywould fall in theashes,andtherewasnosalttoeatwiththem.Bythetimethelastweretoasted,theyounghuntersweresohungrytheycouldhaveeatenanything,andnotaberrywasleft."Isetthetrapdownthere,forIsawaholeamongthevines,andIshouldn'twonderifwegotarabbitorsomething,"saidTommy,whenthelastbonewaspolished."Yougoandcatchsomemorefish,andI'llseeifIhavecaughtanyoldchapashewenthometodinner."Off ranTommy; and the other boywent slowly back to the brook,wishingwithallhismighthewasathomeeatingsweetcornandberrypie.Thetrouthadevidentlygonetotheirdinners,fornotonebitedidpoorBillyget;andhewasjustfallingasleepwhenaloudshoutgavehimsuchafrightthathetumbledintothebrookuptohisknees."I'vegothim!Comeandsee!He'sabouncer,"roaredTommy,fromtheberrybushessomewayoff.Billyscrambledout,andwentas fastashiswetbootswould lethim, toseewhattheprizewas.HefoundTommydancingwildlyroundafatgrayanimal,whowasfightingtogethispawsoutofthetrap,andmakingaqueernoiseashestruggledabout."Whatisit?"askedBilly,gettingbehindatreeasfastaspossible;forthethinglookedfierce,andhewasverytimid."A raccoon, I guess, or a bigwoodchuck.Won't his furmake a fine cap? Iguesstheotherfellowswillwishthey'dcomewithus,"saidTommy,prancingtoandfro,withouttheleastideawhattodowiththecreature."He'llbite.We'dbetterrunawayandwaittillhe'sdead,"saidBilly."Wish he 'd got his head in, then I could carry him off; but he does looksavage,sowe'llhavetoleavehimawhile,andgethimwhenwecomeback.Buthe'sarealbeauty."AndTommylookedproudlyatthebunchofgrayfurscufflinginthesand."Canweevereathim?"askedhungryBilly,readyforafriedcrocodile ifhecouldgetit."Ifhe'saraccoon,wecan;butIdon'tknowaboutwoodchucks.Thefellowsinmybooksdon'tseemtohavecaughtany.He'sniceandfat;wemighttryhimwhenhe'sdead,"saidTommy,whocaredmorefortheskintoshowthanthebestmealevercooked.ThesoundofagunechoingthroughthewoodgaveTommyagoodidea,--

"Let'sfindthemanandgethimtoshootthischap;thenweneedn'twait,butskinhimrightaway,andeathimtoo."Off they went to the camp; and catching up their things, the two huntershurriedawayinthedirectionofthesound,feelinggladtoknowthatsomeonewas near them, for two or three hours of wood life made them a littlehomesick.Theyranandscrambled,andlistenedandcalled;butnotuntiltheyhadgonealongwayupthemountaindidtheyfindtheman,restinginanoldhutleftbythelumbermen.Theremainsofhisdinnerwerespreadonthefloor,andhelaysmoking,andreadinganewspaper,whilehisdogdozedathisfeet,closetoawell-filledgame-bag.Helookedsurprisedwhentwodirty,wetlittleboyssuddenlyappearedbeforehim,--onegrinningcheerfully,theotherlookingverydismalandscaredasthedoggrowledandglaredatthemasiftheyweretworabbits."Hollo!"saidtheman."Hollo!"answeredTommy."Whoareyou?"askedtheman."Hunters,"saidTommy."Hadgoodluck?"Andthemanlaughed."First-rate. Got a raccoon in our trap, andwewant you to come and shoothim,"answeredTommy,proudly."Sure?"saidtheman,lookinginterestedaswellasamused."No;butIthinkso.""What'shelike?"Tommydescribedhim,andwasmuchdisappointedwhen theman laydownagain,saying,withanotherlaugh,--"It'sawoodchuck;he'snogood.""ButIwanttheskin.""Thendon't shoot him, let himdie; that's better for the skin," said theman,whowastiredanddidn'twanttostopforsuchpoorgame.All this time Billy had been staring hard at the sandwiches and bread andcheeseonthefloor,andsniffingatthem,asthedogsniffedathim."Wantsomegrub?"askedtheman,seeingthehungrylook."Ijustdo!Weleftourlunch,andI'veonlyhadtwolittletroutandsomeoldberriessincebreakfast,"answeredBilly,withtearsinhiseyesandahandonhisstomach.

"Eatawaythen;I'mdone,anddon'twantthestuff."Andthemantookuphispaperasifgladtobeletalone.Itwasluckythatthedoghadbeenfed,forintenminutesnothingwasleftbutthenapkin;andtheboyssatpickingupthecrumbs,muchrefreshed,butreadyformore."Betterbegoinghome,mylads;it'sprettycoldonthemountainaftersunset,andyouarea longway from town," said theman,whohadpeepedat themoverhispapernowand then,andsaw, inspiteof thedirtandrips, that theywerenotfarmerboys."Wedon't liveintown;weareatMullin's, inthevalley.Nohurry;weknowtheway,andwewanttohavesomesportfirst.Youseemtohavedonewell,"answered Tommy, looking enviously from the gun to the game-bag, out ofwhichhungarabbit'sheadandasquirrel'stail."Prettyfair;butIwantashotatthebear.Peopletellmethereisoneuphere,andI 'mafterhim;forhekills thesheep,andmighthurtsomeof theyoungfolksroundhere,"saidtheman,loadinghisgunwithaverysoberair;forhewantedtogetridoftheboysandsendthemhome.Billy looked alarmed; butTommy's brown face beamedwith joy as he saideagerly,--"Ihopeyou'llgethim.I'drathershootabearthananyotheranimalbutalion.Wedon'thavethosehere,andbearsarescarce.Mullinsaidhehadn'theardofoneforalongtime;sothismustbeayoungone,for theykilledthebigonetwoyearsago."Thatwastrue,andthemanknewit.Hedidnotreallyexpectorwanttomeetabear,but thoughttheideaofonewouldsendthelittlefellowshomeatonce.Finding one of them was unscared, he laughed, and said with a nod toTommy,--"IfIhadtimeI'dtakeyoualong,andshowyouhowtohunt;butthisfatfriendofyourscouldn'troughitwithus,andwecan'tleavehimalone;sogoaheadyourownway.OnlyIwouldn'tclimbanyhigher,foramongtherocksyouaresuretogethurtorlost.""Oh,Isay,let'sgo!Suchfun,Billy!Iknowyou'lllikeit.Arealgunanddogandhunter!Comeon,anddon'tbeamolly-coddle,"criedTommy,wildtogo."Iwon't!I'mtired,andI'mgoinghome;youcangoafteryouroldbearsifyouwant to. I don't think much of hunting anyway, and wish I had n't come,"growledBilly,verycrossatbeingleftout,yetwithnodesiretoscrambleanymore."Can'tstop.Good-by.Getalonghome,andsomedayI'llcomeandtakeyououtwithme, littleLeatherstocking," said theman, stridingoffwith thedear

gun anddog andbag, leavingBilly towonderwhat hemeant by that queername,andTommytoconsolehimselfwiththepromisemadehim."Let'sgoandseehowoldChuckygetson,"hesaidgood-naturedly,whenthemanvanished."Not till I 'm rested. I canget a goodnapon this pile of hay; thenwe'll gohomebeforeit'slate,"answeredlazyBilly,settlinghimselfontheroughbedthelumbermenhadused."I justwish I had a boywith somego in him; you ain'tmuchbetter than agirl,"sighedTommy,walkingofftoapine-treewheresomesquirrelsseemedtobehavingaparty,theychatteredandracedupanddownatsucharate.He tried his bow and shot all his arrowsmany times in vain, for the livelycreaturesgavehimnochance.Hehadbetterluckwithabrownbirdwhosatinabushandwashit full in thebreastwith thesharpestarrow.Thepoor thingfluttered and fell, and its bloodwet the green leaves as it lay dying on thegrass.Tommywasmuchpleasedat first;butashestoodwatching itsbrighteyegrowdimanditsprettybrownwingsstopfluttering,hefeltsorrythatitshappy little lifewas so cruelly ended, and ashamed that his thoughtless funhadgivensomuchpain."I 'llnever shootanotherbirdexcepthawksafterchickens,and Iwon'tbragaboutthisone.Itwassotame,andtrustedme,Iwasverymeantokillit."Ashethoughtthis,Tommysmoothedtheruffledfeathersofthedeadthrush,and,makinga littlegraveunder thepine,buried itwrapped ingreen leaves,andleftittherewhereitsmatecouldsingoverit,andnorudehandsdisturbitsrest."I 'lltellmammaandshewillunderstand;butIwon'ttellBilly.Heissuchagreedyoldchaphe'll say Iought tohavekept thepoorbird toeat," thoughtTommy,ashewentbacktothehut,andsatthere,restringinghisbow,tillBillywokeup,muchmoreamiableforhissleep.Theytriedtofindthewoodchuck,butlosttheirway,andwandereddeeperintothegreatforesttilltheycametoarockyplaceandcouldgonofarther.Theyclimbedupandtumbleddown,turnedbackandwentround,lookedatthesunand knew it was late, chewed sassafras bark and checkerberry leaves forsupper,andgrewmoreandmoreworriedandtiredashourafterhourwentbyandtheysawnoendtowoodsandrocks.Onceortwicetheyheardthehunter'sgunfaraway,andcalledandtriedtofindhim.TommyscoldedBillyfornotgoingwiththeman,whoknewhiswayandwasprobably safe in the valleywhen the last faint shot came up to them.Billycried, and reproachedTommyforproposing to runaway;andboth feltveryhomesickfortheirmothersandtheirgoodsafebedsatFarmerMullin's.

Thesunset,andfoundtheminadrearyplacefullofrocksandblastedtreeshalf-way up themountain. Theywere so tired they could hardly walk, andlongedtoliedownanywheretosleep;but,rememberingthehunter'sstoryofthebear,theywereafraidtodoit,tillTommysuggestedclimbingatree,aftermakingafireatthefootofittoscareawaythebear,lestheclimbtooandgetthem.But, alas! thematcheswere left in their first camp; so they decided to taketurns to sleep andwatch, since it was plain that theymust spend the nightthere.Billywentupfirst,andcreepingintoagoodnotchofthebaretreetriedto sleep, while brave Tommy, armed with a big stick, marched to and frobelow. Every few minutes a trembling voice would call from above, "Isanythingcoming?"andananxiousvoicewouldanswerfrombelow,"Notyet.Hurryupandgotosleep!Iwantmyturn."AtlastBillybegantosnore,andthenTommyfeltsolonelyhecouldn'tbearit;soheclimbedtoalowerbranch,andsatnoddingandtryingtokeepwatch,tillhetoofellfastasleep,andtheearlymoonsawthepoorboysroostingthereliketwolittleowls.A loud cry, a scrambling overhead, and then a great shaking and howlingwaked Tommy so suddenly that he lost his wits for amoment and did notknowwherehewas."Thebear! thebear!don't lethimgetme!Tommy,Tommy,comeandmakehimletgo,"criedBilly,fillingthequietnightwithdismalhowls.Tommylookedup,expectingtobeholdalargebeareatinghisunhappyfriend;butthemoonlightshowedhimnothingbutpoorBillydanglingfromabough,highabovetheground,caughtbyhisbeltwhenhefell.Hehadbeendreamingofbears,androlledoffhisperch;sotherehehung,kickingandwailing,halfawake,andsoscareditwaslongbeforeTommycouldmakehimbelievethathewasquitesafe.How to get him down was the next question. The branch was not strongenoughtobearTommy,thoughheclimbedupandtriedtounhookpoorBilly.Thebeltwasfirmlytwistedattheback,andBillycouldnotreachtoundoit,norcouldhegethislegsroundthebranchtopullhimselfup.Thereseemednoway but to unbuckle the belt and drop. That he was afraid to try; for thegroundwas hard, and the fall a high one. Fortunately both belt and bucklewere strong; so he hung safely, though very uncomfortably, while Tommyrackedhisboyishbraintofindawaytohelphim.Billyhadjustdeclaredthatheshouldbecutintwoverysoonifsomethingwasnotdoneforhim,andTommywasindespair,whentheythoughttheyheardafar-off shout, and both answered it till their throats were nearly split withscreaming.

"Iseemtoseealightmovingrounddownthatway,"criedBillyfromhishook,pointingtowardthevalley."Theyarelookingforus,buttheywon'thearus.I'llrunandhollerlouder,andbring 'emuphere,"answeredTommy,gladtodoanythingthatwouldputanendtothisdreadfulstateofthings."Don't leaveme! Imay fall and be killed!The bearmight come!Don't go!don'tgo!"wailedBilly,longingtodrop,butafraid."Iwon'tgofar,andI 'llcomebackasquickasIcan.Youaresafeupthere.Hold on, and we 'll soon get you down," answered Tommy, rushing awayhelter-skelter,nevermindingwherehewent,andtoomuchexcitedtocareforanydamage.Themoonwasbrightontheblastedtrees;butwhenhecamedownamongthegreen pines, it grew dark, and he often stumbled and fell. Never mindingbumpsandbruises,hescrambledoverrocks,leapedfallentrunks,flounderedthroughbrooks,andclimbeddownsteepplaces,till,witharecklessjump,hewentheelsoverheadintoadeephole,andlaythereforamomentstunnedbythe fall. Itwas an old bear-trap, long unused, and fortunatelywell carpetedwithdeadleaves,orpoorTommywouldhavebrokenhisbones.Whenhecametohimselfhewassousedupthathelaystillforsometimeinasortofdaze, too tired toknoworcareaboutanything,onlydimlyconsciousthat somebodywas lost in a tree or awell, and that, on thewhole, runningawaywasnotallfun.By and by the sound of a gun roused him; and remembering poorBilly, hetriedtogetoutofthepit,--forthemoonshowedhimwherehewas.Butitwastoodeep,andhewastoostiffwithwearinessandthefalltobeverynimble.Soheshouted,andwhistled,andragedaboutverylikealittlebearcaughtinthepit.It is verydifficult to find a lost personon thesegreatmountains, andmanywanderforhoursnotfarfromhelp,bewilderedbythethickwoods,thedeepravines,andprecipiceswhichshutthemin.Somehavelosttheirlives;andasTommylayon the leavesusedupbyhisvariousstruggles,he thoughtofallthestorieshehadlatelyheardatthefarm,andbegantowonderhowitwouldfeeltostarvetodeathdownthere,andtowishpoorBillycouldcometosharehisprison,thattheymightdietogether,liketheBabesintheWood,orbetterstilltheBoyScoutslostontheprairiesinthatthrillingstory,"BillBoomerang,theWildHunteroftheWest.""I guess mother is worried this time, because I never stayed out all nightbefore, and I neverwill againwithout leave. It's rather good fun, though, ifthey only findme. I ain't afraid, and it is n't very cold. I alwayswanted tosleepout,andnowI'mdoingit.WishpoorBillywassafelydownandinthis

good bedwithme.Won't he be scared all alone there?Maybe the beltwillbreakandhegethurtbumpingdown.SorrynowIlefthim,he'ssucha'fraid-cat.There'sthegunagain!Guessit'sthatmanafterus.Hi!hollo!HereIam!Whoop!Hurrah!Hi!hi!hi!"Tommy'smeditationsendedinaseriesofyellsasloudashisshrilllittlevoicecouldmakethem,andhethoughtsomeoneanswered.Butitmusthavebeenanecho,fornoonecame;andafteranotherrampageroundhisprison,thepoorboynestleddownamong the leaves,andwent fastasleepbecause therewasnothingelsetodo.Sotheretheywere,thetwoyounghunters,lostatmidnightonthemountain,--onehanginglikeanappleontheoldtree,andtheothersoundasleepinabear-pit.Theirdistractedmothersmeantimewereweepingandwringingtheirhandsat the farm,while all themen in theneighborhoodwereout looking for thelost boys. The hunter on his return to the hotel had reported meeting therunawaysandhiseffort to send themhome ingoodseason; sopeopleknewwheretolook,and,ledbythemananddog,upthemountainwentMr.Mullinwithhistroop.Itwasamildnight,andthemoonshonehighandclear;sothehuntwas,onthewhole,rathereasyandpleasantatfirst,andlanternsflashedthroughthedarkforestlikefireflies,thelonelycliffsseemedalivewithmen,and voices echoed in placeswhere usually only the brooks babbled and thehawksscreamed.Butastimewenton,andnosignoftheboysappeared,themen grew anxious, and began to fear some serious harm had come to therunaways."Ican'tgohomewithoutthemlittleshaversnoway, 'speciallyTommy,"saidMr. Mullin, as they stopped to rest after a hard climb through the blastedgrove."He'saboyaftermyownheart,spryasachipmunk,smartasayoungcockerel,andasfullofmischiefasamonkey.Heain'tafraidofanything,andIshould n't be amite surprised to find him enjoyin' himself first-rate, and ascoolasacoocumber.""Thefatboywon'ttakeitsoeasily,Ifancy.Ifithadn'tbeenforhimI'dhavekeptthelivelyfellowwithme,andshownhimhowtohunt.SorrynowIdidn't take thembothhome,"said themanwith thegun,seeinghismistake toolate,aspeopleoftendo."Maybethey'vefelldownaprecipiceandgotkilled,likeMosesWarner,whenhewaslost,"suggestedatallfellow,whohadshoutedhimselfhoarse."Hushup, andcomeon!Thedog isbarkin'yonder, andhemayhave found'em,"saidthefarmer,hurryingtowardtheplacewherethehoundwasbayingatsomethinginatree.ItwaspoorBilly,hangingtherestill,halfunconsciouswithwearinessandfear.Thebelthadslippedupunderhisarms,sohecouldbreatheeasily;andthere

hewas,lookinglikeaqueersortofconeontheblastedpine."Wal, I never!" exclaimed the farmer, as the tall lad climbed up, and,unhookingBilly,handedhimdownlikeayoungbird,intothearmshelduptocatchhim."He'sallright,onlyscaredoutofhiswits.Comealongandlookfortheotherone.I 'llwarranthewentforhelp,andmaybehalf-wayhomebythistime,"saidthehunter,whodidn'ttakemuchinterestinthefatboy.Tommy'shatlayontheground;andshowingittothedog,hismastertoldhimtofindtheboy.Thegoodhoundsniffedabout,andthensetoffwithhisnosetothe ground, following the zigzag track Tommy had taken in his hurry. Thehunter and several of the men went after him, leaving the farmer with theotherstotakecareofBilly.Presentlythedogcametothebear-pit,andbegantobarkagain."He 'sgothim!"cried themen,muchrelieved;andrushingonsoonsawthegoodbeastlookingdownatalittlewhiteobjectinonecornerofthedarkhole.ItwasTommy'sfaceinthemoonlight,fortherestofhimwascoveredupwithleaves. The little round face seemed very quiet; and for amoment themenstood quite still, fearing that the fall might have done the boy some harm.Then the hunter leaped down, and gently touched the brown cheek. It waswarm, and a soft snore from the pug nose made the man call out, muchrelieved,--"He 's all right. Wake up here, little chap; you are wanted at home. Hadhuntingenoughforthistime?"Ashespoke,Tommyopenedhiseyes,gaveastretch,andsaid,"Hollo,Billy,"as calmly as if in his own bed at home. Then the rustle of the leaves, themoonlight in his face, and the sight of several men staring down at himstartledhimwideawake."Didyoushootthebigbear?"heasked,lookingupatthehunterwithagrin."No; but I caught a little one, and here he is," answered the man, givingTommyarollintheleaves,muchpleasedbecausehedidnotwhineormakeafuss."Gotlost,didn'twe?Oh,Isay,where'sBilly?Ilefthimupatreelikeacoon,and hewould n't come down," laughedTommy, kicking off his brownbed-clothes,andquitereadytogetupnow.Theyalllaughedwithhim;andpresently,whenthestorywastold,theypulledtheboyoutofthepit,andwentbacktojointheotherwanderer,whowasnowsitting up eating the bread and butter Mrs. Mullin sent for their very latesupper.

The men roared again, as the two boys told their various tribulations; andwhen they had been refreshed, the party started for home, blowing the tinhorns,andfiringshotaftershottoletthescatteredsearchersknowthatthelostchildren were found. Billy was very quiet, and gladly rode on the variousbroadbacksofferedforhisuse;butTommystoutlyrefusedtobecarried,andwithanoccasional"boost"overaveryroughplace,walkedallthewaydownonhisownsturdylegs.Hewastheherooftheadventure,andwasnevertiredofrelatinghowhecaughtthewoodchuck,cookedthefish,sliddownthebigrock,andwenttobedintheoldbear-pit.Butinhisownlittlemindheresolvedtowaittillhewasolderbeforehetriedtobeahunter;andthoughhecaughtseveralwoodchucksthatsummer,henevershotanotherharmlesslittlebird.

VIII.THEFAIRYBOX.

"TwishIhadamagicbraceletlikeRosamond's,thatwouldprickmewhenIwasgoing to dowrong," said littleMay, as she put down the story shehadbeenreading.Therewas no one else in the room, but she heard a sweet voice sing thesewordsclosetoherear:--"Nowhark,littleMay,Ifyouwanttodoright,UnderyourpillowJustlookeverynight.IfyouhavebeengoodAllthroughtheday,Agiftyouwillfind,Usefulorgay;ButifyouhavebeenCross,selfish,orwild,AbadthingwillcomeForthenaughtychild.Sotry,littledear,AndsoonyouwillseeHoweasyandsweet

Togrowgooditwillbe."May was very much surprised at this, and looked everywhere to see whospoke,butcouldfindnoone."IguessIdreamedit;butmyeyesarewideopen,andIcan'tmakeuppoetry,asleeporawake."Asshesaidthat,someonelaughed;andthesamevoicesangagain,--"Ha,ha!youcan'tsee,AlthoughIamhere;ButlistentowhatIsayinyourear.Tellnooneofthis,Because,ifyoudo,Myfunwillbespoilt,Andsowillyourstoo.Butifyouaregood,Andpatient,andgay,ArealfairywillcomeToseelittleMay.""Oh,howsplendidthatwillbe!I 'll tryhard,andbeasgoodasanangelifIcanonlygetonepeepatalivefairy.Ialwayssaid,thereweresuchpeople,andnow I shall know how they look," cried the little girl, so pleased that shedancedallabouttheroom,clappingherhands.Somethingbrightdartedoutofthewindowfromamongtheflowersthatstoodthere,andnomoresongswereheard;soMayknewthattheelfhadgone."I'vegotafinesecretalltomyself,andI'llkeepitcarefully.Iwonderwhatpresentwillcometo-night,"shesaid,thinkingthisaveryinterestingplay.She was very good all day, and made no fuss about going to bed, thoughusuallyshefretted,andwantedtoplay,andcalledforwater,andplaguedpoorNurseyinmanyways.Shegotsafelyintoherlittlenest,andthenwasinsucha hurry to see what was under her pillow that she forgot, and called outcrossly,--"Dohurryandgoaway.Don'twaittohangupmyclothes,youslowoldthing!Go,go!"That hurtNurse's feelings, and shewent awaywithout her good-night kiss.ButMaydidn'tcare,andfeltunderherpillowtheminutethedoorwasshut.A

lampwasalways left burning; so shecould see the littlegoldbox shedrewout."How pretty! I hope there is some candy in it," she said, opening it verycarefully.Oh,dear!whatdoyou thinkhappened?Awaspflewoutandstungher lips;thenbothwaspandboxvanished,andMaywaslefttocryalone,withasharppaininthelipsthatsaidtheunkindwords."Whatadreadfulpresent!Idon'tlikethatspitefulfairywhosendssuchhorridthings,"shesobbed.Thenshelaystillandthoughtaboutit;forshedarednotcallanyone,becausenobodymustguessthesecret.Sheknewinherownlittleheartthatthecrosswords hurtNursey as the sting did her lips, and she felt sorry.At once thesmartgotbetter,andbythetimeshehadresolvedtoaskthegoodoldwomantoforgiveher,itwasallgone.NextmorningshekissedNurseyandbeggedpardon,andtriedhardtobegoodtill tea-time; thensherantoseewhatnicethingstheyweregoingtohavetoeat,thoughshehadoftenbeentoldnottogointothedining-room.Noonewasthere; and on the table stood a dish of delicious little cakes, all white likesnowballs."Imusthavejustataste,andI'lltellmammaafterward,"shesaid;andbeforesheknewitonelittlecakewaseatenallup."Nobodywillmissit,andIcanhaveanotherattea.Now,alumpofsugarandasipofcreambeforemammacomes,Isoliketopickround."Having done one wrong thing,May felt like going on; so she nibbled andmeddledwithall sortsof forbidden things till shehearda step, thenshe ranaway;andbyandby,when thebell rang,came inwith the restasprimandproperasifshedidnotknowhowtoplaypranks.Noonemissedthecake,andhermothergaveheranother,saying,--"There,dear,isaniceplummyoneformygoodchild."May turned red, and wanted to tell what she had done, but was ashamedbecause there was company; and people thought she blushed like amodestlittlegirlatbeingpraised.But when she went to bed she was almost afraid to look under the pillow,knowing that shehaddonewrong.At last sheslowlydrewout thebox,andslowly opened it, expecting something to fly at her.All she sawwas a tinyblackbag,thatbeganatoncetogrowlarger,tillitwasbigenoughtoholdhertwo hands. Then it tied itself tight round her wrists, as if to keep thesemeddlesomehandsoutofmischief.

"Well, thisisveryqueer,butnotsodreadfulasthewasp.IhopenoonewillseeitwhenI'masleep.IdowishI'dletthosecakesandthingsalone,"sighedMay,lookingattheblackbag,andvainlytryingtogetherhandsfree.Shecriedherselftosleep,andwhenshewokethebagwasgone.Noonehadseenit;butshetoldhermammaaboutthecake,andpromisednottodosoanymore."Nowthisshallbeatrulygoodday,everybitofit,"shesaid,assheskippedaway,feelingaslightasafeatheraftershehadconfessedherlittlesins.But,alas!itissoeasytoforgetanddowrong,thatMayspoiltherdaybeforedinnerbygoingtotheriverandplayingwiththeboats,inspiteofmanyordersnottodoit.Shedidnottellofit,andwenttoapartyintheafternoon,whereshewassomerrysheneverrememberedthenaughtythingtillshewasinbedandopenedthefairybox.Alittlechainappeared,whichinaflashgrewlongandlarge,andfastenedroundheranklesasifshewereaprisoner.Maylikedtotumbleabout,andwasmuchdisgustedtobechainedinthisway;buttherewasnohelpforit,soshelayverystillandhadplentyoftimetobesorry."Itisagoodpunishmentforme,andIdeserveit.Iwon'tcry,butIwill--Iwillremember."AndMay said her prayers very soberly, reallymeaning to keepherwordthistime.All thenextdayshewasverycareful tokeepher lipsfromcrosswords,herhands fromforbidden things, andher feet fromgoingwrong.Nothing spoiltthisday,shewatchedsowell;andwhenmammagavethegood-nightkiss,shesaid,--"WhatshallIgivemygoodlittledaughter,whohasbeengentle,obedient,andbusyallday?""Iwantawhitekitty,withblueeyes,andapinkribbononitsneck,"answeredMay."I'lltryandfindone.Nowgotobed,deary,andhappydreams!"saidmamma,withmanykissesontherosycheeks,andthesmilethatwasareward.Maywassobusythinkingaboutthekittyandthegooddaythatsheforgottheboxtillsheheardalittle"Mew,mew!"underherpillow."Mercyme!what'sthat?"Andshepoppedupherheadtosee.Outcamethebox;offflewthelid,andthere,onaredcushion,layawhitekitabouttwoincheslong.Maycouldn'tbelievethatitwasalivetillitjumpedoutofitsnest,stretcheditself,andgrewallatoncejusttherightsizetoplaywithandbepretty.Itseyeswereblue,itstaillikeawhiteplume,andasweetpinkbowwasonitsneck.Itdancedalloverthebed,ranupthecurtains,hidunderthe clothes, nippedMay's toes, lickedher face, patted her nosewith its softpaw,andwinkedatherinsuchafunnywaythatshelaughedforjoyathaving

suchadearkitty.Presently,asifitknewthatbedwastheplacetoliequietin,pusscuddleddowninalittlebunchandpurredMaytosleep."Isupposethatdarlingkitwillbegonelikealltheotherthings,"saidMay,asshewakedupandlookedroundforherfirstprettygift.No; there was the lovely thing sitting in the sun among the flower-pots,washingherfaceandgettingreadyforplay.Whatafinefrolictheyhad;andhow surprised every one was to see just the pussy May wanted! Theysupposeditcameaskittiesoftencome;andMaynevertoldthemitwasafairypresent,because shehadpromisednot to.Shewas sohappywith littlepussthatshewasgoodallday;andwhenshewenttobedshethought,--"IwishIhadadogtoplaywithdarlingSnowdrop,andrunwithmewhenIgotowalk.""Bow,wow,wow!"camefromunderthepillow;andoutoftheboxtrottedacurlyblackdog,withlongears,asilvercollar,andsuchbright,kindeyesMaywasnotabitafraidofhim,butlovedhimatonce,andnamedhimFloss,hewas so soft and silky. Pussy liked him too; andwhenMaywas sleepy theybothsnuggleddowninthesamebasketliketwogoodbabies,andwenttoby-low."Well,Inever!Whatshallwefindnext?"saidNurse,whenshesawthedoginthemorning."Perhapsitwillbeanelephant, tofill thewholehouse,andscareyououtofyourwits,"laughedMay,dancingaboutwithSnowdropchasingherbaretoes,whileFlossshookandgrowledoverhershoesasiftheywererats."IfyourcousinJohnwantstogiveyouanymoreanimals,Iwishhe'dsendapony to take you to school, and savemy old legs the pain of trotting afteryou,"saidNurse;forMaydidhavearichcousinwhowasveryfondofher,andoftengavehernicethings."Perhapshewill,"laughedMay,muchtickledwiththeideathatitwasafairy,andnotCousinJohn,whosentthecunninglittlecreaturestoher.Butshedidn'tgettheponythatnight;forintheafternoonhermothertoldhernottositonthelawn,becauseitwasdamp,andMaydidnotmind,beingbusywithanicestory.Sowhenshetookupherbox,aloudsneezeseemedtoblowthelidoff,andallshesawwasabitofredflannel."Whatisthisfor?"sheasked,muchdisappointed;andasiftoanswer,thestripofflannelwrappeditselfroundherneck."There!mythroatissore,andIamhoarse.IwonderhowthatfairyknewIsatonthedampgrass.I'msosorry;forIdidwantapony,andmighthavehaditifI'donlyminded,"saidMay,angrywithherselfforspoilingallherfun.

Itwasspoilt;forshehadsuchacoldnextdayshecouldn'tgooutatall,buthad to take medicine and keep by the fire, while the other children had alovelypicnic."I won't wish for anything to-night; I don't deserve a present, I was sodisobedient.ButIhavetriedtobepatient,"saidMay,feelingforthebox.Thefairyhadnotforgottenher,andtherewasabeautifulpicture-book,fullofnew,nicestoriesprintedincoloredink."Howsplendidtoreadto-morrowwhileI 'mshutup!"shesaid,andwent tosleepveryhappily.All the next day she enjoyed the pretty pictures and funny tales, and nevercomplainedorfrettedatall,butwassomuchbetterthedoctorsaidshecouldgooutto-morrow,ifitwasfine."NowIwillwishforthepony,"saidMay,inherbed.Buttherewasnothingintheboxexceptalittlered-silkrope,likeahalter.Shedidnotknowwhattodowithitthatnight,butshedidthenextmorning;forjustasshewasdressedherbrothercalledfromthegarden,--"May,lookoutandseewhatwefoundinthestable.Noneofuscancatchhim,sodocomeandseeifyoucan;yournameisonthecardtiedtohismane."Maylooked,andtherewasasnow-whiteponyracingabouttheyardasifhewashavingafinefrolic.Thensheknewthehalterwasforhim,andrandowntocatchhim.Theminutesheappeared,theponywenttoherandputhisnoseinherhand,neighing,asifhesaid,--"Thisismylittlemistress;Iwillmindherandserveherwell."Maywasdelighted,andveryproudwhen thepony letherputon thesaddleandbridlethatlayinthebarnallreadytouse.Shejumpedupandrodegaylydown the road; and Will and mamma and all the maids and Floss andSnowdrop ran to see the pretty sight. The children at school were muchexcitedwhenshecametrottingup,andallwantedtoridePrince.Hewasverygentle,andeveryonehadaride;butMayhadthebestfun,forshecouldgoeverydayforlongtrotsbythecarriagewhenmammaandWilldroveout.Abluehabitandahatwithalongfeatherwereboughtthatafternoon;andMaywassohappyandcontentedatnightthatshesaidtoherselfasshelayinbed,--"I'llwishforsomethingforWillnow,andseeifIgetit.Idon'twantanymorepresentsyet;I'vehadmyshare,andI'dlovetogiveawaytootherpeoplewhohavenofairybox."Soshewishedforaniceboat,andintheboxlayakeywiththename"WaterLily"onit.Sheguessedwhatitmeant,andinthemorningtoldherbrothertocometotheriverandseewhatshehadforhim.Therelayaprettygreenandwhiteboat,withcushionedseats,asailallspread,andatthemast-headalittle

flagflyinginthewind,withthewords"WaterLily"onitingoldletters.Willwassosurprisedandpleasedtofindthatitwashis,heturnedheelsoverheadonthegrass,kissedMay,andskippedintohisboat,crying,"Allaboard!"asifeagertotryitatonce.May followed, and they sailed away down the lovely river,whitewith reallilies,whiletheblackbirdssanginthegreenmeadowsoneitherside,andboysandgirlsstoppedonthebridgestoseethempass.After thatMaykepton trying tobegood,andwishing for things forherselfandotherpeople,tillsheforgothowtobenaughty,andwasthesweetestlittlegirlintheworld.Thentherewasnoneedoffairiestohelpher;andonenighttheboxwasnotunderthepillow."Well,I 'vehadmyshareofprettythings,andmustlearntodowithout.I 'mgladI tried;fornowit iseasytobegood,andIdon'tneedtoberewarded,"saidMay,asshefellasleep,quitehappyandcontented,thoughshedidwish,shecouldhaveseenthefairyjustonce.Nextmorningthefirst thingshesawwasabeautifulbracelet,shiningonthetable;andwhileshestoodadmiringit,sheheardthelittlevoicesing,--"HereisthebraceletForgoodlittleMayTowearonherarmBynightandbyday.Whenitshineslikethesun,All'sgoingwell;Butwhenyouarebad,Asharpprickwilltell.Farewell,littlegirl,Fornowwemustpart.Makeafairy-box,dear,Ofyourownhappyheart;AndtakeoutforallSweetgiftseveryday,TillalltheyearroundIslikebeautifulMay."As the last words were sung, right before her eyes she saw a tiny creatureswingingontherosethatstoodthereinavase,--alovelyelf,withwingslikea

butterfly,agauzydress,andastaronherforehead.Shesmiled,andwavedherhandassheslowlyroseandflutteredawayintothesunshine,tillshevanishedfrom sight, leavingMaywith themagicbracelet onher arm, and thehappythoughtthatatlastshehadreallyseenafairy.

IX.AHOLEINTHEWALL.

PARTI.

IfanyonehadaskedJohnnyMorriswhowerehisbestfriends,hewouldhaveanswered,--"Thesunandthewind,nexttomother."Johnnylivedinalittlecourtthatledofffromoneofthebusieststreetsinthecity,--anoisystreet,wherehorse-carbellstinkledandomnibusesrumbledalldaylong,goingandcomingfromseveralgreatdepotsnearby.Thecourtwasadullplace,withonlytwoorthreeshabbyhousesinit,andahighblankwallattheend.The peoplewho hurried bywere too busy to domore than to glance at thelameboywhosatinthesunshineagainstthewall,ortoguessthattherewasapicture-galleryandacirculating-libraryinthecourt.ButJohnnyhadboth,andtooksuchcomfortinthemthathenevercouldbegratefulenoughtothewindthatbroughthimhisbooksandpictures,nor to thesunthatmadeitpossibleforhimtoenjoythemintheopenair,farmorethanricherfolkenjoytheirfinegalleriesandlibraries.Abad fall, somemonthsbefore the time this storybegins,did something toJohnny'sbackwhichmadehispoorlegsnearlyuseless,andchangedthelively,rosyboyintoapalecripple.Hismothertookinfinewashing,andworkedhardto pay doctors' bills and feed and clothe her boy,who could no longer runerrands,helpwiththeheavytubs,orgotoschool.Hecouldonlypickoutlacesforhertoiron,lieonhisbedinpainforhours,and,eachfairday,hobbleoutto sit in a little old chair between thewater-butt and the leaky tin boiler inwhichhekepthislibrary.Buthewasahappyboy,inspiteofpovertyandpain;andthedayagreatgustcame blowing fragments of a gay placard and a dusty newspaper down thecourttohisfeet,wasthebeginningofgoodfortuneforpatientJohnny.Therewasatheatreinthestreetbeyond,andotherpicturedbitsfoundtheirwaytohim;forthefrolicsomewindlikedtowhiskthepapersaroundthecorner,andchasethemhereandtheretilltheysettledunderthechairorflewwildlyover

thewall.Faces, animals, people, and big letters, all came to cheer the boy,whowasnevertiredofcollectingthesewaifsandstrays;cuttingoutthebigpicturestopasteonthewallwith the leavingsofmother'sstarch,andthesmaller in thescrap-bookhemadeoutofstoutbrownwrappersornewspapers,whenhehadread the latter carefully. Soon it was a very gay wall; for mother helped,standingonachair,toputthelargepicturesup,whenJohnnyhadcoveredallthe space he could reach.The bookswere laid carefully away in the boiler,afterbeingsmoothlyironedoutandnamedtosuitJohnny'sfancybypastinglettersontheback.Thiswasthecirculatinglibrary;fornotonlydidthepaperswhiskaboutthecourttobeginwith,butthebookstheyafterwardmadewenttheroundsamongtheneighborstilltheywerewornout.TheoldcobblernextdoorenjoyedreadingtheanecdotesonSundaywhenhecouldnotwork;thepaleseamstressupstairslikedtolookoveradvertisementsofthefinethingswhichshelongedfor;andPatseyFlynn,thenewsboy,whowentbyeachdaytosellhispapersatthestation,oftenpausedtolookattheplay-bills,--forheadoredthetheatre,andentertainedJohnnywithdescriptionsofthesplendorstheretobebeheld,tillhefeltasifhehadreallybeen,andhadknownallthefamousactors,fromHumptyDumptytothegreatSalvini.Nowandthenaflockofdirtychildrenwouldstrayinto thecourtandasktoseethe"prettypicters."ThenJohnnywasaproudandhappyboy;for,armedwithaclothes-pole,hepointedoutandexplained thebeautiesofhisgallery,feeling that he was a public benefactor when the poor babies thanked himwarmly,andpromisedtocomeagainandbringallthenicepaperstheycouldpickup.ThesewereJohnny'spleasures:buthehadtwosorrows,--one,averyrealone,hisachingback;andtheother,aboyishlongingtoclimbthewallandseewhatwasontheotherside,foritseemedamostwonderfulanddelightfulplacetothe poor child, shut up in that dismal court, with no playmates and fewcomforts.Heamusedhimselfwithimagininghowitlookedoverthere,andnearlyeverynightaddedsomenewcharmtothisunseencountry,whenhismothertoldhimfairy tales togethim tosleep.Hepeopled itwith thedearoldcharactersallchildrenknowandlove.ThewhitecatthatsatonthewallwasPussinBootstohim,orWhittington's good friend.Blue-beard'swiveswerehidden in thehouseofwhoseupperwindowstheboycouldjustcatchglimpses.RedRiding-hoodmetthewolfinthegroveofchestnutsthatrustledoverthere;andJack'sBeanstalkgrewupjustsuchawallasthat,hewassure.Butthestoryhelikedbestwasthe"SleepingBeautyintheWood;"forhewassuresomelovelycreaturelivedinthatgarden,andhelongedtogetintofind

andplaywithher.Heactuallyplantedabeaninabitofdampearthbehindthewater-barrel,andwatcheditgrow,hopingforasstrongaladderasJack's.Butthe vine grew very slowly, and Johnny was so impatient that he promisedPatseyhisbestbook"forhisownty-donty," ifhewouldclimbupandreportwhatwastobeseeninthatenchantedgarden."Faix, and I will, thin." And upwent good-natured Pat, after laying an oldboardoverthehogsheadtostandon;fortherewerespikesallalongthetopofthewall,andonlycatsandsparrowscouldwalkthere.Alas for Johnny's eager hopes, and alas for Pat's Sunday best! The boardbroke,andsplashwenttheclimber,withawildIrishhowlthatstartledJohnnyhalf out of his wits and brought both Mrs. Morris and the cobbler to therescue.AfterthissadeventPatkeptawayforatimeinhighdudgeon,andJohnnywasmorelonelythanever.Buthewasacheerylittlesoul;sohewasgratefulforwhat joys he had, and worked away at his wall,--for theMarch winds hadbrought himmany treasures, and afterApril rainswere over,May sunshinemadethecourtwarmenoughforhimtobeoutnearlyallday."I'msosorryPatismad,'causehesawthispieceandtoldmeaboutit,andhe'd like tohelpmeputup thesepictures,"saidJohnny tohimself,onebreezymorning,ashesatexaminingabigposterwhichthewindhadsentflyingintohislapafewminutesbefore.Theplaywas"MonteCristo,"andthepicturesrepresentedtheherogettingoutofprisonbymakingholesinthewall,amongotherremarkableperformances."Thisisajollyredone!Now,wherewillIputittoshowbestandnotspoiltheotherbeauties?"Ashespoke,Johnnyturnedhischairaroundandsurveyedhisgallerywithasmuchprideandsatisfactionasifitheldallthewondersofart.It really was quite splendid; for every sort of picture shone in the sun,--simpering ladies, tragic scenes, circus parades, labels from tin cans, rosytomatoes, yellowpeaches, and purple plums, funny advertisements, and gaybillsofallkinds.Nonewereperfect,buttheywerearrangedwithcare;andtheeffectwasveryfine,Johnnythought.Presentlyhis eyeswandered from these treasures to thebuddingbushes thatnoddedsotantalizinglyoverthewall.Agrape-vineranalongthetop,tryingtohide the sharp spikes; lilacs tossed theirpurpleplumesabove it, and severaltallchestnutsroseoverall,makinggreententswiththeirbroadleaves,wherespiresofblossombegantoshowlikecandlesonamammothChristmastree.Sparrows were chirping gayly everywhere; the white cat, with a fresh bluebow,baskedonthecopingofthewall,andfromthedepthsoftheenchanted

gardencameasweetvoicesinging,--"Andshebidsyoutocomein,Withadimpleinyourchin,Billyboy,Billyboy."Johnnysmiledashe listened,andputhis finger to the littledent inhisownchin,wishing the singerwould finish this pleasing song.But she never did,thoughheoftenheardthat,aswellasotherchildishditties,sunginthesamegayvoice,withburstsoflaughterandthesoundoflivelyfeettrippingupanddown the boarded walks. Johnny longed intensely to know who the singerwas;forhermusiccheeredhissolitude,andthemysterioussoundsheheardinthegardenincreasedhiswonderandhislongingdaybyday.Sometimesaman'svoicecalled,"Fay,whereareyou?"andJohnnywassure"Fay"wasshortforFairy.Anothervoicewasoftenheardtalkinginastrange,softlanguage,fullofexclamationsandprettysounds.Alittledogbarked,andansweredtothenamePippo.Canariescarolled,andsomeelfishbirdscolded,screamed,andlaughedsolikeahumanbeing,thatJohnnyfeltsurethatmagicofsomesortwasatworknextdoor.A delicious fragrancewas nowwafted over thewall as of flowers, and thepoorboyimagineduntoldlovelinessbehindthatcruelwall,ashetendedthedandelionshismotherbroughthimfromtheCommon,whenshehadtimetostopandgatherthem;forhelovedflowersdearly,andtriedtomakethemoutofcoloredpaper,sincehecouldhavenosweetersort.Nowandthenasoft, rushingsoundexcitedhiscuriosity tosuchapitchthatoncehehobbledpainfullyupthecourttillhecouldseeintothetrees;andoncehiseagereyescaughtglimpsesofalittlecreature,allblueandwhiteandgold,who peeped out from the green fans, and nodded, and tried to toss him aclusterofthechestnutflowers.Hestretchedhishandstoherwithspeechlessdelight,forgettinghiscrutches,andwouldhavefallenifhehadnotcaughtbytheshutterofawindowsoquicklythathegavethepoorbackasadwrench;andwhenhecouldlookupagain,thefairyhadvanished,andnothingwastobeseenbuttheleavesdancinginthewind.Johnnydarednot try this again for fear of a fall, and every step cost himapang;butheneverforgotit,andwasthinkingofitashesatstaringatthewallonthatmemorableMayday."HowIshouldliketopeekinandseejusthowitallreallylooks!Itsoundsandsmellssosummeryandniceinthere.Iknowitmustbesplendid.Isay,Pussy,can'tyoutellafellerwhatyousee?"Johnny laughedashe spoke,and thewhitecatpurredpolitely; for she likedtheboywhoneverthrewstonesather,nordisturbedhernaps.ButPusscould

notdescribethebeautiesofthehappyhunting-groundbelow;and,toconsolehimselfforthedisappointment,Johnnywentbacktohisnewpicture."Now, if thisman in theplaydughiswayout. throughawall ten feet thickwitharustynailandabrokenknife,Idon'tseewhyIcouldn'tpickawayonebrick and get a peek. It's all quiet in there now; here's a good place, andnobodywillknow,ifIstickapictureoverthehole.AndI'lltryit,IdeclareIwill!"FiredwiththeideaofactingMonteCristoonasmallscale,Johnnycaughtupthe old scissors in his lap, and began to dig out themortar around a brickalreadyloose,andcrumblingatthecorners.Hismothersmiledathisenergy,thensighedandsaid,assheclappedherlaceswithaheavyheart,--"Ah,poordear,ifheonlyhadhishealthhe'dmakehiswayintheworld.Butnowhe'sliketofindablankwallbeforehimwhilehelives,andnonetohelphimover."Puss,inherwhiteboots,sataloftandlookedon,wiseasthecatinthestory,but offered no advice. The toad who lived behind the water-barrel hoppedunder the few leavesof the strugglingbean, like Jackwaiting to climb; andjustthenthenoonbellsbegantoringasiftheysangclearandloud,--"Turnagain,Whittington,LordMayorofLondon."So, cheered by his friends, Johnny scraped and dug vigorously till the oldbrick fell out, showing another behind it. Only pausing to take breath, hecaughtuphiscrutchandgavetwoorthreeheartypokes,whichsoonclearedthewayandletthesunshinestreamthrough,whilethewindtossedthelilacsliketriumphalbanners,andthejollysparrowschirped,--"Hail,theconqueringherocomes!"Rather scaredbyhisunexpected success, theboy sat silent for amoment toseewhatwouldhappen.Butallwasstill;andpresently,withabeatingheart,Johnny leaned forward to enjoy the long-desired "peek." He could not seemuch; but that little increased his curiosity and delight, for it seemed likelookingintofairy-land,afterthedustandnoiseanddingyhousesofthecourt.Abedof splendid tulips tossed theirgaygarments in themiddleof agrass-plot;astrangeandbrilliantbirdsatdressing its feathersonagoldencage;alittlewhitedogdozed in thesun;andonaredcarpetunder the trees lay thePrincess,fastasleep."It'sall right,"saidJohnny,witha longsighofpleasure;"that's theSleepingBeauty, sure enough. There 's the blue gown, the white fur-cloak sweepinground, theprettyhair, and--yes--there's theoldnurse, spinningandnodding,justasshedidinthepicture-bookmothergotmewhenIcriedbecauseIcouldn'tgotoseetheplay."

This last discovery really did bewilder Johnny, and make him believe thatfairy talesmight be true, after all; for how could he know that the strangewomanwasanItalianservant,inhernativedress,withadistaffinherhand?Afterpausingamoment,torubhiseyes,hetookanotherlook,andmadefreshdiscoveries by twisting his head about. A basket of oranges stood near thePrincess,astripedcurtainhungfromalimbofthetreetokeepthewindoff,and several books fluttered their pictured leaves temptingly before Johnny'slongingeyes."Oh,ifIcouldonlygoinandeat'emandread'emandspeakto'emandseeallthesplendid things!" thought thepoorboy,ashe lookedfromonedelight toanother,andfeltshutoutfromall."Ican'tgoandwakeherlikethePrincedid,butIdowishshe'dgetupanddosomething,nowIcansee.Idaren'tthrowastone,itmighthitsomeone,orholler,itmightscareher.Pussywon'thelp,andthesparrowsare toobusyscoldingoneanother. Iknow! I 'll flyakiteover,andthatwillpleaseheranyway.Don'tbelieveshehaskites;girlsneverdo."Eagertocarryouthisplan,Johnnytiedalongstringtohisgayestposter,andthenfasteningittothepolewithwhichhesometimesfishedinthewater-cask,heldituptocatchthefreshbreezesblowingdownthecourt.Hisgoodfriend,thewind, soon caught the idea, andwith a strong breath sent the red paperwhiskingoverthewall,tohangamomentonthetreesandthendropamongthetulips,whereitsfranticstrugglestoescapewakedthedog,andsethimtoracingandbarking,asJohnnyhurriedlyletthestringgo,andputhiseyetohispeep-hole.The eyes of the Princess were wide open now, and she clapped her handswhenPippobroughtthegaypictureforhertosee;whiletheoldwoman,withalongyawn,wentaway,carryingherdistaff,likeagun,overhershoulder."Shelikesit!I'msoglad.WishIhadsomemoretosendover.Thiswillcomeoff;I'llpokeitthrough,andmaybeshewillseeit."Verymuchexcited, Johnny recklessly tore from thewallhismost cherishedpicture,agayflower-piece,justputup;andfoldingit,hethrustitthroughtheholeandwaitedtoseewhatfollowed.Nothingbutarustle,abark,andaqueercroakfromthesplendidbird,whichsetthecanariestotrillingsweetly."Shedon't see;maybe shewill hear," said Johnny.Andhebegan towhistlelikeamocking-bird;forthiswashisoneaccomplishment,andhewasproudofit.Presently he heard a funny burst of laughter from the parrot, and then thevoicesaid,--"No, Polly, you can't sing like that bird. Iwonderwhere he is?Among the

bushesoverthere,Ithink.Come,Pippo,letusgoandfindhim.""Nowshe'scoming!"AndJohnnygrewredinthefacetryingtogivehisbesttrillsandchirrups.Nearerandnearercamethesteps,thelilacsrustledasifshaken,andpresentlythe rollofpapervanished.Apause,and then the littlevoiceexclaimed, inatoneofgreatsurprise,--"Why,there'sahole!Ineversawitbefore.Oh!Icanseethestreet.Hownice!hownice!""Shelikesthehole!Iwonderifshewilllikeme?"And,emboldenedbythesevarioussuccesses,Johnnytookanotherpeep.Thiswasthemostdeliciousoneofall;forhelookedrightintoagreatblueeye,withglimpsesofgoldenhairabove,alittleroundnoseinthemiddle,andredlipsbelow.Itwaslikeaflashofsunshine,andJohnnywinked,asifdazzled;fortheeyesparkled,thenosesniffeddaintily,andtheprettymouthbrokeintoalaughasthevoicecriedoutdelightedly,--"Iseesomeone!Whoareyou?Comeandtellme!""I'mJohnnyMorris,"answeredtheboy,quitetremblingwithpleasure."Didyoumakethisnicehole?""Ijustpokedabrick,anditfellout.""Papawon'tmind.Isthatyourbird?""No;it'sme.Iwhistled.""It'sverypretty.Doitagain,"commandedthevoice,asifusedtogiveorders.Johnnyobeyed;andwhenhepaused,outofbreath,asmallhandcamethroughthehole,graspingasmanyliliesofthevalleyasitcouldhold,andthePrincessgraciouslyexpressedherpleasurebysaying,--"Ilikeit;youshalldoitagain,byandby.Herearesomeflowersforyou.Nowwewilltalk.Areyouaniceboy?"This was a poser; and Johnny answered meekly, with his nose luxuriouslyburiedinthelovelyflowers,--"Notvery,--I'mlame;Ican'tplaylikeotherfellers.""Porverino!"sighedthelittlevoice,fullofpity;and,inamoment,threered-and-yellow tulips fell at Johnny's feet, making him feel as if he really hadslippedintofairy-landthroughthatdelightfulhole."Oh, thank you! Are n't they just elegant? I never see such beauties,"stammered the poor boy, grasping his treasures as if he feared they mightvanishaway.

"Youshallhaveasmanyasyoulike.Nannawillscold,butpapawon'tmind.Tellmemore.Whatdoyoudooverthere?"askedthechild,eagerly."Nothingbutpastepicturesandmakebooks,whenIdon'tachetoobad.Iusedtohelpmother;but Igothurt, and Ican'tdomuchnow,"answered theboy,ashamed tomentionhowmany laceshepatientlypickedorclapped,since itwasallhecoulddotohelp."If you like pictures, you shall come and see mine some day. I do a greatmany.Papashowsmehow.Hisaresplendid.Doyoudraworpaintyours?""Ionlycut 'emoutofpapers,andstick 'emonthiswallorput 'eminscrap-books.Ican'tdraw,andIhaven'tgotnopaints,"answeredJohnny."Youshouldsay'haven'tanypaints.'Iwillcomeandseeyousomeday;andifIlikeyou,Iwillletyouhavemyoldpaint-box.Doyouwantit?""GuessIdo!""IthinkIshalllikeyou;soI'llbringitwhenIcome.Doyouachemuch?""Awfully,sometimes.Havetolaydownallday,andcan'tdoathing.""Doyoucry?""No!I'mtoobigforthat.Iwhistle.""IknowIshall likeyou,becauseyouarebrave!"cried the impetuousvoice,withitsprettyaccent;andthenanorangecametumblingthroughthehole,asifthenewacquaintancelongedtodosomethingtohelpthe"ache.""Is n't that a rouser! I do love 'em, butmother can't afford 'em often."AndJohnnytookonedelicioustasteonthespot."ThenIshallgiveyoumany.Wehaveloadsathome,muchfinerthanthese.Ah,youshouldseeourgardenthere!""Wheredoyoulive?"Johnnyventuredtoask;fortherewasahomesicksoundtothevoiceasitsaidthoselastwords."InRome.Hereweonlystayayear,whilepapaarrangeshisaffairs;thenwegoback,andIamhappy.""Ishouldthinkyou'dbehappyinthere.Itlooksrealsplendidtome,andI'vebeenlongingtoseeiteversinceIcouldcomeout.""It'sadullplacetome.Ilikebettertobewhereit'salwayswarm,andpeoplearemorebeautifulthanhere.Areyoubeautiful?""Whatqueerquestionsshedoesask!"AndpoorJohnnywassoperplexedhecouldonlystammer,withalaugh,--"Iguessnot.Boysdon'tcareforlooks.""Peep,andletmesee.Ilikeprettypersons,"commandedthevoice.

"Don't sheorder round?" thought Johnny,asheobeyed.Buthe liked it, andshowedsuchasmilingfaceatthepeep-hole,thatPrincessFaywaspleasedtosay,afteralonglookathim,--"No,youarenotbeautiful;butyoureyesarebright,andyoulookpleasant,soIdon'tmindthefrecklesonyournoseandthewhitenessofyourface.Ithinkyouaregood.Iamsorryforyou,andIshalllendyouabooktoreadwhenthepaincomes.""Icouldn'twait for that if Ihadabook. Ido loveso to read!"AndJohnnylaughedoutfromsheerdelightatthethoughtofanewbook;forheseldomgotone,beingtoopoortobuythem,andtoohelplesstoenjoythefreelibrariesofthecity."Thenyoushallhaveitnow."Andtherewasanotherquickrushinthegarden,followedbytheappearanceofafatlittlebook,slowlypushedthroughtheholeinthewall."Thisistheonlyonethatwillpass.YouwilllikeHansAndersen'sfairytales,Iknow.Keepitaslongasyouplease.Ihavemanymore.""You're so good! I wish I had something for you," said the boy, quiteovercomebythissweetfriendliness."Letmeseeoneofyourbooks.Theywillbenewtome.I'mtiredofallmine."Quick as a flash, offwent the cover of the old boiler, and out came half-a-dozen of Johnny's best works, to be crammed through the wall, with theearnestrequest,--"Keep'emall;they'renotgoodformuch,butthey'rethebestI'vegot.I'lldosomeprettieronesassoonasIcanfindmorenicepicturesandpieces.""They lookvery interesting. I thankyou. I shallgoand read themnow,andthencomeandtalkagain.Addio,Giovanni.""Good-by,Miss."ThusendedthefirstinterviewoflittlePyramusandThisbethroughtheholeinthewall,whilepusssatupaboveandplayedmoonshinewithheryelloweyes.

PARTII.

AfterthatdayanewlifebeganforJohnny,andheflourishedlikeapoorlittleplantthathasstruggledoutofsomedarkcornerintothesunshine.Allsortsofdelightfulthingshappened,andgoodtimesreallyseemedtohavecome.Themysteriouspapamadenoobjectiontothelibertiestakenwithhiswall,beingbusywithhisownaffairs, andglad tohavehis littlegirlhappy.OldNanna,

beingmorecareful,cametoseethenewneighbors,andwasdisarmedatoncebytheafflictionoftheboyandthegentlemannersofthemother.ShebroughtallthecurtainsofthehouseforMrs.Morristodoup,andinherprettybrokenEnglishpraisedJohnny'sgalleryandlibrary,promisingtobringFaytoseehimsomeday.Meantime the little people prattled daily together, and all manner of thingscame and went between them. Flowers, fruit, books, and bon-bons keptJohnnyinastateofbliss,andinspiredhimwithsuchbrilliantinventionsthatthe Princess never knew what agreeable surprise would come next.Astonishing kites flew over the wall, and tissue balloons exploded in theflower-beds.All thebirdsof theairseemedto live in thatcourt; for theboywhistled and piped till he was hoarse, because she liked it. The last of thelong-hoardedcentscameoutofhistinbanktobuypaperandpicturesforthegay littlebookshemade forher.His sideof thewallwas ravaged thathersmight be adorned; and, as the last offering his grateful heart could give, hepokedthetoadthroughthehole,toliveamongtheliliesandeatthefliesthatbegan to buzz about herHighnesswhen she came to give her orders to herdevotedsubjects.She always called the ladGiovanni, because she thought it a prettier namethan John; and she was never tired of telling stories, asking questions, andmakingplans.ThefavoriteonewaswhattheywoulddowhenJohnnycametoseeher,asshehadbeenpromisedheshouldwhenpapawasnottoobusytoletthem enjoy the charms of the studio; for Fay was a true artist's child, andthoughtnothingsolovelyaspictures.Johnnythoughtso,too,anddreamedofthe happy day when he should go and see the wonders his little frienddescribedsowell."I thinkitwillbeto-morrow;forpapahasa lazyfitcomingon,andthenhealwaysplayswithmeandletsmerummagewhereIlike,whilehegoesoutorsmokesinthegarden.Sobeready;andifhesaysyoucancome,Iwillhavetheflagupearlyandyoucanhurry."These agreeable remarks were breathed into Johnny's willing ear about afortnight after the acquaintance began; and he hastened to promise, addingsoberly,aminuteafter,--"Mothersaysshe'safraiditwillbetoomuchformetogoaroundandupsteps,andseenewthings;forIgettiredsoeasy,andthenthepaincomeson.ButIdon'tcarehowIacheifIcanonlyseethepictures--andyou.""Won'tyoueverbeanybetter?Nannathinksyoumight.""So doesmother, ifwe hadmoney to go away in the country, and eat nicethings,andhavedoctors.Butwecan't;soit'snouseworrying."AndJohnnygaveagreatsigh.

"Iwishpapawasrich,thenhewouldgiveyoumoney.Heworkshardtomakeenough to go back to Italy, so I cannot ask him; but perhaps I can sellmypicturesalso,andgetalittle.Papa'sfriendsoftenoffermesweetsforkisses;Iwill have money instead, and that will help. Yes, I shall do it." And Fayclappedherhandsdecidedly."Don'tyoumindaboutit.I'mgoingtolearntomendshoes.Mr.Peggetsayshe 'll teachme.That doesn't need legs, andhegets enough to liveonverywell.""Itisn'tprettywork.Nannacanteachyoutobraidstrawasshedidathome;thatiseasyandnice,andthebasketssellverywell,shesays.Ishallspeaktoheraboutit,andyoucantryto-morrowwhenyoucome.""Iwill.DoyoureallythinkIcancome,then?"AndJohnnystooduptotryhislegs;forhedreadedthelongwalk,asitseemedtohim."Iwillgoatonceandaskpapa."Away flew Fay, and soon came back with a glad "Yes!" that sent Johnnyhobbling in to tell hismother, and beg her tomend the elbows of his onlyjacket; for, suddenly, his old clothes looked so shabby he feared to showhimselftotheneighborshesolongedtosee."Hurrah!I 'mreallygoingto-morrow.Andyou,too,mammydear,"criedtheboy,wavinghiscrutchsovigorouslythatheslippedandfell."Nevermind;I'musedtoit.Pullmeup,andI'llrestwhilewetalkaboutit,"hesaidcheerily,ashismotherhelpedhimtothebed,whereheforgothispaininthinkingofthedelightsinstoreforhim.Nextday,theflagwasflyingfromthewall,andFayearlyatthehole,butnoJohnnycame;andwhenNannawenttoseewhatkepthim,shereturnedwiththesadnewsthatthepoorboywassufferingmuch,andwouldnotbeabletostirforsomedays."Letmegoandseehim,"beggedFay,imploringly."Caramia, it isnoplaceforyou.Sodark,sodamp,sopoor, it isenough tobreaktheheart,"saidNanna,decidedly."If papawashere, hewould letmego. I shall not play; I shall sit here andmakesomeplansformypoorboy."Nannaleftherindignantlittlemistress,andwenttocookanicebowlofsoupforJohnny;whileFayconcoctedafineplan,and,whatwasmoreremarkable,carrieditout.For a week it rained, for a week Johnny lay in pain, and for a week Fayworkedquietlyather littleeasel in thecornerof thestudio,whileherfatherput the last touches to his fine picture, too busy to takemuch notice of the

child.OnSaturdaythesunshone,Johnnywasbetter,andthegreatpicturewasdone.Sowerethesmallones;forasherfathersatrestingafterhiswork,Faywenttohim,withatiredbuthappyface,and,puttingseveraldrawingsintohishand,toldhercherishedplan."Papa,yousaidyouwouldpaymeadollarforeverygoodcopyImadeofthecastyougaveme. I triedveryhard, andhereare three. Iwant somemoneyvery,verymuch.Couldyoupayforthese?""Theyareexcellent,"saidtheartist,aftercarefullylookingatthem."Youhavetried,mygoodchild,andhereareyourwell-earneddollars.Whatdoyouwantthemfor?""To helpmy boy. Iwant him to come in here and see the pictures, and letNannateachhimtoplaitbaskets;andhecanrest,andyouwilllikehim,andhemightgetwellifhehadsomemoney,andIhavethreequartersthefriendsgavemeinsteadofbonbons.WouldthatbeenoughtosendpoorGiovanniintothecountryandhavedoctors?"NowonderFay's papawasbewilderedby this queer jumble, because, beingabsorbedinhiswork,hehadneverheardhalfthechildhadtoldhim,andhadforgotten all about Johnny. Now he listened with half an ear, studying theeffect of sunshine upon his picturemeantime, while Fay told him the littlestory,andbeggedtoknowhowmuchmoneyitwouldtaketomakeJohnny'sbackwell."Blessyoursweetsoul,mydarling,itwouldneedmorethanIcanspareoryouearninayear.Byandby,whenIamatleisure,wewillseewhatcanbedone,"answeredpapa,smokingcomfortably,ashelayonthesofainthelargestudioatthetopofthehouse."You say that about a great many things, papa. 'By and by' won't be longenoughtodoallyoupromisethen.Ilikenowmuchbetter,andpoorGiovannineeds the country more than you need cigars or I new frocks," said Fay,strokingherfather'stiredforeheadandlookingathimwithanimploringface."My dear, I cannot give up my cigar, for in this soothing smoke I findinspiration,andthoughyouarealittleangel,youmustbeclothed;sowaitabit, andwewill attend to the boy--later."Hewas going to say "by and by"again,butpausedjustintime,withalaugh."ThenIshalltakehimtothecountryallmyself.Icannotwaitforthishateful'byandby.'IknowhowIshalldoit,andatonce.Now,now!"criedFay,losingpatience;andwithanindignantglanceatthelazypapa,whoseemedgoingtosleep, she dashed out of the room, down many stairs, through the kitchen,startlingNanna and scattering the salad as if awhirlwind had gone by, andnever paused for breath till she stood before the garden wall with a littlehatchetinherhand.

"ThisshallbethecountryforhimtillIgetenoughmoneytosendhimaway.IwillshowwhatIcando.Hepulledouttwobricks.Iwillbeatdownthewall,andheshallcome inatonce,"pantedFay;andshegaveagreatblowat thebricks,bentonhavingherwillwithoutdelay,--forshewasanimpetuouslittlecreature, full of love and pity for the poor boy pining for the fresh air andsunshine,ofwhichshehadsomuch.Bang,bang,wentthelittlehatchet,anddowncameonebrickafteranother,tillthe hole was large enough for Fay to thrust her head through; and beingbreathlessbythattime,shepausedtorestandtakealookatJohnny'scourt.MeanwhileNanna, having collectedher lettuce leaves andherwits,went toseewhatthechildwasabout;andfindingheratworklikealittlefury,theoldwomanhurrieduptotell"theSignor,"Fay'spapa,thathislittledaughterwasabouttodestroythegardenandburyherselfundertheruinsofthewall.Thisreport,deliveredwithgroansandwringingofthehands,rousedtheartistandsenthimtotherescue,ashewellknewthathisangelwasaveryenergeticone,andcapableofgreatdestruction.Whenhearrived,hebeheldacloudofdust,apileofbricksamongthelilies,andthefeetofhischildstickingoutofalargeholeinthewall,whileherheadandshoulderswereontheotherside.Muchamused,yetfearfulthatthestonecopingmightcomedownonher,hepulledherbackwiththeassurancethathewouldlistenandhelphernowimmediately,iftherewassuchneedofhaste.But he grew sober when he saw Fay's face; for it was bathed in tears, herhandswerebleeding,anddustcoveredherfromheadtofoot."Mydarling,whatafflictsyou?Tellpapa,andhewilldoanythingyouwish.""No, youwill forget, youwill say 'Wait;' and now that I have seen it all, IcannotstoptillIgethimoutofthatdreadfulplace.Look,look,andseeifitisnotsadtolivethereallinpainanddarkness,andsopoor."As she spoke, Fay urged her father toward the hole; and to please her helooked, seeing the dull court, the noisy street beyond, and close by the lowroom,whereJohnny'smotherworkedallday,while thepoorboy'spale facewasdimlyseenashelayonhisbedwaitingfordeliverance."Well,well,itisapitifulcase;andeasilymended,sinceFayissoeageraboutit.Hopetheladisallshesays,andnothingcatchingabouthisillness.Nannacantellme."Thenhedrewbackhishead,andleadingFaytotheseat,tookheronhisknee,allflushed,dirty,andtearfulasshewas,soothingherbysayingtenderly,--"Nowletmehearallabout it,andbesureI 'llnotforget.WhatshallIdotopleaseyou,dear,beforeyoupulldownthehouseaboutmyears?"Then Fay told her tale all over again; and being no longer busy, her father

founditverytouching,withthedear,grimylittlefacelookingintohis,andthewoundedhandsclaspedbeseechinglyasshepleadedforpoorJohnny."Godblessyourtenderheart,child;youshallhavehiminhereto-morrow,andwewillseewhatcanbedoneforthosepatheticlegsofhis.Butlisten,Fay,Ihaveaneasierwaytodoitthanyours,andagrandsurprisefortheboy.Timeisshort,butitcanbedone;andtoshowyouthatIaminearnest,Iwillgothisinstantandbeginthework.ComeandwashyourfacewhileIgetonmyboots,andthenwewillgotogether."At these words Fay threw her arms about papa's neck and gave himmanygratefulkisses,stoppinginthemidsttoask,--"Truly,now?""Seeif it isnotso."Andputtingherdown,papawentoffwithgreatstrides,while she ran laughingafterhim,allherdoubts set at restby this agreeableenergyonhispart.IfJohnnyhadnotbeenasleepinthebackroom,hewouldhaveseenstrangeandpleasantsightsthatafternoonandevening;forsomethingwentoninthecourtthatdelightedhismother,amusedtheartist,andmadeFaythehappiestchild in Boston.No onewas to tell till the next day, that Johnny's surprisemightbequiteperfect,andMrs.Morrissatuptilleleventogethisoldclothesinorder;forFay'spapahadbeentoseeher,andbecameinterestedintheboy,asnoonecouldhelpbeingwhentheysawhispatientlittleface.Sohammersrang,trowelsscraped,shovelsdug,andwonderfulchangesweremade,whileFaydancedabout in themoonlight, likePuckintentuponsomeprettyprank,andpapaquotedSnout,thetinker'spartingwords,asappropriatetothehour,--"ThushaveI,wall,mypartdischargedso;And,beingdone,thuswallawaydothgo."

PARTIII.

AlovelySundaymorningdawnedwithoutacloud;andeveninthedingycourttheMay sunshine shone warmly, and the spring breezes blew freshly fromgreen fields far away. Johnny begged to go out; and beingmuch better, hismother consented, helping him to dress with such a bright face and eagerhandsthattheboysaidinnocently,--"HowgladyouarewhenIgetoverabadturn!Idon'tknowwhatyou'ddoifIevergotwell.""Mypoordear, Ibegin to thinkyouwillpickup,nowthegoodweatherhas

comeandyouhavegotalittlefriendtoplaywith.Godblessher!"Why hismother should suddenly hug him tight, and then brush his hair socarefully,withtearsinhereyes,hedidnotunderstand;butwasinsuchahurrytogetout,hecouldonlygiveheragoodkiss,andhobbleawaytoseehowhisgalleryfaredaftertherain,andtotakeajoyful"peek"attheenchantedgarden.Mrs.Morris kept close behind him, and it was well she did; for he nearlytumbleddown,sogreatwashissurprisewhenhebeheldtheoldfamiliarwallafter the good fairies Love and Pity hadworked their prettymiracle in themoonlight.The ragged hole had changed to a little arched door, painted red.On eithersidestoodagreentub,withatalloleanderinfullbloom;fromthearchabovehung a great bunch of gay flowers; and before the threshold lay a letterdirectedto"SignorGiovanniMorris,"inachildishhand.As soon as he recovered from the agreeable shock of this splendidtransformation scene, Johnny sank into his chair, where a soft cushion hadbeen placed, and read his note, with little sighs of rapture at the charmingprospectopeningbeforehim.DEARGIOVANNI,--Papahasmadethisnicegate,soyoucancomeinwhenyoulikeandnotbetired.Wearetohavetwokeys,andnooneelsecanopenit.Alittlebellistoringwhenwepullthecord,andwecanrunandseewhatwewant.Thepaintiswet.Papadidit,andthemenputupthedoorlastnight.Ihelpedthem,anddidnotgoinmybedtillten.Itwasverynicetodoitso.Ihopeyouwilllikeit.Comeinassoonasyoucan;Iamallready.Yourfriend,FAY."Mother, shemust be a real fairy to do all that,mustn't she?" said Johnny,leaningbacktolookatthedeardoorbehindwhichlaysuchhappinessforhim."Yes,mysonny,sheistherightsortofgoodfairy,andIjustwishIcoulddoherwashingforlovetherestofherblessedlittlelife,"answeredMrs.Morris,inaburstofgratefulardor."You shall! you shall!Do come in! I cannotwait anotherminute!" cried aneagerlittlevoiceasthereddoorflewopen;andtherestoodFay,lookingverylike a happy elf in her freshwhite frock, awreath of spring flowers on herprettyhair,andatallgreenwandinherhand,whilethebrilliantbirdsatonhershoulder,andthelittlewhitedogdancedaboutherfeet."Soshebidsyoutocomein,Withadimpleinyourchin,Billyboy,Billyboy,"

sung the child, remembering how Johnny liked that song; and waving herwand,shewentslowlybackwardastheboy,withashiningface,passedunderthe blooming arch into a new world, full of sunshine, liberty, and sweetcompanionship.Neither Johnny nor his mother ever forgot that happy day, for it was thebeginning of help and hope to both just when life seemed hardest and thefuturelookeddarkest.Papakeptoutofsight,butenjoyedpeepsat thelittlepartyas theysatunderthechestnuts,NannaandFaydoing thehonorsof thegarden to theirguestswithItaliangraceandskill,whilethepoormotherfoldedhertiredhandswithunutterablecontent,andtheboylookedlikeahappysoulinheaven.Sabbath silence, broken only by the chime of bells and the feet of church-goers,broodedoverthecity;sunshinemadegoldenshadowsonthegrass;thesweetwindbroughtspringodorsfromthewoods;andeveryflowerseemedtonodandbeckon,asifwelcomingthenewplaymatetotheirlovelyhome.While the women talked together, Fay led Johnny up and down her littleworld,showingallherfavoritenooks,makinghimrestoftenontheseatsthatstoodallabout,andamusinghimimmenselybyrelating thevariousfancifulplayswithwhichshebeguiledherloneliness."Nowwecanhavemuchnicerones;foryouwilltellmeyours,andwecandogreat things," she said, when she had displayed her big rocking-horse, hergrottofullofferns,hermimicsea,whereafleetoftoyboatslayatanchorinthebasinofanoldfountain,herfairy-landunder the lilacs,withpaperelvessittingamongtheleaves,herswing,thattossedonehighupamongthegreenboughs, and the basket of white kittens, where Topaz, the yellow-eyed cat,nowpurredwithmaternalpride.Bookswerepiledontherustictable,andallthepicturesFaythoughtworthytobeseen.Here also appeared a nice lunch, before the visitors could remember itwasnoon and tear themselves away.Such enchanted grapes and oranges Johnnyneveratebefore;suchdelightfullittletartsandItalianmessesofvarioussorts;eventhebreadandbutterseemedglorifiedbecauseservedinaplatetrimmedwithleavesandcutindaintybits.CoffeethatperfumedtheairputheartintopoorMrs.Morris,whohalfstarvedherselfthattheboymightbefed;andhedrankmilktillNannasaid,laughing,assherefilledthepitcher,-"HetakesmorethanboththeblessedlambsweusedtofeedforSaintAgnesintheconventathome.Andheistrulywelcome,thedearchild,tothebestwehave;forheisasinnocentandhelplessasthey.""What does shemean?"whispered Johnny to Fay, rather abashed at havingforgottenhismannersinthesatisfactionwhichthreemugfulsofgoodmilkhadgivenhim.

So,sitting in thebigrusticchairbesidehim,Fay told theprettystoryof thelambs who are dedicated to Saint Agnes, with ribbons tied to their snowywool,and thenraisedwithcare till their fleecesareshorn tomakegarmentsforthePope.Afittalefortheday,thechildthought,andwentontotellaboutthewondersofRometillJohnny'sheadwasfilledwithasplendidconfusionofnew ideas, inwhichSaintPeter's andapple-tarts, holy lambs and reddoors,ancientimagesanddearlittlegirls,weredelightfullymixed.Itallseemedlikea fairy tale, and nothing was too wonderful or lovely to happen on thatmemorableday.SowhenFay'spapaatlastappeared,findingitimpossibletokeepawayfromthehappy little party any longer, Johnnydecided at once that thehandsomemaninthevelvetcoatwasthekingoftheenchantedland,andgazedathimwith reverence and awe. A most gracious king he proved to be; for aftertalking pleasantly toMrs.Morris, and jokingFayon storming thewalls, heproposed to carry Johnny off, and catching him up, strode away with theastonished boy on his shoulder, while the little girl danced before to opendoorsandcleartheway.Johnnythoughthecouldn'tbesurprisedanymore;butwhenhehadmountedmanystairsandfoundhimself inagreat roomwithaglass roof, fullof richcurtains,strangearmor,pretty things,andpictureseverywhere,he justsat inthebigchairwherehewasplaced,andstaredinsilentdelight."Thisispapa'sstudio,andthatthefamouspicture,andhereiswhereIwork;andisn'titpleasant?andaren'tyougladtoseeit?"saidFay,skippingabouttodothehonorsoftheplace."Idon'tbelieveheavenisbeautifuller,"answeredJohnny,inalowtone,ashiseyes went from the green tree-tops peeping in at the windows to the greatsunny picture of a Roman garden, with pretty children at play among thecrumblingstatuesandfountains."I'mgladyoulikeit,forwemeantohaveyoucomehereagreatdeal.Isittopapaveryoften,andgetsotired;andyoucantalktome,andthenyoucanseemedrawandmodelinclay,andthenwe'llgointhegarden,andNannawillshowyouhowtomakebaskets,andthenwe'llplay."Johnny nodded and beamed at this charming prospect, and for an hourexplored themysteries of the studio, with Fay for a guide and papa for anamusedspectator.Helikedtheboymoreandmore,andwasgladFayhadsoharmless a playmate to expend her energies and compassion upon. Heassentedtoeveryplanproposed,andreallyhopedtobeabletohelpthesepoorneighbors;forhehadakindheart,andlovedhislittledaughterevenmorethanhisart.WhenatlastMrs.MorrisfoundcouragetocallJohnnyaway,hewentwithout

aword,andlaydowninthedingyroom,hisfacestillshiningwiththehappythoughts that filled hismind, hungry for just such pleasures, and never fedbefore.Afterthatdayeverythingwentsmoothly,andbothchildrenblossomedliketheflowersinthatpleasantgarden,wherethemagicofloveandpity,freshairandsunshine, soon worked miracles. Fay learned patience and gentleness fromJohnny; he grewdaily stronger on the better foodNannagavehim, and theexercisehewastemptedtotake;andbothspentveryhappydaysworkingandplaying,sometimesunderthetrees,wheretheprettybasketsweremade,orinthestudio,wherebothpairsofsmallhandsmodelledgracefulthingsinclay,ordaubedamazingpictureswiththeartist'soldbrushesanddiscardedcanvases.Mrs.Morriswashedeverythingwashableinthehouse,anddidupFay'sfrockssodaintilythatshelookedmorelikeanelfthaneverwhenherheadshoneoutfromtheflutedfrills,liketheyellowmiddleofadaisywithitswhitepetalsallspread.Ashewatchedthechildrenplayingtogether,theartist,havingnogreatworkin hand,made several pretty sketches of them, and then had a fine idea ofpainting the garden scene where Fay first talked to Johnny. It pleased hisfancy,andthelittlepeoplesatforhimnicely;sohemadeacharmingthingofit, putting in the cat, dog, bird, and toad as the various characters inShakspeare's lovely play, while the flowers were the elves, peeping andlisteninginallmannerofmerry,prettyways.Hecalledit"LittlePyramusandThisbe,"anditsopleasedacertainrichladythatshepaidalargepriceforit;andthen,discoveringthatittoldatruestory,shegenerouslyaddedenough to sendJohnnyandhismother to thecountry,whenFayandherfatherwerereadytogo.Butitwastoalovelierlandthantheboyhadeverreadofinhisfairybooks,andtoahappierlifethanmendingshoesinthedingycourt.Intheautumntheyallsailedgaylyawaytogether, toliveforyearsinsunnyItaly,whereJohnnygrew tall and strong, and learned to paintwith a kindmaster and a faithfulyoungfriend,whoalwaysrejoicedthatshefoundanddeliveredhim,thankstothewonderfulholeinthewall.

X.THEPIGGYGIRL.

"Iwon't bewashed! Iwon't bewashed!" screamed little Betty, kicking andslappingthemaidwhoundressedheronenight."You 'd better go and livewith the pigs, dirty child," saidMaria, scrubbing

awayattwoverygrubbyhands."IwishIcould!Ilovetobedirty,--Iwillbedirty!"roaredBetty,throwingthespongeoutofthewindowandthesoapunderthetable.Maria could do nothing with her; so she bundled her into bed half wiped,tellinghertogotosleeprightaway."Iwon't!I'llgoandlivewithMrs.Gleason'spigs,andhavenothingtodobuteatandsleep,androllinthedirt,andnever,neverbewashedanymore,"saidBettytoherself.Shelaythinkingaboutitandblinkingatthemoonforawhile;thenshegotupvery softly, and crept down the back stairs, through the garden, to the stywhere two nice little pigs were fast asleep among the straw in their smallhouse.TheyonlygruntedwhenBettycreptintoacorner,laughingatthefunitwouldbetoplaypiggyandliveherewithnoMariatowashherandnocarefulmammatokeepsaying,--"Putonacleanapron,dear!"NextmorningshewaswakedupbyhearingMrs.Gleasonpourmilkintothetrough. She lay very still till the woman was gone; then she crept out anddrankallshewanted,and took thebestbitsofcoldpotatoandbreadforherbreakfast,and the lazypigsdidnotgetup till shewasdone.While theyateand rooted in the dirt, Betty slept as long as she liked, with no school, noerrands,nopatchworktodo.Shelikedit,andkepthiddentillnight;thenshewenthome,andopened the littlewindow in the storecloset, andgot inandtookasmanygoodthingstoeatandcarryawayassheliked.Shehadafinewalkinhernightgown,andsawtheflowersasleep,heardthelittlebirdschirpin thenest, andwatched the fireflies andmoths at their pretty play.Noonesawherbutthecats;andtheyplayedwithher,andhoppedathertoes,inthemoonlight,andhadgreatfun.Whenshewastiredshewenttosleepwiththepigs,anddozedallthenextday,onlycomingouttoeatanddrinkwhenthemilkwasbroughtandthecoldbits;forMrs.Gleasontookgoodcareofherpigs,andgavethemcleanstrawoften,andkeptthemasniceasshecould.Bettylivedinthisqueerwayalongtime,andsoonlookedmorelikeapigthanalittlegirl;forhernightgowngotdirty,herhairwasnevercombed,herfacewasneverwashed,andshelovedtodiginthemudtillherhandslookedlikepaws.Shenevertalked,butbegantogruntasthepigsdid,andburrowedintothestrawtosleep,andsquealedwhentheycrowdedher,andquarrelledoverthefood,eatingwithhernoseinthetroughlikearealpig.Atfirstsheusedtoplayaboutatnight, andsteal things toeat; andpeople set traps tocatch thethief in theirgardens, and thecook inherownhouse scoldedabout the ratsthatcarriedoffthecakeandpiesoutofherpantry.Butbyandbyshegottoo

lazyandfattocareforanythingbutsleepingandeating,andneverleftthesty.Shewent on her hands and knees now, and began to wonder if a little tailwouldn'tgrowandhernosechangetoasnout.Allsummersheplayedbeapig,andthoughtitgoodfun;butwhentheautumncameitwascold,andshelongedforhernicewarmflannelnightgown,andgottired of cold victuals, and began to wish she had a fire to sit by and goodbuckwheatcakestoeat.Shewasashamedtogohome,andwonderedwhatsheshould do after this silly frolic. She asked the pigs how they managed inwinter; but theyonlygrunted, and she couldnot rememberwhat becameofthem,forthestywasalwaysemptyincoldweather.Onedreadfulnightshefoundout.Shewassmuggleddownbetweenthegreatfatpiggiestokeepwarm;buthertoeswerecold,andshewastryingtopullthestrawoverthemwhensheheardMr.Gleasonsaytohisboy,--"Wemustkill thosepigs to-morrow.Theyare fatenough;socomeandhelpmesharpenthebigknife.""Oh, dear, what will become of me?" thought Betty, as she heard thegrindstonegoroundandroundastheknifegotsharperandsharper."Ilooksolikeapigtheywillkillmetoo,andmakemeintosausagesifIdon'trunaway.I 'm tiredofplayingpiggy,andI 'd ratherbewashedahundred timesadaythanbeputinaporkbarrel."Soshelaytremblingtillmorning;thensheranthroughthegardenandfoundthebackdooropen.Itwasveryearly,andnoonesawher,forthecookwasintheshedgettingwoodtomakeherfire;soBettyslippedupstairstothenurseryandwas going towhisk into bed,when she saw in the glass an ugly blackcreature,all ragsanddirt,withrumpledhair,anda littleroundnosecoveredwithmud."Canitbeme?"shesaid."HowhorridIam!"Andshecouldnotspoilhernicewhitebed,buthoppedintothebathtubandhadagoodscrubbing.Nextshegota cleannightgown, andbrushedher hair, and cut her longnails, and lookedlikeatidylittlegirlagain.Thenshelaydowninhercoseycribwiththepinkcoverandthelacecurtains,andfellfastasleep,gladtohavecleansheets,softblankets,andherownlittlepillowoncemore."Come,darling,wakeupand see thenew frock I havegot foryou, and thenice ruffled apron. It's Thanksgiving day, and all the cousins are coming todinner,"saidhermamma,withasoftkissontherosycheek.Bettystartedup,screaming,--"Don'tkillme!Oh,pleasedon't!I 'mnota trulypig,I 'ma littlegirl;andifyou'llletmerunhome,I'llneverfretwhenI'mwashedagain."

"What is the dear child afraid of?" said mamma, cuddling her close, andlaughingtoseeBettystarewildlyaboutforthefatpigsandthestuffysty.She told her mother all about the queer time she had had, and was muchsurprisedtohearmammasay,--"Itwasalladream,dear;youhavebeensafelyasleepinyourlittlebedeversinceyouslappedpoorMarialastnight.""Well, I 'm glad I dreamed it, for it hasmademe love to be clean. Come,Maria,soapandscrubasmuchasyoulike,Iwon'tkickandscreameveranymore,"criedBetty,skippingabout,gladtobesafeinherpleasanthomeandnolongeradirty,lazypiggygirl.

XI.THETHREEFROGS.

Hop,Croak,andSplashwere three little frogswho lived inapleasant river,andhadmerrytimesswimmingaboutorhoppingonthegreengrass.Atnighttheysatonthebankandsungtogether,verysweetlytheythought;andifboatscamebytheyskippedinto thewater,heelsoverhead,withagreatsplashingandnoise.Hopwasnot contentedwith this quiet life; hewanted to see theworld, andkeptaskinghisbrotherCroaktogoandtravelwithhim."I 'mtiredofpokingaboutinthisstupidriver,withnofunbutleap-frogandsinging.Iwanttoknowwhatisoverthathill,andI'mgoingtofindout.Youcanstayanddozeinthemudifyouplease.I'vegotmorespiritthanthat,andI'moff."SoawaywentHop,singinggayly,--"Afroghewoulda-wooinggo,Whetherhismammywouldlethimorno,Witharoly-poly,gammonandspinach,Heigh-ho,saidAnthonyRowley."His good little sister Splash begged him to stay, for the world was full ofdangerandhewastooyoungtogoalone.ButHoptoldhernottoworry.Girlsought to keep at home, for they could n't take care of themselves; but fineyoung fellows should see something of life before they settled down. HisfriendTurtlehadinvitedhimtogo;andifsuchaslowchapasCreepercouldstartonajourney,ofcoursethebestjumperintheriverwouldgetonallright.

Whilehewassayinggood-by,theturtlehadcreptupthebankandwaswellonhiswaytotheroadbeyond.Hopskippedafterhim;andwhentheyhadgottothehill-top theystoppedtorest,--Creeper in theroadon thewarmsand,andHopamongsomedaisiescloseby."Howbigtheworldis!"hesaid,staringwithhisgreateyes;forhehadneverseenhousesbefore,andthevillagelookedasgrandtohimasLondonwouldtous."Ilikeit,andIknowIshallhaveasplendidtime.Comeon,slowcoach!Iseefountainsoverthere,andwantagooddrink."Justashespokeacartcameby;andbeforepoorCreepercouldgetoutoftheway,awheelcrushedhimtodeath."Mercyonus!whathorridmonstersthoseare!"criedHop,leapingasfastashis legs could take him into a garden near by, where he lay trembling andscaredhalfoutofhiswits.Hethoughtthecartwasacreature;andeverytimeheheardtherumbleofwheelshisheartbeatandheclaspedhishandsinfearashesatundertheburdockleaves.Atlastitseemedsoquietheventuredout,and had a lovely time in the nasturtium-bed, catching flies and playing bo-peepwitha littlebird.Thenhehoppedto thegrass-plot,where thesprinklerwaswhizzinground,andtookarefreshingbath.Hewasjustpuffinghisskinout andwinkingwithpleasurewhena fat toad,who livedunder thepiazza,toldhimverycrosslyto"clearout.""You are a very rude old person, and I shall do as I like. This is not yourgarden;soyouneedn'tgoggleatme,"answeredsaucyHop,openinghiswidemouthtolaughatthetoad,whowassofathecouldn'ttakelongleapslikethelivelyfrog."Verywell,dandiprat,Ishallcallthecat;andshewillmakeyouskip,unlessyouwantthatfinegreenjackettornoffyourbackbyhersharpclaws,"saidthetoad,hoppingslowlyawaytothesunnycornerwhereagraycatlaydozing."Pooh'!I'mnotafraid,"saidHop;forhehadneverseenacat,andthoughtthetoadmadeitallup.Sohetookaleisurelystrolldownthewalk,lookingabouthimasifheownedthewholegarden.Presentlyhesawaprettylittlecreatureplayingwithleaves,andhurriedontospeaktoit,beingeagertofindfriendsinthispleasantplace.Yousee,whenthetoadtoldthecataboutthestranger,pussyonlygapedandwent tosleepagain,notcaring toplaywithanyone.But thekittenwho laybesideherwascurioustoseeafrog,andranoffatoncetofindhim.Hopdidnotknowthatthiswasthecat'sdaughter,tillkittypouncedonhimasifhehadbeenamouse,andinsteadofplayingsomenicegameandtellingallaboutthenewworld,asHopexpected,sheclawedandbithim,tossedhimup,andlethimbumpdownagainon thehardground.He tried togetaway,but she lethim hop a little and then pounced again, cuffing him with her paws, and

dragginghimabouttillhewashalfdead.Hebelievedtheoldtoadnow,andthoughttheendoftheworldhadcome.Itwouldhavebeentheendoftheworldforhim,ifadoghadnotbouncedintothegardenandmadekittyflyupatree,spittingandglaringlikealittledragon.Poor Hop crept under a gooseberry bush, and lay there longing for gentleSplashtotieuphiswoundsandcomforthispainwithspearmintfromtheriversideandacoollily-padforawetsheettopackhimin."It isanawfulworld,and Iwish Iwassafeathome,"he sighed,as the sungrewhot,thewaterwasturnedoff,andthewindstoppedblowing.But hewas too feeble to hop away, and lay there panting till night,when ashower saved his life; and early in themorning he started to find the riverbeforehegotintoanymoretroubles.Hewentveryslowly,beinglameandsore;butgotoutofthegardenandwasjustplanningtogiveonetremendousleapovertheroad,forfearheshouldgetcrushedasCreeperdid,whenheheardasoftrustlingbehindhim,andsawalong,slendergraything,withverybrighteyesanda little tonguethatdartedoutandinlikeaflash."I see no cruel claws; so it can't be a cat," thoughtHop, feeling timid nowaboutmakingnewfriends."Prettyfellow,comehereandtalktome,"hissedthesnake,longingtoeatthenicelittlefroggie.Hop felt rather nervous, butwished to be polite; so he let the stranger coillovingly roundhimand lookright intohis facewhile listening to the taleofwoehegladly told.Presentlyhefoundhecouldnotstiratall,normovehiseyesfromthefieryeyesbeforehim,andthedartingtongueseemedreadytosting.Thenhewasfrightened,andtriedtoescape;butheonlygaveoneleap,forthesnakecaughthimbythehindlegsandheldhimfast,whileswallowinghimslowlydown."Help,help!" criedHop, indespair. "Croak!Splash!oh, comeand saveme,saveme!"Buttherewasnohelp;andinafewmomentstherewasnofrog,forthelastleghadvanisheddownthesnake'sthroat.PoorlittleHop!Croakwasanoisyfellow,andkeptupagreatrackettryingtosinglouderthananyoftheotherfrogs;forhewasveryproudofhisvoice,andsatonalogatnightsaying,"Kerhonk!kerhonk!"tilleveryonewastiredofhearinghim.Theoldonestoldhimnottowearhisthroatouttillhisvoicewasstronger;buthethoughttheyenviedhimitspowerandsweetness,andcroakedawaylouderthanever.

The boyswho came to the river to bathe used tomock him, and try to seewhich frog sung so loud.This pleasedhim; and insteadof keeping still andstayingamonghis friends, sillyCroakwentandsatona rockalone, thatallmightseeandhearthegreatsinger."Now,"saidtheboys,"wecancatchhimandkeephiminatub;andwhenwearetiredofhisnoisewecanraphimontheheadandmakehimbestill."Sowhile thevain frog sat croaking at the topof his voice, twoof theboysswamuptotherockandthrewanetoverhim.Hekickedandstruggled;buttheyhadhimfast,andtiedhimupinabundletilltheygottothetub,andtheretheylefthimwithalittlegrass,saying,--"Nowsingaway,oldfellow,andmakeyourselfcomfortable."But Croak could not sing, he was so frightened and unhappy; for he washungry and tired, and they did n't give him the right things to eat, nor anymossylogtoreston.Theypokedhimwithsticks,tookhimuptolookathisfunnytoes,openedhisbigmouth,andheldhimbyonelegtoseehimkick.Hetriedtoclimbout;butthesidesofthetubwereslippery,andhehadtogiveitup.Hekeptswimmingandfloatingtillhewastiredout,andatebread-crumbsandgrass tokeep fromstarving;buthewasverymiserable, thoughchildrencametohearhimsing,andhehadnothingelsetodo."Thisisn'twhatImeant,"sighedCroak,"andifeverIgetoutofthisoldtub,I'llkeepverystillandnevertrytomakeanoiseintheworldagain."Amongthechildrenwasonekindlittlegirlwhopitiedthepoorfrog,andoneday when she was alone took him up carefully and put him on the grass,saying,--"Runaway, froggie,home toyourmamma,anddon't tell theboys I setyoufree.""Thank you, my dear; those bad boys will never see or hear me again,"answeredCroak,hoppingoffasfastashecouldgo,nevermindinginhishurrythathewasnottakingtheroadtotheriver.After he had gone a longway he came to a tankwhere a greatmany frogsseemedtobehavingaverynicetime;fortherewasplentyoffood,stonestositon,andfreshwaterflowinginallthetime."Ah!thesemustbeveryelegantpeopletoliveinthisluxuriousway.Theysingprettywell,butnotonehasasplendiddeepvoicelikemine.I'lljumpinandastonish them with my best song," said Croak, after he had watched andlistenedforawhile.IfhehadonlyknownthatthesefrogswerekepttheretobefattenedforanoldFrenchgentlemantoeat,hewouldhaveskippedawayandsavedhislife;buthewassoanxioustoshowoffhisvoice,thathegaveajumpandwentsplash

intothetank,startlingtheothersandmakingagreatcommotion.Helikedthat;andgettinguponthehigheststone,gavethemhisfavorite"Kerhonk"song,tilltheairrangwiththesound.Theotherfrogsweremuchimpressed,fortheythoughtitfinemusic;sotheygatheredround,andshookhandsandwelcomedthestranger,surethathemustbeadistinguishedmusician,heputonsuchairs.NowCroakwasinhisglory,andpuffedhimselfout,andgoggledatthelady-frogstilltheyputuptheirfansofgreenflagtohidetheirsmiles.Theyoungfellowstriedtoimitatehim,tillthetankwassuchanoisyplacetheoldgentlemansaidtohiscook,--"Killoffadozenofthefattestfordinner,andstopthatdinoutthere."ThefrogshadtoldCroakthateverynowandthensomeofthemwerechosento go and live in the great house; and allwere eager to find outwhat goodfortunehadhappenedtotheirfriends,fornoneevercamebacktotellthesadtruth.Sowhentheysawthemaninthewhitecapandaproncometothetankandlookdownatthem,theyallbegantoskipandprance,hopingtobechosen.With a long-handled net the cook picked out the fattest and put them in acoveredpailtillhehadhisdozen.Croakhadnotbeentherelongenoughtogetveryplump,sohewouldhaveescapedthattimeifhehadheldhistongue.Buthecouldn'tkeepstill,andmadesuchaterriblenoisethecooksaid,--"Imust catch and quiet that rascal, ormymasterwill go distracted." So heheld the net open; and that silly frog hopped in, little dreaming that he hadsunghislastsong."Nowweshallseefinethings.Good-by,youpoordears!Bepatienttillyourturncomes,"hecried,asthebucketwascarriedawaytothekitchen.Croakwasdisappointedwhenhesawnothingbutpotsandpansandagreatfire;forthevainfellowreallythoughthewaschosentosingbeforesomefinepeople.Buthisdisappointmentturnedtohorrorwhenhesawhisfriendstakenoutonebyoneandtheirpoorlittlelegscutofftofryfordinner.Thatwastheonlypartthecookused,andtheresthethrewaway.Croakwaslefttothelast,ashewasnottobeeaten;andwhilehewaitedhisturn,hedasheddistractedlyroundandroundthepail,tryingtogetaway,andcroakingsodismallyitwasawonderthecookdidnottakepityonhim.Buthedidnot,andwasjustgoingtowardthepailwiththebigknifeinhishand,whentheoldgentlemancamedown to see if his orders were obeyed, for he thought a great deal of hisdinner.All the poor little legs lay in the pan ready to cook; and hewas sopleased that he said, looking at the thin frog swimming about in that livelyway,--"Ah!thisisaverybriskfellow.Iwillputhiminmyaquarium;thegold-fishandthecrabwilllikealittlesociety,Ithink."

Then,catchingCroakbyoneleg,hecarriedhimupstairsandthrewhimintothe great glass box where several pretty gold-fish and one cross crab livedtogether.Croakwassogladtoescapefryingthathewasveryquiet,humble,andgood;andthoughhisnewhomewasaprison,hetriedtobecontented,andnever complained when the lovely fish called him ugly and the cross crabnippedhistoes.Hewashomesick,andlongedsadlyforthepleasantriver,thejolly games he used to have, and his dear little sister. He never sang now,fearing tobekilled ifhedid;butwhen thewindowsstoodopen through thesummernightandheheardthemusicofhisfriends,heputhishandsbeforehisfaceandcriedsuchbittertearsthatthewatergrewquitesalt.Heboreitaslong as he could; but his heart broke at last, and one day poor Croak wasfoundfloatingonthetopofthetankquitedead.Sothatwastheendofhim.GoodlittleSplashlivedathomeallsafeandhappy,andwassokindtoeveryonethatherneighborslovedherdearlyandsungherpraisesattheireveningconcerts.Now,theFrogPrincewishedtomarry,andwaslookingaboutforawife,ashewas very particular. So hewrapped himself up in a dead-leaf cloak, put anemptynut-shellonhisheadforahood,and leaningonabulrushstaff,wenthobbling alongby the river like apooroldwoman, begging at thedifferenthouses,thathemightseehowthelady-frogsbehavedathome.WhenherodeoutasthePrinceonafield-mouse,withflagsflying,andallhiscourtabouthim,theyounglady-frogsstoodmodestlybytheirmammas,allintheirbest,andcurtsiedsweetlyashewentby.Butnowhecameto thebackdoors,apoorbeggar,anditwasverydifferent.Somewerelazyandlaylateintheirbedsofriverweeds,whilethemothersdidthework;someweregreedyand ate all the best flies themselves; others slapped and scolded their littlebrothersandsisters insteadof takingcareof them;andnearlyallwerevain.ThePrincecaughtmanylookingat theirbrighteyes instillpools,orputtingoncrownsofwaterflowers,orbathingindewtokeepthefrecklesfromtheirfaces.Theywerealwaysreadytodanceatballs,togoboating,orsingattheconcertswhereallcouldhear them;butfewwerebusy,sweet,anddutifulathome,andthePrincenowherefoundthebridehewanted.Hewasveryfondofmusic;sohelistenedtotheconcerts,andsoonbegantowonderwhytheyallsangasongwiththischorus,--"Whoisthefairestthatswimsinourriver?Whoisthedearestfrogunderthesun?Whoselifeisfullofthesweetestendeavor?Whoisourbusiest,happiestone?Splash,Splash,darlingthing!

Alldelightherpraisetosing.""Imustfindthislovelycreatureandseeifsheisalltheysay,becauseifsheisI'llmakeaPrincessofherinthetwinklingofaneye,"saidthePrince;andhesetofftolookforSplash,forhewasaveryenergeticfrog.He soon found her, for she was always busy doing something for herneighbors;andhewatchedherteachingthelittletadpolestoswim,helpingtheoldfrogsouttositinthesunwhendampweathergavethemrheumatism,ortakingcareofthesickones,orfeedingthepoor,orrunningerrandsforbusymammaswithlargefamiliesandlazydaughters.Inherownlittlehomeallwasasneataswax,butsolonelyshedidnotliketostaytheremuch.Alldayshehelpedothers,andateveningsatatherdoorandthoughtsadlyofherlostbrothers.Shewasveryprettyinherneat,graygownandwhiteapron,withherbrighteyes,gentleface,andsweetvoice;thoughsheseldomsung,exceptlullabiestothelittlefrogsandthesickfolks.She was rocking a small tadpole to sleep in this way one day, when thedisguisedPrincecamehobblingalong,andaskedforabittoeat.PuttinglittleWiggleinhiscobwebhammock,Splashsaidkindly,--"Yes,oldmother,comeinandrestwhileIgetyousomedinner.Here'sasoftcushionofmoss,andaleafofwaterfreshfromthespring."ThePrince sat a long time talkingwithher, andhearing about her brothers,and seeing how sweet shewas.Hemade up hismind tomarry at once; forfrogsdon'tspendalongtimeandmuchmoneygettingready,--theyjustwashuptheirgreenandgraysuits,andinvitetheirfriendstothewedding.Thebridecanalwaysfindadelicatecobwebon thegrassforaveil,and that isallsheneeds.ThePrincethoughthewouldtryonethingmore;sohesaidtoher,--"I'mverylame;willyoutakemetothepalace?IwanttoseethePrince.Doyouknowhim?""No; I 'monly a humble creature, and hewould n't care to knowme," saidSplash,modestly. "But Iadmirehimverymuch,he is sobraveand justandgood.Ilovetoseehimgoby,andalwayspeepbehindmycurtain,heissuchasplendidsight."ThePrinceblushedunderthenut-shellcapatsuchpraise,andwassure,fromthewaySplashspoke,thatshelovedhimalittlebit.Sohewasveryhappyandwantedtodance,butkeptquietandleanedonherarmassheledhimdownthebank,puthimnicelyonalily-pad,androwedaway,smilingathimandtalkingsosweetlyhegotfonderandfonderofhereverymoment.At last they came to the palace, all made of white water-lilies, with redcardinal-flowers for flags, floors of green moss, and pink toadstool tables

spreadwithacorncupsofhoney,berries,andallthedaintiesfrogslove;forthePrincehadsentatelegrambythewindtohaveafeastready."Comein.Ihavesomethingforyouinreturnforyourkindnesstome.I'mnotwhatIseem,andinamomentyoushallseewhoyournewfriendis,"saidthePrince,leadingherintothegreathallwherethethronewas.Thenhelefther,wonderingwhatwastohappen,whilehehurriedtothrowoffhisoldthingsandtoputonhisgreenvelvetsuit,hiscrownofcowslip,andthetall rush that was his sceptre. He looked very splendid, with white silkstockingsonhis long legs,his fine eyes shining, andhis speckledwaistcoatpuffedoutwiththejoyofhisheart.The trumpetssounded;all the frogsof thecourtcamemarching in,with thePrinceatthehead;andwhentheywereseatedatthetables,hetookastonishedSplashbythehand,andsaidinaloudvoice,--"This is yourQueen,--the best, the loveliest in the land!Bring theweddingveil;letthebellsring,andshoutwithme,'Hurrah!hurrahforQueenSplash!'"

XII.BAA!BAA!

BAATHEFIRST.

They did n't look at all like heroines, those two shabby little girls, as theytrotteddownthehill,leavingacloudofdustbehindthem.Theirbarefeetwerescratchedandbrown,theirhandswereredwithberrystains,andtheirfreckledfaces shone with heat under the flapping sun-bonnets. But Patty and Tildaweregoingtodoafinepieceofwork,althoughtheydidnotknowitthen,andwere very full of their own small affairs as they went briskly toward thestationtosellberries.Thetongueswentasfastasthefeet;forthiswasagreatexpedition,andbothweremuchexcitedaboutit"Don'ttheylooklovely?"saidTilda,proudlysurveyinghersister'sloadasshepausedtochangeaheavypailfromonearmtotheother."Perfectlyde-licious!Iknowfolkswillbuy'em,ifweain'ttooscaredtooffer'em,"answeredPatty,stoppingalsotosettlethetwodozenlittlebirchbasketsfull of red raspberrieswhich she carried,prettily set forth, onanoldwaiter,trimmedwithscarletbunch-berries,whiteeverlasting,andgreenleaves."Isha'n'tbe.I'llgorightalongandhollerrealloud,--seeifIdon't.I'mboundtohaveourbooksandboots fornextwinter;so justkeep thinkinghownice

they'll be, and push ahead," said stout-hearted Tilda, the leader of theexpedition."Hurry up. I want to have time to sprinkle the posies, so they'll look freshwhenthetraincomes.Ihopethere'llbelotsofchildreninit;theyalwayswanttoeat,masays.""Itwas realmeanofElviryMorris togoandoffer to sell cheaperup to thehotelthanwedid,andspoilourmarket.Guessshe'llwishshe'dthoughtofthiswhenwetellwhatwe 'vedonedownhere."Andbothchildren laughedwithsatisfactionastheytrudgedalong,nevermindingthetwohot,dustymilestheyhadtogo.The station was out of the village, and the long trains carrying summertravellers to themountains stopped there once a day tomeet the stages fordifferent places. Itwas apleasant spot,with agreat pondonone side, deepforestsontheother,andinthedistanceglimpsesofgraypeaksorgreenslopesinvitingthewearycitypeopletocomeandrest.Everyoneseemedgladtogetoutduringthetenminutes'pause,eveniftheirjourneywasnotyetended;andwhiletheystoodabout,enjoyingthefreshairfromthepond,orwatchingthestagesloadup,TildaandPattyplannedtooffertheirtemptinglittlebasketsoffreshfruitandflowers.Itwasagreateffort,andtheir hearts beat with childish hope and fear as they came in sight of thestation,withnooneaboutbutthejollystage-driversloungingintheshade."Plentyof time.Let'sgo to thepondandwashoff thedust andget adrink.Folkswon'tseeusbehindthosecars,"saidTilda,gladtoslipoutofsighttillthetrainarrived;forevenhercourageseemedtooozeawayastheimportantmomentapproached.Alongcattle-trainstoodonasidetrackwaitingfortheotheronetopass;andwhilethelittlegirlssplashedtheirfeetinthecoolwater,ordrankfromtheirhands,apitifulsoundfilledtheair.Hundredsofsheep,closelypackedinthecarsandsufferingagoniesfromdustandheatandthirst,thrusttheirpoornosesthroughthebars,bleatingfrantically;forthesightofallthatwater,sonearyetso impossible to reach,drove themwild.Those fartherdown the track,whocouldnotseethebluelake,couldsmellit,andtookupthecrytillthewoodsechoedwithit,andeventhecarelessdriverssaid,withaglanceofpity,--"Hardonthepoorcrittersthishotday,ain'tit?""Oh,Tilda,hear'embaa,andsee'emcrowdthissidetogetatthewater!Let'stake 'em some in our pickin' dishes. It's so dreadful to be dry," said tender-heartedPatty,fillingherpintcup,andrunningtoofferittothenearestpatheticnoseoutstretchedtomeetit.Adozenthirstytonguestriedtolapit,andinthestrugglethelittlecupwassoonemptied;butPattyranformore,andTildadidthe same,bothgetting soexcitedover thedistressof thepoorcreatures that

theyneverheardthefar-offwhistleoftheirtrain,andcontinuedrunningtoandfroontheirerrandofmercy,carelessof theirownwearyfeet,hotfaces,andthepreciousflowerswitheringinthesun.Theydidnotseeapartyofpeoplesittingnearbyunderthetrees,whowatchedthemandlistenedtotheireagertalkwithsmilinginterest."Run, Patty; this poor little one is half dead.Throw somewater in his facewhileImakethisbigonestopwalkingonhim.Oh,dear!Therearesomany!Wecan'thelphalf,andourmugsaresosmall!""IknowwhatI'lldo,Tilda,--tipouttheberriesintomyapron,andbringupanicelotatonce,"criedPatty,halfbesideherselfwithpity."Itwillspoilyourapronandmashtheberries,butnevermind.Idon'tcareifwedon'tselloneifwecanhelpthesepoordearlammies,"answeredenergeticTilda,dashingintotheponduptoheranklestofillthepail,whilePattypiledupthefruitinherplaidapron."Oh,mypatienceme!thetrainiscoming!"criedPatty,asashrillshriekwoketheechoes,andanapproachingrumblewasheard."Let itcome.Iwon't leave thissheep till it'sbetter.Yougoandsell thefirstlot; I 'll come as quick as I can," commanded Tilda, so busy reviving theexhaustedanimalthatshecouldnotstopeventobeginthecherishednewplan."I don't dare go alone; you come and call out, and I 'll hold the waiter,"quaveredpoorPatty, looking sadly scared as the long train rolled bywith aheadateverywindow."Don'tbeagoose.Stayhereandwork,then;I'llgoandselleverybasket.I'msomadaboutthesepoorthings,Iain'tafraidofanybody,"criedTilda,withalastrefreshingsplashamongthefewfavoredsheep,asshecaughtupthetrayandmarchedofftotheplatform,--averyhot,wet,shabbylittlegirl,butwithabreast full of the just indignation and tender pity that go to redress half thewrongsofthisgreatworld."Oh,mamma,seetheprettybaskets!dobuysome,I 'msothirstyandtired,"exclaimedmorethanoneeagerlittletraveller,asTildahelduphertray,cryingbravely,--"Freshberries!freshberries!tencents!onlytencents!"Theywere all gone in tenminutes; and if Patty had beenwith her, the pailmighthavebeen emptiedbefore the train left.But theother littleSamaritanwashardatwork;andwhenhersisterjoinedher,proudlydisplayingahandfulof silver, she was prouder still to show her woolly invalid feebly nibblinggrassfromherhand."Wemighthavesoldeveryone,--folksliked'emeversomuch;andnexttime

we'llhavetwodozenbasketsapiece.Butwe'llhavetobespry,forsomeofthechildrenfussaboutpickingouttheonetheylike.It'srealfun,Patty,"saidTilda,tyingupthepreciousdimesinacornerofherdingylittlehandkerchief."So'sthis,"answeredtheother,withalastlovingpatofherpatient'snose,asthetrainbegantomove,andcaraftercarofsufferingsheeppassedthemwithplaintivecriesandvaineffortstoreachtheblessedwaterofwhichtheywereinsuchdreadfulneed.PoorPattycouldn'tbearit.Shewashot,tired,andunhappybecauseshecoulddosolittle;andwhenherpityingeyeslostsightofthatloadofmisery,shejustsatdownandcried.ButTildascoldedasshecarefullyputtheunsoldberriesbackintothepail,stillunconsciousofthepeoplebehindtheelder-bushesbythepond."That's thewickedest thing that everwas; and I justwish Iwasaman, so Icould see about it. I 'd put all the railroad folks in those cars, andkeep 'emtherehoursandhoursandhours,goingbypondsallthetime;andI'dhaveice-cream,too,wheretheycouldn'tgetabit,andlotsoffans,andotherfolksallcool and comfortable, never caringhowhot and tired and thirsty theywere.Yes,Iwould!andthenwe'dseehowtheylikeit."HereindignantTildahadtostopforbreath,andrefreshedherselfbysuckingberry-juiceoffherfingers."We must do something about it. I can't be happy to think of those poorlammiesgoing so farwithout anywater. It's awful tobedry," sobbedPatty,drinkingherowntearsastheyfell."IfIhadahose,I'dcomeeverydayandhosealloverthecars;thatwoulddosomegood.Anyway,we'llbringtheotherbigpail,andwaterallwecan,"saidTilda,whoseactivebrainwasalwaysreadywithaplan."Thenwesha'n'tsellourberries,"beganPatty,despondently;foralltheworldwassaddenedtoherjustthenbythesightshehadseen."We'llcomeearlier,andbothworkrealhardtillourtrainisin.ThenI'llsell,andyougoonwateringwithbothpails.It'shardwork,butwecantaketurns.Whatevershallwedowithalltheseberries?Theunderonesaresmashed,sowe 'lleat 'em;butthesearenice,onlywhowillbuy 'em?"AndTildalookedsoberlyatthespoiledapronandthefourquartsofraspberriespickedwithsomuchcareinthehotsun."Iwill,"saidapleasantvoice;andayoungladycameoutfromthebushesjustasthegoodfairyappearstothemaidensinoldtales.Both little girls started and stared, and were covered with confusion whenotherheadspoppedup,andastoutgentlemancametowardthem,smilingsogood-naturedlythattheywerenotafraid.

"Wearehavingapicnicinthewoods,andwouldliketheseniceberriesforoursupper,ifyouwanttosellthem,"saidthelady,holdingoutaprettybasket."Yes,ma'am,we do.You can have 'em all. They 're a littlemashed; sowewon'taskbuttencentsaquart,thoughweexpectedtogettwelve,"saidTilda,whowasarealYankee,andhadaneyetobusiness."What do you charge for watering the sheep?" asked the stout gentleman,lookingkindlyatPatty,whoatonceretiredintothedepthsofhersun-bonnet,likeasnailintoitsshell."Nothing,sir.Wasn'tithorridtoseethosepoorthings?That'swhatmadehercry.She'srealtender-hearted,andshecouldn'tbearit;sowelettheberriesgo,anddidwhatwecould,"answeredTilda,withsuchanearnestlittlefacethatitlookedprettyinspiteoftanandfrecklesanddust."Yes, itwasverysad,andwemustseeabout it.Here'ssomethingtopayfortheberries,alsofor thewater."Andthegentlemanthrewabrighthalf-dollarintoTilda'slapandanotherintoPatty's,justasifhewasusedtotossingmoneyaboutinthatdelightfulmanner.Thelittlegirlsdidn'tknowwhattosaytohim;buttheybeamedateveryone,and surveyed the pretty silver pieces as if theywere very precious in theirsight."Whatwillyoudowiththem?"askedthelady,inthefriendlysortofvoicethatalwaysgetsareadyanswer."Oh,wearesavinguptobuybooksandrubberboots,sowecangotoschoolnextwinter.Welivetwomilesfromschool,andwearoutlotsofboots,andgetcoldswhenit'swet.WehadPewmonialastspring,andmasaidwemusthaverubberboots,andwemightearn'eminberry-time,"saidTilda,eagerly."Yes,andshe'srealsmart,andshe'sgoingtobepromoted,andmusthavenewbooks, and they cost somuch, andma ain't rich, sowe get 'em ourselves,"addedsisterPatty,forgettingbashfulnessinsisterlypride."That'sbrave.Howmuchwillittakeforthebootsandthebooks?"askedthelady,with a glance at the old gentleman,whowas eating berries out of herbasket."Asmuchasfivedollars,Iguess.Wewanttogetashawlforma,soshecangotomeetin'.It'sasecret,andwepickeverydayrealhard,'causeberriesdon'tlastlong,"saidTilda,wisely."Shethoughtofcomingdownhere.Wefeltsobadabout losingourplaceatthehotel,anddidn'tknowwhattodo,tillTildamadethisplan.Ithinkit'sasplendidone."AndPattyeyedherhalf-dollarwithimmensesatisfaction."Don'tspoil theplan,Alice. I 'mpassingeveryweekwhileyouareuphere,

andI 'llseeto thesuccessof theaffair,"saidtheoldgentleman,withanod;adding,inaloudertone,"Theseareveryfineberries,andIwantyoutotakefourquartseveryotherdaytoMiller'sfarmoverthere.Youknowtheplace?""Yes,sir!yes,sir!"criedtwoeagervoices;forthechildrenfeltasifarainofhalf-dollarswasabouttosetin."IcomeupeverySaturdayandgodownMonday;andIshalllookoutforyouhere, and you canwater the sheep asmuch as you like. They need it, poorbeasts!"addedtheoldgentleman."We will, sir! we will!" cried the children, with faces so full of innocentgratitudeandgoodwillthattheyoungladystoopedandkissedthemboth."Now,mydear,wemustbeoff,andnotkeepourfriendswaitinganylonger,"said the old gentleman, turning toward the heads still bobbing about behindthebushes."Good-by, good-by. We won't forget the berries and the sheep," called thechildren, waving the stained apron like a banner, and showing every whitetoothinthebeamingsmilestheysentafterthesenewfriends."NorImylambs,"saidAlicetoherself,asshefollowedherfathertotheboat."What will ma say when we tell her and show her this heap of money?"exclaimedTilda,pouringthedimesintoherlap,andrapturouslychinkingthebighalf-dollarsbeforeshetiedthemallupagain."Ihopewesha'n'tberobbedgoinghome.You'dbetterhideitinyourbreast,elsesomeonemightseeit,"saidprudentPatty,oppressedbytheresponsibilityofsomuchwealth."Theregoestheboat!"criedTilda."Don'titlooklovely?ThosearethenicestfolksIeversaw.""She'sperfectlyelegant.I 'dlikeawhitedressandahatjustlikethat.Whenshekissedme,thelongfeatherwasassoftasabird'swingonmycheeks,andherhairwasallcurlinground like thepicturewecutoutof thepaper."AndPattygazedaftertheboatasifthislittletouchofromanceinherhard-workinglifewasdelightfultoher."Theymustbeawfulrich,towantsomanyberries.Weshallhavetoflyroundto get enough for them and the car folks too.Let's go right off now to thatthick place we left this morning, else Elviry may get ahead of us," saidpractical Tilda, jumping up, ready to make hay while the sun shone. Butneitherofthemdreamedwhatafinecroptheyweretogetinthatsummer,allowingtotheirreadinessinansweringthatpitiful"Baa!baa!"

BAATHESECOND.

Averywarmandaverybusyweekfollowed,fortheberrieswerepunctuallydeliveredatthefarm,andsuccessfullysoldatthestation;and,bestofall,thesheepwereasfaithfullywateredastwolittlepailsandtwolittlegirlscoulddoit.Everyoneelseforgotthem.Mr.Bensonwasabusyoldgentlemanfarawayinthecity;MissAlicewasdriving,boating,andpicnickingalldaylong;andthemenatthedepothadnoorderstocareforthepoorbeasts.ButTildaandPatty never forgot; and, rain or shine, they were there when the long traincamein,waitingtodowhattheycould,withdrippingpails,handfulsofgrass,or greenbranches, to refresh these suffering travellers forwhomno thoughtwastaken.The rough stage-drivers laughed at them, the brakemen ordered them away,and the station-master said theywere "little fools;" but nothing daunted thesmallsistersofcharity,andinafewdaystheywereletalone.Theirarmswereverytiredliftingthepails,theirbacksachedwithluggingsomuchwater,andmotherwouldnotletthemwearanybuttheiroldestclothesforsuchwetwork;so they had their trials, but bore them bravely, and never expected to bethanked.When Saturday came round, and Miss Alice drove to meet her father, sherememberedthelittlegirls,andlookedforthem.Upatthefarmsheenjoyedherberries,andorderedthemtobepromptlypaidfor,butwaseitherasleeporawaywhentheyarrived,andsohadnotseenthechildren.ThesightofPatty,hastilyscramblingacleanapronoverheroldfrock,asshewaitedforthetrainwithhertrayoffruit,madetheyoungladyleavethephaetonandgotomeetthechild,asking,withasmile,--"Whereistheblack-eyedsister?Notill,Ihope."No,ma'am;she'swateringthesheep.She'ssostrongshedoesitbetter'nIdo,and I sell the baskets," answeredPatty, rejoicing secretly in the clean fadedapronthathidhershabbiness."Ah,Iforgotmylambs;butyouwerefaithfultoyours,yougoodlittlethings!Haveyoudoneiteveryday?""Yes,'m.Masaid,ifwepromised,wemustdoit;andwelikeit.Onlythere'ssucha lotof 'em, andwegetpretty tired."AndPatty rubbedher armsas iftheyached."I 'll speak to papa about it this very day. It will be a good time; for Mr.Jacobs,thepresidentoftheroad,iscominguptospendSunday,andtheymustdosomethingforthepoorbeasts,"saidMissAlice,ashamedtobeoutdonebytwolittlegirls.

"Thatwillbesonice.Wereadapieceinapaperourteacherlendsus,andIbroughtitdowntoshowMr.Weed,thedepotman.Hesaiditwasashame,butnobodycouldhelpit;sowethoughtwe'dtellhimaboutthelawwefound."AndPattyeagerlydrewaworncopyof"OurDumbAnimals"fromherpockettoshowthelittleparagraphtothisall-powerfulfriendwhoknewtherailroadking.MissAliceread:--"An act of Congress provides that at the end of every twenty-eight hours'journey animals shall be given five hours' rest, and duly fed and watered,unless shipped in cars having accommodations for the care of live-stock onboard.""There!"criedPatty,"that'sthelaw;andmasaysthesesheepcomeeversofar,andoughttobewatered.Dotellthepresident,andaskhimtoseetoit.Therewas another piece about some poor pigs and cows being ninety-two hourswithoutwaterandfood.Itwasawful.""Iwilltellhim.Here'sourtrain.Runtoyourberries.I'llfindpapa,andshowhimthis."AsMiss Alice spoke, the cars thundered into the little station, and a briefbustleensued,duringwhichPattywastoobusytoseewhathappened.Mr. Benson and another stout old gentleman got out; and the minuteMissAlicehadbeenkissed,shesaidveryearnestly,--"Waitalittle,please;Iwanttosettleaveryimportantpieceofbusinessbeforewegohome."Then,whilethegentlemenlistenedindulgently,shetoldthestory,showedthebitinthepaper,andpointingoutPatty,addedwarmly,--"That'sonegoodchild.Comeandsee theother,andyouwillagreewithmethatsomethingoughttobedonetorelievetheirkindlittleheartsandarms,ifnotoutofmercytotheanimals,whocan'tbecalleddumbinthiscase,thoughwehavebeendeaftoolong.""Mywilfulgirlmusthaveherway.Comeandgetawhiffoffreshair,Jacobs."AndMr.Bensonfollowedhisdaughteracrossthetrack,gladtogetoutofthebustle.Yes, Tilda was there, and at work so energetically that they dared notapproach,but stood lookingand laughing for amoment.Twopailsofwaterstoodnearher,andwithalong-handleddippershewasservingallshecouldreach;thosewhichwerepackedontheuppertiershecouldonlyrefreshbyawell-aimed splash, which was eagerly welcomed, andmuch enjoyed by allparties,--forTildagotwellshoweredherself,butdidnotcareabit,foritwasameltingJulyday.

"Thatisaverylittlethingtodo,butitisthecupofcoldwaterwhichwehaveforgotten,"saidMissAlice,softly,whiletheairwasfullofcriesoflongingasthebluelakeshonebeforethethirstybeasts."Jacobs,wemustattendtothis.""Benson,wewill.I'lllookintothematter,andreportatthenextmeeting."Thatwas all they said; butAlice clappedher hands, for sheknew the thingwould be done, and smiled like sunshine on the two old gentlemen, whopresentlywatched the long train rumble away,with shakes and nods of thegrayheads,whichexpressedbothpityanddetermination.Theother train soon followed, andPatty came runningoverwithher emptytrayandahandfulofsilvertojoinTilda,whosatdownuponherupturnedpail,tiredout."Papawillseetoit,children;and,thankstoyou,thesheepwillsoonbemorecomfortable,"saidMissAlice,joiningthem."Oh,goody!Ihopethey'llbequick;it'ssohot,there'seversomanydeadonesto-day,andIcan'thelp'em,"answeredTilda,fanningherselfwithherbonnet,andwipingthedropsoffherredface.MissAlicetookaprettystrawfanoutofherpocketandhandedittoher,withalookofrespectforthefaithfullittlesoulwhodidherdutysowell."Askformewhenyoucometothefarmto-night.Ishallhavesomehatsandaprons for you, and Iwant to know you better," she said, remembering thebroad-brimmedhatsandready-madeapronsinthevillagestore."Thankyou,ma'am.We'llcome.Nowwewon'thavetodothiswetworkwe'dliketobeneatandnice,"saidPatty,gratefully."Doyoualwayssellallyourberriesdownhere?"askedMissAlice,watchingTildatieupthedimes."Yes,indeed;andwecouldsellmoreifbothofuswent.Butmasaidweweremakinglotsofmoney,anditwasn'tbesttogetrichtoofast,"answeredTilda,wisely."That'sagoodthingforustoremember,Benson,especiallyjustnow,andnotcountthecostofthislittleimprovementinourcattlecarstooclosely,"saidMr.Jacobs,astheoldgentlemencameupintimetohearTilda'sspeech."Yourmother is a remarkablewoman; Imustcomeandseeher,"addedMr.Benson."Yes, sir; she is. She'd be pleased to see you any day."AndTilda stood uprespectfullyashereldersaddressedher."Gettingtoorich,areyou?ThenIsupposeitwouldn'tdotoaskyoutoinvest

thisinyourbusinessforme?"askedMr.Jacobs,holdinguptwosilverdollars,asifhefeltbashfulaboutofferingthem.Two pairs of eyes sparkled; and Patty's handwent out involuntarily, as shethoughthowmanythingsshecouldgetwithallthatmoney."Wouldtheybuyalamb?andwouldyouliketouseitthatway?"askedTilda,inabusiness-liketone."IguessMillerwouldletyouhaveoneforthatsumifMissAlicemakesthebargain,andIshouldverymuchliketostartaflockifyouwouldattendtoitforme," answeredMr. Jacobs,with a laughing nod at the young lady,whoseemedtounderstandthatwayofmakingbargains."We'dlikeiteversomuch!We'vewantedalamballsummer;andwe'vegotanicerockypasture,withlotsofpennyroyalandberrybushesandabrook,forittolivein.Wecouldgetoneourselvesnowwearesorich;butwe'dratherbuymorethingsforma,andmendtheroof'forethesnowcomes:it'ssoold,rainrunsdownonourbedsometimes.""That'sbad;butyouseemfondofwater,and lookas if itagreedwithyou,"saidMr.Jacobs,playfullypokingTilda'ssoakedapronwithhiscane.Theyalllaughed;andMr.Bensonsaid,lookingathiswatch,--"Come,Alice,wemustgo. Iwantmydinner,andsodoesJacobs.Good-by,littlewater-witches.I'llseeyouagain.""Doyous'posethey'llrememberthelambsandhats,andalltheypromised?"askedPatty,astheothersturnedaway."Idon'tbelievetheywill.Richfolksaresobusyhavinggoodtimestheyareapttoforgetpoorfolks,seemstome,"answeredTilda,shakingherheadlikealittleSolomon."Blessmyheart,what a sharp child that is!Wemust not disappoint her; soremindme,Alice,tomakeamemorandumofallthisbusiness,"whisperedMr.Benson,whoheardeveryword."ThePresident isaveryniceman,andIknowhe 'llkeephisword.See!hedropped the money in my tray, and I never saw him do it," cried Patty,pouncingonthedollarslikearobinonaworm."There'sacomplimentforyou,andwellworththemoney.Suchconfidenceisbeautiful,"saidMr.Jacobs,laughing."Well, I 've learneda little lesson,and I 'll lay it toheart sowell Iwon't leteitherofyouforget,"addedAlice,astheydroveaway;whileTildaandPattytrudged home, quite unconscious that they had set an example which theirelderswerenotashamedtofollow.Somanydelightfulthingshappenedafterthisthatthechildrenfeltasif they

hadgotintoafairytale.Firstofall,twoniceroughstrawhatsandfourusefulapronsweregiventhemthatverynight.NextdayMissAlicewenttoseetheirmother,and foundanexcellentwoman, trying tobringuphergirls,withnoonetohelpher.Thensomehowtheroofgotmended,andthefence,sothatpassingcattlecouldnot devastate the little beds where the children carefully cultivated wildflowersfromthewoodsandhills.Thereseemedtobeasuddencallforberriesin the neighborhood,--for the story of the small Samaritanswent about, andevenwhiletheylaughed,peoplefeltaninterestinthechildren,andweregladtohelp them;so thedimes in thespoutless teapotrose likeasilver tide,andvisionsofnewgowns,andmaybesleds,dancedthroughthebusylittlebrains.But, best and most wonderful of all, the old gentlemen did not forget thesheep. Itwasastonishinghowquicklyandeasily itwasalldone,whenoncethose who had the power found both the will and the way. Every one wasinterested now: the stage-drivers joked no more; the brakemen lent a handwiththebucketswhilewaitingforbettermeansofrelief;andcrossMr.WeedpattedTildaandPattyon thehead,andpointed themout to strangersas the"nice little girls who stirred up the railroad folks." Children from the hotelcametolookatthem,andElviryMorriswasfilledwithregretthatshehadnoshareinthisinterestingaffair.Thusthelittlepailofwatertheyofferedforpity'ssakekeptthememoryofthismuch-neededmercygreen till the lakepoured its full tidealong thechannelmadeforit,andtherewasnomoresufferingonthatroad.Thefirstdaythenewpumpsweretriedeveryonewenttoseethemwork;andearliestofallwereTildaandPatty,inpinkapronsandwreathsofevergreensround their new hats, in honor of the day. Itwas sweet to see their intensesatisfactionasthewaterstreamedintothetroughs,andthethirstysheepdrankso gratefully. The innocent little souls did not know how many approvingglanceswerecastuponthemastheysatonalog,withthetiredarmsfolded,twotraysofberriesattheirfeetnow,andtwofacesbeamingwiththejoyofagreathopebeautifullyfulfilled.Presentlyapartyfromthehotelappeared;andsomethingwasevidentlygoingtohappen, for theboysandgirlskeptdodgingbehind thecars tosee if theywerecoming.TildaandPattywonderedwhoorwhat,butkeptmodestlyapartupontheirlog,gladtoseethatthefinefolksenjoyedthesightaboutasmuchastheydid.Arattlewasheardalongtheroad,awagonstoppedbehindthestation,andanexcitedboycameflyingoverthetracktomakethemysteriousannouncementtotheotherchildren,--"They'vegot'em,andtheyareregularbeauties."

"Morepumpsortroughs,Iguess.Well,wecan'thavetoomany,"saidTilda,withaneyetothebusinessunderway."I wish those folks would n't stare so. I s'pose it's the new aprons withpockets," whispered bashful Patty, longing for the old cape-bonnet to retireinto.But both forgot pumps and pockets in a moment, as a striking processionappearedroundthecorner.Mr.Benson, tryingnot to laugh,butshiningwithheatand fun, ledaverywhite lambwitha redbowon itsneck;andbehindhimcameMissAlice,leadinganotherlambwithabluebow.Shelookedverymuchinearnest,andmorelikeagoodfairythanever,asshecarriedoutherlittlesurprise.Peoplelookedandlaughed;buteveryoneseemedtounderstandthejokeatonce,andwereveryquietwhenMr.Bensonhelduphishand,andsaid,inavoicewhichwasearnestaswellasmerry,--"Here,my little girls, are two friends of those poor fellowsyonder come tothankyouforyourpity,andtoprove,Ihope,thatrichpeoplearenotalwaystoobusywiththeirowngoodtimestoremembertheirpoorerneighbors.Takethem,mydears,andGodblessyou!""Ididn'tforgetmylambsthistime,buthavebeentamingtheseforyou;andMr.Jacobsbegsyouwillacceptthem,withhislove,"addedMissAlice,asthetwoprettycreatureswereleduptotheirnewowners,waggingtheirtailsandworking their noses in the most amiable manner, though evidently muchamazedatthescene.TildaandPattyweresosurprisedthattheyweredumbwithdelight,andcouldonlyblushandpat thewoollyheads, feelingmore likestory-bookgirls thanever.Theotherchildren,charmedwiththispleasantendingtotheprettystory,setupacheer; themenjoined in itwithawill;while the ladieswaved theirparasols, and all the sheep seemed to add to the chorus their grateful "Baa!baa!"

LikedThisBook?ForMoreFREEe-BooksvisitFreeditorial.com